Checkout counter scanner having multiple scanning surfaces
AssigneeSpectra-Physics Scanning Systems, Inc.
InventorJoseph F. Rando
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bar code scanning system such as for use in retail checkout in which the scanning system has a conveyor defining a first surface and a second surface disposed adjacent the first surface and arranged generally orthogonally thereto forming a scan volume therebetween; sets of pattern mirrors positioned adjacent the respective surfaces; and one or more laser beam sources associated with a rotating mirror polygon for producing scan patterns which are routed to the pattern mirrors and out through the respective surfaces into the scan volume.
Claims17
A bar code scanning system for scanning items being passed through a scan volume, comprising
- a conveyor for moving items through the scan volume, the conveyor defining a first surface;
- a second surface disposed adjacent the first surface and arranged generally orthogonally thereto;
- a first set of pattern mirrors positioned adjacent the first surface;
- a second set of pattern mirrors positioned adjacent the second surface;
- a mirror polygon for generating scanning beams to be passed through the first surface and the second surface;
- and
- a motor for rotating the mirror polygon,
- wherein scanning beams are passed through the conveyor for scanning a surface on an item in contact therewith.
A method of scanning items comprising the steps of:
- providing a conveyor defining a first surface;
- providing a second surface arranged generally orthogonally to the first surface and forming a scan volume therebetween;
- moving items through the scan volume on the conveyor;
- producing a plurality of scanning beams by reflecting laser light off a single multi-faceted mirror polygon located below the conveyor;
- directing some of the scanning beams off a first set of pattern mirrors and out the first surface through the conveyor and into the scan volume;
- directing some of the scanning beams off a second set of pattern mirrors and out the second surface and into the scan volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.