Abstract: According to one configuration, a computer environment includes a first monitoring system, a second monitoring system, and an analyzer. The first monitoring system produces video of an item being entered into a point of sale system. The second monitoring system monitors events associated with entering of the item into the point of sale system. The analyzer detects, via a communication from the second monitoring system, an occurrence of at least one event associated with entering of the item. Based on communication, the analyzer correlates the at least one event to a particular time in the video when the at least one event occurred.

Abstract: Products associated with targets to be read by image capture are processed in a workstation having a window, a solid-state imager looking at a field of view extending through the window to a target to be imaged, and an illumination system for illuminating the field of view. A proximity system detects a product associated with the target in a selected zone outside the window. The proximity system has an infrared (IR) emitter for emitting IR light into an IR emission field, and an IR sensor for sensing return IR light within an IR detection field that intersects the IR emission field in the selected zone. A controller energizes the illumination system in response to the detection of the product in the selected zone, and processes return illumination light captured in the field of view by the imager.

Abstract: A checkout system of an embodiment of the present disclosure has an image pickup unit, a computing unit, a display control unit, a receiving unit, and a registering unit. The image pickup unit takes pictures of a commodity at a prescribed frame rate. The computing unit computes a similarity coefficient between standard images of each commodity and the acquired image to identify possible matches to the acquired image. The display control unit displays information corresponding to the candidate matches with a high similarity coefficient on a display unit. The similarity coefficient is determined on the basis of a comparison between images of the object acquired by the image pickup unit and a standard image. The receiving unit receives selection of the commodity information on the display unit. The registering unit executes a registration treatment according to the selected information.

Abstract: Images with respect to an object at an ordering, payment, and delivery locations can be captured utilizing an image capturing system. Capture can be after detecting the presence of the object at each location utilizing an object presence sensor. The captured image can be processed to associate it with a signature and can also be processed in order to extract a small region of interest (e.g., license plate) and can be reduced to a unique signature. Signature can be stored into a database together with the corresponding order and images. Signatures can be matched. The order associated with the object matched by the system together with at least one of the images captured at the delivery point and the order point can be displayed at a user interface located at the payment/delivery point to ensure that the right order is delivered to the right customer asscoiated with the object.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeit banknote recorder, an automatic teller machine and a system are provided. The recorder includes a microprocessor, a memory, a communication module and a first photographic device. The first photographic device includes a camera and a flasher with different types of rays. The microprocessor is able to regulate the flashlight automatically so as to provide different types of rays according to the optical characteristics on the surface of the banknote under monitoring, and control the camera so as to take photos of the banknote under monitoring, thus, photo information of the banknote is obtained. The microprocessor is able to receive commands from the external equipments via the communication module, thus, the first photographic device is controlled accordingly so as to take photos. Moreover, via the communication module, the microprocessor is able to receive transaction information in relation to the banknotes under monitoring from the external equipments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for handling banknotes. The device (10) comprises a display unit (12) which is tiltable about an axis of rotation (40), a drive unit (34) for changing the tilt of the display unit (12) about the axis of rotation (40), and a camera (38) for capturing an image of an area in front of the device (10) opposite to the display unit (12). The camera (38) generates image data corresponding to the image. Based on the position of a detected body feature, a control unit (36) determines a tilt angle (?) and drives the drive unit (34) such that it adjusts the determined tilt angle (?).

Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise a system and method for improving visibility of a roadway using an improved visibility system. The method comprising receiving data from a plurality of fog detectors located proximate a roadway and determining, based on the data from the plurality of fog detectors, that fog is present about the roadway. The method further comprising obtaining, after the determining that fog is present about the roadway, a plurality of images of the roadway by activating a plurality of cameras located proximate the roadway. The method further comprising creating a composite image by combining two or more of the plurality of images, wherein the composite image depicts the roadway unobstructed by fog and transmitting the composite image to a display device located in a vehicle traveling along the roadway.

Abstract: Techniques for generating automated tags for a video file are described. The method includes receiving one or more manually generated tags associated with a video file, based at least in part on the one or more manually entered tags, determining a preliminary category for the video file, and based on the preliminary category, generating a targeted transcript of the video file, wherein the targeted transcript includes a plurality of words. The method further includes generating an ontology of the plurality of words based on the targeted transcript, ranking the plurality of words in the ontology based on a plurality of scoring factors, and based on the ranking of the plurality of words, generating one or more automated tags associated with the video file.

Abstract: An electronic self-service device, and a method for using same, is provided. A self-service device according to the invention may include a receiver module configured to receive an input from at least one motion detector. The input may include information corresponding to a security alert condition. The device may also include a security alert mitigation module and a processor module configured to determine whether the information exceeds a security alert condition threshold. When the information exceeds a predetermined security alert condition threshold, the processor module may be further configured to ameliorate the security alert conditions using the security alert condition mitigation module.

Abstract: A store system comprises an acquisition section configured to acquire an image picked-up by an image pick-up section, a similarity calculation section configured to calculate a similarity which represents a degree with which the reference image of each commodity is similar to the image of an object picked-up by the image pick-up section, a display control section configured to display the commodity information of the commodity corresponding to the reference image with a high similarity as a commodity candidate executing registration processing on a display section based on the similarity calculated by the similarity calculation section, a selection acceptance section configured to accept the selection to the commodity information displayed on the display section and a processing section configured to process the object picked-up by the image pick-up section as the commodity corresponding to the selected commodity information accepted by the selection acceptance section.

Abstract: A portable consumer device includes a base, and a computer readable medium on the base. The computer readable medium comprises code for an issuer verification value and a supplemental verification value. The issuer verification value is used by an issuer to verify that the portable consumer device is authentic in an on-line transaction and the supplemental verification value is used to verify that the portable consumer device is authentic in an off-line transaction.

Abstract: A system for improving site operations by detecting abnormalities includes a first sensor abnormality detector connected to a first sensor and configured to learn a first normal behavior sequence, a second sensor abnormality detector connected to a second sensor and configured to learn a second normal behavior sequence, an abnormality correlation server configured to receive abnormally scored first sensor data and abnormally scored second sensor data, the abnormality correlation server further configured to correlate the received abnormally scored first sensor data and abnormally scored second sensor data sensed at the same time by the first and second sensors and determine an abnormal event; and an abnormality report generator configured to generate an abnormality report based on the correlated the received abnormally scored first sensor data and abnormally scored second sensor data.

Abstract: A sales data processing apparatus which registers and processes sales data on a transaction-by-transaction basis.

Abstract: Transaction processing involves receiving data from an access transaction application of a portable consumer device, wherein the received data comprises data from an access transaction data string that includes a transit verification value wherein, with the exception of the transit verification value, the access transaction data string is substantially similar to a retail data string comprising retail data, wherein the access application data string is adapted for use with an access transaction processing system and the retail data string is adapted for use with a retail processing system. The transaction processing involves processing access transaction application data for selective authorization of the transaction.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically calibrating one or more regions of interest for video surveillance are provided. The techniques include at a user-defined frequency, determining if one or more regions of interest (ROIs) are present within a field of view of a camera, if one or more ROIs are present within the field of view of the camera, automatically calibrating the one or more ROIs within the field of view of the camera, and if one or more ROIs are not present within the field of view of the camera, sending an alert to a user.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include novel ways of alerting store personnel when various activities, events, conditions, etc., occur at the checkout in retail establishments. For example, in accordance with one embodiment, the alerting can take place in substantially real-time, when the event occurs, allowing personnel to take appropriate measures, corrective or otherwise, to deal with the detected event. Examples of such events may include situations such as when a person of interest is detected as shopping at the store, when a cashier has missed scanning an item at the checkout, or to alert store personnel if a non-empty shopping cart has exited the store without payment (a.k.a., a cart push-out). Although the discussion below uses a grocery store as an example retail environment, embodiments herein can be used in any type of retail environment.

