Abstract:
A checkout device with a barcode reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. The checkout device includes a barcode reader including a first portion having a substantially horizontal aperture and a second portion having a substantially vertical aperture, a weight plate suspended above the horizontal portion, and a security label deactivation system between the first portion and the weigh plate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present invention is related to the following commonly assigned co-pending U.S. applications filed therewith:  
         [0002]    application Ser. No. 10/061,381, entitled “CHECKOUT DEVICE INCLUDING INTEGRATED BARCODE READER, SCALE AND EAS SYSTEM”, having as inventors, Donald A. Collins, et al., filed Feb. 1, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention relates to product checkout devices and more specifically to a checkout device including an integrated barcode reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system.  
           [0004]    Common checkout devices include barcode readers or combinations of barcode readers and scales. One example of a checkout device is the NCR 7875 checkout device.  
           [0005]    Another example of a checkout device includes a barcode reader and an integrated EAS system and is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,951.  
           [0006]    It would be desirable to produce a checkout device with an integrated barcode reader and EAS system. It would also be desirable to provide a checkout device with an integrated barcode reader, scale, and EAS system.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a checkout device including an integrated barcode reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) is provided.  
           [0008]    The checkout device includes a barcode reader including a first portion having a substantially horizontal aperture and a second portion having a substantially vertical aperture, a weight plate suspended above the horizontal portion, and a security label deactivation system between the first portion and the weigh plate.  
           [0009]    A checkout method includes the steps of reading a barcode label on an item moving in a path, which crosses an aperture of a scale weigh plate by a barcode reader, sending a signal to an interlock by the barcode reader, enabling a security label deactivation system between the scale weigh plate and a first portion of the barcode reader and in a downstream position from the aperture relative to the path of the item, detecting a security label on the item by the security label deactivation system as the item moves along the path and crosses the security label deactivation system, and deactivating the security label by the security label deactivation system.  
           [0010]    It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a checkout device including a barcode reader and an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system.  
           [0011]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of integrating a barcode reader and an EAS system into a single checkout device.  
           [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of integrating a barcode reader, scale, and an EAS system into a single checkout device.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a checkout system;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a checkout device; and  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the checkout device with scale weigh plate removed. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]    Referring now to FIG. 1, checkout system  10  includes point-of-sale (POS) terminal  12  and checkout device  14 .  
         [0018]    POS terminal  12  executes transaction processing software  16 , which records items for purchase and records payment for the items.  
         [0019]    POS terminal  12  additionally includes port  18  to which checkout device  14  is connected. Port  18  may be a serial port, such as an RS232 serial port.  
         [0020]    Checkout device  14  primarily includes barcode reader  20  and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system  24 . Checkout device  14  may additionally include scale  22 .  
         [0021]    Barcode reader  20  reads barcode labels on purchased items. Barcode reader  20  also sends an enable signal to EAS system  24  through interlock  26  following reading. Barcode reader  20  preferably includes primary port  28  for connection barcode reader  20  to port  18  of POS terminal  12 . In addition, barcode reader  20  preferably includes auxiliary port  30  to which other peripherals, such as scale  22  are connected. Primary and auxiliary ports  28  and  30  may be serial ports, such as RS232 serial ports.  
         [0022]    Barcode reader  20  may include an NCR model 7875 barcode reader. Barcode reader  20  may also include separately housed horizontal and vertical barcode readers.  
         [0023]    Scale  22  weighs purchased produce items.  
         [0024]    EAS system  24  deactivates security labels on purchased items that have them. EAS system  24  senses the presence of a security label and deactivates the security label. EAS system  24  may be connected to auxiliary port  30  or to interlock  26 . If present, interlock  26  activates EAS system  24  in response to an enable system from barcode reader  20 . Thus, interlock  26  signals EAS system  24  to detect a security label only if barcode reader  20  has read a barcode label.  
         [0025]    POS terminal  12  and checkout device  14  may be coupled in various ways. In the illustrated example, cable  40  couples port  18  of POS terminal  12  to primary port  28  of barcode reader  20 . Cable  42  couples auxiliary port  30  of barcode reader  20  to port  32  of scale  22  and port  34  of interlock  26 .  
         [0026]    Under this example, cables  40  and  42  supply data. Cable  42  may additionally supply power to scale  22  from barcode reader  20 .  
         [0027]    Multiple power connections supply power. POS terminal  12  and barcode reader  20  have their own power connections. Interlock  26  and EAS system  24  share another power connection.  
         [0028]    Turning now to FIGS.  2 - 3 , checkout device  14  is shown in more detail.  
         [0029]    Checkout device  14  includes housing portions  42  and  46 . Housing portions  42  and  46  contain optical components for barcode reader  20 . Housing portion  42  includes vertical aperture  44  through which scanning light beams pass.  
         [0030]    Checkout device  14  is preferably about 11.5 inches in width by 20 inches in length so as to fit within a “standard” U.S. checkstand hole for combination barcode reader and scale assemblies.  
         [0031]    Housing portion  46  includes a load cell assembly and weigh plate  50  of scale  22 . Weigh plate  50  includes horizontal aperture  48  through which scanning light beams pass. Housing portion  46  is mounted within checkout counter  52  so that weigh plate  50  is substantially flush with top surface  54  of checkout counter  52 .  
         [0032]    With reference to FIG. 3, EAS system  24  is mounted on top surface  62  of housing portion  46 . Posts  56  support weigh plate  50  above EAS system  24  so as to provide an additional space to locate EAS system  24 . Checkout device  14  is about two inches deeper than the NCR model 7875 checkout device in order to accommodate installation of EAS system  24 .  
         [0033]    EAS system  24  may slightly overlap aperture  58  from one side of aperture  58  without substantially interfering with the operation of barcode reader  22 . Aperture  58  is in line with aperture  48  of weigh plate  50 .  
         [0034]    An example EAS system  24  includes electromagnetic coil  60 . Coil  60  may include separate sense and deactivation coils. Corresponding security labels on products preferably include magnetic material. Coil  60  is packaged into a generally rectangular three-dimensional shape.  
         [0035]    Coil  60  is preferably oriented so that its length dimension is oriented perpendicular to the direction of product movement. In this way, security labels are exposed to the electromagnetic field from coil  60  after they are moved across aperture  48  of weigh plate  50 .  
         [0036]    The illustrated example shows EAS system  24  in a left side of housing portion  46  and left of horizontal aperture  58 . The example is suitable for a right-to-left scanning motion. EAS system  24  may instead be located on a right side of housing portion  46  for left-to-right scanning.  
         [0037]    In operation, a product bearing a barcode label and a product security label are moved across weigh plate  50 . Barcode reader  20  reads the barcode label and sends an enable signal to interlock  26 . Interlock  26  signals EAS system  24  to detect the product security label. Coil  60  senses the magnetic material in the security label. Coil  60  demagnetizes the magnetic material in the security label.  
         [0038]    Although the invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.