Methods and apparatus to indicate off-platter weigh conditions
AssigneeZebra Technologies Corporation
InventorsEdward Barkan, Darran Michael Handshaw
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for identifying off-platter weighing conditions in barcode reading and weighing systems. The system includes a weigh platter with a scale to measure item weight and an off-platter detection assembly to determine if a portion of the item extends off the platter. It features a communication interface to connect with a POS system and a processor that processes inputs from the platter and detection assembly. If an item is not fully on the platter, the system adjusts the weight reading to indicate this condition and communicates the modified weight to the POS system.
Claims20
A method of weighing an item with a barcode reading and weighing apparatus, the method comprising:
- determining a weight of an item with a weigh platter of the barcode reading and weighing apparatus;
- detecting whether a portion of the item is not resting on the weigh platter;
- identifying a weight priority associated with the item;
- when the weight priority is a first priority and the item is not wholly resting on the weigh platter, providing an indication that the item is not wholly resting on weigh platter;
- and
- when the weight priority is a second priority and the item is not wholly resting on the weigh platter, sending the weight measured by the barcode reading and weighing apparatus to a point-of-sale (POS) system.
A point-of-sale (POS) system, the POS system comprising:
- a communication interface configured to communicate with a barcode reading and weighing apparatus;
- a processor;
- and
- a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the POS system to
- receive from the barcode reading and weighing apparatus via the communication interface at least one of a first weight for an item or an off-platter indication that the item is not wholly resting on a weigh platter of the barcode reading and weighing apparatus,
- identify a weight priority for the item,
- when the weight priority is a first priority and the indication identifies that item is not wholly resting on the weigh platter, alert a user of the barcode reading and weighing apparatus via the communication interface to reposition and reweigh the item, and receive from the barcode reading and weighing apparatus via the communication interface a second weight for the item, and
- when the weight priority is a second priority and the item is not wholly resting on the weigh platter, to at least one of charge a customer for the item based on the first weight, or provide a notification that the item is not wholly resting on the weigh platter.
A method of weighing an item with a barcode reading and weighing apparatus, the method comprising:
- receiving from a barcode reading and weighing apparatus via a communication interface at least one of a first weight for an item or a first off-platter indication that the item is not wholly resting on a weigh platter of the barcode reading and weighing apparatus;
- identifying a weight priority for the item;
- when the weight priority is a first priority and the indication identifies that item is not wholly resting on the weigh platter, alerting a user of the barcode reading and weighing apparatus via the communication interface that the first weight was invalid, and accessing from the barcode reading and weighing apparatus via the communication interface a second weight for the item;
- and
- when the weight priority is a second priority and the item is not wholly resting on the weigh platter, at least one of charging a customer for the item based on the first weight or providing a second off-platter indication that the item is not wholly resting on the weigh platter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.