Zero-footprint camera-based point-of-sale bar code presentation scanning system

An optical scanning station, comprising:

• a first light source for projecting an incident beam of light onto a surface across which items to be scanned are passed so as to illuminate coded symbology on the items;
• an optical assembly having an optical lens for focusing light reflected from the symbology;
• a two-dimensional imager for sensing and capturing the focused light to obtain an image of the symbology during a scanning mode of operation;
• and
• a second light source for projecting a plurality of patterns onto the surface for display at different times, including a human-readable instruction visible on the surface for prompting a user to place an item to be scanned within the incident beam of light during the scanning mode, and an aiming pattern having visible markings within the incident beam of light for assisting the user in positioning the item at a desired orientation within the incident beam of light during the scanning mode.

In a bar code scanning system for use in scanning bar coded symbology on items for purchase in a retail environment including a scanning station, a checkout stand having a surface across which the items are passed by an operator, and a receiving station in communication with the scanning station, the scanning station being mounted above the surface,

• the scanning station comprising:
• a first light source for projecting an incident beam of light onto the surface so as to illuminate coded symbology on the items passed through the incident light beam;
• an optical assembly having an optical lens for focusing light reflected from the symbology;
• a two-dimensional imager for sensing and capturing the focused light to obtain an image of the symbology during a scanning mode of operation;
• a decoder for converting the symbology image into a signal that is representative of data encoded in the symbology;
• a transmitter for transmitting the signal from the scanning station;
• and
• a second light source for projecting a plurality of visible patterns onto the surface at different times, including an aiming pattern comprising a target visible within the incident beam of light for indicating to a user where on the surface an item to be purchased should be placed during the scanning mode, and a human-readable pattern visible on the surface for prompting the user to place the item within the incident beam of light;
• and
• the receiving station comprising:
• a receiver for receiving the signal sent by the transmitter;
• a microprocessor for processing the received signal;
• a computer memory for storing the processed signal;
• a display screen for displaying information related to the signal;
• and
• an input device.

A method of purchasing items in a retail environment, comprising the steps of:

• projecting an incident beam of light from a light source in a scanning station in a direction generally perpendicular to a surface of a checkout stand onto optical-code symbology on an item to be purchased;
• focusing light reflected from the symbology;
• sensing and capturing the focused light over a field of view to obtain an image of the symbology during a scanning mode of operation, the beam of light, when incident on the surface, producing an illumination spot sized and shaped to cover an area generally coincident with the field of view such that an image of substantially everything illuminated by the spot will be captured and imaged;
• converting the symbology image into a signal that is representative of data encoded in the symbology;
• transmitting the signal from the scanning station to a receiving station;
• receiving the transmitted signal at the receiving station;
• displaying information related to the captured signal on a display associated with the receiving station;
• and
• displaying indicia on the surface to prompt a user where to place a payment card during a payment mode of operation, the illumination spot having a well-defined outer boundary in which the user places the item during the scanning mode, and the payment card during the payment mode.

A method of processing transactions, comprising the steps of:

• illuminating a portion of a surface over which items to be transacted are passed by projecting an incident beam of light onto the surface;
• projecting a target pattern having markings visible within the incident beam of light, from a scanning station onto the surface during a scanning mode of operation for indicating to a user a target area on the surface where an item should be placed;
• focusing light reflected from symbology on the item placed by the user within the target area;
• sensing and capturing the focused light to obtain an image of the symbology;
• converting the symbology image into a signal that is representative of data encoded in the symbology;
• transmitting the signal from the scanning station to a receiving station;
• receiving the transmitted signal at the receiving station;
• displaying information related to the captured signal on a display;
• and
• projecting a human-readable visible pattern onto the surface during a different mode of operation to prompt the user to complete a transaction for the item.