Checkout apparatus

Abstract

A checkout apparatus includes a memory that stores first information about one or more commodities registered in a registration process, a first interface configured to acquire an image of a predetermined region where registered commodities are to be placed, and a processor configured to identify commodities in the image acquired via the first interface by object recognition, determine whether each of the identified commodities is in the first information stored in the memory, and if one of the identified commodities is not in the first information, output an error signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A checkout apparatus, comprising:
 a memory that stores first information about one or more commodities registered in a registration process;   a first interface configured to acquire an image of a predetermined region where registered commodities are to be placed; and   a processor configured to:
 identify commodities in the image acquired via the first interface by object recognition, 
 determine whether each of the identified commodities is in the first information stored in the memory, and 
 if one of the identified commodities is not in the first information, output an error signal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The checkout apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the memory stores second information about the identified commodities, and   when the commodities in the first information and the commodities in the second information are not identical, the processor outputs the error signal.   
     
     
         3 . The checkout apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a display device having a touch panel configured to receive an input for starting a settlement process, wherein   the processor does not start the settlement process if the commodities in the first information and the commodities in the second information are not identical even if the input of starting the settlement process is received by the display device.   
     
     
         4 . The checkout apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and second information are stored in a form of list including a code of each commodity. 
     
     
         5 . The checkout apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a display device, wherein   upon receipt of the error signal, the display device displays an error message.   
     
     
         6 . The checkout apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lamp, wherein   upon receipt of the error signal, the lamp flashes.   
     
     
         7 . The checkout apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a camera configured to photograph the registered commodities in the predetermined region.   
     
     
         8 . The checkout apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a scanner configured to scan one or more commodities and acquire commodity information for scanned commodities, wherein   the processor adds the acquired commodity information to the first information.   
     
     
         9 . The checkout apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a display device having a touch panel configured to receive an input of commodity information for commodities in the registration process, wherein   the processor adds the input commodity information to the first information.   
     
     
         10 . The checkout apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a camera above the predetermined region and configured to photograph the registered commodities.   
     
     
         11 . A checkout method for commodities, the method comprising:
 storing in a memory first information about one or more commodities registered in a registration process;   acquiring an image of a predetermined region where the registered commodities are to be placed;   identifying one or more commodities in the acquired image by object recognition;   determining whether each of the identified commodities is in the first information stored in the memory; and   if one of the identified commodities is not in the first information, outputting an error signal.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 storing in the memory second information about the identified commodities, wherein   when the commodities in the first information and the commodities in the second information are not identical, the error signal is generated.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 receiving an input of starting a settlement process, but not starting the settlement process is if the commodities in the first information and the commodities in the second information are not identical.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the first and second information are stored in a form of list including a code of each commodity. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 upon receipt of the error signal, displaying an error message.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 upon receipt of the error signal, flashing a light.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 photographing the registered commodities in the predetermined region.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 scanning a bar code on one or more commodities and acquiring commodity information for scanned commodities, and   adding the acquired commodity information to the first information.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving an input of commodity information via a touch panel for one or more commodities in the registration process, and   adding the input commodity information to the first information.   
     
     
         20 . A checkout apparatus, comprising:
 a scanner configured to scan one or more commodities to register commodity information about commodities in a sales transaction;   a memory that stores the commodity information for registered commodities in the sales transaction;   a table on which registered commodities are to be placed;   a camera configured to acquire an image of the table;   a display device for displaying information related to the sales transaction; and   a processor configured to:
 identify commodities in the acquired image by object recognition, 
 acquire commodity information about identified commodities in the acquired image, 
 determine whether the commodity information for each identified commodity is already stored in the memory, and 
 control the display device to display an error message if commodity information for at least one identified commodity is not already stored in the memory.