Image-Based Payment Recognition for Self-Checkout Loss Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unsupervised self-checkout systems in supermarkets lead to property loss due to customers intentionally missing or not scanning commodities, requiring significant manpower for supervision and lacking intelligence.

Innovation Solution

A recognition method and device that analyzes images of payment behaviors to determine whether a user has made payment, using cameras and a processing center to identify suspected users who have not paid, and integrates with a security system for real-time monitoring and historical data management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If self-checkout systems are implemented without supervision, then customer convenience is improved, but property loss increases due to intentional missing or not scanning commodities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomer convenienceVSAvoidproperty loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an image analysis system as an intermediary between the customer and the payment system. The system captures images of the checkout area, analyzes them using AI algorithms to detect whether commodities are properly scanned, and triggers alerts when suspicious behavior is detected. This intermediary automated monitoring mechanism maintains customer convenience while preventing property loss through intelligent detection rather than human supervision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If loss prevention personnel are employed to supervise self-checkout, then property loss is reduced, but manpower consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproperty lossVSAvoidmanpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of human supervision with an automated image analysis system. The system uses cameras to capture images, AI algorithms to analyze them, and automated alert mechanisms to notify staff only when suspicious behavior is detected. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous human monitoring while maintaining effective loss prevention, thereby significantly reducing manpower consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If human supervision is used to detect missing scan behaviors, then detection capability is achieved, but intelligence and efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidintelligence and efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service automated detection system that independently performs image capture, analysis, and alert generation without requiring human intervention. The AI-based image analysis system automatically processes checkout area images, identifies suspicious behaviors such as intentional missing scans, and triggers notifications. This self-service mechanism enhances both detection capability and operational efficiency by eliminating manual review processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If multiple images are analyzed for payment behavior recognition, then recognition accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by capturing multiple images continuously during the checkout process rather than analyzing a single image after the fact. The system takes images at different time points showing the progression of the customer's actions, allowing the AI to track behavior patterns in real-time. This approach maintains high recognition accuracy while reducing processing time by performing analysis incrementally as images are captured, rather than waiting to collect all images before analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12361421B2Recognition method and device, security system, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.07.15 BEIJING WODONG TIANJUN INFORMATION TECH CO LTD
  • US12361421B2 patent drawing
  • US12361421B2 patent drawing
  • US12361421B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A recognition method and apparatus, a security system, and a computer readable storage medium. The method comprises: obtaining at least two first images acquired by a first acquisition device, the first images representing images of a payment behavior of a first user (S101); analyzing the at least two first images to obtain a first analysis result, the first analysis result representing a payment result generated by the payment behavior (S102); and determining identity information of the first user according to the first analysis result, the identity information representing whether the first user is a suspected user that does not perform payment (S103).