VISUAL SECURITY FOR POINT OF SALE TERMINALS

• US 20100282841A1
• Filed: 05/07/2009
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Flickner, Mayron D., Haas, Norman, Hampapur, Arun, Pankanti, Sharathchandra U., Patnaik, Yashodhara M., Connell II, Jonathan H.
• Granted Patent: US 9,047,742 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0018 Constructional details, e.g. of drawer, printing means, input means
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/12 electronically operated digital data processing aspects G06Q20/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 3/00 Alarm indicators, e.g. bells

Abstract

Under the present invention, item verification is automated and expedited. Specifically, items to be purchased can be scanned by the shopper using a barcode reader (e.g., a scanner), attached to or positioned near the checkout station. As items are scanned, they are identified based on their barcode, and added to an item list. Item verification can then be performed at checkout using imaging technology. Specifically, as items are scanned, an item verification unit will capture an appearance thereof (via a camera). Item verification software within the item verification unit will access a database that associates items with their images/appearances. The appearance will be compared for consistency to the identity as determined based on the scan. In general, the item verification unit is a separate unit from the cash register, but adapted to work in conjunction therewith (e.g., as a pluggable system, via wireless communication, etc.).

Claims

1. A secure checkout method, comprising:

capturing at least one image of an item with an image capture device of an item verification unit, the item verification unit being configured to communicate with a point of sale terminal where the item is being checked-out; and

processing the image using item verification software of the item verification unit, the processing comprising determining whether an identity of the item as determined based on a scan of a barcode associated with the item is consistent with an appearance of the item as determined based on the at least one image.

2. The secure checkout method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the scan via a barcode reader associated with the point of sale terminal.

3. The secure checkout method of claim 1, further comprising accessing a database that associates items with their images.

4. The secure checkout method of claim 1, the item verification unit being a stand-alone unit that is attachable to the point of sale terminal.

5. The secure checkout method of claim 1, further comprising registering a discrepancy with the item verification software if the identity is inconsistent with the appearance.

6. The secure checkout method of claim 5, providing a notification of the discrepancy with the item verification software, the notification being at least one of a visual notification and/or an audible notification.

7. The secure checkout method of claim 1, the image capture device being selected from a group consisting of a still image camera and a video camera.

8. A secure checkout system, comprising:

a item verification unit configured to communicate with a point of sale terminal, the item verification unit comprising;

an image capture device for capturing at least one image of an item being checked-out via the point of sale terminal; and

item verification software configured to determine whether an identity of the item as determined based on a scan of a barcode associated with the item is consistent with an appearance of the item as determined based on the at least one image.

9. The secure checkout system of claim 8, the scan being capturing by a barcode reader associated with the point of sale terminal.

10. The secure checkout system of claim 8, the item verification software accessing a database that associates items with their images.

11. The secure checkout system of claim 8, the item verification unit a stand-alone unit that is attachable to the point of sale terminal as a stand.

12. The secure checkout system of claim 8, the item verification software being further configured to register a discrepancy if the identity is inconsistent with the appearance.

13. The secure checkout system of claim 12, the item verification software being further configured to provide a notification of the discrepancy, the notification being at least one of a visual notification and/or an audible notification.

14. The secure checkout system of claim 8, the image capture device being selected from a group consisting of a still image camera and a video camera.

15. A computer readable medium containing a program product for secure checkout, the computer readable medium comprising program code for causing a computer to:

receive at least one image of an item captured with an image capture device of an item verification unit, the item verification unit being configured to communicate with a point of sale terminal where the item is being checked-out; and

process the image to determining whether an identity of the item as determined based on a scan of a barcode associated with the item is consistent with an appearance of the item as determined based on the at least one image.

16. The computer readable medium containing the program product for secure checkout of claim 16, the computer readable medium further comprising program code for causing the computer to:

receive the scan via a barcode reader associated with the point of sale terminal.

17. The computer readable medium containing the program product for secure checkout of claim 16, the computer readable medium further comprising program code for causing the computer to:

access a database that associates items with their images.

18. The computer readable medium containing the program product for secure checkout of claim 16, the computer readable medium further comprising program code for causing the computer to:

register a discrepancy with the item verification software if the identity is inconsistent with the appearance.

19. The computer readable medium containing the program product for secure checkout of claim 16, the computer readable medium further comprising program code for causing the computer to:

provide a notification of the discrepancy with the item verification software, the notification being at least one of a visual notification and/or an audible notification.

20. A method for deploying a secure checkout system, comprising:

deploying a computer infrastructure being operable to;

receive at least one image of an item captured with an image capture device of an item verification unit, the item verification unit being configured to communicate with a point of sale terminal where the item is being checked-out; and

process the image to determine whether an identity of the item as determined based on a scan of a barcode associated with the item is consistent with an appearance of the item as determined based on the at least one image.