Ncr Corporation

At&t Global Information Solutions Company

Daniel B Seevers

Donald Alexander Collins, Jr

Jeffrey P Treptau

Yeming Gu

Stephen J Ames

Michael A Spencer

Scott Ballard Henry

Denis Michael Blanford

Rex A Aleshire

Hong Tang

Robert Joseph Tom

Duanfeng He

Donald J Girard

Gene R Mathes

Barry D Briggs

Jie Zhu

Wayne L Orwig

Don C Finfrock

John J Rohulich

Russell K Kelch

Techniques for calibrating measuring devices are provided. A universal serial bus (USB) drive is inserted into a USB port on a device of a checkout system. A key in the USB drive initiates a calibration sequence on one or more weighing devices (measuring devices) of the checkout system. Audit information is captured during the calibration and usage of the weighing devices. When a command is recognized to communicate the audit information, the audit information is audibly communicated from speakers associated with the checkout system.

Techniques for calibrating measuring devices

A feedback deviceincluding an interfacefor receiving a first signalfrom a point of sale console. A processoris responsive to signalfor selectively defining a second signal, in the form of an inaudible ultrasonic transmission. An output, in the form of an ultrasonic transducer, is responsive to processorfor propagating transmissionto provide only in a predetermined spatially defined transmission zonean audible signalindicative of signal. Signalis substantially inaudible outside of zone

Feedback device

A self-checkout systemincludes a consolefor interacting with a user, in the form of consumer. This consumeris located within a spatially defined control zoneduring such interaction. An interfaceis responsive to consolefor receiving a first signalindicative of an audible representation. A processoris responsive to the signalfor selectively defining a second signal, in the form of ultrasonic transmission. An output, in the form of an ultrasonic transducer, is responsive to processorfor propagating transmissionto provide only in the control zoneaudible representation. Representationis substantially inaudible outside of zone

Self-checkout system

A checkout device with a barcode reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. The checkout device includes a barcode reader having substantially horizontal and vertical apertures for reading barcode labels on products, and a security label sensing and deactivation system for deactivating security labels on the products including a coil below the horizontal aperture. The security label sensing and deactivation system has a first range of operation which is increased by the EAS system by increasing field strength of the coil, or by adding a second coil adjacent the vertical aperture. An audible or visible signaling device notifies an operator that the barcode labels have been read and that the security labels have been deactivated.

Checkout device with enhanced security label detection

A checkout device with a barcode reader, scale, and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. The checkout device includes a scale assembly including a base portion and a weigh scale over the base portion. The weigh plate includes an aperture. A barcode reader is between the base portion and the weight scale and reads a barcode through the aperture in the weigh plate. A security label deactivation system is between the base portion and the weigh plate.

Checkout device including integrated barcode reader, scale, and EAS system

A produce texture data collecting apparatus and method which illuminates a produce item from different directions. The apparatus includes a first light for illuminating a produce item from a first direction, a second light for illuminating the produce item from a second direction, an image capture device for capturing an image of the produce item while the produce item is being illuminated by the first and second lights.

Produce texture data collecting apparatus and method

An ambient light sensing apparatus and method for a produce data collector which minimize false triggering of produce data collection. The apparatus includes an image capture device which has a first receiving angle for incident light through an aperture in the produce data collector which is larger than a second receiving angle of a collector within the produce data collector which collects produce data.

Ambient light sensing apparatus and method for a produce data collector

A system for detecting and decoding a supplemental barcode accompanying a primary barcode. A supplemental barcode is affixed to a product in the vicinity of a primary barcode. A scanner in a barcode reading system, such as a point of sale system, scans for a primary barcode. Upon detection of a primary barcode, the system inserts a delay while attempting to detect a supplemental barcode. Upon detection of a secondary barcode, the primary and supplemental barcode information is processed, for example by sending the information to a terminal connected to the scanner. Upon expiration of the delay without detection of a supplemental barcode, the primary barcode information is processed.

Methods and apparatus for supplemental barcode detection and decoding

A triggering method for a produce recognition system which uses historical ambient light level readings. The method includes the steps of obtaining first ambient light levels from an ambient light sensor of the produce data collector with a data collection aperture covered, obtaining second ambient light levels from the ambient light sensor with the data collection aperture uncovered, determining a threshold ambient light level from the first ambient light levels and a difference between the first and second ambient light levels, obtaining a third ambient light level from the ambient light sensor with a produce item adjacent the data collection aperture, comparing the third ambient light level to the threshold ambient light level, and capturing data associated with the produce item if the third ambient light level is less than the threshold ambient light level.

Triggering method for a produce recognition system

An item checkout device which combines a produce data collector with an optical bar code data collector. The item checkout device includes a housing, a bar code data collector within the housing, and a produce data collector within the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the item checkout device includes an optical bar code data collector including a first housing, a scale within the first housing, a weigh plate on the scale including a first window for allowing scanning light beams from optical bar code data collector to pass and a second window, and a produce data collector within the first housing including a second housing containing an aperture adjacent the second window, a light source for illuminating a produce item on the second window with substantially uniform light, 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.

Item checkout device including a bar code data collector and a produce data collector

An ambient light blocking apparatus which minimizes contamination of produce data collector readings by ambient light. The apparatus preferably includes a tunnel member which may be located around a produce illumination window in the top surface of a scale weigh plate of an item checkout device containing the produce data collector, or around a produce illumination window in the produce data collector itself.

Ambient light blocking apparatus for a produce recognition system

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.

Linear variable filter spectrometer

Produce data collector and produce recognition system

A transaction processing system which includes a produce recognition server for identifying produce items. The produce recognition system further includes a checkout system including a transaction processing terminal, a bar code reader which sends item identification information associated with bar-coded items and with the produce items to the transaction processing terminal, a produce data collector coupled to the bar code reader, and a computer coupled between the bar code reader and the produce recognition server for relaying produce data to the produce recognition server and produce identification information to the bar code reader.

Growing community of inventors

Duluth, GA, United States of America

Daniel B Seevers