The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 24, 2012
Filed:
Apr. 29, 2008
Jonathan H. Connell, Ii, Cortlandt-Manor, NY (US);
Bernadette R. Duponchel, Lincoln, RI (US);
Myron D. Flickner, San Jose, CA (US);
Norman Haas, Mount Kisco, NY (US);
Sharathchandra U. Pankanti, Norwalk, CT (US);
Unsang Park, East Lansing, MI (US);
Jonathan H. Connell, II, Cortlandt-Manor, NY (US);
Bernadette R. Duponchel, Lincoln, RI (US);
Myron D. Flickner, San Jose, CA (US);
Norman Haas, Mount Kisco, NY (US);
Sharathchandra U. Pankanti, Norwalk, CT (US);
Unsang Park, East Lansing, MI (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
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.