US3725894A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photocell controlled shopping cart package detector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-09-27
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A system for detecting an article or the like on the lower storage section of a market cart as the cart passes through a scanning zone. The cart has a light reflective element mounted thereon operable to reflect a substantial portion of the light projected from a source back to said source. Sensing means are provided having a threshold level and operable to direct a beam of light to said reflective element and produce an output signal only when the intensity of light reflected back to the sensing means exceeds said threshold level. Scanning means are operable when conditioned by the output signal from said sensing means to scan the storage of the cart when it passes through the scanning zone. Signal means are operatively associated with said scanning means actuatable when said scanning means is conditioned and an article is present in the storage section of the cart.
Inventors
- 👤 E Geisler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:31
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/18; G08B13/181; G08B13/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A system for detecting an article or the like on the lower storage section of a market cart as the cart passes through a scanning zone wherein the cart having a light reflective element mounted thereon is operable to reflect a substantial portion of the light projected from a source back to said source, comprising sensing means having a threshold level and operable to direct a beam of light to said reflective element and produce an output signal only when the intensity of light reflected back to the sensing means exceeds said threshold level, scanning means operable when conditioned by the output signal from said sensing means to scan the storage section of the cart when it passes through a scanning zone, signal means operatively associated with said scanning means actuatable when said scanning means is conditioned and an article is present in the storage section of the cart.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A system for detecting an article or the like on the lower storage section of a market cart as the cart passes through a scanning zone wherein the cart having a light reflective element mounted thereon is operable to reflect a substantial portion of the light projected from a source back to said source, comprising sensing means having a threshold level and operable to direct a beam of light to said reflective element and produce an output signal only when the intensity of light reflected back to the sensing means exceeds said threshold level, scanning means operable when conditioned by the output signal from said sensing means to scan the storage section of the cart when it passes through a scanning zone, signal means operatively associated with said scanning means actuatable when said scanning means is conditioned and an article is present in the storage section of the cart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said scanning means includes a second means for projecting a second beam of light along a predetermined path to be intercepted by an article in the lower storage section.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for detecting an article or the like in the lower storage section of a market cart, the cart having a retroreflective element thereon capable of reflecting a wide incidence angle range a substantial portion of the light projected from a source back to the source, comprising a sensor having means for projecting a beam of light along a predetermined path and receiving means closely adjacent said projected means and having a small angular receiving zone operable to produce an output signal when light from said projecting means is reflected from said retro-reflective element, scanning means operable when conditioned by the output signal from said sensing means to scan the storage section of the cart when it passes through a scanning zone, signal means operatively associated with said scanning means actuatable when said scanning means is conditioned and an article is present in the storage section of the cart.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for detecting an article or the like in the lower storage section of a market cart, the cart having a retroreflective element thereon capable of reflecting a wide incidence angle range a substantial portion of the light projected from a source back to the source, comprising a sensor having means for projecting a beam of light along a predetermined path and receiving means closely adjacent said projected means and having a small angular receiving zone operable to produce an output signal when light from said projecting means is reflected from said retro-reflective element, scanning means operable when conditioned by the output signal from said sensing means to scan the storage section of the cart when it passes through a scanning zone, signal means operatively associated with said scanning means actuatable when said scanning means is conditioned and an article is present in the storage section of the cart.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
172 words
A system for detecting an article or the like on the lower storage section of a market cart, the cart having a light reflective element mounted thereon, comprising means defining an aisle having a scanning zone through which the carts pass, a first sensing means along said aisle including means for projecting a first light beam across said aisle in a plane to be intercepted by the light reflecting element on said cart, and means producing an output signal, a scanning circuit, means operative to condition said scanning circuit when the first light beam from said first sensing means is reflected back to said first sensing means, said scanning circuit including a second sensing means including means for projecting a second light beam across said aisle along a predetermined path to be intercepted by an article in the lower storage section of the cart, a signal means operable only when said scanning circuit is conditioned and said second light beam is intercepted by an article in the storage section of the cart.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
172 words
A system for detecting an article or the like on the lower storage section of a market cart, the cart having a light reflective element mounted thereon, comprising means defining an aisle having a scanning zone through which the carts pass, a first sensing means along said aisle including means for projecting a first light beam across said aisle in a plane to be intercepted by the light reflecting element on said cart, and means producing an output signal, a scanning circuit, means operative to condition said scanning circuit when the first light beam from said first sensing means is reflected back to said first sensing means, said scanning circuit including a second sensing means including means for projecting a second light beam across said aisle along a predetermined path to be intercepted by an article in the lower storage section of the cart, a signal means operable only when said scanning circuit is conditioned and said second light beam is intercepted by an article in the storage section of the cart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first sensing means includes a first light receiver adjacent said projecting means having a threshold operable to produce the output signal when the intensity of the reflected beam exceeds the threshold level of said first receiver and the reflective element has retro-reflective capability operable in a predetermined wide range of incidence angle to reflect light from said first projecting means to said first receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said reflective element is in the form of a strip of a predetermined length located relative to the sensing means so that the scanning circuit is conditioned when the storage section of the cart is in the range of said second light beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said signal means comprises audio and visual indicators.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3157871A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |