FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“An integrated optical scanning system”

APPLICANTS:

Name Nationality Address
Prithvi Information Solutions Limited Indian 10Q3-A1, Cyber Towers, HITEC city, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500081

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[001] The embodiments herein relate to authentication and scanning systems and, more particularly, to an integrated authentication and scanning system.

Description of the Related Art
[002] Retail establishments are equipped with check-in counters and point of sale systems. Generally, check-in counters are meant for the registration of the customer entering the retail establishment. A customer who enters retail stores makes a registration at the check-in counter by entering his details at the counter, such as customer name, customer identification number and so on. The customer is then authenticated after making a registration. On the other hand point of sales systems (POS) are at the outlet of retail stores. A customer on completion of shopping will hand over products purchased at the POS of the retail store. At the POS, the products bought by the customer are scanned and a record of the products is made in the database of the retail store. The drawback associated with the existing systems is, most of customer’s time is consumed in the process of authentication of the customer and the scanning of the products at the POS of the retail store. Some stores employ mechanisms to register the customer for a loyalty program, for the purpose of customer identification and authentication, when the customer is shopping in the store. Customer has to make a registration initially at the retail store and the registration process may be time consuming as most of the registration methods employ a queue system. In addition, during peak shopping hours, such as weekends or a holiday season, customers often experience delays in the check-out process as the check-out queues at the POS of the retail store increases. Also, it is not efficient use of the store’s resources to increase the number of check-out points, particularly when peak periods occur very infrequently.
[003]Other systems employ token method for the authentication of the customer, wherein a customer is given a token at the check-in point when he makes a registration. The drawbacks associated with the system is that the tokens allotted to a particular customer can be exchanged, since there is no mechanism to monitor the customer once a token is issued. This may result in misuse of the tokens. Also, since customers are busy with shopping, it is possible that they misplace the token that they are allotted during their shopping.
[004] The check-in systems employ a means such as a biometric identification means for authentication of the customer. The bio-metric authentication device may be a finger print scanner, palm scanner, retina scanner and the like. Finger print scanners are most commonly employed. Finger prints are unique for every individual, even an identical twin. Finger print scanner scans the finger prints of a particular individual and then compares the sample with other samples for customer identification. On purchase of the products the customer has to scan his products with a scanner (for example, a barcode scanner) that may be provided at the POS of the retail store. The scanner may be a barcode scanner. The barcode scanner recognizes a unique code for each product and converts the code into a form that is suitable for computational purposes.
[005]Though the existing systems provide a means for identification of customers and associate goods purchased by them, the process followed is quite time consuming and are not very customer friendly.
SUMMARY
[006] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides an integrated scanning device equipped with two optical scanners, one is a biometric scanner and the second scanner is an optical machine readable data scanner. The integrated scanner provides authentication to an individual and allows scanning a product on the same device.
[007]Embodiments further disclose an integrated scanning device for scanning biometric identification and optical machine readable data. The device comprising of a first scanning means for performing an initial scan of an object, wherein the object is a biometric identification or optical machine readable data. A second scanning means for scanning biometric identification, if first scanning identifies the object as a biometric identification. The scanning device further comprises of a movable drum, the drum further comprising first means for reading optical machine readable data and second means for reading biometric identification. The scanning device comprises of a scanner, wherein scanner operates at a plurality of speeds. The scanning device comprises of a memory for storing samples of scans of objects and a processing means for comparing scanned objects with samples present in the memory. The biometric identification read by scanning device is a fingerprint, a palm print or an iris. The scanning device is configured to read optical machine readable data from a barcode.
[008] A method for reading biometric identification and optical machine readable data, method using a scanning device and comprising steps of scanning device performing a low intensity scan of an object. Scanning device identifying a category to which the object belongs using low intensity scan and performing a high intensity scan of object, if the object is a biometric identification means. The scanning device identifies object by comparing low intensity scan of object to samples of images of probable objects stored in a memory. Further scanning device performs high intensity scan by moving a drum to focus a high intensity scanner on object, wherein drum includes of a low intensity scanner and high intensity scanner. The scanning device performs high intensity scan by adjusting the intensity of a scanner present in scanning device, wherein scanner operates at a plurality of speeds. The object is a fingerprint, a palm print or iris. The object is an optical machine readable data object. The object is a barcode. A method for a scanning device to identify if an object scanned is a biometric identification means or an optical machine readable data object. The scanning device is connected to a processor and a memory. The method comprising steps of providing a first set of sample optical machine readable data objects to the processor, wherein first set comprises of examples of good optical machine readable data objects and bad optical machine readable data objects. Providing a second set of sample biometric identification means to processor, wherein second set comprises of examples of good biometric identification means and bad biometric identification means. Providing a third set of business rules for optical machine readable objects to processor. Providing a fourth set of business rules for biometric identification means to processor and processor using first, second, third and fourth sets to identify an object, wherein object has been scanned by scanning device. The object is scanned by said scanning device using a low intensity scan.
[009] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011]FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating the components of the scanning system, in accordance with the embodiments herein;
[0012]FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating low resolution scanner and high resolution scanner in a scanning system, in accordance with the embodiments herein;
[0013]FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting the process of authentication using integrated scanner, in accordance with the embodiments herein;
[0014]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the statistical classifier method of analyzing the images, in accordance with the embodiments herein;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting a method of providing authentication by biometric scanning means, in accordance with the embodiments herein;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting a method of providing authentication by biometric scanning means, in accordance with the embodiments herein; and
[0017]FIG. 7 is a flow chart depicting a method of formulation of business rules for image classification, in accordance with the embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0019]The embodiments herein achieve a system for authentication of customers and scanning products by providing an integrated scanning system comprising a bio-metric scanner and an optical machine readable data scanner. Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7, here similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0020] An integrated system and method for authentication of a customer and scanning the products purchased is disclosed. The integrated system allows performing both bio-metric scan and an optical scan on the same device. In an embodiment the integrated system may be employed in market place, retail stores and other places wherein a person is required to authenticate him and articles purchased. The scanning system is equipped with a bio-metric scanner and an optical machine readable scanner. The bio-metric scanner is meant for authentication of the person. In various embodiments, the bio-metric scanner may be a finger print scanner, iris scanner, palm scanner and the like. The optical machine readable scanner is a low resolution scanner. In various embodiments, the optical machine readable scanner can be a barcode scanner or the like. Initially low resolution scanning is carried out with a laser scan. Based on the result of the low resolution scan the system will identify if the scanned image is a bio-metric image or image of a product. If the system recognizes the scanned sample as a bio-metric image, the system invokes a high resolution scanner. The high resolution scanner then produces a good bio-metric image. The bio-metric image details are further analyzed by the scanning system. The customer is authenticated. In case the scanned image is a product image, the scanning system will employ a method to generate a product number for the barcode. The details of the product is then analyzed and product based information is obtained. The scanning system facilitates both authentication of a person and scanning of the product on the same device. In case the system is employed in retail stores, customer is relieved from the fatigue developed due to waiting in long queues for authentication process and scanning the products. There is distinctive ease of use as scanning twice is eliminated unlike in other shopping systems, wherein the customer has to scan twice, once for authentication process and the second time for billing.