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Article storage container with bar code scanning

  • US 5,691,684 A
  • Filed: 09/20/1995
  • Issued: 11/25/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for processing of consumable articles bearing bar code symbols indicative of their character, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) defining a set of storage units comprising at least a refrigerator and a pantry for releasable containment of said articles;

    (b) sensing article entry and article withdrawal from each of said units;

    (c) providing sensing output based upon the sensing of article entry and article withdrawal from each of said units;

    (d) scanning and storing the bar codes of articles on initial entry thereof into each of said units;

    (e) scanning and storing the bar codes of articles withdrawn from each of said units;

    (f) scanning and storing the bar codes of articles entered into each of said units following withdrawal from each of said units; and

    (g) providing output indication of failure of correspondence between the stored bar codes resulting from entry and withdrawal of articles from each of said units;

    whereby steps (d), (e) and (f) are practiced in part by providing separate storage facilities for scanned bar codes respectively in article entry and withdrawal, and step (g) is practiced by reading out a stored bar code from one of said separate storage facilities and determining whether the read out bar code is stored in the other of said separate storage facilities.

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