Abstract: A scanning device includes: an image sensor configured to capture at an indicia image of an indicia carried on a surface of the object and an object image of a different portion of the object, wherein the indicia encodes an identifier of the object; and a processor. The processor is to: interpret the indicia to decode the identifier of the object therefrom; in response to a successful decode, transmit the identifier to a store database server for the store database server to correlate the identifier to a price at which the object is to be sold and to respond with the price; in response to a failure to obtain the price based on the indicia, transmit the at least one image to an exception handling server for the exception handling server to respond with the price; receive the price; and visually present the price to enable selling the object.

Abstract: A scanning device includes: an image sensor configured to capture at an indicia image of an indicia carried on a surface of the object and an object image of a different portion of the object, wherein the indicia encodes an identifier of the object; and a processor. The processor is to: interpret the indicia to decode the identifier of the object therefrom; in response to a successful decode, transmit the identifier to a store database server for the store database server to correlate the identifier to a price at which the object is to be sold and to respond with the price; in response to a failure to obtain the price based on the indicia, transmit the at least one image to an exception handling server for the exception handling server to respond with the price; receive the price; and visually present the price to enable selling the object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exception handling in an automated machine-readable symbol reader system having a machine-readable symbol reader that captures machine-readable symbols within a view volume. One or more image capture devices obtain a plurality of images of an exception object in response to an exception generated in the view volume. A processor receives the images, identities visual object recognition features from each image, and compares the features to determine one or more descriptive measures indicative of a likelihood that an operator (e.g., store employee) will be able to identify the exception object by viewing the image. The processor displays at least one of the images (e.g., the most descriptive image) on a display device according to the descriptive measure so that an operator can rapidly identify the identity of the exception object and take steps to resolve the exception.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exception handling in an automated machine-readable symbol reader system having a machine-readable symbol reader that captures machine-readable symbols within a view volume. One or more image capture devices obtain a plurality of images of an exception object in response to an exception generated in the view volume. A processor receives the images, identities visual object recognition features from each image, and compares the features to determine one or more descriptive measures indicative of a likelihood that an operator (e.g., store employee) will be able to identify the exception object by viewing the image. The processor displays at least one of the images (e.g., the most descriptive image) on a display device according to the descriptive measure so that an operator can rapidly identify the identity of the exception object and take steps to resolve the exception.

Abstract: An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. In one configuration, a data reader such as a bar code scanner is equipped with an EAS deactivation module disposed behind the scanner surface preferably downstream and/or upstream of the scanner window. The system may be configured such that the EAS deactivation module is interchangeable from the right side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for left-to-right scanning motion) to the left side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for right-to-left scanning motion). In other configurations, the deactivation module may be disposed in the housing adjacent to the window and oriented longitudinally and parallel to the sweep direction of the item. The EAS deactivation modules have various configurations such as simple planar coils, a magnetically active core with coil windings, or two part L-shape construction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for operating a handheld data reader are disclosed, including a trigger mechanism in communication with a control unit of the data reader for activating different functions of the data reader in response to the application of different manual manipulation inputs to the trigger. In response to a first triggering manipulation, the trigger mechanism preferably generates a first signal; and in response to a second triggering manipulation, the trigger mechanism preferably generates a second signal distinguishable from the first signal by the control unit. The control unit may be responsive to receipt of the first signal to activate a first function of the data reader and responsive to receipt of the second signal to activate a second function of the data reader. Exemplary first and second trigger manipulations include push/pull, single-click/double-click, and high force/low force, among others.

Abstract: An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. In one configuration, a data reader such as a bar code scanner is equipped with an EAS deactivation module disposed behind the scanner surface preferably downstream and/or upstream of the scanner window. The system may be configured such that the EAS deactivation module is interchangeable from the right side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for left-to-right scanning motion) to the left side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for right-to-left scanning motion). In other configurations, the deactivation module may be disposed in the housing adjacent to the window and oriented longitudinally and parallel to the sweep direction of the item. The EAS deactivation modules have various configurations such as simple planar coils, a magnetically active core with coil windings, or two part L-shape construction.