Abstract:
A method of vending a product (n) in an automated vending machine (28) includes displaying an initial stock (S) of several products (n) on a display shelf (34), and identifying any product (13) removed therefrom by a customer (48) not by detecting the removed product (13) itself, but by comparing images (50,52) of the displayed stock (S) before and after product removal to determine any product (13) missing in the post-image (52) of remaining stock (S-(S-P)), and then charging payment for the missing product (13) to the customer (48).
Abstract:
A payment system including a customer interface payment module having a customer-facing screen, a merchant interface module having a merchant-facing screen, a presentation and mounting assembly configured for mounting thereon of the customer interface payment module and the merchant interface module and having at least one first magnetically interactive element and a base assembly arranged for selectable, removable mating supporting engagement with the presentation and mounting assembly, useful for operation of the customer interface payment module and the merchant interface module in a base-docked operative orientation, the base assembly having at least one second magnetically interactive element, the presentation and mounting assembly and the base assembly including mutually cooperative guiding surfaces for gravity and magnet driven docking movement in three dimensions, urged by magnetic interaction of the at least one first magnetically interactive element and the at least one second magnetically interactive element.
Abstract:
A surveillance system for use in a checkout stand counter (4) and the like, comprises: a camera (13) mounted near the floor of the checkout stand counter; a monitor (14) mounted to the checkout stand counter and positioned for convenient viewing by a cashier (7) working at the checkout stand counter; and, constraints defining an aisle adjacent to the checkout stand counter for shopping carts moved alongside the checkout stand counter, whereby the surveillance system displays any objects on a lower tray of the shopping carts moved through the aisle. The checkout stand counter can comprise a numerical keyboard and the monitor can be positioned adjacent to the numerical keyboard, whereby the monitor is in a position giving an appearance of being associated with operation of the numerical keyboard.
Abstract:
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Verkaufseinrichtung (10) zum Bedienverkauf von insbesondere Fleisch, Wurst oder Käse und ein Verfahren zum Betrieb einer Verkaufseinrichtung. Die Verkaufseinrichtung besteht aus mindestens einer Ladenwaage (17) und einer Theke, die einen Auslagebereich (13), ein Thekenbrett (16) und eine Abdeckung (11a, 11b, 12) umfasst. Die Verkaufseinrichtung (10) weist im Auslagebereich Drucksensoren (15) auf, die lokal eine jeweilige Gewichtskraft erfassen. Ferner umfasst die Verkaufseinrichtung (10) eine Auswerteeinheit (42), die bei einer Veränderung eines Signals mindestens eines Drucksensors (15) dem Signal ein Ort innerhalb des Auslagebereichs (13) zuordnet und ein entsprechendes Produkt anhand des Ortes identifiziert.
Abstract:
A system and method for computer vision driven applications in an environment that can include collecting image data across an environment; maintaining an environmental object graph from the image data whereby maintaining the environmental object graph is an iterative process that includes: classifying objects, tracking object locations, detecting interaction events, instantiating object associations in the environmental object graph, and updating the environmental object graph by propagating change in at least one object instance across object associations; and inspecting object state for at least one object instance in the environmental object graph and executing an action associated with the object state. The system and method can be applied to automatic checkout, inventory management, and/or other system integrations.
Abstract:
A hinge system may include a flat panel to hold a computing device thereon; a hinge coupled to the flat panel to flip the flat panel over to selectively present the computing device to one of a first and second facing users, the hinge including a clutch bearing that allows for rotation relative to a shaft in a first direction to a first of the facing users but prevents rotation of the clutch bearing relative to a shaft in a second direction; and a dampening device to allow for selective rotation of the shaft in the second direction.
Abstract:
A fixture (12) for mounting equipment on a counter (10) includes a shelf (30) supported beneath the counter (10) and cable guides (32, 34) that extend over the top of the counter (10) and around an edge thereof. The shelf (30) includes a bottom wall (36) and upstanding side walls (38) secured between the bottom wall (36) and the counter (10). The cable guides (32, 34) are for concealing equipment cables located on the counter (10) and passing around the edge thereof. The guides include a horizontal cable guide (32) having a top wall (64) and depending side walls (66) with slots (68) therein for receipt of the cables and a vertical cable guide (34) connected between the shelf (30) and the horizontal cable guide (32) and having a front wall (70) and a pair of laterally spaced front side walls (72) extending between the front wall (70) and the edge of the counter (10).