Abstract: A conveyor with narrow apertures enables barcode scanning devices to be mounted under the conveying surface so they may scan and read data from tags and labels located on the bottom surface of material being transported by the conveyor. Multiple apertures and scanning devices are oriented at different angles to each other to assure that at least one of the scanning devices has an optimal orientation to reliably read barcodes or labels which may be randomly oriented on the conveying surface.

Abstract: A barcode scanner window includes a transparent window pane having an electrically connecting loop laminated to the back side thereof. The loop extends around the perimeter of the pane and includes opposite ends to which electrical leads are joined.

Abstract: A produce recognition system and method which uses weighted rankings to increase the possibility that candidate identifications for a produce item will appear in the first-displayed screen of candidate identifications, rather than later screens accessed through operator scrolling.

Abstract: A spinner for a barcode scanner includes mirror facets arranged in a polygon about a rotary axis. A fairing extends radially outwardly from adjacent the facets, and is circumferentially truncated therearound for aerodynamically streamlining the spinner.

Abstract: A bioptical holographic laser scanning system employing a plurality of laser scanning stations about a holographic scanning disc having scanning facets with high and low elevation angle characteristics, as well as positive, negative and zero skew angle characteristics which strategically cooperate with groups of beam folding mirrors having optimized surface geometry characteristics. The system has an ultra-compact construction, ideally suited for space-constrained retail scanning environments, and generate a 3-D omnidirectional laser scanning pattern between the bottom and side scanning windows during system operation. The laser scanning pattern of the present invention comprises a complex of pairs of quasi-orthogonal laser scanning planes, which include a plurality of substantially-vertical laser scanning planes for reading bar code symbols having bar code elements (i.e.

Abstract: A circuit board stuffing process that includes providing a circuit board having bar codes positioned adjacent to component insertion locations and a trigger actuated bar code reader in connection with a computer system and wherein the assembly technician scans in the bar code for a particular component insertion location and the computer system displays information about the electronic component to be inserted including the part number and the storage location from which the electronic component should be retrieved.

Abstract: A method of reading information out of a two-dimensional code made up of a matrix of cells having a given optical pattern is provided. The two-dimensional code has location symbols used to locate the two-dimensional code and alignment symbols used to locate the cells. The method first calculates a central position of each of the alignment symbols in an image of the two-dimensional code using a predetermined positional relation to the location symbols and selects one of reference patterns which matches up with an optical pattern formed with a pixel lying at the calculated central position of the alignment symbol and surrounding pixels. The method specifies an actual central position of each of the alignment symbols in the image of the two-dimensional code using the matched reference pattern.

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: An optical reader which enables optical codes to be read on objects carried on a supporting plane which is provided with a conveyor for moving the objects along a feeding direction. The apparatus comprises a laser beam scanner, a data processing unit connected to the scanner, a first scanner for generating at least a first scan in a first scan plane, so as to measure the instantaneous distance of at least one point on the surface of each of said objects from the scanner, a second scanner for generating a plurality of second scans in a second scan plane, different from the first, so as to read the optical code on the object; and a data processing unit for adjusting the laser beam focal setting according to the distance measured with the first scan.

Abstract: A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal is herein. The self-service checkout terminal has a housing, a stationary scanner secured to the housing, and a hand-held scanner having a holder associated therewith. The hand-held scanner is movable relative to the housing. The method includes the step of detecting when the hand-held scanner is removed from the holder and generating a removed-from-holder control signal in response thereto. The method also includes the step of disabling the stationary scanner in response to generation of the removed-from-holder control signal. The method further includes the step of generating a first item-entered control signal when a first product code associated with a first item for purchase is read by the hand-held scanner. Moreover, the method includes the step of marking the first item for purchase so as to indicate that the first product code was read by the hand-held scanner.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated video camera system for capturing a plurality video images of a plurality of elements included in a videographic survey, each element having a unique identifying name associated with it. The camera system includes a digital data processor for executing program steps and a memory module in communication with the digital data processor for storing the program steps and for storing digital data fields relating to each of the plurality of elements. The memory module includes a separate data field for storing each of the identifying names of the plurality of elements. A plurality of barcodes, is associated with the plurality of elements, one barcode being associated with each of the plurality of elements. Each of the plurality of barcodes comprising a bar pattern representative of the identifying name of the element associated with the barcode.

Abstract: A bioptics bar code reader has first and second windows disposed at an angle to each other, a first imager for the first window and a second imager for the second window and first and second optics for directing light from a bar code in a reading area between the windows to the first and second imagers. The two imagers each obtain an image of the bar code in the reading area.

Abstract: A plurality of data collectors and/or a transceiver for transmitting data in a plurality of transmissions are actuated by independent, manual actuations of a triggering circuit, preferably comprising a plurality of trigger switches, or a single trigger switch having a plurality of trigger positions.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for permitting a user of a selective call receiver (31) to receive a certain number of personal messages and information service updates without paying a fee for such services in return for reading advertisements wirelessly transmitted to the selective call receiver. The user is allowed to read the advertisements at any time prior to receiving the personal messages and information service updates. The certain number is proportional to the number of advertisements read. The certain number can be increased by the user responding to questions within advertisements using reverse channel messaging capabilities of a selective call transceiver (32), or by using a conventional telephone (22).

Abstract: A reconfigurable checkout system which is suited for self-service and full-service operation. The system includes a first portion including a dual-aperture bar code scanner rotatably mounted within the first portion. The dual-aperture bar code scanner is rotatable between a full-service position and a self-service position. The system further includes a second portion coupled to the first portion containing a bagging area for use in full-service and self-service checkout operations.

Abstract: A fully automatic bar code symbol reading system comprising an automatic (i.e., triggerless) portable bar code symbol reading device with an omni-directional laser scanning engine mounted within the head portion of its hand-supportable housing, and an associated base unit positioned within the data transmission range thereof without a physical wiring connection thereto.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of exactly delivering a mail item and a method of processing the mail item depending on the delivery result. Conventionally, if mail information to be delivered to a recipient is erroneously written, the mail item is automatically sorted based on the erroneous information. Also, if the recipient is unknown, the mail item is manually sorted to return it to the sender. Thus, this conventional method has problems that it requires a lot of time in processing the mail item. In order to overcome these problems, the present invention allows a mail customer to write correct mail information into his/her mail item upon printing of a customer barcode, notifies information on the delivery process to the mail customer, effectively returns a return mail item and notifies information on the processing state to the mail customer.

Abstract: A multi-plane scanner having a dual plane scanner with a horizontal window and a vertical window and a load cell/weigh platter weighing apparatus such that the weigh platter itself is a dual plane object with vertical and horizontal sections. The size and orientation of the planes of the weigh platter correspond to the size and orientation of the scan windows of the dual plane scanner, and each plane of the weigh platter has a transparent area (typically central), or “platter window”, corresponding to a respective scan windows of the scanner for allowing transmission of scanned optical beams and optical barcode signals through each of the planes of the weigh platter. The platter is sufficiently rigid to permit accurate weighing whether the object being weighed is placed solely on the horizontal section of the platter or in part on the vertical section. The vertical and horizontal sections of the platter are sealed together to prevent passage of debris therebetween.

Abstract: An optical read is capable of reading a bar code in a mounted state when an article carrying the bar code passes and of reading bar codes set in an array format on a menu sheet in a hand-held state. The optical reader comprises a light source, a scanner that is driven by a drive and scans light emanating from the light source, a plurality of reflection mirrors that reflect scanning light scanned by the scanner and create a scanning pattern composed of a plurality of scan trajectories, a read window through which scanning light reflected from the reflection mirrors is emitted, and a light receiver for receiving light reflected from a mark. The optical reader further comprises a mode changer (or control unit) for changing a plurality of operation modes among which one or ones of the plurality of scan trajectories to be validated for reading are different.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus includes an optical scanning unit for emitting upward a scanning light beam to be used to optically read information on an article; and a supporting mechanism for supporting the optical scanning unit so that the optical scanning unit is maintained in a space over a surface of a counter in a state where a distance between the optical scanning unit and the surface of the counter is a predetermined length.