US 11,961,062 B2 · Methods and apparatuses to indicate off-platter weigh conditions

Abstract

Example methods and apparatuses to indicate off-platter weigh conditions are disclosed herein. An example barcode reading and weighing apparatus includes a weigh platter; a scale; an off-platter detection assembly configured to detect an off-platter weigh condition; a processor in communication with the scale and the off-platter detection assembly; and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the barcode reading and weighing apparatus to, responsive to detecting the off platter condition: compose a weight-conveying message, the weight-conveying message including (i) a weight-conveying field having the weight encoded therein and (ii) overhead information, the overhead information being operative, when the weight-conveying message is received by a POS system, to cause the POS system to not accept the weight for the transaction, the overhead information also not indicating the off-platter weigh condition to the POS system; and send the weight-conveying message to the POS system.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A barcode reading and weighing apparatus operable to communicate, via a previously defined protocol, with a point-of-sale (POS) system that is operable to execute a transaction associated with a purchase of an item, the apparatus comprising:

a weigh platter;
a scale configured to measure a weight of the item on the weigh platter;
an off-platter detection assembly configured to detect a portion of the item resting on a surface off the weigh platter resulting in a detection of an off-platter weigh condition;
a communication interface configured to communicate with the POS system;
a processor in communication with the scale, the off-platter detection assembly, and the communication interface;
and
a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the barcode reading and weighing apparatus to, responsive to detecting the off platter condition:
compose a weight-conveying message, the weight-conveying message including (i) a weight-conveying field having the weight encoded therein and (ii) overhead information, the overhead information being operative, when the weight-conveying message is received by the POS system, to cause the POS system to not accept the weight for the transaction, the overhead information also not indicating the off-platter weigh condition to the POS system;
and
send the weight-conveying message to the POS system via the communication interface.

7 more elements

A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause a barcode reading and weighing apparatus to:

determine a weight of an item on a weigh platter of the barcode reading and weighing apparatus;
detect whether a portion of the item is resting on a surface off the weigh platter resulting in a detection of an off-platter weigh condition;
and
when the off-platter weigh condition is detected:
compose a weight-conveying message, the weight-conveying message including (i) a weight-conveying field having the weight encoded therein and (ii) overhead information, the overhead information being operative, when the weight-conveying message is received by a point-of-sale (POS) system, to cause the POS system to not accept the weight for the transaction, the overhead information also not indicating the off-platter weigh condition to the POS system;
and
send the weight-conveying message to the POS system via a communication interface.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatuses to indicate off-platter weigh conditions

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatuses to indicate off-platter weigh conditions

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27