US4750151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for selectively retrieving stored information to a plurality of output units in response to touching display panel areas associated with the information to be retrieved
Assignee: Altura Leiden Holding BV
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Filing: 1985-09-30
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Granted: 1988-06-07
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Expires: 2005-09-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for use particularly in department stores or supermarkets, which apparatus comprises a computer and a storage unit, and is designed as an information and display system. This apparatus allows a user to select desired information stored in the storage unit in a simple and reliable manner. Moreover, direct dialogue between the user and the apparatus is possible. To these ends, a large area contact or sensor bank assembly with an associated signal carrier are provided. Upon approaching or touching an area of the signal carrier, a signal is transmitted to the computer. At least one output unit releases information from the storage unit visually and/or acoustically, which released information is selected through the computer in relation with the above mentioned signal transmitted thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz G. Baus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:41
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F10/00; A47F10/02; B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/137; B65G1/1373; B65G1/1375; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus for selectively retrieving stored information comprising: a plurality of separate output units for outputting information retrieved from storage; a single, common inquiry unit serving all of said plurality of output units and comprising a symbol carrier panel comprising a plurality of areas each associated with stored information, and a sensor matrix, the sensors of which are each associated with an area of said symbol carrier panel and may be selectively actuated by a user touching the associated areas of said symbol carrier panel to emit a signal indicating the area of the symbol carrier panel which has been touched; means for supplying an information storage address signal corresponding to a storage location for information associated with a touched area of said symbol carrier panel in response to a touched area indicating signal received from said sensor matrix; an information storage unit for storing informating relating to areas of said symbol carrier panel and for retrieving information associated with a touched area of said symbol carrier panel in response to receipt of an address signal corresponding to the storage location for the information to be retrieved; and means for assigning retrieved information to one of said plurality of separate output units for communication to a user.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus for selectively retrieving stored information comprising: a plurality of separate output units for outputting information retrieved from storage; a single, common inquiry unit serving all of said plurality of output units and comprising a symbol carrier panel comprising a plurality of areas each associated with stored information, and a sensor matrix, the sensors of which are each associated with an area of said symbol carrier panel and may be selectively actuated by a user touching the associated areas of said symbol carrier panel to emit a signal indicating the area of the symbol carrier panel which has been touched; means for supplying an information storage address signal corresponding to a storage location for information associated with a touched area of said symbol carrier panel in response to a touched area indicating signal received from said sensor matrix; an information storage unit for storing informating relating to areas of said symbol carrier panel and for retrieving information associated with a touched area of said symbol carrier panel in response to receipt of an address signal corresponding to the storage location for the information to be retrieved; and means for assigning retrieved information to one of said plurality of separate output units for communication to a user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inquiry unit is stationary; each of said output units is a mobile output unit, and a wireless transmission system is provided for transmitting information to said mobile output units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each mobile output unit further comprises an interrogator unit for identifying desired information to be retrieved from said storage unit and outputted by that mobile output unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said interrogator unit comprises a light probe for reading bar codes displayed in response to touching of said symbol carrier panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each mobile output unit is mounted on a shopping cart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means on said inquiry unit for displaying indica identifying the output unit to which retrieved information has been assigned for output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means on each output unit for displaying output unit identifying indica whenever retrieved information is assigned thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said symbol carrier panel displays a floor plan of a retail store, museum, or airport.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein symbols on said symbol carrier panel represent items available for purchase in a retail store, and information relating to the location of desired items is retrieved by a user touching the symbols on said display panel representing the desired items.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage unit is a video-disc unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said symbol carrier panel is larger than any of said output units.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-06-07 | 1991-12-07 | 1992-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-07 | 1995-12-07 | 1996-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-07 | 1999-12-07 | 2000-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |