Patent Publication Number: US-2020279238-A1

Title: Automated Store Checkout

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/812,746, filed Mar. 1, 2019 and titled “Automated Store Checkout,” the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to lighting-related solutions, and more particularly to automated store checkout operations that are integrated in lighting systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Typical checkout lines at a retail store can be long, inefficient, and costly due to staff required to help with the checkout process. Many companies have come up with ways to automate this process with the help of computer vision, machine learning, mobile apps, etc. Attempts to simplify the checkout process include self-checkout counters, where customers, instead of store employees, scan their own items. However, these systems still require customers to stand in a checkout line. Further, installing new infrastructure, such as power and communication infrastructures, to automate the checkout process can be expensive and time consuming. Thus, a solution that enables automating the store checkout process cost effectively is desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates generally to lighting-related solutions, and more particularly to automated store checkout operations that are integrated in lighting systems. In an example embodiment, a lighting fixture for use in an automated store checkout system includes a light source, a camera, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to determine identifying attributes of a person from one or more images of the person captured by the camera. The control unit is further configured to transmit the identifying attributes to a controller and to provide a notification to the person via the light source based on a command received from the controller. The command is generated based on the identifying attributes. 
     In another example embodiment, an automated store checkout system includes a lighting fixture configured to transmit identifying attributes of a person, where the identifying attributes are determined by the lighting fixture based on one or more images of the person captured by a camera. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the identifying attributes of the person from the lighting fixture. The controller is further configured to record information related to one or more items removed by the person from a shelf unit at least based on information transmitted by the shelf unit and the identifying attributes of the person. The information is recorded in association with the person. 
     In another example embodiment, an automated store checkout method includes capturing, by a camera of a lighting fixture, one or more images of a person and determining, by a control unit of the lighting fixture, identifying attributes of the person from the one or more images of the person. The method further includes transmitting, by the control unit of the lighting fixture, identifying attributes to a central controller and recording, by a central controller, items removed from a shelf unit by the person based on the identifying attributes of the person received from a second lighting fixture and customer activity information transmitted by the shelf unit. The second lighting fixture is associated with the shelf unit. 
     These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an automated store checkout system according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of a lighting fixture used in the automated store checkout system of  FIG. 1  according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an automated store checkout system according to another example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an automated store checkout system according to another example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of a lighting fixture with external cameras used in the automated store checkout system of  FIG. 4  according to an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The drawings illustrate only example embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or placements may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. In the drawings, the same reference numerals used in different figures may designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following paragraphs, example embodiments will be described in further detail with reference to the figures. In the description, well known components, methods, and/or processing techniques are omitted or briefly described. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the embodiments is not to suggest that all embodiments must include the referenced feature(s). 
     Turning now to the figures, example embodiments are described.  FIG. 1  illustrates an automated store checkout system  100  according to an example embodiment. The system  100  allows a person, such as a customer  142 , to purchase items without having to wait at a checkout counter. For example, the customer  142  can enter a store building  140 , provide identification to an identification scanner, pick up items from shelves throughout the store building  140 , and leave the store without stopping at a checkout counter. In some example embodiments, the system  100  includes lighting fixtures  102 ,  104 ,  106  that may be recessed or otherwise attached to a ceiling structure  108  or another structure of a store  140 . For example, the lighting fixture  102  may be located close to a doorway  138  of the store building  140  while other lighting fixtures including the lighting fixtures  104 ,  106  may be located further inside the store building  140 . 
     In some example embodiments, the system  100  may also include a scanner  110 , a central controller  112 , and shelf units  114 ,  116 . The shelf unit  114  may include items on several shelves (e.g., a top shelf, a middle shelf, and a bottom shelf) that hold products, such as an item  124 , that are for sale. The shelf unit  114  may also include scales at each shelf, such as scales  128 ,  130  at the top and bottom shelves of the shelf unit  114 . The shelf unit  116  may include items on several shelves that hold products, such as an item  126 , that are for sale. The shelf unit  116  may also include scales at each shelf, such as a scale  134  at the bottom shelf of the shelf unit  116 . 
     In some example embodiments, the lighting fixtures  102 - 106 , the scanner  110 , and the scales of each shelf unit  114 ,  116  may wirelessly and/or via wired connections communicate with the central controller  112  directly or via a network device such as a router, an access point, and/or a gateway device. For example, the central controller  112  may be a local controller that is at the store building  140  or a remote controller. The central controller  112  may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection  148 . In some example embodiments, the lighting fixtures  102 - 106 , the scanner  110 , and the scales of each shelf unit  114 ,  116  may communicate with each other directly or via a network device. In some example embodiments, the lighting fixtures  102 - 106  in  FIG. 1  may each correspond to a lighting fixture  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of a lighting fixture used in the automated store checkout system of  FIG. 1  according to an example embodiment. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lighting fixture  200  may include a control unit  202 , a camera  204 , a light source  206 , a projector  208 , a microphone  210 , a speaker  212 , and a communication module  214  that may include one or more transceivers that can be used for wired and/or wireless communication. The lighting fixture  200  may also include a power module  216  that can provide power to the different components of the lighting fixture  200  at suitable power levels. The control unit  202  may send and receive information, commands, etc. via the communication module  214  as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The control unit  202  may control operations of the different components of the lighting fixture  200  and perform analysis of information and data received from the different components. To illustrate, the control unit  202  may control the light source  206  based on lighting control commands received via the communication module  214 . The control unit  202  may also control the camera  204 , the light source  206 , the projector  208 , and other components of the lighting fixture  200  based on motion detection information provided by the motion sensor  218 . For example, the control unit  202  may power on one or more of the camera  204 , the light source  206 , and the projector  208  if a motion is detected by the motion sensor  218 . As another example, the control unit  202  may power off one or more of the camera  204 , the light source  206 , and the projector  208  if no motion is detected by the motion sensor  218  for a threshold period (e.g., 5 minutes) of time. The control unit  202  itself may also operate in a low power mode if no motion is detected by the motion sensor  218  for a threshold period. For example, in the low power mode, the control unit  202  may disable or otherwise turn off some of its components and operations. 
     In some example embodiments, the control unit  202  may perform operations such as image analysis of videos and/or images captured by the camera  204 , which may include one or more video and/or still image cameras. For example, the control unit  202  may include a microprocessor  220  that executes executable software code to perform operations described herein with respect the control unit  202 . The control unit  202  may also include one or more memory devices  222  for storing data and the executable software code. The control unit  202  may also include other components, such as analog-to-digital converter(s) and digital-to-analog converter(s), that may be used in the operation of the control unit  202 . 
     In some example embodiments, the control unit  202  may perform speech analysis of sounds received by the microphone  210 . The control unit  202  may use the speaker  212  to provide responses, notifications, etc. For example, the control unit  202  may process requests received from the customer  142  via the microphone  210  and provide a response to the request via the speaker  212 . 
     In some example embodiments, the control unit  202  may control the light source  206  to provided visual notification, for example, by flashing the light provided by the light source  206 , turning on or off the light for a time duration, changing brightness level of the light, emitting a particular color light, etc. The control unit  202  may also control the projector  208  to project information, such as directions, sale items, notifications, etc. on the floor or a wall of the store building  140 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in some example embodiments, the scanner  110  may be located close to the doorway  138  of the store building  140  as shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, the scanner  110  may be activated by a sensor that detects the customer  142  or a customer device such as a customer device  144 . The scanner  110  may scan for identification and/or other information from the customer device  144  when the customer device  144  is placed within the scanning range of the scanner  110  by the customer  142 . For example, the customer device  144  may be a smartphone displaying a quick response (QR) code or another type of code that includes identification information. In some example embodiments, the information obtained by the scanner  110  from the customer device  144  may include identification information as well as other information, such as a shopping list, product categories, preferences, etc. After scanning identification and other available information from the customer device  144 , the scanner  110  may transmit the scanned information to the central controller  112  wirelessly via wireless signals  120  or via a wired connection. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in some example embodiments, the lighting fixture  102  may capture images of the customer  142  as the customer  142  comes through the doorway  138 . The lighting fixture  102  may process the images to determine identifying attributes of the customer  142  and send the identifying attributes to the central controller  212 . To illustrate, the lighting fixture  102  may be located such that the customer  142  is in the field of view of the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  102  as the customer  142  passes through the doorway  138  into the store building  140 . The camera  204  of the lighting fixture  102  may capture images of the customer  142 , and the control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  102  may process the images to identify/determine identifying attributes of the customer  142  that may be used to identify the customer  142  in the store building  140 . The controller  202  may send the identifying attributes of the customer  142  to the central controller  212 , for example, via the communication module  214 . In general, identifying attributes of customers that may be used to identify individual customers in the store building  140  may include color of clothing, hair color, eye glasses, shape of face, etc. The camera  204  may capture images in response to motion detection of the motion sensor  218  or may continuously or periodically capture images. 
     In some example embodiments, the central controller  112  may receive identification information from the scanner  110  and the identifying attributes from the lighting fixture  102  and associate the two with each other. The central controller  112  may determine that the identification information from the scanner  110  and the identifying attributes from the lighting fixture  102  are related to each other, for example, based on close reception times at the controller  112 . The central controller  112  may send a command to the lighting fixture  102  to provide a visual or audio notification to the customer  142  that the identification information was successfully scanned by the scanner  110 . To illustrate, the central controller  112  may include a microprocessor, a memory device, a communication module, etc. and may receive, process, and transmit information as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. The lighting fixture  102  may receive the command from the central controller  112  and may, for example, brighten or flash (e.g., quick flash) the light provided by the light source  206  or may provide an audio message via the speaker  212 . 
     In some example embodiments, if the central controller  112  receives identifying attributes from the lighting fixture  102  but does not receive identification information from the scanner  110 , the central controller  112  may send a command to the lighting fixture  102  to provide a visual or audio notification to the customer  142 . For example, the lighting fixture  102  may receive the command from the central controller  112  and dim or flash (e.g., slow flash) the light provided by the light source  206 . Alternatively or in addition, the lighting fixture  102  may provide an audio message via the speaker  212 . 
     In some example embodiments, if the central controller  112  receives a shopping list or similar information from the scanner  110  along with or related to the identification information obtained from the customer device  144 , the central controller  112  may process the information and send a command to the lighting fixture  102  to provide direction information to the customer  142 . The lighting fixture  102  may receive the command and, for example, project an arrow  146  on the floor in front of the customer  142  in a direction of an area where the customer  142  can find an item on the shopping list. For example, the controller  202  of the lighting fixture  102  may receive the command via the communication module  214  and project the arrow  146  using the projector  208 . In some example embodiments, the lighting fixture  102 , using the projector  208 , may also project an advertisement and/or other information on the floor in view of the customer  142 . 
     As the customer  142  moves further into the store building  140 , the customer  142  comes into the field of view of cameras of one or more other lighting fixtures of the system  100 . For example, as the customer  142  walks toward the shelf unit  114  that is within the field of view of the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  104 , the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  104  may capture a video or still images of the customer  142 . The control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  104  may process the video or the images captured by the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  104  and identify/determine identifying attributes of the customer  142 . The lighting fixture  104  may transmit the identifying attributes of the customer  142  to the central controller  112  that may receive and compare the identifying attributes received from the lighting fixture  104  against identifying attributes of customers received from the lighting fixture  102  and any other lighting fixtures. For example, if the central controller  112  determines that the customer  142  as captured by the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  102  and the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  104  is the same person, the central controller  112  may associate the identification information previously received from the scanner  110  with the customer  142  who is now at a location near the shelf unit  114 . For example, information associating the lighting fixture  104  with the shelf unit  114  may have been provided to the central controller  112  during or after commissioning of the system  100 . As such, the central controller  112  may associate customer activity information received from the shelf unit  114  (e.g., from a scale of the shelf unit  114 ) and/or the lighting fixture  104  with the identification information of the customer  142 . 
     If the customer  142  did not provide identification information to the scanner  110  such that the identifying attributes of the customer  142  received from the lighting fixture  102  were not associated with the customer  142 , the controller  112  may send a command to the lighting fixture  104  to provide a visual and/or audio notification to the customer  142 . For example, the lighting fixture  104  may flash or dim a light provided by the light source  206  of the lighting fixture  104 . The notification may prompt the customer  142  to return to the scanner  110  and provide the identification information. Alternatively, the notification may prompt the customer  142  to display the identification information to the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  104 , which may capture the identification information. The control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  104  may transmit, using the communication module  214 , the identification information to the central controller  112 , which may associate the identification information with the identifying attributes of the customer  142  received from the lighting fixture  104 . Alternatively, the control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  104  may transmit to the controller  112  the identifying attributes of the customer  142  in association with the identification information captured by the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  104 . 
     When the customer  142  engages in a customer activity such as picking up an item from a shelf of the shelf unit  114 , the respective scale of the shelf may transmit to the central controller  112  weight information (e.g., current weight measured by the scale) along with an identifier of the shelf unit  114  or an identifier of the particular scale. For example, each scale may include a transmitter to transmit information to the central controller  112  wirelessly or via a wired connection. Because all items on a particular shelf of the shelf unit  114  are the same type of product having practically the same weight, the central controller  112  can determine the number of products the customer  142  has taken from the shelves of the shelf unit  114  based on the change in weight. To illustrate, for each shelf unit  114 ,  116  or for each shelf of the shelf units  114 ,  116 , the central controller  112  may be programmed with or may access per item weight information. If the customer  142  picks up the item  124 , the scale  128 , which measures the weight of all items on the top shelf, may transmit to the central controller  112  weight information, for example, via wireless signals  132 . Based on the change in weight from the previous or initial weight of items on the top shelf and based on the knowledge of the particular type of product (e.g., a particular size box of cereal), the central controller  112  may determine that the customer  142  has taken an item of the particular product from the shelf unit  114  and record information identifying the item in association with the customer  142 . For example, the central controller  112  may record the information in association with the identification information of the person. As the customer  142  takes other items from the shelves of the shelf unit  114 , the respective scales transmit weight information to the central controller  112  that records or otherwise keeps track of the items that the customer  142  takes from shelf units in association with the customer  142 . 
     In some example embodiments, if the customer  142  puts back an item on the shelf unit  114 , the central controller  112  can keep track of such actions based on the weight information transmitted by the scale of the particular shelf of the shelf unit  114 . The central controller  112  can also determine based on the weight information provided by the scale of a particular shelf if the customer  142  puts back an item on the wrong shelf. To illustrate, because items on a particular shelf have generally the same weight, an item that does not belong on a particular shelf causes the total weight to be different from the expected total weight of the items that belong on the shelf. In response to determining that the customer  142  has placed an item on the wrong shelf of the shelf unit  114 , the central controller  112  may transmit a command to the lighting fixture  104  to provide a notification to the customer  142 . For example, the lighting fixture  104  may provide a visual notification (e.g., flash the light provided by the light source  206 ) or an audio notification via the speaker  212 . The central controller  112  may also send a command to a lighting fixture near a local or remote employee to flash a light provided by the lighting fixture or otherwise provide a visual notification using the light source of the lighting fixture. 
     In some example embodiments, the customer  142  may ask a question through the lighting fixture  104 . For example, the customer  142  may ask where a particular product is located in the store, and the lighting fixture  104  provides a response. For example, the control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  104  may receive the question via the microphone  210  of the lighting fixture  104  and may perform speech analysis to identify/recognize the question. The control unit  202  may then generate a response based on information stored in the lighting fixture  104  and provide an audio response via the speaker  212 . Alternatively, the lighting fixture  104  may send the question to the central controller  112  that processes the question and transmits a response to the lighting fixture  104  that may provide an audio response via the speaker  212  of the lighting fixture  104 . 
     As the customer moves to the shelf unit  116  that is associated with the lighting fixture  106  or the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  106 , the camera  204  may capture a video or still images of the customer  142 , and the control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  106  may process the video or the images to determine identifying attributes of the customer  142 . The central controller  112  may receive the identifying attributes from the lighting fixture  106  and compare these identifying attributes against identifying attributes of customers, including the customer  142 , received from the lighting fixture  102  and/or other lighting fixtures of the system  100 . After determining that the identifying attributes received from the lighting fixture  106  correspond to the customer  142 , the central controller  142  may associate customer activities related to the shelf unit  116  with the customer  142  in the same manner as described with respect to the shelf unit  114  and the lighting fixture  104 . 
     Based on the matching of the identifying attributes received from the lighting fixtures, the central controller  112  associates the identification information of the customer  142  obtained from the scanner  110  with customer  142  as the customer moves around the store and comes in view of different cameras of the lighting fixtures of the system  100 . As the customer  142  leaves the store building  140  through the doorway  138  (in a similar manner as shown with respect to a customer  150 ), the lighting fixture  102  or another lighting fixture that is close to the doorway  138  captures and processes a video or still images of the customer  142  as described above to identify the customer  142 . Based on the matching of the identifying attributes received from the lighting fixture at the doorway  138  and from other lighting fixtures, such as the lighting fixtures  104 ,  106 , the central controller  112  may determine that the customer  142  has left the store building  142 . 
     Because the physical attributes of the customer  142  that are determined by the control unit  202  of the lighting fixtures  102 - 106  are associated with the identification information of the customer  142  obtained from the scanner  110 , the system  100  can keep track of the items that the customer  142  takes and returns to shelf units  114 ,  116 , etc. When the customer  142  finishes shopping, the customer  142  can simply walk out of the store building  140  without having to wait at a checkout line. Because a person with known information (e.g., name, credit card number, billing address, etc.) is associated with the particular identification information of the customer  142  (e.g., during a registration process to obtain the identification information), the items taken by the customer  142  can be charged to the particular person. 
     In some example embodiments, the system  100  may include more or fewer lighting fixtures than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, the system  100  may include more or fewer shelf units than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the shelf units may have more or fewer shelves than shown with respect to the lighting fixtures without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the shelf units may be arranged differently than shown with respect to the lighting fixtures without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, one or more of the lighting fixtures  102 - 106  may include more or fewer components than shown in  FIG. 2  without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, one or more of the lighting fixtures  102 - 106  may not include the projector, the motion sensor, the microphone, and/or the speaker. In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the lighting fixtures  102 - 106  may be another type of lighting device. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an automated store checkout system  300  according to another example embodiment. Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , in some example embodiments, the system  300  includes the lighting fixtures  102 - 106 , the central controller  112 , and the shelf units  114 ,  116 . The system  300  may operate in substantially the same manner as the system  100  of  FIG. 1  to allow the customer  142  to purchase items without having to wait at a checkout counter. For example, the central controller  112  may operate and communicate with the lighting fixtures  102 - 106  and the scales of the shelf units  114 ,  116  in a similar manner as described with respect to the system  100 . In contrast the system  100 , the system  300  does not include the scanner  110 . Instead, the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  102 , which is close to a doorway  138 , may capture a video or images of the identification information of the customer  142  from the customer device  144 . 
     To illustrate, as customer  142  enters the store building  140 , the motion sensor  218  of the lighting fixture  102  may detect the customer  142 , and the control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  102  may control the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  102  based on the motion detection by the motion sensor  218  to capture a video or one or more images of the customer  142  as well as the identification information of the customer  142 . The control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  102  may identify/determine identifying attributes of the customer  142  by processing the captured video or images and send the identification information as well as the identifying attributes to the central controller  112 . For example, the control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  102  may send the identifying attributes in association with the identification information. The central controller  112  may send a command to the lighting fixture  102  to provide a visual or audio notification to the customer  142  that the identification information was successfully captured by the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  102 . 
     As the customer  142  moves around the store building  140 , the system  300  operates in a similar manner as described with respect to the system  100 . For example, if the customer  142  does not provide identification information to the lighting fixture  102  or if the identification information was not successfully captured by the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  102 , the central controller  112  may send a command to other lighting fixtures such as the lighting fixtures  104 ,  106  to provide a visual notification and/or an audio notification to the customer  142  as the customer  142  moves within the field of view of the camera  204  of the respective lighting fixtures. The lighting fixtures  102 ,  104 ,  106  may receive the command from the central controller  112  and may responsively, for example, brighten, dim, or flash the light provided by the light source  206  of the respective lighting fixtures  102 ,  104 ,  106  as a notification to the customer  142 . Alternatively or in addition, the lighting fixtures  102 ,  104 ,  106  may provide an audio message via the speaker  212  in response to the command from the central controller  112 . The notifications may prompt the customer  142  to provide identification information via the camera  204  of the respective lighting fixture as described with respect to the system  100 . 
     In some example embodiments, the lighting fixture  102  may project an arrow  302  and a product advertisement  304  on the floor in front of the customer  142 . For example, the arrow  302  may point in a direction of an area where the customer  142  can find the advertised items. Alternatively or in addition, the lighting fixture  102  may project the arrow  302  in a direction of an area where the customer  142  can find items on the shopping list that was captured by the camera  204  of the lighting fixture  102 . For example, the lighting fixture  102  may project the arrow  302  in response to a command from the central controller  112  in a similar manner as described with the system  100 . The lighting fixture  104  may project an arrow  306  as the customer  142  gets close to the lighting fixture  104  in a similar manner as described with respect to the lighting fixture  102 . In some example embodiments, the lighting fixture  104 , using the projector  208 , may also project an advertisement and/or other information on the floor in view of the customer  142 . 
