Automatic learning in a merchandise checkout system with visual recognition
US9477955B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30108
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A merchandise checkout system for ringing up merchandise in a grocery or other retail facility is disclosed. The merchandise checkout system includes visual sensors for acquiring images of an object to be rung up at checkout; a database configured to retain a visual model and UPC code of known items; and a processor configured to maintain and update the database with information about new merchandise presented for checkout. The visual model preferably includes at least one image of each item of merchandise in the retail store as well as geometric point features extracted from images of the merchandise. The processor in the exemplary embodiment is configured to: (a) compare the image of the object acquired at checkout to the visual model of the items in the database; (b) recognize the object based on the overall appearance of the packaging; (c) automatically ring up the price of the object at the POS; and (d) automatically add the acquired image to the database if the image of the object is new, i.e., it does not match the visual model of any of the items recorded in the database, thereby enabling the checkout system to dynamically and automatically build up its database of visual m…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.