Multiple function interactive product label

• US 6,019,394 A
• Filed: 04/28/1994
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Johnson, Donald C., Chenoweth, Stephen V., Otto, Jerome A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Deborah
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAM, CATHY FONG FONG
• Application Number:
  US08/234,450
• Time in Patent Office: 2,105 Days
• Field of Search: 283/81, 283/82, 283/83, 340/825.1, 340/825.15, 235/492, 235/487, 235/493
• US Class Current: 283/81
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 93/005 Marking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips

Abstract

A product label containing information about a merchandise item which can be exchanged with a terminal or server. In its simplest form, the product label includes a memory and a connector coupled to the memory. In another form intended to be inaccessible to a user of the item, it includes a memory, a processor, a transceiver, and a power supply. In yet another form intended to be accessible to a user of the item, it includes a memory, a processor, a transceiver, a power supply, and a display. The product label is permanently affixed to the merchandise item. The stored information may include purchase and exchange information, as well as instructions for use.

Claims

1. A label for a merchandise item comprising:

an electronic memory containing a permanent record of information about the item;

wherein the memory is permanently affixed to the merchandise item.

2. The label as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a processor coupled to the memory.

3. The label as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a transceiver coupled to the memory and the processor.

4. The label as recited in claim 3, further comprising a display coupled to the processor for displaying the information about the item to a user of the item.

5. The label as recited in claim 4, wherein the memory, the transceiver, and the processor are inaccessible to a user of the item.

6. A label for a merchandise item comprising:

an electronic memory containing a permanent record of information about the item, including a static memory, and a connector coupled to the static memory;

wherein the electronic memory is permanently affixed to the merchandise item.

7. A label for a purchased merchandise item comprising:

an electronic memory containing a permanent record of information about the item, including a store identifier for the item, a purchase price for the item, and a date of purchase for the item;

wherein the electronic memory is an integral part of the purchased merchandise item.

8. The label as recited in claim 7, wherein the electronic memory also contains a purchase location for the item.