Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Patent
1991-07-16
1993-11-30
Hajec, Donald T.
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
235473, 235457, G06K 710
Patent
active
052667880
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a laser scanner for reading bar codes in a POS system for registers used at, for example, supermarkets, department stores, and other specialty stores.
STATE OF THE PRIOR ART
Laser scanners (POS systems) are extensively used at supermarkets, department stores, and other specialty stores. These stores usually use a stand-type laser scanner, as it is relatively small and occupies little space.
Namely, the stand-type laser scanner is compact and takes up little space, and thus is suitable for a small store having only a small space for a check-out counter.
As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, a conventional stand-type scanner has a scanning optical system incorporated in a support unit 5 protruding from a substrate (a base plate) 6 arranged on a counter 9. This arrangement usually increases the size of the support unit, and accordingly the size of the scanner as a whole, and spoils the appearance thereof. Since the arrangement is made mainly from the viewpoint of an easy observation by an operator A, a support 7 blocks the sight of a customer B, who therefore cannot clearly see a bar code 10 on a commodity 8. Namely, the conventional stand-type laser scanner is not transparent and is located between the customer and the operator, and thus the customer cannot see or read the bar code on the commodity through the stand-type laser scanner and must shift his or her position to see the bar code. In the figures, P denotes a scanning beam emitted in the direction of an arrow mark.
FIG. 35 shows a typical check-out counter according to the prior art. Generally, there are three (indicated by (1), (2), and (3)) commodity price display units, respectively arranged on a keyboard 2, above a bar code reading portion 4 and on a POS register portion 3.
It is impossible for a customer, however, to simultaneously observe any one of the displays and a bar code of a commodity (which is passed over the reading portion 4) handled by an operator. Namely, if the customer wishes to confirm the bar code reading operation as well as the displayed price, the customer must shift his or her position alternately to see them.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a laser scanner for a bar code reader having a reduced size and enabling a customer to easily observe a bar code reading operation.
To achieve the above object, a laser scanner for a bar code reader according to the present invention comprises a laser source, a laser beam scanning means, for scanning a bar code on an object in a predetermined direction with a laser beam emitted from the laser source, a light emission window for emitting the scanning beam toward the bar code on the object, and an optical detecting means for detecting a signal light reflected from the bar code. The laser beam scanning means and optical detecting means are integrally incorporated in a substrate, and the light emission window is supported by a transparent support disposed on and protruding from the substrate.
It is preferable to integrally incorporate the laser source in the substrate.
The transparent support may be a light guide plate for propagating outgoing light and returning signal light, or a simple support frame. If a light guide plate is used, the outgoing light and returning signal light repeat a total reflection and are propagated in the light guide plate. If a support frame is used, the outgoing light and returning signal light are propagated in the air.
It is preferable to form one or a plurality of holograms on the light emission window thereby, to diffract the laser beam in a predetermined direction.
The laser beam scanning means may be either a galvanomirror or a rotatable polygonal mirror.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the light guide plate has a reflection hologram, for reflecting light having a predetermined wavelength in a predetermined direction. On the opposite side of the light emission window and behind the light guide plate, an indicator is arranged to indicate information re
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Aritake Hirokazu
Ikeda Hiroyuki
Ohkawa Masanori
Yamagishi Fumio
Yamazaki Kozo
Chin Esther
Fujitsu Limited
Hajec Donald T.
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