Abstract: An optical scanner includes a scanner housing including a scan window, a laser light source, reflected light detector and a mirrored polygon spinner. The spinner is arranged both to spin around an axis of rotation and to move so as to displace said axis of rotation.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a scanner housing including a scan window, a laser light source, reflected light detector and a mirrored polygon spinner. The spinner is arranged both to spin around an axis of rotation and to move so as to displace said axis of rotation.

Abstract: A checkout device with a barcode reading apparatus, scale, and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. The checkout device includes a scale including a base portion and a weigh plate over the base portion, a security label deactivation system between the base portion and the weigh plate, and a barcode reading apparatus including a first barcode reader adjacent the scale including a first aperture, and a second barcode reader between the base portion and the weigh plate including a second aperture. The weigh plate includes a third aperture over the second aperture.

Abstract: A checkout device with a barcode reading apparatus, scale, and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. The checkout device includes a scale including a base portion and a weigh plate over the base portion, a security label deactivation system between the base portion and the weigh plate, and a barcode reading apparatus including a first barcode reader adjacent the scale including a first aperture, and a second barcode reader between the base portion and the weigh plate including a second aperture. The weigh plate includes a third aperture over the second aperture.

Abstract: A produce data collector which includes a spectrometer which minimizes noise from scattered light and from wavelengths outside the operating range of the spectrometer. The produce data collector includes a light source for illuminating a produce item. The spectrometer obtains spectral information about the produce item in incoming reflected light from the produce item and includes a linear variable filter, a photodetector adjacent the linear variable filter, and an optical slit member above a primary surface of the linear variable filter which has a slit with a width sufficient to minimize scattering of the incoming light by interior surfaces of the linear variable filter. The produce data collector may additionally include a filter, such as an infrared filter.

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 modular bar code scanner and scale assembly which does not use wire cables to connect a bar code scanner to a scale. The assembly includes a bar code scanner including a first printed circuit board having a connector, and a scale including a second printed circuit board having a connector which directly couples to the connector of the first printed circuit board when the scanner is coupled to the scale.

Abstract: A convertible barcode scanner includes a housing in which are disposed a laser, spinner, and plurality of pattern mirrors optically aligned with the spinner for reflecting a beam from the laser to produce a first pattern of scan lines out a window at a first exit angle. A conversion mount adjustably supports a diverting one of the pattern mirrors in different tilt orientations for changing reflection angle thereon and correspondingly changing at least one of the scan lines from the first exit angle to a different exit angle.

Abstract: A weighing scale includes a housing having a top opening defined by a top flange. A weighing module is mounted inside the housing for measuring weight. A scale platform is disposed inside the top opening and rests atop the weighing module by gravity. A proximity sensor is mounted inside the housing adjacent to the platform for detecting proximity thereof, and is joined in communication with the weighing module. An elongate lift bar is pivotally mounted atop the platform for movement between a stowed position flush with the platform and a deployed position spaced in part upwardly above the platform for extending size of the platform and for permitting manual lifting of the platform away from the proximity sensor and return adjacent thereto for resetting the weighing module.

Abstract: A vertically mounted bar code scanner assembly which is an alternative to a scanner having integral mounting hardware. The assembly includes a modular scanner having a back surface and a front surface containing a scanning aperture which emits scanning light beams, a mounting bracket including a bottom wall which fastens to a substantially horizontal mounting surface and a vertical wall coupled to the bottom wall. The vertical wall of the mounting bracket couples to the back surface of the scanner, placing the scanning aperture in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A bar code scanner which is sealed against moisture and dust intrusion. The scanner includes a housing having a base portion and a lid portion. A mirror basket is located within the base portion. A seal between the lid portion and the base portion prevents dust and fluids from entering the mirror basket and the housing when the lid is secured to the base portion. A circuit board seal prevents dust and fluids from entering an aperture in the mirror basket through which a laser and a detector on the circuit board protrude.

Abstract: A universal mounting apparatus and method for bar code scanners which allows newer, smaller scanners to fit within the checkout counter apertures of larger scanners. The mounting apparatus includes a cover plate having a size large enough to cover the aperture. A scanner attaches to the cover plate and is suspended from the cover plate using additional mounting hardware.

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 laser diode alignment apparatus and method for an optical scanner which independently minimizes lateral and angular deviation of a laser beam from the scanner axis. The alignment apparatus includes a socket member and a plug member. The socket member includes a cylindrical wall portion, including a circular inner ridge having an inwardly facing spherical surface, and a base portion coupled to the cylindrical wall portion having a rearwardly facing spherical surface and a circular aperture therethrough. The plug member contains the laser diode and includes a cylindrical front end portion including a spherical front edge section, having the same curvature as the rearwardly facing spherical surface, and a spherical center portion coupled to the cylindrical front end portion having the same curvature as the inwardly facing spherical surface. The plug member has a beam origin point coinciding with the diode's combined center of rotation and pivot point.

Abstract: A self-contained optical scanning unit for use in a bar code scanner includes a motor driven hollow drive shaft through which is projected a laser light beam from a laser source positioned adjacent one end of the drive shaft. Mounted on the other end of the drive shaft is an optical transceiver which includes a deflecting portion which deflects the laser light beam outwardly towards a ring of mirrors which forms a scanning pattern for scanning a coded indicia and a collection portion which collects the reflected light beams from the coded indicia and directs the light beams at a detecting member. The collection portion of the transceiver is orientated obliquely across the spin axis of the drive shaft while the deflection portion is oriented obliquely to the spin axis and to the face of the collection portion. The detection member is located on the spin axis between the transceiver and the coded indicia.

Abstract: An optical scanning unit for scanning a bar code includes a plurality of rotatably mounted pattern forming mirrors which are rotated during a single revolution of a drive shaft to generate a plurality of successively larger scan patterns. Each of the mirrors includes a cam portion which is engaged by a roll member driven by a disk member which in turn is rotated by the drive shaft. Biasing members return the mirrors to their home position at the completion of one revolution of the drive member.

Abstract: A protective cover for electronical equipment such as a magnetic disk read-record unit includes a hinged cover element having sealing surfaces disposed on the edges thereof to prevent pollutants from being drawn into the electronic equipment, and also includes an actuator on the exterior of the cover which extends therethrough and cooperates with a mating element on the housing of the electronic equipment when said cover element is closed, to effect latching of the cover element in place and operation of the electronic equipment when said actuator is operated.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for selectively serially coupling a plurality of stations in a communications network into a single communications path. In the system of the invention, a plurality of tap boxes are serially coupled into the single communications path. Each station is coupled to a desired associated one of the tap boxes by way of an associated tap cable. When the tap cable is connected to a first portion of the tap box, a first impedance corresponding to the characteristic impedance of the single communications path is serially coupled into the single communications path to enable the station associated with the tap cable to be coupled to the single communications path by way of the first impedance. When the tap cable is connected to a second portion of the tap box, the first impedance is effectively removed from the single communications path and a test impedance is coupled to the tap cable to enable the station associated with the tap cable to test itself.