Looking for a distance sensor

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A WHOLE BUNCH of lasers are used at checkout counters. They're the ones
that scan the UPC barcode so that the Mexican checker doesn't have to read,
or know any math, or anything.

Well, that's a "few". ;-)

 

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On one trip to England, I went into an Aldi store (German-owned,
pile-'em-high-sell-'em cheap supermarket). No bar codes there, the
checkout clerk just keyed the items into the register at high speed *from
memory*!

Aldi (same company?) is on this side of the pond, too, though not the same
format at all. It's supposed to be cheaper but I didn't think so.

 

[Rich Grise]

I like that idea. Needs more installation steps but can be quite
interesting as a "low cost" option if I can't find a nice sensor

Can your objects have bar code stickers attached? Then just get
one of the bar code readers like they use at the supermarket checkout.

Good Luck!
Rich

 

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Prices are similar to Save-A-Lot but lower than Publix, Albersons,
Winn-Dixie or Sweetbay.

They had them in Ohio when I was there. I wasn't impressed.

 

[Fred Abse]

Aldi (same company?) is on this side of the pond, too, though not the same
format at all. It's supposed to be cheaper but I didn't think so.

AFAICS, there aren't any stores west of Kansas. That's probably why
I've never seen one.

 

[Fred Abse]

That is the way Mc Donalds does it, they have litte pictures on the keys
of the cash register, hamburger, cheesebuger, cola..

This was just a standard register, 3-column keypad.

I don't think the McDonald's scheme would work with several hundred
(changing) product lines.

 

[OBones]

Can your objects have bar code stickers attached? Then just get
one of the bar code readers like they use at the supermarket checkout.

Thanks, but I don't want to identify them but know how far they are from
the sensor. Using a bar code reader won't help me here...

 

[Rich Grise]

AFAICS, there aren't any stores west of Kansas.

Well, then, what do you call all those places in California where I can
buy stuff? ;-)

Thanks,
Rich

 

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Mine works quite well. I paid $5 for it in a thrift store.

You paid $5 for what? Your Mexican checker? ;-)

 

[Charlie E.]

AFAICS, there aren't any stores west of Kansas. That's probably why
I've never seen one.

They also own Trader Joes, but that is a different (and BETTER) format
altogether!!!

I couldn't live anywhere that didn't have a Trader Joes... ;-)

Charlie

 

[Rich Grise, Plainclothes Hippie]

The only place I can get Calamari steaks

I wish I could find a Hickory Farms around here - their summer sausage
is "to die for"!

Cheers!
Rich

 

[OBones]

I see what you mean, placing barriers at various points is an
interesting alternative.

Assuming the boxes are mounted/placed on some sort of structure, would
it be possible to instrument the structure with, say, an ultrasonic
transponder?

Well, no, they are not mounted on anything particular, it could be a
car, a bike, a box mounted on a cart...

How much can you spend to get what you want?

Ideally not much.