A system and method for verifying a non-scan item at a self-checkout point-of-sale terminal is provided. A merchandise item that isn't scanned at the self-checkout terminal is identified by a detection system. Further, a user helper device is provided to verify the incident by prompting the shopper for an input. The user helper device is operably connected to the self-checkout point-of-sale terminal and the detection system to determine and verify a fraudulent incident occurring during a transaction activity by the shoppers. Further, a store attendant device is provided for human intervention when necessary.

A method includes: acquiring, from a first communication terminal of a first user via a network, i) a request for a purchase menu corresponding to a store and ii) a first notification indicating that a beacon signal including a device identifier (ID) specifying a beacon signal transmitter disposed in the store is received from the beacon signal transmitter; generating, based on limited product information, the request for the purchase menu, and the first notification, privileged purchase menu information; and outputting the privileged purchase menu information to the first communication terminal.

In accordance with various embodiments, a method (100) for the computer-aided recognition of a transport container (402) being empty can comprise: determining (101) one or more than one segment of image data of the transport container (402) using depth information assigned to the image data; assigning (103) the image data to one from a plurality of classes, of which a first class represents the transport container (402) being empty, and a second class represents the transport container (402) being non-empty, wherein the one or more than one segment is not taken into account in the assigning; outputting (105) a signal which represents the filtered image data being assigned to the second class.

Techniques described herein are directed to, among other things, utilizing a self-centering user interface to receive information associated with a transaction. For instance, a computing device may receive a first input at a first location of a display. The computing device may then determine a positioning for the user interface, where the user interface may be substantially centered about the first location. In some instances, the computing device may display the user interface using the positioning. The computing device may then receive a second input corresponding to swipe from the first location of the display to a second location of the display. The computing device may then determine a symbol included in the user interface based at least in part on the second input. In some instances, the user interface includes a keypad for entering a personal identification number associated with a payment instrument.

A system and method for replaying a security video at the time of a fraudulent incident at a point-of-sale checkout terminal is presented. The video playback takes place in real-time, when the event occurs, allowing personnel to take appropriate measures, corrective or otherwise, to deal with the event. Examples of such events may include when a weight-based security alert is triggered at a self-checkout, when a cashier or customer has missed scanning an item at the checkout, or other possible events where rapid replay of relevant video is required.

A first imager has a relatively high resolution and a relatively narrow first field-of-view. Information about objects in an environment is detected or captured, and used to steer the first field-of-view of the first imager. The sensor(s) may take the form of a second imager with a relatively lower resolution and relatively wider second field-of-view. Alternatively, other types of sensors, for instance presence/absence sensors may be employed. The first field-of-view may be directed toward an object that satisfies one or more conditions, for instance matching a particular SKU. The first field-of-view may track a moving object, for instance via a tracking mirror and actuator. This approach may be employed in retail locations, for example in grocery or convenience stores, for instance to reduce various forms of theft or in industrial environments.

According to one embodiment, a reading apparatus includes a shielding body, an antenna, and a reader and writer. The shielding body is formed in a box shape with an upper opening, to place an accommodating body and to shield radio waves. The antenna is provided in the shielding body to receive information from an RFID tag attached to a product that is passing through the opening. The reader and writer is connected to the antenna to read information of the product from the information received by the antenna.

An interactive shopping system, or smart cart. The system allows a user to select items in a store and complete a purchase without having to wait in lines or interact with store personnel. The system can have a container for holding products selected by at least one user, a user interface, a scanner in communication with the user interface, a processor in communication with the user interface, and a data storage comprising computer instructions executable by the processor. A user can select products, place them within the container, scan the products, and initiate a payment transaction to complete a purchase.

Various switchable devices including inductive antennas are disclosed. These switchable devices may include one or more RFID tags and one or more switches. Some of these one or more switches are optionally wireless and/or manual. In various embodiments, the switchable devices include are included within cellular phones, security devices, identity devices, financial devices, remote controls, and the like. The switchable devices are optionally configured to perform financial transactions.

According to at least one embodiment, a reading device includes a first device and a second device. The first device includes an imaging unit, a first recognition unit configured to recognize a commodity from a captured image of the imaging unit, and a voice output unit configured to emit a voice if the first recognition unit recognizes the commodity. The second device is separate from the first device, and includes a second recognition unit configured to recognize a commodity from the captured image by a method different from that of the first recognition unit and a second voice generation unit configured to output voice data for sounding the voice output unit if the second recognition unit recognizes the commodity. The first device includes a first voice generation unit configured to output voice data for sounding the voice output unit if the first recognition unit recognizes the commodity, an input unit configured to take in voice data output by the second voice generation unit into the first device, and a voice mixer configured to input the voice data taken in by the input unit and the voice data output by the first voice generation unit to the voice output unit.