US5854476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of displaying a product restriction message by an electronic price label
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1996-10-07
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Granted: 1998-12-29
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Expires: 2016-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A method of displaying a product restriction message by an electronic price label which uses a product restriction indicator. The product restriction message is stored with the product restriction indicator in a first location. The product restriction indicator is stored in a second location. A control message addressed to the EPL is created by reading the product restriction indicator for the EPL from the second location and reading the product restriction message from the first location. The control message to the EPL is transmitted. The control message is received by the EPL. Finally, the product restriction message is displayed by the EPL. The first location may be a price look-up (PLU) file and/or an EPL data file.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Goodwin, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:57
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of displaying a product restriction message by an electronic price label (EPL) comprising the steps of: storing the product restriction message with a product restriction indicator associated with the product restriction message in a first location; storing the product restriction indicator in a second location; creating a control message addressed to the EPL including the substeps of reading the product restriction indicator for the EPL from the second location; and reading the product restriction message from the first location; wirelessly transmitting the control message to the EPL; receiving the control message by the EPL; and electronically displaying the product restriction message by the EPL.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of displaying a product restriction message by an electronic price label (EPL) comprising the steps of: storing the product restriction message with a product restriction indicator associated with the product restriction message in a first location; storing the product restriction indicator in a second location; creating a control message addressed to the EPL including the substeps of reading the product restriction indicator for the EPL from the second location; and reading the product restriction message from the first location; wirelessly transmitting the control message to the EPL; receiving the control message by the EPL; and electronically displaying the product restriction message by the EPL.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second location is a price look-up (PLU) file.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second location is an EPL data file.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of displaying a product restriction message by an electronic price label (EPL) comprising the steps of: storing the product restriction message and a product restriction indicator associated with the product restriction message in a product restriction data file; storing the product restriction indicator in a price look-up (PLU) file; reading the PLU file to obtain the product restriction indicator; storing the product restriction indicator in an EPL data file; creating a message addressed to the EPL including the substeps of reading the product restriction indicator for the EPL from the EPL data file; and reading the product restriction data file to obtain the product restriction message; wirelessly transmitting the message to the EPL; receiving the message by the EPL; and electronically displaying the product restriction message by the EPL.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of displaying a product restriction message by an electronic price label (EPL) comprising the steps of: storing the product restriction message and a product restriction indicator associated with the product restriction message in a product restriction data file; storing the product restriction indicator in a price look-up (PLU) file; reading the PLU file to obtain the product restriction indicator; storing the product restriction indicator in an EPL data file; creating a message addressed to the EPL including the substeps of reading the product restriction indicator for the EPL from the EPL data file; and reading the product restriction data file to obtain the product restriction message; wirelessly transmitting the message to the EPL; receiving the message by the EPL; and electronically displaying the product restriction message by the EPL.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
An electronic price label (EPL) for displaying a product restriction message comprising: a control circuit; a memory; a receiver for receiving a wirelessly transmitted control message including the product restriction message; and an electronic display which displays the product restriction message subject to control of the control circuit which also causes the product restriction message to be stored in the memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
An electronic price label (EPL) for displaying a product restriction message comprising: a control circuit; a memory; a receiver for receiving a wirelessly transmitted control message including the product restriction message; and an electronic display which displays the product restriction message subject to control of the control circuit which also causes the product restriction message to be stored in the memory.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
A electronic price label (EPL) system for displaying a product restriction message associated with a product restriction indicator comprising: an EPL including an electronic display which displays the product restriction message for an item associated with the EPL; and a computer which transmits a control message which is addressed to the EPL and which contains the product restriction message for the product restriction indicator associated with the item.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
A electronic price label (EPL) system for displaying a product restriction message associated with a product restriction indicator comprising: an EPL including an electronic display which displays the product restriction message for an item associated with the EPL; and a computer which transmits a control message which is addressed to the EPL and which contains the product restriction message for the product restriction indicator associated with the item.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system as recited in claim 6, further comprising: a table which links the product restriction indicator with the product restriction message; and a price look-up (PLU) file which contains a record of the item including the product restriction indicator; wherein the computer reads the PLU file and the table to obtain the product restriction message for transmission to the EPL.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system as recited in claim 7, further comprising: an EPL data file which contains a record of the EPL including the product restriction indicator; wherein the computer reads the PLU file for the product restriction indicator for the item, copies the product restriction indicator to the EPL data file, reads the EPL data file and the table to obtain the product restriction message for transmission to the EPL.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: wirelessly transmitting a price for an item associated with the EPL obtained from a price look-up (PLU) file; and electronically displaying the price for the item by the EPL.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the product restriction message indicates that identification is required to purchase an item associated with the EPL.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the product restriction message indicates that an item associated with the EPL is not presently available for sale.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: updating the second location to store the product restriction indicator for a new item.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the computer wirelessly transmits a price of an item associated with the EPL and the EPL electronically displays both the product restriction message and the price of the item.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the price is stored in a price look up (PLU) file.
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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 |