Abstract:
A hybrid optical code scanner and system are presented for improving an operators scanning performance. The scanning performance is improved by providing a visual indicator to the operator that identifies the optimal location for presenting an optical code to an imaging scanner in the hybrid optical code scanner.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a hybrid optical code scanner. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a scanner and system for identifying an optimal presentation location for an optical code. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Any discussion of prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
         [0003]    A hybrid optical code scanner includes a laser scanner and an imaging scanner. The two scanners are used to independently read optical codes such barcodes presented to the scanner. The laser scanner reads a barcode by sweeping a laser beam across the barcode, capturing data representing the reflected laser light, and then processing the captured data. An imaging scanner reads a barcode by capturing a complete image of the barcode and then processing the image. 
         [0004]    When a barcode is presented to the imaging scanner, the barcode generally faces away from the operator and toward the imaging scanner. Even if the imaging scanner projects targeting marker beams that identify where to place the barcode (the sweet spot), the barcode or the item the barcode is attached to will block the operator&#39;s view of the beams. This makes the image scanning process essentially a blind operation. 
         [0005]    To complicate the process, the size of the preferred imaging location (sweet spot) can be small and its exact location is not intuitive to the operator. The combination of not knowing where to present a barcode and not being able to see targeting the marker beams, significantly reduces scan performance and reduces the shopping experience for the operator. The operator is typically a customer but could be an employee. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is a need for a hybrid optical code scanner that provides an effective way to properly align optical codes with an imaging scanner of the hybrid optical code scanner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. 
         [0008]    Among its several aspects, one embodiment of the present invention recognizes a condition where an operator or user of a hybrid optical code scanner (“hybrid scanner”) has difficultly determining the optimal location for presenting an optical code to the hybrid scanner for imaging by an imaging scanner in the hybrid scanner. One aspect of the present invention provides a visual indicator to the operator that identifies the optimal location for presenting the optical code for scanning by the imaging scanner. 
         [0009]    The visual indicator is visible when the imaging scanner is in operation and is invisible when the imaging scanner is not operating. 
         [0010]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hybrid optical code scanner comprising: a vertical scanning window; a laser scanner for reading optical codes where the laser scanner generates at least one laser scan beam that passes through the vertical scanning window; an imaging scanner for reading optical codes where the imaging scanner captures a image of an optical code that is positioned in a predetermined area in front of the vertical scanning window and where the space between the imaging scanner and the predetermined area forms a first image path; an ultra-violet light source; and an optically transparent or translucent material applied as a thin band to the inside surface of the vertical scanning window where the material fluoresces when exposed to ultra-violet light from the ultra-violet light source and where the thin band encompasses an area of the vertical scanning window that includes the portion of the first image path that passes through the vertical scanning window. 
         [0011]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, as well as further features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the accompanying Drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0012]    The aspects of the claimed invention can be better understood with reference to the Drawings and the Detailed Description. The Drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout the Drawings, like element numbers are used to describe the same parts throughout the various drawing, figures and charts. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a high-level block diagram illustrating an exemplar embodiment of a point-of-sale system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a high-level drawing illustrating an exemplar embodiment of a hybrid optical code scanner. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a high-level cross-sectional drawing further illustrating the exemplar embodiment of the hybrid optical code scanner. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a high-level drawing further illustrating the vertical scanning window of the hybrid optical code scanner. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]    In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the claimed invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the claimed invention may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments are possible. 
         [0018]    The term optical code includes both one and two dimensional barcodes as well as documents such as a driver&#39;s license or other forms of identification. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is provided a high-level block diagram illustrating an exemplar embodiment of a point of sale (POS) system  100 . The system  100  includes a hybrid optical code scanner (“hybrid scanner”)  105  and a POS terminal  110  where both are connected by a computer network  160 . The hybrid optical code scanner  105  includes a processor module  115 , a laser scanner  145 , an imaging scanner  150  and a communications controller  155 . 
