Methods for preventing accidental triggering for off-board detection systems

Abstract

Techniques are described here to prevent accidental triggering for off-set detection systems.An exemplary system includes a weighing pan having a first surface; a scale configured to measure a weight of an object placed on the first surface; an off-pan detection assembly configured to detect an off-pan condition based on a portion of the object resting on a second surface off the weighing pan and / or some portion of the object extending beyond a perimeter of the weighing pan; a processor in communication with the scale and the off-pan detection assembly; and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to generate an alert in response to at least: (i) the off-pan detection assembly detecting the off-pan condition and (ii) a measurement, by the scale, of a stable weight greater than a threshold weight, for a period of time greater than a threshold time period. Figure: 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Methods for preventing accidental triggers for off-set detection systems Background

[0001] One of the functions of a checkout station with a weighing platform is to weigh food products or other products that are valued by weight in order to help determine the price of the food products or product. However, food products and products are different in shape and size and problems can be encountered when a portion of the food products or product overflows from the weighing platform, resulting in an incorrect weight measurement and, consequently, an incorrect price.Therefore, alerts may be generated when food products or products being weighed on a weighing platform of a checkout station extend off the weighing platform during the weighing process to reduce or eliminate instances of incorrect weight measurement and allow the user to identify and correct the problem before a price for the food products or products is calculated, so that the weight-based rate is accurate. However, in some cases, these generated alerts may become excessive and frustrating for users, for example, if the audible and / or visible alerts are generated for "false positives," when the object momentarily leaves the weighing platform before settling, or when the weight of the object is irrelevant. Therefore, there is a need to prevent the off-platform detection system from triggering alerts when such alerts are not needed. Abstract .

[0002] In one embodiment, the present invention is a system for use with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal operable to execute a transaction associated with a purchase of an object, the system comprising: a weighing platform having a first surface extending in a first transverse plane; a scale configured to measure a weight of the object when placed on the first surface; an off-platform detection assembly configured to detect an off-platform condition based on at least one of (i) a portion of the object resting on a second surface off the weighing platform or (ii) at least some portion of the object extending beyond a perimeter of the weighing platform; a processor in communication with the scale and the off-platform detection assembly;and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to generate an alert in response to at least one of (i) the out-of-board detection set detecting the; off-shelf condition and (ii) a measurement by the scale of a stable weight greater than a threshold weight, for a period of time greater than a threshold time period.

[0003] In another embodiment, the present invention is a system for use with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal operable to execute a transaction associated with a purchase of an object, the system comprising: a weighing platform having a first surface extending in a first transverse plane; a scale configured to measure a weight of the object when placed on the first surface; and an off-platform detection assembly configured to detect an off-platform condition based on at least one of (i) a portion of the object resting on a second surface off the weighing platform or (ii) at least some portion of the object extending beyond a perimeter of the weighing platform; an imaging assembly configured to collect image data associated with the object when placed on the first surface; a processor in communication with the scale and the off-platform detection assembly;and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to: analyze image data associated with the object collected by the imaging assembly to identify at least one parameter related to the object; and generate an alert in response to at least: (i) the off-set detection assembly detecting the off-set condition and (ii) a secondary condition, based on the identification of the at least one parameter related to the object, being satisfied. ;

[0004] In a variation of this embodiment, analyzing the image data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object comprises analyzing the image data associated with the object to identify payload data of a barcode associated with the object.

[0005] As another example, in a variation of this embodiment, analyzing the image data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object comprises analyzing the image data associated with the object using object recognition techniques to identify the object.

[0006] As yet another example, in a variation of this embodiment, the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is a food product object.

[0007] As yet another example, in a variation of this embodiment, the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is associated with a price value greater than a threshold price value.

[0008] Additionally, in one example, in a variation of this embodiment, the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is being evaluated based on weight.

[0009] Additionally, in one example, in a variation of this embodiment, the alert is further in response to: a measurement by the scale of a stable weight for a period of time greater than a threshold time period.

[0010] Further, in one example, in a variation of this embodiment, the alert is further in response to: a measurement by the scale of a weight greater than a threshold weight.

[0011] In another example, in a variation of this embodiment, the alert is further responsive to: identifying an indication that the object has been placed on the first surface for a period of time greater than a threshold time period.

[0012] In yet another example, in a variation of this embodiment, identifying the indication that the object was placed on the first surface for the time period greater than the threshold time period includes analyzing the image data collected by the imaging assembly to determine that pixels of the image data having a brightness greater than a threshold brightness did not move during the time period.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a system for use with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal operable to execute a transaction associated with a purchase of an object, the system comprising: a weighing platform having a first surface extending in a first transverse plane; a scale configured to measure a weight of the object when placed on the first surface; an off-platform detection assembly configured to detect an off-platform condition based on at least one of (i) a portion of the object resting on a second surface off the weighing platform or (ii) at least some portion of the object extending beyond a perimeter of the weighing platform; a user interface configured to collect user input associated with the object; a processor in communication with the scale and the off-platform detection assembly;and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to analyze user input associated with the object, collected to identify at least one parameter related to the object; and generate an alert in response to at least: (i) the out-of-board detection assembly detecting the out-of-board condition and (ii) a secondary condition, based on identifying the at least one parameter related to the object, being satisfied. ;

[0014] In a variation of this embodiment, the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is a food product object.

[0015] As another example, in a variation of this embodiment, the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is associated with a price value greater than a threshold price value.

[0016] As yet another example, in a variation of this embodiment, the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is being evaluated based on weight.

[0017] In yet another example, in a variation of this embodiment, the alert is further in response to: a measurement by the scale of a stable weight for a period of time greater than a threshold time period.

[0018] Additionally, in one example, in a variation of this embodiment, the alert is further in response to: a measurement by the scale of a weight greater than a threshold weight.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a system for use with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal operable to execute a transaction associated with a purchase of an object, the system comprising: a weighing platform having a first surface extending in a first transverse plane; a scale configured to measure a weight of the object when placed on the first surface; an off-platform detection assembly configured to detect an off-platform condition based on at least one of (i) a portion of the object resting on a second surface off the weighing platform or (ii) at least some portion of the object extending beyond a perimeter of the weighing platform; a product identification module configured to collect data associated with the object; a processor in communication with the scale and the off-platform detection assembly;and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to: analyze the data collected by the product identification module to identify at least one parameter related to the object; and generate an alert in response to at least: (i) the out-of-shelf detection assembly detecting the out-of-shelf condition and (ii) the at least one parameter associated with the object. ;

[0020] In a variation of this embodiment, the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is a food product object.

[0021] As another example, in a variation of this embodiment, the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is associated with a price value greater than a threshold price value.

[0022] In yet another example, in a variation of this embodiment, the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is being evaluated based on weight.

[0023] In yet another example, in a variation of this embodiment, the alert is further in response to: a measurement by the scale of a stable weight for a period of time greater than a threshold time period.

[0024] Additionally, as another example, in a variation of this embodiment, the alert is further in response to: a measurement, by the scale, of a weight greater than a threshold weight. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The accompanying figures, in which the same reference numerals refer to the same or functionally similar elements in all separate views, together with the description below, are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of the concepts which comprise the claimed invention and to explain various principles and advantages of these embodiments.

[0026] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary system including logic circuitry for implementing the exemplary methods and / or operations described herein, including methods for preventing accidental triggers for off-board detection systems.

[0027] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates a front perspective view of a first station exemplary cash register having an off-shelf detection assembly with a first exemplary off-shelf indication system.

[0028] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates a top view of the checkout station of [Fig.2] with an object extending over a first lateral edge of the weighing pan.

[0029] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates a front perspective view of a second station cash register having an off-shelf detection assembly with a second exemplary off-shelf indication system.

[0030] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] illustrates a front view of the checkout station of [Fig.4] with a object extending over a first lateral edge of the weighing pan.

[0031] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates a side view of the checkout station of [Fig.2] with a exemplary off-board detection set.

[0032] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates a top view of the checkout station of [Fig.6] with an object extending over a first lateral edge of the weighing pan.

[0033] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] illustrates a side view of the checkout station of [Fig.4] with a other exemplary off-board detection set.

[0034] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] illustrates a front view of the checkout station of [Fig.8] with a object extending over a first lateral edge of the weighing pan.

[0035] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] illustrates a side view of a third exemplary checkout station having an off-shelf detection assembly with a third exemplary off-shelf indication system.

[0036] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] illustrates a front view of the checkout station of [Fig. 10] with an object extending over a first side edge of the weighing pan.

[0037] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a block diagram of an exemplary process as may be implemented by the system of [Fig.l], for implementing exemplary methods and / or operations described herein, including methods for preventing accidental triggers for off-shelf detection systems based on an input from a weighing scale.

[0038] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary process as may be implemented by the system of [Fig.l], for implementing exemplary methods and / or operations described herein, including methods for preventing accidental triggers for off-set detection systems based on an input from an imaging set.

[0039] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary process as may be implemented by the system of [Fig.l], for implementing exemplary methods and / or operations described herein, including methods for preventing accidental triggers for off-set detection systems based on user input.

[0040] [Fig. 15] [Fig. 15] illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary process as may be implemented by the system of [Fig.l], for implementing exemplary methods and / or operations described herein, including methods for preventing accidental triggers for off-shelf detection systems based on input from a product identification system.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help enhance understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] Apparatus and method components have been depicted where appropriate with conventional symbols in the drawings, depicting only those specific details which are relevant to an understanding of the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the description with details which will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon taking advantage of the description. Detailed Description

[0043] The present disclosure generally relates to checkout stations having off-shelf detection systems that may be used to detect instances of off-shelf conditions, in which at least a portion of an object to be purchased is not resting on the weighing platform of the checkout station. In particular, the present disclosure generally relates to preventing the generation of audible or visible alerts for false positives or other accidental triggering of the off-shelf detection system. That is, such audible or visible alerts are useful to the user when a prolonged off-shelf condition is detected for a product having a weight-based price, but are less useful when a momentary off-shelf condition is detected, or when an off-shelf condition is detected for a product that is not priced based on weight.

[0044] In one example, the present invention provides a system and method in which an out-of-shelf alert is not generated unless a positive stable weight is detected on the scale and remains there for a certain period of time. Therefore, in this example, the system cannot be accidentally triggered by shaking the scale while the out-of-shelf detection system notices something along the edge of the scale. Further, in some examples, a user may set a weight threshold, and when a weight measured by the scale is less than the weight threshold, no out-of-shelf alert is generated. For example, the threshold may be set so that a weight measured by the scale that is less than the lightest item sold by the store or the lightest item that is assessed by weight, does not trigger an out-of-shelf alert.

[0045] In another example, off-shelf alerts are generated when an object placed on the scale is not valued by weight, or is valued below a price threshold. For example, an object recognition or identification system, which may include a color camera, a barcode reader, an RFID reader, or a user interface where a user provides information regarding the object, etc., may be used to identify the object placed on the scale or otherwise identify parameters (e.g., including packaging markings, barcodes, Digimarc®, etc.) associated with the object indicating that the object is not valued by weight or is valued below a weight threshold. For example, if the object is not a food product, or is not valued by weight, off-shelf alerts may not be needed because whether the object is on or off the shelf is irrelevant to valuing the object.In some examples, even if the item is priced by weight, if the item's price is below a certain price threshold, there may not be a need for off-shelf alerts for the item.

[0046] [Fig. 1] illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary checkout station system 1100 including logic circuitry for implementing the methods and / or the exemplary operations described herein, including methods for preventing accidental triggers for off-shelf detection systems. The system 1100 may include a weighing scale 1102, an off-shelf detection system 1104, a product identification system 1106, and a POS system 1108. The weighing scale 1102, the off-shelf detection system 1104, a product identification system 1106, and a POS system 1108 may each communicate with each other via a wired or wireless network 1110.

[0047] The weighing scale 1102 (e.g., such as the weighing pan assembly 100 discussed in more detail below) may monitor the weight of objects placed on a weighing pan associated with the checkout station and may continuously or periodically record and send the monitored weights to the POS system 1108, e.g., via the network 1110.

[0048] The off-shelf detection system 1104 (also referred to as an off-shelf detection assembly, as discussed in more detail with respect to Figures 2-11) is generally configured to detect instances of off-shelf conditions in which at least a portion of an object to be purchased is not resting on the weighing platform.In some examples, the off-shelf detection system 1104 may display audible or visible alerts or notifications to users when instances of off-shelf conditions are detected and one or more secondary conditions (e.g., including a secondary condition in which the weight measured by the weighing scale 1102 has been stable for a longer period than a threshold time period and / or has been above a threshold weight for a longer period than a threshold time period; a secondary condition in which the object is a particular type or category of object, such as a food product; a secondary condition in which the object is valued by weight; and / or a secondary condition in which a price associated with the object is above a threshold price; etc.) are also satisfied, or may send indications of off-shelf condition instances to the POS system 1108, for example via the network 1110, where alerts or notifications are to be presented to the user when off-shelf condition instances are detected and one or more secondary conditions are satisfied. In some examples, the off-shelf detection system 1104 may send indications of these instances to the product identification system 1106, for example via the network 1110. .

[0049] The product identification system 1106 may be configured to identify objects to be purchased (and / or various parameters associated with the objects to be purchased) that are placed on the weighing platform associated with the checkout station based on, for example, the reading of barcodes associated with the objects to be purchased by a barcode reader 111 l (or RFID), the receipt of user input identifying the objects to be purchased via a user interface 1112 and / or collecting images of objects to be purchased by an imaging assembly 113. The product identification system 1106 may further include one or more processors 1114 and memory 1116 (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory) accessible by the one or more processors 1114 (e.g., via a memory controller). The one or more processors 1114 may interact with the memory 1116 to obtain, for example, computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 1116.The computer-readable instructions stored in memory 1116, when executed by the one or more processors 1114, may cause the one or more processors 1114 to analyze the data collected by the product identification system 1106 to identify parameters associated with each item to be purchased, e.g., based on the barcodes or RFID tags associated with the items to be purchased, user input (e.g., touchscreen or keyboard sections by users, audio input from users, etc.), and / or collected images of the items and send the indications of the parameters associated with the items to be purchased to the POS system 1108, e.g., via the network 1110.In some examples, analyzing data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object may include analyzing image data associated with the object to identify payload data of a barcode or RFID tag associated with the object, which may include an indication of an identification of the object, a price associated with the object, and / or a category associated with the object (e.g., food product or not, weight rated or not weight rated, etc.), etc. Additionally, in some examples, analyzing data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object may include analyzing image data associated with the object using object recognition techniques to identify the object.Further, in some examples, analyzing the data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object may include analyzing the data associated with the object (e.g., image data, user input data, etc.) to identify symbols or markings associated with the object, which may be indicative of an identification of the object, a price associated with the object, and / or a category associated with the object (e.g., food product or not, rated by weight or not rated by weight, etc.), etc. In some examples, the data associated with the object may be analyzed to identify an indication of the identification of the object, which may be used to determine one or more additional parameters associated with the object, such as a price associated with the object, and / or a category associated with the object (e.g., food product or not, rated by weight or not rated by weight, etc.) for example by having access to a database storing different parameters associated with object identifications.

[0050] Additionally, in some examples, the computer-readable instructions stored in memory 1116 may include instructions to receive indications of instances of off-board conditions detected by the off-board detection system 1104, and generate off-board alerts based on instances in which off-board conditions are detected by the off-board detection system 1104 and the one or more secondary conditions are also satisfied.

[0051] Additionally, the computer-readable instructions stored in memory 1116 may include instructions for performing the steps of method 1200, described in more detail below with respect to [Fig. 12], the steps of method 1300, described in more detail below with respect to [Fig. 13], the steps of method 1400, described in more detail below with respect to [Fig. 14], and / or the steps of method 1500 described in more detail below with respect to [Fig. 15].

[0052] The POS system 1108 may be configured to calculate prices of items to be purchased by users, based on receipt of an identification of the item, as determined by the product identification system 1106 and based on the weight measured by the weighing scale 1102 at the time the POS system 1108 receives the identification of the item. The POS system 1108 may include a user interface 1118 configured to receive input from users and provide the information to the users. The POS system 1108 may include one or more processors 1120 and memory 1122 (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory) accessible by the one or more processors 1120 (e.g., via a memory controller). The one or more processors 1120 may interact with the memory 1122 to obtain, for example, computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 1122.The computer-readable instructions stored in memory 1122, when executed by the one or more processors 1120, may cause the one or more processors 1120 to monitor the current weight measured by the weighing scale 1102, for example, based on data sent from the weighing scale 1102 to the POS system 1108 via the network 1110. In addition, the computer-readable instructions stored in memory 1122 may further include instructions to calculate a weight-based price for each item to be purchased based on the item identification and the weight measured by the weighing scale 1102 when the POS system 1108 receives the indication of the item identification.That is, the computer-readable instructions stored in memory 1122 may cause the POS system 1108 to access a database listing prices per unit weight for the identified object, and may calculate the price of the object based on the price per weight and the weight at the time the indication of the object's identification is received.

[0053] Additionally, in some examples, the computer-readable instructions stored in memory 1122 may further include instructions to receive indications of instances of off-set conditions from the off-set detection system 1104, e.g., via the network 1110, and display audible and / or visible notifications to the user in instances in which the off-set conditions are detected by the off-set detection system 1104 and the one or more secondary conditions are also satisfied. For example, the notifications may indicate possible ways in which the user can correct the off-set condition.

[0054] Further, the computer-readable instructions stored in memory 1122 may include instructions for performing any of the steps of method 1200, described in more detail below with respect to [Fig. 12], the steps of method 1300, described in more detail below with respect to [Fig. 13], the steps of method 1400, described in more detail below with respect to [Fig. 14], and / or the steps of method 1500, described in more detail below with respect to [Fig. 15].

[0055] Referring to Figures 2-3, a first exemplary checkout station 10, such as the Zebra® MP7000 bioptic barcode reader, is shown and may be configured to be supported by a checkout 50 in a POS of a retail store. The checkout station 10 has a housing 15 that includes a lower housing 20 that houses a weighing pan assembly 100 and an upper housing 30 that extends above the lower housing 20. The upper housing 30 includes a generally vertical window 35 to allow a first set of optical components positioned in the housing 15 to direct a first field of view through the vertical window 35.Additionally, if the checkout station 10 is a bioptic barcode reader, the lower housing 20 includes a generally horizontal window 25 which, in the example shown, is positioned in a weighing pan 105 of the weighing pan assembly 100 to allow a second set of optical components, positioned in the housing 15, to direct a second field of view through the horizontal window 25. The first and second fields of view intersect to define a product scanning region 40 of the checkout station 10 where a product can be scanned for sale at the POS.

[0056] The weighing pan assembly 100 generally includes a weighing pan 105 that is positioned in the lower housing 20 and is configured to measure the weight of an object placed on the weighing pan 105. The weighing pan 105 has an upper surface 110 that faces the product scan region 40, a proximal edge 115, a first side edge 120, a second side edge 125, and a distal edge 130. In the example shown, the proximal edge 115 is adjacent the upper housing 30 and is the edge furthest from a user of the weighing pan assembly 100 and / or the checkout station 10. The first side edge 120 extends non-parallel to the proximal edge 115. The second side edge 125 is opposite the first side edge 120 and extends non-parallel to the proximal edge 115. The distal edge 130 is opposite the proximal edge 115, is the edge closest to the user, and extends non-parallel to the first and second side edges 120, 125. In the example shown, the weighing pan is generally rectangular and the first and second side edges 120, 125 are parallel and perpendicular to the proximal edge 115 and the distal edge 130 and the distal edge is parallel to the proximal edge 115.

[0057] The checkout station 10 in Figures 2-3 also includes an off-shelf detection assembly with a first exemplary off-shelf indication system 200, which has a plurality of linearly aligned light sources 405 that each represent a location along the first side edge 120 of the weighing pan 105. In the example shown, the light sources 405 may be any type of light source, such as light emitting diodes, and are positioned in the upper surface 110 of the weighing pan 105 and generally aligned along the first side edge 120.In the example shown, the light sources 405 are distributed along the entire length of the weighing pan 105, however, the light sources 405 may also be closely grouped and positioned adjacent to the distal edge 130 of the weighing pan 105 such that the light sources 405 are readily viewable by a user and the likelihood that an object being weighed may obscure the light sources 405 from the user's view is reduced. For simplicity, only the light sources 405 along the first side edge 120 are described herein, however, it should be understood that the off-pan indication system 400 may also include a second plurality of light sources 405A aligned linearly along the second side edge 125 to provide an indication of a potential off-pan event and the location of the potential off-pan event along the second side edge 125.The off-platter detection assembly also has a controller 290 that is configured to determine whether an object 60 ([Fig. 3]) extends over the first side edge 120 of the weighing pan 105 and if so, determine the location of the object 60 along the first side edge 120, as described in more detail below. If the controller 290 determines that the object 60 extends over the first side edge 120, the controller 290, which is operatively coupled to the light sources 405, is configured to illuminate a first portion 410 of the light sources 405 located between the object 60 and the proximal edge 115 of the weighing pan 105 to represent the distance between the proximal edge 115 and the location where the object 60 crosses the first side edge 120 and . to stop illuminating a second portion 415 of the light sources 405 located between the object 60 and the distal edge 130 of the weighing pan 105 to represent the distance between the location where the object 60 crosses the first side edge 120 and the distal edge 130. Stopping illuminating the second portion 415 of the light sources 405 alerts the user that there is a potential off-pan event along the first side edge 120 and illuminating the first portion 410 of the light sources 405 identifies the location of the potential off-pan event to the user. Additionally, the off-shelf indication system may have a speaker or other audio device that may also provide audio notifications informing the user of where the potential off-shelf event is occurring (e.g., left side, right side, left side near the top case, right side near the end of the shelve, etc.).

[0058] Referring to Figures 4-5, a second exemplary checkout station 10A is illustrated that is the same as checkout station 10, but includes an off-shelf detection assembly with a second exemplary off-shelf indication system 450, instead of off-shelf indication system 400. Off-shelf indication system 450 is similar to off-shelf indication system 400 in that off-shelf indication system 450 has a plurality of linearly aligned light sources 455 that each represent a location along the first side edge 120 of the weighing pan 105.In the example shown, the light sources 405 may be any type of light source, such as light emitting diodes, and are positioned in the upper housing 30 and are generally aligned with the first side edge 120 of the weighing pan 105 and directed toward the distal edge 130, such that they are visible to a user. In the example shown, the light sources 455 are distributed along the entire height of the upper housing 30, however, the light sources 455 may also be closely grouped and positioned adjacent to the top of the upper housing 30, such that the light sources 455 are readily viewable by a user and the likelihood that a large object being weighed may obscure the light sources 455 from the user's view is reduced.Again, for simplicity, only the light sources 455 aligned with the first side edge 120 are described herein, however, it should be understood that the off-platter indication system 450 may also include a second set of light sources 455A aligned with the second side edge 125 to provide an indication of a potential off-platter event and the location of the potential off-platter event along the second side edge 125. The off-platter detection assembly also has a controller 350 that is configured to determine whether an object 60 ([Fig. 5]) extends over the first side edge 120 of the weighing pan 105 and if so, . determining the location of the object 60 along the first lateral edge 120, as described in more detail below. If the controller 350 determines that the object 60 extends over the first lateral edge 120, the controller 350, which is operatively coupled to the light sources 455, is configured to illuminate a first portion 460 of the light sources 455 to represent the distance between the proximal edge 115 and the location where the object 60 crosses the first lateral edge 120 and to stop illuminating a second portion 465 of the light sources 455 to represent the distance between the location where the object 60 crosses the first lateral edge 120 and the distal edge 130.Stopping illuminating the second portion 465 of the light sources 455 alerts the user that there is a potential off-set event along the first side edge 120 and illuminating the first portion 460 of the light sources 455 identifies the location of the potential off-set event to the user.

[0059] Figures 6-7 illustrate a checkout station 10 with an off-shelf indication system 400 and a particular example of an off-shelf detection assembly 200 which, in the example shown, is a LIDAR-based system. The exemplary off-shelf detection assembly 200 generally includes a light emitting assembly 205, a light detecting assembly 250, and a controller 290 operatively coupled to the light emitting assembly 205 and the light detecting assembly 250.For simplicity, only one light emitting assembly 205 and the light detecting assembly 250 along the first side edge 120 are described herein, however it should be understood that the off-board detecting assembly 200 may also include a second light emitting assembly and a second light detecting assembly on an opposite side for detecting objects that extend over the second side edge 125, as shown in [Fig.7].

[0060] The light emitting assembly 205 may be positioned in the upper housing 30 of the housing 15, has a light source 210, and is configured to emit pulses of light 215 away from the proximal edge 115, toward the distal edge 130, and along the first side edge 120 of the weighing pan 105. The light source 210 may be an LED that is focused into a narrow beam, similar to an aiming point used in scanners, a focused laser beam, etc., and may be at the infrared wavelength, the visible light wavelength, or any of the desired wavelengths.The light source 210 may have a field of view 212 and the light emitting assembly 205 may also include an aperture 220 which may be formed in a wall or projection of the housing 15 or may be formed through another wall or structure which is part of the weighing pan assembly 100, positioned opposite the light source 210 to limit the . field of view 212 of the light source 210 into a narrow field of view 230 along the first side edge 120. A lens 225 may also be positioned opposite the aperture 220 and configured to focus the one or more light pulses 215. Additionally, although the off-pan detection assembly 200 does not require bumps or physical barriers at the distal edge 130 of the weighing pan 105, if necessary, a barrier may be positioned at the distal edge 130, opposite the light emitting assembly 205, and may be made with a material and / or color that is (are) absorbed by the wavelength of the light pulses 215 to prevent reflection of the light pulses 215 from objects or users that are beyond the distal edge 130.

[0061] The light detection assembly 250 may also be located within the housing 15 and has a field of view 255, with a central field of view axis 260 that is substantially adjacent to and parallel with respect to the first side edge 120, which extends from the proximal edge 115 to at least one distal edge 130 and along the first side edge 120. The light detection assembly 250 has a light sensor 265 that is configured to detect at least a portion of the light pulses 215 that are reflected by an object 60 that extends into the path of the light pulses 215 and therefore out of the weighing pan 105, toward the proximal edge 115 and into the field of view 255.In order to limit the field of view 255, the light sensor 265 may be set deep within the housing 15 or the path of the field of view 255 may be bent with reflectors or prisms to position the light sensor 265 wherever needed within the housing 15. The deep recessing of the light sensor 265 helps the light sensor 265 remain independent of other external light sources.The light sensor 265 may have a second field of view 270 that is greater than the field of view 255 of the light detection assembly 250 and an aperture 280, which may be formed in a wall or projection of the housing 15 or may be formed through another wall or structure that is part of the weighing pan assembly 100, may be positioned opposite the light sensor 265 to limit the field of view 270 of the light sensor 265, where an aperture center 280 is coaxial with a central field of view axis 275 of the field of view 270 of the light sensor 265. In addition, a lens 285 may also be positioned opposite the aperture 280 and configured to focus the reflected portion of the light pulses 215 onto the light sensor 265.For example, aperture 280 may be 1 millimeter or less and positioned 3 inches rearward of lens 285, providing approximately 400% magnification at distal edge 130 of weighing pan 105.

[0062] In addition to controlling the lighting and extinguishing of the light sources 405, the controller 290 is also configured to measure a time of flight of a light pulse reflected by an object 60 ([Fig.7]). The time of flight is the time elapsed from the moment the light pulse is emitted by the light emitting assembly 205 until at least a portion of the light pulse is again reflected to the light detecting assembly 250 and detected by the light sensor 265.The controller 290 may also be configured to determine whether the object 60 extends over the first side edge 120 and off the weighing pan 105 by determining whether the time of flight of the reflected portion of the light pulse is equal to or greater than a predetermined time of flight, which is the predetermined time elapsed from the time a light pulse is emitted from the light emitting assembly 205 to the time at least a portion of the light pulse is reflected back to the light sensing assembly 250 from an object that is positioned at the distal edge 130 of the weighing pan 105 and detected by the light sensor 265.If a measured time of flight is equal to or greater than the predetermined time of flight, or if a pulse of light is not reflected back to the light detection assembly 250, this indicates that there is no object extending over the first side edge 120 between the proximal edge 115 and the distal edge 130 and the controller 290 may be configured to allow the measured weight of the object 60 to be recorded. If the measured time of flight is less than the predetermined time of flight, this indicates that the object 60 extends over the first side edge 120 between the proximal edge 115 and the distal edge 130 and, in addition to illuminating and extinguishing the light sources 405, as described above, the controller 290 may also be configured to prevent recording of the measured weight of the object 60. The controller 290 may also be configured to determine the location of the object 60 along the first side edge 120 based on the time of flight.The shorter the flight time, the closer the object 60 is to the light sensor 265 and, therefore, to the proximal edge 115. The longer the flight time, the further the object 60 is from the light sensor 265 and therefore from the proximal edge 115.

[0063] In operation, the light emitting assembly 205 of the off-platter detection assembly 200 emits light pulses 215 from the light source 210 along the first side edge 120 of the weighing pan 105. The light detecting assembly 250 has a field of view 255 along the first side edge 120. When an object 60 extends into the path of the light pulses 215, and therefore is off the weighing pan 105, a portion of the light pulses 215 is reflected by the object 60 and toward the light sensor 265 and the light sensor 265 detects the portion of the light pulses 215 reflected by the object 60. The controller 290 receives a signal from the light sensor 265 indicating that the light reflected by object 60 was detected and a duration of reflected light was detected. Based on the time of flight of the reflected light, the controller 290 then determines whether the object 60 extends over the first side edge 120 and out of the weighing pan 105 and if so, the location where the object 60 extends over the first side edge 120, as discussed above.

[0064] Figures 8-9 illustrate a checkout station 10A with an off-shelf indication system 450 and a particular example of an off-shelf detection assembly 300 which, in the example shown, is a camera-based system. In this example, the off-shelf detection assembly 300 generally includes an overhead imaging assembly 305 and a controller 350 operatively coupled to the overhead imaging assembly 305, which is positioned substantially above the weighing pan 105 and faces downward toward the weighing pan 105. Positioning the overhead imaging assembly 305 above and facing downward toward the weighing pan 105 positions the overhead imaging assembly 305 far enough above large weighed objects to reduce the likelihood of a large object falsely triggering the off-shelf detection assembly 300.The overhead imaging assembly 305 may be an imaging assembly that is dedicated to the off-shelf detection assembly 300 or to an imaging assembly that is already part of the checkout station 10 and used for object recognition and is positioned above and facing downward toward the weighing pan 105. The overhead imaging assembly 305 includes an imaging device 310, preferably a 2 megapixel camera, that has a field of view 315 that extends downward toward the upper surface 110 of the weighing pan 105 and is configured to collect an image of the upper surface 110 of the weighing pan 105 with the object 60 located on the weighing pan 105, including the first side edge 120 and the second side edge 125, in the field of view 315.The field of view 315 has a proximal boundary 320, a distal boundary 325, opposite the proximal boundary 320, a first lateral boundary 330, and a second lateral boundary 335, opposite the first lateral boundary 330. To provide the maximum amount of lateral coverage of upper surface 110, the field of view 315 preferably has a transverse field of view angle B between the first lateral boundary 330 and the second lateral boundary 335 that is in the range of 100 degrees and 135 degrees.

[0065] In the example shown, the checkout station 10A includes a gooseneck post 70 that extends from a rear portion of the housing 15 and extends over the weighing pan 105 and the overhead imaging assembly 305 is positioned in the gooseneck post 70 such that a central axis 340 of the field of view 315 extends generally perpendicular to the upper surface 110 of the weighing pan 105. Alternatively, instead of being positioned in the gooseneck post 70, the overhead imaging assembly 305 may be mounted or positioned in any position above and facing downward toward the weighing pan 105, such as in a ceiling or as part of an overhead object recognition system or security system overhanging the weighing pan 105. To provide the maximum amount of longitudinal coverage of the upper surface 110, the overhead imaging assembly 305 may be positioned such that the proximal boundary 320 of the field of view 315 intersects the upper surface 110 of the weighing pan 105 at or substantially adjacent to the proximal edge 115 (e.g., within the range of 0 to 30 mm from the proximal edge 115) and the distal boundary 325 extends toward or beyond the distal edge 130.

[0066] The controller 350 may be calibrated (at the factory or during installation or final testing) by being configured to identify and position the first side edge 120 and the second side edge 125 based on a training image of the top surface 110 of the weighing pan 105 in the field of view 315. The training image is an image of the top surface 110 of the weighing pan 105 with no object placed on the weighing pan 105 and the first side edge 120 and the second side edge 125 in the field of view 315. For example, the location of the first and second side edges 120, 125 may be identified by a user viewing the training image by drawing or indicating tilt angles on the training image using a configuration tool or the first and second side edges 120, 125 can be automatically detected by the controller 350.

[0067] In addition to controlling the illumination and extinction of the light sources 455, the controller 350 is also configured to receive an image from the imaging device 310 and determine whether an object 60 ([Fig.9]) positioned on the weighing pan 105 extends over the first or second side edge 120, 125 and if so, determine the location of the object 60 along the first side edge or the second side edge 120, 125 based on the image. The controller 350 may be configured to determine if and where the object 60 extends over the first or second side edge 120, 125 by determining whether a portion of the first or second side edge 120, 125 or the gap between the weighing pan 105 and the lower housing 20 or station 50, determined during calibration based on the training image, is blocked or invisible.The controller 350 may also use a convolutional neural network (CNN) to determine whether the object 60 extends over the first or second side edge 120, 125, for example, by identifying the object 60 and its orientation and comparing it to a database of dimensional data to determine whether the object 60 crosses the first or second side edge 120, 125. If the controller 350 determines that the object 60 does not extend over the first or second side edge 120, 125, the controller 350 may be configured to allow recording. the measured weight of the object 60. If the controller 350 determines that the object 60 does not extend over the first side edge 120 and / or the second side edge 125, in addition to illuminating and extinguishing the light sources 455, as described above, the controller 350 may be configured to prevent recording of the measured weight of the object 60.

[0068] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, a third checkout station 10B is illustrated that is the same as checkout station 10A with off-shelf detection assembly 300, described above and shown in Figures 8-9, but includes a third exemplary off-shelf indication system 500, instead of off-shelf indication system 450. In checkout station 10B, off-shelf indication system 500 is in communication with controller 350 and has a visual display 505 that may be a display of checkout station 10B, a display or monitor that is separate from and in communication with checkout station 10B, or a display of a point-of-sale system operatively coupled to checkout station 10B.In this example, if the controller 350 determines that the object 60 does not extend over the first side edge 120 and / or the second side edge 125, rather than controlling the illumination and extinction of the light sources 455, the controller 350 may be configured to display a tray representation 510 on the visual display 505 with an indication 515 of where the object 60 extends over the first and / or second side edges 120, 125. The tray representation 510 may be a live video feed that the controller 350 receives from the overhead imaging assembly 305, a photographic representation of the weighing tray 105, or a drawing or rendering of the weighing tray 105.As shown, the indication 515 is an arrow that points to the location where the object 60 extends over the first and / or second side edges 120, 125, but the indication 515 may be any other indicator that can communicate the location to the user, such as highlighting a portion of the weighing pan 105 where the off-pan event occurs. In addition to providing an alert to a user on the visual display 505, the controller 350 may also be configured to enable recording the measured weight of the object 60 if the controller 350 determines that the object 60 does not extend over the first or second side edges 120, 125 and the controller 350 may prevent recording the measured weight of the object 60, if the controller 350 determines that the object 60 extends over the first or second side edges 120, 125.

