Self-Checkout POS Verification Using Weight and Image Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-service POS terminals face errors in commodity registration due to discrepancies between measured weights and expected weights, leading to potential fraud when purchasers correctly register commodities.
Innovation Solution
A POS terminal equipped with a weight sensor and camera that verifies commodity registration by checking if the measured weight increase is within a predetermined range and matches the expected weight and image of the commodity, issuing an error signal if discrepancies are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If weight-based fraud detection is used in self-service POS terminals, then fraud detection capability is improved, but measurement errors cause false positives that reduce registration accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism using image recognition technology. When weight measurement deviates from the reference value, the system captures an image of the commodity and uses image recognition to verify whether the actual commodity matches the registered commodity. This intermediary step resolves the contradiction by providing an additional verification channel that prevents false fraud detection while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fraud detection process into multiple independent verification stages: first weight-based screening, then image capture, followed by image recognition verification. This segmentation allows the system to handle measurement errors separately from actual fraud cases, improving overall registration accuracy while maintaining fraud detection capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If strict weight matching is applied to verify commodity registration, then fraud prevention is improved, but legitimate purchases with weight variations are incorrectly flagged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system monitors weight measurements and when deviations occur, automatically triggers image capture and recognition processes. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt its verification approach based on actual measurements, preventing false error signals for legitimate weight variations while maintaining strict verification for actual fraud cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary image capture when weight deviation is detected, before issuing an error signal. This preliminary action provides additional verification data that can distinguish between legitimate weight variations and actual fraud, preventing false error signals while maintaining fraud prevention effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of commodity registration, reducing errors and fraud by ensuring that only correctly registered commodities are processed, thereby improving the reliability of self-service transactions.
Implementation Method 1
a weight sensor that detects a weight of the commodity
Data Source
AI summary
A point-of-sale terminal includes a table, a weight sensor, a camera, a memory storing commodity information each indicating a commodity and a weight range and a preset image thereof, and a processor configured to: determine whether an operation for registering a first commodity is input, upon determining that the operation is input, search the memory for first commodity information corresponding to the first commodity, determine whether a weight measured by the sensor increases, upon determining that the weight increases, determine whether an increase in the weight is within a first range indicated by the first commodity information, and upon determining that the increase is not within the range, determine whether an image captured by the camera shows the first commodity based on a first preset image indicated by the first commodity information, and upon determining that the image shows the first commodity, register the first commodity.