SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WEIGH SCALE PERIMETER MONITORING FOR SCANNER-SCALES

• US 20110132985A1
• Filed: 11/30/2010
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datalogic Adc, Inc. (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.)
• Inventors: O'Donnell, Patrick M., McQueen, Alexander M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,556,175 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/454
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4144 for controlling weight of goods in commercial establishments, e.g. supermarket, P.O.S. systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/18 using comparison with a reference electric value
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/44 Electric circuits for command of an exposure part G03B7/02

Abstract

Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light guide for routing a light beam to a detector operative to detect interruption of the beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the platter. In another configuration, the scale includes a perimeter gap between the platter outer edge and scanner housing frame or checkout counter, a light beam directed angularly upward through the gap is partially obstructed by the frame and platter whereby light exits the gap forming a light plane, wherein an object placed on the platter extending across the gap intersects the light plane thus scattering light rays, some of which are sensed by a detector. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.

Claims

1. A system for reducing erroneous weighing of an item on a weigh platter of a scanner-scale, comprising

a light source disposed in or on a housing of the scanner-scale for producing a light beam along an edge of the weigh platter;

a detector for receiving the light beam, the detector disposed in or on the housing;

a light guide disposed in the weigh platter for routing the light beam to the detector,

wherein the detector is operative for detecting an interruption of the light beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the weigh platter.

2. A system according to claim 1 further comprising an indicator coupled to the detector for signaling an operator of an item overhanging an edge of the weigh platter.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the light guide comprises a light pipe of round cylindrical shape.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein the light pipe is disposed in the weigh platter below a top surface of the weigh platter, the light pipe extending from an edge of the weigh platter proximate the light source and routing the light beam to the detector.

5. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a scanner-scale including a housing having a lower housing section and an upper housing section joined to form a generally L-shape;

and a weigh platter disposed in the lower section, the weigh platter being supported by at least one load cell.

6. A scanner-scale including the system of claim 1;

a housing having a lower housing section and an upper housing section joined to form a generally L-shape;

a weigh platter disposed in the lower section; and

at least one load cell for supporting the weigh platter.

7. A method of reducing erroneous weighing of items on a scale at a checkout system, comprising the steps of

directing a light beam from a light source in a light path along at least one side edge of a weigh platter of the scale and to a detector;

over at least a portion of the light path, routing the light beam within a light guide disposed in or on the weigh platter;

detecting an interruption of the light beam due to an item overhanging an edge of the weigh platter.

8. A method according to claim 7 further comprising upon detecting an item interrupting the light beam, signaling an operator of an item overhanging an edge of the weigh platter.

9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising upon detecting an object interrupting the light beam, delaying completion on a weighing operation until interruption of the light beam is no longer detected.

10. A system for reducing erroneous weighing of an item on a weigh platter of a scanner-scale, comprising

a light source disposed in or on a housing of the scanner-scale and below a surface of the weigh platter for producing a light beam pointed upward at an angle within a gap between an edge of the weigh platter and either the checkout counter or a frame member of the housing;

a detector disposed in or on the housing and positioned to receive and detect reflection of the light beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the weigh platter.

11. A method for reducing erroneous weighing of an item on a weigh platter of a scanner-scale, comprising the steps of

projecting a plane of light upwardly and outwardly through a gap between an edge of the weigh platter and either the checkout counter or a frame member of the housing;

detecting reflected light due to an item overhanging an edge of the weigh platter.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the gap is sufficiently narrow so as to inhibit lateral dispersion of the plane of light exiting the gap.

13. A method of monitoring data reader operator operation, wherein an operator passes an item through the read volume of a data reader and weighs an item on an associated scale by placing the item on a weigh platter of the scale, comprising the steps of

detecting a potential off-scale condition pertaining to whether an item placed on the scale is encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the weigh platter;

weighing the item placed on the weigh platter to obtain item weight data;

permitting item weight data to be transmitted to a POS or host regardless of whether a potential off-scale condition has been detected.

14. A method according to claim 13 further comprising

reading a symbol on the item placed on the weigh platter to obtain item identification data;

appending encroachment/overhang information pertaining to the off-scale condition to the identification data;

transmitting the item identification data and the encroachment/overhang information to a host or POS.

15. A method according to claim 13 further comprising

alerting the operator if an off-scale condition is detected.

16. A method according to claim 13 further comprising transmitting the encroachment/overhang information to the host or POS in the form of a special barcode of non-item identification data.