Hybrid optical code scanner user alert
AssigneeNCR Corporation
InventorDonald A. Collins, JR.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hybrid optical code scanner, system and method are presented for alerting a user when one or more events related to a handheld imaging scanner, undocked from the hybrid optical code scanner, occur. The events include moving the handheld imaging scanner beyond it communication range, keeping the handheld imaging scanner undocked beyond a predetermined period of time and activation of a switch on the handheld imaging scanner.
Claims20
1) A hybrid optical code scanner comprising:
- a housing;
- a speaker located in the housing where the speaker produces audible sounds;
- a laser scanner adapted to read optical codes presented to the hybrid optical code scanner for reading, where the laser scanner is located in the housing;
- an imaging scanner adapted to read optical codes, where the imaging scanner is removable from the housing and when the imaging scanner is docked to the housing, it reads optical codes presented to the hybrid optical code scanner for reading and when the imaging scanner is undocked from the housing, it is operated by hand and reads optical codes remote from the hybrid optical code scanner;
- and
- where an audible alarm is sent to the speaker when an event related to the imaging scanner being removed from the housing occurs.
9) A computer implemented method for alerting a user when one of a plurality of events occurs related to an imaging scanner undocked from a hybrid optical code scanner where the imaging scanner when docked with the hybrid optical code scanner is used by the hybrid optical code scanner to scan optical codes, the method comprising:
- detecting the imaging scanner has been undocked from the hybrid scanner;
- in response to detecting the imaging scanner has been undocked, determining one of the following conditions:
- whether wireless communications between the imaging scanner and the hybrid scanner has been lost, and
- whether the imaging scanner has been undocked for more than a first period of time;
- and
- wherein in the event one or more of the conditions occurs, generating an audible alert on a speaker located within the hybrid optical code scanner.
13) A point of sale terminal system comprising:
- a store computer server;
- a computer network connected to the store computer server;
- and
- a point of sale terminal in communication with the store computer server over the computer network, the point of sale terminal comprising:
- a hybrid optical code scanner comprising:
- a housing;
- a speaker located in the housing where the speaker produces audible sounds;
- a laser scanner adapted to read optical codes presented to the hybrid optical code scanner for reading by the laser scanner, where the laser scanner is located in the housing;
- an imaging scanner adapted to read optical codes, where the imaging scanner is removable from the housing and when the imaging scanner is docked to the housing, it reads optical codes presented to the hybrid optical code scanner for reading and when the imaging scanner is undocked from the housing, it is operated by hand and reads optical codes remote from the hybrid optical code scanner;
- and
- wherein an audible alarm is sent to the speaker when an event related to the imaging scanner being removed from the housing occurs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.