FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY DETECTION AT A BARCODE SCANNER BY VERIFYING VISUAL SIGNATURES
First Claim
1. A method for detecting a fraudulent activity at a checkout terminal, the checkout terminal comprising a computer, the method operated via the computer, comprising the steps of:
- detecting an item identifier number of an item from a barcode with a barcode scanner, the barcode being affixed to the item, wherein the barcode scanner is in communication with the computer;
capturing an image of the item with a camera, the camera positioned to take the image of the item, the camera being in communication with the computer, wherein the image comprises the barcode and a surrounding of the barcode;
obtaining a visual signature from the image; and
determining a similarity between the visual signature and a model visual signature to verify the fraudulent activity, by comparing the visual signature obtained from the image to the model visual signature linked to the item identifier number, the model visual signature representing an expected visual signature of the item, wherein the model visual signature is stored at a storage unit being accessible to the computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System and method for detecting a fraudulent activity at a barcode scanner is disclosed. The method issues an alert when the fraudulent activity is confirmed by comparing the visual signature of the item being transacted over the checkout terminal to the model visual signature. The model visual signature is obtained by averaging the collection of visual signature of the item gathered over a period of time. A human validation via a remote processor is employed to confirm the fraudulent activity verified by a computer.
27 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for detecting a fraudulent activity at a checkout terminal, the checkout terminal comprising a computer, the method operated via the computer, comprising the steps of:
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detecting an item identifier number of an item from a barcode with a barcode scanner, the barcode being affixed to the item, wherein the barcode scanner is in communication with the computer; capturing an image of the item with a camera, the camera positioned to take the image of the item, the camera being in communication with the computer, wherein the image comprises the barcode and a surrounding of the barcode; obtaining a visual signature from the image; and determining a similarity between the visual signature and a model visual signature to verify the fraudulent activity, by comparing the visual signature obtained from the image to the model visual signature linked to the item identifier number, the model visual signature representing an expected visual signature of the item, wherein the model visual signature is stored at a storage unit being accessible to the computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A checkout terminal for detecting a fraudulent activity, comprising:
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a computer; a barcode scanner in communication with the computer, the barcode scanner positioned to detect an item identifier number of an item from a barcode, the barcode being affixed to the item; a camera in communication with the computer, the camera positioned to capture an image of the item, wherein the image comprises the barcode and a surrounding of the barcode; the checkout terminal in communication with a storage unit via a network, wherein the checkout terminal is configured to; obtain a visual signature from the image; and determine a similarity between the visual signature and a model visual signature to verify the fraudulent activity, by comparing the visual signature obtained from the image to the model visual signature linked to the item identifier number, the model visual signature representing an expected visual signature of the item, wherein the model visual signature is stored at the storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification