Ergonomic machine-readable symbol reader system

Systems and methods that provide a machine-readable symbol reader positioned over a “flip-lid” type cash box. The reader may be affixed directly to the lid of the cash box or affixed to a thin cover pivotally attached to a checkout stand that opens with the lid of the cash box. The lid of the cash box or the thin cover may be level with a surrounding surface of the checkout stand. The reader may have a field of view directed away from the operator (e.g., a cashier) so that the operator may scan objects close to his or her body without requiring extended reaching, which provides an ergonomically desirable work environment.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to machine-readable symbol reader systems.

2. Description of the Related Art

A checkout lane at a grocery store or other retail point of sale (POS) can be a demanding, high-pressure environment. A store employee operating a checkout stand (i.e., an operator or “checker”) can be expected to provide exceptional customer service, which may include quickly totaling each customer's purchase and collecting payment. Rapidly processing customer purchases reduces the time other customers must wait to make their purchases. When a store is busy and checkout lines are long, operators can experience increased pressure to rapidly process customer purchases.

One method for improving the speed and efficiency of an operator is to provide a machine-readable symbol reader to allow the operator to quickly scan objects associated with machine-readable symbols. As a machine-readable symbol (e.g., barcode symbol, matrix code symbol) is passed through a scan volume (or scanning area), the machine-readable symbol is read by a machine-readable symbol reader, such as a scanner, and transformed into electrical signals. The electrical signals can be decoded into alphanumerical characters or other data that can be used as input to a data processing system, such as a POS terminal (e.g., an electronic cash register). The POS terminal can use the decoded data to, for example, look up a price for the article, apply electronic coupons, and award points for a retailer or other rewards program. Scanning a machine-readable symbol on objects enables rapid totaling of the price of such objects and thereby increases operator efficiency.

An object can have multiple sides, not all of which might be presented for or visible during scanning, depending on the shape of the object and the type of reader. For example, a simple six-sided rectangular box-shaped object can have a leading side (or side leading the object through the scan volume), a trailing side (opposite the leading side and last through the scan volume), a bottom side, a top side, a front side positioned nearest to or facing the operator (also known as the operator side), and a back side positioned away from the operator (also known as the customer side).

A significant amount of time for current checkout processing results from the operator grasping an object, orienting the object to present an optical code to a reader, moving the object past the reader's scan volume, and then bagging the object. The physical stress from moving objects past the reader may increase the potential for repetitive motion injuries.

Many readers associated with checkout stands are placed outside the ergonomically recommended work zone for an operator due to the requirement that a cash box needs to be placed in a checkout stand directly in front of the operator. Due to this placement of the cash box, the machine-readable symbol reader must be displaced a distance from the operator that is outside the operator's preferred work zone or even outside the operator's maximum work zone. This sub-optimal placement of the reader may increase the potential for work related fatigue or injuries.

FIG. 1shows a conventional “flip-lid” type cash box10that is often used in geographic regions where operators scan objects while seated. The cash box10includes a base or body12that includes a bottom wall14and sidewalls16that define an interior volume18in which currency may be placed (e.g., bills, coins, checks, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the cash box10has a rectangular shape. The cash box10includes a top opening20disposed at the uppermost portions of the sidewalls16that allows access to the interior volume18.

The cash box10also includes a lid22pivotally attached to the body12via hinges24. The lid22is pivotable between an open position and a closed position to regulate access to the interior volume18. The cash box10may be provided with a locking mechanism26that, for example, may be operated with a key.

FIGS. 2 and 3show a conventional checkout stand28at which an operator30may be seated. The checkout stand28includes a top work surface32, an input conveyor belt34, and an output conveyor belt36. The checkout stand28also includes a two-plane machine-readable symbol reader38that includes a horizontal reader portion38A that views bottom sides of objects40through a horizontal window42and a vertical reader portion38B for reading vertical sides of objects that include machine-readable symbols44. The checkout stand28also includes a cash box reception portion46into which the cash box10may be mounted. For example, the cash box reception portion46may take the form of a shelf onto which the cash box10may be placed. The lid22of the cash box10is visible in the views ofFIGS. 2 and 3.

When positioned inside the cash box reception portion46of the checkout stand28as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the cash box10is located directly in front of and adjacent to the operator30so that the operator may readily access the contents of the cash box during a transaction. The machine-readable symbol reader38is also placed in front of the operator30, but is offset by a relatively large distance from the operator since the cash box10uses the space closest to the operator.FIG. 3illustrates in dashed lines the recommended ergonomic work zones48and50for this type of labor operation. The zone48may be referred to as the “preferred work area” or “preferred work zone,” which applies to reaching movements that have arm support and occur at a frequency greater than ten times per minute. This stipulation closely matches the movements necessary for scanning grocery or other retail objects. As can be seen, the entire preferred work zone48is outside the coverage of the horizontal window42of the reader38.

The zone50may be referred to as the “maximum work area” or “maximum work zone,” which is the zone for which greater reach is required and should not be used at high frequency, unlike the preferred work zone48. Note that most scanning operations require the operator30to reach into the maximum work zone50to utilize the horizontal window42for scanning. Moreover, a portion of the horizontal window42is actually beyond the maximum work zone50, which causes the operator30to reach beyond what is recommended.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A machine-readable symbol reader system may be summarized as including a work surface having a front edge at which an operator may be positioned, the work surface includes a movable surface portion disposed proximate the front edge, the movable surface portion movable to selectively provide the operator access to a volume disposed below the movable surface portion; and a machine-readable symbol reader physically coupled to the movable surface portion of the work surface to move therewith, the machine-readable symbol reader has a field of view directed away from the front edge of the work surface, the field of view at least partially defines a scan volume, and the machine-readable symbol reader reads a machine-readable symbol of an object within the field of view when the object passes through the scan volume. The movable surface portion of the work surface may be in the form of a lid of a cash box, and the volume disposed below the movable surface portion may be defined by a body of the cash box, the lid of the cash box pivotally coupled to the body of the cash box. The volume disposed below the movable surface portion may be shaped and sized to receive a cash box therein. The movable surface portion may be pivotal about a hinge. At least a portion of the machine-readable symbol reader may be positioned above a plane of the work surface to direct the field of view across the work surface, and at least a portion of the field of view may be directed downward from the machine-readable symbol reader. The movable surface portion pivots into a first position in which the movable surface portion may be level with an adjacent, non-movable surface portion of the work surface. The work surface may be part of a checkout stand.

The machine-readable symbol reader system may further include a bottom machine-readable symbol reader positioned below the work surface and distal of the movable surface portion, the work surface comprises a window, the bottom machine-readable symbol reader has a field of view directed upward through the window to capture an image of a side of the object facing downward, and the field of view of the bottom machine-readable symbol reader at least partially defines the scan volume.

The machine-readable symbol reader system may further include an input conveyor system that transports objects toward the scan volume; and a loading zone that receives objects transported through the scan volume.

A machine-readable symbol reader system may be summarized as including a cash box positionable at a checkout stand proximate a front edge thereof at which an operator may be positioned, the cash box includes: a body having a bottom wall and at least one sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the at least one sidewall defines an open top; and a lid pivotally coupled to the at least one sidewall to selectively close the open top, the lid includes a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and a machine-readable symbol reader physically coupled to the lid to move therewith, the machine-readable symbol reader extends upward from the top surface of the lid, the machine-readable symbol reader has a field of view directed away from the front edge of the checkout stand when the cash box is positioned at the checkout stand, the field of view at least partially defines a scan volume, and the machine-readable symbol reader reads a machine-readable symbol of an object within the field of view when the object passes through the scan volume. The lid may be coupled to the at least one sidewall of the body via a hinge. At least a portion of the machine-readable symbol reader may be positioned above the top surface of the lid to direct the field of view across the lid, and at least a portion of the field of view may be directed downward from the machine-readable symbol reader.

The machine-readable symbol reader system may further include a checkout stand that includes a cash box reception portion shaped and sized to receive the cash box therein. The checkout stand may include a top work surface, and the cash box reception portion may be shaped and sized so the lid of the cash box is level with the top work surface of the checkout stand when the cash box is disposed within the cash box reception portion.

The machine-readable symbol reader system may further include a bottom machine-readable symbol reader positioned distal of the cash box reception portion, the bottom machine-readable symbol reader has a field of view directed upward to capture an image of a side of the object facing downward, and the field of view of the bottom machine-readable symbol reader at least partially defines the scan volume.

The machine-readable symbol reader system may further include a power delivery system that includes: a first coil electrically coupled to a power source; and a second coil inductively coupled to the first coil and electrically coupled to the machine-readable symbol reader. The power delivery system may transmit data via the first coil and the second coil.

The machine-readable symbol reader system may further include a wireless communications interface operatively coupled to the machine-readable symbol reader, the wireless communications interface transmits data from the machine-readable symbol reader to at least one external computing device or receives data at the machine-readable symbol reader from at least one external communication device.

A method of reading a machine-readable symbol on an object may be summarized as including providing a work surface having a front edge at which an operator may be positioned, the work surface includes a movable surface portion disposed proximate the front edge, the movable surface portion movable to selectively provide the operator access to a volume disposed below the movable surface portion; and coupling a machine-readable symbol reader to the movable surface portion of the work surface, the machine-readable symbol reader having a field of view directed away from the front edge of the work surface, the field of view at least partially defines a scan volume, and the machine-readable symbol reader reads the machine-readable symbol on the object within the field of view when the object is passed through the scan volume.

The method may further include capturing an image of a first side of the object with the machine-readable symbol reader as the object passes through the scan volume; and processing the image of the first side of the object to identify a machine-readable symbol.

A method of reading a machine-readable symbol on an object may be summarized as including providing a cash box that includes: a body having a bottom wall and at least one sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the at least one sidewall defines an open top; and a lid pivotally coupled to the at least one sidewall to selectively close the open top, the lid includes a front portion, a rear portion, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and physically coupling a machine-readable symbol reader to the lid, the machine-readable symbol reader extends upward from the top surface of the lid, the machine-readable symbol reader having a field of view directed toward the rear portion of the lid, the field of view at least partially defines a scan volume, and the machine-readable symbol reader reads a machine-readable symbol of an object within the field of view when the object passes through the scan volume.

The method may further include providing a checkout stand that includes a cash box reception portion; positioning the cash box within the cash box reception portion; capturing an image of a first side of the object with the machine-readable symbol reader as the object passes through the scan volume; and processing the image of the first side of the object to identify a machine-readable symbol.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for utilizing a cash box (or a thin cover placed over a cash box) as part of a machine-readable symbol reader system operative to read the vertically oriented faces of objects passed through a scan volume. The placement of a machine-readable symbol reader in the systems of the disclosed embodiments is such that the reader is very close to the operator's body and does not interfere with the operator's arm movements.

FIGS. 4-8depict various views of a checkout stand system100. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the checkout stand system100includes a “flip-lid” type cash box102that includes a base or body104having a bottom wall106and sidewalls108extending upwardly therefrom. The bottom wall106and sidewalls108together define an interior volume110in which currency (e.g., bills, coins, checks, etc.) may be placed. In the illustrated embodiment, the cash box102has a rectangular shape that includes a front sidewall and an opposing rear sidewall, and a left sidewall and an opposing right sidewall. Other shapes for the cash box102may also be implemented. The cash box102includes a top opening112disposed at the uppermost portions of the sidewalls108that allows access to the volume110. The cash box102also includes a lid114pivotally attached to the body104via hinges116. The lid114is pivotable between an open position and a closed position to regulate access to the interior volume110via the top opening112. The cash box102may be provided with a locking mechanism118that, for example, may be operated with a key.

A small, machine-readable symbol reader120is mounted upon a top surface122of the lid114of the cash box102. The top surface122on which the reader120resides may be the lid114of the cash box102, as shown in the embodiment ofFIGS. 4-8, or may be a thin top cover disposed over the lid of the cash box, as shown in the embodiment ofFIGS. 10-12, discussed below. The reader120includes a field of view (FOV)124directed away from a front side of the cash box102and toward a rear side of the cash box. The FOV124of the reader120is the region over which the reader may view and read machine-readable symbols126(FIG. 7) associated with objects128.

Although the embodiment ofFIGS. 4-8are illustrated as the checkout stand system100, the present disclosure may be used in other suitable applications, such as a self-checkout apparatus, package handling apparatus (such as used by the postal service, delivery and courier services, or airport baggage handling), or an object routing apparatus used to route objects during manufacturing processes, where it is useful for a machine to recognize objects and tally or process the recognized objects upon a tallying event.

As shown inFIGS. 6-8, the checkout stand system100includes a computer130operatively coupled to the reader120. The computer130may host or communicate with a POS system. The computer130may include a cash register or any other suitable device having a digital processor, central processing unit, or other suitable computing element. The reader120may be a scanner utilizing optical means to capture data, such as lasers or imaging cameras. Generally, the reader120may be any suitable line of sight device used to capture information. The reader120may include one or more complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) imagers. The reader120may include one or more cameras with one or more CMOS imagers operatively connected with a processor, or computer system, and associated memory. Other suitable imagers may be used, such as, but not limited to, digital imagers including a CMOS imager, a charged coupled device (“CCD”) imager, and analog imagers operatively connected to a digitizer. The reader120may collect information in many ways. Therefore, references to scanning, reading, and gathering information should be understood to be inclusive of one another as well as inclusive of other manners for collecting information.

The reader120is operatively connected to the computer130, for example, via a physical transmission line or via wireless communication equipment and protocols. The computer130may be positioned at the checkout stand system100, or may be positioned remotely. Software for processing images from the reader120may reside in the reader itself, on the computer130, a combination of the two, and/or other local or remote computer systems. Processing images may include searching for and decoding optical codes, such as universal product codes (“UPC”), on objects128. Objects128may be recognized through image analysis, such as by scale invariant feature transformation. A combination of image analysis and optical code decoding may also be used to recognize objects128by the reader120.

An input conveyor belt132receives objects128from a customer and conveys the objects towards the reader120. Alternately, the conveyor belt132may be replaced with a generally flat surface that does not move, and the objects128may be pushed or otherwise moved towards the reader120. In this embodiment, an exit conveyor belt134receives objects128from the operator30after the objects have been scanned or read by the reader120and transports the objects toward a loading or bagging zone136.

As shown inFIGS. 6-8, the cash box102is positioned in its conventional location at a cash box reception portion138(FIGS. 8 and 9), such as a shelf, located at a front side of the checkout stand system100adjacent the operator30. The placement of the reader120directly over the area occupied by the cash box102allows the reader to be positioned relatively close to the body of the operator30. Because of this feature, the sweep of the arms and hands of the operator30are not interfered with by the reader120, and the operator can scan at least some objects128closer to his body, which is highly desirable ergonomically.

FIG. 6shows an ergonomically desirable work zone140for the reach of the arms of the operator30. The zone140extends between the dashed arc lines142and144. As can be seen inFIG. 6, as the operator30moves objects128along the checkout stand from the input conveyor belt132, across a central work surface146, which includes the top surface122of the lid114of the cash box102, to the exit conveyor belt134, the arms and hands of the operator follow the general paths contained between the pair of arc lines142and144. Advantageously, the arms and hands of the operator30do not collide with the reader120, which protrudes upwardly from the top surface122of the lid114of the cash box102.

Since the reader120in the illustrated embodiment is positioned directly over the cash box102, as opposed to being displaced distal from the cash box as in conventional checkout stands, the required depth for the checkout stand system100may be reduced. This feature advantageously reduces the amount of valuable floor space required in a retail environment (e.g., a grocery store, a department store, etc.). Additionally, because the reader120in some embodiments protrudes slightly above the work surface146(e.g., the top surface122of the lid114and surrounding countertop) upon which it resides, the field of view124of the reader may extend essentially all the way down to the work surface so that machine-readable symbols126(FIG. 8) on objects128will not pass under the view of the reader during scanning operations.

FIG. 9shows a power delivery and communication system for the machine-readable symbol reader. In this example, the reader120obtains power through a resonant air core transformer power delivery system148. A first winding or coil150of a transformer of the resonant air core transformer power delivery system148receives power from a power source152. The power source152may, for example, be an AC main power source accessible via an outlet coupled to the checkout stand100. The first winding150may be coupled to the cash box reception portion138of the checkout stand100. When the cash box102is positioned in the cash box reception portion138, the first coil150is inductively coupled to a second winding or coil154of the resonant air core transformer power delivery system148that is coupled to a rear sidewall108of the cash box. Power is transferred from the power source152, to the first coil150, and to the second coil154. Power is transferred from the second coil154to the reader120via a cable156, which may be positioned inside the cash box102within the interior volume110.

Data and control communication for the reader120may be provided by a wireless interface through a wireless link158to one or more external devices160(e.g., a transponder coupled to a computing system via a network). Data and control communication for the reader120may also be provided along with power delivery through the resonant air core transformer power delivery system148.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 9, at the end of an operator's shift, the entire cash box102may be removed from the checkout stand100and replaced with a similarly configured cash box for the next operator. No connectors or contacts need to be mated, which is advantageous. In other embodiments, the cash box102may include one or more connectors or contacts (e.g., “docking” components) that facilitate coupling with one or more power sources or one or more data communication devices. The wireless power delivery and communication system may include various components such as an AC-DC power stages, coil drivers, rectifiers, voltage regulation circuits, and wireless power controllers.

FIGS. 10-12show a machine-readable symbol reader system164in which the reader120remains with a checkout stand166, rather than being mounted to the lid114of the removable cash box102. In this embodiment, the reader120is affixed to a top surface168of a thin cover170pivotally attached via hinges172to the checkout stand166. When the cover170is in a closed position shown inFIG. 12, the top surface168of the cover becomes a portion of a work surface174over which objects128being scanned by the operator30(FIGS. 6-8) may be moved. When the cover170is in an opened position as shown inFIG. 10, the cash box102may be positioned within a cash box reception volume or portion176in the checkout stand166below the cover170. As shown inFIG. 11, during a transaction, the operator may simultaneously lift the lid114of the cash box102and the pivotal cover170to obtain access to currency (not shown) disposed within the interior volume110of the cash box. In some embodiments, the pivotal cover170may include a fastener (not shown) that selectively couples the lid114of the cash box102to the cover so that the lid and the cover more readily move together as the operator pivots the lid of the cash box between its opened and closed positions.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 10-12, since the reader120is not removed with the cash box102, the reader may be directly wired to a power supply and POS system without utilizing wireless power or communication interfaces. Moreover, the embodiment ofFIGS. 10-12may be implemented utilizing conventional cash boxes without modification.

FIG. 13illustrates another embodiment of a machine-readable symbol reader system180. In this example, a window182of a bottom or horizontal machine-readable symbol reader184is positioned adjacent to and behind the thin cover170(or, alternatively, behind the lid114of the cash box102in the embodiment ofFIGS. 4-8). The horizontal reader184and the vertical reader120mounted on the cover170work in concert to read machine-readable symbols126on objects128passing through a scan volume defined by the fields of view of the readers. This configuration places nearly the entire scan volume within a preferred work zone186. Additionally, the horizontal window182acts as a scanning “target” positioned a few inches away from the vertical reader120. Since the field of view124(FIG. 12) of the vertical reader120may be relatively small very close to the vertical reader, positioning an object over the horizontal window182a few inches away from the vertical reader where the field of view is relatively larger allows a larger area to be scanned by the vertical reader.

The combination of the horizontal reader184and the vertical reader120creates a highly ergonomic scanning system having an optimal scan zone that is within a very comfortable reach for the operator30. As shown inFIG. 13, the operator30may scan objects substantially entirely within the preferred work zone186or a maximum work zone188.

An added advantage is that because the vertical reader120has its general view facing in the same direction of the operator30, the operator may face the machine-readable symbols126of objects128toward the operator's own visual field so that if the operator can see the machine-readable symbols, the reader120can see the machine-readable symbols126as well.

Those of skill in the art will recognize that many of the methods or algorithms set out herein may employ additional acts, may omit some acts, and/or may execute acts in a different order than specified.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.