Abstract:
A barcode scanner operator interface capable of providing enhanced information. The interface includes a visual indicator including positions capable of being individually illuminated, and control circuitry for monitoring states of the barcode scanner and for illuminating the positions of the visual indicator to produce codes indicative of the states of the barcode scanner.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Barcode scanners typically include a simple interface including one or two light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a speaker for producing “beep” tones. 
         [0002]    Scanner diagnostic are typically identified by a specific number code. Both visual and audio feedback representing that number code is used to indicate a specific scanner error. Use of double digit number codes result in many audio beeps or visual flashes to represent a given error which can lead to misinterpretation of the error and potentially cause a delay in correcting the error. 
         [0003]    Current scanner displays limit the type of information and resolution of problem states for Scale Zero Indications. Users do not currently receive specific feedback regarding an off-zero scale state from the scanner when the scale is idle. 
         [0004]    More recent innovations have incorporated the detection and deactivation of loss prevention tags into the scanner/scale. While these integrated tag deactivation devices are generally successful in detecting and deactivating electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, the operator does not receive feedback about the states of these tags during checkout. Typically the only feedback that an operator receives is the EAS/RFID tag sensor alarm sounding as the customer leaves the store. 
         [0005]    It would be desirable to provide a barcode scanner operator interface that provides more information to an operator about the scanner and any systems incorporated into the scanner. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A barcode scanner operator interface is provided. 
         [0007]    The interface includes a visual indicator including positions capable of being individually illuminated, and control circuitry for monitoring states of the barcode scanner and for illuminating the positions of the visual indicator to produce codes indicative of the states of the barcode scanner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example barcode scanner. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example barcode scanner. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , an example embodiment of optical scanner  10  includes optics engine  14 , pattern mirrors  18   a  and  18   b , and power and control circuitry  28 . Optical scanner  10  includes a dual aperture scanner. 
         [0011]    Optical scanner  10  may additionally include scale  36 , electronic article surveillance system  38 , image scanner  40 , and radio frequency identification (RFID) reader  42 . 
         [0012]    Optics engine  14  includes lasers  12   a  and  12   b , mirrored spinner  16 , collectors  20   a  and  20   b , detectors  22   a  and  22   b , analog electronics  24 , and motor  26 . 
         [0013]    Laser  12   a  and  12   b  produce laser beams. Each of lasers  12   a  and  12   b  include one ore more lasers. In the example embodiment, each of lasers  12   a  and  12   b  may include up to two lasers. 
         [0014]    Mirrored spinner  16  directs the laser beams to pattern mirrors  18   a  and  18   b  to produce a scan pattern, and receives reflected light from item  30  from pattern mirrors  18 . Motor  26  rotates mirrored spinner  16 . 
         [0015]    Collectors  20   a  and  20   b  collect the reflected light from mirrored spinner  16  and direct it towards detectors  22   a  and  22   b.    
         [0016]    Detectors  22   a  and  22   b  convert the reflected light into electrical signals. In the example embodiment, each of detectors  22   a  and  22   b  may include up to two detectors. 
         [0017]    Analog electronics  24  provides drive circuitry for lasers  12   a  and  12   b  and motor  26 , and amplifies and filters the electrical signals from detectors  22   a  and  22   b.    
         [0018]    Pattern mirrors  18   a  direct the laser beams from laser  12   a  towards bar code label  32  and direct the reflected light to mirrored spinner  16 . Pattern mirrors  18   b  direct the laser beams from laser  12   b  towards bar code label  32  and direct the reflected light to mirrored spinner  16 . 
         [0019]    Power and control circuitry  28  controls operation of scanner  10  and additionally processes the processed electrical signals from analog electronics  24  to obtain information encoded in bar code label  32 . Power and control circuitry  28  may include a combination of processor and memory. Power and control circuitry  28  may be connected to analog electronics  24  through one or more cables  33 . 
