Ambient light blocking apparatus for a produce recognition system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for blocking light from entering a produce data collector comprising:
- a tunnel member mounted to a scale weigh plate located above the produce data collector and extending between the produce data collector and a produce item for providing a pathway for light from the produce data collector to illuminate the produce item, reflect from the produce item, and return to the produce data collector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ambient light blocking apparatus which minimizes contamination of produce data collector readings by ambient light. The apparatus preferably includes a tunnel member which may be located around a produce illumination window in the top surface of a scale weigh plate of an item checkout device containing the produce data collector, or around a produce illumination window in the produce data collector itself.
38 Citations
7 Claims
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1. An apparatus for blocking light from entering a produce data collector comprising:
a tunnel member mounted to a scale weigh plate located above the produce data collector and extending between the produce data collector and a produce item for providing a pathway for light from the produce data collector to illuminate the produce item, reflect from the produce item, and return to the produce data collector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A checkout system comprising:
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a produce data collector including a housing having a surface and a first aperture in the surface through which light passes for illuminating a produce item;
a scale weigh plate located above the produce data collector and including a second aperture in line with the first aperture; and
a tunnel member mounted to the scale weigh plate and having a first opening adjoining the second aperture and a second opening upon which a produce item is placed during operation, wherein the tunnel member provides a pathway for the light to illuminate the produce item, reflect from the produce item, and return to the produce data collector.
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7. A method of blocking ambient light from entering a produce data collector while the produce data collector is illuminating a produce item comprising the steps of:
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surrounding an aperture in a surface of a scale weigh plate over the produce data collector by one end of a tunnel member which conforms to a shape of the surface of the scale weigh plate;
mounting the tunnel member to the surface of the scale weigh plate;
engaging the produce item by another end of the tunnel member which conforms to a shape of the produce item; and
allowing only light from the produce data collector to illuminate the produce item, reflect from the produce item, and return to the produce data collector by the tunnel member.
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Specification