Registry verification for a mechanized store using radio frequency tags

• US 10,192,408 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2017
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Standard Cognition Corp.
• Original Assignee: Bernd Schoner
• Inventors: Schoner, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D
• Application Number:
  US15/853,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20180122194A1
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 235383, 235385
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/52 Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0081 the reader being a portable scanner or data reader G07G1/009 takes precedence

Abstract

Registry verification is used in a mechanized store. A camera is used to count a first number of items taken by a user. Radio frequency tags are used to determine a second number of items. The first number of items is compared to the second number of items to reduce a likelihood of errors.

Claims

1. A system for a mechanized store, the system comprising:

a structure enclosing an area, wherein the structure is configured to selectively permit access to a user to the area;

one or more displays in the area;

a plurality of items at the one or more displays;

a plurality of radio frequency (RF) tags attached to the plurality, wherein the plurality of RF tags are configured to be sensed by one or more RF sensors;

one or more cameras configured to detect a number of items removed by the user from the one or more displays; and

one or more processors configured to;

receive a number of items sensed as removed by the one or more RF sensors;

receive the number of items removed by the user detected by the one or more cameras;

compare the number of items sensed as removed by the one or more RF sensors to the number of items removed by the user detected by the one or more cameras to obtain a result; and

saving the result to a record of the user.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the RF tags are RFID tags.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more cameras are configured to count the number of items without identifying the user.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more cameras are configured to count the number of items and also identify the user.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein an item is scheduled for delivery by a delivery service.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the item is a piece of apparel.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the structure is configured to permit only one user at a time access to the area.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the area is a volume less than 3.5 meters wide by 3.5 meters long by 3.5 meters tall.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more cameras are configured to count the number of items by identifying movement of a hand and determining if the hand is holding an item of the plurality of items.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a wireless receiver configured to unlock doors of the structure based on a received signal from a device of the user.

11. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a camera configured to read a scan code or obtain a visual of the user for use in determining to unlock doors of the structure.

12. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the one or more displays comprises a first display and a second display;

a first item of the plurality of items is located at the first display;

a second item of the plurality of items is located at the second display;

the one are more cameras are further configured to;

record that the first item was removed from the first display; and

record that the second item was removed from the second display.

13. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to update a first electronic basket and a second electronic basket;

the first electronic basket corresponds to items sensed as removed by the one or more RF sensors; and

the second electronic basket corresponds to the number of items in removed by the user detected by the one or more cameras.

14. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more cameras are configured to count the number of items without identifying items.

15. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more cameras are configured to identify items.

16. The system as recited in claim 1, the one or more cameras are configured to use artificial intelligence for determining if an item was taken from a display of the one or more displays.

17. A method for operating a mechanized store, the method comprising:

permitting a user access to a structure enclosing an area, the area having a plurality of items, wherein;

a plurality of radio frequency (RF) tags are attached to the plurality of items; and

the plurality of RF tags are configured to be sensed by one or more RF sensors;

detecting, using one or more cameras, a number of items removed from one or more displays by the user;

determining a number of items sensed as removed by the one or more RF sensors;

comparing the number of items removed detected by the one or more cameras to the number of items removed sensed by the one or more RF sensors to obtain a result; and

saving the result to a record of the user.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting the result to a mobile device of the user.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising alerting a store owner, store employee, independent contractor, and/or law enforcement based on the number of items sensed by the one or more RF sensors as removed being different from the number of items sensed by the one or more cameras as being removed.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising tracking the user in the area.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising initiating a credit card transaction on a credit card associated with an account of the user, such that the user is charged for items removed.

22. One or more memory devices comprising instructions that when executed cause one or more processors to perform the following steps:

permitting a user access to a structure enclosing an area, the area having a plurality of items, wherein;

a plurality of radio frequency (RF) tags are attached to the plurality of items; and

the plurality of RF tags are configured to be sensed by one or more RF sensors;

detecting, using one or more cameras, a number of items removed from one or more displays by the user;

determining a number of items sensed as removed by the one or more RF sensors;

comparing the number of items removed detected by the one or more cameras to the number of items removed sensed by the one or more RF sensors to obtain a result; and

saving the result to a record of the user.

23. The one or more memory devices as recited in claim 22, wherein comparing the number of items removed detected by the one or more cameras to the number of items removed sensed by the one or more RF sensors to obtain the result includes:

identifying a discrepancy between the number of items removed detected by the one or more cameras and the number of items removed sensed by the one or more RF sensors;

determining the discrepancy under a threshold monetary value; and

permitting the user to complete a purchase of items based on the discrepancy being under the threshold monetary value.