OPTICAL SCANNER WITH CUSTOMER INTERFACE

• US 20110309147A1
• Filed: 06/16/2010
• Published: 12/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Barkan, Edward D., Drzymala, Mark, Britts, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,479,997 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/440
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10554 Moving beam scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10712 Fixed beam scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1096 the scanner having more than one scanning window, e.g. two substantially orthogonally placed scanning windows for integration into a check-out counter of a super-market

Abstract

A multi-window scanner (10) and method (500) of operating multi-window scanner for imaging a target object (44) and auxiliary object (204) includes a housing (16) supporting a first window assembly (22) for scanning a target barcode (42). The scanner also comprises a first scanning system (34) having one of an imaging camera (208/209) and a laser light source (38) positioned within the housing defining a field of view for reading the target barcode upon the target object. The scanner further comprises a second window assembly for reading auxiliary data (206) from an auxiliary object (204) relating to one or more target objects being scanned and a second scanning system (202) positioned within the housing for imaging the auxiliary data from the auxiliary object through the second window assembly (28).

Claims

1. A multi-window scanner comprising:

a housing supporting a first window assembly for scanning a target barcode on a target object in which the target object is positioned in relation to the housing for reading the target barcode, the housing defining an interior region of the multi-window scanner;

a first scanning system comprising one of an imaging camera and a laser light source positioned within the housing interior region defining a field of view for reading the target barcode located on the target object;

a second window assembly for reading auxiliary data from an auxiliary object relating to one or more target objects being scanned; and

a second scanning system positioned within said housing interior region for imaging said auxiliary data from said auxiliary object through said second window assembly.

2. The multi-window scanner of claim 1 wherein said first scanning system comprises said imaging camera and said second scanning system comprises a splitter mirror for dividing a field of view from said camera into first and second fields of view, said first field of view for scanning said target barcode on said target object and said second field of view for scanning said auxiliary data on said auxiliary object.

3. The multi-window scanner of claim 1 wherein said first scanning system comprises said laser light source for scanning said target barcode on said target object and said second scanning system comprises an imaging camera dedicated to imaging said auxiliary data on said auxiliary object.

4. The multi-window scanner of claim 2 wherein said second scanning system further comprises an illumination source for illuminating said auxiliary object during the imaging of the auxiliary data.

5. The multi-window scanner of claim 4 wherein said illumination source is positioned on a printed circuit board supporting said imaging camera within said interior region of said housing.

6. The multi-window scanner of claim 5 wherein said illumination source utilizes said splitter mirror for projecting illumination from the interior region out through said second window assembly.

7. The multi-window scanner of claim 4 wherein said illumination source is positioned in-line with said second window assembly.

8. The multi-window scanner of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a first side locating said first window assembly, the first window assembly comprising one substantially vertically oriented transparent window and one substantially horizontally oriented transparent window.

9. The multi-window scanner of claim 8 wherein said housing further comprises a second side opposite said first side, the second side locating said second window assembly, the second window assembly comprising a substantially vertically oriented transparent window.

10. The multi-window scanner of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary data found on said auxiliary object comprises discount information in the form of one or more coupons relating to one or more target objects being scanned.

11. The multi-window scanner of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary data found on said auxiliary object comprises consumer information in the form of a driver'"'"'s license or loyalty card.

12. A method of operating multi-window scanner for imaging a target object and auxiliary object comprising:

positioning a target barcode on a target object by locating the target object in relation to a first window assembly of a multi-window scanner;

scanning the target barcode on said target object with a first scanning system comprising one of an imaging camera and a laser light source positioned within a housing interior region of the multi-window scanner;

positioning auxiliary data from an auxiliary object relating to one or more target objects being scanned by locating the auxiliary object in relation to a second window assembly of the multi-window scanner; and

scanning the auxiliary data on said auxiliary object with a second scanning system positioned within said housing interior region for imaging said auxiliary data from said auxiliary object through said second window.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising positioning a splitter minor for dividing a field of view from said camera into first and second fields of view, said first field of view for scanning said target barcode on said target object and said second field of view for scanning said auxiliary data on said auxiliary object.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising utilizing in said first scanning system said laser light source for scanning said target barcode on said target object and utilizing in said second scanning system said imaging camera dedicated to imaging said auxiliary data on said auxiliary object.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising utilizing in said second scanning system an illumination source for illuminating said auxiliary object during the imaging of the auxiliary data.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising positioning said first window assembly in a first side of said housing, the first window assembly comprising one substantially vertically oriented transparent window and one substantially horizontally oriented transparent window and the method further comprising positioning said second window assembly in a second side of said housing, the second window assembly comprising a substantially vertically oriented transparent window.

17. A multi-window scanner having a customer interface comprising:

a housing supporting first window and second window assemblies, said first window assembly being located on a first side of said housing and said second window assembly being located on a second side of said housing opposite said first side;

said first window assembly comprising one substantially vertically oriented transparent window and one substantially horizontally oriented transparent window;

said second window assembly comprising a third window system;

a first scanning system comprising one of an imaging camera and a laser light source positioned within the housing interior region defining a first field of view through said first window assembly; and

a second scanning system positioned within said housing interior region defining a second field of view through said second window assembly.

18. The multi-window scanner having a customer interface of claim 17 wherein said first scanning system comprises said imaging camera and said second scanning system comprises a splitter mirror for dividing a field of view from said camera into said first and said second fields of view.

19. The multi-window scanner having a customer interface of claim 18 wherein said third window system further comprises one of a substantially horizontal transparent window and a substantially vertical transparent window.

20. The multi-window scanner having a customer interface of claim 17 wherein said housing includes an upper portion supporting said third window system, wherein said third window system further comprises a transparent window located on a top side of said upper portion of said housing and at least one transparent window located on a parametrical side of said upper portion of said housing.