Abstract:
A checkout system including a rotating barcode reader. In an example embodiment, the checkout system includes a base, a platform rotatable with respect to the base, a substantially circular top plate mounted to the platform including a window; and a barcode reader on the platform adjacent the window. The substantially circular top plate and the barcode reader are rotatable with the platform.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to checkout systems, and more specifically to a checkout system including a rotating barcode reader. 
         [0002]    Fixed barcode readers are mounted within a checkout counter. The footprint or mounting aperture of fixed barcode readers is rectangular. When equipped with built-in scales, fixed barcode readers include rectangular weigh plates. 
         [0003]    One type of fixed barcode reader can read barcodes presented on any of a plurality of sides of an item, thereby minimizing the need for an operator to orient an item with respect to the barcode reader during scanning. This type of barcode reader may include a dual-aperture barcode reader, with a horizontal window and a vertical window. The horizontal window may be substantially flush with the surface of the checkout counter. The vertical window may be located within a tower portion rising from the surface of the checkout counter. 
         [0004]    In some checkout environments, it would be desirable to re-configure an assisted-service checkout counter for self-service operation, or vice versa, without asking customers to switch sides or redirect customer traffic past the checkout counters. Since the vertical window of a dual-aperture barcode reader must face the operator in order to easily scan items, checkout systems which contain dual-aperture barcode readers offer retailers very little flexibility for reconfiguring their stores with more or less of either assisted-service and self-service checkout systems. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,758 assigned to the assignee of the present invention discloses an example checkout system including a drawer containing a pivot. A barcode reader is mounted to the pivot. Reconfiguration of the checkout system requires that the drawer be pulled out, the barcode reader rotated, and the drawer be pushed in. 
         [0006]    It would be desirable to provide a checkout system which is more easily reconfigured for either assisted-service or self-service operation. 
       Summary 
       [0007]    In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a checkout system including a rotating a barcode reader is provided. 
         [0008]    In an example embodiment, the checkout system includes a base, a platform rotatable with respect to the base, a substantially circular top plate mounted to the platform including a window; and a barcode reader on the platform adjacent the window. The substantially circular top plate and the barcode reader are rotatable with the platform. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The present invention may take form in various components and arrangement of components and in various methods. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating example embodiments and alternatives and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a view of a first example checkout system configured as a assisted-service checkout island. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a view of the first example checkout system configured as a self-service checkout island. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a view of a first example checkout system configured as a assisted-service checkout island. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a view of the first example checkout system configured as a self-service checkout island. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a view of an example mounting assembly containing a barcode reader. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is another view of the example mounting assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a view of a checkout counter where the example mounting assembly of  FIGS. 3-4  is inserted. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  2 A- 2 B, an example checkout system  10  includes a checkout stand with a receiving portion  12 , a bagging portion  14 , and a scanning portion  16 . 
         [0018]    Receiving portion  12  includes shelf  20  where purchased items may be placed. 
         [0019]    Bagging portion  14  may include a conveyor  22  for conveying purchased items to a location for bagging. 
         [0020]    Scanning portion  16  includes terminal  30 , terminal interface  32 , and barcode reader  34 . Scanning portion  16  additionally includes scale  44 , which may be part of barcode reader  34  or separate from barcode reader  34 . 
         [0021]    Terminal  30  may be located within scanning portion  16 . Terminal  30  is preferably connected to a store network. 
         [0022]    Example terminal interface  32  couples to terminal  30  and includes a touch screen  36  and a card reader  38  for reading loyalty and payment cards. 
         [0023]    Example checkout system  10  may include additional peripherals, such as a cash drawer, a receipt printer, a signature capture pad, and a customer display for assisted-service operation and a currency and/or coin acceptor and/or dispenser, a receipt printer, and a signature capture pad for self-service operation. 
         [0024]    With reference to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-1B , terminal interface  32  may be removably mounted to the top surface of scanning portion  16 . 
         [0025]    In another example, terminal interface  32  may be mounted to a ring  40  separate from weigh plate  50 . Ring  40  has substantially circular inner and outer edges and may rotate with weigh plate  50  (e.g., mounted to platform  82 — FIG. 3 ) or be attached to weigh plate  50 . Alternatively, ring  40  may be free to rotate separately. In such an example, terminal interface  32  is rotated by rotating ring  40 . Any other peripherals, such as card reader  38 , mounted to terminal interface  32  and/or ring  40  also rotate. 
         [0026]    Scale  44  may include one or more load cells, such as planar load cells. 
         [0027]    With reference to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A-2B , terminal interface  32  may be mounted to barcode reader  34 . 
         [0028]    In other examples, terminal interface  32  may be mounted elsewhere and reconfigured for assisted-service or self-service operation in other ways. 
         [0029]    Example barcode reader  34  may be a laser scanner, imaging scanner, or any combination thereof. 
         [0030]    With reference to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-1B , weigh plate  50  is substantially circular in shape and contains window  52 . Example window  52  is rectangular in shape, but may be any other shape, such as circular. Window  52  may be made of a scratch-resistant glass. Weigh plate  50  may be made of stainless steel and may be substantially flush with the top surface of scanning portion  16 . Weigh plate  50  may additionally include an edge lip to constrain liquids and/or debris. 
         [0031]    With reference to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A-2B , weigh plate  58  is substantially circular in shape and contains window  54  and aperture  60 . 
         [0032]    The example barcode reader  34  may include a dual-aperture bar code barcode reader with a substantially horizontal window  54  and a substantially vertical window  56 . Substantially horizontal window  54  may be part of weigh plate  58  and be rectangular in shape. 
         [0033]    Substantially vertical window  56  is part of a raised tower portion that extends through aperture  60  in weigh plate  58  above the top surface of scanning portion  16 . Substantially vertical window  56  faces an operator during scanning. 
         [0034]    Weigh plate  58  may be made of stainless steel and may be substantially flush with the top surface of scanning portion  16 . Weigh plate  58  may additionally include an edge lip to constrain liquids and/or debris. 
         [0035]    Example checkout system  10  includes a store operator side  70  and a customer side  72 . During assisted-service operation, terminal interface  32  faces store operator side  80 . A store operator scans items selected for purchase by a customer and completes payment for the items, for example, using card reader  38 . During self-service operation, terminal interface  32  faces customer side  72 . A customer scans items selected for purchase and completes payment for the items, for example, using card reader  38 . 
         [0036]    To facilitate a change in operation of checkout system  10  between assisted-service and self-service modes, barcode reader  34  rotates to positions for the corresponding mode of operation. Peripherals mounted to barcode reader  34  and/or fill plate  60  rotate with barcode reader  34  and fill plate  60 . 
         [0037]    Depending on mounting configuration, terminal interface  32  may rotate with barcode reader  34  or be positioned separately, for example, via ring  40 . Peripherals mounted to terminal interface  32 , such as card reader  38 , reposition with terminal interface  32 . 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , an example mounting assembly  80  containing barcode reader  34  and scale  44  includes platform  82 . Platform  82  rotates between an assisted-service position and a self-service position during configuration changes. 
         [0039]    Barcode reader  34  is mounted to platform  82  and rotates with platform  82 . The example barcode reader  34  is a single-aperture barcode reader, though a multi-aperture barcode reader may also be mounted to platform  82  as in  FIGS. 2A-2B . 
         [0040]    Scale  44  includes planar load cells  84 , which are mounted to platform  82 . Posts  86  are mounted to planar load cells  84  and support weigh plate  50  above barcode reader  34 . Planar load cells  84 , posts  86 , and weigh plate  50  rotate with platform  82 . 
         [0041]    In one example embodiment, weigh plate  50  includes an indent  90  near its outer edge. A torque applied to weigh plate  50  at indent  90  causes platform  82  to rotate about its centerline. 
         [0042]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , platform  82  is supported by a stationary base  96 . In one example embodiment, platform  82  and base  96  are separated by ball bearings, which allow platform  82  to freely move. Aperture  94  along with a corresponding aperture in platform  82  provide access for cable runs to barcode reader  34 , scale  44 , and terminal interface  32 . The apertures are centrally located to minimize cable movement and twisting during rotation of platform  82 . 
         [0043]    Platform  82  may include a detect  98  which engages corresponding latches in the mounting recess  100  ( FIG. 5 ) at assisted-service and self-service positions to prevent rotation of platform  82  at times other than reconfiguration. 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , scanning portion  16  includes circular aperture  102  defining mounting recess  100  into which assembly  80  is inserted during installation. A predetermined distance separates weigh plate  50  from aperture  102 . 
         [0045]    In operation, an operator applies a finger or other tool to indent  90  to rotate platform  82  about its centerline from a self-service operating position to an assisted-service operating position, and back again. The angle between the two positions may be about 180 degrees. At the self-service operating position, a self-service checkout transaction using the barcode reader is performed by a customer. At the assisted-service operation position, an assisted-service checkout transaction is performed by an operator. Advantageously, the operator may rotate platform  82  without removing barcode reader from the checkout counter. 
         [0046]    Although particular reference has been made to certain embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims.