Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for facilitating access by a first person to a secure region that is at least partly defined by an access control device. The method acquires, using at least one visual sensor, first image information including the first person and the access control device. The method identifies the first person using image analysis performed on the first image information. The method further identifies a first behavior of the first person relative to the access control device. Upon determining the first behavior corresponds to a predefined visual access behavior indicating that the first person is in the process of manually operating the access control device, and that the security level of the first person satisfies a predetermined threshold security level associated with the access control device, the method permits the first person to physically access the secure region.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to facilitate an audit of a checkout transaction, where the checkout transaction is associated with a virtual transaction record reflecting interactions of a person with a first set of one or more items of a plurality of items within an environment. The method includes acquiring image information including a shopping receptacle associated with the checkout transaction, and identifying a second set of one or more items of the plurality of items that are included in the shopping receptacle using the acquired image information. The method further includes comparing the first and second sets of items, and determining, based on the comparison, whether to perform an audit of the checkout transaction.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system for use with an environment divided into a plurality of predefined regions. The method comprises acquiring first image information including a first person, determining location information for the first person, and identifying a first behavior of the first person from a plurality of predefined behaviors. The method further comprises performing a first predefined action responsive to identifying the first behavior. Performing the first predefined action comprises determining a first region of the plurality of predefined regions corresponding to the location information, and accessing a memory storing predefined relationship information between the plurality of predefined behaviors and the plurality of predefined regions. The predefined relationship information comprises a plurality of predefined actions.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system to perform a sale transaction are provided. The method includes identifying each item of a plurality of items, based on at least one image of the plurality of items, determining a cost for each item, optionally identifying a person based on an image of the person, adding each of the items and each of the costs to a sale transaction, and charging the person for the sale transaction.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to facilitate an audit of a checkout transaction, where the checkout transaction is associated with a virtual transaction record reflecting interactions of a person with a first set of one or more items of a plurality of items within an environment. The method includes acquiring image information including a shopping receptacle associated with the checkout transaction, and identifying a second set of one or more items of the plurality of items that are included in the shopping receptacle using the acquired image information. The method further includes comparing the first and second sets of items, and determining, based on the comparison, whether to perform an audit of the checkout transaction.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system to perform a sale transaction are provided. The method includes identifying each item of a plurality of items, based on at least one image of the plurality of items, determining a cost for each item, optionally identifying a person based on an image of the person, adding each of the items and each of the costs to a sale transaction, and charging the person for the sale transaction.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for facilitating access by a first person to a secure region that is at least partly defined by an access control device. The method acquires, using at least one visual sensor, first image information including the first person and the access control device. The method identifies the first person using image analysis performed on the first image information. The method further identifies a first behavior of the first person relative to the access control device. Upon determining the first behavior corresponds to a predefined visual access behavior indicating that the first person is in the process of manually operating the access control device, and that the security level of the first person satisfies a predetermined threshold security level associated with the access control device, the method permits the first person to physically access the secure region.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for facilitating access by a first person to a secure region within an environment having a plurality of items, wherein the secure region is at least partly defined by an access control device. The method acquires, using at least one visual sensor disposed within the environment, first image information including the first person and the access control device. The method identifies the first person using image analysis performed on the first image information. Further, the method identifies, using image analysis a first behavior of the first person relative to the access control device. Upon determining the first behavior corresponds to a predefined visual access behavior, and the security level of the first person satisfies a predetermined threshold security level associated with the access control device, deactivating a security element to permit the first person to physically access the secure region.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for facilitating access by a first person to a secure region within an environment having a plurality of items, wherein the secure region is at least partly defined by an access control device. The method acquires, using at least one visual sensor disposed within the environment, first image information including the first person and the access control device. The method identifies the first person using image analysis performed on the first image information. Further, the method identifies, using image analysis a first behavior of the first person relative to the access control device. Upon determining the first behavior corresponds to a predefined visual access behavior, and the security level of the first person satisfies a predetermined threshold security level associated with the access control device, deactivating a security element to permit the first person to physically access the secure region.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for managing a return transaction within an environment having a plurality of purchasable item. The method acquires, using at least one visual sensor disposed within the environment, first image information including a first person and including a first item associated with the first person. The method identifies the first person using image analysis performed on the first image information. Further, the method determines, using image analysis performed on the first image information and based on one or more predetermined criteria, that the first item is eligible to be returned by the first person within the return transaction. Upon completion of one or more predefined return tasks specified for the first item within the return transaction, the method updates a first data structure representing an inventory of the environment to reflect the returned first item.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to provide an extended vision within an environment having a plurality of items, where the extended vision is based on a field of view of a person determined using a first visual sensor, and is further based on at least a second visual sensor disposed within the environment. Image information from the first and second visual sensors is associated to produce combined image information. Selected portions of the combined image information are displayed based on input provided through a user interface.

Abstract: An application program installed in a hand held computing device such as a tablet computer presents a graphical user interface (GUI) on a touch screen display and receives touch input signals from the touch screen display. When an unintentional touch event is detected, the application switches from an active mode to a configuration mode. In the configuration mode, graphical tools are displayed on the touch screen display to enable a user to define or adjust the active zone of the touch screen display so as to exclude the area of the touch screen display touched by the hand that is grasping the hand held device. Interactive elements in the GUI are then rearranged so that the interactive elements are within the newly defined active zone.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to provide an extended vision within an environment having a plurality of items, where the extended vision is based on a field of view of a person determined using a first visual sensor, and is further based on at least a second visual sensor disposed within the environment. Image information from the first and second visual sensors is associated to produce combined image information. Selected portions of the combined image information are displayed based on input provided through a user interface.

Abstract: A computing device selects an in-store shopper to fulfill an order placed by a remote buyer. In particular, the computing device receives a message via a communications network. This message comprises a purchase order identifying an item offered for sale at a retail store. The computing device identifies a plurality of people physically located at the retail store and selects, from the plurality of people, a shopper to retrieve the item from the retail store and deliver the item to a delivery location. In particular, selecting the shopper is based on a purchase price and corresponding procurement cost of the item. The computing device transmits an order fulfillment request to a communications device associated with the shopper. The order fulfillment request identifies the item.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for compiling a virtual transaction for a person within an environment having a plurality of items. The method includes acquiring, using at least one visual sensor, first image information including a person. The method further includes identifying the at least one person from the first image information by classifying the person into a class. The method also includes acquiring second image information including the person and an item. The method further includes identifying a behavior of the person relative to the item, and updating, based on the identified behavior, the virtual transaction.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system of visual identification of an item selected by a person during a transaction within an environment having a plurality of items. The method includes acquiring, using a visual sensor disposed within the environment, image information that includes at least a portion of the selected item, and analyzing the image information to determine a set of possible items for classifying the selected item. The method further includes selecting, based on personal profile information associated with the person, one of the set of possible items to thereby identify the selected item.

Abstract: To provide a user with descriptive images for each function performed by a button, the embodiments described herein use a transforming graphical expression that presents different images depending on the particular function the button is currently performing. For example, if the button is used to increase speaker volume, the graphical expression may display plus sign, but if the button is currently being used to navigate through a display menu, the graphical expression may be transformed into an arrow to indicate the direction a selection element in the menu moves if the button is activated. Thus, as the current function of the button changes, the graphical expression presented to the user also changes. In this manner, the same button may be used to perform multiple functions while presenting to a user a customized graphical expression indicating the current function of the button.

Abstract: To provide a user with descriptive images for each function performed by a button, the embodiments described herein use a transforming graphical expression that presents different images depending on the particular function the button is currently performing. For example, if the button is used to increase speaker volume, the graphical expression may display plus sign, but if the button is currently being used to navigate through a display menu, the graphical expression may be transformed into an arrow to indicate the direction a selection element in the menu moves if the button is activated. Thus, as the current function of the button changes, the graphical expression presented to the user also changes. In this manner, the same button may be used to perform multiple functions while presenting to a user a customized graphical expression indicating the current function of the button.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for providing a security check of items being purchased by a consumer. A digital image of items for purchase arranged on a scale is captured. An estimated total weight and a cumulative center of mass of the items are estimated. An actual total weight and cumulative center of mass of the items are measured using the scale. If the estimated total weight of the items differs from the actual total weight by more than a first threshold amount and/or if the estimated cumulative center of mass of the items differs from the measured cumulative center of mass by more than a second threshold amount, an alert can be output. The alert can include an instruction for the customer or a store employee to rearrange the items on the scale to attempt to resolve the discrepancy.

Abstract: A Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal displays a Graphical User Interface (GUI) on one or more displays. While a customer transaction is taking place, the GUI is configured to allow a sales associate, or a customer, to enter annotation data. The annotation data, which may be free-form text, may include a command that specifies how the underlying details of the transaction are to be modified, and corresponding annotation data that specifies the changes to the content of the transaction details. Once the transaction details are modified, the POS terminal uses the modified details to generate a receipt.