         [0020]    Within the processor module  115 , there is included a processor  120 , a memory  125  and control circuitry  130 . The memory  125  includes both volatile and non-volatile memory. Software stored in the memory  125  is executed by the processor  120  which causes the processor  125  to control the devices and operation of the hybrid optical code scanner  105 . The control circuitry  130  provides an interface between the processor  120  and the memory  125  and between the processor  120  a bus  140  used to communicate with other devices that comprise the hybrid optical code scanner  105  including but limited to the laser scanner  145 , imaging scanner  150  and communications controller  155 . 
         [0021]    The laser scanner  145  includes a laser generation device ( FIG. 3A ,  350 ), a laser beam directing device ( FIG. 3A ,  360 ) for directing a laser beam ( FIG. 3A ,  355 ) generated by the laser generation device ( FIG. 3A ,  350 ) and a photo-detector ( FIG. 3A ,  365 ) for detecting laser light reflected from an optical code back to the laser scanner  145 . The laser scanner  145  also includes a pattern mirror ( FIG. 3A ,  325 ) used to direct a laser beam ( FIG. 3A ,  340 ) reflected by the laser beam directing device ( FIG. 3A ,  360 ). 
         [0022]    The imaging scanner  150  includes an image capture device such as a CMOS image sensor. When an optical code is presented to the hybrid optical code scanner  105 , the imaging scanner  150  captures an image of the optical code and processes the image to recover data encoded in the optical code. 
         [0023]    The communications controller  155  includes hardware and software required to communicate with external devices over the computer network  160 . In some embodiments, the computer network  160  is implemented using an industry standard USB bus that connects the hybrid optical code scanner  105  to the POS terminal  110 . 
         [0024]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , there is provided a high-level drawing illustrating an exemplar embodiment of the hybrid optical code scanner  105 . The hybrid optical code scanner  105  includes a housing  200  comprising a vertical housing component  210  and horizontal housing component  205 . The vertical housing component  210  includes vertical scanning window  220  and the horizontal housing component  205  includes a horizontal scanning window  215 . The vertical scanning window  220  faces the front  225  of the hybrid optical code scanner  105 . An operator/user of the hybrid optical code scanner  105  stands in front  225  of the hybrid optical code scanner  105  facing the vertical scanning window  220  and moves optical codes ( FIG. 3A ,  300 ) for scanning through a first volume of space ( FIG. 3A ,  370 ) generally above the horizontal scanning window  215  and in front of the vertical scanning window  220 . 
         [0025]    The imaging scanner  150  is shown as part of the vertical housing component  210 . In some embodiments, the imaging scanner  150  is removable from the vertical housing component  210  and is operated as a hand held device to read optical codes. However, when the imaging scanner  150  is docked in the vertical housing component  210  it reads optical codes as depicted in this figure. In other embodiments, the imaging scanner  150  is positioned in different locations within the hybrid scanner  105  and maybe fixed or removable. 
         [0026]    The laser and imaging scanners each have an optimal area in space where an optical code located in this area has the highest probability of the being read by the scanner. The size and location of the optimal area is different for the laser and imaging scanner. Therefore, the area that works best for the imaging scanner, maybe work as well for the laser scanner and vise-versa. The imaging scanner&#39;s optimal area is the first volume of space  370 , also known as the sweet spot. 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIG. 3A , there is provided a high-level cross-sectional drawing further illustrating the exemplar embodiment of the hybrid optical code scanner  105 . The pattern mirror  325  is one of a plurality of pattern mirrors (not shown). The pattern mirror  325  receives the laser beam  340  from a laser beam directing device  360  and reflects the laser beam  345  through the vertical scanning window  220  to an area in front of the vertical scanning window  220  and generally over the horizontal scanning window  215 . In some embodiments, the area the laser beam  345  is directed to may extend past the perimeter of the horizontal scanning window  215 . The laser beam directing device  360  causes the laser beam  345  to move so that it scans a second volume of space. If the laser beam  345  strikes and moves across an optical code, the reflected laser light is directed (directing devices not shown) back to the laser scanner  145  where the laser light is detected to the photo-detector  365  and data encoded in the optical code read. Laser scanners, in general, are best suited to read one dimensional (1D) barcodes (which are included as an optical code). 
         [0028]    The optical code  300 , which in this embodiment is a two dimensional (2D) barcode, is presented to the hybrid optical code scanner  150  to be read by the imaging scanner  150 . A first image of the optical code  300  travels along a first path  320  through the vertical scanning window  220  to a mirror  315  where it is reflected along a second path  310  to the imaging scanner  150  and is captured for processing. The first path  320  is not a thin line like a laser beam but is a wider path that allows the imaging scanner  150  to capture a complete image of the optical code  300 . 
         [0029]    The optical code  300  is positioned over the horizontal scanning window  215  and in front of the vertical scanning window  220  in the imaging scanner&#39;s  150  sweet spot  370 . When an optical code is in the sweet spot  370 , it will fall within the field of vision and depth of field for the imaging scanner  150 . This means that the optical code will be visible and in focus when it is located in the sweet spot  370  and facing the vertical scanning window  220 . 
         [0030]    However, finding the sweet spot  370  maybe difficult. To aid the user in finding the sweet spot  370 , an optically transparent material  375 , such as an ultra-violet (UV) ink, is applied to the inside surface of the vertical scanning window  220 . The material  375  is applied around a first area  380  that is defined as the area of the vertical scanning window  220  where the first path  320  passes through. The generally geometry of the area  380  is a square or rectangle (this is not a requirement) and the material  375  is applied round the perimeter of the area  380 . In some embodiments, the area  380  is simply a dot that identifies the center of the sweet spot  370  and the material  375  is applied over the dot. An ultra-violet light source  305  is included in the housing  200  and is in a location that allows it to illuminate the material  375  with UV light. When the imaging scanner  150  is operating, the light source  305  is turned on and ultra-violet light from the light source  305  strikes the material  375  causing it to fluoresce, making the material  375  visible to the user of the hybrid optical code scanner  105 . In some embodiments, the ultra-violet light is reflected off of one or more mirrors between the light source  305  and the material  375 . The now visible material  375  provides an visual indication to the user of location of the sweet spot  370 . The sweet spot  370  for the imaging scanner  150  will be in front of the material  370  at about the same height above the horizontal scanning window  215 . 
         [0031]    The material  375  is applied as a thin layer or band around the perimeter of the area  380 . The width of the material  375  can vary but is wide enough so that the material  375  is easily visible to the user when it fluoresces. The material  370  is optically transparent when applied in a thin layer. In some embodiments, the material  375  is optically translucent when applied in a thin layer. 
         [0032]    Since UV light can be harmful to humans, the vertical scanning window  220  and the horizontal scanning window  215  are made out of a transparent material, such as polycarbonate, that has the intrinsic property of filtering out most or all UV light. By filtering out the UV light, the operator of the hybrid scanner  105  is protected. In some embodiments, the window is constructed from multiple sheets of glass with polycarbonate film placed in between the glass sheets. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3B  further illustrates the material  375  on the vertical scanning window  220 . In this example, the sweet spot  370  is located slightly to the left of the center of the vertical scanning window  220 . As a result, the material  375  is offset to left of center. 
         [0034]    In this embodiment, the material  375  is applied in a continuous band around the area  380 . In other embodiments, the material  375  is applied in other patterns such as just in the corners to form corner hash marks. Many patterns are possible as long as they indicate to the user the location of the sweet spot  370  for the imaging scanner  150 . 
         [0035]    Although particular reference has been made to an embodiment that includes a hybrid optical code scanner and examples have been provided illustrating the invention in combination with a laser and imaging scanner, certain other embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims. For example, there are embodiments where the invention is used in scanners having only an imaging scanner.