Point-of-transaction checkout system for and method of processing targets electro-optically readable by a clerk-operated workstation and by a customer-operated accessory reader

Abstract

A checkout system for, and a method of, processing target data electro-optically readable by a clerk-operated workstation and a customer-operated accessory reader, include a data capture arrangement at the workstation for capturing target data associated with products to be checked out by the clerk in a transaction, and a data capture assembly at the accessory reader for capturing additional target data related to the transaction. A workstation microprocessor processes the target data during an active mode, and stands by during a standby mode. An accessory microprocessor acquires the additional target data, and sends the acquired additional target data to the workstation microprocessor for processing during the standby mode.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to a point-of-transaction system and, more particularly, to a checkout system for, and a method of, processing targets electro-optically readable by image capture by a clerk-operated workstation and by a customer-operated accessory reader and, still more particularly, to reducing an image processing burden imposed on the accessory reader.BACKGROUND[0002]In the retail industry, horizontal or flat bed slot scanners, each having a single horizontal window; vertical slot scanners, each having a single upright or vertical window; and bi-optical scanners, each having both a horizontal window and an upright window, have been used to electro-optically read targets, such as one-dimensional bar code symbols, particularly of the Universal Product Code (UPC) type, and two-dimensional bar code symbols, such as PDF417 and QR codes, at full-service, point-of-transaction checkout systems operated by checkout clerks in supermarket...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text discusses a problem in retail checkout systems where a bi-optical workstation, which is designed for the clerk to use, blocks access for the customer to either window of the workstation. This results in the customer not being able to assist in the checkout procedure, even if they want to. To address this problem, the patent proposes the installation of a supplemental accessory reader for the customer to use independently of the bi-optical workstation. This would allow the customer to have ready access to both windows of the workstation and assist in the checkout procedure, even if the customer is using a self-service checkout system.

Problems solved by technology

However, self-service is not readily available if the aforementioned and increasingly popular, bi-optical workstation is installed at a checkout system.

As a result, the customer does not have ready access to either window of the bi-optical workstation and cannot assist in the checkout procedure, even if the customer wanted to, because the rear wall blocks such access.

This lack of self-service potentially causes such bi-optical workstations to go unused or underutilized, and their expense to be economically unjustified.

A microprocessor and / or a separate decoder circuit onboard the accessory reader is tasked with processing and decoding the images captured by the accessory reader, thereby requiring this microprocessor / decoder circuit to be full-featured and robust, both of which increases the expense, size and weight of the accessory reader.

Also, the processing of image frames is a time-sensitive task that consumes a substantial amount of microprocessor time and power.

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