Abstract: System, methods, and computer program products are provided for surveillance, traffic monitoring, and red light enforcement. In one embodiment, the system may monitor zones of interest; capture, time stamp, and store images of the zones of interest; determine that an event has occurred within one of the zones of interest; and request the stored images of the zone of interest during the time the event occurred.

Abstract: System, methods, and computer program products are provided for surveillance, traffic monitoring, and red light enforcement. In one embodiment, the system may monitor zones of interest; capture, time stamp, and store images of the zones of interest; determine that an event has occurred within one of the zones of interest; and request the stored images of the zone of interest during the time the event occurred.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a device for detecting the range or the velocity or other state data for a target. According to various embodiments, the device includes a transmitter, a reflective surface, and a receiver. In various embodiments, the transmitter is configured to transmit laser pulses from the device towards a target thereby producing return laser pulses from the target. In particular embodiments, the reflective surface of the device is positioned to receive return laser pulses and is configured to reflect the return laser pulses from the target to a focal point. In various embodiments, the receiver is located at the focal point and is configured to detect the reflected laser pulses to generate a signal used to determine the target's range or velocity. The reflective surface can be used to replace a relatively heavy lens assembly normally mounted in the front of previous devices, thereby improving the balance of the device or reducing its weight.

Abstract: A self checkout system/terminal includes an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. The EAS system includes an EAS detector and an EAS deactivator. EAS tag detection is associated with a purchase transaction event, such as scanning or bagging of an item. After EAS tag detection, the customer is directed to deactivate the EAS tag. Some of the self-service checkout terminal (SCOT) operation/functionality may be paused during an EAS tag deactivation period. The subject EAS system and/or process eliminates the need to deactivate every item, thereby streamlining the self checkout process when EAS is used in a store.

Abstract: A checkout system and method is convertible between an assisted configuration or mode of operation and a non-assisted (self-assisted) configuration or mode of operation. The checkout system includes a checkout station having a movable scanner and a movable display each of which are selectively positionable to accommodate the assisted and non-assisted configurations. The checkout station also includes a customer bag well particularly for use by the customer when the checkout station is in a non-assisted mode of operation, a cashier bag well particularly for use by the cashier when the checkout station is in an assisted mode of operation, a merchandise placement or upload area, a payment module, and a walk through basket table, shelf or the like. A plurality of checkout stations is positioned or angled into a modified serial (staggered skew) configuration and are scalable.

Abstract: A checkout terminal includes a first bagging station and a second bagging station which is spaced apart from the first bagging station. The terminal also includes an item transport mechanism. The item transport mechanism is positionable between a first transport position and a second transport position. The item transport mechanism is configured to transport a first item for purchase of the number of items for purchase to the first bagging station when the item transport mechanism is positioned in the first transport position. The item transport mechanism is further configured to allow a second item for purchase of the number of items for purchase to be advanced to the second bagging station when the item transport mechanism is positioned in the second transport position. A method of operating a checkout terminal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a checkout terminal having a display monitor includes the step of operating the checkout terminal so as to perform an assisted checkout transaction while the display monitor is positioned in an assisted monitor position. The method also includes the step of pivoting the display monitor such that the display monitor is positioned in a self-service monitor position. Moreover, the method includes the step of operating the checkout terminal so as to perform a self-service checkout transaction while the display monitor is positioned in the self-service monitor position. A checkout terminal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a retail terminal having a core module assembly and a base assembly includes the steps of (i) securing a first mounting plate to a first mounting surface, (ii) securing a second mounting plate to a second mounting surface, (iii) attaching the base assembly to the first mounting plate, (iv) operating the core module assembly so as to perform retail functions for a first time period while (A) the base assembly is mounted to the first mounting plate, and (B) the core module assembly is secured to the base assembly, (v) detaching the base assembly from the first mounting plate after the first time period operating step, (vi) attaching the base assembly to the second mounting plate after the detaching step, and (vii) operating the core module assembly so as to perform retail functions for a second time period while (A) the base assembly is mounted to the second mounting plate, and (B) the core module assembly is secured to the base assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating a retail terminal having a core module assembly, a single-orientation base assembly, and a multiple-orientation base assembly includes the step of attaching the core module assembly to the single-orientation base assembly. The method also includes the step of operating the core module assembly so as to perform retail functions for a first time period while the core module assembly is secured to the single-orientation base assembly. The method further includes the step of detaching the core module assembly from the single-orientation base assembly after the first time period operating step. The method yet further includes the step of attaching the core module assembly to the multiple-orientation after the detaching step. The method also includes the step of operating the core module assembly so as to perform retail functions for a second time period while the core module assembly is secured to the multiple-orientation base assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating a retail terminal having a core module assembly, a first base assembly, and a second base assembly.

Abstract: A retail terminal includes a first base assembly and a first power supply which is mounted on the first base assembly. The retail terminal also includes a second base assembly and a second power supply which is mounted on the second base assembly. The retail terminal further includes a core module assembly for performing a point-of-sale retail function and a product demonstration retail function. When the core module assembly is performing the point-of-sale retail function, the core module assembly is secured to the first base assembly and electrically coupled to the first power supply. When the core module assembly is performing the product demonstration retail function, the core module assembly is secured to the second base assembly and electrically coupled to the second power supply.

Abstract: A retail terminal assembly includes a mounting structure having number of mounting slots defined therein. The retail terminal assembly also includes a first mounting plate which is secured to a first mounting surface, the first mounting plate having a number of first mounting tabs secured thereto. The retail terminal assembly also includes a second mounting plate which is secured to a second mounting surface, the second mounting plate having a number of second mounting tabs secured thereto. The retail terminal assembly yet further includes a core module assembly which operates to perform retail functions. The number of first mounting tabs are positioned within the number of mounting slots so as to secure the base assembly to the first mounting plate when the core module assembly operates to perform retail functions for a first time period.

Abstract: A retail terminal includes a first base assembly secured to a first mounting surface. The first mounting surface has a first mounting opening defined therein out of which a first electrical cable segment extends. The retail terminal also includes a second base assembly secured to a second mounting surface. The second mounting surface has a second mounting opening defined therein out of which a second electrical cable segment extends. The retail terminal further includes a core module assembly which operates to perform retail functions in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The core module assembly is electrically coupled to the first electrical cable segment and attached to the first base assembly when the core module assembly is operating in the first mode of operation. The core module assembly is electrically coupled to the second electrical cable segment and attached to the second base assembly when the core module assembly is operating in the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A self-service computer system which is sturdy and has a small footprint in a transaction establishment. The system includes a first module including a computer, a bar code reader coupled to the computer for reading bar codes on item purchased by a customer, a card reader coupled to the computer for reading a customer payment card, and a mount for the computer, bar code reader, and card reader; a second module below the first module including a receipt printer coupled to the computer for printing a customer receipt and a housing for the receipt printer; and a third module below the second module including a pedestal for supporting the first and second modules on a horizontal surface.

Abstract: A bar code scanner includes a window and a rotary spinner mounted therebelow having a plurality of circumferentially adjoining mirrored facets for sweeping light along a scanned arc. A light source projects a scan beam on the spinner, and a plurality of pattern mirrors are optically aligned with the spinner along the scanned arc in a forward path for diverting the scan beam outwardly through the window to a bar code for effecting a scattered beam therefrom. A collection mirror is optically aligned with the spinner along the scanned arc for receiving the scattered beam in a return path from the pattern mirrors and spinner in turn. A detector is optically aligned with the collection mirror for receiving the scattered beam, and a decoder is provided for decoding the scattered beam.

Abstract: An optical scanner for reading two-dimensional bar code labels. A rotating reflector directs a laser beam towards a plurality of pattern mirrors during a first mode of operation to produce a plurality of different scan lines forming a multi-line scan pattern for collecting light from an article having a one-dimensional bar code label, and directs the laser beam towards one of the pattern mirrors during a second mode of operation to produce a single scan line for collecting light from an article having a two-dimensional bar code label. A single tilted mirror assembly, having a motor for rotating a drive shaft and a mirror mounted at an angle to the drive shaft, reflects the plurality of different scan lines towards the article having the one-dimensional bar code label during the first mode of operation, and reflects the one scan line from the scan module towards the article having the two-dimensional bar code label during the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A multiple depth of field optical scanner employing a mirrored spinner which is rotated about a predetermined point between the geometric center and the periphery of the spinner. The rotation point is preferably located to provide the maximum variation in depth of field that will still allow a laser to continuously illuminate the spinner as it rotates. The spinner may be additionally rotated about its geometric center, if desired.

Abstract: A dynamic laser diode aperture for collimating light from a laser diode within an optical scanner which increases the power of the beam to a predetermined maximum. The optical scanner includes a motor having a hollow circular shaft through which the light passes. A lens member focuses the light, and the dynamic aperture, located within a cap member within an end of the motor shaft closest to the laser, collimates the focused light. The dynamic aperture approximates the shape of the unfocused light pattern from the laser diode. In the preferred embodiment, the dynamic aperture is generally rectangular in shape and rotates with the motor shaft.

Abstract: An automatic sensing and programming circuit for optical scanners which produces a diffuse volume of light substantially encompassing the scan volume of the scanner. A method for programming one optical scanner from another uses the circuit to emit a plurality of pulse trains which in combination represent a predetermined function or set of functions, each pulse train representing predetermined hexadecimal digit, and each pulse train including a predetermined number of binary pulses. A method of programming an optical scanner employs a plurality of tags which in combination represent a predetermined function or set of functions, each tag representing a predetermined hexadecimal digit encoded as bar code labels.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the reading ability of an omnidirectional optical scanner for various bar code label aspect ratios which can effectively double the angular coverage of an ordinary scan module. For high aspect ratio bar code labels, the method involves increasing the speed ratio between a first scanner motor within a scan module and a second scanner motor within a tilted mirror assembly by decreasing the speed of the second scanner motor by a predetermined amount. For other bar code labels, the method involves decreasing the speed ratio between the first scanner motor and the second scanner motor by increasing the speed of the second scanner motor by the predetermined amount. The method uses programming tags and speed control circuitry to change the speed of the second motor. The method also includes the steps of decreasing the swipe speed of articles having high aspect ratio bar code labels and increasing the swipe speed of other articles.