Patent ID: 12223810

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and locations of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

The arrangement and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One aspect of this disclosure relates to a point-of-transaction arrangement for processing products associated with symbols. The arrangement includes a housing having an upright window located in an upright plane. The upright window faces a scan zone in which a product is presented by an operator for processing. Advantageously, the housing is a bioptical workstation having a horizontal window lying in a horizontal plane that intersects the upright plane, in which case, both the windows bound the scan zone in which the product is presented. The arrangement also includes an illuminating assembly supported by the housing, and operative for illuminating a symbol associated with the product in the scan zone. An imaging assembly is also supported by the housing for capturing an image of the illuminated symbol. The imaging assembly includes a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors with a field of view in which return illumination light from the illuminated symbol passes through and past the upright window to the imager. A camera module, preferably field-installable, is mounted in the housing away from the imager. The camera module captures an image of the operator, especially the operator's hands, through the upright window. A controller is operatively connected to, and controls, the illuminating assembly, the imager, and the camera module, and is operative for independently processing the captured image of the illuminated symbol and the captured image of the operator.

In a preferred embodiment, the controller controls and energizes the illuminating assembly to illuminate the symbol with illumination light during illumination time periods that are spaced apart by time intervals from each other, and controls and deenergizes the illuminating assembly to emit no illumination light during the time intervals. In this event, the controller controls the camera module to capture the image of the operator only during the time intervals with no illumination light. Thus, the camera module captures the image of the operator using only ambient light. Advantageously, the controller controls the camera module to capture the image of the operator only during the time intervals after a predetermined number of illumination time periods have elapsed. A manual actuator could alternatively be used for manually deactivating the illuminating assembly, and for concomitantly actuating the camera module to capture the image of the operator.

To field-install the camera module, the housing has a removable housing portion, and the camera module is mounted inside the housing after removal of the housing portion. Advantageously, the camera module includes a printed circuit board, a camera on the board, and a transmitter on the board for transmitting the captured image of the operator to a remote host.

Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a method of processing products associated with symbols. The method is performed by having the operator present a product for processing in a scan zone faced by an upright window of a housing, by illuminating a symbol associated with the product in the scan zone, by capturing an image of the illuminated symbol over a field of view of a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors by passing return illumination light from the illuminated symbol through and past the upright window to the imager, by mounting a camera module in the housing away from the imager, by capturing an image of the operator, especially the operator's hands, through the upright window with the camera module, and by independently processing the captured image of the illuminated symbol and the captured image of the operator.

Turning now to the drawings, a retail checkout system100, as depicted inFIG.1, includes, as shown, a dual window, bi-optical, point-of-transaction workstation10used by retailers at a checkout counter30in an aisle to process transactions involving the purchase of products26(seeFIG.2) bearing, or printed or associated with, an identifying symbol, such as a Universal Product Code (UPC) symbol28. In a typical retail venue, a plurality of such workstations10is arranged in a plurality of checkout aisles. As best seen inFIGS.2-3, the workstation10includes a housing having a generally horizontal window12that is located in a generally horizontal plane and that is supported by a horizontal housing portion or platform14, and an upright window16that is located in a generally upright plane that intersects the generally horizontal plane and that is supported by a raised housing portion or vertical tower18. The upright plane may lie in a vertical plane, or be slightly rearwardly or forwardly inclined relative to the vertical plane. The upright window16is preferably recessed within its housing portion18to resist scratching. By way of numerical example, the generally horizontal window12typically measures about four inches in width by about six inches in length, while the generally upright window16measures about seven inches in width by about four inches in length. The workstation10either rests directly on the counter30, or preferably, as shown inFIGS.3-4, rests in a cutout or well-formed in the counter30.

The symbol28need not be a UPC symbol as illustrated, but could be another one-dimensional symbol of a different symbology, or any two-dimensional symbol, or stacked symbol, or various lengths of a truncated symbol of the type typically found on frequent shopper cards, coupons, loyalty cards. The product26need not be a three-dimensional box as illustrated, but can be any object. As described below, the product26is slid or moved by an operator, e.g., a clerk24or a customer20(seeFIG.1), across and past the windows12,16in the direction of the arrow X through the scan zone, or is presented to a central region of either window. The product26can be tilted or moved in other directions through the workstation10.

