Combined data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system

A checkout device comprising:

• a scale assembly including a base portion and a weigh plate over the base portion;
• wherein the weigh plate includes an aperture;
• a barcode reader between the base portion and the weigh plate, the bar code reader reading a barcode affixed to an item through the aperture in the weigh plate;
• and
• a security label deactivation system between the base portion and the weigh plate which deactivates a security label affixed to the item after the barcode is read by the barcode reader, the security label deactivation system integrated within the scale assembly,
• wherein the security label deactivation system includes a magnetic coil assembly for sensing and deactivating the security label.

A checkout system comprising:

• a checkout device including
• a scale assembly including a base portion and a weigh plate over the base portion;
• wherein the weigh plate includes an aperture;
• a barcode reader between the base portion and the weigh plate, the barcode reader reading a barcode affixed to an item through the aperture in the weigh plate;
• and
• a security label deactivation system between the base portion and the weigh scale which deactivates a security label affixed to the item after the barcode is read by the barcode reader, the security label deactivation system integrated within the scale assembly;
• a transaction terminal.

A checkout method comprising the steps of:

• reading a barcode label on an item moving in a path, which crosses an aperture of a scale weigh plate by a barcode reader between the aperture and a scale base portion;
• sending a signal to an interface by the barcode reader;
• enabling a security label deactivation system between the scale weigh place and the scale base portion and in a downstream position from the barcode reader relative to the path of the item, the security label deactivation system integrated within the scale weigh plate and the scale base portion;
• detecting a security label on the item by the security label deactivation system as the item moves along the path and crosses the security label deactivation system;
• and
• deactivating the security label by the security label deactivation system.

A checkout method comprising the steps of:

• reading a barcode label on an item moving in a path, which crosses an aperture of a scale weigh plate by a barcode reader between the aperture and a scale base portion;
• sending a signal to an interface by the barcode reader;
• enabling a security label deactivation system between the scale weigh plate and the scale base portion and in a downstream position from the barcode reader relative to the path of the item, the security label deactivation system integrated within the scale weigh plate and the scale base portion;
• detecting a security label on the item by the security label deactivation system as the item moves along the path and crosses the security label deactivation system;
• and
• deactivating the security label by the security label deactivation system, wherein the detecting step comprises the substeps of:
• demagnetizing a magnetic material in the security label as it passes near a magnetic coil assembly in the security label deactivation system.