Automatic package label scanner
US4939355A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K7/10871
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A point of sale bar code scanner, such as a grocery store check-out label scanner, that is attendant-free and completely automated in providing a listing or a total pricing of a customer's selected items. At each automated check-out, the customer initiates the process, places items on a conveyor, which carries each item separately through a scanner. The scanner reads all sides of each package, including the bottom of the package, since the bar code label could be located on any surface. Serial conveyors are used, and gates preferably control the advancement of items onto a conveyor which will carry the item through the scanning area, such that only one item can be scanned at a time. The conveyor in the scanning area includes a series of belt strips through which an upwardly scanned beam can read the package bottom. Various methods and systems are disclosed for handling "no reads". The customer signifies termination of the process at the appropriate time. In the process the customer receives some sort of identification tag.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.