Bioptic reader assembly with video upgrade module

1. A bioptic reader assembly, comprising:

a scale assembly including a support frame and a platter mounted to the support frame, the scale assembly having a width that is less than or equal to 11½ inches;

a bioptic barcode reader mounted to the support frame of the scale assembly, the bioptic barcode reader including a housing having a lower housing portion positioned below the platter and an upper housing portion extending above the lower housing portion and above the platter, a set of optical components positioned within the housing, and a camera; and

a video upgrade module operatively connected to the bioptic barcode reader and in communication with the camera, the video upgrade module configured to process and interpret images received from the camera; wherein

the video upgrade module is positioned within the width of the scale assembly and within a height defined from a top surface of the platter to a bottom of the lower housing portion, the height being less than or equal to 4 inches.

2. The bioptic reader assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing of the bioptic barcode reader defines an external pocket and the video upgrade module is positioned within the pocket and secured to the housing.

3. The bioptic reader assembly of claim 2 , wherein the bioptic barcode reader and the video upgrade module can be removed from the support structure of the scale assembly as a single unit.

4. The bioptic reader assembly of claim 1 , wherein the video upgrade module is positioned between the housing of the bioptic barcode reader and the support structure and is secured to the support structure.

5. The bioptic reader assembly of claim 1 , wherein the camera is a 2 megapixel color camera.

6. The bioptic reader assembly of claim 1 , wherein the camera is the only camera in the bioptic barcode reader and the camera is configured to capture barcode images for decoding and configured to capture images for video processing by the video upgrade module.

7. The bioptic reader assembly of claim 1 , wherein the video upgrade module is configured for one or more of object recognition, video monitoring for retail loss prevention, convolutional neural network capabilities, gesture recognition, video feed capabilities, and optical character recognition.

8. The bioptic reader assembly of claim 1 , wherein the video upgrade module is operatively connected to the bioptic barcode reader via a cable that is routed within the support structure.

9. The bioptic reader assembly of claim 8 , wherein the cable is routed between a sheet metal frame of the support structure and a scale support rail of the support structure.

10. The bioptic reader assembly of claim 1 , wherein the video upgrade module is operatively connected to the bioptic barcode reader via a cable that is routed through a recess in the housing of the bioptic barcode reader.

11. The bioptic reader assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the housing has a width that is greater than or equal to 5 inches and less than or equal to 7 inches;

the lower housing portion has a height that is greater than or equal to 3 inches; and

the upper housing portion has a height that is greater than or equal to 4 inches and less than or equal to 6 inches.

12. A method of integrating a video upgrade module into a bioptic reader assembly having scale assembly and a bioptic barcode reader, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning the video upgrade module within the bioptic reader assembly between the bioptic barcode reader and a support structure of the scale assembly, the video upgrade module positioned within a width of the scale assembly and within a height defined from a top surface of a platter of the scale assembly to a bottom of a housing of the bioptic barcode reader, the width being less than or equal to 11½ inches and the height being less than or equal to 4 inches;

securing the video upgrade module to the bioptic reader assembly; and

operatively connecting the video upgrade module to the bioptic barcode reader.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the housing of the bioptic barcode reader defines an external pocket and the video upgrade module is positioned within the pocket and secured to the housing.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the bioptic barcode reader and the video upgrade module are inserted into the support structure of the scale assembly as a single unit.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the video upgrade module is inserted through a bottom of the support structure and secured to the support structure.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the video upgrade module is configured for one or more of object recognition, video monitoring for retail loss prevention, convolutional neural network capabilities, gesture recognition, video feed capabilities, and optical character recognition.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the video upgrade module is operatively connected to the bioptic barcode reader via a cable that is routed within the support structure.

18. The method of claim 17 , comprising routing the cable between a sheet metal frame of the support structure and a scale support rail of the support structure.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the video upgrade module is operatively connected to the bioptic barcode reader via a cable that is routed within a recess defined in the housing of the bioptic barcode reader.

20. The method of claim 12 , wherein:

the housing has a width that is greater than or equal to 5 inches and less than or equal to 7 inches;

the lower housing portion has a height that is greater than or equal to 3 inches; and

the upper housing portion has a height that is greater than or equal to 4 inches and less than or equal to 6 inches.