Both of the windows12,16are positioned to face and be accessible to the clerk24(or the customer20in a self-checkout workstation) standing at one side of the counter30for enabling the clerk24to interact with the workstation10, and with a cash register66to enable the clerk to receive payment for the purchased products. The register66may include a debit/credit card reader and a receipt printer to print a receipt. The workstation10and/or the register66are in wired or wireless communication with a remote host server68(FIG.5). A keypad may also be provided at the register66to enable manual entry of information, such as an identifying code for any purchased product not bearing a symbol, by the clerk24.

A product staging area60is located on the counter30at one side of the workstation10. The products26are typically placed on the product staging area60by the customer20standing at the opposite side of the counter. The customer20typically retrieves the individual products for purchase from a shopping cart22or basket for placement on the product staging area60. A non-illustrated conveyor belt could be employed for conveying the products26to the clerk24.

As schematically shown inFIG.3, a plurality of imaging assemblies is supported within the housing. A first imaging assembly is associated with the horizontal window12and includes a first, solid-state imager32having an array of image sensors with a field of view for capturing an image of the symbol28. An imaging lens assembly that is internal to the first imager32projects the captured image onto the sensor array. A first illuminating assembly including a pair of illuminators32A,32B is associated with the first imager32, for illuminating the symbol28. A first optical assembly32C, e.g., an arrangement of mirrors, splits the field of view of the first imager32into a plurality of intersecting subfields of view along which return illumination light from the illuminated symbol28passes through and past the horizontal window12to the imager32. As shown inFIG.3, these subfields are centered on respective optical axes34A,34B, and34C. It will be noted that these optical axes are generally directed upwardly away from the counter30.

As also shown inFIG.3, a second imaging assembly is associated with the upright window16and includes a second, solid-state imager36having an array of image sensors with a field of view for capturing an image of the symbol28. An imaging lens assembly that is internal to the second imager36projects the captured image onto the sensor array. A second illuminating assembly including a pair of illuminators36A,36B is associated with the second imager36, for illuminating the symbol28. A second optical assembly36C, e.g., an arrangement of mirrors, splits the field of view of the second imager36into a plurality of intersecting subfields of view along which return illumination light from the illuminated symbol28passes through and past the upright window16to the second imager36. As shown inFIG.3, these subfields are centered on respective optical axes38A,38B, and38C. It will be noted that these optical axes are generally directed downwardly toward the counter30.

Each imager32,36preferably comprises a two-dimensional, charge coupled device (CCD) array, or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) array, of image sensors of megapixel size, e.g., 1280 pixels widex960 pixels high. In a preferred embodiment, the field of view of each imager32,36measures about 15 degrees by 30 degrees, and each subfield is less than these measurements. Each illuminator32A,32B,36A,36B is preferably one or more light sources, e.g., one or more surface-mounted, light emitting diodes (LEDs), located at each imager to uniformly illuminate the symbol28.

A controller40or programmed microprocessor is mounted in the workstation10and is operatively connected to the imagers32,36and the illuminators32A,32B,36A,36B for energizing the illuminators to illuminate the subfields of view, and for processing the captured illumination light in at least one of the subfields of view to read the illuminated symbol28, and to decode the symbol. The controller40sends command signals to the illuminators32A,32B,36A,36B to pulse the LEDs for a short time period of about 200 microseconds or less, and energizes the imagers32,36to collect light from the symbol28only during said time period, also known as the exposure time period. By acquiring a symbol image during this brief time period, the image of the symbol28is not excessively blurred even in the presence of relative motion between the imagers and the symbol. A typical array needs about 11 to 33 milliseconds to acquire the entire symbol image and operates at a frame rate of about 30 to 90 frames per second. The array may have on the order of one million addressable sensors. Upon a successful decode, the controller40typically energizes an auditory annunciator, e.g., a beeper, and/or a visual indicator, such as a light, to alert the clerk24that the symbol28has been successfully decoded.

In use, a user, such as the clerk24working at a supermarket checkout counter30, or the customer20in a self-checkout stand, processes the product26bearing the UPC symbol28thereon past the windows12,16by swiping the product26across the windows12,16, or by presenting and momentarily holding the product26at the windows12,16, before passing the product26to a bagging area64that is located at the opposite side of the workstation10. The symbol28may located on any of the top, bottom, right, left, front and rear, sides of the product26, and at least one of the imagers32,36will capture the illumination light reflected, scattered, or otherwise returning from the symbol28through the windows12,16. All six of the subfields pass through the windows12,16along different intersecting directions to read different sides of the product26. As shown inFIG.3, the six subfields substantially fully occupy the scan zone.

In accordance with this disclosure, to reduce or prevent “sweethearting” losses, a camera module50(seeFIG.3-5) is selectively mounted in the housing away from the imagers32,36. The camera module50is operative for capturing an image of the clerk24(or the customer20in a self-checkout workstation) through the upright window16over a camera angle of view50B,50C (FIG.4) having a central optical axis50A pointing generally downwardly toward the counter30. The camera angle of view50B,50C is relatively wide and larger than about 15 degrees by 30 degrees, as compared to each subfield of the imagers in order to take a picture of the clerk24, especially the clerk's hands, in a single image. Although the optical axis50A at the center of the camera angle of view is illustrated as preferably extending downwardly, it could also be raised to lie in a range of aiming angles extending either along the horizontal direction, or even upwardly to an upper angle of about plus 15 degrees above the horizontal direction. Thus, the camera module50is aimed and designed to take a clear, focused picture of the clerk24. The controller40is operatively connected to, and controls, the camera module50, and independently processes the captured image of the illuminated symbol28and the captured image of the clerk24.

As described above, the controller40energizes and pulses the illuminating LEDs to illuminate the symbol28with illumination light pulses during illumination or exposure time periods that are spaced apart by time intervals from each other. The controller40deenergizes and does not pulse the illuminating LEDs during the time intervals so that no illumination light is emitted during the time intervals. The controller40controls the camera module50to capture the image of the clerk24only during these time intervals with no illumination light. Thus, the camera module50captures the image of the clerk24using only ambient light, and there is no bright, pulsed illumination light directed to the clerk24, which would otherwise be highly objectionable, especially when repeated frequently over the course of a workday.

The camera module50may operate continuously and be free-running, or the controller40can controls the camera module50to capture the image of the clerk24only during the time intervals after a predetermined number of illumination time periods have elapsed. For example, the camera module50can be turned on after every five or so illumination time periods have passed. Alternatively, a manual actuator52is provided on the housing, which, when depressed, manually deactivates the illuminating LEDs, and concomitantly actuates the camera module50to capture the image of the clerk24.

The camera module50is field-installable so that the workstation is field-upgradeable in situ at a retailer's venue whenever a retailer wishes to add the surveillance capability to the workstation. As best shown inFIG.5, the tower18is removable, and the camera module50is mounted inside the housing after removal of the tower18. The camera module50includes a printed circuit board54, a camera56on the board54, and a transmitter58on the board54for wirelessly transmitting the captured image of the clerk24to the remote host68.

The method of this disclosure is performed, as shown in the flow chart ofFIG.6, by presenting for processing, by the clerk24, the product26in a scan zone faced by the upright window16of the workstation10(step70), by illuminating the symbol28associated with the product26in the scan zone (step72), by capturing an image of the illuminated symbol28over a field of view of a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors (step74), by selectively mounting the field-installable, camera module50in the workstation10away from the imager (step76), by operating the camera module50to capture an image of the clerk24through the upright window16(step78), and by independently processing the captured image of the illuminated symbol28and the captured image of the clerk24(step80).

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. For example, the workstation need not be a dual window, bioptical workstation, but could be a single window workstation, such as a vertical slot scanner. In another variation, rather than taking a picture of the clerk24, the camera module50could be aimed at a different target, such as a document, e.g., a prescription, a driver's license, a receipt, etc., placed in the scan zone. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes,” “including,” “contains,” “containing,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a,” “has . . . a,” “includes . . . a,” or “contains . . . a,” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, or contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially,” “essentially,” “approximately,” “about,” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1%, and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one or more generic or specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors, and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.

Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium having computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.