A classification device (2) for identification of articles (3) in an automated checkout counter is presented. The device comprises a memory unit (5) capable of storing digital reference signatures, each of which digital reference signatures corresponds to an article identity, a processor (6) connected to the memory unit (5), and at least one sensor (4, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24) configured to determine a measured signature of an article (3) wherein said processor (6) is configured to compare said measured signature with the digital reference signatures, and to calculate a matching probability of a predetermined number of article identities.