The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 21, 1986
Filed:
Dec. 07, 1984
Edward E Harbour, Cary, NC (US);
Robert C Lynch, Cary, NC (US);
George R Stilwell, Jr, Raleigh, NC (US);
International Business Machines Corp., Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
In a highly modular terminal, pluggable functional units communicate optically through a closed chamber. Some functional units are logically integrated into the terminal structure while being physically remote. In a supermarket system, bar code scanners and produce scales are examples of physically remote functional units. A circuit for interfacing the remote units to the closed chamber uses a broadcast/concentrator mode of operation. A single optical detector broadcasts the extant chamber signals to all of the remote functional units. Signals from the remote units are logically ORed or concentrated to provide a drive signal for a single optical emitter capable of injecting optical energy into the chamber.