[0069] Further, since the field of view 315 of the suspended imaging assembly 305 encompasses the entire weighing pan 105, including the distal edge 130, in addition to determining whether the object 60 extends over the first or second side edges 120, 125, the controller 350 may be configured to determine whether the object 60 extends on the distal edge 130 based on the image and, if so, determine a location where the object 60 extends over the distal edge 130. If the controller 350 determines that the object 60 extends over the distal edge 130, the off-shelf indication system 500 may display the shelf representation 510 on the visual display 505 with the indication 515 of the location where the object 60 extends over the distal edge 130 displayed in the shelf representation 510. In addition to providing an alert to a user on the visual display 505, the controller 350 may also be configured to enable recording the measured weight of the object 60, if the controller 350 determines that the object 60 does not extend over the distal edge 130 and prevent recording the measured weight of the object 60 if the controller 350 determines that the object 60 extends over the distal edge 130.

[0070] [Fig. 12] illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary process 1200, as may be implemented by the system of [Fig. 1] to prevent accidental triggers for off-shelf detection systems based on input from a weighing scale. One or more steps of the method 1200 may be implemented as a set of instructions stored on computer-readable memory (e.g., memory 1116 and / or memory 1122) and executable on one or more processors (e.g., processors 1114 and / or processors 1120).

[0071] In block 1202, the weight of an object placed on a weighing pan, as measured by a weighing scale (e.g., weighing scale 1102) associated with a POS system, may be monitored.

[0072] In block 1204, the weighing pan may be monitored for off-pan conditions, for example by the off-pan detection system 1104.

[0073] In block 1206, an audible and / or visible alert may be generated (e.g., by any of the off-shelf detection system 1104, the product identification system 1106, or the POS system 1108) in response to at least (i) the detection of an off-shelf condition and (ii) the weighing scale measuring a positive stable weight greater than a threshold weight, for a period of time greater than a threshold time period. That is, the alert may only be generated when an off-shelf condition has been detected, and the weighing scale measures a positive stable weight greater than the threshold weight for a period of time greater than the threshold time period, and not when only one of these conditions is satisfied.

[0074] [Fig. 13] illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary process 1300 as may be implemented by the system of [Fig. 1] to prevent accidental triggers for off-set detection systems based on input from an imaging set. One or more steps of the method 1300 may be implemented implemented as a set of instructions stored in computer-readable memory (e.g., memory 1116 and / or memory 1122) and executable on one or more processors (e.g., processors 1114 and / or processors 1120).

[0075] In block 1302, the weight of an object, placed on a weighing pan, as measured by a weighing scale (e.g., weighing scale 1102) associated with a POS system, may be monitored.

[0076] In block 1304, the weighing pan may be monitored for off-pan conditions, for example by the off-pan detection system 1104.

[0077] In block 1306, image data associated with the object placed on the weighing pan may be collected, for example by a barcode reader such as barcode reader 1111, and / or by an imaging assembly such as imaging assembly 1113. For example, the image data may include images of the object itself and / or images of a barcode, QR code, or other symbols or markings associated with the object.

[0078] In block 1308, the image data may be analyzed to identify at least one parameter related to the object placed on the weighing pan. In some examples, analyzing the image data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object may include analyzing the image data associated with the object to identify payload data of a barcode associated with the object, which may include an indication of an identification of the object, a price associated with the object, and / or a category associated with the object (e.g., food product or not, weight-rated or not weight-rated, etc.), etc. Additionally, in some examples, analyzing the image data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object may include analyzing the image data associated with the object using object recognition techniques to identify the object.Further, in some examples, analyzing the image data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object may include analyzing the image data to identify symbols or markings associated with the object indicating an identification of the object, a price associated with the object, and / or a category associated with the object (e.g., food product or not, rated by weight or not rated by weight, etc.), etc. In some examples, the image data may be analyzed to identify an indication of the identification of the object, which may in turn be used to determine one or more additional parameters associated with the object, such as a price associated with the object, and / or a category associated with the object (e.g., food product or not, rated by weight or not rated by weight, etc.), for example by accessing a database storing various parameters associated with the object identifications.

[0079] In block 1310, an audible and / or visible alert may be generated (e.g., by any of the off-shelf detection system 1104, the product identification system 1106, or the POS system 1108) in response to at least (i) the detection of an off-shelf condition and (ii) a secondary condition based on the identification of the at least one parameter related to the object placed on the weighing pan. For example, in some examples, the secondary condition may be based on the identification that the object is a food product object, e.g., the alert is only generated when an off-shelf condition is detected, and the object is a food product object, but not when an off-shelf condition is detected and the object is not a food product object.Additionally, in some examples, the secondary condition may be based on identifying that the object is associated with a price value greater than a threshold price value, e.g., the alert is only generated when an off-shelf condition is detected and the price associated with the object is greater than a threshold price value, but not when an off-shelf condition is detected and the price associated with the object is less than the threshold price value. This threshold price value may be determined by a user. Additionally, in some examples, the secondary condition may be based on identifying that the object is priced based on weight, e.g., the alert is only generated when an off-shelf condition is detected for an object that is priced based on weight, but not when an off-shelf condition is detected for an object that is not priced based on weight.

[0080] Additionally, in some examples, the generation of the alert may be further in response to the weighing scale measuring a stable weight for a period of time greater than a threshold time period. That is, the alert may only be generated when an off-shelf condition is detected, the secondary condition is detected, and the weighing scale has measured a stable weight for a period of time greater than the threshold time period. Additionally, in some examples, the generation of the alert may be further in response to the weighing scale measuring a stable weight greater than a threshold weight. That is, the alert may only be generated when an off-shelf condition is detected, the secondary condition is detected, and the weighing scale has measured a weight greater than the threshold weight.Further, in some examples, generating the alert may be further responsive to identifying an indication that the object has been placed on the weighing pan for a period of time greater than a threshold time period. That is, the alert may only be generated when an off-pan condition is detected, the secondary condition is detected, and the object has been placed on the first surface for the period of time greater than the threshold time period. Identifying the indication that the object has been placed on the weighing pan. for a period greater than the threshold time period may include analyzing the image data collected by the imaging assembly to determine that pixels of the image data having a brightness greater than a threshold brightness have not moved during the time period.

[0081] [Fig. 14] illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary process 1400 as may be implemented by the system of [Fig. 1] to prevent accidental triggers for off-set detection systems based on user input. One or more steps of the method 1400 may be implemented as an instruction set stored in computer-readable memory (e.g., memory 1116 and / or memory 1122) and executable on one or more processors (e.g., processors 1114 and / or processors 1120).

[0082] In block 1402, the weight of an object placed on a weighing pan, as measured by a weighing scale (e.g., weighing scale 1102) associated with a POS system, may be monitored.

[0083] In block 1404, the weighing pan may be monitored for off-pan conditions, for example, by the off-pan detection system 1104.

[0084] In block 1406, user input associated with the object placed on the weighing pan may be collected, for example, by user interface 1112. For example, the user input may include an indication of an identification of the object (e.g., the user may indicate that the object is an apple), or an indication of a number, code, or one or more symbols or markings associated with the object. In addition, the user input may include an indication of a category associated with the object (e.g., a food product or not, evaluated by weight or not evaluated by weight, etc.).

[0085] In block 1408, the user input may be analyzed to identify at least one parameter related to the object placed on the weighing pan. In some examples, the user input may be analyzed to identify an indication of the object's identification which may be used, in turn, to determine one or more other parameters associated with the object, such as a price associated with the object, and / or a category associated with the object (e.g., food product or not, weight-rated or not weight-rated, etc.) for example by accessing a database storing various parameters associated with the object identifications.

[0086] In block 1410, an audible and / or visible alert may be generated (e.g., by any of the off-shelf detection system 1104, the product identification system 1106, or the POS system 1108) in response to at least (i) the detection of an off-shelf condition, and (ii) a secondary condition based on the identification of the at least one parameter related to the object placed on the weighing pan. For example, in some examples, the secondary condition may be based on the identifying that the object is a food product object, e.g., the alert is only generated when an off-shelf condition is detected and the object is a food product object, but not when an off-shelf condition is detected and the object is not a food product object. Additionally, in some examples, the secondary condition may be based on identifying that the object is associated with a price value greater than a threshold price value, e.g., the alert is only generated when an off-shelf condition is detected and the price associated with the object is greater than a threshold price value, but not when an off-shelf condition is detected and the price associated with the object is less than the threshold price value. This threshold price value may be determined by a user.Further, in some examples, the secondary condition may be based on identifying that the object is evaluated based on weight, e.g., the alert is only generated when an out-of-shelf condition is detected for an object that is evaluated based on weight, but not when an out-of-shelf condition is detected for an object that is not evaluated based on weight.

[0087] Additionally, in some examples, generating the alert may further be in response to the weighing scale measuring a stable weight for a period of time greater than a threshold time period. That is, the alert may only be generated when an off-shelf condition is detected, the secondary condition is detected, and the weighing scale has measured a stable weight for a period of time greater than the threshold time period. Additionally, in some examples, generating the alert may further be in response to the weighing scale measuring a stable weight greater than a threshold weight. That is, the alert may only be generated when an off-shelf condition is detected, the secondary condition is detected, and the weighing scale has measured a weight greater than the threshold weight.Further, in some examples, generating the alert may further be in response to identifying an indication that the object has been placed on the weighing pan for a period of time greater than a threshold time period. That is, the alert may only be generated when an off-pan condition is detected, the secondary condition is detected, and the object has been placed on the first surface for the period of time greater than the threshold time period.Identifying the indication that the object was placed on the weighing pan for a period greater than the threshold time period may include, for example, collecting image data associated with the object placed on the weighing pan (e.g., by the imaging assembly 1113), and analyzing the image data collected by the imaging assembly to determine that pixels of the image data having a brightness greater than a threshold brightness did not move during the time period.

[0088] [Fig. 15] illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary process 1500 as may be implemented by the system of [Fig. 1] to prevent accidental triggers for off-shelf detection systems based on input from a product identification system. One or more steps of the method 1500 may be implemented as an instruction set stored on computer-readable memory (e.g., memory 1116 and / or memory 1122) and executable on one or more processors (e.g., processors 1114 and / or processors 1120).

[0089] In block 1502, the weight of an object placed on a weighing pan, as measured by a weighing scale (e.g., weighing scale 1102) associated with a POS system, may be monitored.

[0090] In block 1504, the weighing pan may be monitored for off-pan conditions, for example, by the off-pan detection system 1104.

[0091] In block 1506, data associated with the object placed on the weighing pan may be collected, for example, by the product identification system 1106. For example, the data associated with the object may include barcode data (e.g., collected by a barcode reader 1111), user input data (e.g., collected by a user interface 1112), image data (e.g., collected by an imaging assembly 1113), and / or other data, such as, for example, RFID tag data associated with the object, collected by an RFID reader (not shown), or any combination of these different types of data that may be associated with the object.

[0092] In block 1508, data associated with the object placed on the weighing pan may be analyzed to identify at least one parameter related to the object placed on the weighing pan. In some examples, analyzing the data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object may include analyzing the image data associated with the object to identify payload data of a barcode or RFID tag associated with the object, which may include an indication of an identification of the object, a price associated with the object, and / or a category associated with the object (e.g., food product or not, weight rated or not weight rated, etc.), etc.Additionally, in some examples, analyzing data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object may include analyzing image data associated with the object using object recognition techniques to identify the object. Further, in some examples, analyzing data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object may include analyzing data associated with the object (e.g., image data, user input data, etc.) to identify symbols or markings associated with the object, which may . be indicative of an identification of the object, a price associated with the object and / or a category associated with the object (e.g., food product or not, valued by weight or not valued by weight, etc.), etc. In some examples, the data associated with the object may be analyzed to identify an indication of the identification of the object, which may be used, in turn, to determine one or more additional parameters associated with the object, such as a price associated with the object and / or a category associated with the object (e.g., food product or not, valued by weight or not valued by weight, etc.), for example by accessing a database storing various parameters associated with the object identifications.

[0093] In block 1510, an audible and / or visible alert may be generated (e.g., by any of the off-shelf detection system 1104, a product identification system 1106, or a POS system 1108) in response to at least (i) the detection of an off-shelf condition and (ii) a secondary condition based on identifying the at least one parameter related to the object placed on the weighing pan. For example, in some examples, the secondary condition may be based on identifying that the object is a food product object, e.g., the alert is only generated when an off-shelf condition is detected, and the object is a food product object, but not when an off-shelf condition is detected and the object is not a food product object.Additionally, in some examples, the secondary condition may be based on identifying that the object is associated with a price value greater than a threshold price value, e.g., the alert is only generated when an off-shelf condition is detected and the price associated with the object is greater than a threshold price value, but not when an off-shelf condition is detected and the price associated with the object is less than the threshold price value. This threshold price value may be determined by a user. Additionally, in some examples, the secondary condition may be based on identifying that the object is priced based on weight, e.g., the alert is only generated when an off-shelf condition is detected for an object that is priced based on weight, but not when an off-shelf condition is detected for an object that is not priced based on weight.

[0094] Additionally, in some examples, generating the alert may be further in response to the weighing scale measuring a stable weight for a period of time greater than a threshold time period. That is, the alert may only be generated when an off-shelf condition is detected, the secondary condition is detected, and the weighing scale has measured a stable weight for a period of time greater than the threshold time period. Additionally, in some examples, generating the alert may be further in response to the weighing scale measuring a stable weight greater than a threshold weight. That is, the alert may only be generated when an off-platform condition is detected, the secondary condition is detected, and the weighing scale has measured a weight greater than the threshold weight. Further, in some examples, generating the alert may further be in response to identifying an indication that the object has been placed on the weighing scale for a period of time greater than a threshold time period. That is, the alert may only be generated when an off-platform condition is detected, the secondary condition is detected, and the object has been placed on the first surface for the period of time greater than the threshold time period.Identifying the indication that the object was placed on the weighing pan for a period greater than the threshold time period may include, for example, collecting image data associated with the object placed on the weighing pan (e.g., by the imaging assembly 1113) and analyzing the image data collected by the imaging assembly to determine that pixels of the image data having a brightness greater than a threshold brightness threshold did not move during the time period.

