Patent US5556389A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3774205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Merchandise mark sensing system
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1971-08-02
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1991-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A system for the automatic reading of prices, stock keeping units and and other like information, attached or affixed to packages and the like, and also providing pilferage control means. Responders, i.e, an array of microminiature resonant devices capable of storing and imparting information, are utilized in association with packages and the like for the storage of encoded information because of their ability to respond to certain microwave signals having a particular resonant frequency at a first plane of polarization and the further ability to reradiate signals to a receiver having a second plane of polarization, the or of the transmitted and received signal being the same. The polarization of the transmitted signals covering the frequency range of the responders provides a system in which a continuously transmitted signal may be utilized. Means are provided for initially polarizing and directing the microwave signals towards the responders and means of different polarization are provided for detecting the reradiated signals.
Inventors
- 👤 R Smith
- 👤 W Bechtold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:47
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2405; G08B13/2422; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/74; G01S13/75; G01S13/751; G01S13/753; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/024; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/067; G06K19/0672; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10009; G08B13/2414; G08B13/2417; G08B13/2428; G08B13/2437; G08B13/2451; G08B13/246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A sensing system comprising: a transistor for generating output microwave interrogation signals in predetermined increments over a predetermined frequency range and at a predetermined magnitude; a first antenna polarized in a first direction and coupled to said transmitter such that all transmitted microwave signals have one initial plane of polarization; a plurality of responder circuits, each responsive to certain of said transmitted microwave signals, and each having a particular natural resonating frequency and separated by a predetermined difference from any other resonating frequency, each responder circuit being capable of reradiating microwave energy containing substantially all possible planes of polarization at its natural resonating frequency; a second antenna polarized in a second direction capable of intercepting and detecting that portion of reradiated energy having a plane of polarization in said second direction; means coupled to said second antenna for developing electrical signals in conformance with those intercepted by said second antenna; and memory means for storing said developed electrical signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A sensing system comprising: a transistor for generating output microwave interrogation signals in predetermined increments over a predetermined frequency range and at a predetermined magnitude; a first antenna polarized in a first direction and coupled to said transmitter such that all transmitted microwave signals have one initial plane of polarization; a plurality of responder circuits, each responsive to certain of said transmitted microwave signals, and each having a particular natural resonating frequency and separated by a predetermined difference from any other resonating frequency, each responder circuit being capable of reradiating microwave energy containing substantially all possible planes of polarization at its natural resonating frequency; a second antenna polarized in a second direction capable of intercepting and detecting that portion of reradiated energy having a plane of polarization in said second direction; means coupled to said second antenna for developing electrical signals in conformance with those intercepted by said second antenna; and memory means for storing said developed electrical signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 1, and also including a utilization device responsive to said electrical signals stored in said memory means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein each responder circuit comprises a single turn inductor terminated in a p-n junction capacitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein each responder circuit comprises a rectangular single turn inductor with side dimensions ranging from 3 to 10 mils.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein each responder circuit comprises a single loop inductor terminated in a series of interdigitated fingers coated with a dielectric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
A sensing system comprising: a transmitting device for transmitting microwave signals in steps differing by predetermined frequency increments over a predetermined frequency range and predetermined magnitude; a first polarized antenna coupled to said transmitting device such that all transmitted microwave signals are polarized in a first direction; an encoded read-only memory, responsive to said transmitted microwave signals, and formed by a plurality of L-C circuits, each L-C circuit having its own particular natural resonating frequency and each resonating frequency being separated from at least one other resonating frequency by a frequency difference of said predetermined frequency increment, said resonating circuits being capable of reradiating signals containing substantially all possible planes of polarization; a second polarized antenna capable of receiving only that portion of reradiated energy polarized in a second direction; receiving means coupled to said second antenna for receiving energy detected by said second polarized antenna; means for converting energy received by said receiving means into logic signals; and a utilization device for said logic signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
166 words
A sensing system comprising: a transmitting device for transmitting microwave signals in steps differing by predetermined frequency increments over a predetermined frequency range and predetermined magnitude; a first polarized antenna coupled to said transmitting device such that all transmitted microwave signals are polarized in a first direction; an encoded read-only memory, responsive to said transmitted microwave signals, and formed by a plurality of L-C circuits, each L-C circuit having its own particular natural resonating frequency and each resonating frequency being separated from at least one other resonating frequency by a frequency difference of said predetermined frequency increment, said resonating circuits being capable of reradiating signals containing substantially all possible planes of polarization; a second polarized antenna capable of receiving only that portion of reradiated energy polarized in a second direction; receiving means coupled to said second antenna for receiving energy detected by said second polarized antenna; means for converting energy received by said receiving means into logic signals; and a utilization device for said logic signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 6 in which said predetermined frequency increment is approximately 100MHz.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |