Object recognition device, checkout terminal, and method for processing information

Abstract

An object recognition device includes an operation unit configured to receive a user input about an item, a storage unit that stores image data of the item, an imaging unit configured to acquire an image of the item and generate image data therefrom, and a control unit configured to compare the generated image data with the stored image data, and cause information about updating the stored image data to be presented to a user, based on a comparison result.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An object recognition device comprising:
 an operation unit configured to receive a user input about an item;   a storage unit that stores image data of the item;   an imaging unit configured to acquire an image of the item and generate image data therefrom; and   a control unit configured to compare the generated image data with the stored image data, and cause information about updating the stored image data to be presented to a user, based on a comparison result.   
     
     
         2 . The object recognition device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the control unit is further configured to calculate a similarity value between the generated image data and the stored image data, and cause the information to be presented to the user when the similarity value indicates less similarity than a first predetermined value.   
     
     
         3 . The object recognition device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the control unit is further configured to change the information to be presented to the user depending on the similarity value.   
     
     
         4 . The object recognition device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the control unit is further configured to cause first information suggesting the updating, to be presented to the user when the similarity value indicates more similarity than a second predetermined value and less similarity than the first predetermined value, and cause second information indicating that the updating is required, to be presented to the user when the similarity value indicates less similarity than the second predetermined value.   
     
     
         5 . The object recognition device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the control unit is further configured to cause information indicating that the updating is unnecessary to be presented to the user when the similarity value indicates more similarity than the first predetermined value.   
     
     
         6 . The object recognition device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the imaging unit is configured to acquire plural images of the item and generate plural pieces of image data of the item, and   the control unit is further configured to   compare each of the generated image data with the stored image data,   calculate a similarity value between each of the generated image data and the stored image data,   determine the number of pieces of the image data having a similarity value that indicates less similarity than a first predetermined value, and   cause the information to be presented to the user when the determined number is greater than a second predetermined value.   
     
     
         7 . The object recognition device according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the control unit is further configured to change the information to be presented to the user depending on the determined similarity value.   
     
     
         8 . A checkout terminal comprising:
 an operation unit configured to receive a user input about an item;   a storage unit that stores image data of the item;   an imaging unit configured to acquire an image of the item and generate image data therefrom; and   a control unit configured to   compare the generated image data with the stored image data,   cause information about updating the stored image data to be presented to a user, based on a comparison result,   update the stored image data based on the generated image data,   control the imaging unit to acquire an image of an item to be purchased and generate image data of the item to be purchased, and   identify the item to be purchased, based on the updated image data.   
     
     
         9 . The checkout terminal according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the control unit is further configured to calculate a similarity value between the generated image data and the stored image data, and cause the information to be presented to the user when the similarity value indicates less similarity than a first predetermined value.   
     
     
         10 . The checkout terminal according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the control unit is further configured to change the information to be presented to the user depending on the similarity value.   
     
     
         11 . The checkout terminal according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the control unit is further configured to cause first information suggesting the updating to be presented to the user when the similarity value indicates more similarity than a second predetermined value and less similarity than the first predetermined value, and cause second information indicating that the updating is required, to be presented to the user when the similarity value indicates less similarity than the second predetermined value.   
     
     
         12 . The checkout terminal according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the control unit is further configured to cause information indicating that the updating is unnecessary to be presented to the user when the similarity value indicates more similarity than the first predetermined value.   
     
     
         13 . The checkout terminal according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the imaging unit is configured to acquire plural images of the item to be checked and generate plural pieces of image data of the item, and   the control unit is further configured to   compare each of the generated image data with the stored image data,   calculate a similarity value between each of the generated image data and the stored image data,   determine the number of pieces of the image data of which similarity value indicates less similarity than a first predetermined value, and   cause the information to be notified when the determined number is greater than a second predetermined value.   
     
     
         14 . The checkout terminal according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the control unit is further configured to change the information to be presented to the user depending on the similarity value.   
     
     
         15 . A method for processing information for an object recognition comprising:
 receiving a user input about an item;   storing image data of the item;   acquiring an image of the item and generating image data therefrom;   comparing the generated image data with the stored image data; and   presenting information about updating the stored image data, based on a comparison result.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 calculating a similarity value between the generated image data and the stored image data, as the comparison result, wherein   the presenting is carried out when the similarity value indicates less similarity than a first predetermined value.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 changing the information to be presented depending on the similarity value.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 the changing the information includes generating first information suggesting the updating when the similarity value indicates more similarity than a second predetermined value and less similarity than the first predetermined value, and generating second information indicating that the updating is required when the similarity value indicates less similarity than the second predetermined value.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 presenting information indicating that the updating is unnecessary when the similarity value indicates more similarity than the first predetermined value.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 updating the stored image data based on the generated image data;   acquiring an image of an item to be purchased and generate image data of the item to be purchased; and   identifying the item to be purchased, based on the updated image data.