U.S. patent number RE40,071 [Application Number 10/447,746] was granted by the patent office on 2008-02-19 for multiple plane weigh platter for multiple plane scanning systems.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Datalogic Scanning, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mohan LeeLaRama Bobba, Gary J. Oldham, Matt D. Schler, Michael P. Svetal.
United States Patent |
RE40,071 |
Svetal , et al. |
February 19, 2008 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Multiple plane weigh platter for multiple plane scanning
systems
Abstract
A multi-plane scanner having a dual plane scanner with a
horizontal window and a vertical window and a load cell/weigh
platter weighing apparatus such that the weigh platter itself is a
dual plane object with vertical and horizontal sections. The size
and orientation of the planes of the weigh platter correspond to
the size and orientation of the scan windows of the dual plane
scanner, and each plane of the weigh platter has a transparent area
(typically central), or "platter window", corresponding to a
respective scan windows of the scanner for allowing transmission of
scanned optical beams and optical barcode signals through each of
the planes of the weigh platter. The platter is sufficiently rigid
to permit accurate weighing whether the object being weighed is
placed solely on the horizontal section of the platter or in part
on the vertical section. The vertical and horizontal sections of
the platter are sealed together to prevent passage of debris
therebetween.
Inventors: |
Svetal; Michael P. (Eugene,
OR), Bobba; Mohan LeeLaRama (Eugene, OR), Schler; Matt
D. (Eugene, OR), Oldham; Gary J. (Eugene, OR) |
Assignee: |
Datalogic Scanning, Inc.
(Eugene, OR)
|
Family
ID: |
26667169 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/447,746 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
08539584 |
Oct 5, 1995 |
5834708 |
|
|
|
60000052 |
Jun 8, 1995 |
|
|
|
Reissue of: |
09150552 |
Sep 9, 1998 |
06237852 |
May 29, 2001 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/462.43;
177/180; 177/238; 235/462.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01G
19/4144 (20130101); G01G 21/22 (20130101); G01G
21/28 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06K
7/10 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;235/383,385,462.01,462.14,462.25,462.4,462.42,462,462.43,483
;177/180,181,238,262 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
ICL Datachecker brochure on the Orion Scanner/Scale (about 1989).
cited by other .
Orion Scanner and Scale Installation and Maintenance Manual, pp.
A2-A4 (1989). cited by other .
ICL Datachecker brochure on the Orion Scanner/Scale entitled "A
Total Scanning Solution" (undated). cited by other .
Spectra-Physics.RTM. brochure on the Scanning Scale Model 760SLS
(about 1989). cited by other .
NCI brochure on the NCI Model 4710 Scanner Scale (undated). cited
by other .
PSC Inc. brochure from PSC web page on the Magellan.RTM. 360
Scanner/Scale (http://www.pscnet.com/magelspe.htm) (1997); the
Magellan.RTM. Scanner/Scale is the scanner/scale as described in
the background of the present application. cited by other .
NCR Model 7870 Scanner/Scale User's Guide excerpts (pp. i, xiii
through xvi, 3-16 through 3-18(1993)). cited by other .
Brochure from NCR web page on the NCR Model 7870 Bi-Optic Scanner
and Scanner/Scale
(http://www.ncr.com/product/retail/products/catalog/7870.shtml
(1997). See excerpts from the 1993 User's Guide above. cited by
other .
Brochure from NCR web page on the NCR Model 7875 Bi-Optic
Aggressive Read Scanner/Scale
(http://www.ncr.com/product/retail/products/catalog/7875.shtml
(1997). cited by other .
ICL Model 9500 Scanner/Scale brochure, ICL Retail Systems, Dallas,
TX (about 1997). cited by other .
Wincor Nixdorf WE02 Scanner Scale (Jan. 3, 2000);
http://www.mch.sni.de/eng/products/retail/hardware/scanner/waage.html.
cited by other .
Complaint for Patent Infringement and Declaratory Judgment, NCR
Corporation v. PSC, Inc. and PSC Scanning, Inc., Case No.
3:04cv0142 (S.D. Ohio, Dayton), filed Apr. 30, 2004. cited by other
.
Civil Docket, NCR Corporation v. PSC, Inc. and PSC Scanning, Inc.,
Case No. 3:04cv0142 (S.D. Ohio (Dayton)), printed Jul. 8, 2004.
cited by other .
Complaint for Patent Infringement, PSC Scanning, Inc. v. NCR
Corporation, Civil Action No. 04-6137-AA (D. Oregon, Eugene), filed
May 5, 2004. cited by other .
Civil Docket, PSC Scanning, Inc. v. NCR Corporation, Civil Action
No. 04-6137-AA (D. Oregon (Eugene)), printed Jul. 8, 2004. cited by
other .
PSC Scanning, Inc., Claim chart for U.S. Patent No. 6,237,852,
prepared Oct. 18, 2005, unpublished. (Submitted under MPEP 724.)
cited by other.
|
Primary Examiner: Stcyr; Daniel
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stoel Rives LLP
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a .[.division.]. .Iadd.continuation .Iaddend.of
Ser. No. 08/539,584 filed Oct. 5, 1995 .[.noe.]. .Iadd.now
.Iaddend.U.S. Pat. No. .[.5,834,208.]. .Iadd.5,834,708
.Iaddend.which .[.is a continuation-in-part.]. .Iadd.claims the
benefit .Iaddend.of provisional application Ser. No. 60/000,052
filed Jun. 8, 1995 which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A multi-plane optical reader comprising a lower housing portion
with a horizontal window; a first upper housing portion with a
first vertical window positioned above and to one side of the lower
housing portion; a removable external cover having (a) a horizontal
section, including a window of transparent material disposed over
the horizontal window of the lower housing portion, (b) a first
vertical section rigidly connected to the horizontal section, the
first vertical section including a window of transparent material
disposed adjacent the first vertical window of the first upper
housing portion.
