Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for identifying items. The method includes scanning a first item using a first barcode scanner and a second barcode scanner and determining, based on signals from the first barcode scanner and the second barcode scanner, a first two-dimensional light grid indicating where the first item broke beams of the first barcode scanner and the second barcode scanner. The method also includes predicting, using a machine learning model and based on the first two-dimensional light grid, a first category for the first item, receiving, from a camera, an image of the first item, and comparing the image of the first item to a first set of images assigned to the first category to determine an identity of the first item.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a directional radio frequency identification (RFID) system, which provides directional RFID tag scanning using RFID enclosures and moveable radio signal blocking components. The RFID systems herein also prevent unwanted RFID tag activation and focuses RFID readers on specific scan areas. The directional RFID systems may be implemented in any type of system that utilizes RFID tag reading, such as a point of sale systems and other related systems, which utilize RFID scanning.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a directional radio frequency identification (RFID) system, which provides directional RFID tag scanning using RFID enclosures and moveable radio signal blocking components. The RFID systems herein also prevent unwanted RFID tag activation and focuses RFID readers on specific scan areas. The directional RFID systems may be implemented in any type of system that utilizes RFID tag reading, such as a point of sale systems and other related systems, which utilize RFID scanning.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for identifying items. The method includes scanning a first item using a first barcode scanner and a second barcode scanner and determining, based on signals from the first barcode scanner and the second barcode scanner, a first two-dimensional light grid indicating where the first item broke beams of the first barcode scanner and the second barcode scanner. The method also includes predicting, using a machine learning model and based on the first two-dimensional light grid, a first category for the first item, receiving, from a camera, an image of the first item, and comparing the image of the first item to a first set of images assigned to the first category to determine an identity of the first item.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to prioritize the execution of processing task requests in a task request queue, where the processing task requests are related to an environment. The method includes adding processing task requests to a task request queue in response to the detection of predefined actions in an environment. The method also includes adding additional processing task requests or adjusting a priority level of not yet completed task requests in the task request queue, in response to detecting subsequent predefined actions in the environment.

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 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: A method, computer program product, and system to identify one or more items in a transaction are provided. The method includes capturing images of the items, determining a set of possible identifications for each item based on the images, determining information regarding the transaction, selecting an identification for each item from the sets of possible identifications, based on the determined information, and adding the selected identifications to the transaction. Identifications for items may be selected based on confidence factors, price thresholds, and customer information.

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: Embodiments provide for an impact force gauge that includes a track and a shell that is designed to flex from a first state to a second state when a force exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied along a given axis and that is designed to return to the first state when the force falls below the predetermined threshold along the given axis. A roller is located in the shell and has a diameter such the roller is allowed or blocked from moving to different locations in the impact force gauge based on the force applied thereto. Based on the presence or absence of the roller along different portions of the track, the force gauge wirelessly transmits an indication of whether the force gauge has been exposed to a force that exceeds the predetermined threshold.

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 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: Methods, computer program products, and systems for operating a retail environment using unmanned vehicles are provided. The methods include observing a person interacting with one or more items with a camera carried by an unmanned vehicle, identifying the one or more items based on data received from the unmanned vehicle, and adding each identified item to a transaction for the person. The methods can further include charging the person for the transaction, presenting promotions, retrieving a desired item, answering questions, following a person, guiding a customer to a location, and showing images of inventory items.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to provide assistance to at least a first person during a transaction within an environment having a plurality of items. The method includes identifying the first person within the environment, and analyzing acquired image information to determine at least one item interaction of the transaction and thereby associate the identified first person with the transaction. The method further includes determining whether the first person is associated with a personal profile that includes information related to the environment, the information including at least one of personal preferences and personal historical data reflecting one or more previous transactions of the first person. When the first person is determined to be associated with a personal profile, the method further includes determining, based on the information in the personal profile, an amount of assistance to provide to the first person during the transaction.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for an impact force gauge that includes a track and a shell that is designed to flex from a first state to a second state when a force exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied along a given axis and that is designed to return to the first state when the force falls below the predetermined threshold along the given axis. A roller is located in the shell and has a diameter such the roller is allowed or blocked from moving to different locations in the impact force gauge based on the force applied thereto. Based on the presence or absence of the roller along different portions of the track, the force gauge wirelessly transmits an indication of whether the force gauge has been exposed to a force that exceeds the predetermined threshold.

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: 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: 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 to prioritize the execution of processing task requests in a task request queue, where the processing task requests are related to an environment. The method includes adding processing task requests to a task request queue in response to the detection of predefined actions in an environment. The method also includes adding additional processing task requests or adjusting a priority level of not yet completed task requests in the task request queue, in response to detecting subsequent predefined actions in the environment.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to trigger one or more events during an interaction of a person with an item and within an environment having a plurality of items. The method includes acquiring, using a first visual sensor disposed within the environment, image information including the item and identifying the item using the image information. The method further includes acquiring, using a second visual sensor disposed within the environment, behavior information for the person relative to the identified item, analyzing the behavior information to identify at least a first behavior of the person, and classifying the first behavior into one of a number of predefined behavior types. The method further includes performing, based on the identified item and the classified first behavior, one or more predefined events.