         [0020]    Power and control circuitry  28  includes state machine  29  for tracking scanner event signals, as well as event signals from scale  36 , EAS system  38 , image scanner  40 , and RFID reader  42  and providing control signals to interface  44 . 
         [0021]    Power and control circuitry  28  also provides information to an operator of scanner  10  through interface  44 . The information conveyed through interface  44  may include error states, operational states, and communications states of scanner  10 . The information may be extended to include scale information, EAS system information, RFID reader information, multi-dimensional (2-D) reader information, loss prevention information, and other system information. 
         [0022]    Interface  44  may include one or more sensory communication methods, such as sight, sound, and touch. As to sight, interface  44  includes a visual indicator  46  having a plurality of different positions capable of being illuminated. Collectively, the different illuminated positions form a code that conveys to an operator the state of scanner  10 . Visual indicator  46  may include a light bar ( FIG. 2 ) or a liquid crystal display. 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , example scanner  10  is illustrated as a bi-optic scanner, having a horizontal aperture  60  and a vertical aperture  62 . Visual indicator  46  is illustrated as a light bar having a row of lights  52  along a bezel  56  of scanner  10 . 
         [0024]    Switches  50  are also located on bezel  56 . Lights  54  adjacent switches  50  provide feedback to an operator, indicating that a switch has been successfully activated. Lights  52  and  54  may each include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). 
         [0025]    In an example embodiment, lights  52  may include a multi-color LEDs having elements for producing different colors. Each element may be individually turned on or off or controlled for intensity such that a rainbow of colors may be achieved. Alternatively, each of lights  52  may include a cluster of individual different colored LEDs. 
         [0026]    Because the LEDs are individually controlled, light bar  46  may display both static and dynamic light patterns. Static light patterns are particularly well suited to displaying state information, whereas dynamic light patterns are particularly well suited for displaying dynamic events. 
         [0027]    For example, static light patterns may be used to display the various states of scanner  10  and its systems. For scanner  10 , these states include individual scanner error states (e.g., SCANNER_FATAL, SCANNER_NON_FATAL, SCALE_FATAL, SCALE_NON_FATAL), scanner operational states (e.g., IDLE, SLEEP, FLASH, MANUFACTURING_TEST), and scanner communications states (e.g., DISABLE, DISABLE_w/o_INDICATION). 
         [0028]    As another example, dynamic light patterns may be used to indicate events in any of the systems (e.g., GOOD_READ, EAS_DEACTIVATION, RFID_GOOD_READ, SECOND_ITEM_SCAN). Dynamic light patterns have the advantage of being eye-catching. Timing and intensity characteristics of dynamic light patterns may be tailored so as to enhance human perception of system events. 
         [0029]    State machine  29  controls dynamic light patterns. Processing and control circuitry  28  starts state machine  29  in response to predetermined scanner event signals, as well as event signals from scale  36 , EAS system  38 , image scanner  40 , and RFID reader  42 . State machine  29  runs autonomously until the light pattern self terminates. Afterwards, processing and control circuitry  28  causes lights  52  to display a light pattern associated with a current state. 
         [0030]    In order to address the needs of those who may have color blindness issues, error reporting may be multifunctional. For example, lights  52  may indicate errors simultaneously in two different ways. First, lights  52  may display a unique color pattern associated with an error. Second, lights  52  may blink according to a unique blink pattern associated with the error. A color blind person may count the number of times the light pattern blinks, along with the number of lights  52  that are lit. This information then allows the color blind person to correctly identify the specific error without regard to the actual color of lights  52 . 
         [0031]    Lights  52  may be arranged in a linear fashion so as to be read from left-to-right or right-to-left. Example states of scanner  10 , scale  36 , and EAS system  38  are illustrated in Tables I-III. Example error condition light patterns for scanner and scale errors are illustrated in Tables IV-VII. The first light position identifies the type of error and the remaining light positions identify specific error codes. Similar methods may be used to represent all error, operational, and communication states of scanner  10  and its systems. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 LED 
                   
                   
                 Active 
                 Speech 
                 When 
               
               
                 State 
                 color 
                 Level 
                 Activity 
                 LEDs 
                 Tone 
                 activate 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 a - Scanner operation states 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Idle (i.e. 
                 Green 
                 Dim 
                 solid 
                 3 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Enabled) 
                   
                   
                   
                 center 
               
               
                 Enabled &amp; 
                 Green 
                 Dim 
                 solid 
                 1 
               
               
                 Asleep 
                   
                   
                   
                 center 
               
               
                 Mode 
                   
                   
                   
                 LED 
               
               
                 Good 
                 Green 
                 Bright 
                 solid 
                 5 LEDs 
                   
                 Dynamic 
               
               
                 Scan 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Lightbar 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Pattern 
               
               
                 Disabled 
                 Red 
                 Bright 
                 solid 
                 5 LEDs 
                   
                 Test with a 
               
               
                 &amp; Awake 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Not on File 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 to see if 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 this is 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 appropriate 
               
               
                 Disabled 
                 Red 
                 Dim 
                 solid 
                 1 
               
               
                 and 
                   
                   
                   
                 Center 
               
               
                 Asleep 
                   
                   
                   
                 LED 
               
             
          
           
               
                 b - Scanner window states 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Dirty 
                 Orange 
                 Off, 
                 flashing 
                 1 LED 
                   
                   
               
               
                 window 
                   
                 bright 
               
               
                 Clean 
                   
                   
                 OFF 
               
               
                 window 
               
             
          
           
               
                 c - Scanner volume states 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Volume 
                 Orange 
                 bright 
                 solid 
                 1 LED 
                   
                 volume 
               
               
                 adjust 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 increments 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 with each 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 touch, dim 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 and solid 
               
               
                 Tone 
                 Orange 
                 bright 
                 solid 
                 1 LED 
                   
                 tone 
               
               
                 adjust 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 increments 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 while 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 holding 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 button 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 down 
               
               
                 Idle 
                   
                   
                 OFF 
               
             
          
           
               
                 d - Scanner manual deactivation state 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Manual 
                 Orange 
                 dim 
                 solid 
                 1 LED 
                   
                 click; 
               
               
                 deactivate 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 bright 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 and solid 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE IV 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 LED 
                   
                   
                 Active 
                 Speech, 
                 When 
               
               
                 State 
                 color 
                 Level 
                 Activity 
                 LEDs 
                 Tone 
                 activate 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Scale states 
               
             
          
           
               
                 At zero 
                 Orange 
                 Dim 
                 solid 
                 1 
                   
                   
               
               
                 (stable) 
                   
                   
                   
                 button 
               
               
                 Unstable 
                   
                   
                 OFF 
               
               
                 w/weight 
               
               
                 Stable w/ 
                 Orange 
                 Bright 
                 solid 
                 1 
               
               
                 weight 
                   
                   
                   
                 button 
               
               
                 Underzero 
                 Orange 
                 Off 
                 flashing 
                 1 
                   
                 click; 
               
               
                 weight 
                   
                 bright 
                   
                 button 
                   
                 dim and 
               
               
                 (stable) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 solid 
               
             
          
           
               
                 EAS system states 
               
             
          
           
               
                 EAS 
                 Orange 
                 bright 
                 flash 
                 5 LEDs 
                 Different 
                 Dynamic 
               
               
                 deactivate 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 tones than 
                 Lightbar 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 for 
                 Pattern 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 scanning. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Freq (Hz): 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 601, 667, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 741, 824, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 914, 1016, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 1129, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 1245 Tone 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 length 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (ms): 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 15–225 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ms at 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 15 ms 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 intervals 
               
               
                 ScanMax- 
                 Orange 
                 dim 
                 solid 
                 1 
                 “EAS 
                 If box 
               
               
                 Pro box - 
                   
                   
                   
                 button 
                 Online” 
                 comes 
               
               
                 Online 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (once) 
                 back 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 online 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 after 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 being 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 offline 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (below), 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 speak 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 once 
               
               
                 ScanMax- 
                 Orange 
                 dim 
                 flash 
                 1 
                 “EAS 
                 at 
               
               
                 Pro box - 
                   
                   
                 (double 
                 button 
                 Offline” - 
                 scanner 
               
               
                 Online to 
                   
                   
                 flash, 
                   
                 once 
                 enable, 
               
               
                 Offline 
                   
                   
                 pause, 
                   
                   
                 when last 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 double 
                   
                   
                 disable 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 flash) 
                   
                   
                 is &gt; “X” 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 minutes 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ago. 
               
               
                 ScanMax- 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 “EAS 
                 at 
               
               
                 Pro box - 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Offline” 
                 scanner 
               
               
                 Offline 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 enable, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 when last 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 disable 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 is &gt; “X” 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 minutes 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ago. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Scanner errors 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Blinks 
                 Problem 
                 Suspect Component 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 0 
                 No LED 
                 Power Supply/PCB 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Assembly 
               
               
                 2 
                 RAM test failed 
                 PCB Assembly 
               
               
                 5 
                 Motor too Slow 
                 Motor 
               
               
                 6 
                 Bad non-volatile memory (EEPROM) 
                 PCB Assembly 
               
               
                 7 
                 Slave Processor Failure 
                 PCB Assembly 
               
               
                 9 
                 IBM mode 
                 IBM mode 
               
               
                 11  
                 Laser not turned on 
                 PCB Assembly 
               
               
                 12  
                 Program (ROM sum-check) Test failed 
                 PCB Assembly 
               
               
                 13  
                 FPGA Failed To Program 
                 PCB Assembly 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE V 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Light patterns for scanner errors 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Blinks 
                 LED 1 
                 LED 2 
                 LED 3 
                 LED 4 
                 LED 5 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 RED 
                 ORANGE 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 RED 
                 ORANGE 
                 ORANGE 
               
               
                 2 
                 RED 
                 ORANGE 
                 ORANGE 
                 ORANGE 
               
               
                 3 
                 RED 
                 ORANGE 
                 ORANGE 
                 ORANGE 
                 ORANGE 
               
               
                 4 
                 RED 
                 BLUE 
                   
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
               
               
                 5 
                 RED 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
               
               
                 6 
                 RED 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
               
               
                 7 
                 RED 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
               
               
                 8 
                 RED 
                 GREEN 
                   
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
               
               
                 9 
                 RED 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
               
               
                 10 
                 RED 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
               
               
                 11 
                 RED 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
               
               
                 12 
                 RED 
                 RED 
               
               
                 13 
                 RED 
                 RED 
                 RED 
               
               
                 14 
                 RED 
                 RED 
                 RED 
                 RED 
               
               
                 15 
                 RED 
                 RED 
                 RED 
                 RED 
                 RED 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE VI 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Scale errors (continued) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Blinks 
                 Problem 
                 Suspect Component or Corrective Action 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Scale 
                 Scale Top 
                 1. Press Scale zero button. 
               
               
                 Display is 
                 Plate or 
                 2. Remove interference around edge of scale top 
               
               
                 Blank 
                 Produce Guard 
                     plate or Scale product guard and scanner front 
               
               
                   
                 has possible 
                     bezel. 
               
               
                   
                 obstruction. 
                 3. Remove any foreign objects from under the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 scale top plate. 
               
               
                 1, 2, or 3 
                 Possible out 
                 Calibration error. If error code persists, 
               
               
                   
                 of range 
                 check: 
               
               
                   
                 calibration 
                 1. Scale cables and power supply. 
               
               
                   
                 error. 
                 2. Digital board. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Load Cell. 
               
               
                 4 
                 Scale 
                 Check for objects interfering with scale 
               
               
                   
                 Hardware 
                 calibration switch button. Then recalibrate. 
               
               
                   
                 Error 
                 If error code persists, check: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. Calibration switch or wiring 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Scale cables 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Digital board. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Press Scale Zero button and retry. If error 
               
               
                   
                   
                 persists, verify if unit is a scanner/scale 
               
               
                   
                   
                 unit. If scanner-only unit, reprogram unit 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (PM + 3 + 0 + 4 + S&amp;R). If it is a scanner/scale unit and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the error continues, check: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. Scale cables and power supply 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Digital board. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Load cell. 
               
               
                 5 
                 Scale Drift. 
                 Ensure that nothing is on the scale. Lift the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Scale Top Plate and ensure that no objects are 
               
               
                   
                   
                 under it. Press Scale Zero button. If error 
               
               
                   
                   
                 code persists, check: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. Scale cables and power supply 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Digital board. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Load cell. 
               
               
                 6 
                 Failure to 
                 Power cycle the unit and recalibrate the scale. 
               
               
                   
                 update 
                 If error code persists, check the digital board. 
               
               
                   
                 parameters 
               
               
                   
                 into the 
               
               
                   
                 EEPROM. 
               
               
                 7 
                 Error Reading 
                 Calibrate the scale. If error code persists, 
               
               
                   
                 parameters 
                 check the digital board. 
               
               
                   
                 from EEPROM. 
               
               
                 8 
                 Scale was not 
                 Press on the scale during calibration procedure, 
               
               
                   
                 properly 
                 keep pressing on the scale until all Red LEDs 
               
               
                   
                 exercised 
                 turn to BLUE. Repeat procedure. 
               
               
                 9 
                 Linearity 
                 Remove interference around the edge of scale top 
               
               
                   
                 problem or 
                 plate and checkstand or scale produce guard and 
               
               
                   
                 Slight 
                 scanner front bezel. 
               
               
                   
                 vibration 
                 Then calibrate the scale. If error code 
               
               
                   
                 noted while 
                 persists: 
               
               
                   
                 scale is 
                 1. Scale cables and power supply 
               
               
                   
                 being 
                 2. Digital board 
               
               
                   
                 calibrated 
                 3. Load cell 
               
               
                   
                 (zero drift). 
                 Weigh plate is touching checkstand, or scale was 
               
               
                   
                   
                 bumped or jarred, recalibrate. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE VII 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Light patterns for scale errors 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Blinks 
                 LED 1 
                 LED 2 
                 LED 3 
                 LED 4 
                 LED 5 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 BLUE 
                 ORANGE 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 BLUE 
                 ORANGE 
                 ORANGE 
               
               
                 2 
                 BLUE 
                 ORANGE 
                 ORANGE 
                 ORANGE 
               
               
                 3 
                 BLUE 
                 ORANGE 
                 ORANGE 
                 ORANGE 
                 ORANGE 
               
               
                 4 
                 BLUE 
                 RED 
               
               
                 5 
                 BLUE 
                 RED 
                 RED 
               
               
                 6 
                 BLUE 
                 RED 
                 RED 
                 RED 
               
               
                 7 
                 BLUE 
                 RED 
                 RED 
                 RED 
                 RED 
               
               
                 8 
                 BLUE 
                 GREEN 
                   
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
               
               
                 9 
                 BLUE 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
               
               
                 10 
                 BLUE 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
               
               
                 11 
                 BLUE 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
                 GREEN 
               
               
                 12 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
               
               
                 13 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
               
               
                 14 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
               
               
                 15 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
                 BLUE 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0032]    Just as lights  52  may be used to indicate static and dynamic light patterns, to indicate scanner/scale states and events respectively, speaker  48  may be used in an analogous fashion. 
         [0033]    For example, processing and control circuitry  28  may play unique sound files, such as WAV files, that are associated with different events. 
         [0034]    Switches  50  may include non-contact proximity sensing switches, without moving parts. Switches include a scale zeroing switch  70 , a volume control switch  72 , and a customizable switch  74 . Also illustrated is a window glass needs cleaning icon and an indicator light  54 . 
         [0035]    Lights  54  provide operator feedback to indicate touch information. When switches  50  are not being activated by an operator, lights  54  are in a dim state. When power and control circuitry  28  senses operator activation, power and control circuitry  28  increases the intensity of lights  54  to a bright state. Light intensity modulation replaces a tactile sensation one would otherwise receive with a push action switch. 
         [0036]    An additional capability has been added to light  54  adjacent to scale-zeroing switch  70 . When scale  36  is stable at a zero weight, light  54  provides operator feedback about the state of switch  70 . However, when scale weight is unstable, light  54  is in an off state. When scale weight is stable and above zero, light  54  is in a dim state. When scale weight is stable and less than zero, light  54  is in a blinking state. 
         [0037]    Switch  74  is customizable. For example, switch  74  may be used for manual activation of EAS system  38 . Other capabilities are achievable as the retailer&#39;s needs dictate. 
         [0038]    Although particular reference has been made to certain embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims.