Method, apparatus and system for scanning an optical code

摘要

A method, apparatus and system are presented for improving a point of sale terminal by reducing the number of items a cashier must pick up and move for scanning during a purchase transaction. The point of sale terminal includes an optical code scanner that identifies an item by reading an optical code (barcode) affixed to or printed on the item. The scanner further includes a weigh scale that weighs items being scanned and a conveyor belt that moves the items across the scanner during the weighing and scanning operations. Moving the items using the conveyor belt reduces the number of items the cashier must pick up and move.

主权项

1. An optical code scanner comprising:
a base housing including
an item receiving side;an opposite side from the item receiving side;a top surface having a first aperture adjacent the item receiving side and containing an image capture device for capturing an image of an item from at least one direction, and a second aperture adjacent the opposite side and containing a scanner conveyor belt;an upper housing mounted adjacent to one side of the first aperture and extending vertically above the top surface; andanother image capture device disposed within the upper housing for capturing another image of the item from at least another direction different than the one direction; and wherein the scanner conveyor belt transports the item from the first aperture to the opposite side when the item overlaps the first and second apertures.