Patent US5444226A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5444226A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Real-time barcode scanning performance feedback system
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1993-05-13
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Granted: 1995-08-22
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Expires: 2013-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A feedback system for an optical scanner which provides scanning rate information to an operator during scanning. The feedback system includes a controller for determining scanning rate information during scanning, and a plurality of lights controlled by the controller which provide the scanning rate information to an operator during scanning. The system also includes a shift register coupled between the controller and the indicator lights, and a speaker for providing an aural indication of successful and unsuccessful scanning events during scanning. The number of lights turned on during scanning is directly related to the scanning rate. The indicator lights may also provide information about the maximum scanning rate. The indicator lights are preferably arranged in a line on a side of the scanning window opposite the operator, but could be located anywhere on or in the vicinity of the scanner.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald A. Collins, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10851
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
An optical scanner comprising: a scanner module which produces scanning light beams and which collects light reflected from a barcode; a controller coupled to the scanner module for processing barcode information from the scanner module and for determining a speed of an operator defined as a number of bar code labels on articles held by the operator which are successfully scanned by the scanner module per unit time; and a scanning performance feedback system coupled to the controller which indicates the speed to the operator during scanning.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
An optical scanner comprising: a scanner module which produces scanning light beams and which collects light reflected from a barcode; a controller coupled to the scanner module for processing barcode information from the scanner module and for determining a speed of an operator defined as a number of bar code labels on articles held by the operator which are successfully scanned by the scanner module per unit time; and a scanning performance feedback system coupled to the controller which indicates the speed to the operator during scanning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The optical scanner as recited in claim 1, wherein the feedback system comprises: a plurality of lights controlled by the controller wherein the number of lights turned on during scanning is directly related to the speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The optical scanner as recited in claim 2, wherein the scanner further comprises a scanner window through which the scanning light beams are emitted and wherein the lights are arranged in a line on a side of the scanner window.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical scanner as recited in claim 3, wherein the side of the scanner window where the lights are arranged is opposite the operator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical scanner as recited in claim 3, wherein the indicator lights are light emitting diodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical scanner as recited in claim 5, wherein the light emitting diodes are bicolor light emitting diodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical scanner as recited in claim 2, wherein the feedback system further comprises: a shift register coupled between the controller and the indicator lights.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical scanner as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a speaker coupled to the controller for providing aural feedback to the operator during each successful and unsuccessful scanning event.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A feedback system for an operator of an optical scanner comprising: a controller for determining a speed of the operator during scanning defined as a number of bar code labels on articles held by the operator which are successfully scanned by the scanner per unit time; and a plurality of lights controlled by the controller which indicate the speed to the operator during scanning.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A feedback system for an operator of an optical scanner comprising: a controller for determining a speed of the operator during scanning defined as a number of bar code labels on articles held by the operator which are successfully scanned by the scanner per unit time; and a plurality of lights controlled by the controller which indicate the speed to the operator during scanning.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The feedback system as recited in claim 9, wherein the number of lights turned on during scanning is directly related to the speed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The feedback system as recited in claim 10, further comprising: a shift register coupled between the controller and the indicator lights.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The feedback system as recited in claim 10, wherein the scanner has a scanner window through which scanning light beams are emitted, and wherein the lights are arranged in a line on a side of the scanner window.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The feedback system as recited in claim 12, wherein the side where the lights are arranged is opposite the operator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The feedback system as recited in claim 9, wherein the lights also provide information about a maximum speed during a transaction.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for measuring the speed of an operator using a scanner during a transaction comprising the steps of: scanning a number of bar code labels on articles held by the operator by the scanner; determining a time necessary to successfully scan the number of bar code labels on articles held by the operator by the scanner; determining the speed of the operator by dividing the number of bar code labels by the determined time; and providing an indication to the operator during the transaction of the speed.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for measuring the speed of an operator using a scanner during a transaction comprising the steps of: scanning a number of bar code labels on articles held by the operator by the scanner; determining a time necessary to successfully scan the number of bar code labels on articles held by the operator by the scanner; determining the speed of the operator by dividing the number of bar code labels by the determined time; and providing an indication to the operator during the transaction of the speed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as recited in claim 15, in which the indication is visual.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as recited in claim 16, in which the indication is aural.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-21 | 1999-02-20 | 1999-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-21 | 2003-02-20 | 2003-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-21 | 2007-02-20 | 2007-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |