US 8,997,972 B2 · Systems and methods for transferring items over transition gap between conveyor sections of automated checkout system

Abstract

An automated checkout system for reading optical data, such as barcode labels, on a bottom surface of an item using a data reader. The automated checkout system includes a housing supporting a leading conveyor section and a trailing conveyor section separated by a gap. The housing movably supports a transition element positioned across the gap for helping items transition between the conveyor sections. The transition element is movable between a first position and a second position. A sensor is in communication with the transition element and is configured to sense the position of the transition element, where movement of the transition element from the first position to the second position activates the sensor. When activated, the sensor may send a signal to a terminal to display a warning message to a user. Alternatively, the sensor may send a signal to an automatic shut-off mechanism to stop operation of the conveyors.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An automated checkout system for reading encoded data on a bottom surface of an item, the automated checkout system comprising:

a housing;
a conveyor system operable to receive and transport the item bearing encoded data along a direction of motion and including a leading conveyor section and a trailing conveyor section separated by a gap;
a transition element assembly positioned across the gap, the assembly further comprising:
a base mount coupled to the housing, the base mount including an end cap carrier;
an elongated transition plate having an end cap with a slot, wherein a portion of the transition plate is inserted through the slot of the end cap to support the elongated transition plate, and wherein the end cap is movably coupled to the end cap carrier and is movable between a first position and a second position;
a trigger magnet carried by one or both of the end cap and the end cap carrier;
and
a sensor in communication with the trigger magnet, the trigger magnet configured to trigger the sensor in response to movement of the end cap from the first position to the second position.

5 more elements

An automated checkout system for reading encoded data on a bottom surface of an item, the automated checkout system comprising:

a housing;
a conveyor system operable to receive and transport the item bearing encoded data along a direction of motion and including a leading conveyor section and a trailing conveyor section separated by a gap;
a transition element disposed across at least a portion of the gap between the leading and trailing conveyor sections for helping the item transition between the leading conveyor and the trailing conveyor sections, the transition element movably supported on a support structure coupled to the housing, wherein the transition element is movable between a first position and a second position;
an adjustment mechanism coupled to the support structure, wherein actuation of the adjustment mechanism adjusts a position of the transition element relative to the support structure;
and
a sensor in communication with the transition element, wherein the sensor is triggered in response to movement of the transition element from the first position to the second position.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for transferring items over transition gap between conveyor sections of automated checkout system

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for transferring items over transition gap between conveyor sections of automated checkout system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18