US3618836A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chemistry encoding
Assignee: Bio-Logic Inc
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Filing: 1969-09-15
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Granted: 1971-11-09
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Expires: 1989-09-15
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for encoding chemistry information on an identification device used to identify containers of biological matter such as blood samples, the apparatus including superimposed dies each having a plurality of rows of apertures, the apertures of one die being in alignment with the apertures of the other die, the dies being spaced one from another to receive the identification device between the dies. A stylus, having a tip for penetrating the identification device, is selectively inserted through the aligned apertures in the two dies thereby perforating (encoding) the device at one or more predetermined sites. Each perforation represents a chemical test or a set of tests to be performed on the biological matter in the container. A verifier is provided so that when the stylus perforates the device at a given site, an electrical circuit is completed to illuminate a corresponding portion of a display panel for optical indication to the operator of the true nature of the encoding which has taken place.
Inventors
- 👤 Dwight J Bushnell
- 👤 Max Glen Worthington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K1/00; G06K1/02; G06K1/06; G06K1/08; B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/54; B01L3/545; B01L3/5453; G06K5/00; G06K5/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/10; Y10T225/30; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/849; Y10T83/865; Y10T83/869; Y10T83/8733
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In a method of encoding an identification blank having a predetermined length and width, the steps of: situating the identification blank in alignment with an array of apertures in mask means so that a solid encodable site is adjacent each aperture; displacing stylus means through selected ones of the apertures; encoding each encodable site adjacent the apertures through which the stylus means are displaced by causing the stylus means to impress information representation upon the blank; supplying electrical power to the stylus means; completing an electrical circuit through the stylus means as each information representation is impressed upon the blank; and confirming by electrical signal through the circuit when and where encoding has taken place.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a method of encoding an identification blank having a predetermined length and width, the steps of: situating the identification blank in alignment with an array of apertures in mask means so that a solid encodable site is adjacent each aperture; displacing stylus means through selected ones of the apertures; encoding each encodable site adjacent the apertures through which the stylus means are displaced by causing the stylus means to impress information representation upon the blank; supplying electrical power to the stylus means; completing an electrical circuit through the stylus means as each information representation is impressed upon the blank; and confirming by electrical signal through the circuit when and where encoding has taken place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
In a method of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said confirming step comprises visually verifying which of the encodable sites in the blank have been encoded by illuminating with said electric signals selected ones of an array of indicators corresponding in arrangement to the array of apertures in the mask means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
An encoder for encoding an information device, the encoder comprising: mask means comprising a matrix of apertures and a chamber adapted to receive the identification device, the chamber having a common ingress and egress opening; stylus means adapted to be displaced through selected apertures in the mask means and to encode the identification device at sites adjacent each selected aperture; and electrical circuit means completed by penetration of said stylus through said apertures to provide a signal indicating which of said sites has been encoded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
An encoder for encoding an information device, the encoder comprising: mask means comprising a matrix of apertures and a chamber adapted to receive the identification device, the chamber having a common ingress and egress opening; stylus means adapted to be displaced through selected apertures in the mask means and to encode the identification device at sites adjacent each selected aperture; and electrical circuit means completed by penetration of said stylus through said apertures to provide a signal indicating which of said sites has been encoded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
131 words
An encoder-verifier comprising: stylus means; encoding means including identification device-receiving mask means exposing only an array of encodable sites to the stylus means whereby selective displacement of the stylus means through the mask means causes information representations to be impressed upon the device at predetermined sites; electrical power source means; electrical switch means disposed adjacent the mask means and electrical circuitry in communication with the electrical switch means to close a circuit as the identification device is encoded at each site; an array of indicators corresponding to the pattern of exposed encodable sites and in communication with the circuitry whereby each indicator corresponding in relative location where an information representation is impressed is energized upon the closing of a circuit to confirm the location of each site receiving an information representation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
An encoder-verifier comprising: stylus means; encoding means including identification device-receiving mask means exposing only an array of encodable sites to the stylus means whereby selective displacement of the stylus means through the mask means causes information representations to be impressed upon the device at predetermined sites; electrical power source means; electrical switch means disposed adjacent the mask means and electrical circuitry in communication with the electrical switch means to close a circuit as the identification device is encoded at each site; an array of indicators corresponding to the pattern of exposed encodable sites and in communication with the circuitry whereby each indicator corresponding in relative location where an information representation is impressed is energized upon the closing of a circuit to confirm the location of each site receiving an information representation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a method of encoding a container with a sample of biological material therein; providing a container having an identification device with an array of encodable sites; disposing the device adjacent a mask having a matrix of apertures each exposing one encodable site; bringing a stylus into registry with at least a selected one of the aligned apertures and punching a hole in the adjacent exposed site; verifying at a remote display the existence and location of the punched hole at said last-mentioned site while the device remains in the defined position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a method of encoding a container with a sample of biological material therein; providing a container having an identification device with an array of encodable sites; disposing the device adjacent a mask having a matrix of apertures each exposing one encodable site; bringing a stylus into registry with at least a selected one of the aligned apertures and punching a hole in the adjacent exposed site; verifying at a remote display the existence and location of the punched hole at said last-mentioned site while the device remains in the defined position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for defining clinical tests to be performed on biological matter disposed in a container; a frangible blank united to the sample container; die means having a plurality of spaced apertures and cavity means to receive the blank in alignment with the apertures, each aperture corresponding to at least one clinical determination to be made in relation to the biological matter; stylus means comprising (a) tip means to be placed in registry with selected apertures and to penetrate the blank at sites aligned with said selected apertures to create perforations selectively in the blank and (b) means for actuating a remote display to verify the location of each penetration made in the blank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for defining clinical tests to be performed on biological matter disposed in a container; a frangible blank united to the sample container; die means having a plurality of spaced apertures and cavity means to receive the blank in alignment with the apertures, each aperture corresponding to at least one clinical determination to be made in relation to the biological matter; stylus means comprising (a) tip means to be placed in registry with selected apertures and to penetrate the blank at sites aligned with said selected apertures to create perforations selectively in the blank and (b) means for actuating a remote display to verify the location of each penetration made in the blank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a method of correlating clinical determinations to be made upon biological matter with the patient from whom the biological matter was obtained, to reduce the probability of error and save time, comprising: providing a container housing the biological matter having an identification portion bearing indicia identifying the patient and presenting an encodable area; placing the encodable area of the identification portion at an encoding station thereby exposing an array of encodable sites in the encodable area; encoding selected ones of the sites representative of the clinical determinations to be performed; physically completing electrical circuits causing electrical signals corresponding to the sites so encoded to be generated whereby the accuracy or inaccuracy of the preceding step may be determined.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a method of correlating clinical determinations to be made upon biological matter with the patient from whom the biological matter was obtained, to reduce the probability of error and save time, comprising: providing a container housing the biological matter having an identification portion bearing indicia identifying the patient and presenting an encodable area; placing the encodable area of the identification portion at an encoding station thereby exposing an array of encodable sites in the encodable area; encoding selected ones of the sites representative of the clinical determinations to be performed; physically completing electrical circuits causing electrical signals corresponding to the sites so encoded to be generated whereby the accuracy or inaccuracy of the preceding step may be determined.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
An encoder-verifier of the type defined in claim 4 wherein said electrical circuitry comprises (a) first circuit means joining the power source means to the switch means at least while a site is encoded to close a circuit and (b) second circuit means for holding the mentioned circuit closed even though the stylus means is removed after said site has been encoded.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-08 | 1975-05-10 | 1975-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-08 | 1979-05-10 | 1979-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-08 | 1983-05-10 | 1983-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |