Ncr Corporation

Kenneth Joseph Fabian

Paul Oliver Detwiler

Mark Allen Rambler

John Baird Keys

Barry M Mergenthaler

Denis Michael Blanford

Andrew J Adamec

Janry C Amada

Donald Alexander Collins, Jr

Sik Piu Kwan

Hong Tang

Barry Myron Merganthaler

Andrew Jeremy Adamec

Janry Corpuz Amada

A scale and scanner system includes a controller to control operation of the scale and scanner system. A scale calibration parameter memory for storing scale calibration parameters is coupleable to the controller. A scanning module and a scale module are coupleable to the controller. When the controller is not coupled to the scanning module or scale module, the scale calibration parameter memory remains in the system.

Separated calibration memory storage for a scale and scanner system

Disclosed are barcode scanners and methods for scanning a barcode. The barcode scanners and methods for scanning a barcode may include receiving a raw image from a scanner. Channel information may be extracted from each pixel of the raw image. A composite image may be created using the channel information from each pixel of the raw image. Finally, product information may be extracted from the composite image.

Barcode scanner optimization

Removable scale and scanner system control from a system with a maintained standalone calibration memory

Scale and rotatable scanner with a maintained standalone calibration memory and removable controller

Scale and scanner system

A distance of an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tag on an item from a scanner is determined when a code for the item is read by the scanner. When the distance is greater than a predefined distance, a delay period is initiated and when the delay period expires with the EAS tag not having been placed within the predefined distance from the scanner, an alert is raised to an operator of a Point-Of-Sale (POS) terminal.

Electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag verification

A digital media transaction kiosk and method which provide security for digital media. An example kiosk includes a digital media identifier for reading an identifier of a digital media item on a representative of the digital media item provided by the customer, and a digital media dispenser for dispensing the digital media item to the customer using the identifier.

Digital media transaction kiosk and method

Systems and techniques for improved accuracy of bar code detection and decoding are described. A bar code scanner employs a rotating spinner to reflect a laser beam used to produce one or more scan patterns emerging from scan windows. The spinner has reflective surfaces, with one or more of the surfaces exhibiting variations influencing characteristics of the laser beam as it is reflected from the surfaces. The scanner produces a scanner signal in response to light entering the scan windows, and processes the scanner signal to detect and decode bar codes within a scan field of the scanner. The rotational position of the spinner is continuously monitored and adjustments to processing parameters are made and other actions are taken based on the rotational position of the spinner, in order to compensate for variations in the scan pattern caused by the variations in the surfaces of the spinner.

Methods and apparatus for dynamic adjustment of scanner parameters

Systems and techniques for using signal to noise ratio information to enhance bar code scanning accuracy. Noise information affecting bar code scanning operations is stored and a scan signal is monitored. Upon detection of a scan of a bar code, the signal strength of the scan signal is evaluated and signal to noise ratio values are computed. Signal to noise ratio information is used to favor or disfavor candidate decoding results. In addition, signal to noise ratio thresholds are set according to appropriate criteria. Decoding results are evaluated using the signal to noise ratio thresholds and accepted or rejected depending on whether the thresholds are met. In addition, thresholds for recognition of transitions based on peaks may be set based on expected noise affecting the scan signal, and allowed or excluded based on whether a rise from a negative peak, or fall from a positive peak, meets the threshold.

Methods and apparatus for using noise data to enhance bar code scanning accuracy

A bar code scanner has a housing including a surface having a transparent scanning window. The housing contains optical components including a spinner and pattern mirrors arranged to produce sets of scan lines. The spinner is operable at two, substantially constant, non-zero spin speeds.

Bar code scanner having a mirrored spinner which operates at different speeds

Systems and techniques for improved accuracy of bar code detection and decoding are described. A bar code scanner employs a rotating spinner to reflect a laser beam used to produce one or more scan patterns emerging from scan windows. The scanner produces a scanner signal in response to light entering the scan windows, and processes the scanner signal to detect and decode bar codes within a scan field of the scanner. The rotational position of the spinner is continuously monitored and adjustments to processing parameters are made and other actions are taken based on the rotational position of the spinner, so as to improve reliability and accuracy of bar code detection and processing.

Methods and apparatus for dynamic adjustment of bar code reader parameters

A timing and mirror position detector for use in a bar code scanner having a rotating optical assembly. The optical assembly is rotated by a motor which produces a fixed number of pulses per rotation, at least one of the pulses occurring each time the motor passes through a reference position as it rotates. The pulses are continuously monitored and counted. Elapsed time from the time a reference pulse occurs is accurately measured and correlated by a processor with events of interest. When an event of interest, such as a bar code scan, occurs, the timing and pulse count are evaluated and processed to determine the angle of rotation of the motor at the time the scan occurred.

Methods and apparatus for enhanced scanner operation employing bar code and bar code fragment time and position of data collection

A timing and mirror position detector for use in a bar code scanner having a rotating optical assembly is rotated by a motor which produces a fixed number of pulses per rotation, at least one of the pulses occurring each time the motor passes through a reference position as it rotates. The pulses are continously monitored and counted. Elapsed time from the time a reference pulse occurs in accurately measured and correlated by a processor with events of interest. When an event of interest, such as a bar code scan, occurs, the timing and pulse count are evaluated and processed to determine the angle of rotation of the motor at the time the scan occurred.

A system for digital barcode processing. A light reflected from a barcode is captured by a photodetector to produce a photocurrent. The photocurrent is converted to a voltage, amplified and filtered to produce a photovoltage. The photovoltage is differentiated to form a first derivative signal and the first derivative signal is converted to a digital first derivative signal and processed to identify logic transitions represented by the barcode. The processing system subjects the photosignal to Gaussian filtering and differentiates the digital first derivative signal to form a second derivative signal. The digital first derivative signal is compared against a positive and a negative threshold and the second derivative signal is examined to detect zero crossings. When a positive peak of the first derivative exceeds the positive threshold and the second derivative undergoes a negative zero crossing within a predetermined time before or after the positive peak exceeds the positive threshold, a negative logic transition is identified. When a negative peak of the first derivative exceeds the negative threshold and the second derivative undergoes a positive zero crossing within a predetermined time before or after the first derivative exceeds the negative threshold, a positive logic transition is identified.

Growing community of inventors

Grayson, GA, United States of America

Kenneth Joseph Fabian