Systems and methods for weigh scale perimeter monitoring scanner-scales

A method of reducing erroneous weighing of items on a scale at a checkout system, 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;
• over at least a portion of the light path, routing the light beam within a light pipe disposed in or on the weigh platter;
• detecting an interruption of the light beam due to an item overhanging an edge of the weigh platter.

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 and below a surface of the weigh platter for producing a light beam pointed upward at an angle within a gap between an edge of the weigh platter and either a checkout counter or a frame member of the housing;
• a detector disposed in or on the housing and positioned to receive and detect reflection of the light beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the weigh platter.

A method for reducing erroneous weighing of an item on a weigh platter of a scanner-scale, comprising the steps of

• projecting a plane of light upwardly and outwardly through a gap between an edge of the weigh platter and either a checkout counter or a frame member of the housing;
• detecting reflected light due to an item overhanging an edge of the weigh platter.

A method of monitoring data reader operator operation, wherein an operator passes an item through the read volume of a data reader and weighs an item on an associated scale by placing the item on a weigh platter of the scale, comprising the steps of

• detecting a potential off-scale condition pertaining to whether an item placed on the scale is encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the weigh platter;
• weighing the item placed on the weigh platter to obtain item weight data;
• providing for first and second courses of action, wherein the first course of action comprises delaying or preventing item weight data to be transmitted to a POS or host depending on whether a potential off-scale condition has been detected, and the second course of action comprises permitting item weight data to be transmitted to a POS or host regardless of whether a potential off-scale condition has been detected.