Smart scanning system

Abstract

The present invention provides a smart scanning system comprising an integrated scanning and image capture system in which one or more image capture device(s) (e.g., still camera, video camera, etc.) and a barcode scanner are positioned within a common enclosure that is a component of a checkout station. The barcode of item is scanned and an image of the item is recorded. The identity of the item as determined based on the barcode is compared to its appearance as determined based on its image. If the identity is inconsistent with its appearance, a discrepancy is registered. It is then determined whether the discrepancy is due to fraud (e.g., theft) or device error. In the case of the latter, the system can be updated to prevent a repeat of the error.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A smart scanning system, comprising:
 a scan module which receives a scan of a barcode of an item via a scanning and image capture system;   a barcode module which determines an identity of the item based on the barcode;   a first capture module which captures a first image of an appearance of the item via the scanning and image capture system, wherein the first image includes an image of the barcode; and   a determining module which determines whether the identity is consistent with an appearance of the item as determined from the first image and the second image.   
     
     
         2 . The smart scanning system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an extract module which extracts a feature of the item from the first image; and   a compare module which compares the extracted feature to an electronic database or library of images associated with corresponding item identity.   
     
     
         3 . The smart scanning system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second capture module which captures a second image of an appearance of the item via the scanning and image capture system.   
     
     
         4 . The smart scanning system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an extract module which extracts a feature of the item from at least one of the first image and the second image; and   a compare module which compares the extracted feature to an electronic database or library of images associated with corresponding item identity.   
     
     
         5 . The smart scanning system of  claim 3 , wherein the second capture module captures the second image from a different direction of the first capture module and the first image. 
     
     
         6 . The smart scanning system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an extract module which extracts a feature of the item from at least one of the first image and the second image; and   a compare module which compares the extracted feature to an electronic database or library of images associated with corresponding item identity.   
     
     
         7 . A smart scanning method, comprising:
 receiving a scan of a barcode of an item via a scanning and image capture system;   determining an identity of the item based on the barcode;   capturing a first image of an appearance of the item via the scanning and image capture system, wherein the first image includes an image of the barcode; and   determining whether the identity is consistent with an appearance of the item as determined from the first image and the second image.   
     
     
         8 . The smart scanning method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 extracting a feature of the item from the first image; and   comparing the extracted feature to an electronic database or library of images associated with corresponding item identity.   
     
     
         9 . The smart scanning method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 capturing a second image of an appearance of the item via the scanning and image capture system.   
     
     
         10 . The smart scanning method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 extracting a feature of the item from at least one of the first image and the second image; and   comparing the extracted feature to an electronic database or library of images associated with corresponding item identity.   
     
     
         11 . The smart scanning method of  claim 9 , wherein the second capture module captures the second image from a different direction of the first capture module and the first image. 
     
     
         12 . The smart scanning method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 extracting a feature of the item from at least one of the first image and the second image; and   comparing the extracted feature to an electronic database or library of images associated with corresponding item identity.   
     
     
         13 . A smart scanning system, comprising:
 a scan module which receives a scan of a barcode of an item via a scanning and image capture system;   a barcode module which determines an identity of the item based on the barcode;   a first capture module which captures a first image of an appearance of the item via the scanning and image capture system;   a second capture module which captures a second image of an appearance of the item via the scanning and image capture system, wherein the second capture module captures the second image from a different direction of the first capture module and the first image; and   a determining module which determines whether the identity is consistent with an appearance of the item as determined from the first image and the second image.   
     
     
         14 . The smart scanning system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an extract module which extracts a feature of the item from at least one of the first image and the second image; and   a compare module which compares the extracted feature to an electronic database or library of images associated with corresponding item identity.