Accel Robotics Corporation

Tanuj Pankaj

Marius Buibas

John Quinn

Chin-Chang Kuo

System that facilitates rapid onboarding of an autonomous (cashier-less) store by capturing images of the store's items from multiple angles, with varying backgrounds, and that builds a classifier training dataset from these images. The system may have cameras in different positions, and backgrounds that generate different background colors. It may have a platform for items that can be switched between a transparent and non-transparent state; cameras below the platform may therefore capture images of the bottom side of the item when the platform is transparent. When an item is placed in the imaging system, a fully automated process may generate a sequence of background colors and may capture and process images from all of the cameras to create training images. Images of the item from multiple angles, including views of the entire external surface of the item, may be captured without requiring an operator to move or reorient the item.

Multi-angle rapid onboarding system for visual item classification

System that facilitates rapid onboarding of an autonomous (cashier-less) store by capturing images of items in the store's catalog from different angles, with varying backgrounds and lighting conditions, and that automatically builds a classifier training dataset from these images. The system may have cameras in different positions, lights supporting variable illumination, and monitor screens that generate different background colors. It may have an input device such as a barcode reader, and an operator terminal that prompts operators to place items into the imaging system in the necessary orientations. Once an item is placed in the imaging system, a fully automated process may generate a sequence of background colors, a sequence of lighting conditions, and may capture and process images from all of the cameras to create training images. Training images for an item may be generated in seconds, compared to many minutes per item using manual image capture and processing.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Tanuj Pankaj