Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of remotely sensing the fill level of liquefied gas within containers. There are many gas types which are compressed into liquid form to fit into many sizes of cylinders for many purposes. Principal gas types are nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon, hydrogen, helium, and acetylene. More specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus and method of remotely determining the remaining liquefied gas which is present in the cylinder and reporting it through an internet website or messaging system to the business responsible for keeping the cylinder filled. The chief benefit of the system is to eliminate two situations; 1) a replacement tank is dispatched when none is needed, and 2) the user of the tank, i.e. a restaurant, runs out of gas and there is no replacement gas available for some time. Both situations cause customer aggravation or increased costs.

Abstract: A feedback device 1 including an interface 2 for receiving a first signal 3 from a point of sale console 4. A processor 5 is responsive to signal 3 for selectively defining a second signal, in the form of an inaudible ultrasonic transmission 6. An output, in the form of an ultrasonic transducer 7, is responsive to processor 5 for propagating transmission 6 to provide only in a predetermined spatially defined transmission zone 8 an audible signal 9 indicative of signal 3. Signal 9 is substantially inaudible outside of zone 8.

Abstract: A self-checkout system 1 includes a console 2 for interacting with a user, in the form of consumer 3. This consumer 3 is located within a spatially defined control zone 4 during such interaction. An interface 5 is responsive to console 2 for receiving a first signal 6 indicative of an audible representation 7. A processor 8 is responsive to the signal 6 for selectively defining a second signal, in the form of ultrasonic transmission 9. An output, in the form of an ultrasonic transducer 10, is responsive to processor 8 for propagating transmission 9 to provide only in the control zone 4 audible representation 7. Representation 7 is substantially inaudible outside of zone 4.

Abstract: A checkout device with a barcode reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. The checkout device includes a barcode reader having substantially horizontal and vertical apertures for reading barcode labels on products, and a security label sensing and deactivation system for deactivating security labels on the products including a coil below the horizontal aperture. The security label sensing and deactivation system has a first range of operation which is increased by the EAS system by increasing field strength of the coil, or by adding a second coil adjacent the vertical aperture. An audible or visible signaling device notifies an operator that the barcode labels have been read and that the security labels have been deactivated.

Abstract: A checkout device with a barcode reader, scale, and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. The checkout device includes a scale assembly including a base portion and a weigh scale over the base portion. The weigh plate includes an aperture. A barcode reader is between the base portion and the weight scale and reads a barcode through the aperture in the weigh plate. A security label deactivation system is between the base portion and the weigh plate.

Abstract: A produce texture data collecting apparatus and method which illuminates a produce item from different directions. The apparatus includes a first light for illuminating a produce item from a first direction, a second light for illuminating the produce item from a second direction, an image capture device for capturing an image of the produce item while the produce item is being illuminated by the first and second lights.

Abstract: A checkout device with a barcode reader, scale, and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. The checkout device includes a scale assembly including a base portion and a weigh scale over the base portion. The weigh plate includes an aperture. A barcode reader is between the base portion and the weight scale and reads a barcode through the aperture in the weigh plate. A security label deactivation system is between the base portion and the weigh plate.

Abstract: An ambient light sensing apparatus and method for a produce data collector which minimize false triggering of produce data collection. The apparatus includes an image capture device which has a first receiving angle for incident light through an aperture in the produce data collector which is larger than a second receiving angle of a collector within the produce data collector which collects produce data.

Abstract: A triggering method for a produce recognition system which uses historical ambient light level readings. The method includes the steps of obtaining first ambient light levels from an ambient light sensor of the produce data collector with a data collection aperture covered, obtaining second ambient light levels from the ambient light sensor with the data collection aperture uncovered, determining a threshold ambient light level from the first ambient light levels and a difference between the first and second ambient light levels, obtaining a third ambient light level from the ambient light sensor with a produce item adjacent the data collection aperture, comparing the third ambient light level to the threshold ambient light level, and capturing data associated with the produce item if the third ambient light level is less than the threshold ambient light level.

Abstract: An item checkout device which combines a produce data collector with an optical bar code data collector. The item checkout device includes a housing, a bar code data collector within the housing, and a produce data collector within the housing.

Abstract: An ambient light blocking apparatus which minimizes contamination of produce data collector readings by ambient light. The apparatus preferably includes a tunnel member which may be located around a produce illumination window in the top surface of a scale weigh plate of an item checkout device containing the produce data collector, or around a produce illumination window in the produce data collector itself.

Abstract: A produce data collector and produce recognition system which illuminates a produce item with substantially uniform light to enhance the accuracy of collected produce data and subsequent identification of the produce item as part of a transaction in a transaction establishment. The produce data collector includes a light source for illuminating the produce item with substantially uniform light during the transaction, a light separating element for splitting light collected from the produce item into a plurality of different light portions having different wavelengths, a detector for converting energy in the plurality of light portions into a plurality of electrical signals, and control circuitry which digitizes the plurality of electrical signals to produce a digital spectrum from the produce item which contains information to identify the produce item for the purpose of determining its unit price.

Abstract: A produce data collector and produce recognition system which illuminates a produce item with substantially uniform light to enhance the accuracy of collected produce data and subsequent identification of the produce item as part of a transaction in a transaction establishment. The produce data collector includes a light source for illuminating the produce item with substantially uniform light during the transaction, a light separating element for splitting light collected from the produce item into a plurality of different light portions having different wavelengths, a detector for converting energy in the plurality of light portions into a plurality of electrical signals, and control circuitry which digitizes the plurality of electrical signals to produce a digital spectrum from the produce item which contains information to identify the produce item for the purpose of determining its unit price.

Abstract: A produce data collector and produce recognition system which illuminates a produce item with substantially uniform light to enhance the accuracy of collected produce data and subsequent identification of the produce item as part of a transaction in a transaction establishment. The produce data collector includes a light source for illuminating the produce item with substantially uniform light during the transaction, a light separating element for splitting light collected from the produce item into a plurality of different light portions having different wavelengths, a detector for converting energy in the plurality of light portions into a plurality of electrical signals, and control circuitry which digitizes the plurality of electrical signals to produce a digital spectrum from the produce item which contains information to identify the produce item for the purpose of determining its unit price.

Abstract: A transaction processing system which includes a produce recognition server for identifying produce items. The produce recognition system further includes a checkout system including a transaction processing terminal, a bar code reader which sends item identification information associated with bar-coded items and with the produce items to the transaction processing terminal, a produce data collector coupled to the bar code reader, and a computer coupled between the bar code reader and the produce recognition server for relaying produce data to the produce recognition server and produce identification information to the bar code reader.

Abstract: An item checkout device which combines a produce data collector with an optical bar code data collector. The item checkout device includes a housing, a bar code data collector within the housing, and a produce data collector within the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing different attenuation windows within an optical scanner which adjusts the power level of a laser to a maximum safe power level. The apparatus includes an attenuation sensor which senses the amount of attenuation of the laser beam by a first attenuation window, and a laser power adjuster which changes the laser power level to an optimal but safe level based upon the sensed amount of attenuation of the laser beam. The apparatus may also include a detection circuit having a threshold detection level which is capable of being adjusted based upon the laser power level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing the volume level of a tone generator associated with a keyboard in which the tone generator will output a click tone when each key on the keyboard is actuated. In establishing the volume level of a click tone, the keyboard is put into a volume setting mode by the actuation of two key members of the keyboard. The subsequent actuation of each key member will produce a different volume level of the click tone. The actuating of a key member results in the storing of a count in a storage member. The storage member is then downcounted until it reaches zero. Upon reaching the count of zero, processing means generates a pulse train in which the pulse width is determined by the time it takes for the storage member to count down to zero.

Abstract: A method for polling a plurality of remote processing units includes establishing a table of active and inactive remote processing units, sequentially polling each of the active processing units, at the conclusion of polling the active processing units, polling an inactive processing unit after which all of the active processing units are again polled. This sequence is repeated until all the active and inactive processing units have been polled. If in polling a processing unit, a response to the poll message indicates a change of status of the polled processing unit has occurred, the table is accordingly updated to reflect the current status of the processing unit.