     As described above with respect to the system  100 , in some example embodiments, the customer  142  may ask a question via the lighting fixtures  102 - 106 . For example, the control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  106  may receive the question via the microphone  210  of the lighting fixture  106  and may perform speech analysis to identify/recognize the question. The control unit  202  may then generate a response based on information stored in the lighting fixture  106  and provide an audio response via the speaker  212  of the lighting fixture  106 . Alternatively, the lighting fixture  106  may send the question to the central controller  112  that processes the question and transmits a response to the lighting fixture  106  that may provide an audio response via the speaker  212  of the lighting fixture  106 . 
     In some example embodiments, the system  300  may include more or fewer lighting fixtures than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, the system  300  may include more or fewer shelf units than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the shelf units may have more or fewer shelves than shown with respect to the lighting fixtures without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the shelf units may be arranged differently than shown with respect to the lighting fixtures without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, one or more of the lighting fixtures  102 - 106  may not include the projector, the motion sensor, the microphone, and/or the speaker. In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the lighting fixtures  102 - 106  may be another type of lighting device. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an automated store checkout system  400  according to another example embodiment. In some example embodiments, the system  400  may include lighting fixtures  402 ,  404 ,  406  that may be recessed or otherwise attached to a ceiling structure  436  of a store building  434 . The system  400  may also include a central controller  428  and shelf units  420 - 426 . In general, the system  400  operates in a same manner as the systems  100 ,  300  to allow a customer  430  to purchase items without having to wait at a checkout counter. In contrast to the lighting fixtures of the systems  100 ,  300 , the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may not include a camera. Instead, the system  400  may include cameras that are external to the lighting fixtures  402 - 406 . To illustrate, the system  400  may include cameras  408 - 418  that are coupled to the lighting fixtures  402 - 406 . For example, the cameras  408 ,  410  may be coupled to the lighting fixture  402 , the cameras  412 ,  414  may be coupled to the lighting fixture  404 , and the cameras  416 ,  418  may be coupled to the lighting fixture  402 . 
     In some example embodiments, the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may process video/images captured by the respective ones of the cameras  408 - 418  to determine identifying attributes in a similar manner as described with the systems  100 ,  300 . The lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may transmit information, such as identifying attributes as well as identification information obtained/extracted from one or more images captured by the respective cameras, to the central controller  428  in a similar manner as described with the systems  100 ,  300 . The lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may also transmit other information such as a shopping list captured by a respective external camera. The lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may also receive information/commands from the central controller  428  and provide video and/or audio notifications in a similar manner as described with the systems  100  and  300 . 
     In some example embodiments, the central controller  428  may correspond to the central controller  112 , and the shelf units  420 - 426  may be similar to the shelf units  114 ,  116  described above. For example, the central controller  428  may receive information from the lighting fixtures  402 - 406 , process the information, and transmit commands and information to the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  in the same manner as described with respect to the central controller  112  of the systems  100 ,  300 . The shelf units  420 - 426  may include scales that operate in a similar manner as described with respect to the scales of the shelf units of the systems  100 ,  300 . For example, the scales of the shelf units  420 - 426  may transmit to the central controller  428  the same type of information as described with respect to the systems  100 ,  300 . The lighting fixtures  402 - 406  and the scales of each shelf unit  420 - 426  may communicate with the central controller  428  directly or via a network device. The lighting fixtures  402 - 406  and the scales of each shelf unit  420 - 426  may communicate with each other directly or via a network device. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of a lighting and camera system  500  used in the automated store checkout system  400  of  FIG. 4  according to an example embodiment. Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in some example embodiments, each lighting fixture  402 - 406  of the system  400  and the respectively connected cameras may correspond to the lighting and camera system  500 . 
     In some example embodiments, the system  500  includes a lighting fixture  502  and external cameras  504 ,  506 . For example, the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  of the system  400  may each correspond to a lighting fixture  502  of the system  500 . In general, the lighting fixture  502  corresponds to and operates in the same manner as the lighting fixture  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . To illustrate, the lighting fixture  500  may include the control unit  202 , the camera  204 , the light source  206 , the projector  208 , the microphone  210 , the speaker  212 , and the communication module  214  that may include one or more transceivers that can be used for wired and/or wireless communication. The lighting fixture  500  may also include the power module  216  that can provide power to the different components of the lighting fixture  500  at suitable power levels. The power module  216  may also provide power to the external cameras  504 ,  506 . The control unit  202  may send and receive information, commands, etc. via the communication module  214  as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. 
     In contrast to the lighting fixture  200 , the lighting fixture  502  may not include the integrated camera  204 . To illustrate, the control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  502  may control the cameras  504 ,  506  and may process video and/or images from both cameras  504 ,  506  in a similar manner as described with respect to the lighting fixture  200 . 
     To illustrate, as the customer  430  comes into the store building  434 , the camera  408  connected to the lighting fixture  402  may capture images of the customer  430  as well as identification information of the customer  430 . As the customer  430  leaves the store building  434 , the camera  410  connected to the lighting fixture  402  may capture images of the customer  430 . The control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  402  may process images captured by the cameras  408 ,  410  to determine/extract the identification information and/or to identify/determine identifying attributes of the customer  430 . The control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  402  may transmit information, such as the identification information and identifying attributes, to the central controller  428  in a similar manner as described with the systems  100  and  300 . 
     In some example embodiments, each camera that is connected to each lighting fixture  404 ,  406  may be associated with a respective shelf unit. For example, the camera  412  may be associated with the shelf unit  420  such that when images of the customer  430  are captured by the camera  412  and identifying attributes are transmitted to the central controller  428  by the lighting fixture  404 , the central controller  428  may attribute customer activities related to items on the shelf unit  420  to the customer  430 . A scale of the shelf unit  420  may transmit to the central controller  428  customer activity information that gets associated with the customer  430 . For example, the scale of the shelf unit  420  may transmit the customer activity information in association with an identifier of the shelf unit  420  or the scale. Information associating the camera  412  with the shelf unit  420  may be provided to the central controller  428  during or after commissioning of the system  400 . For example, the lighting fixture  404  may transmit identifying attributes of the customer  430  to the central controller  428  in association with an identifier of the camera  412 . As another example, the camera  414  may be associated with the shelf unit  422  such that when the customer  430  is captured by the camera  414 , customer activities related to items on the shelf unit  422  are attributed to the customer  430 . Information associating the camera  414  with the shelf unit  422  may have been provided to the central controller  428  during or after commissioning of the system  400 . 
     In some example embodiments, the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may project direction indicators (e.g., arrows), advertisement, etc. on the floor of the store building  434  in a similar manner as described with respect to the systems  100 ,  300 . For example, the control unit  202  each lighting fixture  402 - 406  may control the respective projector  208  to project information, such as directions, sale items, notifications, etc. on the floor or a wall of the store building  140 . For example, one or more of the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may project an arrow on the floor to point to area where the customer  430  can find an item in a shopping list captured by a respective external camera. 
     In some example embodiments, the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may receive questions/requests via a respective microphone of the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  and provide responses in a similar manner as described with respect the systems  100 ,  300 . To illustrate, the customer  430  may ask a question via the lighting fixtures  402 - 406 . For example, the control unit  202  of the lighting fixture  402  may receive the question via the microphone  210  of the lighting fixture  402  and may perform speech analysis to identify/recognize the question. The control unit  202  may then generate a response based on information stored in the lighting fixture  402  and provide an audio response via the speaker  212  of the lighting fixture  402 . Alternatively, the lighting fixture  402  may send the question to the central controller  428  that processes the question and transmits a response to the lighting fixture  402  that may provide an audio response via the speaker  212  of the lighting fixture  402 . 
     In some example embodiments, the system  400  may include more or fewer lighting fixtures than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, the system  400  may include more or fewer shelf units than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the shelf units may have more or fewer shelves than shown with respect to the lighting fixtures without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the shelf units may be arranged differently than shown with respect to the lighting fixtures without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, one or more of the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may include more or fewer components than shown in  FIG. 5  with respect to the lighting fixture  502  without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, one or more of the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may not include the projector, the motion sensor, the microphone, and/or the speaker. In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may be coupled to more or fewer than two external cameras without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may include one or more integrated cameras in addition to the external cameras without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the lighting fixtures  402 - 406  may be another type of lighting device. 
     Although particular embodiments have been described herein in detail, the descriptions are by way of example. The features of the example embodiments described herein are representative and, in alternative embodiments, certain features, elements, and/or steps may be added or omitted. Additionally, modifications to aspects of the example embodiments described herein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the following claims, the scope of which are to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass modifications and equivalent structures.