Locating system and process
First Claim
1. A system for locating items, comprising:
- a multitude of items comprising products selected from the group consisting of computer disks, software diskettes, video tapes, video tape cases, audio tapes, audio tape cases, compact discs, compact disc cases, computer tape, tape reels, tape cases, software boxes, books, magazines, storage bins, file folders, files, boxes, cartons, and containers;
each of said items having an electrically conductive label, each label being differently coded for designating an item code specifying the item or its contents and a section code specifying the location where said item is normally stored;
an array of signals positioned in proximity to said items, said signals being normally in electrical contact with said electrically conductive labels so that each item is operatively connected to a corresponding signal;
each of said labels having electrically conductive circuitry normally in electrical contact with said signals and having a shunt to short said signal in response to shut-off pulses;
equipment for generating said shut-off pulses to said electrically conductive labels;
a control circuit operatively connecting said equipment to said signals and said labels, and said control circuit includes said shunt in said label and comprises low power fail-safe electronic circuitry for shorting all of said signals except a signal comprising the corresponding signal of the selected item to be retrieved.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A user-friendly process and fail safe system instantaneously identifies, locates, and help retrieve products and their contents in drawers, shelves, rooms, offices, stores, warehouses, etc. The efficient process and economical system is particularly useful to quickly and accurately identify, locate and help retrieve: computer discs, compact discs, software diskettes, video tapes, audio tapes, and their cases; books; files; boxes, cartons, storage bins, and other containers. In the reliable process and low power system, an electrically conductive label is placed on each product. Each label is easily coded to uniquely specify the product or its contents and storage location. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other visual, audible or mechanical signaling devices are positioned in proximity to the stored products and are in electrical contact with the labels on the products, as well as with a central processing unit (CPU) or other equipment used to specify and select the product. When a product is to be retrieved, the CPU or other equipment shuts off the LEDs or other visual or audible signal devices positioned in proximity to all the products not desired, leaving only the desired or failed items for easy identification and retrieval.
166 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A system for locating items, comprising:
-
a multitude of items comprising products selected from the group consisting of computer disks, software diskettes, video tapes, video tape cases, audio tapes, audio tape cases, compact discs, compact disc cases, computer tape, tape reels, tape cases, software boxes, books, magazines, storage bins, file folders, files, boxes, cartons, and containers; each of said items having an electrically conductive label, each label being differently coded for designating an item code specifying the item or its contents and a section code specifying the location where said item is normally stored; an array of signals positioned in proximity to said items, said signals being normally in electrical contact with said electrically conductive labels so that each item is operatively connected to a corresponding signal; each of said labels having electrically conductive circuitry normally in electrical contact with said signals and having a shunt to short said signal in response to shut-off pulses; equipment for generating said shut-off pulses to said electrically conductive labels; a control circuit operatively connecting said equipment to said signals and said labels, and said control circuit includes said shunt in said label and comprises low power fail-safe electronic circuitry for shorting all of said signals except a signal comprising the corresponding signal of the selected item to be retrieved. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A system for locating items, comprising:
-
electrically conductive labels for attachment to items selected from the group consisting of computer disks, software diskettes, video tapes, video tape cases, audio tapes, audio tape cases, compact discs, compact disc cases, software boxes, computer tape, tape reels, tape cases, books, magazines, storage bins, file folders, files, boxes, cartons, and containers; and said electrically conductive labels comprising electronic codes including an electronic item code specifying the item or its contents and an electronic section code specifying the location where the item is normally stored; electrically conductive circuitry normally contacting said labels to signals operatively associated with said items; and shunts for shorting signals associated with said items in response to shut-off pulses, wherein a control circuit generates shut-off pulses that comprise codes for selected labels to short signals corresponding to all labels except the selected labels having the selected label codes. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A process for locating items, comprising the steps of:
-
storing coded items in a system; emitting a signal from each stored item location in the system; providing a shut-off signaling method to electronically identify an item to be retrieved in the system; insulating the item to be retrieved via its code; generating shut-off pulses with said shut-off signaling method to short, shut-off and deactivate said signals from all items in the system except the insulated item to be retrieved so as to shunt and electronically eliminate all signals from the items except the insulated item; and retrieving the insulated item in an area where the insulated item is located. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A process for locating items, comprising the steps of:
-
storing items wherein each of said items is selected from the group consisting of a computer disc, software diskette, video tape, video tape cartridge, video tape case, audio tape, audio tape case, compact disc, compact disc case, computer tape, tape reel, tape case, software box, book, magazine, storage bin, file folder, and file; generating a first visual signal in a section of an area where each item is located; generating a second visual signal in proximity to each item; insulating an item to be retrieved; shorting and shutting off all of said second visual signals except said insulated item to be retrieved to shunt, prevent and electronically eliminate second visual signals from all items except said insulated item; and retrieving the insulated item in the area where said second visual signals have not been shorted. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
-
Specification