US5372386A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated reconciliation system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-02-15
•
Granted: 1994-12-13
•
Expires: 2014-02-15
Abstract
Abstract An automated reconciliation system that permits instantaneous reconciliation of unsold product units. A pull tab, which contains hidden reconciliation data is affixed to a product unit. To reconcile the particular product unit, a vendor removes the pull tab strip thereby defacing and destroying the product unit to expose the reconciliation data needed for entry into a central computer system. Alternatively, concealed reconciliation data may be printed directly on the product or its packaging in a fashion which requires the product to be opened to expose the reconciliation data. Such an opened condition, with a broken seal or opened wrapping, renders the product unsaleable. The automated reconciliation system ensures that unsold product units which receive reconciliation credit and reimbursement are not fraudulently resold.
Inventors
- 👤 William B. Mills
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:52
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42D; B42D12/00; B42D15/00; B42D15/0053
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of reconciling a product unit, comprising the steps of: affixing a sheet of material to a product unit with hidden data disposed between said sheet of material and said product unit; separating said sheet of material from said product unit; defacing said product unit to render it unsaleable; exposing said hidden data; entering said hidden data into a computer; confirming validity of said hidden data; and providing reconciliation credit for entry of valid hidden data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of reconciling a product unit, comprising the steps of: affixing a sheet of material to a product unit with hidden data disposed between said sheet of material and said product unit; separating said sheet of material from said product unit; defacing said product unit to render it unsaleable; exposing said hidden data; entering said hidden data into a computer; confirming validity of said hidden data; and providing reconciliation credit for entry of valid hidden data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: entering batch data information assigned to a group of product units; and determining whether said product unit is in said group of units and carries valid hidden data by comparing said hidden data with said batch data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing said sheet of material manufactured of paper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing said sheet of material manufactured of plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing said sheet of material manufactured of cloth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of gluing said sheet of material to said product unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of heat-sealing said sheet of material to said product unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a pack of cigarettes as said product unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a greeting card as said product unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a drug package as said product unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing said hidden data printed and affixed to said sheet of material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing said hidden data printed and affixed to said product unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing said hidden data carried in a magnetic storage means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of reconciling a product unit, comprising the steps of: affixing hidden data to a product unit; defacing said product unit to render it unsaleable; exposing said hidden data; entering said hidden data into a computer; confirming validity of said hidden data; and providing reconciliation credit for entry of valid hidden data.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of reconciling a product unit, comprising the steps of: affixing hidden data to a product unit; defacing said product unit to render it unsaleable; exposing said hidden data; entering said hidden data into a computer; confirming validity of said hidden data; and providing reconciliation credit for entry of valid hidden data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: entering batch data information assigned to a group of product units; and determining whether said product unit is in said group of units and carries valid hidden data by comparing said hidden data with said batch data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing a pack of cigarettes as said product unit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing a greeting card as said product unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing a drug package as said product unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing photographic film as said product unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing said hidden data affixed to said product unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing said hidden data affixed to packaging of said product unit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing said hidden data carried in a magnetic storage means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
114 words
An automated product unit reconciliation system, comprising: a product unit; a sheet of material having a first side and a second side, said first side being affixed to said product unit; hidden information means disposed between said sheet and said product unit for reconciling said product unit with its manufacturer; means for removing said sheet of material from said product unit; means for irreparably defacing said product unit upon removal of said sheet of material from said product unit rendering said product unit unsaleable; means for receiving said hidden information means; means for confirming validity of said hidden information means; and means for providing reconciliation credit upon receipt of a valid hidden information means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
114 words
An automated product unit reconciliation system, comprising: a product unit; a sheet of material having a first side and a second side, said first side being affixed to said product unit; hidden information means disposed between said sheet and said product unit for reconciling said product unit with its manufacturer; means for removing said sheet of material from said product unit; means for irreparably defacing said product unit upon removal of said sheet of material from said product unit rendering said product unit unsaleable; means for receiving said hidden information means; means for confirming validity of said hidden information means; and means for providing reconciliation credit upon receipt of a valid hidden information means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 23, wherein said sheet of material is manufactured of paper.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 23, wherein said sheet of material is manufactured of plastic.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 23, wherein said sheet of material is manufactured of cloth.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 23, wherein said sheet of material is affixed to said product unit by glue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 23, wherein said sheet of material is heat-sealed to said product unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 23, wherein said product unit is a pack of cigarettes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 23, wherein said product unit is a greeting card.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 23, wherein said product unit is a drug package.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 23, wherein said information means is printed data on said first side of said sheet of material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 23, wherein said information means is printed data on said product unit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 23, wherein said information means is carried by magnetic storage means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
77 words
The system of claim 23, further comprising: means for grouping a plurality of product units into a single lot; unconcealed information means disposed on said means for grouping; means for receiving said hidden information means means for receiving said unconcealed information means; means for comparing said hidden information means to said unconcealed information means; means for confirming validity of said hidden information means; and means for providing reconciliation credit upon receipt of a valid hidden information means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
80 words
An automated product unit reconciliation system, comprising: a product unit; hidden information means on said product unit for reconciling said product unit with its manufacturer; means for revealing said hidden information means; means for irreparably defacing said product unit upon revealing said hidden information means rendering said product unit unsaleable; means for receiving said hidden information means; means for confirming validity of said hidden information means; and means for providing reconciliation credit upon receipt of a valid hidden information means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
80 words
An automated product unit reconciliation system, comprising: a product unit; hidden information means on said product unit for reconciling said product unit with its manufacturer; means for revealing said hidden information means; means for irreparably defacing said product unit upon revealing said hidden information means rendering said product unit unsaleable; means for receiving said hidden information means; means for confirming validity of said hidden information means; and means for providing reconciliation credit upon receipt of a valid hidden information means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 36, wherein said product unit is a pack of cigarettes.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 36, wherein said product unit is a greeting card.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 36, wherein said product unit is a drug package.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 36, wherein said product unit is photographic film.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 36, wherein said information means is printed data on said product unit.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 36, wherein said information means is printed data on packaging of said product unit.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 36, wherein said information means is carried by magnetic storage means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
77 words
The system of claim 36, further comprising: means for grouping a plurality of product units into a single lot; unconcealed information means disposed on said means for grouping; means for receiving said hidden information means; means for receiving said unconcealed information means; means for comparing said hidden information means to said unconcealed information means; means for confirming validity of said hidden information means; and means for providing reconciliation credit upon receipt of a valid hidden information means.
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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) | 1997-12-12 | 1998-06-13 | 1998-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-12 | 2002-06-13 | 2002-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-12 | 2006-06-13 | 2006-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |