Patent ID: 8678274

Claim:
A checkout system, comprising: a workstation operated by a clerk and having a data capture arrangement for capturing target data associated with products to be checked out by the clerk in a transaction, the data capture arrangement including a workstation microprocessor for processing the target data during an active mode, and for standing by during a standby mode; and an accessory reader operated by a customer and having a data capture assembly for capturing additional target data related to the transaction, the data capture assembly including an accessory microprocessor for acquiring the additional target data, and for sending the acquired additional target data to the workstation microprocessor for processing during the standby mode wherein the accessory reader has an accessory window being accessible to the customer for enabling the customer to interact with the accessory reader; wherein the data capture assembly at the accessory reader includes at least one solid-state accessory imager for capturing through the accessory window an image of the additional target data; and wherein the accessory microprocessor is operative for acquiring the image of the additional target data, and for sending the acquired image of the additional target data to the workstation microprocessor for processing during the standby mode; and wherein the data capture assembly includes an accessory memory accessible by the accessory microprocessor for buffering multiple frames of the image of the additional target data while waiting for the workstation microprocessor to enter the standby mode.