Abstract:
A dual-aperture barcode scanner with tether-free housing. The scanner includes vertical portion including switches and a housing adjacent to but separated from the switches.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Dual-aperture scanners have a tower that extends above a checkstand. The tower includes elements that may periodically require servicing, such as buttons, speakers, and light emitting diodes. Additionally, this space may be used to contain other serviceable components, such as an electronic article surveillance antenna, a radio frequency identification antenna, and other electronics. 
     The tower may include a housing that seals the tower. The housing may include one or more pieces, including a bezel portion that frames a vertical window in the tower. The bezel portion may include switches and indicator lights. 
     It would be desirable to provide a dual-aperture barcode scanner with a tether-free tower housing so that technicians may more easily remove the tower housing to service components within the tower. 
     SUMMARY 
     A dual-aperture barcode scanner with a tether-free tower housing is provided. 
     A dual-aperture barcode scanner with tether-free housing. The scanner includes vertical portion including switches and a housing adjacent to but separated from the switches. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example barcode scanner. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example barcode scanner. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the example barcode scanner with a tower housing removed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an example embodiment of optical scanner  10  includes optics engine  14 , pattern mirrors  18   a  and  18   b , and power and control circuitry  28 . Optical scanner  10  includes a dual-aperture scanner. 
     Optical scanner  10  may additionally include scale  36 , electronic article surveillance system  38 , image scanner  40 , and radio frequency identification (RFID) reader  42 . 
     Optics engine  14  includes lasers  12   a  and  12   b , mirrored spinner  16 , collectors  20   a  and  20   b , detectors  22   a  and  22   b , analog electronics  24 , and motor  26 . 
     Laser  12   a  and  12   b  produce laser beams. Each of lasers  12   a  and  12   b  include one or more lasers. In the example embodiment, each of lasers  12   a  and  12   b  may include up to two lasers. 
     Mirrored spinner  16  directs the laser beams to pattern mirrors  18   a  and  18   b  to produce a scan pattern, and receives reflected light from item  30  from pattern mirrors  18 . Motor  26  rotates mirrored spinner  16 . 
     Collectors  20   a  and  20   b  collect the reflected light from mirrored spinner  16  and direct it towards detectors  22   a  and  22   b.    
     Detectors  22   a  and  22   b  convert the reflected light into electrical signals. In the example embodiment, each of detectors  22   a  and  22   b  may include up to two detectors. 
     Analog electronics  24  provides drive circuitry for lasers  12   a  and  12   b  and motor  26 , and amplifies and filters the electrical signals from detectors  22   a  and  22   b.    
     Pattern mirrors  18   a  direct the laser beams from laser  12   a  towards bar code label  32  and direct the reflected light to mirrored spinner  16 . Pattern mirrors  18   b  direct the laser beams from laser  12   b  towards bar code label  32  and direct the reflected light to mirrored spinner  16 . 
     Power and control circuitry  28  controls operation of scanner  10  and additionally processes the processed electrical signals from analog electronics  24  to obtain information encoded in bar code label  32 . Power and control circuitry  28  may be connected to analog electronics  24  through one or more cables  33 . 
     Power and control circuitry  28  also records operator selections through switches  44 . 
     With respect to  FIGS. 2-3 , example scanner  10  is illustrated further. Scanner  10  includes a horizontal portion  50  and a vertical portion  52 . Horizontal portion  50  includes window  54  through which scanning light beams pass. Window  54  is in scale weigh plate  56 . Vertical portion  52  includes window  58  through which scanning light beams pass. 
     Vertical portion  52  further includes housing  60 . An example housing as illustrated includes a main housing portion  62  and a bezel  64 . Bezel  64  includes a switch activation area  66  containing switch indicia  68  for indicating the functions of switches  44 . Switch activation area  66  further includes a window glass needs cleaning icon  70  and apertures  72  through which indicator lights  100  ( FIG. 3 ) are visible. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , example scanner  10  is illustrated with housing  60  removed. Main housing portion  62  slides rearward for removal. Bezel  64  slides upward and away from vertical portion  52 . Main housing portion  62  and bezel  64  do not have any electrical connections to vertical portion  52 . 
     Switches  44  are mounted to printed circuit board  80 . Printed circuit board  80  connects to analog electronics  24  through cable  90 . Printed circuit board  80  may also include backlighting for switch activation area  66 . Analog electronics  24  receives proximity signals from switches  44  and sends corresponding control signals to power and control circuitry  28 . Analog electronics connects to power and control circuitry  28  through cable  92 . 
     Switches  44  include non-contact proximity sensing switches, without moving parts. Advantageously, switches  44  do not have a wired electrical connection to bezel  64 . Switches  44  may be capacitive switches. 
     Switch activation area  66  of bezel  64  is mounted adjacent switches  44 . An operator wishing to activate one of switches  44  places a finger on a corresponding switch indicator  68 . 
     Example switches  44  include a scale zeroing switch  82 , a volume control switch  84 , and a customizable switch  86 . 
     Also mounted to printed circuit board  80  are indicator lights  100  and  102 . Indicator lights  100  provide a visual indication to an operator that a corresponding switch  82 ,  84 , or  86  has been activated. 
     When analog control circuitry  24  receives proximity signals from switches  82 ,  84 , and  86 , analog control circuitry  24  increases the intensity of lights  100  to a bright state. Otherwise, analog control circuitry  24  operates lights  100  in a dim state. 
     An additional capability has been added to light  100  adjacent to scale-zeroing switch  82 . When scale  36  is stable at a zero weight, light  100  provides operator feedback about the state of switch  82 . However, when scale weight is unstable, light  100  is in an off state. When scale weight is stable and above zero, light  100  is in a dim state. When scale weight is stable and less than zero, light  100  is in a blinking state. 
     Switch  86  is customizable. For example, switch  86  may be used for manual activation of EAS system  38 . Other capabilities are achievable as the retailer&#39;s needs dictate. 
     Light  102  associated with icon  70  provides a visual indication to the operator that windows  54 ,  58 , or both require cleaning. 
     Although particular reference has been made to certain embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims.