Retail store self-checkout station and related methods for providing interactive virtual lane for smart self-checkouts

Abstract

A retail store self-checkout area may include a scanner configured to enable a shopper to scan items being purchased. A bagging area may be positioned at the scanner. A top-down facing camera positioned and oriented to image a shopping cart or basket at the self-checkout area and to generate image signals of the shopping cart or basket. A projector may be configured to project dynamically alterable illumination signals onto a surface visible to the shopper when at the self-checkout area to provide visual guidance information to the shopper. The projector may be a smart projector, and may be configured to be a top-down facing projector to illuminate a floor at the self-checkout area. A system controller may be configured to drive the projector (e.g., smart projector) and to process images captured by camera to identify errors or fraudulent behavior during a self-checkout process.