Patent · US Expired

Optical scanner

US4789775A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
14References
1Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 20, 1986
Grant dateDec 6, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 20, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06K2207/1018
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An optical reader control system includes a source of radiant energy mounted above a checkout counter and detecting means mounted adjacent an aperture in the supporting surface of the counter receives the radiant energy to control the operation of the optical reader mounted within the counter for projecting scanning beams through the aperture. One embodiment of the detecting means includes a pair of photodetectors mounted in the supporting surface of the counter on both sides of the aperture for turning the optical reader on and off. A second embodiment includes a single photodetector mounted in the supporting surface upstream of the aperture for turning on the optical reader and a timer operable upon the positioning of a merchandise item over the photodetector for turning off the optical reader after the expiration of a predetermined time period.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.