SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WEIGH SCALE PERIMETER MONITORING FOR SCANNER-SCALES
First Claim
1. A system for reducing erroneous weighing of an item on a weigh platter of a scanner-scale, comprisinga 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 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
16 Claims
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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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. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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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.
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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. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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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. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification