Abstract: A method for operating a point-of-transaction system carried by a fixture to efficiently use areas of a store during periods of differing intensity of usage, by placing the fixture at a prescribed area of the store and configuring the point-of-transaction system with point-of-transaction terminal components for processing items to be purchased by customers during a period of relatively intense usage. During a period of relatively less intense usage, the fixture is reconfigured as a display stand by relocating at least some of said point-of-transaction components from the fixture, and overlying remaining point-of-transaction components of the fixture with a display surface. During intense usage periods the components are located on a shelf overlying the fixture. The reconfiguration includes repositioning the shelf together with the remaining components to a location beneath the display surface within the fixture.

Abstract: To reduce the size and weight of an optical scanner, the present invention provides a mirrorless beam scanning unit wherein the light emitter itself moves back and forth. In the preferred embodiments the light emitter is a visible light diode (VLD) mounted on the axis of a rotatable shaft. The VLD emits light in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. A lever arm attached to the shaft and an induction motor for moving the arm repeatedly rotate the shaft back and forth through a small rotational arc. The mirrorless scanner is mounted on a finger sized ring. This allows a user to wear the miniature optical scanner on a finger. A separate unit houses the other components of the scanning system, such as the analog signal processing circuitry, digitizer, decoder and any necessary interface to a data processing system. The separate unit can be worn on the user's belt or in a pocket, and a cable connects the separate unit to the ring mounted scanner.

Abstract: In bar code symbol scanning systems employing laser, optical and sensor components, a mirrorless scanner arrangement mounts one or more of these components on a drive for repetitive reciprocating movement either about an axis or in a plane to effect scanning.

Abstract: A nonvolatile electro-optical read-only memory includes a substrate on which is printed (or otherwise inscribed) a complex symbol or "label" with a high density two-dimensional symbology, a variable number of component symbols or "codewords" per row, and a variable number of rows. Codewords in alternating rows are selected from mutually exclusive subsets of a mark pattern such as a (17,4) mark pattern. The subsets are defined in terms of particular values of a discriminator function, which is illustrated as being a function of the widths of bars and spaces in a given codeword. In the illustrated embodiment, each subset includes 929 available codewords; that, plus a two-step method of decoding scanned data, permitting significant flexibility in defining mappings of human-readable symbol sets into codewords. The memory may be used in conjunction with a scanner and a suitable control system in a number of applications, e.g., robotic operations or automated microfilm searching.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bar code reader of the type including a scanner for generating a moving light beam directed toward a target and sweeping the bar code symbol to be read. A photodetector receives the reflected light from such symbol, and processing circuitry determines whether the signal received represents a valid symbol. The processing circuitry has adjustable gain, bandwidth, and digitizer threshold characteristics which are set during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A scanning head for reading bar code symbols includes a laser source producing a beam which is scanned across a symbol to be read by a moving mirror arrangement, and a photodetector responsive to light reflective from the symbol. The signal from the photodetector is digitized and decoded to recover bar code data. The scanning heads includes a keyboard for entering data, and a display from showing data, and an integrated circuit for data collection and/or data processing. A transmitter and receiver may be located in the scanning head for communication with a central computer, and a battery included in the heads as a power supply, so that the scanning head need not be connected by a cable to a terminal.

Abstract: To reduce the size and weight of an optical scanner, the present invention provides a mirrorless beam scanning unit. A flexible support structure, such as one or more strips of mylar, movably mounts the objective lens in front of the light emitter. The objective lens is laterally reciprocated in response to a motive force, for example as might be applied by a combination of a permanent magnet coupled to the objective lens and a fixedly mounted electromagnet driven by an alternating current signal. Reciprocation of the objective lens during emission of light by the light emitter causes the light to scan a surface, such as a surface bearing a bar code label.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of this invention facilitate operation of a bar code reader over a wider range of working angle and for a wider range of bar code densities. The invention includes improved optics and sensing elements. The optics and sensing elements and/or the associated circuitry are arranged to provide two channels of data derived form the scanned bar code. The two channels have differing resolutions. Analysis of the data from the two channels provides a single decoded result. As the working angle and density vary at least one of the resolutions will be appropriate for sensing all or most of the bar coded data. The data from the channel producing a valid result can be used, or if neither channel produces a valid result by itself, data from each channel can be analyzed and valid portions of the data from both channels combined to produce the single decoded result.

Abstract: A record contains a graphic image and an information area which are interrelated to discourage misuse of the record. The information area can overlay the graphic image and include information encoded in a error-correctable, machine-readable format which allows recovery of the information despite distortion due to the underlying graphic image. The record may also represent the image by words similar in form to words in the information area. Both the information and graphic words can then be altered when an action regarding the record takes place.

Abstract: A method of entering a hand-marked response into a system by altering a predetermined modified bar code symbol in a manner so that the bar code is rendered readable. In this manner, bar code reading devices can be utilized to detect the hand-marked response. In an alternative embodiment, one of several potential responses may be marked and rendered non-decodable. A bar code reading device determines which of the several responses has been hand-marked by ascertaining which is non-decodable. Marking the response sheets may be aided by using an opaque template sheet or using a pressure sensitive overlay sheet.

Abstract: In bar code symbol scanning systems employing laser, optical and sensor components a superstructure mounted on a housing and having a movable exit port to adapt the housing to steer a laser beam through the exit port to a particular course. Both right and left handed users are thereby accommodated.

Abstract: The visibility of a laser beam emitted by a laser diode in a scanner is enhanced to facilitate aiming the laser beam at a symbol to be read. An aperture stop in an optical train has an increased dimension along a non-scan direction. The magnification of a focusing lens in the optical train is increased. Laser diode astigmatism is affirmatively used to enhance visibility. What results is an aiming spot (or aiming scan line) at a farther plane (d6) that is more visible to the user than the scanning spot at a closer plane (d3), at which closer plane the scanner is able to read a bar code.

Abstract: A nonvolatile electro-optical read-only memory includes a substrate on which is printed (or otherwise inscribed) a complex symbol or "label" with a high density two-dimensional symbology, a variable number of component symbols or "codewords" per row, and a variable number of rows. Codewords in alternating rows are selected from mutually exclusive subsets of a mark pattern such as a (17,4) mark pattern. The subsets are defined in terms of particular values of a discriminator function, which is illustrated as being a function of the widths of bars and spaces in a given codeword. In the illustrated embodiment, each subset includes 929 available codewords; that, plus a two-step method of decoding scanned data, permitting significant flexibility in defining mappings of human-readable symbol sets into codewords. The memory may be used in conjunction with a scanner and a suitable control system in a number of applications, e.g., robotic operations or automated microfilm searching.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of this invention facilitate operation of a bar code reader over a wider range of working angle and for a wider range of bar code densities. The invention includes improved optics and sensing elements. The optics and sensing elements and/or the associated circuitry are arranged to provide two channels of data derived form the scanned bar code. The two channels have differing resolutions. Analysis of the data from the two channels provides a single decoded result. As the working angle and density vary at least one of the resolutions will be appropriate for sensing all or most of the bar coded data. The data from the channel producing a valid result can be used, or if neither channel produces a valid result by itself, data from each channel can be analyzed and valid portions of the data from both channels combined to produce the single decoded result.

Abstract: A bar code scanner which is responsive to the movement of the scanner to activate its light source. The scanner includes a motor having a moving member which is set in motion when the scanner is displaced from a rest position. The moving member generates a voltage in a coil, which activates the operation of the bar code scanner.

Abstract: A scanning head for reading bar code symbols includes a laser source producing a beam which is scanned across a symbol to be read by a moving mirror arrangement, and a photodetector responsive to light reflected from the symbol. The signal from the photodetector is digitized and decoded to recover bar code data. The scanning head includes a keyboard for entering data, and a display from showing data, and a microprocessor in the head controls the operations of the various components. A transmitter and receiver may be located in the scanning head for communication with a central computer, and a battery included in the head as a power supply, so that the scanning head need not be connected by a cable to a terminal.

Abstract: In bar code symbol scanning systems employing laser, optical and sensor components, a mirrorless scanner arrangement mounts one or more of these components on a drive for repetitive reciprocating movement either about an axis or in a plane to effect scanning.