GRAPHIC SCANNING AIDS FOR A LASER SCANNER

A method and apparatus for use with a laser scanner which projects a laser light beam in a scan pattern to facilitate finding a label on a package and reading the symbols thereon. The apparatus comprises a window, positioned adjacent the laser scanner which has an illuminating portion through which the scan pattern is transmitted and a background portion through which the scan pattern is not transmitted. The apparatus also comprises graphic means, adjacent a first part of the background portion of the window, for delineating a target area towards which the package should be directed by an operator to ensure that the label is properly oriented within the scan pattern for the laser light beam to acurately illuminate and read the symbols on the label. The apparatus may also comprise mask means, superposed on a second part of the background portion of the window, for substantially obstructing the laser scanner from the view of the operator.