Patent ID: 7565952

Claim:
A method for providing self checkout in a minimum of store floor space, the method comprising: utilizing an imaging scanner to image products being purchased; providing a bag rack with scales substantially adjacent the imaging scanner for holding a bag to receive imaged products; and utilizing a computer system to process data from the imaging scanner and the bag rack to ensure complete and secure product purchasing; and further utilizing the computer system to process image data from the product imaging scanner to track movement of each imaged product relative to the bag rack and determine whether each imaged product is entering or exiting the bag, wherein utilizing the computer system to process image data from each imaged product to track movement of each imaged product relative to the bag rack comprises the computer system: continually processing one or more frames of video images associated with a given imaged product; based on the one or more frames of video images, determining the direction of movement for the given imaged product; determining whether the given imaged product is entering or exiting the bag located on the bag rack; tracking the given imaged product into the bag immediately following a scanning of the imaged product by the image scanner; if the given imaged product is moving toward the bag, determining, based on visual characteristics and the tracking, whether the given imaged product was scanned before entering the bag; and generating a warning signal if the given imaged product is moving toward the bag without being scanned.