Abstract:
A method, apparatus and system are presented for improving an optical code scanner used in an assisted service point of sale terminal by automatically detecting the placement of an item for scanning on the customer side of the optical code scanner and configuring the scanner to scan the item. Once the item is scanned, the optical code scanner reconfigures to scan items presented on the cashier side of the scanner. When the scanner automatically detects, configures and scans an item presented on the customer side of the scanner, it reduces the checkout time and reduces the number of operations a cashier must perform.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a hybrid optical code scanner or imaging optical code scanner. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to improvements to an optical code scanner to automatically scan optical codes presented to different sides of the scanner. 
       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]    An assisted service point of sale (POS) terminal is a POS terminal operated by a cashier. The POS terminal includes an optical code scanner for scanning and identifying optical codes attached to or printed on an item or document. In a typical purchase transaction, a customer brings one or more items for purchase to the POS terminal and the cashier presents each item to the POS terminal, which scans and identifies the item. During the transaction, the customer may be asked to present identification (ID) as proof of age or the customer may have a coupon associated with an item that lowers the cost of the item. A typical ID or coupon includes an optical code that can be read by the optical code scanner. 
         [0004]    Some optical code scanners have a scan window on the customer side of the scanner where the customer can position the ID or coupon for scanning. However, the customer must communicate to the cashier that they have an ID or a coupon for scanning. The cashier then causes the scanner to physically configure itself to scan from the customer scan window and after the ID or coupon is scanned the cashier causes the scanner to physically reconfigure itself to scan from the cashier side of the scanner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Thus, among its several aspects, the present invention recognizes there is an advantage to having an optical code scanner that automatically: 1) detects when an optical code is presented to the customer scan window for scanning, 2) configures the scanner to scan from the customer scan window, 3) scans the customer&#39;s optical code, and 4) reconfigures the scanner to scan from the cashier side of the scanner. 
         [0006]    Among its several aspects, the present invention seeks to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. 
         [0007]    Among its several aspects, one embodiment of the present invention recognizes a condition where an optical code scanner is configured to scan optical codes presented to the cashier side of the scanner but there is a need to scan an optical code presented to the customer side of the optical code scanner. One aspect of the present invention automatically identifies the need to scan an optical code presented to the customer side of the optical code scanner by detecting when an item with the optical code is placed against a customer facing scan window. When the item is placed against the customer scan window, it blocks all of or a portion of ambient light that normally passes through the customer scan window. The scanner monitors the level of ambient light passing through the customer scan window and identifies the presence of an item for scanning when the level of ambient light falls below a predetermined level that represents a lower limit of normal ambient light. Another aspect of the present invention is a slidable mirror assembly that is moved between a first and a second position. When the mirror assembly is located in the first position, the scanner scans optical codes on the cashier side of the scanner and when the mirror assembly is located in the second position, the scanner scans optical codes on the customer side of the scanner. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an optical code scanner for use in an assisted service point of sale terminal to read optical codes on items presented for purchase or on items that relate to the purchase. To this end, a scanner may suitably comprise: a housing that includes a vertical housing component where the vertical housing component includes a cashier facing side and a customer facing side; a first optically transparent window located on the cashier facing side of the vertical housing component; a second optically transparent window located on the customer facing side of the vertical housing component; an image capture device for capturing images of optical codes directed to it. 
         [0009]    The scanner may further suitably comprise: an image directing device movable between a first position and a second position where images passing through the first optically transparent window are directed to the image capture device when the image directing device is in the first position and where images passing through the second optically transparent window are directed to the image capture device when the image directing device is in the second position; a light level detector that generates a signal representing the level of ambient light passing through the second optically transparent window; an actuator attached to the image directing device where the actuator moves the image directing device between the first position and the second position; and a processor operable to execute instructions that when executed causes the processor to determine when the signal from the light level detector falls below a predetermined threshold value and to cause the actuator to move the image directing device to the second position. 
         [0010]    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 
         [0011]    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 drawings, figures and charts. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a high-level drawing illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an assisted service point of sale system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a high-level drawing illustrating a side view of an optical code scanner of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a high-level diagram illustrating a top down view of the optical code scanner of the present invention where the mirror assembly is located in a first position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a high-level diagram illustrating a top down view of the optical code scanner of the present invention where the mirror assembly is located in a second position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a high-level flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for operating the optical code scanner of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     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 aspects of the claimed invention may be practiced without utilizing all of these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments are possible and envisioned. 
         [0018]    As used herein, the term optical code includes a plurality of machine-readable indicium that includes, but is not limited to, one-dimensional (1D) barcodes and two-dimensional (2D) barcodes. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is provided a high-level drawing illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an assisted service point of sale system  100 . The system  100  includes an optical code scanner (scanner)  105  and an assisted service point of sale terminal  190 . The optical code scanner  105  of the present invention is a hybrid bi-optic type scanner meaning it uses both a laser based scanner  125  and an image based scanner  165  to read an optical code presented to the scanner  105 . In other embodiments, the optical code scanner  105  uses just an image based scanner to read optical codes. 
         [0020]    The scanner  105  includes a processor module  110 , a user interface  120 , the laser scanner  125 , a weigh scale  130 , a communications controller  135 , the image scanner  165  and a user interface  165 . The processor module  110  includes a processor  111 , a memory  112  and control circuitry  113 . The memory  112  includes both volatile and non-volatile memory. The processor  111  executes software instructions stored in the memory  112  which causes the processor  111  to control the elements of the scanner  105  to implement the features and functions of the scanner  105 . The control circuitry  113  includes hardware interfaces between the processor  111  and the memory  112  and between the processor  111  and a bus  115  used to communicate with other elements of the scanner  105 . 
         [0021]    The laser scanner  125  includes a mirrored polygon spinner, a laser diode that generates a laser beam directed at the rotating spinner and a plurality of mirrors that direct laser beams reflected off the spinner to a main scan area above the scanner  105 . The main scan area is located on the cashier side of the scanner  105 . The laser scanner  125  further includes a laser detector that detected laser light reflected off of optical codes presented to the scanner  105 . The laser detector converts the received laser light to electrical signals that are processed by the processor  111  to read the scanned optical code. 
         [0022]    The communications controller  135  includes hardware and software that are required to communicate over an external network  185  with a POS terminal  190 . In some embodiments, the communications controller  135  includes a wireless communications device that communicates wirelessly with the POS terminal  190 . In other embodiments, the communications controller  135  supports a Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller that communicates with the point of sale terminal and other peripherals over the external network  185 . 
         [0023]    The image scanner  165  includes a plurality of illumination devices  140 , an image capture device  145 , a photodiode  150 , a mirror assembly  155  and a solenoid  160 . The plurality of illumination devices  140  are divided into two groups. A first group of devices directs light toward the cashier side ( FIG. 2 , element  225 ) of the scanner  105  and a second group of devices directs light toward the customer side ( FIG. 2 , element  220 ) of the scanner  105 . The plurality of illumination devices  140  are controlled by the processor  111  which turns the devices on and off and can adjust the level of illumination when they are on. The processor  111  can individually control the first and second groups of devices. 
         [0024]    The image capture device  145  receives an image from the mirror assembly  155  and captures the image. The image is then processed by the processor  111  to decode an optical code captured in the image. The mirror assembly  155  includes a first and a second mirror ( FIG. 3A , elements  310 , 315 ) that are mounted on a supporting member ( FIG. 3A , element  320 ). The mirror assembly  155  is configured to move between a first position and a second position. When the mirror assembly  155  is in the first position (depicted in  FIG. 3A ), images  175  from the cashier side ( FIG. 2 , element  225 ) of the scanner  105  are directed to the image capture device  145 . When the mirror assembly  155  is in the second position (depicted in the  FIG. 3B ), images from the customer side ( FIG. 2 , element  220 ) are directed to the image capture device  145 . The solenoid  160 , which is controlled by the processor  111 , is attached to the mirror assembly  155  and moves the mirror assembly  155  to the first or to the second position. The photodiode  150  or a light level detector determines the amount of ambient light received from the customer side ( FIG. 2 , element  220 ) through a customer facing scan window ( FIG. 2 , element  235 ). 
         [0025]    The user interface  120  includes a speaker that communicates with the cashier or the customer by producing audible sounds associated with different functions. The user interface  120  further includes lights that are used to indicate that status of certain functions such as when a scan is successful and which of the two positions the mirror assembly  155  is in (cashier or customer). The user interface  120  also receives input from the cashier through input devices which include a first control button ( FIG. 3 , element  330 ). The first control button  330  is used to configure the mirror assembly  155 . When the first control button  330  is pressed, a signal is generated and received by the processor  111  which responds by causing the solenoid  160  to move the mirror assembly  155  to the second position. Once the scan from the customer side is complete, the processor  111  causes the solenoid  160  to move to the first position which directs images from the cashier side to the image capture device  145 . 
         [0026]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , there is provided a high-level drawing illustrating a side view of the scanner  105 . The scanner  105  includes a housing  205  which includes a base housing component  215  and a vertical housing component  210 . The base housing component  215  includes a weigh plate  255  that is a component of the weigh scale  130 . A horizontal window  240  is located within the weigh plate  255 . The horizontal window  240  is filled with a material that is substantially optically transparent to the laser beams generated by the laser scanner  125 , some of which are directed through the horizontal window  240 . The vertical housing component  210  includes the cashier facing surface  225  which includes a cashier facing vertical window  230  through which images and laser beams pass. The vertical housing component  210  includes a customer facing side  220  which includes a customer facing scan window  235  through which images from the customer side pass.  FIG. 2  further depicts a first optical code  245  located over the scanner  105  on the cashier side and an image path  175  that is directed from the item  245  to the vertical window  230 . A second optical code  250  is located on the customer side of the scanner with an image path  170  from the second optical code  250  to the customer facing scan window  235 . Both the customer facing scan window  235  and the cashier facing vertical window  230  are filled with a material that is substantially optically transparent to the laser beams generated by the laser scanner  125 . 
         [0027]    Referencing  FIG. 3A , there is provided a high-level diagram illustrating a top down view of the scanner  105  of the present invention where the mirror assembly  155  is located in a first position. In the first position, an image of the first optical code  245  travels along image path  175  and reflects off the first mirror  310  of the mirror assembly  155  to the image capture device  145 . When the mirror assembly  155  is in the first position, as depicted, the solenoid  160  moves it in a forward direction  325  to the second position. 
         [0028]    Referencing  FIG. 3B , there is provided a second, top down view illustrating the scanner  105  of the present invention with the mirror assembly  155  in a second position. In the second position, an image of the second optical code  250  travels along image path  170  and reflects off the second mirror  315  of the mirror assembly  155  to the image capture device  145 . When the mirror assembly  155  is in the second position, as depicted, the solenoid  160  moves it in a rearward direction  330  to the first position. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a high-level flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of operating the scanner  105 . The actions and functions described in this method are performed by the processor  111 . In this method, the scanner  105  automatically detects when a customer places an item that needs to be scanned against the customer facing scan window  235  and moves the mirror assembly  155  to the second position so the image capture device  145  can capture an image from the customer side of the scanner  105 . The scanner  105  will perform this function automatically without direction from the cashier or the customer (other than the customer placing the item next to the customer facing scan window  235 ). 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the scanner  105  measures and maintains metrics on the functions performed by the cashier. The metrics include the average time between scans. The scans can either be performed by the laser scanner  125  or the image scanner  165 . When the scanner  105  detects that the customer has placed an item for scanning against the customer facing scan window  235 , it uses the average time between scans to determine if a customer side scan can be performed during the average time between scans. The time to perform a customer side scan includes moving the mirror assembly  155  to the second position, capturing an image and then moving the mirror assembly  155  back to the first position. If the customer side scan can be performed between cashier scans, the scanner  105  performs the customer side scan after the next cashier side scan is complete. When the scanner  105  is performing a customer side scan, the laser scanner  125  is still scanning optical codes on the cashier side. 
         [0031]    At step  400 , the solenoid  160  moves the mirror assembly  155  to the first position. From the first position, images from the cashier side of the scanner  105  are directed to the image capture device  145 . This is the normal operating position for the mirror assembly  155 . Additionally, the illumination devices  140  that are aimed toward the cashier side of the scanner  105  are turned on and the illumination devices  140  that are aimed toward the customer side of the scanner  105  may be turned off. At step  405 , the image capture device  145  captures an image from the cashier side of the scanner  105 . The processor  111  causes the image capture device  145  to capture the image. At step  410 , the processor  111  receives and processes the image data to decode an optical code captured in the image data. At step  415 , the processor  111  sends data about the decoded optical code to the POS terminal  190 . 
         [0032]    At step  420 , the processor  111  reads the output signal from the photodiode  150  and determines if the value is below a predetermined threshold value. The photodiode  150  measures the level of ambient light passing through the customer facing scan window  235  and the output signal represents the real-time ambient light level. Ambient light levels vary within a known range. The predetermined threshold value is a value that represents an ambient light level below the lowest level of the known range. When a customer places an item against the customer facing scan window  235 , it blocks all or a portion of the ambient light that normally passes through the customer facing scan window  235 . This causes the output signal of the photodiode  150  to fall below the predetermined threshold value. When the output signal is below the predetermined threshold value, control is transferred to step  435 , otherwise control passes to step  425 . 
         [0033]    At step  425 , the processor  111  determines if the first control button  330  has been pressed by the cashier. If it has, control is passed to step  435 , otherwise control passes to step  430 . The first control button  330  is used by the cashier to manually force the scanner  105  to move the mirror assembly  155  to the second position and to scan the customer facing scan window  235 . Cashier intervention could be necessary when an optical code is displayed on an electronic device and the ambient light levels fail to fall below the predetermined threshold value because of light emitted by the device (the light is typically generated by the backlight in the device). 
         [0034]    At step  430 , the processor  111  determines if a command to switch the mirror assembly  155  to the second position has been received by the scanner  105  from the POS terminal  190 . If it has, control is passed to step  435 , otherwise control passes back to step  405  to continue scanning the cashier side of the scanner  105 . When the POS terminal determines that an age restricted item has been scanned, the customer is required to produce an identification document (ID) as proof of age. The POS terminal  190  sends a command to the scanner  105  to move the mirror assembly  155  to the second position so the scanner  105  can scan the identification document. Once the document is successfully scanned, the POS terminal  190  sends a command to the scanner  105  to return the mirror assembly  155  to the first position. 
         [0035]    At step  435 , the processor  111  causes the solenoid  160  to move the mirror assembly  155  to the second position which directs images from the customer side of the scanner  105  to the image capture device  145 . At step  440 , the processor  111  turns on the illumination devices  140  that are aimed at the customer facing scan window  235  to illuminate an optical code presented to the customer facing scan window  235 . At step  445 , the image capture device  145  captures an image from the customer side of the scanner  105 . The processor  111  causes the image capture device  145  to capture the image. At step  450 , the processor  111  receives and processes the image data to decode an optical code captured in the image data. At step  455 , the processor  111  sends data about the decoded optical code to the POS terminal  190 . After the optical code is scanned, control passes back to step  400 . 
         [0036]    Although particular reference has been made to an embodiment of the invention that includes an optical code scanner in communication with an assisted service point of sale terminal and examples have been provided illustrating the invention, certain other embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims.