Convertible barcode reader

• US 8,672,225 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2012
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Collins, Donald, Barron, Peter, Detwiler, Paul, Hammer, Steven, Gregerson, Dave
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mikels, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US13/363,009
• Publication Number:
  US 20130193208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10821 further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 the scanning arrangement having a modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader

Abstract

A convertible barcode reader which includes different configurations for self-service operation and assisted-service operation. An example convertible barcode reader includes a first housing portion including a first barcode reader engine, and a second housing portion including a second barcode reader engine. The second housing portion is moveable between a first position recessed within the first housing portion and a second position extending from the first housing portion.

Claims

1. A convertible barcode reader comprising:

a first housing portion including a first barcode reader engine;

a second housing portion including a second barcode reader engine;

wherein the second housing portion is moveable between a first position recessed within the first housing portion and a second position extending from the first housing portion.

2. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the first barcode reader engine comprises an optical barcode scanner.

3. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the first barcode reader engine comprises an imaging barcode reader.

4. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the second barcode reader engine comprises an optical barcode scanner.

5. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the second barcode reader engine comprises an imaging barcode reader.

6. The barcode reader of claim 1, further comprising a scale including a weigh plate on the first housing portion containing an aperture.

7. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the second housing portion is coupled to the first housing portion at a hinge, and wherein the second housing portion rotates between the first and second positions about the hinge.

8. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the second housing portion moves linearly between the first and second positions.

9. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the barcode reader operates in a self-service mode of operation when the second housing portion is in the first position.

10. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the barcode reader operates in an assisted-service mode of operation when the second housing portion is in the second position.

11. A convertible barcode reader comprising:

a first housing portion including a first barcode reader engine, including a laser barcode scanner;

a scale in the first housing portion, including a weigh plate having an aperture through which scanning light beams from the optical barcode scanner pass;

a second housing portion including a second barcode reader engine;

wherein the second housing portion is moveable between a first position recessed within the first housing portion for a self-service mode of operation and a second position extending from the first housing portion for an assisted-service mode of operation.

12. The barcode reader of claim 11, wherein the second barcode reader engine comprises a portion of an optical barcode reader.

13. The barcode reader of claim 11, further comprising a button for initiating movement of the second housing portion.

14. The barcode reader of claim 13, wherein the button operates a latch.

15. The barcode reader of claim 13, wherein the button operates a motor.

16. The barcode reader of claim 11, further comprising a third barcode reader engine in the second housing portion, wherein the second and third barcode reader engines comprise first and second imaging barcode readers.

17. The barcode reader of claim 16, wherein the first housing portion further comprises an assisted-service end and a self-service end, and wherein the second housing portion further comprises a side facing the assisted-service end including a first face substantially facing a first direction towards the assisted-service end, a second face containing the first imaging barcode reader on one side of the first face substantially facing a second direction at a first angle towards the aperture, and a third face containing the second imaging barcode reader on another side of the first face substantially facing a third direction at a second angle towards the aperture.

18. The barcode reader of claim 11, wherein the second housing portion further comprises a top surface including a display.

19. A method of configuring a barcode reader comprising:

moving a second housing portion within a first housing portion from a raised second position for an assisted-service mode of operation to a recessed first position for a self-service mode of operation, wherein the first housing portion contains a first barcode reader engine which captures barcode information through an aperture in the first housing portion, and wherein the second housing portion contains a second barcode reader engine; and

enabling capturing of the barcode information using the second barcode reader engine through the aperture when the second housing portion is in the recessed first position.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

moving the second housing portion from the recessed first position for the self-service mode of operation to the raised second position for an assisted-service mode of operation.