Product processing system with price printer

• US 4,028,537 A
• Filed: 03/31/1976
• Issued: 06/07/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American National Can Company (Ball Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Champion International Corporation (International Paper Company)
• Inventors: Snow, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Canney, Vincent P.
• Application Number:
  US05/672,055
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 235/61.11 E, 235/61.9 R, 235/61.9 A, 101/DIG. 16, 101/DIG. 3, 101/35
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 9/046 Arrangement of recording means in or on check-out counters record carriers or readers per se G06K
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 3/02 Translating markings on a record carrier into printed data on the same record carrier, i.e. interpreting
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10871 randomly oriented data-fields, code-marks therefore, e.g. concentric circles-code
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader

Abstract

A printer is controlled in response to product identifying codes carried on products being processed to imprint price information on the product for the benefit of consumers.

Claims

1. A product check out system comprising:

a. a checkout stand including therein an automatic label reader means disposed on an upper surface thereof, said label reader means being capable of reading a plurality of universal product codes carried on said products and generating product-identifying signals corresponding thereto as each product is moved pass said label reader;

b. computer means responsive said product-identifying signals for generating price signals as a function of product prices currently stored in the memory of said computer;

c. register means for totalling said price generated in the course of processing an aggregation of products; and

d. printing means disposed in close proximity to said label reader means for printing visual representations of the price on said product in accordance with said price signals.

2. A hand-held product marking system comprising:

a. a housing adapted to be held in the hand, said housing including therein an automatic label reader means for reading a plurality of universal product codes carried on said products and generating product-identifying signals corresponding thereto as said housing is moved pass said universal product codes;

b. computer means responsive to said product-identifying signals for generating price signals as a function of the product prices currently stored in the memory of said computer; and

c. printing means disposed in said housing in close proximity to said label reader means for printing visual representation of the price on said product in accordance with said price signals.

3. A hand-held product marking system according to claim 2 further including means for retaining said visual representation for a plurality of printings thereof and reset means for permitting said printing means to reset to a new visual representation for printing in accordance with a new price signal.