2. A multi-plane optical reader according to claim 1 further
comprising a second upper housing portion with a second vertical
window positioned above and to one side of the lower housing
portion on a side opposite to the first upper housing portion,
wherein the external cover includes a second vertical section
attached to the first vertical section and extending over the
second upper housing portion, and wherein the first vertical
section, the second vertical section and the horizontal section are
constructed with a one-piece integral frame.
3. An optical reader comprising a lower housing portion with a
horizontal surface; a first upper housing portion with a first
vertical opening positioned above and to a first side of the lower
housing portion; a second upper housing portion with a second
vertical opening positioned above and to a second side of the lower
housing portion opposite to the first upper housing portion; a
removable external cover having (a) a central horizontal cover
section disposed over the lower housing portion, (b) a first upper
cover section integral with the central cover section and disposed
in front of the first upper housing portion, (c) a second upper
cover section integral with the central cover section and disposed
in front of the second upper housing portion.
4. An optical reader according to claim 3 wherein the central
horizontal cover section, the first upper cover section, and the
second upper cover section are constructed with a one-piece
integral frame.
5. An optical reader according to claim 3 wherein the first upper
cover section includes a cover portion extending over a top of the
first upper housing portion.
6. An optical reader according to claim 3 wherein the external
cover comprises a weigh platter.
7. An optical reader according to claim 6 further comprising a
spider connected to at least one load cell for supporting the
removable external cover.
8. An optical reader according to claim 7 further comprising a
coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the weigh
platter to the load cell.
9. An optical reader according to claim 8 wherein the coupling
mechanism comprises a pair of precision machined pins attached to
the weigh platter and a mating set of precision machined holes in
the load cell.
10. An optical reader according to claim 3 wherein the external
cover comprises a weigh platter, the weigh platter being
constructed and arranged with sufficient rigidity such that an
object is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the
central cover section and one end on the first upper cover
section.
11. An optical reader comprising a lower housing portion .[.having
a horizontal surface.]. ; an upper housing portion with a vertical
window positioned above and to one side of the lower housing
portion; a weigh platter .[.disposed over the lower housing portion
and.]. having (a) a horizontal section .[.extending.].
.Iadd.positioned .Iaddend.over the .[.horizontal surface.].
.Iadd.lower housing portion .Iaddend. (b) a vertical section
rigidly connected to the horizontal section, the vertical section
including a window of transparent material.
12. An external cover for an optical reader, the optical reader
having a horizontal surface and a vertical scan window disposed to
one side of the horizontal surface, said external cover comprising
a horizontal section constructed and arranged for positioning over
the horizontal surface of the optical reader; and a vertical
section rigidly connected to said horizontal section, said vertical
section including a window of transparent material constructed and
arranged for positioning adjacent the vertical scan window; wherein
said external cover is separately removable from the optical
reader.
13. An external cover according to claim 12, wherein said vertical
section and said horizontal section are sealed together to prevent
passage of debris therebetween.
14. An external cover according to claim 12 wherein the horizontal
section and the vertical section are constructed with a one-piece
integral frame.
15. An external cover according to claim 12 wherein the external
cover comprises a weigh platter.
16. An external cover according to claim 15 further comprising at
least one load cell; a spider connected to at the least one load
cell for supporting the removable external cover.
17. An external cover according to claim 16 further comprising a
coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the spider
to the load cell.
18. An external cover according to claim 15 further comprising at
least one load cell and a coupling mechanism for rigidly but
removably connecting the weigh platter to the load cell.
19. An external cover according to claim 12 wherein the external
cover comprises a weigh platter, the weigh platter being
constructed and arranged with sufficient rigidity such that an
object is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the
central cover section and one end on the first upper cover
section.
20. An optical reader comprising a reader housing including a lower
housing portion and a first upper housing portion, the first upper
housing portion having a first vertical window positioned above and
to one side of the lower housing portion; a scan generating
mechanism for projecting a scan pattern out through the first
vertical window and into a scan region; a removable weigh platter
having (a) a horizontal section disposed over the lower housing
portion, (b) a first vertical section rigidly connected to the
horizontal section, the first vertical section including an opening
disposed adjacent the first vertical window through which the scan
pattern from the vertical window is passed.
21. An optical reader according to claim 20 wherein the horizontal
and vertical sections of the weigh platter are constructed and
interconnected with sufficient rigidity such that an object is
accurately weighed when placed with one end on the horizontal
section and one end on the first vertical section.
22. An optical reader according to claim 20 wherein the horizontal
and vertical sections of the weigh platter are constructed and
interconnected with sufficient rigidity such that weight of an
object placed with one end on the horizontal section and one end on
the first vertical section does not cause deformation of the weigh
platter to a degree that the first upper housing portion would
interfere with movement of the weigh platter during weighing.
23. An optical reader according to claim 20 wherein the weigh
platter comprises stiffening ribs for providing structural
rigidity.
24. An optical reader according to claim 20 further comprising at
least one load cell; a spider connected to at the least one load
cell for supporting the weigh platter.
25. An optical reader according to claim 20 wherein the weigh
platter is readily removable from the optical reader by pulling up
on the platter.
26. An optical reader according to claim 20 further comprising at
least one load cell and a coupling mechanism for rigidly but
removably connecting the weigh platter to the load cell.
27. An optical reader according to claim 20 wherein the weigh
platter further having (c) a second vertical section rigidly
connected to the horizontal section, the second vertical section
being disposed on a side of the weigh platter opposite the first
vertical section.
28. An optical reader according to claim 27 wherein the horizontal
section and the vertical sections of the weigh platter are
constructed and interconnected with sufficient rigidity such that
an object is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the
horizontal section and one end on a vertical section.
29. A weigh platter for an optical reader, the optical reader
having a horizontal surface and a vertical scan window disposed to
one side of the horizontal surface, said weigh platter comprising a
horizontal section constructed and arranged for positioning over
the horizontal surface of the optical reader; and a .Iadd.first
.Iaddend.vertical section .[.first.]. rigidly connected to said
horizontal section, said vertical section including an opening
constructed and arranged for permitting a scan pattern emanating
out from said vertical scan window to pass through said
opening.
30. A weigh platter according to claim 29 wherein the horizontal
and vertical sections are constructed and arranged with sufficient
rigidity such that an object is accurately weighed when placed with
one end on the horizontal section and one end on the vertical
section.
31. A weigh platter according to claim 29 wherein the opening of
the vertical section comprises a window.
32. A weigh platter according to claim 29 further comprising a
second vertical section rigidly connected to the horizontal
section, the second vertical section being disposed on a side of
the weigh platter opposite the first vertical section.
33. A weigh platter according to claim 32 wherein the first and
second vertical sections are constructed and interconnected with
the horizontal section with sufficient rigidity such that an object
is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the horizontal
section and one end on a vertical section.
34. An optical reader comprising a reader housing including a lower
housing portion and a first upper housing portion, the first upper
housing portion having a first vertical window positioned above and
to one side of the lower housing portion; a scan generating
mechanism for projecting a scan pattern out through the first
vertical window and into a scan region; a removable weigh platter
having (a) a horizontal section disposed over the lower housing
portion, and (b) a first vertical extension connected to the
horizontal section and extending vertically upward from a top
surface of the horizontal section, wherein the horizontal section
and the vertical extension of the weigh platter are constructed and
interconnected such that an object is accurately weighed when
placed with one end on the horizontal section and one end on the
first vertical extension.
35. An optical reader according to claim 34 wherein first vertical
extension has an opening between a top portion of the vertical
extension and a top surface of the horizontal section of the weigh
platter.
36. An optical reader according to claim 35 wherein the opening in
the first vertical extension comprises a window.
37. An optical reader according to claim 34 wherein the weigh
platter is readily removable from the optical reader .Iadd.by
.Iaddend.pulling up on the platter.
38. An optical reader according to claim 34 further comprising at
least one load cell and a coupling mechanism for rigidly but
removably connecting the weigh platter to the load cell.
39. An optical reader according to claim 34 wherein the vertical
extension is disposed on a side of the weigh platter proximate the
first vertical window.
40. An optical reader according to claim 34 wherein the vertical
extension is disposed on a side of the weigh platter opposite the
first vertical window.
41. An optical reader according to claim 34 wherein the reader
housing further comprises a second upper housing portion having a
second vertical window positioned above and to one side of the
lower housing portion opposite the first upper housing portion,
wherein the weigh platter having a second vertical extension,
wherein the first vertical extension is disposed on a side of the
weigh platter proximate the second vertical window and the second
vertical extension is disposed on a side of the weigh platter
proximate the first vertical window.
42. An optical reader comprising horizontal housing portion
including a horizontally-oriented scan window, a weigh platter
disposed over the horizontal housing portion, the weigh platter
comprising a horizontal section constructed and arranged for
positioning over the horizontally-oriented scan window; and a
vertical extension connected to said horizontal section, said
vertical extension including an opening proximate a top surface of
the horizontal section, wherein the vertical extension and the
horizontal section are constructed and interconnected such that an
object is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the
horizontal section and one end on the vertical extension.
43. A weigh platter according to claim 42 wherein the opening of
the vertical extension comprises a window.
.Iadd.44. An external cover for an optical reader, the optical
reader having a weighing apparatus, a horizontal housing portion
containing an horizontal scan window, and a vertical housing
portion containing a vertical scan window, the external cover
comprising: a vertical section supported on the weighing apparatus
and including a first window disposed in front of the vertical scan
window; and a horizontal section supported on the weighing
apparatus and including a second window disposed over the
horizontal scan window..Iaddend.
.Iadd.45. An external cover according to claim 44 wherein the
vertical section is constructed and arranged such that an item is
accurately weighed when placed with one end on the horizontal
section and one end on the vertical section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. An external cover according to claim 44 wherein the
vertical section is constructed and arranged so as to prevent
interference from the vertical housing portion of the optical
reader during weighing of an item placed on the horizontal section
and in contact with the vertical section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.47. An external cover according to claim 44 wherein the
weighing apparatus includes a load cell, and further comprising a
coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the
vertical section to the load cell..Iaddend.
.Iadd.48. An external cover according to claim 47 wherein the
coupling mechanism includes a pair of pins and a mating set of
precision machined holes..Iaddend.
.Iadd.49. An external cover according to claim 48 wherein the
precision machined holes are formed in the load cell..Iaddend.
.Iadd.50. An external cover according to claim 44 wherein together
the vertical section and the horizontal section comprise a
two-plane weigh platter..Iaddend.
.Iadd.51. An external cover according to claim 44 wherein the
vertical section is connected to the horizontal
section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.52. An external cover according to claim 44 wherein the
vertical section includes a horizontal extension extending over a
top of the vertical housing portion..Iaddend.
.Iadd.53. An optical reader comprising: a housing including (a) a
vertical housing portion including a vertically-oriented scan
window and (b) a horizontal housing portion; a weighing apparatus
disposed in the housing; a horizontal weigh platter supported by
the weighing apparatus and disposed over the horizontal housing
portion; and a vertical window section coupled to the weighing
apparatus and disposed in front of the vertical housing portion so
that an object placed on the horizontal weigh platter and
contacting the vertical window section is in part weighed by the
vertical window section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.54. An optical reader according to claim 53 wherein the
vertical window section is constructed and arranged so as to
prevent interference from the vertical housing portion during
weighing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.55. An optical reader according to claim 53 wherein the
vertical window section is constructed and arranged such that an
item is accurately weighed when placed on the horizontal weigh
platter and in contact with the vertical window
section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.56. An optical reader according to claim 53 wherein the
weighing apparatus comprises at least one load cell..Iaddend.
.Iadd.57. An optical reader according to claim 53 further
comprising a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably
connecting the vertical window section to the weighing
apparatus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.58. An optical reader according to claim 57 wherein the
coupling mechanism includes a pair of pins and a mating set of
precision machined holes..Iaddend.
.Iadd.59. An optical reader according to claim 53 wherein the
vertical window section is connected to the horizontal weigh
platter..Iaddend.
.Iadd.60. An optical reader according to claim 53 wherein the
vertical window section includes a horizontal extension extending
over a top of the vertical housing portion..Iaddend.
.Iadd.61. An optical reader comprising: a housing including (a) a
horizontal housing portion with a horizontally-oriented scan window
and (b) a vertical housing portion including a vertically-oriented
scan window; a weighing apparatus disposed in the housing; a
horizontal weigh platter section constructed and arranged for
positioning over the horizontally-oriented scan window, the
horizontal weigh platter section supported on the weighing
apparatus; and a vertical weigh platter section including a window,
constructed and arranged for positioning in front of the
vertically-oriented scan window, the vertical weigh platter section
being supported on the weighing apparatus, wherein the vertical
weigh platter section is constructed and arranged such that an
object is accurately weighed when placed on the horizontal weigh
platter section and in contact with the vertical weigh platter
section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.62. An optical reader according to claim 61 wherein the
vertical weigh platter section is connected to the horizontal weigh
platter section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.63. An optical reader according to claim 61 further
comprising a coupling mechanism including a pair of pins and a
mating set of precision machined holes for rigidly but removably
connecting the vertical weigh platter section to the weighing
apparatus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.64. A weighing system for a scanner-scale, the scanner-scale
having a housing with vertical and horizontal scan surfaces, the
weighing system comprising: a weighing apparatus disposed in the
housing; and a weigh platter supported by the weighing apparatus
for accepting and weighing items placed thereon, the weigh platter
comprising: a horizontal weigh platter section disposed over the
horizontal scan surface and supported by the weighing apparatus,
and a vertical window section disposed in front of the vertical
scan surface and supported by the weighing apparatus..Iaddend.
.Iadd.65. A weighing system according to claim 64 wherein the
vertical window section is supported by the weighing apparatus such
that an item is accurately weighed when placed on the horizontal
weigh platter section and in contact with the vertical window
section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.66. A weighing system according to claim 65 wherein the
weighing apparatus comprises at least one load cell, and the
weighing system further comprises a coupling mechanism for rigidly
but removably connecting the vertical window section to the load
cell..Iaddend.
.Iadd.67. A weighing system according to claim 66 wherein the
counting mechanism includes a pair of pins and a mating set of
precision machined holes..Iaddend.
.Iadd.68. A weighing system according to claim 67 wherein the
precision machined holes are formed in the load cell..Iaddend.
.Iadd.69. A weighing system according to claim 64 wherein the
vertical window section is connected to the horizontal weigh
platter section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.70. A method of weighing items on a scanner-scale, the
scanner-scale having vertical and horizontal scan surfaces,
comprising the steps of: providing a weighing apparatus for
accepting items being weighed to be placed on a weigh platter
disposed over the horizontal scan surface; providing a vertical
window in front of the vertical scan surface; and supporting the
vertical window on the weighing apparatus such that an item placed
on the weigh platter is accurately weighed when contacting the
vertical window..Iaddend.
.Iadd.71. A method according to claim 70 wherein the supporting of
the vertical window on the weighing apparatus includes supporting
the vertical window via the weigh platter..Iaddend.
.Iadd.72. In a multi-plane optical reader having a first scan
window oriented in a generally horizontal plane, a second scan
window oriented transversely to and adjacent to the first scan
window, and a weighing device, an improved weigh platter for
supporting an object being weighed, comprising: a first platter
section supported by the weighing device in substantially
horizontal orientation, the first platter section including a first
platter window positioned over the first scan window; and a second
platter section supported by the weighing device, the second
platter section extending transversely to the first platter section
and including a second platter window disposed in front of the
second scan window, the second platter section spaced apart from
the second scan window to prevent the object from contacting the
second scan window, thereby preventing the second scan window from
interfering with weighing of the object..Iaddend.
.Iadd.73. A weigh platter according to claim 72 wherein the
weighing device includes a load cell, and further comprising a
coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the second
platter section of the load cell..Iaddend.
.Iadd.74. A weigh platter according to claim 72 wherein the second
platter section is connected to the first platter
section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.75. A weigh platter for an optical reader including a housing
having a horizontal housing portion and a vertical housing portion,
the vertical housing portion including a vertical scan window,
comprising: a horizontal platter section adapted to be positioned
over the horizontal housing portion; and a vertical platter section
adapted to be installed on the optical reader adjacent to and
spaced apart from the vertical housing portion so that the vertical
platter section extends transversely to the horizontal platter
section, the vertical platter section including a vertical platter
window that is positioned in front of the vertical scan window when
the vertical platter section is installed on the optical
reader..Iaddend.
.Iadd.76. A weigh platter according to claim 75 wherein the
vertical platter section is connected to the horizontal platter
section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.77. A weigh platter according to claim 75 wherein the
vertical platter section includes a cover portion sized to extend
over a top of the vertical housing portion when the vertical
platter section is installed on the optical reader..Iaddend.
.Iadd.78. A combination optical reader and weighing apparatus
comprising: a reader means for optically scanning an object from
multiple directions including a generally horizontal scanning
direction; means for measuring an applied load; and a weigh platter
positioned over the reader means and supported by the means for
measuring, the weigh platter including: a horizontal first platter
section, and a second platter section positioned adjacent the first
platter section and extending transversely to the first platter
section, the second platter section including a platter window
through which the reader means scans in the horizontal scanning
direction..Iaddend.
.Iadd.79. A combination optical reader and weighing apparatus
according to claim 78 wherein the means for measuring includes at
least one load cell..Iaddend.
.Iadd.80. A combination optical reader and weighing apparatus
according to claim 79 further comprising a coupling mechanism for
rigidly but removably connecting the second platter section to the
load cell..Iaddend.
.Iadd.81. A combination optical reader and weighing apparatus
according to claim 80 wherein the coupling mechanism includes a
pair of pins and a mating set of precision machined
holes..Iaddend.
.Iadd.82. A combination optical reader and weighing apparatus
according to claim 81 wherein the precision machined holes are
formed in the load cell..Iaddend.
.Iadd.83. A combination optical reader and weighing apparatus
according to claim 78 wherein the second platter section is
connected to the first platter section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.84. A multi-plane scanner scale comprising: a data reading
device; a housing positioned over the data reading device and
including a vertical scan window through which the data reading
device scans; a weighing device; and a weigh platter including: a
horizontal section, and a vertical section including a vertical
platter window disposed in front of the vertical scan window so
that the data reading device scans the object through the vertical
platter window, the vertical section supported by the weighing
device so that an object placed on the weigh platter in contact
with the vertical section is accurately weighed by the weighing
device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.85. A multi-plane scanner scale according to claim 84 wherein
the vertical section is connected to the horizontal
section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.86. A removable external cover for an optical reader
including a vertical scan window, a load cell, and a horizontal
weigh platter, comprising: a vertical section including a vertical
platter window adapted to be disposed in front of the vertical scan
window, the vertical section adapted to be supported by the load
cell adjacent the horizontal weigh platter and the vertical scan
window so as to maintain a separation between the vertical section
and the vertical scan window when an object being weighed is placed
in contact with the vertical section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.87. A removable cover according to claim 86 wherein the
vertical section is connected to the horizontal weigh platter and
supported on the load cell via the horizontal weigh
platter..Iaddend.
.Iadd.88. A removable cover according to claim 86 further
comprising a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably
connecting the vertical section to the load cell..Iaddend.
.Iadd.89. A weigh platter for an optical reader having a housing
and a weighing device, the housing including a vertical portion
having a vertically-oriented scan window through which the optical
reader reads, the weigh platter comprising: a horizontal section
adapted to be supported by the weighing device; and a vertical
section adapted to be supported by the weighing device adjacent the
horizontal section, the vertical section including a
vertically-oriented platter window positioned in front of the
vertically-oriented scan window when the vertical section is
supported on the weighing device to thereby prevent an object being
weighed from contacting the vertical portion of the
housing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.90. A weigh platter according to claim 89 wherein the
horizontal and vertical sections are adapted to be arranged on the
optical reader such that an object resting against the vertical and
horizontal sections is accurately weighed by the weighing
device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.91. A weigh platter according to claim 89 wherein the
vertical and horizontal sections are adapted to be manually
installed on and removed from the optical reader..Iaddend.
.Iadd.92. A weigh platter according to claim 89 wherein the
vertical section is connected to the horizontal
section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.93. A weigh platter according to claim 89 further comprising
a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the
vertical section to the weighing device..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the present invention relates to fixed optical reading
systems, for example bar code scanning systems, which include
multiple windows through which optical reading may be
accomplished.
Fixed barcode scanners having multiple windows capable of reading
objects in a variety of orientations have been on the market for
some time. One such "multi-plane" scanner is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,475,207 entitled "Multiple Plane Scanning System for Data
Reading Applications", which is hereby incorporated by reference.
These multi-plane or "multi-window" scanners are high performance
scanners which use one or more scanned optical beams to generate
multiple scan patterns. Mechanically, these scanners have one or
more scan engines and multiple scan windows oriented in different
planes from each other, instead of a single scan window as in
single-plane scanners. One of the scan windows is usually oriented
horizontally, defining a horizontal scan plane, while the other
window or windows are oriented to have significant vertical
components and define additional substantially vertical scan
plane(s). The additional vertical scan plane(s) enable the scanner
to successfully read a barcode from a larger fraction of the
surface of the object for a given object orientation.
Horizontal window barcode scanning systems which also include a
weigh scale apparatus have also been available for several years.
One such "scanner scale" weighing apparatus is described in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,410,108, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The
weighing apparatus may take the form of a load cell which bears a
rigid framework referred to hereinafter as a "spider". The spider
supports a weigh platter onto which objects are placed to be
weighed.
Alternatively, the apparatus may be a "spiderless" scale in which
the weigh platter is sufficiently rigid in itself to obviate the
need for a spider. The weigh platter may comprise a horizontal flat
piece of rigid material such as metal or a combination of metal
.[.amd.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.plastic with an optically transparent
portion corresponding to a horizontal scan window. The transparent
portion allows transmission of optical beams out from a scan engine
and transmission of optical barcode signals back into the scanner.
The load cell, which is well-known in the art, usually comprises a
machined piece of aluminum with one or more strain gauges attached
thereto. When an object is placed on the weigh platter, the
mechanical stress thus applied to the load cell generates
electrical signals from the strain gauges, and these signals are in
turn used to determine the weight of the object. When incorporated
as part of an optical barcode scanning system, the load cell,
spider, and weigh platter may preferably comprise a separate
sub-assembly from the optical scanner.
In one device such as the 1994 version of the Spectra-Physics
MAGELLAN.TM. scanner/scale, the load cell and spider are positioned
below the scan engine, and vertical support members are connected
to the spider, extend upward around the scanner, and are connected
to the weigh platter, which is positioned over the scan engine.
Fixed optical barcode scanners with multiple scan planes have been
combined with a weighing apparatus such as the Spectra-Physics
MAGELLAN.TM. scanner/scale. The MAGELLAN.TM. scanner scale is a
dual plane scanner having a vertical scan plane and a horizontal
scan plane with a horizontal weigh platter.
Multiple plane scanners such as the MAGELLAN.TM. unit, however, may
encounter several problems when a weigh scale is being
incorporated. The addition of a second scan plane adds to the size
of the scan unit. Since these systems are often used in locations
where space is a significant limitation, such as a supermarket
checkout stand, the addition of a second scan plane often comes at
the expense of decreased area of the horizontal weigh platter. This
decreases in area increases the likelihood that the vertical scan
components, vertical scan window, and their associated housing will
interfere mechanically with an object placed on the weigh platter
to be weighed. Moreover, the limited size of the weigh platter may
result in an object being weighed (depending upon its size) to
extend past the edge of the platter onto the counter potentially
resulting in an inaccurate weight measure.
In addition, horizontal single plane scanners with weigh platters
typically have an air gap which completely surrounds the platter,
allowing dust, dirt, and debris to fall around the scanner (but not
on the horizontal scan window) so as not to interfere with scanner
function. Moreover, the weigh platter may simple extend beyond the
horizontal extent of the horizontal plane scanner.
In a dual plane scanner, since there can be no air gap or weigh
platter extension on the side of the weigh platter adjacent the
vertical scan window, debris may accumulate under the weigh platter
which in turn may obstruct the horizontal scan window or may
inhibit proper scale operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to optical reading systems, such as
for example barcode scanning systems, which incorporate multiple
plane scanning. In its preferred application, the invention relates
to a multiple scan plane (two or more planes) scanning systems
incorporating a multi-plane cover. A first preferred embodiment
comprises a dual plane scanner and a load cell/weigh platter
weighing apparatus, wherein the weigh platter itself is a dual
plane object. The size and orientation of the planes of the weigh
platter correspond to the size and orientation of the scan windows
of the dual plane scanner, and each plane of the weigh platter has
a transparent area, or "platter window", corresponding to a
respective scan windows of the scanner, thereby allowing
transmission of scanned optical beams and optical barcode signals
through each of the planes of the weigh platter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual plane scanner with a dual
plane spiderless weigh platter according to the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the scanner and weigh
platter of FIG. 1 showing an integral load cell;
FIG. 3 is an exploded right side elevation view of the scanner and
weigh platter of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an exploded front perspective view of the scanner and
weigh platter of FIG. 1 showing an integral load cell;
FIG. 5 is a side view of apparatus of FIGS. 1-4 with an oversized
item being weighed;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an alterate apparatus having a
spiderless design with multiple load cells;
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of another alternate apparatus having a
spider with a load cell;
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of another alternate apparatus also
having a spider with a load cell;
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of another alternate apparatus having a
spider with multiple load cells; and
FIG. 10 is a side view of a another alternate apparatus
illustrating three planes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to
the drawings. FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a two-plane scanner/weighing
apparatus 1 including a scanner 2 with an integral load cell 4 and
a two-plane spiderless weigh platter 6. When assembled the vertical
platter window 8 is positioned in front of the vertical scan window
10 and the horizontal platter window 12 is positioned over the
horizontal scan window 14. This relative positioning of the platter
windows 8, 12 to the scan windows 10, 14 allows optical beams
generated by the scan engine(s) to pass out through the scan
windows and platter windows, and allows the resulting optical
signals from a scanned barcode to pass in through the platter
windows and the scan windows for detection and decoding. The window
8 may be oriented perfectly vertical, or it may be angled somewhat
from absolute vertical as best shown in FIG. 3.
The lateral side edges 16, 18 of the horizontal section 20 of the
weigh platter 6 and the horizontal scan housing portion 24 form air
gaps 26, 28 on the lateral side edges (the right and left sides as
viewed in FIG. 1) of the weigh platter 6, while the front edge 30
of the horizontal plane of the weigh platter 6 extends beyond the
front 32 edge (i.e., the edge nearest the checker) of the
horizontal scanner housing portion 24. The back edge 34 of the
horizontal section of the weigh platter is rigidly connected to the
bottom edge 36 of the vertical section 38 of the weigh platter,
thereby forming an integral structure with a continuous surface,
thereby preventing debris from passing below the weigh platter 6
which could obstruct the horizontal scan window 14 or could
adversely affect scale performance. The two-plane weigh platter 6
may be fabricated from a single piece of material (preferably
metal) or may be assembled from multiple pieces provided it
comprises a single rigid structure as described herein.
