Abstract:
A hybrid optical code scanner, system and method are presented for alerting a user when one or more events related to a handheld imaging scanner, undocked from the hybrid optical code scanner, occur. The events include moving the handheld imaging scanner beyond it communication range, keeping the handheld imaging scanner undocked beyond a predetermined period of time and activation of a switch on the handheld imaging 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 hybrid optical code scanner and system that includes sounding an alarm related to a removable handheld imaging 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]    A hybrid optical code scanner (“hybrid 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. The imaging scanner reads a barcode by capturing a complete image of the barcode and then processing the image. 
         [0004]    The imaging scanner is a removable handheld device. It can be removed from a docking station in the hybrid scanner and taken to a remote location to read an optical code. The code is then transmitted back to the hybrid scanner. Because the handheld imaging scanner can be operated remotely from the hybrid scanner, it is possible to take the handheld imaging scanner beyond its limited communication range. It is also possible to fail to return the handheld imaging scanner back to its docking station. Both of these conditions reduce the performance of the hybrid scanner because the imaging scanner is not available to scan optical codes at the hybrid scanner. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need for a hybrid optical code scanner that identifies these conditions and sounds an alarm to alert a user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    Among its several aspects, one embodiment of the present invention recognizes a condition where the scanning performance of a hybrid optical code scanner is reduced because a handheld imaging scanner has been undocked from the hybrid optical code scanner but is not being used. When the handheld imaging scanner is docked with the hybrid optical code scanner is used along with a fixed laser scanner to scan optical codes, such as barcodes, presented to the hybrid optical code scanner for reading. However, if the handheld imaging scanner is undocked to scan a remote optical code but not returned to and docked with the hybrid optical code scanner, the performance of the hybrid optical code scanner is reduced because only the laser scanner is available for scanning optical codes presented to the hybrid optical code scanner. 
         [0008]    One aspect of the present invention generates an audible alert to the user indicating that the handheld imaging scanner needs to be returned and docked with the hybrid scanner. 
         [0009]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hybrid optical code scanner comprising: a housing; a speaker located in the housing where the speaker produces audible sounds; a laser scanner adapted to read optical codes presented to the hybrid optical code scanner for reading, where the laser scanner is located in the housing; an imaging scanner adapted to read optical codes, where the imaging scanner is removable from the housing and when the imaging scanner is docked to the housing, it reads optical codes presented to the hybrid optical code scanner for reading and when the imaging scanner is undocked from the housing, it is operated by hand and reads optical codes remote from the hybrid optical code scanner; and where an audible alarm is sent to the speaker when an event related to the imaging scanner being removed from the housing occurs. 
         [0010]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer implemented method for alerting a user when one of a plurality of events occurs related to an imaging scanner undocked from a hybrid optical code scanner, the method comprising: detecting the imaging scanner has been undocked from the hybrid scanner; in response to detecting the imaging scanner has been undocked, determining one of the following conditions: whether wireless communications between the imaging scanner and the hybrid scanner has been lost, and whether the imaging scanner has been undocked for more than a first period of time; and wherein in the event one or more of the conditions occurs, generating an audible alert. 
         [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 block diagram illustrating an exemplar embodiment of a hybrid optical code scanner. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a high-level drawing illustrating an exemplar embodiment of a hybrid optical code scanner. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a high-level cross-sectional drawing illustrating the exemplar embodiment of the hybrid optical code scanner with a docked imaging scanner. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a high-level cross-sectional drawing illustrating the exemplar embodiment of the hybrid optical code scanner with an undocked imaging scanner. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a high-level flow chart depicting an exemplary method for operating an alert function of the hybrid optical code scanner. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    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. 
