A quantity sensing storage device enables automatic ordering of a product using an ordering engine that monitors quantity signals generated by a quantity sensor that is configured to provide the quantity signals based on a quantity of a first set of a product stored at the quantity sensing storage device. Base on the quantity of the first set, the ordering engine determines whether an order threshold has been satisfied. The quantity sensing storage device automatically provides instructions to a service provider device via a wireless communication subsystem to order a second set of the product in response to determining that the order threshold has been satisfied. The ordering engine continuously updates the order threshold such that when the second set of the product is received by a user of the quantity sensing storage device, an optimal portion of the first set of the product remains stored in the storage enclosure.

When an unfair gaming currency is delivered to a dealer from a player, the currency is detected as unfair. The inspection system for inspecting the gaming currency, in which an RF tag is built, comprises: a gaming currency tray for housing the gaming currencies of the dealer in a casino game; an RF reader for reading the RF tags of the plural gaming currencies housed in the gaming currency tray; plural photosensors for detecting at least the number of the plural gaming currencies housed in the gaming currency tray at a constant time interval or always in a method other than RFID; and an inspection/alarm part for generating alarms when the number of the gaming currencies whose RF tags are read by the RF reader is not equal to the number of the gaming currencies detected by the plural photosensors.

Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light source disposed in or on a housing of a scanner-scale for producing a light beam along an edge of the weigh platter, the light beam being modulated to contain a defined packet of data; a detector for receiving the data-modulated light beam, the detector being disposed in or on the housing; and a processor coupled with the detector for decoding the defined packet of data responsive to the detector receiving the data-modulated light beam. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.

According to one embodiment, a notification device for smart display fixtures and the like includes an interface unit configured to connect to a sensor of the display fixture. The notification device also includes a notification output unit and a processor. The processor is configured to detect placement of an article on the display fixture at a location not designated for the article based on output from the sensor. The processor is also configured to cause the notification output unit to output a notification for notifying a person of the detected placement of the article on the display fixture at the location not designated for the article.

A vison-based self-checkout terminal is provided. Purchased items are placed on a base and multiple cameras take multiple images of each item placed on the base. A location for each item placed on the base is determined along with a depth and the dimensions of each item at its given location on the base. Each item's images are then cropped, and item recognition is performed for each item on that item's cropped images with that item's corresponding depth and dimension attributes. An item identifier for each item is obtained along with a corresponding price and a transaction associated with items are completed.

Method and apparatus for performing security checks at a self-checkout kiosk in a retail store. The customers can create lists of items for purchase as they shop. When a customer is ready to pay, his list can be divided into sub-lists. Each sub-list can include items that require the same type of security check. The customer can then be provided with the sub-lists and an instruction for each sub-list that explains how the customer should arrange the items on the sub-list for a security check. After the customer has properly arranged the items on a sub-list, the relevant security check can be performed.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus of commodity detection. The method of commodity detection includes determining commodities taken by a user and weight data of each commodity; acquiring weight data within a weight rise time interval from the time when the user has taken the commodities to the time when a gravity balance is stabilized, wherein the gravity balance is used for detecting commodity weight; determining maximum return weight data according to a difference between maximum weight data and minimum weight data among the weight data within the weight rise time interval; and estimating whether each commodity has been returned according to the maximum return weight data and the weight data of each commodity.

According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus executes sales registration processing of a commodity to be purchased. The apparatus includes a print information output unit configured to output first print information for a shop to a first printer regarding the sales registration processing such that the first printer prints the first print information for a shop; and configured to output second print information for a customer regarding the sales registration processing to a second printer such that the second printer prints the second print information for a customer.

A method and a vending apparatus for self-checkout unpackaged products is disclosed. The vending apparatus holds goods on one or more product trays. Load cells are mounted under each product tray and can measure the weight of the goods on the product tray in real time. A user may use a credit/debit card or an online payment app to unlock the vending apparatus and to initiate a purchase. The user may take any desired amount of goods. The apparatus automatically detects the type of goods and the weight amount taken by the user and calculates the total cost. After the user payment, the apparatus automatically resets the initial weight of the goods and is ready for the next transaction. The present invention improves the vending machine technology and expands its application to offering unpackaged products.

A registration apparatus stores input data. The registration apparatus outputs the stored data. A checkout apparatus receives an input relating to payment for a commodity before data input of all commodities purchased by a customer at the registration apparatus is terminated. The checkout apparatus stores data relating to the received input. The checkout apparatus generates transaction data indicating a content of one transaction based on the stored data and the data output from the registration apparatus and issues a receipt.