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating the components of the scanning system, in accordance with the embodiments herein. In a preferred embodiment, the scanning system 101 comprises a scanner 102, a memory 103 and a processor 104. The scanner 102 is equipped with the facility to carry out both low resolution scan and a high resolution scan of the image. The scanner 102 can be a laser scanner, infrared scanner and the like. In an embodiment the optical machine readable scanner can be a barcode scanner. The scanner 102 is basically a scan gun and depending on the object to be scanned the intensity of the scanner 102 can be adjusted. Initially a low resolution, high speed scan is carried out of the object in front of the scanner 102. A beam of light from an optical machine readable scanner is focused on the object to be scanned. On illumination of the object, the scanned image of the object is obtained. The scanned image is analyzed. The details are fed to the image classifier. If the scanned image is a barcode the image is converted into a number. A barcode is a unique form of code. The code is an optical and machine readable form of data representation. Barcodes represent the data in lines and spacing between the lines. The number will provide the details of the product purchased and the details can be stored in the store’s database. On the other hand, if the image is a bio-metric image the scanner 102 will automatically adjust its intensity to obtain a high resolution scan using an electric circuit. The bio-metric is further scanned to obtain a high resolution image. The bio-metric scanner can be a palm scanner, finger print scanner, iris scanner and the like. A palm scanner will provide the palm image of a person, clearly showing the pattern of the veins on the palm of the person. The finger print scanner will provide scanned image of finger print of a particular person, showing the pattern of ridges and valleys in the finger prints. Iris scanner will compare the scanned image pattern with the irides of a person. Thus bio-metric scanning provides unique means of identification for a particular individual. In a preferred embodiment, there is a memory 103 associated herewith the scanning system 101 for storing image details, business rules and image sample sets for image classification purpose. The memory 103 may comprise of a read only memory (ROM) or random access memory (RAM). The ROM can be employed for storing data which does not need frequent modifications. Data regarding some business rules etc can be stored on the ROM. Whereas the RAM is used for storing data which is accessed more frequently. Data related to image sample sets which are frequently modified and data related to business rules which are likely to be modified are stored on the RAM. The processor 104 is meant for performing various computations on the data. Image classification is performed by the processor 104 on analysis and interpretation of the image data. Different instruction sets for performing image analysis are analyzed by the processor 104. The scanning system 101 can communicate with the other peripheral devices or external enhancements either wirelessly or by wired means. The scanning system 101 combines the features of an optical machine readable scanner and a bio-metric scanner to provide authentication to a person and identify the list of products. Also, the scanning system 101 provides a distinctive uniqueness in ease of use as scanning twice is eliminated.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating low resolution scanner and high resolution scanner in a scanning system, in accordance with the embodiments herein. In a preferred embodiment the scanning system 203 is equipped with a separate scanning unit for performing low resolution scan 201 and high resolution scan 202. The scanner unit consists of a drum like structure which is capable of rotating and is mounted inside a scan gun. Depending on the nature of image being scanned, the scanner drum can rotate to activate the appropriate scanner in position. The rotation of the scan drum is controlled mechanically. In addition, the scanning system 203 is provided with a memory 103 and a processor 104. Initially a low resolution scanner 201 is active. The low resolution scanner 201 is a low intensity, fast scan and is an optical machine scanner. In an embodiment the optical machine scanner can comprise of a barcode scanner. The object in front of the low resolution scanner 201 is scanned. A low resolution image is the outcome of the scan. The image is then analyzed. Barcode is converted into a unique number; the number is specific for a particular product. The details of the products purchased are stored in a database. In case the scanner system 203 recognizes the scanned image as a bio-metric image, the high resolution scanner 202 is invoked. The high resolution scanner 202 is a low intensity, slow scan. High resolution scanning produces a clear image of the bio-metric. The high resolution scanner 202 can be any kind of bio-metric scanner such as a finger print scanner, palm scanner, iris scanner and the like. The bio-metric scanning provides a means of identification of the customer. Bio-metric identifier uses a characteristic means for identification of individuals, which are unique for every individual. A memory 103 unit is associated herewith the scanning system 101 for storing image details, business rules and image sample sets for image classification purpose. The memory 103 may comprise of a read only memory (ROM) or random access memory (RAM). The ROM can be employed for storing data which does not require frequent modifications. Data regarding some business rules etc can be stored on the ROM. Whereas the RAM is used for storing data which is accessed more frequently. Data related to image sample sets which are frequently modified and data related to business rules which are likely to be modified are stored on the RAM. The processor 104 performs various computations on the data. The processor 104 analyzes scanned image and interprets the images. Based on the image analysis and different instructions for classification, the image is classified as good bio-metric image, bad bio-metric image, good barcode image and bad barcode image. The scanning system 203 communicates with the external peripherals through wireless communication means or wired means of communication. Thus, the scanning system 203 provides ease of use as the system eliminates scanning twice. The scanning system 203 provides authentication to a person and scanning the products on the same device and is cost effective.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting the process of providing authentication using integrated scanner, in accordance with the embodiments herein. The low resolution scanner 201 and high resolution scanner 202 hereafter referred to as barcode scanner and bio-metric scanner respectively. The scanning system 203 is provided with an optical machine readable scanner 201 and a bio-metric scanner 202. In an embodiment the optical machine readable scanner can be a barcode scanner. The barcode scanner 201 scans the products purchased by the person. On the other hand the bio-metric scanner 202 is for the authentication of the person. Initially a low resolution scan is activated (301) on the scanning system 101. The scan mechanism is a single laser scan and is electronically controlled. The scanning is carried out at low intensity and high speed. A single beam of laser is made to fall on the object in front of the scanner. The image obtained is sent for analysis. The system makes (302) a check if the scanning is done properly. There are chances of the scanning to fail due to several reasons. Some of the reasons for the failure of the scanned image could be placing the palm instead of finger for a finger print scanner, inappropriate positioning of the finger, the scanner failing to recognize the finger print due to humidity, ageing or worn out skin of the finger, failure of the scanner to take an appropriate image of the object and the like. In case of failure of scanning, the system will not process the image further and the scanning is repeated until an appropriate image is obtained. The system on obtaining a scanned image will analyze the image. The system will recognize (303) if the image is a bio-metric image or optical machine readable data. If the image is a bio-metric image, the system will activate (304) a high resolution scanner. The high resolution scan is a slow speed, high intensity scan. The scanning produces a clear bio-metric image. Consider the scanner is a finger print scanner. Finger prints are unique means for identification of every individual. Since the pattern of ridges and valleys on the fingers of an individual are decided on a combination of various genetic factors, the finger prints are unique for a particular person. A palm scanner will produce the image of palm clearly showing the pattern of veins on the palm. An iris scanner will produce the scanned image of the iris pattern of a person. The obtained bio-metric image is analyzed (305) to compare the pattern in the image with the standard image patterns. A record of the bio-metric image data is made in the database where the system is employed. The record provides authentication (308) for the customers. In case the system recognizes the image as optical machine readable data, the image data is then sent for analysis. Considering the scanner to be a barcode scanner. During the process of analysis the system will convert (306) the barcode data into specific number code. The number is further used to obtain (307) the information related to the product of purchase. On completion of the process the product is authenticated. Such means of authentication of the product is employed in stores to prevent shop lifting. As an embodiment, the details of the customer such as the customer identification number and the like and details of the product purchased by the customer can be printed by connecting the device to a TLP printer. The various actions in method 300 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 3 may be omitted.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the statistical classifier method of analyzing the images, in accordance with the embodiments herein. The method employs several pre defined business rules and image samples for the classification of the images available with the system. The system maintains a database of substantially large number of images for analysis and comparison of the scanned image. In a preferred embodiment the bio-metric scanner is a finger print scanner and the optical scanner is a barcode scanner. The images are categorized into four basic categories: good biometric image, bad biometric image, good barcode image and bad barcode image. In the case the system is initially fed with standard samples of bad finger print, good finger print and bad bar code, good barcode images. Based on the fed image data the system compares and analyzes the sample image. This data defines a set of business rules. The bad biometric image block 402 maintains the data on standard samples of bad finger prints. The data classifies finger print image as a bad image if the finger is not positioned appropriately to get a full image of the finger print, the image is not appropriate due to aging of the skin on the finger, ambient light, seasonal change or humidity, worn out finger ridge due to the nature of occupation of the person. As an example a construction worker will have worn out ridge patterns due to the nature of his occupation. In case the finger print image of a sample matches the standard samples the image is categorized as a bad biometric image and the scanning is repeated. Each of the above cases will be stored and formulated as business rules. On the other hand good biometric image block 401 maintains standard samples of good finger prints. On classification of an obtained finger print image as good finger print, the image details is then sent to the statistical classifier block 403 for the analysis of the image. The obtained data is then output and the person is authenticated. Similarly bad barcode image block 405 has data regarding bad image samples of barcode. Examples of bad barcode can be no clear and sharp edges between elements, lack of proper bridging between the elements, quite zones, ink bleed resulting in difference between the spacing patterns of the barcode and colored barcode. These cases will be stored and formulated into pre defined business rules such as threshold value for the blank space between the lines of the barcode, threshold ridge space between the elements, and color of the barcode and so on. The system refers to the business rules to take appropriate action for a particular sample of barcode. The good barcode image block 404 will have sample images of good barcode. A barcode is classified as a good barcode if there is clear and sharp edges between the elements, proper spacing between the line pattern of the barcode, standard color of the barcode and so on. When the customer scans a product on his barcode scanner, the system will compare the obtained image to analyze the parameters such as brightness, color, pattern etc. This data is used to generate a histogram to refine the classification accuracy. Further the statistical classifiers will run on the basis of the results obtained to cluster the new output. Apart from the obvious parameters such as color, brightness, pattern etc, other non-obvious parameters on which the image classification will depend on is selected using feature selection methodology. Where feature selection methodology is a technique commonly employed in machine learning for selecting a sub set of relevant features for building learning models. The features that have maximum differential capability will be used by the statistical classifiers to decide on the decision boundaries with greater deal of accuracy. In an embodiment the details regarding the authentication such as name, identification number etc and the details of the product such as the product code, product name and other details can be obtained on a printer.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting a method of providing authentication by biometric scanning means, in accordance with the embodiments herein. In an embodiment the integrated scanning system can be employed in retail stores, shopping outlets and the like, however not limited to the same. Scanning system can be employed for authentication of the customers at retail stores. The scanning system 203 comprises a bio-metric scanner 202 and an optical machine readable scanner 201. In a preferred embodiment the optical scanner is a barcode scanner. Initially a low resolution scanning of the object in front of the scanner is performed (501). The low resolution scanner 201 is a low intensity, fast scan. The resulting image is then analyzed (502). The system will recognize if the scanned image is a bio-metric image or a barcode image. In case the system recognizes the scanned image as a barcode image, the system will convert (503) the image data into a specific number. Barcodes are printed in a specific pattern, with black lines on a white background. The number code is unique for every product and provides data regarding a particular product. The product based details is analyzed. In case the system recognizes the scanned image as a bio-metric image, the system will further invoke (504) a bio-metric scanner 202. Bio-metric scan is for the purpose of authentication of the customer at the retail store. Bio-metric scanner 202 may comprise a device such as a finger print scanner, a palm scanner, iris scanner and the like. Bio-metric features are unique for every individual and used to distinguish one person from another. A device such as finger print scanner provides a scanned image of a person’s finger. Finger prints are unique characteristics of every individual and are unique for an identical twin too. The finger print scanner provides the clear image of the pattern of the ridges and valleys on the finger of a person. The pattern of finger print will depend on the genetic build up of a person and hence is unique for a person. Iris recognition uses pattern recognition technique. The technique compares the high resolution image patterns with the irides pattern of an individual’s eye. Based on the comparison authentication is provided. Palm scanner will produce the pattern of palm clearly showing the pattern of veins in the palm image of an individual. The vein patterns are well illuminated in the scanned image and it is possible to employ the image for comparison purpose. A drum like device is embedded in the bio-metric scanner gun. The drum device is capable of rotating and is controlled mechanically. The scanner gun comprises both a low intensity scanner 201 and a high intensity scanner 202. Based on the results obtained from the image analysis in the previous stage the system will rotate the drum to activate the appropriate scanner. When the image is a bio-metric image the system will rotate (505) the drum mechanically until the bio-metric scanner is positioned for scanning the object placed before the drum. A high resolution image is obtained (506). The customer is provided (507) authentication at the store. The authentication may include maintaining the customer details such as customer name, identification number and the like in the database of the store. The various actions in method 500 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 5 may be omitted.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting a method of providing authentication by biometric scanning means, in accordance with the embodiments herein. The scanning system 101 is equipped with both a bio-metric authentication device and an optical device for scanning the products purchased. In an embodiment the optical scanning device is a barcode scanner. Initially a low resolution scanning of the object in front of the scanner is performed (601). The low resolution scanner is a low intensity, fast scan. The resulting image is then analyzed (602). The system will recognize if the scanned image is a bio-metric image or a barcode image. In case the system recognizes the scanned image as a barcode image, the system will convert (603) the image data into a specific number. The number code is unique for every product and provides data regarding a particular product. The product based details is analyzed. In case the system recognizes the scanned image as a bio-metric image, the system will further invoke (604) a bio-metric scanner. Bio-metric scan is for the purpose of authentication of an individual. Bio-metric scanner may comprise a device such as a finger print scanner, a palm scanner, iris scanner and the like. Bio-metric features are unique for every individual and used to distinguish one person from another. The scanner in the system can be a scan gun type of scanner. The scan gun is activated (605). The scan gun is equipped with the facility to adjust the intensity of its scan. The scan gun can work as both a low resolution scanner and a high resolution scanner. By adjusting the intensity of the laser beam dual functionality is achieved. Initially the scanner will be a low resolution scanner. When the system recognizes the scanned image is a bio-metric, the system will activate the scanner, which adjusts (606) the intensity of the out going beam for high intensity scan. High resolution bio-metric image is obtained (607). Hence, the customer is authenticated. The various actions in method 600 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 6 may be omitted.
[0027]Initially a set of images will be classified by experts as good bio-metric, bad bio-metric, good barcode and bad barcode. Experts will also identify some meta-data that crucially classifies these images. This information is then fed to the scanner. The scanner will be trained using these set of images such that any new sample can be accurately classified.
[0028]FIG. 7 is a flow chart depicting a method of formulation of business rules for image classification, in accordance with the embodiments herein. In a preferred embodiment the bio-metric scanner is a finger print scanner and the optical scanner is a barcode scanner. The scanning system 101 is provided with certain image samples and business rules for image classification. A collection of image samples of the barcodes are fed (701) into the scanning system for image classification. The scanned images are compared with the training samples and the images are classified on the basis of such comparison. The scanning system 101 is fed (702) with good barcode image sets or samples. A scanned barcode image is classified as a good barcode image if the image satisfies certain criterion. The criterion that classifies an image as good barcode are: image should possess clear and sharp edges between the elements, the bridging between the elements should be appropriate within the specified threshold values. There should not be any quite zones, wherein the quite zones indicate the blank space between the barcodes and the threshold value should be around 6.5mm. There should not be any ink bleed, as ink bleed results in the white spaces turning narrow over a period of time and barcodes must be in standard pattern with black lines printed on white. If the scanned image falls in the above category the image is classified as good barcode image. Further the system is fed (703) with bad barcode images sets. The sets include patterns of images such as images that do not have clear and sharp edges between the elements, image samples that do not have proper bridging between the elements. Images with quite zones, images with improper spacing between the pattern of barcode i.e. inappropriate threshold spacing between the lines of the barcode and colored barcode images. Based on the considered image sample sets certain business rules are formulated (704) for the image classification. The business rules check for the conditions such as: if the blank space at the end of the barcode is less than the threshold value specified. The threshold value usually is around 6.5mm. The business rules also specify a standard color of barcode i.e. black lines on white. These business rules are used for comparison and classification of the scanned images. The training image samples for a bio-metric are fed (705) into the scanning system 101. Training image sets contain sample images used for the comparison with the scanned images. Considering, the bio-metric device to be a finger print scanner. Further the system is fed (706) with image sets for good bio-metric image. If the image sample is clear and clearly depicts the pattern of valleys and ridges on the finger of the person, with proper ambient light, without the effect of humidity, the image is a good finger print image. Based on the image sample sets the business rules are formulated for good finger print image. The system is fed (707) with the sample sets for bad bio-metric image. Bad bio-metric samples include the image samples that do not clearly show the pattern due to drying of the skin, humidity or seasonal change, ambient light or worn out ridges due to nature of occupation of the person. On the analysis performed by comparison with the fed samples certain business rules are fed (708) into the system. These business rules check for certain pre defined conditions for example, if the image sample has worn out ridges, it classifies the image sample into the category of ageing or nature of employment. As a person could have worn out ridges due to age, if the person is around 70 years of age or due to nature of his occupation, if he is working as a construction worker. On similar lines various other business rules are formulated and conditions are checked for comparison with the scanned image samples. After storing the image sample sets the object is scanned (709) by the scanner. The scanned image is compared with the standard images and classified (710) as a barcode image or a bio-metric image. The system uses a statistical classifier method for classification of the images. The statistical classifiers will run on the basis of its learning from the parameters to cluster the new output values. Features that have maximum differential capacity will be used by the system classifiers to decide on the decision boundaries with great deal of accuracy. In an embodiment, classifies can include analysis such as Support Vector Machines (SVM), discriminant function analysis and the like. Further the system checks (711) if the image is a bio-metric. If the image is not a bio-metric image and the image is a barcode image, the system will convert the barcode into a specific number. This number is specific for every barcode and provides details regarding the product. The product details are stored in the database. If the image is a bio-metric the system will further invoke (712) a high resolution scanner 202. The high resolution scanner 202 will provide a high resolution image of the bio-metric that is scanned. The bio-metric image is then analyzed. Customer is provided authentication (714) at the retail store. In another embodiment the details can be stored in the store’s database. The details can include customer name, identification number and the like. The scanning system 101 will allow authenticating the customer and scanning the products purchased by the customer using the same device. The various actions in method 700 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 7 may be omitted.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment the integrated device may be employed in places where the user is required to authenticate him and also scan the products purchased. The scanning system may be handheld or attached to other systems. A user can pick up the scanning system for authentication. Initially the scanning system is activated for a low intensity scan. The low intensity scan can be for an optical machine readable data such as barcode data. On performing the scan, if the systems recognize the image to be an optical machine readable data, the scanned item is a product. The product related details on the barcode is converted to a specific number. The number provides details of the product such as product price, product name and the like. On the other hand if the image is a biometric, the scan system invokes a high resolution scanner on the integrated scanning device. The high resolution scanner performs a biometric scan such as iris scan, finger print scan, and palm scan. The biometric image obtained is analyzed and stored in a database. The database can provide authentication to the user. During the process of image analysis the system compares the scanned image details with the stored standard image samples. The system is fed with training image samples for classification purposes for both optical machine readable data and biometric images. In addition the system is provided with a set of business rules for the image classification. Based on the business rules and training image sample sets the images are analyzed. The user is then provided with authentication and details of the product purchased by him are provided.
[0030]The elements shown in Fig. 1 include blocks that can be a combination of hardware and software elements.
[0031]The embodiment disclosed herein describes an integrated scanning system for providing authentication for an individual as well as for scanning products of purchase. Therefore, it is understood that the scope of the protection is extended to such a program and in addition to a computer readable means having a message therein, such computer readable storage means contain program code means for implementation of one or more steps of the method, when the program runs on a server or mobile device or any suitable programmable device. The method is implemented in a preferred embodiment through or together with a software program written in e.g. Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) another programming language, or implemented by one or more VHDL or several software modules being executed on at least one hardware device. The hardware device can be any kind of portable device that can be programmed. The device may also include means which could be e.g. hardware means like e.g. an ASIC, or a combination of hardware and software means, e.g. an ASIC and an FPGA, or at least one microprocessor and at least one memory with software modules located therein. The method embodiments described herein could be implemented partly in hardware and partly in software. Alternatively, the invention may be implemented on different hardware devices, e.g. using a plurality of CPUs.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. An integrated scanning device for scanning biometric identification and optical machine readable data, said device comprising of
a first scanning means for performing an initial scan of an object, wherein said object is a biometric identification or optical machine readable data; and
a second scanning means for scanning said biometric identification, if said first scanning identifies said object as a biometric identification.

2. The scanning device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scanning device further comprises of a movable drum, said drum further comprising
said first means for reading said optical machine readable data; and
said second means for reading said biometric identification.

3. The scanning device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scanning device further comprises of a scanner, wherein said scanner operates at a plurality of speeds.

4. The scanning device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scanning device further comprises of a
a memory for storing samples of scans of said objects; and
a processing means for comparing said scanned objects with said samples present in said memory.

5. The scanning device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said biometric identification read by said scanning device is a fingerprint.

6. The scanning device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said biometric identification read by said scanning device is a palm print.

7. The scanning device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said biometric identification read by said scanning device is an iris.

8. The scanning device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scanning device is configured to read said optical machine readable data from a barcode.

9. A method for reading biometric identification and optical machine readable data, said method using a scanning device and comprising steps of
said scanning device performing a low intensity scan of an object;
said scanning device identifying a category to which said object belongs using said low intensity scan; and
said scanning device performing a high intensity scan of said object, if said object is a biometric identification.

10. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said scanning device identifies said object by comparing low intensity scan of said object to samples of images of probable objects stored in a memory.
11. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said scanning device performs said high intensity scan by moving a drum to focus a high intensity scanner on said object, wherein said drum includes of a low intensity scanner and said high intensity scanner.

12. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said scanning device performs said high intensity scan by adjusting the intensity of a scanner present in said scanning device, wherein said scanner operates at a plurality of speeds.

13. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said object is a fingerprint.

14. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said object is a palm print.

15. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said object is an iris.

16. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said object is an optical machine readable data object.

17. The method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said object is a bar code.

18. A method for a scanning device to identify if an object scanned is a biometric identification means or an optical machine readable data object, wherein said scanning device is connected to a processor and a memory, said method comprising steps of
providing a first set of sample optical machine readable data objects to said processor, wherein said first set comprises of examples of good optical machine readable data objects and bad optical machine readable data objects;
providing a second set of sample biometric identification means to said processor, wherein said second set comprises of examples of good biometric identification means and bad biometric identification means;
providing a third set of business rules for said optical machine readable objects to said processor;
providing a fourth set of business rules for said biometric identification means to said processor; and
said processor using said first, second, third and fourth sets to identify an object, wherein said object has been scanned by said scanning device.

19. The method, as claimed in claim 18, wherein said object is scanned by said scanning device using a low intensity scan.

ABSTRACT
An integrated system and method for authentication of a customer and scanning the products purchased is disclosed. The integrated system allows performing both bio-metric scan and an optical scan on the same device. The bio-metric scanner is meant for authentication of the person and may comprise a finger print scanner, iris scanner, palm scanner and the like. The optical machine readable scanner is a low resolution scanner that may comprise a barcode scanner or the like. Initially low resolution scanning is carried out with a laser scan. Based on the result of the low resolution scan the system will identify if the scanned image is a bio-metric image or image of a product. If the image is a bio-metric the system performs a high resolution scan else the optical readable data is converted into the appropriate form.
FIG. 1

Dated this is 29th April 2009