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US5854474A
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Electronic sign having automatic price display
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1996-09-06
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Granted: 1998-12-29
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Expires: 2016-09-06
Abstract
Abstract An electronic sign which includes a number of two-dimensional (2-D) bar code readers which read a two-dimensional bar code label on a back side of a corresponding number of item description cards. The two-dimensional bar code labels are situated adjacent the two-dimensional bar code readers when the item description cards are installed. Each two-dimensional bar code label contains price data for the item associated with the item listed on the item description card. The two-dimensional bar code label may additionally contain promotional data. Each two-dimensional bar code reader is activated by a switch only when necessary to read the two-dimensional bar code label. The switch is preferably activated manually.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Goodwin, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:04
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06037; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G06F3/147; G06K17/00; G06K17/0022; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; G09F3/02; G09F3/0297; G09G; G09G2380/00; G09G2380/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An electronic sign comprising: a plurality of item description cards which together form a menu, wherein each item description card includes an item description on a front side and a two-dimensional bar code label containing price information on a back side; a housing containing a plurality of adjacent slots which retain the item description cards; wherein each slot contains a two-dimensional bar code reader, a memory for storing the price information from the item identification card, and a display for displaying the price information; and a plurality of switches, one for each slot, for activating the two-dimensional bar code readers to read the two-dimensional bar code labels on the item description cards and store the price information in the memory, and for causing the displays to display the price information in the two-dimensional bar code labels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An electronic sign comprising: a plurality of item description cards which together form a menu, wherein each item description card includes an item description on a front side and a two-dimensional bar code label containing price information on a back side; a housing containing a plurality of adjacent slots which retain the item description cards; wherein each slot contains a two-dimensional bar code reader, a memory for storing the price information from the item identification card, and a display for displaying the price information; and a plurality of switches, one for each slot, for activating the two-dimensional bar code readers to read the two-dimensional bar code labels on the item description cards and store the price information in the memory, and for causing the displays to display the price information in the two-dimensional bar code labels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electronic sign as recited in claim 1, wherein the switch is activated manually.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electronic sign as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a control circuit coupled to each two-dimensional bar code reader for activating the two-dimensional bar code reader upon activation of the switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electronic sign as recited in claim 1, wherein the slots are arranged in rows on top of each other.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of updating a price of an item in a sign comprising the steps of: activating a switch in the sign which controls a two-dimensional bar code reader; decoding a two-dimensional bar code label on a back side of an item identification card for the item by the two-dimensional bar code reader to obtain a new price for the item contained within the two-dimensional bar code label, wherein the item identification card also includes a front side having a legible description of the item; storing the new price in a memory within the sign by a control circuit in response to the decoding step; and displaying the new price by a display which is adjacent to the item identification card.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of updating a price of an item in a sign comprising the steps of: activating a switch in the sign which controls a two-dimensional bar code reader; decoding a two-dimensional bar code label on a back side of an item identification card for the item by the two-dimensional bar code reader to obtain a new price for the item contained within the two-dimensional bar code label, wherein the item identification card also includes a front side having a legible description of the item; storing the new price in a memory within the sign by a control circuit in response to the decoding step; and displaying the new price by a display which is adjacent to the item identification card.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the two-dimensional bar code label also contains a promotional message and wherein the method further comprises the steps of: decoding the two-dimensional bar code label to obtain a promotional message from the two-dimensional bar code label; storing the promotional message in the memory within the sign by the control circuit; and displaying the promotional message by the display.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electronic sign as recited in claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional bar code labels of some of the item identification cards also contain promotional information to be displayed by corresponding displays.
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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) | 2001-12-28 | 2002-06-29 | 2002-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-28 | 2006-06-29 | 2006-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-28 | 2010-06-29 | 2010-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |