METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR DETERMINING A STATE OF A SHOPPING RECEPTACLE
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for determining a state of a shopping receptacle, comprising:
- referencing a model of a shopping receptacle when empty;
referencing a knowledgebase of non-shopping items typically placed in shopping receptacles;
detecting an end of a shopping transaction; and
determining if the shopping receptacle is empty by using at least one image taken of the shopping receptacle at the end of the shopping transaction and the model, and by considering any non-shopping items present in the shopping receptacle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an approach for determining a state of a shopping receptacle. Specifically, under the present approach, an image capture device (e.g., camera) is positioned at the checkout station and/or on the shopping receptacle. The device will capture at least one image of the shopping receptacle during the checkout process and/or when the customer or checkout clerk indicates that the transaction is ready for payment (e.g., all items have been scanned or rung through). Using such image(s), a model for an empty receptacle and a knowledgebase of non-shopping items that may remain in the shopping receptacle, it is determined whether the receptacle is empty. If not, an alarm or other notification will be activated and the events can be logged.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A computer-implemented method for determining a state of a shopping receptacle, comprising:
-
referencing a model of a shopping receptacle when empty; referencing a knowledgebase of non-shopping items typically placed in shopping receptacles; detecting an end of a shopping transaction; and determining if the shopping receptacle is empty by using at least one image taken of the shopping receptacle at the end of the shopping transaction and the model, and by considering any non-shopping items present in the shopping receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A system for determining a state of a shopping receptacle, comprising:
-
a module for referencing a model of a shopping receptacle when empty; a module for referencing a knowledgebase of non-shopping items typically placed in shopping receptacles; a module for detecting an end of a shopping transaction; and a module for determining if the shopping receptacle is empty by using at least one image taken of the shopping receptacle at the end of the shopping transaction and the model, and by considering any non-shopping items present in the shopping receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A program product stored on a computer readable medium for determining a state of a shopping receptacle, the computer readable medium comprising instructions for causing a computer system to:
-
reference a model of a shopping receptacle when empty; reference a knowledgebase of non-shopping items typically placed in shopping receptacles; detect an end of a shopping transaction; and determine if the shopping receptacle is empty by using at least one image taken of the shopping receptacle at the end of the shopping transaction and the model, and by considering any non-shopping items present in the shopping receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method for deploying an application for determining a state of a shopping receptacle, comprising:
deploying a computer infrastructure being operable to; reference a model of a shopping receptacle when empty; reference a knowledgebase of non-shopping items typically placed in shopping receptacles; detect an end of a shopping transaction; and determine if the shopping receptacle is empty by using at least one image taken of the shopping receptacle at the end of the shopping transaction and the model, and by considering any non-shopping items present in the shopping receptacle.
Specification