[0095] The above description refers to a block diagram of the accompanying drawings. Alternative implementations of the example represented by the block diagram include one or more additional or alternative elements, processes, and / or devices. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the exemplary block diagrams may be combined, divided, rearranged, or omitted. The components represented by the block diagrams are implemented by hardware, software, firmware, and / or any combination of hardware, software, and firmware. In some examples, at least one of the components represented by the blocks is implemented by a logic circuit.As used herein, the term "logic circuit" is expressly defined as a physical device comprising at least one hardware component configured (e.g., via operation according to a predetermined configuration and / or via execution of stored machine-readable instructions) to control one or more machines and / or perform operations of one or more machines. Examples of a logic circuit include one or more processors, one or more coprocessors, one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more field-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more hardware accelerators, one or more specialized computer chips, and one or more system-on-chip (SoC) devices.Some exemplary logic circuits, such as ASICs or FPGAs, are hardware specifically configured to perform operations (e.g., one or more of the operations described herein and represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure, . (if applicable). Some exemplary logic circuits are hardware that executes machine-readable instructions to perform the operations (e.g., one or more of the operations described herein and represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure, if applicable). Some exemplary logic circuits include a combination of specifically configured hardware and hardware that executes machine-readable instructions. The above description refers to various operations described herein and flowcharts that may be attached hereto to illustrate the conduct of those operations. Any of these flowcharts are representative of the exemplary methods described herein. In some examples, the methods represented by the flowcharts implement the apparatus represented by the block diagrams.Alternative implementations of the exemplary methods described herein may include additional or alternative operations. Furthermore, the operations of alternative implementations of the methods described herein may be combined, divided, rearranged, or omitted. In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by machine-readable instructions (e.g., software and / or firmware) stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by one or more logic circuits (e.g., processor(s)). In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by one or more configurations of one or more specifically designed logic circuits (e.g., ASICs).In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by a combination of specifically designed logic circuit(s) and machine-readable instructions stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by logic circuit(s).

[0096] As used herein, each of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," and "machine-readable storage device" is expressly defined as a storage medium (e.g., a platter of a hard disk drive, a digital versatile disc, a compact disc, flash memory, read-only memory, random access memory, etc.) on which machine-readable instructions (e.g., program code in the form of, for example, software and / or firmware) are stored for any suitable duration (e.g., permanently, for an extended period of time (e.g., while a program associated with the machine-readable instructions is executing), and / or a short period of time (e.g., while the machine-readable instructions are cached and / or during a buffer process)).Further, as used herein, each of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium", "non-transitory machine-readable medium", and "machine-readable storage device" is expressly defined. as excluding propagation signals. That is, as used in any of the claims of this patent, none of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," and "machine-readable storage device" can be read to be implemented by a propagation signal.

[0097] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Therefore, the specification and figures should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present teachings. Furthermore, the described embodiments / examples / implementations should not be construed as mutually exclusive, and should instead be understood as potentially combinable if such combinations are permitted in any way.In other words, any feature described in any of the embodiments / examples / implementations mentioned above may be included in any of the other embodiments / examples / implementations mentioned above.

[0098] Benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and anything that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or be more pronounced, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims. The claimed invention is defined solely by the appended claims including amendments made during the prosecution of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

[0099] Further in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying a true relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "has", "having", "includes", "including", "contains", "containing" or any variation thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article or apparatus which comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not only include those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, method, article or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises ... a(n)", "has ... a(n)", "includes ... a(n)", "contains ...a" does not exclude, without further constraints, the existence of additional identical elements in the process, procedure, article or apparatus which comprises, a, . includes, contains the element. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more, unless otherwise indicated. The terms "substantially," "essentially," "approximately," "about," or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to what is understood by those skilled in the art and in one non-limiting embodiment, the term is defined as 10%, in another embodiment 5%, in another embodiment 1%, and in another embodiment 0.5%. The term "coupled" as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways not listed.

[0100] The abstract of the disclosure is intended to enable the reader to quickly understand the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it is not used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description, it can be seen that different features are grouped together in different embodiments in order to simplify the disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Instead, as the following claims show, the subject matter of the invention may reside in less than all of the features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim as such as separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

Claims

1. A system for use with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal operable to execute a transaction associated with a purchase of an object, the system comprising: a weighing platform having a first surface extending in a first transverse plane; a scale configured to measure a weight of the object when placed on the first surface; an off-platform detection assembly configured to detect an off-platform condition based on at least one of (i) a portion of the object resting on a second surface off the weighing platform or (ii) at least some portion of the object extending beyond a perimeter of the weighing platform; an imaging assembly configured to collect image data associated with the object when placed on the first surface; a processor in communication with the scale and the off-platform detection assembly;and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to: -analyze image data associated with the object collected by the imaging assembly to identify at least one parameter related to the object; and -generate an alert in response to at least: (i) the off-set detection assembly detecting the off-set condition and (ii) a secondary condition based on the identification of the at least one parameter related to the object, being satisfied.;

2. The system of claim 1, wherein analyzing the image data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object comprises analyzing the image data associated with the object to identify payload data of a barcode associated with the object.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein analyzing the image data associated with the object to identify at least one parameter related to the object comprises analyzing the data image data associated with the object using object recognition techniques to identify the object.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is a food product object.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is associated with a price value greater than a threshold price value.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is being evaluated based on weight.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the alert is further in response to: a measurement by the scale of a stable weight for a period of time greater than a threshold time period.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the alert is further in response to: a measurement, by the scale, of a weight greater than a threshold weight.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the alert is further responsive to: identifying an indication that the object has been placed on the first surface for a period of time greater than a threshold time period.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein identifying the indication that the object was placed on the first surface for the time period greater than the threshold time period comprises analyzing the image data collected by the imaging assembly to determine that pixels of the image data having a brightness greater than a threshold brightness threshold did not move during the time period.

11. A system for use with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal operable to execute a transaction associated with a purchase of an object, the system comprising: a weighing pan having a first surface extending in a first transverse plane; a scale configured to measure a weight of the object when placed on the first surface; an off-pan detection assembly configured to detect an off-pan condition based on at least one of (i) a portion of the object resting on a second surface off the weighing pan and (ii) at least some portion of the object extending beyond a perimeter of the weighing pan; a user interface configured to collect user input associated with the object; a processor in communication with the scale and the off-pan detection assembly; and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to: -analyze the collected object-associated user input to identify at least one parameter related to the object; and -generate an alert in response to at least: (i) the off-pan detection assembly detecting the off-pan condition and (ii) a secondary condition based on identifying the at least one parameter related to the object, being satisfied.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is a food product object.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is associated with a price value greater than a threshold price value.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is being evaluated based on weight.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the alert is further in response to: a measurement, by the scale, of a stable weight for a period of time greater than a threshold time period.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the alert is further in response to: a measurement by the scale of a weight greater than a threshold weight.

17. A system for use with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal operable to execute a transaction associated with a purchase of an object, the system comprising: a weighing pan having a first surface extending in a first transverse plane; a scale configured to measure a weight of the object when placed on the first surface; an off-shelf detection assembly configured to detect an off-shelf condition based on at least one of (i) a portion of the object resting on a second surface off the weighing pan or (ii) at least some portion of the object extending beyond a perimeter of the weighing pan; a product identification module configured to collect data associated with the object; and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to: -analyze the data collected by the product identification module to identify at least one parameter related to the object; and -generate an alert in response to at least: (i) the off-shelf detection assembly detecting the off-shelf condition and (ii) the at least one parameter associated with the object.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is a food product object.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is associated with a price value greater than a threshold price value.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the secondary condition is based on identifying that the object is being evaluated based on weight.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the alert is further in response to: a measurement by the scale of a stable weight for a period of time greater than a threshold time period.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the alert is further in response to: a measurement, by the scale, of a weight greater than a threshold weight.

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