Abstract: A method for designing identity plates which are placed on corresponding shopping carts is provided. A unique identity data is represented on each identity plate using an identification code. The unique identity data is encoded employing symbols having distinct physical characteristics. The association between the symbols and the identification code is predetermined. The method enables identifying shopping carts by capturing images of the shopping carts using video sensors and decoding identity data on each identity plate placed on each shopping cart. The identity data is decoded by recognizing symbols based on physical characteristics and translating recognized symbols to corresponding identity data referring to the predetermined association between the symbols and identification code. Identity data of shopping carts, identity data of video sensors and timestamp information is used for identifying location of video sensors using which path taken by shopping carts in the retail store is tracked.

Abstract: A method for designing identity plates which are placed on corresponding shopping carts is provided. A unique identity data is represented on each identity plate using an identification code. The unique identity data is encoded employing symbols having distinct physical characteristics. The association between the symbols and the identification code is predetermined. The method enables identifying shopping carts by capturing images of the shopping carts using video sensors and decoding identity data on each identity plate placed on each shopping cart. The identity data is decoded by recognizing symbols based on physical characteristics and translating recognized symbols to corresponding identity data referring to the predetermined association between the symbols and identification code. Identity data of shopping carts, identity data of video sensors and timestamp information is used for identifying location of video sensors using which path taken by shopping carts in the retail store is tracked.