Abstract: A restaurant customer-survey system and device, which reduces employee fraud when a customer-satisfaction survey embedded in the device is conducted. The survey may be implemented in a pager, tip tray, or other computing device that includes an internally mounted camera that covertly takes a photograph of the survey participant. The photograph is date/time stamped and associated with a table number so that the waiter for the table can be identified. The survey results together with the associated photograph are uploaded to a management database. The restaurant manager can review the photographs to ensure that employees are not fraudulently conducting the surveys rather than customers. The system also enables the customer to interface with the restaurant's point-of-sale (POS) system to retrieve the customer's current bill or wirelessly make a payment from the table.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining a return fraud at a store are described. The return fraud protection system has a video recording module, a face capture module, a face icon generator module, and an entrance video clip module. The video recording module records a video at an entrance of the store. The face capture module captures a face of a customer entering the store from the video. The face icon generator module generates a face icon comprising the face of the customer. The entrance video clip generator module generates a video clip of the customer entering the store, associates the video clip of the customer with the corresponding face icon, and provides a client device with a list of face icons with corresponding video clips.

Abstract: A wide range of digital devices either have or are provided with imaging devices which are capable of imaging externally provided information in the form of special codes that contain setup and/or configuration information. Processors within these devices, which include cell phones, cameras, PDAs and personal computers, to name just a few, recognize the image and convert it to the desired configuration and/or setup information.

Abstract: An approach to reduce the processing power required to monitor check-out stations. A subset of check-out stations may be monitored at any given time, instead of monitoring all check-out stations at all times. The subset of check-out stations is determined dynamically according to, but not limited to, cashier records, input parameters from the user, current lane activity, past lane activity, time of day, etc. Statistical models (e.g., effective population sampling and/or population hypothesis tests) are developed along these lines that guide the lane selection process, whereby increases in the false-negative rate due to failure to monitor particular lanes when events of interest occur are controlled. By monitoring fewer check-out stations, while maintaining target performance accuracy, the amount of data that end users must deal with is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A queue monitoring system for monitoring persons queuing to use electronic transaction apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one user interface, the system comprising one or more cameras for providing data relating to persons queuing and processing apparatus configured to process the data to determine one or more parameters of the queue, wherein the processing apparatus is additionally configured to receive from the electronic apparatus information that is conveyed to the user interface and to use this information in processing the data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented interactive collaboration system and methods allowing for guided sales support, provisioning, installation, and troubleshooting of internet enabled video surveillance monitoring systems. In an illustrative implementation, a computing environment comprises a video surveillance system provisioning and sales support engine (VSSPSE) having at least one instruction generating and communicating to one or more cooperating resellers of one or more internet-enabled video surveillance monitoring systems data representative of sales support, provisioning, installation, and/or troubleshooting for specified and/or installed one or more internet-enabled video surveillance monitoring systems. In an illustrative operation, a reseller can interact with the VSSPSE to provide data representative of an installation site.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to visually show both of information which is originally visually recognizable and information which is originally not seen that have been provided from equipment on the same image, so that it is possible to grasp the content of information and the source of providing the information corresponding to or in association with each other. Furthermore, it is possible to view information difficult to visually recognize together with visually recognizable information, and it is possible to clearly grasp, in addition to information which can be visually obtained at the place where a user currently stays, information related to the visually obtained information, from an image visually indicating the association.

