Article storage container with bar code scanning
First Claim
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(e) scanning and storing the bar codes of articles withdrawn from each of said units;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.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for on-premise processing of articles such as food items bearing linear or two-dimensional bar code symbols comprises the steps of defining an on-premise storage unit such as a refrigerator or pantry for releasable storage of the articles, scanning and storing the bar codes of articles entering and withdrawn from the storage unit, scanning and storing the bar codes of articles returned to the storage unit following the withdrawal thereof from the storage unit and providing output indication of failure of correspondence of storage of stored bar codes in the steps of entry and withdrawal scanning and return scanning. A "shopping list" or inventory readout is obtainable from the failures of correspondence. Methods are provided also for processing two-dimensional bar codes symbols wherein messages encoded therein are selectively audibilized in connection with a refrigerator or pantry.
77 Citations
3 Claims
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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:
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(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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2. A system for processing of consumable articles bearing bar code symbols indicative of their character, said system comprising:
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(a) a set of storage units comprising at least a refrigerator and a pantry for releasable containment of said articles; (b) sensing means for sensing article entry and article withdrawal from each of said units; (c) means for providing sensing output signals based upon the sensing of article entry and article withdrawal from each of said units; (d) means for scanning the bar codes of articles withdrawn from and entered into each of said units and providing first and second output signals respectively indicative of scanned bar codes of withdrawn articles and of entered articles; (e) means for storing said first and second scanning means output signals; (f) means for comparing said stored first scanning means output signals with said second stored scanning means output signals and producing comparison results; and (g) compiling means for selective compiling of said first and second stored scanning means output signals in response to comparison results produced by said comparing means. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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Specification