Unsang Park

US Patent:

8229158, Jul 24, 2012

Filed:

Apr 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/111652

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
G06K 9/60

US Classification:

382100, 382305

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.

US Patent:

20090272801, Nov 5, 2009

Filed:

Apr 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/112318

Inventors:

Myron D. Flickner - San Jose CA, US
Norman Haas - Mount Kisco NY, US
Arun Hampapur - Norwalk CT, US
Sharathchandra U. Pankanti - Norwalk CT, US
Unsang Park - East Lansing MI, US

International Classification:

G06K 7/00

US Classification:

235383

Abstract:

Aspects of the present invention provide an approach for deterring checkout fraud comprising a camera (e.g., still, video, etc.) that is located near (overhead) a scanner used to scan a barcode of an item being purchased. Specifically, the barcode of the item is scanned and an image of the item is recorded. It is then determined whether the identity of the item as determined based on the barcode is consistent with its appearance as determined from the image. If not, a discrepancy is registered. It is then determined whether the discrepancy is due to fraud (e.g., theft) or device error. In the case of the latter, the system can be updated to prevent a repeat of the error. In either event, the scan, the image and a shopping event corresponding to the scan and image can be logged for future analysis and/or learning.

US Patent:

20100030685, Feb 4, 2010

Filed:

Jul 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/182229

Inventors:

Russell P. Bobbitt - Pleasantville NY, US
Sergio Borger - Demarest NJ, US
Myron D. Flickner - San Jose CA, US
Norman Haas - Mount Kisco NY, US
Arun Hampapur - Norwalk CT, US
Sharathchandra U. Pankanti - Norwalk CT, US
Unsang Park - East Lansing MI, US

International Classification:

G06Q 40/00

US Classification:

705 39

Abstract:

Under the present invention a transaction is processed and analyzed for potential fraud or error. Specifically, a description of a (proposed) transaction is accessed. Among other things, the description contains an expected set of events (e.g., derived from historical data). As the transaction is being performed a set of multimedia devices will record the same. The multimedia signal(s) from the set of devices will be analyzed to determine what event(s) actually took place. The actual event(s) will be compared to the expected event(s) to determine if any deviation/difference exists. If there is a difference, and it is beyond a predetermined tolerance, a notification can be generated. Regardless, a log of the activities will be kept.

US Patent:

7448542, Nov 11, 2008

Filed:

May 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/115238

Inventors:

Russell P. Bobbitt - Pleasantville NY, US
Myron Flickner - San Jose CA, US
Arun Hampapur - Norwalk CT, US
Charles A. Otto - Lansing MI, US
Sharathchandra U. Pankanti - Norwalk CT, US
Unsang Park - East Lansing MI, US
Akira Yanagawa - New York NY, US
Yun Zhai - White Plains NY, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06K 15/00
G06K 7/10
G06K 7/14
G06Q 20/00
H04N 7/18
H04N 9/47
A63F 9/02

US Classification:

235383, 23546201, 235454, 705 23, 348150, 186 61

Abstract:

A method for detecting a non-scan at a retail checkout station includes detecting the passing of an item across a scanner device of a retail checkout station, obtaining an image of the item passing across the scanner, detecting a scan of an item passing across the scanner to establish a scanned item, and establishing a register associated with the scanned item. A scan occurs if the image of the item passing across the scanner substantially matches the register associated with the scanned item. Conversely, a non-scan is triggered when the image of the item passing across the scanner does not match the register associated with the scanned item.