Abstract: The present invention involves implementation of an intelligent switching program, whereby the processing power required to monitor check-out stations is considerably reduced. The present invention monitors a subset of check-out stations at any given time, instead of monitoring all check-out stations at all times. The subset of check-out stations is determined dynamically according to, but not limited to, cashier records, input parameters from the user, current lane activity, past lane activity, time of day, etc. Statistical models (e.g., effective population sampling and/or population hypothesis tests) are developed along these lines that guide the lane selection process, whereby increases in the false-negative rate due to failure to monitor particular lanes when events of interest occur are controlled. By monitoring fewer check-out stations, while maintaining target performance accuracy, the amount of data that end users must deal with is significantly reduced.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting one or more events are provided. The techniques include using multiple overlapping regions of interest on a video sequence to cover a location for one or more events, wherein each event is associated with at least one of the multiple overlapping regions of interest, applying multiple-instance learning to the video sequence to select one or more of the multiple overlapping regions of interest to construct one or more location-aware event models, and applying the models to the video sequence to detect the one or more events and to determine the one or more regions of interest that are associated with the one or more events.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting one or more events are provided. The techniques include using one or more regions of interest on a video sequence to cover a location for one or more events, wherein each event is associated with at least one of the one or more regions of interest, applying multiple-instance learning to the video sequence to construct one or more location-aware event models, and applying the models to the video sequence to determine the one or more regions of interest that are associated with the one or more events.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a Cart Inspector to create a suspicion level for a transaction when a video image of the transaction portrays an item(s) left in a shopping cart. Specifically, the Cart Inspector obtains video data associated with a time(s) of interest. The video data originates from a video camera that monitors a transaction area. The Cart Inspector analyzes the video data with respect to target image(s) associated with a transaction in the transaction area during the time(s) of interest. The Cart Inspector creates an indication of a suspicion level for the transaction based on analysis of the target image(s). Creation of a high suspicion level for the transaction indicates that the transaction's corresponding video images most likely portray occurrences where the purchase price of an item transported through the transaction area was not included in the total amount paid by the customer.

Abstract: A video and data capturing system and method includes a mobile unit having an image sensor and motion sensing equipment connected to a microprocessor. The mobile unit is installed in an object for detecting visual images and motion data associated with the object. The mobile unit communicates with a base unit capable of analyzing the image and motion data and correcting the image data so it is level with the horizon. A foot unit may be used in conjunction with the mobile unit for detection of an athlete's foot acceleration for determining when the athlete's foot comes in contact with the ground. A field unit may be used in conjunction with the mobile unit and foot unit to determine the location of the foot unit on a playing surface to assist in determining whether an athlete is in or out of bounds, or their location on the playing surface.

Abstract: A method for analyzing queues using video analytics is provided. The method includes receiving a video comprising a plurality of images of a scene. The scene includes a queue region and an operation region. The method also includes processing at least a first image of the plurality of images to determine an occurrence of a first event associated with the operation region, and processing at least a second image of the plurality of images to determine an occurrence of a second event associated with the operation region. The method further includes determining an operation time based on an amount of time between the first event and the second event, processing at least a third image of the plurality of images to determine a quantity of entities in the queue region, and determining a wait time based on the operation time and the quantity of entities in the queue region.

Abstract: Sensing apparatus includes a network camera, which is configured to capture images of a scene and to output a sequence of data packets containing digitized video data responsively to the images. A one-way link is coupled to the network camera so as to transmit the data packets from the network camera to a packet communication network.

Abstract: The present invention is a reverse vending machine which accepts non-metallic and metallic beverage containers for processing. The beverage containers are inserted by the user into an intake chute, where they are then compacted, sorted, and deposited in storage bins contained in the machine. A number of additional functions are provided by the reverse vending machine, including a self cleaning system, a video screen for displaying information to users, a bar code scanner for scanning bar codes, a user ID reader, and a coupon printer for issuing coupons to users. All transaction information is processed by a computer and stored electronically. The invention automatically returns non-empty containers and containers with unacceptable or unreadable bar codes to the user. The user is also provided warning messages when the storage bins are nearly full, or when a container is jammed in the machine.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for detecting retail shrinkage using behavior analytics are described herein. The retail shrinkage may be due to, for example, sweethearting, although embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited and can be used to detect other forms of retail shrinkage as well. One or more device embodiments include a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive data associated with behavior of an individual and use the data associated with the behavior of the individual to determine whether the behavior of the individual is irregular to detect retail shrinkage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a personal video recorder (PVR) software buffer management to support the software passage are disclosed. A first plurality of receive buffer descriptors may be allocated for recording at least one received packet in at least a portion of a shared memory. The received packet may be recorded in the shared memory utilizing at least one of the allocated first plurality of receive buffer descriptors. A plurality of playback buffer descriptors may be allocated for playback of the recorded received packet from the shared memory. A first portion of the received packet may be simultaneously played back from the shared memory while recording a second portion of the received packet in the shared memory. If at least one of the recorded received packet is consumed, the playback buffer descriptors corresponding to a number of the consumed received packet may be de-allocated.

Abstract: A method and a system for calibrating a camera in a surveillance system. The method and system use a mathematical rotation between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system in order to calibrate a camera with a map of an area. In some embodiments, the calibration can be used to control the camera and/or to display a view cone on the map.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a system for controlling and monitoring a point of sale, said point of sale having an opening (A), said method and system controlling the potential customers that pass through said opening (A) of said point of sale. Particularly, the system comprises a passage sensor (2), adapted to be disposed in the proximity of said opening (A) for generating a passage signal (Sp) when a person (P) passes through said opening (A), imaging means (5) adapted to be disposed in the proximity of said opening (A) for acquiring an image (6) of at least one person (P) that passes through said opening (A) and connection and control means, for connecting said passage sensor (2) with said imaging means (5) so that, upon generation of said passage signal (Sp), said imaging means (5) acquire the image of said person (P) that is passing through said opening (A).

Abstract: A method and system for confirming the identity of a product in a security system and for determining sales-related information pertaining to the products. One or more products are associated with a product identification element, such as a bar code or an RFID tag. A reader or a scanner within the system receives a signal from the product identification element containing product identity information about the product. The system further includes a camera that captures a video image of the product. Signals representing the product identity information and the video image of the product are forwarded to a data correlation unit that determines if the product associated with the product identity information matches the product in the video image.

Abstract: Software, systems, and methods for recording a scene encompassing a transaction, such as a point-of-sale transaction, are presented. In one implementation of a method, the scene is recorded to a data storage system using a first video camera capable of capturing protected data associated with the transaction. While recording the scene using the first camera, and in response to receiving a first trigger, the recording of the scene is continued using a second video camera not capable of capturing the protected data. While then recording the scene using the second camera, and in response to receiving a second trigger, the recording of the scene is continued using the first video camera. The first and second timing triggers are initiated based on at least one event associated with the transaction.

Abstract: A system detects a transaction outcome by obtaining video data associated with a transaction area and analyzing the video data to obtain at least one video transaction parameter concerning transactions associated with the transaction area. The transaction area can be a video count of items indicated in the video data as detected by an automated item detection algorithm applied to the video data. The system obtains at least one expected transaction parameter concerning an expected transaction that occurs in the transaction area, such as a scan count of items scanned at a point of sale terminal. The system automatically compares the video transaction parameter(s) to the expected transaction parameter(s) to identify a transaction outcome that may indicate fraudulent activity such as sweethearting in a retail environment.

Abstract: A security system includes at least first and second monitoring units, each having a motion sensor for detecting motion, a camera for obtaining visual data, a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor in data communication with the motion sensor, camera, transmitter, and receiver. The security system includes means for outputting visual data from the first unit camera when the first unit motion sensor detects motion more recently than the second unit motion sensor detects motion. The security system includes programming for outputting the visual data from the second unit camera when the second unit motion sensor detects motion more recently than the first unit motion sensor detects motion. The system includes a telephone interface for transmitting visual data captured by a respective camera. A unit's camera is only activated when its associated motion detector detects motion and is deactivated when another unit's motion detector detects motion more recently.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the performance of at least one task associated with operation of a retail store. The system includes at least one monitoring device positioned and adapted to provide images of at least one location within the retail store, with each image showing at least one factor related to performance of the at least one task. A controller is adapted to obtain and store images from the at least one monitoring device. An interface is adapted to enable a user to selectively view stored images and to manually analyze the at least one factor shown in the viewed images to evaluate the performance of the at least one task.

Abstract: A system includes three locations of work areas (101, 102, and 103) each connected to a network (100), image-sound analyzing means (104), image-sound storing means (105), data managing means (106), a system control center (107), and a browser terminal (108). A part relating to image-capture and sound pickup inside the work area (101) includes a WEB camera, a microphone fixed to the WEB camera, an image-capture range, a marking indicating plate placed in the image-capture range, two stripe markings put on the surface of the marking indicating plate, and a two-dimensional bar-code put together with the stripe markings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the measurement of attributes of a queue.

