US3681570A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for identifying articles
Assignee: Zellweger Uster AG
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Filing: 1970-03-27
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1990-03-27
Abstract
Abstract The articles are delivered onto a reader which reads a code on the article and delivers an identifying signal to the computer. The article is then weighed in a measuring unit. The computer emits a signal to the store so as to release data associated with the received signal. The released data which represents a tolerance range is emitted to a comparator which also receives a signal from the measuring unit conforming to the weight of the article. The signal is then compared with the tolerance range. If the signal is in the range, the article is dispensed for packaging; if not, the article is recycled.
Inventors
- 👤 Jurg Abt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:24
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G07G1/0045; G07G1/0054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A process for identifying each article of an arbitrary selection of different articles, each selection including a plurality of articles comprising the steps of; automatically reading off at least one feature of each article individually at a readoff zone to collect information associated with each article; temporarily storing the read information of each article individually as a provisional identification thereof; automatically obtaining a predetermined measureable physical property tolerance range corresponding to the provisional identification of each article from a store; automatically measuring at least one physical measureable property of each article individually to obtain a measured result of each article; automatically comparing the measured result of each measured article with the tolerance range corresponding to the provisional identification thereof; thereafter individually releasing the provisional identification of each article in response to the measured result falling within the tolerance range therefor; subsequently individually obtaining the price of each identified article corresponding to the provisional identification thereof from the store and adding the obtained prices of the identified articles to obtain a total price for the selection of articles; and automatically conveying each article individually to a container at a delivery station in response to said measured result falling in said tolerance range for subsequent removal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
A process for identifying each article of an arbitrary selection of different articles, each selection including a plurality of articles comprising the steps of; automatically reading off at least one feature of each article individually at a readoff zone to collect information associated with each article; temporarily storing the read information of each article individually as a provisional identification thereof; automatically obtaining a predetermined measureable physical property tolerance range corresponding to the provisional identification of each article from a store; automatically measuring at least one physical measureable property of each article individually to obtain a measured result of each article; automatically comparing the measured result of each measured article with the tolerance range corresponding to the provisional identification thereof; thereafter individually releasing the provisional identification of each article in response to the measured result falling within the tolerance range therefor; subsequently individually obtaining the price of each identified article corresponding to the provisional identification thereof from the store and adding the obtained prices of the identified articles to obtain a total price for the selection of articles; and automatically conveying each article individually to a container at a delivery station in response to said measured result falling in said tolerance range for subsequent removal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article to be identified is delivered initially to at least one reader for reading at least one said feature and then to at least one measuring unit for measuring at least one said measurable property of the article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process as set forth in clAim 1 wherein the measurable property of the article is initially measured and subsequently delivered to at least one reader for reading of at least one said feature of the article.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the article is delivered to a combination of at least one reader with at least one measuring unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reading of at least one said feature is effected during at least one measurement of one measurable property.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises the steps of monitoring the automatic reading of the feature of the article to detect the occurrance of a faulty reading of the feature of the article during said step of reading.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process as set forth in claim 6 which further comprises the step of rejecting the article in response to the occurrance of a faulty reading to prevent releasing of information associated with the article as identification thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as set forth in claim 6 which further comprises the steps of emitting a signal in response to the occurrance of a faulty reading.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises the step of returning the article to the readoff zone in response to said measured result falling outside said tolerance range.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
283 words
An apparatus for automatically identifying each of a plurality of articles of an arbitrary selection of different articles, each carrying at least one readable feature thereon containing information typical of the articles comprising at least one reader for receiving delivered articles in a readout zone thereof to read out the feature on each article and to emit a signal characteristic of said feature individually; an evaluation unit including a store having data associated with each of the articles stored therein, said data including a predetermined tolerance range for a measureable physical property of each article, said store being connected to said reader to receive said signal therefrom to select the data associated with the article to be identified as a provisional identification thereof; at least one measuring unit for measuring at least one measureable physical property of each article to be identified and emitting a signal corresponding to the measured property; a comparator connected to said measuring unit to receive said measured property signal therefrom and to said store to receive a signal from said store corresponding to the tolerance range of the article provisionally identified, said comparator having means for comparing said signals and emitting an output signal in response to said measured property signal falling within said tolerance range signal from said store; said comparator being further connected to said store to deliver said output signal to said store to release the selected data associated with each of the provisionally identified articles a container at a delivery station; and a conveyor between said measuring unit and said container for conveying each article to be identified individually to said container in response to said measured property signal falling in said tolerance range.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
283 words
An apparatus for automatically identifying each of a plurality of articles of an arbitrary selection of different articles, each carrying at least one readable feature thereon containing information typical of the articles comprising at least one reader for receiving delivered articles in a readout zone thereof to read out the feature on each article and to emit a signal characteristic of said feature individually; an evaluation unit including a store having data associated with each of the articles stored therein, said data including a predetermined tolerance range for a measureable physical property of each article, said store being connected to said reader to receive said signal therefrom to select the data associated with the article to be identified as a provisional identification thereof; at least one measuring unit for measuring at least one measureable physical property of each article to be identified and emitting a signal corresponding to the measured property; a comparator connected to said measuring unit to receive said measured property signal therefrom and to said store to receive a signal from said store corresponding to the tolerance range of the article provisionally identified, said comparator having means for comparing said signals and emitting an output signal in response to said measured property signal falling within said tolerance range signal from said store; said comparator being further connected to said store to deliver said output signal to said store to release the selected data associated with each of the provisionally identified articles a container at a delivery station; and a conveyor between said measuring unit and said container for conveying each article to be identified individually to said container in response to said measured property signal falling in said tolerance range.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a conveyor connecting said reader to said measuring unit to convey the provisionally identified article from said reader to said measuring unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said reader and said measuring unit are disposed in a functional unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a fault detecting means connected to said reader for detecting the occurrance of a faulty reading by said reader of the article to be identified.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said fault detecting means includes a conveyor connected to said reader for returning the article to be identified to said reader for a further reading after exiting of the article therefrom.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said fault detectinG means includes a signalling arrangement for indicating a faulty reading by said reader.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 which further comprises a cash register connected to said store for receiving the price of an identified article from the data associated with the article in response to said output signal being emitted from said comparator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a conveyor between said measuring unit and said reader for returning the articles to be identified to said reader in response to said measured property signal falling outside said tolerance range.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |