Scanning system for either hand-held or stationary operation for reading 1-D or 2-D barcodes
AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.
InventorsPeter Wyatt, Raj Bridgelall, Joseph Katz, David Goren, Philip Swift
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Optical scanning of one and two-dimensional barcode symbols is carried out using a variety of ergonomic scanner embodiments which can each be used either in a hand-held mode or in a fixed-mode. In certain embodiments, hand-held scanners are described which can if required be easily positioned in a number of desired orientations on a work surface. Other embodiments disclose point-of-sale arrangements incorporating removable barcode scanners that can, where necessary, be removed from the point-of-sale unit and used by the checkout operator to scan a large or bulky item in a "point-and-shoot" mode.
Claims35
A point-of-sale unit, comprising:
- a fixed base unit;
- an optical scanner for reading indicia with a scan pattern, the scanner being arranged in a first mode for attachment to the base unit for hands-free operation, and in a second mode for removal from the base unit for portable operation unattached to the base unit;
- means for detecting which of the modes the scanner is in;
- and
- means for changing the scan pattern to an optimized pattern for the detected mode.
A scanner for electro-optically reading indicia with a scan pattern of light in a hand-held portable mode of operation, or in a fixed mode of operation in which the scanner is mounted on a stationary support, comprising:
- means for detecting which of the modes the scanner is in;
- and
- means for changing the scan pattern to an optimized pattern for the detected mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.