Michael Kevin Spencer

US Patent:

6373574, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

Mar 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/804895

Inventors:

Yeming Gu - Suwanee GA
Michael A. Spencer - Suwanee GA
Jeffrey P. Treptau - Golden Valley MN
Stephen J. Ames - Lawrenceville GA
Daniel B. Seevers - Duluth GA
Rex A. Aleshire - Buford GA
Hong Tang - Suwanee GA

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G01N 2125

US Classification:

356419, 356326, 356328

Abstract:

A produce data collector and produce recognition system which illuminates a produce item with substantially uniform light to enhance the accuracy of collected produce data and subsequent identification of the produce item as part of a transaction in a transaction establishment. The produce data collector includes a light source for illuminating the produce item with substantially uniform light during the transaction, a light separating element for splitting light collected from the produce item into a plurality of different light portions having different wavelengths, a detector for converting energy in the plurality of light portions into a plurality of electrical signals, and control circuitry which digitizes the plurality of electrical signals to produce a digital spectrum from the produce item which contains information to identify the produce item for the purpose of determining its unit price.

US Patent:

6501547, Dec 31, 2002

Filed:

Feb 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/507369

Inventors:

Michael A. Spencer - Suwanee GA

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G01J 318

US Classification:

356328, 23546206, 23546211

Abstract:

A hand-held produce data collector which captures wavelength information from a produce item. The produce data collector includes a light emitter for illuminating a produce item, collecting optics for collecting light reflected from the produce item and separating the reflected light into a plurality of wavelength portions of light, a photosensor for capturing wavelength information from the wavelength portions of light, control circuitry, and a hand-held housing containing the light emitter, the collecting optics, the photosensor, and the control circuitry. The control circuitry may store reference wavelength information and compare the captured wavelength information to the reference wavelength information to identify the produce item.

US Patent:

62961861, Oct 2, 2001

Filed:

Nov 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/197337

Inventors:

Michael A. Spencer - Suwanee GA
Donald A. Collins - Lawrenceville GA

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G06K 710

US Classification:

23546201

Abstract:

A produce recognition system which identifies a produce item by comparing its shape with reference shape information. 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.

US Patent:

59754176, Nov 2, 1999

Filed:

Dec 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/994784

Inventors:

Michael A. Spencer - Suwanee GA
Rex A. Aleshire - Buford GA
Donald A. Collins - Lawrenceville GA

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G06K 710

US Classification:

23546236

Abstract:

A convertible barcode scanner includes a housing in which are disposed a laser, spinner, and plurality of pattern mirrors optically aligned with the spinner for reflecting a beam from the laser to produce a first pattern of scan lines out a window at a first exit angle. A conversion mount adjustably supports a diverting one of the pattern mirrors in different tilt orientations for changing reflection angle thereon and correspondingly changing at least one of the scan lines from the first exit angle to a different exit angle.

US Patent:

6332573, Dec 25, 2001

Filed:

Nov 10, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/189783

Inventors:

Yeming Gu - Suwanee GA
Michael A. Spencer - Suwanee GA
Donald A. Collins - Lawrenceville GA
Jeffrey P. Treptau - Golden Valley MN
Stephen J. Ames - Lawrenceville GA
Daniel B. Seevers - Duluth GA
Rex A. Aleshire - Buford GA
Hong Tang - Suwanee GA

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G06K 710

US Classification:

23546206

Abstract:

A produce data collector and produce recognition system which illuminates a produce item with substantially uniform light to enhance the accuracy of collected produce data and subsequent identification of the produce item as part of a transaction in a transaction establishment. The produce data collector includes a light source for illuminating the produce item with substantially uniform light during the transaction, a light separating element for splitting light collected from the produce item into a plurality of different light portions having different wavelengths, a detector for converting energy in the plurality of light portions into a plurality of electrical signals, and control circuitry which digitizes the plurality of electrical signals to produce a digital spectrum from the produce item which contains information to identify the produce item for the purpose of determining its unit price.