Commodity data reader

• US 5,195,613 A
• Filed: 06/03/1991
• Issued: 03/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Kohno, Mitunori
• Primary Examiner(s): Huppert, Michael S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lowe, Scott L.
• Application Number:
  US07/711,106
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 186/59, 186/60, 186/61, 186/66, 235/383
• US Class Current: 186/59
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 9/046 Arrangement of recording means in or on check-out counters record carriers or readers per se G06K
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10871 randomly oriented data-fields, code-marks therefore, e.g. concentric circles-code

Abstract

A commodity data reader comprises a bar-code scanner disposed near the edge of one of the longer sides of an elongated check-out counter on which baskets containing commodities are placed on the side of the operator with the scanning window thereof facing the customer. Commodities are passed for scanning across the scanning window before the customer'"'"'s eyes. Also, the check-out counter may be provided with a body support for supporting the operator in the belly, to thereby alleviate any fatigue which may be felt by the operator.

Claims

1. A commodity data reader comprising an elongated check-out counter on which baskets containing commodities are placed, the improvement comprising:

a bar-code scanner having a console provided with a scanning window on the front surface thereof facing the customer, and disposed near an edge of one of the longer sides of the check-out counter on the side of the operator;

displays for displaying data entered in the bar-code scanner respectively to the customer and the operator, and disposed in said console near the edge of the same longer side of the check-out counter;

a data input device for entering data other than those represented by bar-codes, disposed in a first stand integrally formed with said console near the edge of the same longer side of the check-out counter; and

a concave surface for temporarily keeping coins and commodities thereon disposed on one side of the bar-code scanner near the edge of one of the longer sides of the check-out counter on the side of the operator on a level below that of the upper surface of the console of the bar-code scanner.

2. The commodity data reader according to claim 1, further comprising:

a body support formed on an upper edge of said console on the side of the operator for supporting the operator, said body support having a recessed curvilinear contact surface to be in contact with the operator'"'"'s body.

3. The commodity data reader according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the display for the customer is disposed above the scanning window.

4. The commodity data reader according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the display for the operator is buried in the upper surface of the console of the bar-code scanner flush with the upper surface of the console.

5. The commodity data reader according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said stand containing the data input device is positioned on the check-out counter at a position upstream relative to the operator with respect to the direction of movement of commodities along the check-out counter and said stand is on a level below that of the upper surface of the console of the bar-code scanner.

6. The commodity data reader according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said stand containing the data input device is disposed on the check-out counter on the right-hand side of the operator.

7. The commodity data reader according to any one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising:

utensil storage compartments for storing check-out utensils formed in a respective back surface of said check-out counter on the side of the operator.