Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-19
2001-10-02
Le, Thien M. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
C235S462250
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296186
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to produce recognition system and more specifically to a produce recognition system including a produce shape data collector.
Bar code readers are well known for their usefulness in retail checkout and inventory control. Bar code readers are capable of identifying and recording most items during a typical transaction since most items are labeled with bar codes.
Items which are typically not identified and recorded by a bar code reader are produce items, since produce items are typically not labeled with bar codes. Bar code readers may include a scale for weighing produce items to assist in determining the price of such items. But identification of produce items is still a task for the checkout operator, who must identify a produce item and then manually enter an item identification code. Operators must visually examine produce for a variety of indicators, such as shape, color, and texture, and compare these indicators to pictures of produce items. But operator identification methods are slow, inefficient, and prone to error on the order of fifteen percent.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a produce recognition system which can minimize operator involvement in produce identification and entry into a transaction. It would be desirable to provide as part of that produce recognition system a produce shape data collector which collects shape information for use in identifying the produce item.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a produce recognition system including a produce shape data collector is provided.
The system includes a produce shape data collector which includes a light projector which generates a plurality of lines of light for illuminating a produce item with the plurality of lines of light. The lines of light bend across the outer surface of the produce item thereby assuming the shape of the produce item. The produce data collector further includes an image capture device which captures an image of the lines of light during illumination of the produce item, and control circuitry for controlling operation of the light projector and the image capture device. The system further includes a computer which compares shape data in the image with reference shape data to identify the produce item.
It is a feature of one embodiment of the present invention that the produce data collector only includes stationary, non-moving parts.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a produce recognition system including a produce shape data collector.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a produce recognition system including a produce shape data collector which projects a plurality of lines of light on a produce item.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a produce recognition system including a produce shape data collector which projects a light grid pattern on a produce item.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a produce recognition system including a produce shape data collector which uses minimal cost elements.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a produce recognition system including a produce shape data collector which uses only non-moving elements.
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Collins, Jr. Donald A.
Spencer Michael A.
Le Thien M.
Martin Paul W.
NCR Corporation
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