Method and apparatus for zeroing a weigh scale

A method implemented by a processor in an optical code scanner, the method comprising:

• receiving, by the processor of the optical code scanner, an indication to perform a zero function on a weigh scale integrated into the scanner and situated beneath a horizontal scan window of the scanner, wherein receiving further includes interrupting the processor based on a specific detected event;
• capturing, by the processor of the optical code scanner, images of a weigh plate of the weigh scale from an image capture device in response to the indication, wherein the image capture device is integrated into a vertical scan window of the scanner;
• analyzing, by the processor of the optical code scanner, a first captured image to determine whether any objects are touching the weigh plate, wherein the first captured image is of the horizontal scan window and captured from the vertical scan window;
• determining, by the processor of the optical code scanner, that an operator is present;
• alerting, by the processor, of the optical code scanner, the operator when an object is touching the horizontal scan window and the weigh plate to remove the object when the operator is present;
• and
• performing, by the processor of the optical code scanner, the zero function on the weigh scale when a second captured image shows no object is touching the horizontal scan window and the weigh plate after alerting the operator when the operator is present, and preventing a continuing received event that indicates that the zero function is needed when an operator is not present unless a determination is made that the object is not touching the horizontal scan window and the weigh plate based on a third captured image in which case the zero function is automatically and periodically processed without any operator input from the operator to maintain accuracy of the weigh plate, and processing the zero function when the operator is present only when image analysis of the horizontal scan window and the weigh plate indicate no object is touching the horizontal scan window and the weigh plate.

An optical code scanner comprising:

• the optical code scanner includes:
• a weigh scale adapted to determine the weight of an object placed on a weigh plate of the weigh scale, wherein the weigh scale is integrated into the scanner and situated beneath a horizontal scan window of the scanner;
• an image capture device adapted to capture images of the weigh plate and other images of items presented for scanning, wherein the image capture device is integrated into a vertical scan window of the scanner;
• a memory that stores computer instructions and the images;
• and
• a processor in communication with the weigh scale, the image capture device and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer instructions to:
• generate interrupts to the processor based on specific events;
• receive an indication to perform a zero function on the weigh scale;
• capture an image of the horizontal scan window from the image capture device of the vertical scan window and the weigh plate from the image capture device in response to receiving the indication;
• analyze a captured image of the horizontal scan window and the weigh plate to determine whether any other object or any of the items is resting on the horizontal scan window and the weigh plate;
• determine that an operator is present;
• alert the operator when one of the other objects or one of the items is touching the horizontal scan window and the weigh plate to remove the one other object or the one item when the operator is determined to be present;
• and
• perform the zero function on the weigh scale when the captured image shows none of the other objects and none of the items are touching the horizontal scan window and the weigh plate after alerting the operator when the operator is present and prevent a continuing received event that indicates that the zero function is needed from processing the zero function when an operator is not present unless a determination is made subsequent images of the horizontal scan window and weigh plate indicate that the other objects and the items are not touching the weigh plate in which case the zero function is automatically and periodically processed without any operator input from the operator to maintain accuracy of the weigh plate, and only processing the zero function when the operator is present when the other objects and the items are determined through image analysis to not be touching the horizontal scan window and the weigh plate.