Authors:
Jim Hawk, Charles Messina
Abstract:
What is proposed are shopping bags, particularly reusable ones, that have a unique pattern on the interior, that would make it more reliable to detect if the bag is empty. Overhead security cameras are already in place in many retailers. So, having this unique pattern in the shopping bag facilitates the detection of objects within the shopping bag. This would allow a means to prevent shrink that may or may not be intentional by the shopper.
Background:
In SCO (self-checkout), shrink/theft is a major problem and an impediment for adoption of self- checkout. Recently, this author observed shoppers using eco-bags (reusable shopping bags). In one instance, the items to be purchased were scanned, then placed on the SCO security scale. At the end of the transaction, the shopper placed the eco-bags on the floor and loaded the purchased items into them. In this situation, there is no mechanism to ensure that the eco-bags were empty prior to bagging the purchased items.
Description:
Shopping bags, primarily reusable or eco-bags, would have a distinctive pattern and colors to make empty bag detection more reliable. Existing overhead cameras or other technologies, such as currently available AI theft prevention systems, would complete the solution. Specifically, the cameras could be programmed to detect a break in the known, distinctive pattern in the bag which would indicate the presence of an object in the bag.
Although primarily intended for SCO, it could be used in traditional staffed checkout lanes to deter sweet hearting.
Sample implementation of unique, irregular pattern in the bottom of a shopping bag
Claims:
The use of patterns and colors in the interior of shopping bags to facilitate the detection of theft in a retail environment.
Supporting Art:
Overhead cameras or other retail security solutions
TGCS Reference 4010
