Patent ID: 8360320

Claim:
An assisted hybrid bar code scanner where a handheld imaging scanner reads bar codes presented to the hybrid bar code scanner when the handheld imaging scanner is not being used by a customer to read bar codes not presented directly to the hybrid bar code scanner, the hybrid bar code scanner comprising: a handheld imaging bar code scanner comprising an image capture device where the image capture device receives images from a first image path; and a fixed laser bar code scanner in communication with the handheld scanner, the fixed scanner including: an operator facing scanning window through which a laser beam is directed to read bar codes presented to the hybrid bar code scanner for reading; a customer facing window; a cradle located on the customer facing side of the hybrid bar code scanner for lockably mounting the handheld scanner in a predetermined orientation; and an optical assembly configurable between a first and a second position where the assembly when in the first position receives a first image from a predetermined second image path that extends through the operator facing scanning window and directs the first image to the handheld scanner along the first image path and when the assembly is in the second position receives a second image from a predetermined third path that extends through the customer facing window and directs the second image to the handheld scanner along the first image path.