A laser scanning device for scanning an interface surface of a product
item is provided. The interface surface has visible information relating
to the product item and a plurality of tags disposed thereon. Each tag
contains coded data indicative of an identity of the product item and a
plurality of locations on the interface surface. At least some of the
tags are coincident with the visible information. The scanning device
comprises: (a) a housing; (b) a laser for emitting a scanning beam from
the housing; (c) a sensor for sensing the coded data contained a tag
exposed by the scanning beam; and (d) a processor for determining, using
the sensed coded data, product identity data indicative of the identity
of the product item and location data indicative of a location of the
exposed tag on the interface surface.