Abstract: An automated teller machine is proposed having at least one camera to detect manipulation attempts that captures images of one or more elements arranged in the control panel, such as a keypad, cash-dispensing drawer, card entry slot and generates image data from a plurality of individual image recordings (F1, F2, F3).The at least one camera is connected to a data processing unit that preprocesses the image data generated (individual image data) into a resulting image (R). The preprocessed image data of the resulting image (R) can be computed, for example, by exposure blending from the individual images (F1, F2, F3) and represent a very good data base for data evaluation to detect manipulation.

Abstract: A method (100) is proposed for recognizing attempts at manipulating a self-service terminal, specifically a cash dispenser, in which a control panel with elements arranged therein, such as a keypad, cash-dispensing slot, etc. is provided, wherein a camera is directed onto at least one of the elements and wherein the image data generated by the camera are evaluated. Using edge detection, at least one edge image is created from the image data generated (step sequence 120). The edge image is evaluated using a reference edge image (step sequence 130). To generate the reference edge image, several individual images are used (step sequence 110). Fully automated evaluation and recognition of manipulation attempts is possible using edge detection.

Abstract: The invention proposes an automated teller machine having different control elements, such as a card entry slot (4), for example, wherein at least one camera (CAMK) is integrated in a control element, the card entry slot (4), for example, and captures images of a plurality of sub-regions attributed to said control element (4), such as an interior region, outer region and overhead region. Lighting (L) that illuminates one or some of the partial regions, the interior region or the slit region of the card entry slot (4), for example, can also be arranged, thereby also improving the image. In addition, the construction can be furnished with a light-conducting material (K) over which light produced by the lighting (L) can be guided and distributed.

Abstract: An automated teller machine (ATM) is proposed having a control panel (CP) that has elements (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) arranged therein that are provided for users of the automated teller machine (ATM) and that has a camera (CAM) to detect manipulation attempts on the automated teller machine (ATM). The camera (CAM) is mounted in a housing section of the automated teller machine (ATM) surrounding the control panel (CP) and aligned in such a way that the camera (CAM) captures images of at least two of the elements (1, 2) arranged in the control panel (CP). In particular, the camera (CAM) captures image of the money dispensing compartment (1) and the keypad (2) in order to unequivocally detect any overlays installed there and similar manipulation or skimming attempts.

Abstract: An advertising system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, behavior of a user is monitored. In addition, an option is presented to the user to receive advertisement content, where the advertisement content is selected based on the behavior.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a means by which the privacy zone on a PTZ camera can be maintained so that an object in the camera's sight is always masked or covered. An algorithm which remembers the defined privacy zones as an area in space marked by four rays touching the four corners of the marked zone and having absolute Pan, Tilt angular coordinates is presented. The privacy zone is initially defined by a rectangle on the screen with known pixel co-ordinates which are translated into angular coordinates. Then, when the camera moves and prepares to display a new screen, the privacy zone is superimposed on the object to be masked. Locating the object and displaying its privacy zone is done by translating the absolute angular coordinates of the original privacy zone into pixel coordinates. Additionally, multiple privacy zones can be displayed on one camera screen.

Abstract: A method for using electronic product identification devices to track the purchase or theft of any multiple merchandise items in a food store or other retail shopping store environment, to determine if a large quantity of items are in the process of being stolen, to activate an alarm condition in a surveillance camera system, alert store security, and send tag information (list of stolen contents thereof) and a video clip file or URL of a web site link to view a video file to store security using remote mobile devices, and to law enforcement if desired.

Abstract: A surveillance camera system includes a surveillance camera having pan/tilt capability, a display for displaying images picked-up by the surveillance camera thereon, a pointing device for indicating the movement of the surveillance camera in a visual field direction, and a remote-controlled monitoring device including a control unit for displaying the images on the display and for displaying a pointer thereon indicating the coordinate position of the pointing device so as to overlap with the images, and when the pointer is moved from a first point to a second point on the images, the control unit transmits a predetermined control signal from the remote-controlled monitoring device to the surveillance camera, and by the control signal, the control unit moves the surveillance camera in the moving direction of the pointer at a speed proportional to the length between the first point and the second point.