US4736096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Data collection system using a bar code reader
Assignee: Sanden Corp
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Filing: 1986-01-24
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Granted: 1988-04-05
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Expires: 2006-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A data collection system, for gathering data from remotely located machines such as automatic vending machines, includes a data delivery section in each of the machines adapted for converting the data to be gathered into a signal resembling the light reflected by a bar code when the bar code is optically scanned. The system also includes a portable bar code reader for converting the light signal into an electric signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Kohei Ushikubo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:08
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F9/00; G07F9/02; G07F9/026; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0022; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K2007/10524
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A data transmitter for transmitting data in the form of a bar code by means of width-modulated light pulses, said data transmitter comprising: memory means for storing the data; processor means connected to said memory means for converting the data to width-modulated electrical pulses resembling the bar code; and light emitting means connected to said processor means for converting the width-modulated electrical pulses to width-modulated light pulses, said light emitting means comprising a plurality of light emitting elements each having a different frequency characteristics for converting the electrical pulses to a plurality of frequency bands of light pulses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A data transmitter for transmitting data in the form of a bar code by means of width-modulated light pulses, said data transmitter comprising: memory means for storing the data; processor means connected to said memory means for converting the data to width-modulated electrical pulses resembling the bar code; and light emitting means connected to said processor means for converting the width-modulated electrical pulses to width-modulated light pulses, said light emitting means comprising a plurality of light emitting elements each having a different frequency characteristics for converting the electrical pulses to a plurality of frequency bands of light pulses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
A data transmitter for transmitting data in the form of a bar code by means of width-modulated light pulses, said data transmitter comprising: memory means for storing the data; processor means connected to said memory means for converting the data to width-modulated electrical pulses resembling the bar code; light emitting means connected to aid processor means for converting the width-modulated electrical pulses to width-modulated light pulses, said light emitting means comprising a plurality of light emitting elements each having a different frequency characteristic for converting the electrical pulses to a plurality of frequency bands of light pulses; and proximity detection means connected to said processor means for indicating whether the data receiver is suitably positioned to receive the light pulses, the indication being used by said processor means to initiate conversion of the data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
A data transmitter for transmitting data in the form of a bar code by means of width-modulated light pulses, said data transmitter comprising: memory means for storing the data; processor means connected to said memory means for converting the data to width-modulated electrical pulses resembling the bar code; light emitting means connected to aid processor means for converting the width-modulated electrical pulses to width-modulated light pulses, said light emitting means comprising a plurality of light emitting elements each having a different frequency characteristic for converting the electrical pulses to a plurality of frequency bands of light pulses; and proximity detection means connected to said processor means for indicating whether the data receiver is suitably positioned to receive the light pulses, the indication being used by said processor means to initiate conversion of the data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
179 words
A data transmitter for transmitting data in the form of a bar code by means of width-modulated light pulses, said data transmitter comprising: memory means for storing the data; processor means connected to said memory means for converting the data to width-modulated electrical pulses resembling the bar code; light emitting means connected to said processor means for converting the width-modulated electrical pulses to width-modulated light pulses, said light emitting means comprising a plurality of light-emitting elements each having a different frequency characteristic for converting the electrical pulses to a plurality of frequency bands of light pulses; demand detection means connected to said processor means for detecting a demand to change the data; and timer means connected to said processor means for indicating the passage of a predetermined period of time following transmission of the data; wherein the data are erased from said memory means at the first occurrence of either (a) detection by said demand detection means of a demand to change the data, or (b) indication by said timer means of passage of the predetermined period of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
179 words
A data transmitter for transmitting data in the form of a bar code by means of width-modulated light pulses, said data transmitter comprising: memory means for storing the data; processor means connected to said memory means for converting the data to width-modulated electrical pulses resembling the bar code; light emitting means connected to said processor means for converting the width-modulated electrical pulses to width-modulated light pulses, said light emitting means comprising a plurality of light-emitting elements each having a different frequency characteristic for converting the electrical pulses to a plurality of frequency bands of light pulses; demand detection means connected to said processor means for detecting a demand to change the data; and timer means connected to said processor means for indicating the passage of a predetermined period of time following transmission of the data; wherein the data are erased from said memory means at the first occurrence of either (a) detection by said demand detection means of a demand to change the data, or (b) indication by said timer means of passage of the predetermined period of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
A data collection system for collecting data from a plurality of remotely located machines comprising: data delivery means in each of said machines for storing the data and converting the data to width-modulated light pulses resembling a bar code; and a portable bar code reading device to detect the width-modulated light pulse and to recover the data from the light pulses, said data delivery means converting data to light pulses in a plurality of frequency bands.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A data collection system for collecting data from a plurality of remotely located machines comprising: data delivery means in each of said machines for storing the data and converting the data to width-modulated light pulses resembling a bar code; and a portable bar code reading device to detect the width-modulated light pulse and to recover the data from the light pulses, said data delivery means converting data to light pulses in a plurality of frequency bands.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
A data collection system for collecting data from a plurality of remotely located machines comprising: data delivery means in each of said machines for storing the data and converting the data to width-modulated light pulses resembling a bar code; and a portable bar code reading device to detect the width-modulated light pulses and to recover the data from the light pulses, said data delivery means comprising proximity detection means for indicating whether said portable bar code reading device is suitably positioned to detect the light pulses, the indication being used by said data delivery means to initiate conversion of the data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
A data collection system for collecting data from a plurality of remotely located machines comprising: data delivery means in each of said machines for storing the data and converting the data to width-modulated light pulses resembling a bar code; and a portable bar code reading device to detect the width-modulated light pulses and to recover the data from the light pulses, said data delivery means comprising proximity detection means for indicating whether said portable bar code reading device is suitably positioned to detect the light pulses, the indication being used by said data delivery means to initiate conversion of the data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
A data collection system for collecting data from a plurality of remotely located machines comprising: data delivery means in each of said machines for storing the data and converting the data to width-modulated light pulses resembling a bar code; a portable bar code reading device to detect the width-modulated light pulse and to recover the data from the light pulses; demand detection means in each of said machines for detecting a demand to change the data; and timer means connected to said demand detection means for indicating the passage of a predetermined period of time following conversion of the data to light pulses; wherein the data are cleared from storage at the first occurrnce of either (a) detection by said demand detection means of a demand to change the data, or (b) indication by said timer means of passage of the predetermined period of time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
A data collection system for collecting data from a plurality of remotely located machines comprising: data delivery means in each of said machines for storing the data and converting the data to width-modulated light pulses resembling a bar code; a portable bar code reading device to detect the width-modulated light pulse and to recover the data from the light pulses; demand detection means in each of said machines for detecting a demand to change the data; and timer means connected to said demand detection means for indicating the passage of a predetermined period of time following conversion of the data to light pulses; wherein the data are cleared from storage at the first occurrnce of either (a) detection by said demand detection means of a demand to change the data, or (b) indication by said timer means of passage of the predetermined period of time.
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) | 1991-04-05 | 1991-10-05 | 1992-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-05 | 1995-10-05 | 1996-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-05 | 1999-10-05 | 2000-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |