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:
Jun. 30, 1987
Filed:
Jul. 09, 1984
David R Humble, Deerfield Beach, FL (US);
David L Gentzler, Boynto Beach, FL (US);
Steven J Tilidetzke, Coconut Creek, FL (US);
CheckRobot Inc., Deerfield Beach, FL (US);
Abstract
The check-out counters for use in a supermarket, or the like, are provided with a laser scanner for reading the UPC labels on the individual products presented to it by each customer. The counters are also provided with transport belts or conveyors controlled by a central processor which, in turn, is supplied with information from a weigh scale under the input conveyor and from optical curtain devics at strategic locations along the belts and in a bagging area. The outfeed conveyor operates through a tunnel such that a customer cannot reach a product being conveyed therethrough. An opticl curtain disposed at the entry to the tunnel is broken by passage of an article into the tunnel and also by a customer reaching into the tunnel. Products are conveyed to the bagging area if (1) the actual weight of the product as determined by the scale corresponds to the anticipated weight obtained from a memory bank based upon the product UPC label identification and (2) none of various other events have occurred. A display screen prompts the customer with questions and instructions. Improper use of system causes interruption or reversal of conveyor operation with requirement that product be removed and re-scanned. When scanning is complete, customer activates an input signal and is furnished with a printed itemized list which is taken along with subsequently bagged products to a cashier for payment and issuance of a final receipt. An article surveillance sysem may be included to detect any tagged products transported along the pedestrian path rather than around the path through the tunnel.