Pick list optimization method

1. A pick list optimization method comprising:

capturing, by a scanner, an image of an item to be purchased when the item is sensed on an weigh plate of the scanner that is integrated into the scanner by directing the image of the item from a horizontal mirror situated beneath the weigh plate to a camera of the scanner and capturing the image by the camera, wherein capturing further includes controlling, by the scanner, a level of illumination from scan field lighting to minimize glare while the camera captures the image;

calculating, by executable instructions executing on a processor from a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, attributes from the image;

comparing, by the executable instructions, calculated attributes to reference item attributes in an item database;

selecting, by the executable instructions, reference item attributes associated with reference items that are closest to the calculated attributes as top candidates in a pick list; and

displaying, by the executable instructions, the pick list with the top candidates within a transaction screen for a transaction at a Point-Of-Sale (POS) terminal.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

extracting, by the executable instructions, a foreground image substantially containing only the item; and

applying, by the executable instructions, a color correction to the extracted image to enhance its color accuracy and produce a color corrected image;

wherein calculating includes calculating the attributes from the color corrected image.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the color correction is in hue, saturation, value (HSV) space.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the attributes comprise a color histogram.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the attributes comprise spatial information.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the spatial information comprises a size estimate.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the spatial information comprises texture information.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the item comprises a produce item.

9. A pick list optimization method comprising:

comparing, by executable instructions executing on a processor from a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a reference background image captured by a scanner to an image of a produce item to be purchased when the item is sensed on an weigh plate of the scanner that is integrated into the scanner by directing the image of the produce item from a horizontal mirror situated beneath the weigh plate to a camera of the scanner and capturing the image by the camera, wherein capturing further includes controlling, by the scanner, a level of illumination from scan field lighting to minimize glare while the camera captures the image;

extracting, by the executable instructions, a foreground image substantially containing only produce item;

applying, by the executable instructions, a color correction to the extracted image to enhance its color accuracy and produce a color corrected image;

calculating, by the executable instructions, attributes from the color corrected image;

comparing, by the executable instructions, calculated attributes to reference produce attributes in a produce database;

selecting, by the executable instructions, reference produce attributes associated with reference produce items that are closest to the calculated attributes as top candidates in a pick list;

sending, by the executable instructions, the top candidates to a point of sale (POS) system for display;

displaying, by the POS system, the top candidates in a pick list on a POS display within a transaction screen during a transaction with the POS system.

10. A scanning system comprising:

a scanner;

lighting;

a processor configured to activate the scanner to capture an image of an item when the item is sensed on an weigh plate of the scanner that is integrated into the scanner by directing the image of the item from a horizontal mirror situated beneath the weigh plate to a camera of the scanner and capturing the image by the camera, to activate the lighting during operation of the camera for the scanner, to control a level of the lighting to minimize glare while the image of the item is captured by the camera, to calculate attributes from the image, to compare the attributes to reference item attributes in an item database, select reference item attributes associated with reference items that are closest to the calculated attributes as top candidates in a pick list, and display the pick list within a transaction screen on a Point-Of-Sale (POS) display during a transaction.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the processor is also configured to extract a foreground image substantially containing only the item, and apply a color correction to the extracted image to enhance its color accuracy and produce a color corrected image, wherein the processor calculates the attributes from the color corrected image.

12. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a scale, wherein the processor is also configured to activate the scanner and lighting upon receipt of a signal from the scale indicating placement of the item on the scale.

13. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a housing including a substantially horizontal scanning aperture for the scanner, and wherein the camera, the mirror, and lighting are located below the substantially horizontal scanning aperture.

14. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a housing including a substantially vertical scanning aperture for the scanner, and wherein the camera, the mirror, and lighting are located adjacent to the substantially vertical scanning aperture.

15. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a housing including a substantially horizontal surface for item placement, and wherein the camera and lighting for the scanner are located above the substantially horizontal surface.

16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the processor is also configured to send the top candidates to a POS for display on the POS display.

17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the lighting comprises white light emitting diodes.