Abstract: An optical scanner having a balanced mirrored spinner. The optical scanner includes a laser for producing a laser beam, a mirrored spinner for directing the laser beam to produce scanning light beams, and an apparatus for rotating the mirrored spinner including a motor having a shaft which rotates about a first axis of rotation, a spinner mount coupled to the shaft and having an axle coupled to the mirrored spinner for rotating the mirrored spinner about a second axis of rotation, a drive mechanism for rotating the mirrored spinner about the axle, and a balance for counteracting precession of the mirrored spinner as it rotates.

Abstract: A checkout station comprises a deactivation system having an antenna for transmitting a signal to the security feature on a product passing over the checkout station to deactivate the security feature and a scale for weighing the product at the checkout station. A composite weigh plate is supported by the scale and includes a metal face plate configured to support the product thereon for weighing the product and a metal sub-frame configured to support the face plate. The face plate and the sub-frame each define a slit so that they do not form a closed electrically conductive loop. An electrically non-conductive bonding agent fixes the metal face plate to the metal sub-frame to maintain the structural integrity of the composite weigh plate in spite of the presence of the slits in the metal components.