Bioptical point of sale (POS) checkout system employing a retractable weigh platter support subsystem
First Claim
1. A POS-based checkout/scale system operably connected to a host computer system comprising:
- a system housing having a vertical housing section with a vertical scanning window and a horizontal housing section with a horizontal scanning window adjacent said vertical scanning window;
a bar code symbol reading subsystem disposed in said system housing, for projecting and collecting light through said vertical scanning window, so as to read bar code symbols on one or more objects within a scanning volume defined before said vertical scanning window, and producing symbol character data representative of each said read bar code symbol;
an electronic weigh scale subsystem including a weigh platter supported above said horizontal housing section by a pair of cantilever weigh scale arms operably connected to an electronic load cell module configured to weigh items placed on said weigh platter during a weigh mode of operation, and generating weigh data associated with the weight of said items;
a powered support mechanism for automatically supporting at least one of said pair of cantilever weigh scale arms and said weigh platter, so that a minimal load is experienced by said electronic load cell module during non-weighing operations including bar code symbol reading operations, supported at said POS-based checkout/scale system;
a plurality of pressure sensing devices mounted between said weigh platter and said cantilever weigh scale arms, for generating electrical signals indicative of pressure applied to said pressure sensing devices by items placed on or dragged over said weigh platter;
interface circuitry for receiving said electrical signals and generating digital signals corresponding to said electrical signals; and
a programmed processor for processing said digital signals and automatically detecting;
(i) non-weighing events; and
(ii) weighing events supported on said weigh platter of said POS-based checkout/scale system;
wherein during a first state of operation, said powered support mechanism automatically allows the cantilever weigh scale arms to bear the full weight of said weigh platter and any items supported thereon so that said electronic load cell module can accurately measure the weight of items on said weigh platter, and generate weigh data for transmission to said host computer system; and
wherein during a second state of operation, said powered support mechanism automatically prevents said electronic load cell module from experiencing the weight of items placed on said weigh platter during non-weighing operations including bar code symbol reading operations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A POS-based checkout/scale system including system housing having a vertical housing section with a vertical scanning window, and a horizontal housing section. An electronic weigh scale subsystem is integrated with the system housing, and has a weigh platter supported above the horizontal housing section by a pair of cantilever-type weigh scale arms operably connected to an electronic load cell module. During a first mode of operation a powered support mechanism allows the cantilever-type weigh scale arms to bear the full weight of the weigh platter and any items supported thereon so that the electronic load cell module can accurately measure the weight of items on the weigh platter, and generate weigh data for transmission to the host computer system. During a second mode of operation, the powered support mechanism automatically prevents the electronic load cell module from experiencing the weight of items placed on the weigh platter.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A POS-based checkout/scale system operably connected to a host computer system comprising:
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a system housing having a vertical housing section with a vertical scanning window and a horizontal housing section with a horizontal scanning window adjacent said vertical scanning window; a bar code symbol reading subsystem disposed in said system housing, for projecting and collecting light through said vertical scanning window, so as to read bar code symbols on one or more objects within a scanning volume defined before said vertical scanning window, and producing symbol character data representative of each said read bar code symbol; an electronic weigh scale subsystem including a weigh platter supported above said horizontal housing section by a pair of cantilever weigh scale arms operably connected to an electronic load cell module configured to weigh items placed on said weigh platter during a weigh mode of operation, and generating weigh data associated with the weight of said items; a powered support mechanism for automatically supporting at least one of said pair of cantilever weigh scale arms and said weigh platter, so that a minimal load is experienced by said electronic load cell module during non-weighing operations including bar code symbol reading operations, supported at said POS-based checkout/scale system; a plurality of pressure sensing devices mounted between said weigh platter and said cantilever weigh scale arms, for generating electrical signals indicative of pressure applied to said pressure sensing devices by items placed on or dragged over said weigh platter; interface circuitry for receiving said electrical signals and generating digital signals corresponding to said electrical signals; and a programmed processor for processing said digital signals and automatically detecting;
(i) non-weighing events; and
(ii) weighing events supported on said weigh platter of said POS-based checkout/scale system;wherein during a first state of operation, said powered support mechanism automatically allows the cantilever weigh scale arms to bear the full weight of said weigh platter and any items supported thereon so that said electronic load cell module can accurately measure the weight of items on said weigh platter, and generate weigh data for transmission to said host computer system; and wherein during a second state of operation, said powered support mechanism automatically prevents said electronic load cell module from experiencing the weight of items placed on said weigh platter during non-weighing operations including bar code symbol reading operations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system, comprising:
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a weigh platter; a symbol reading system for reading symbols on objects in a scanning volume above the weigh platter; a load cell module configured for; weighing items on the weigh platter; and generating data associated with the weight of items on the weigh platter; a lifting mechanism supporting the weigh platter; a pressure sensing device between the lifting mechanism and the weigh platter for generating signals in response to pressure applied to the weigh platter; and a processor configured for; processing the signals generated by the pressure sensing device to detect non-weighing events and weighing events; in response to the detection of a non-weighing event, activating the lifting mechanism to engage the weigh platter and support the weight of items on the weigh platter; and in response to the detection of a weighing event, deactivating the lifting mechanism to allow the load cell module to weigh the items on the weigh platter. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A system, comprising:
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a weigh platter; a symbol reading system for reading symbols on objects in a scanning volume above the weigh platter; a load cell module configured for; weighing items on the weigh platter; and generating data associated with the weight of items on the weigh platter; cantilever scale arms connected to the load cell module for supporting the weigh platter; a lifting mechanism supporting the cantilever scale arms; a pressure sensing device between the cantilever scale arms and the weigh platter for generating signals in response to pressure applied to the weigh platter; and a processor configured for; processing the signals generated by the pressure sensing device to detect non-weighing events and weighing events; in response to the detection of a non-weighing event, activating the lifting mechanism to engage the cantilever scale arms and support the weight of items on the weigh platter; and in response to the detection of a weighing event, deactivating the lifting mechanism to allow the load cell module to weigh the items on the weigh platter. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification