Multi-item scanning systems and methods of items for purchase in a retail environment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for simultaneously scanning readable media on multiple items for purchase in a retail establishment, comprising:
- a) A conveying device on which said items are conveyed; and
b) A multi-item scanning device positioned about said conveying device, said multi-item scanning device havingi) a housing positioned about said conveying device, said housing having an external surface and an internal surface positioned oppositely to said external surface; and
ii) multiple imaging devices attached to and about said internal surface of said housing of said multi-item scanning device for scanning said readable media on each said multiple item for purchase, said multiple imaging devices creating a 360°
field of view wherein all sides of said multiple items may be observed by the imaging devices and whereby said multi-item scanning device scans said scannable readable media of at least two said multiple items for purchase substantially simultaneously within said field of view, the multiple imaging devices further being configured and arranged such that substantially all of a volume encompassed by the housing is covered by the field of view, including a bottom surface of said items, wherein the multiple imaging devices are further configured and arranged to ensure redundant scanning of each item during a single pass through the housing such that after a first scan of each item, that item is scanned at least once more.
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Abstract
A system and method for scanning items for purchase in a retail environment is provided that has the ability to scan multiple items within its scan field of view simultaneously or nearly simultaneously in a multi-scanning type of configuration. In addition to the simultaneous scanning, the identity of each scanned item is discovered and then added to a running tally of items to be later purchased in a point of sale terminal.
60 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for simultaneously scanning readable media on multiple items for purchase in a retail establishment, comprising:
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a) A conveying device on which said items are conveyed; and b) A multi-item scanning device positioned about said conveying device, said multi-item scanning device having i) a housing positioned about said conveying device, said housing having an external surface and an internal surface positioned oppositely to said external surface; and ii) multiple imaging devices attached to and about said internal surface of said housing of said multi-item scanning device for scanning said readable media on each said multiple item for purchase, said multiple imaging devices creating a 360°
field of view wherein all sides of said multiple items may be observed by the imaging devices and whereby said multi-item scanning device scans said scannable readable media of at least two said multiple items for purchase substantially simultaneously within said field of view, the multiple imaging devices further being configured and arranged such that substantially all of a volume encompassed by the housing is covered by the field of view, including a bottom surface of said items, wherein the multiple imaging devices are further configured and arranged to ensure redundant scanning of each item during a single pass through the housing such that after a first scan of each item, that item is scanned at least once more. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of simultaneously scanning readable media on multiple items for purchase in a retail establishment using
a conveying device having a conveyor wherein a multi-item scanning device is attached to said conveying device, said multi-item scanning device having i) a housing positioned about said conveying device, said housing having an external surface and an internal surface positioned oppositely to said external surface; - and
ii) multiple imaging devices attached to and about said internal surface of said housing of said multi-item scanning device for scanning said readable media on each said multiple item for purchase, said multiple imaging devices creating at 360°
field of view wherein all sides of said multiple items may be observed by the imaging devices and whereby said multi-item scanning device scans said scannable readable media of at least two said multiple items for purchase substantially simultaneously within said field of view the multiple imaging devices further being configured and arranged such that substantially all of a volume encompassed by the housing is covered by the field of view, including a bottom surface of said items;the method comprising; conveying two or more items on said conveyor starting from a position upstream on said conveyor to a position downstream on said conveyor to said multi-item scanning device; scanning said readable media on said two or more items substantially simultaneously in said multi-item scanning device, within the field of view; and redundantly scanning each item at least a second time during a single pass through the housing such that after a first scan of each item, that item is scanned at least once more. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification