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From: essachs@ihuxl.UUCP (Ed Sachs)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: UPC Scanners
Message-ID: <1673@ihuxl.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 7-Jan-86 08:38:35 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxl.1673
Posted: Tue Jan  7 08:38:35 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 8-Jan-86 07:57:19 EST
References: <300@opus.UUCP> <942@terak.UUCP> <1482@wanginst.UUCP> <952@terak.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 24

> 
> There is no conventional register... items are either scanned or (for
> produce) weighed.  The scale has a keypad on which the clerk enters a
> code number for the type of produce.  This keypad also serves as the
> entry point for "amount tendered", coupons, etc.  The system has no
> capability to enter sale of non-coded, non-weighed items; so even the
> 50-lb dog food bags have to go up on the counter, and if you buy
> something by the case you have to open the case and take out one of
> the packages to be scanned.

At the groceries stores I shop at, the cashier can enter a price
for a non-coded item (typically pre-weighed per-pound items, such
as meat, deli, and bulk cheese, but some stores even have scales
which can print "machine readable" weight and price stickers), or
for things like large bags of dog food, they enter the UPC code from
the keypad rather than trying to drag it over the scanner.  Often, if
an item will not scan successfully, the checker just reads the
UPC code and keys it in manually (faster than taking 10 attempts
to have the machine read it).
-- 
				Ed Sachs
				AT&T Bell Laboratories
				Naperville, IL
				ihnp4!ihuxl!essachs