         [0020]    The claimed invention is described in combination with an assisted point of sale terminal  105 . However, other embodiments are envisioned where the invention is used in combination with a kiosk or a self-service point of sale terminal. 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is provided a high-level block diagram illustrating an exemplar embodiment of an assisted point of sale (POS) system  100 . The system  100  includes one or more assisted point of sale terminals  105  or self-service point of sale terminals (not shown) connected over a data network  160  to a computer server  165 . The computer server  165 , sometime referred to a store computer server, is a computer that provides resources and functions that are used by the one or more of the terminals  105 . The resources and functions include a price lookup database and connections to one or more networks used to communicate with other computers (both local and remote) to perform additional functions, such as payment transactions using credit or debit card information. 
         [0022]    The one or more terminals  105  connect to the server  165  over the network  160  to send and receive data. In some embodiments, the network  160  uses physical cables to connect each terminal  105  to the server  165  and in other embodiments, a wireless interface (not shown) is used to connect each terminal  105  to the server  165 . Still other embodiments use a combination of physical and wireless connections. 
         [0023]    The POS terminal  105  performs a number of functions including processing a purchase transaction. A purchase transaction begins when one or more items are presented to the terminal  105  for identification. As each item is indentified, a price is determined. In some embodiments, the terminal  105  retrieves the price for an item from the price lookup database on the server  165 . Some items are sold by weight so the item&#39;s weight must be determined before a price can be determined. The terminal  105  maintains information on all items presented including a total price for all items. The terminal  105  processes a payment for the items once all items have been presented and a total price determined. The purchase transaction ends when payment for the presented items has been received or processed. 
         [0024]    In the present embodiment, the POS terminal  105  includes a computer  110  that communicates with and controls a user touch-screen display  115 , a keyboard  145 , a network controller  120 , a printer  135 , an MSR/PIN pad  140 , and a scanner and scale combination (scanner)  130 . The computer  110  includes a processor  111 , memory  112  and interface circuitry (not shown). The memory  112  includes both short and long term memory. 
         [0025]    Terminal software is stored in the memory  112  and when the terminal software is executed by the processor  111 , it causes the processor  111  to communicate with and control all the devices of the terminal  105 . The terminal software further causes the processor  111  to provide all the features and functions of the terminal  105  including the user interface. 
         [0026]    The computer  110  communicates with the other devices of the terminal  105  over a plurality of computer data buses  150 ,  155 ,  157 . In one embodiment, a peripheral bus  150  is implemented using a Universal Serial Bus (USB). The network controller  120  is connected to the computer  110  using a standard PC bus  155  based on the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) standard. The user touch-screen display  115  uses an industry standard video bus  157  such as HDMI and a separate USB bus for receiving touch screen data. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is provided a high-level block diagram illustrating an exemplar embodiment of a point of sale terminal  105 . The terminal  105  includes the hybrid optical code scanner (“hybrid scanner”)  130  and the POS computer  110  where both are connected by the computer network  150 . The hybrid optical code scanner  130  includes a processor module  215 , a laser scanner  245 , an imaging scanner  250 , a communications controller  260 , a wireless network controller  270  and a speaker  265 . 
         [0028]    Within the processor module  215 , there is included a processor  220 , a memory  225  and control circuitry  230 . The memory  225  includes both volatile and non-volatile memory. Software stored in the memory  225  is executed by the processor  220  which causes the processor  220  to control the devices and operation of the hybrid optical code scanner  130 . The control circuitry  230  provides an interface between the processor  220 , the memory  225 , and a bus  240  used to communicate with other devices that comprise the hybrid optical code scanner  130 . These devices include the laser scanner  245 , the imaging scanner  250 , the communications controller  260  and the wireless network controller  270 . The control circuitry  230  further includes a timer device controlled by the software. The timer device can be programmed by the software to generate a timer control signal after a period of time has passed. The time period can represent a timeout signal that would require an action by the software. 
         [0029]    The laser scanner  245  includes a laser generation device ( FIG. 4A ,  450 ), a laser beam directing device ( FIG. 4A ,  460 ) for directing a laser beam ( FIG. 4A ,  455 ) generated by the laser generation device ( FIG. 4A ,  450 ) and a photo-detector ( FIG. 4A ,  465 ) for detecting laser light reflected from an optical code back to the laser scanner  245 . The laser scanner  245  also includes a pattern mirror ( FIG. 4A ,  425 ) used to direct a laser beam ( FIG. 4A ,  440 ) reflected by the laser beam directing device ( FIG. 4A ,  460 ). 