One variation of this embodiment has a horizontal extension 40 of
the weigh platter rigidly connected to the top edge 42 of the
vertical platter section 38 of the weigh platter. This extension of
the weigh platter 6 serves to further inhibit passage of debris
between the vertical scanner window 10 and the vertical platter
window 8 which would obstruct the vertical scanner window 10. The
extension may be further extended downward behind the back surface
44 of the scanner housing portion 46 (see downward extension 43 in
FIG. 5). The extended weigh platter may be fabricated in a single
piece structure or assembled from multiple pieces provided it
comprises a rigid overall structure with the sealed connection
35.
The horizontal platter window 12 is preferably constructed of a
material which is shatter resistant and wear resistant such as
sapphire, wear resistant coated glass (such as the wear-resistant
glass with diamond-like coating described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,594,231), or tin-oxide since items being scanned are often
dropped onto or dragged across the horizontal window 12. The
vertical platter window 8 is generally subject to less impact and
scratching action and likely would not require quite as an
expensive material as the horizontal window, but should still
preferably be constructed to have some scratch and impact
resistance. Since the scanner housing windows 10, 14 are protected
from impact by the weigh platter windows 8, 12, they need not be
constructed from expensive scratch resistant material.
Alternatively, though the scanner internals would be somewhat more
exposed, the housing windows 10, 14 may comprise mere openings
(i.e., no glass covers) since the platter windows 8, 12 alone may
provide adequate protection for internal components.
In FIGS. 2 and 4 the load cell 4 is shown integrally mounted on the
top of the horizontal scanner housing portion 24, and is rigidly
but removably connected to the bottom 48 of the two-plane weigh
platter 6. The integral mounting of the load cell reduces the
overall bulk of the two-plane scanner/weighing apparatus 1. In its
preferred construction, the spiderless weigh platter 6 is
constructed in a manner that .[.insures.]. .Iadd.ensures
.Iaddend.rigidity sufficient to bear the weight of an object being
weighed and sufficient to maintain its two-plane geometry and
prevent the vertical scanner housing portion 46 from interfering
with the weighing process. One such construction would be the
incorporation of stiffening ribs 50 into the structure of the
platter 6.
Also depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4 is a coupling mechanism for rigidly
but removably connecting the two-plane weigh platter 6 to the load
cell 4, comprising a pair of precision machined pins 52 attached to
the bottom 48 of the two-plane weigh platter 6, and a mating set of
precision machined holes 54 in the load cell 4. By such a
construction, the weigh platter 6 is readily removable by pulling
up on the platter, the pins 52 sliding out of the holes 54. Any
rigid but removable coupling mechanism may be substituted for the
pin/hole mechanism depicted here.
The two-plane weight platter embodiment solves two of the problems
discussed in the background section. First, the vertical section 38
of the weigh platter 6 at the side adjacent the vertical scan
window 10, being connected to and moving with the horizontal
section 20, prevents debris from falling therebetween and under the
weigh platter 6 on that side and obstructing the horizontal scan
window. Second, the vertical section 38 of the weigh platter 6
prevents the object being weighed from coming into contact with the
vertical scan window 10, so the vertical scan window 10 will not
interfere with the weighing process.
The weigh platter preferably has bottom extensions which extend
below the planar surface of the window 14 to prevent debris or
liquids from contacting the window 14. Moreover, the side surfaces
(i.e. both lateral sides and the side next to the checker) of the
horizontal scan housing portion 24 are sloped to channel debris and
liquids down and away from the window 14. The sides of the weigh
platter 6 (such as the stiffening ribs 50) may extend downwardly to
provide additional baffles in further inhibit debris or liquids
from contacting the window 14. Alternatively, the downwardly
extending sides may be disposed in a trough and be provided with
additional spill control and air gap maintenance thereby as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,108, which is incorporated by
reference.
The multiple plane weigh platter 6 also facilitates weighing of
oversized objects. With existing weigh platters, if the length of
an object to be weighed exceeds the length of the horizontal weigh
platter, the object may come in contact with the housing or the
counter resulting in inaccurate weight measurement. FIG. 5
illustrates the apparatus 1 with an oversized object 75 being
weighed on the multi-plane platter 6. One end of the object rests
on the horizontal sections 20 and the other end rests on the
vertical section 38. Were the object flexible, such as a large bag
of produce, the bag may even be laid over the vertical housing
portion 46 on the horizontal extension 40 of the weigh platter or
even onto the downward extension 43 behind the back surface 44 of
the vertical scanner housing portion 46.
To achieve potential reduction in size and material/manufacture
cost, the load cell 4 may be incorporated directly into an upper
section of the horizontal scanner housing portion 24, instead of
comprising a separate subassembly. The weigh platter 6 is borne by
the load cell 4 either directly or via a spider such as in
alternate embodiments described below. In so called "spiderless"
designs, the weigh platter itself is made sufficiently rigid to
bear the object being weighed. By combining the weighing device and
scanner in a single unit the overall size of the scanner/weighing
device combination may be reduced compared to earlier devices at
potentially reduced cost of material and/or manufacture.
The apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1-4 centrally locates the load cell 4
between the vertical section 38 and the horizontal section 20. FIG.
6 illustrates an alternate apparatus 101 in which the load cell 105
(with the holes 154, 154 for the pins) is located at an opposite
end of the horizontal scanner housing portion 124 of the scanner
102. The weigh platter 106 is more greatly cantilevered, but may be
designed to fall within load cell specifications.
Though a single load cell and pin mounting design may be preferred,
the apparatus may be configured with multiple load cells. FIG. 6
also illustrates another alternate embodiment comprising multiple
load cells 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d spaced about the horizontal
portion of the scanner 102. Depending upon particular design
constraints, multiple load cells may not require pin connection
such as preferred for the single load cell design previously
described.
Alternatively, a spider may be rigidly but removably connected to
the load cell, which in turn hears the two-plane weigh platter.
FIG. 7 illustrates another alternate apparatus 201 having an
integral spider 260 having a single load cell 205. In this
alternate embodiment, though the spider 260 provides additional
stiffness to reduce the rigidity required of the weigh platter
itself, the two-plane weigh platter 206 should still possess
rigidity sufficient to maintain its two-plane geometry and prevent
the vertical scanner section 246 of the scanner 202 from
interfering with the weighing process. In another alternative
embodiment, the load cell 205, spider 260, and two-plane weigh
platter 206 may comprise a separate subassembly from the horizontal
scanner housing portion 24 and vertical scanner housing portion
246. In this embodiment, the load cell 205 is placed between the
vertical housing portion 246 and the horizontal housing portion and
rigidly connected to the spider by suitable horizontal or vertical
support members.
Alternatively, the load cell upon which the spider is mounted may
be placed next to or below the scanner housing portions and rigidly
connected to the spider by suitable horizontal or vertical support
members, respectively. FIG. 8 illustrates another alternate
apparatus 301 having an integral spider 360 having a single load
cell 305. In this alternate embodiment, the two-plane weigh platter
306 possesses rigidity sufficient to maintain its two-plane
geometry and prevent the vertical scanner section 346 of the
scanner 302 from interfering with the weighing process. The load
cell 305 is placed on an end of the horizontal scan housing portion
324 opposite to the vertical housing portion 346 (i.e. on the
checker side).
Spider designs may also incorporate multiple load cells. In the
apparatus 401 of FIG. 9, separate spider legs 460, 462 (they could
be connected as a single spider as in FIG. 8 for example) are
mounted on load cells 405, 404 respectively. The spider legs 460,
462 provide additional stiffness to reduce the rigidity required of
the weigh platter 406 itself, but the two-plane weigh platter 206
should still possess rigidity sufficient to maintain its two-plane
geometry and prevent the vertical scanner section 446 of the
scanner 402 from interfering with the weighing process.
In each of the above embodiments, the load cell may .Iadd.be
.Iaddend.located within the scanner .[.envelop.]. .Iadd.envelope
.Iaddend.(such as load cell 205 in FIG. 7) or outside such as load
cell 305 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Similarly, the spider may be
incorporated outside the scanner .[.envelop.]. .Iadd.envelope
.Iaddend.(such as spider 360 in FIG. 8) or alternately inside the
scanner .[.envelop.]. .Iadd.envelope .Iaddend.(such as spider 260
in FIG. 7) depending upon the specific apparatus configuration.
The disclosed embodiments of the multiple plane weigh platter may
be combined with any suitable weighing device and with any multiple
plane optical reading device without altering the concept of the
present invention. Alternately, the platter may merely comprise a
cover for a multi-plane scanner (i.e. a scanner having no scale).
In the "no-scale" embodiment, the multi-plane cover would still
provide spill and mechanical protection for the internal
components, but may not require as stiff a construction as does the
weigh platter scale version.
The embodiments disclosed may be modified in various ways without
departing from the fundamental inventive concept presented
hereinabove. Further modifications may include, but are not limited
to: the number of scan planes and weigh platter planes; the method
of manufacturing the weigh platter; the mechanical connection
between the weigh platter and the weighing device; the particular
nature of the weighing device; and the positioning of the weighing
device (integral to the scanner or as a separate subassembly).
Though the multi-plane weigh platter has been shown and described
with respect to a laser scanner such as the Spectra-Physics
MAGELLAN.TM. scanner, it is intended that scanner upon which the
weigh platter is constructed may comprise any sort of data reading
device including scanning laser beam(s), CCD, video, LED, or the
like.
Though the multi-plane weigh platter has been described as useful
for multi-plane scanner, it may also be used in a single plane
(either horizontal or vertical) that may have additional
components. Envision for example a scanner/scale 1 of FIG. 1 having
only a vertical window and no horizontal window. A multi-plane
weigh platter for such a scanner/scale would only require a a
vertical window (the horizontal portion could be entirely
opaque).
Though the weigh platter has been described with respect to
dual-plane scanners, additional scan planes can be accommodated.
For example in FIG. 10, a three-plane apparatus 501 is illustrated
having two vertical scan housing portions 546, 545 and a horizontal
scan housing portion 524. Such a device may have one, two or three
windows through which scanning may be accomplished. The multi-plane
cover or weigh platter 506 has two vertical sections 538, 539 and a
horizontal section 520. Each platter section has a window (if
required) corresponding to each respective scan housing window. The
vertical platter sections may include horizontal extensions 540,
541 and further include downwardly extending vertical extensions
543, 544 if desired to provide further protection.
Thus, a multiple plane optical scanning system has been shown and
described herein which incorporates a multiple plane spiderless
weigh platter and an integrally mounted load cell. Though certain
examples and advantages have been disclosed, further advantages and
modifications may become obvious to one skilled in the art from the
disclosures herein. The invention therefore is not to be limited
except in the spirit of the claims that follow.
* * * * *
References