Systems and methods for weigh scale perimeter monitoring for scanner-scales
AssigneeDatalogic USA, Inc.
InventorsPatrick O'Donnell, Brett Howard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light source disposed in or on a housing of a scanner-scale for producing a light beam along an edge of the weigh platter, the light beam being modulated to contain a defined packet of data; a detector for receiving the data-modulated light beam, the detector being disposed in or on the housing; and a processor coupled with the detector for decoding the defined packet of data responsive to the detector receiving the data-modulated light beam. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.
Claims20
A system for reducing erroneous weighing of an item on a weigh platter of a scanner-scale, comprising:
- a light source disposed in or on a housing of the scanner-scale, the light source configured to produce a light beam along an edge of the weigh platter, the light beam being modulated to contain a defined packet of data;
- a detector disposed in or on the housing, the detector configured to receive the data-modulated light beam;
- and
- at least one processor coupled with the detector, the at least one processor configured to decode the defined packet of data responsive to the detector receiving the data-modulated light beam.
A method for reducing erroneous weighing of items on a scale at a checkout system, the method comprising the steps of:
- directing a light beam from a light source in a light path along at least one side edge of a weigh platter of the scale and to a detector, the light beam being modulated to contain a defined packet of data;
- and
- responsive to the detector receiving the data-modulated light beam, decoding, via a processor coupled with the detector, the defined packet of data.
A system for reducing erroneous weighing of an item on a weigh platter of a scanner-scale, the system comprising:
- a light source disposed in or on a housing of the scanner-scale, the light source configured to produce a light beam along a first edge of the weigh platter, the light beam being modulated to contain a defined packet of data;
- a detector configured to receive the data-modulated light beam, the detector being disposed in or on the housing;
- a light guide disposed in the weigh platter and configured to route the data-modulated light beam to the detector;
- and
- at least one processor configured to decode the defined packet of data upon the detector receiving the data-modulated light beam,
- wherein the detector further is configured to detect an interruption of the data-modulated light beam due to an item encroaching upon and/or overhanging an edge of the weigh platter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.