         [0030]    The imaging scanner  250  is removable handheld scanner and can be used in either a docked or undocked position. When operated in the undocked position, a user will remove the imaging scanner  250  from its docked position in the hybrid scanner  130  and move it to a location where it can capture an image of an optical code. When operated in the docked position, the imaging scanner  250  works with the laser scanner  240  to read optical codes presented to the hybrid scanner  130  for reading. 
         [0031]    The imaging scanner  250  includes an image capture device such as a CMOS image sensor. The imaging scanner  250  captures an image of the optical code and processes the image to recover data encoded in the optical code. 
         [0032]    The imaging scanner  250  also includes a wireless controller (not shown) that communicates over a wireless network  275  to the wireless network controller  270  of the hybrid scanner  130  and then to the processor  220 . The imaging scanner  250  communicates image and other data over the wireless network  275 . In some embodiments, the imaging scanner  250  uses the bus  240  to communicate with the processor  220  when the imaging scanner  250  is docked with the hybrid scanner  130 . The bus  240  also provides power to operate the imaging scanner  250  and to charge a battery (not shown) located in the imaging scanner  250  when the imaging scanner  250  is docked to the hybrid scanner  130 . 
         [0033]    The communications controller  260  includes hardware and software required to communicate with external devices over the computer network  150 . In some embodiments, the computer network  150  is implemented using a USB bus that connects the hybrid optical code scanner  130  to the POS computer  110 . 
         [0034]    The imaging scanner  130  includes a speaker  265  used by the imaging scanner  130  to audibility communicate with a user of the pos terminal  105 . 
         [0035]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , there is provided a high-level drawing illustrating an exemplar embodiment of the hybrid optical code scanner  130 . The hybrid optical code scanner  130  includes a housing  300  comprising a vertical housing component  310  and horizontal housing component  305 . The vertical housing component  310  includes vertical scanning window  320  and the horizontal housing component  305  includes a horizontal scanning window  315 . The vertical scanning window  320  faces the front  325  of the hybrid optical code scanner  130 . An operator/user of the hybrid optical code scanner  130  stands in front  325  of the hybrid optical code scanner  130  facing the vertical scanning window  320  and moves optical codes ( FIG. 4A ,  400 ) for scanning through a first volume of space ( FIG. 4A ,  470 ) generally above the horizontal scanning window  315  and in front of the vertical scanning window  320 . 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 4A , there is provided a high-level cross-sectional drawing further illustrating the exemplar embodiment of the hybrid optical code scanner  130  where the imaging scanner  250  is docked to the hybrid scanner  130 . The pattern mirror  425  is one of a plurality of pattern mirrors (not shown). The pattern mirror  425  receives the laser beam  440  from a laser beam directing device  460  and reflects the laser beam  445  through the vertical scanning window  320  to an area in front of the vertical scanning window  320  and generally over the horizontal scanning window  315 . In some embodiments, the laser beam  445  is directed to an area that may extend past the perimeter of the horizontal scanning window  315 . The laser beam directing device  460  causes the laser beam  445  to move so that it scans a volume of space. If the laser beam  445  strikes and moves across an optical code  400 , the reflected laser light is directed (directing devices not shown) back to the laser scanner  245  where the laser light is detected to the photo-detector  465  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). 
         [0037]    The imaging scanner  250  is shown in a docked position in the vertical housing  310 . In the docked position, an image from the optical code  400  travels along a path  420  through the vertical scanning window  320  to a mirror  415  and then is reflected along a path  410  to the imaging scanner  250  for capture and processing. 
         [0038]    Turning to  FIG. 4B , there is provided a high-level cross-sectional drawing further illustrating the exemplar embodiment of the hybrid optical code scanner  130  where the imaging scanner  250  is undocked. The imaging scanner  250  has been removed from the hybrid scanner  130  to a location remote from the hybrid scanner  130 . The imaging scanner  250  communicates with the hybrid scanner  130  over the wireless network  275 . The wireless network controller  270  communicates with the imaging scanner  250  when it is in range. When the imaging scanner  250  is moved beyond the range of the wireless network  275 , communications with the imaging scanner  250  is lost and the wireless network controller  270  sends an “out of range” event signal to the processor module  215  indicating the communications with the imaging scanner  250  has been lost. In response to receiving the event signal, software running in the processor module  215  causes the speaker  265  to output an audibly sound to alert the user that the imaging scanner  250  has been move beyond the communications range of the hybrid scanner  130 . 
         [0039]    Each handheld imaging scanner  250  is paired with a single hybrid scanner  130  and only communicates with the paired scanner  130 . The imaging scanner  250  includes a switch  405  used to signal the hybrid scanner  130 . When a user actives the switch  405 , the imaging scanner  250  sends an alert signal over the wireless network  275  to the hybrid scanner  130 . When the alert signal is received, software running in the processor module  215  causes the speaker  265  to output an audibly sound to notify the user that the switch  405  on the imaging scanner  250  was activated. This feature provides the user a method to determine which hybrid scanner  130  a particular imaging scanner  250  is paired with. 
         [0040]    In addition, the software has the ability to detect when the imaging scanner  250  is docked or undocked with the hybrid scanner  130 . When the software detects the undocking of the imaging scanner  250 , it starts the timer after setting it to timeout after a predetermined period of time has passed. The software is notified when the timeout occurs. If the timeout occurs, software running in the processor module  215  causes the speaker  265  to output an audibly sound to notify the user that the imaging scanner  250  has been undocked from the hybrid scanner  130  for too long and it should be returned and docked with the hybrid scanner  130 . The predetermined period of time is a system parameter and can be changed as needed. 
         [0041]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , there is provided a high-level flow chart depicting an exemplary method for operating the alert function of the hybrid optical code scanner  130 . The method depicted is implemented by software stored in the memory  225  and executed by the processor  220  in the hybrid optical code scanner  130 . In step  500 , the software determines if the imaging scanner  250  is docked to the hybrid scanner  130 . If the imaging scanner  250  has been removed or undocked from hybrid scanner  130 , the software starts a timer and passes control to step  505 . In step  505 , the software determines if wireless communications between the imaging scanner  250  and the hybrid scanner  130  has been lost. Communications is typically lost, when the imaging scanner  250  is moved beyond the range of the wireless communications of the hybrid scanner  130 . If communications is lost, control passes to step  525  where an audible alert is generated. If communications is not lost, control is passes to step  510 . 
         [0042]    In step  510 , the software determines if the timer started in step  500  has reached or exceeded a predetermined time value. The predetermined time value is a system parameter of the hybrid scanner  250  that represents the maximum time period the imaging scanner  250  can be undocked from the hybrid scanner  130 . If the predetermined time value has been reached, control passes to step  525  where an audible alert is generated. If the predetermined time value has not been reached, control passes to step  515 . 
         [0043]    In step  515 , the software determines if the switch  405  on the imaging scanner  250  has been activated by a user. If a user activates the switch  405 , a signal is sent over the wireless network  275  to the hybrid scanner  130  and is received by the software. If the switch  405  is activated, control passes to step  525  where an audible alert is generated. If the switch  405  is not activated, control passes to step  500 . This feature allows a user to determine which hybrid scanner  130  a handheld imaging scanner  250  is paired with. The user activates the switch  405  on the imaging scanner  250  and then determines which hybrid scanner  130  generates the audible alert. 
         [0044]    Although particular reference has been made to an embodiment that includes a hybrid optical code scanner in an assisted point of sale terminal, 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 self-service point of sale terminals and kiosks.