Labeling system and method for an electronic price label
First Claim
1. A method for labeling tags, each having a visual electronic display and a serial number (SN) in the form of an identification (ID) bar code comprising:
- providing a customer data file (CDF) including a first batch of records each having a plurality of printing fields including product description and corresponding record number (RN);
printing sequentially on respective labels said printing fields for corresponding records, with said RN being printed in the form of an RN bar code;
applying said printed labels to respective tags;
reading both said tag SN and label RN from said ID bar code and RN bar code on said tags; and
recording in said CDF for said records said tag SN corresponding with said RN.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided for automatically labeling an electronic price label (EPL) tag. A customer data file (CDF) includes a batch of records including a product description and corresponding record number. Labels are printed sequentially for the records contained in the CDF and are automatically applied to the EPL tags in a continuous process. The record number is printed on the tag in the form of a corresponding bar code, and the record number bar code and a serial number bar code also contained on the tag are automatically read. The CDF is updated for correlating the serial number with a respective record number. Optical scanners are provided for uncovering defects in visual displays of the tags, misapplied labels, and unreadable bar codes which are then rejected. A makeup batch of records is identified from the CDF to identify record numbers without corresponding serial numbers, with the makeup batch then being used to repeat the printing and applying steps for fully processing the first batch.
91 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for labeling tags, each having a visual electronic display and a serial number (SN) in the form of an identification (ID) bar code comprising:
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providing a customer data file (CDF) including a first batch of records each having a plurality of printing fields including product description and corresponding record number (RN); printing sequentially on respective labels said printing fields for corresponding records, with said RN being printed in the form of an RN bar code; applying said printed labels to respective tags; reading both said tag SN and label RN from said ID bar code and RN bar code on said tags; and recording in said CDF for said records said tag SN corresponding with said RN. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for labeling tags each having a visual electronic display and a serial number (SN) in the form of an identification (ID) bar code comprising:
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a programmable controller for containing a customer data file (CDF) including a first batch of records each having a plurality of printing fields including a product description and a corresponding record number (RN); means operatively joined to said controller for sequentially printing on said labels said printing fields for corresponding records, with said RN being printed in the form of an RN bar code; means for transporting said tags in sequence; means for applying said printed labels to respective ones of said tags carried by said transporting means; means for reading both said tag SN and said label RN from said ID bar code and said RN bar code on said applied label tags, said reading means being operatively joined to said controller to communicate thereto said tag SN and label RN; and said controller being effective for recording in said CDF for said records said tag SN corresponding with said label RN. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification