System and method for identifying one or more objects hung from a display peg

• US 9,123,018 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Ink Inc. (Winnick & Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: T-Ink Incorporated
• Inventors: Cohen, Steven Martin, Lawrence, Daniel P., Gentile, John, Kaiserman, Terrance Z.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): ELLIS, SUEZU Y
• Application Number:
  US14/209,236
• Publication Number:
  US 20150048161A1
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/385, 235/451, 235/439, 235/440, 340/568.1, 340/572.1, 3405723-5725, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/5.91, 248/220.31, 24822041-22043, 211/7, 211/48, 211/54.1, 211/59.1, 211/87.01, 211/103, 211/105.1, 211/105.2, 211/106.01, 211/123
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 2010/005 using RFID elements
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0823 Article supports for peg-boards
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/02 Measuring real or complex resistance, reactance, impedance, or other two-pole characteristics derived therefrom, e.g. time constant by measuring phase angle only G01R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/065 for conductive marks
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/08 by means detecting the change of an electrostatic or magnetic field, e.g. by detecting change of capacitance between electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Systems and methods for identifying one or more objects hung from a display peg are described herein. The system may include a display peg comprising a first and second electrically conductive terminal. An object comprising a resistive element having a preselected resistance may be hung from the display peg such that the resistive element is in electrical communication with the terminals. A source may be configured to provide a current that flows from the first terminal through the resistive element to the second terminal. An electronic device may be configured to detect the current flowing from the second terminal. The system may be configured to identify the type of object depending on the pre-selected resistance of the resistive element.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a display peg comprising a first electrically conductive terminal and a second electrically conductive terminal;

an object comprising a resistive element having a pre selected resistance, the resistive element in electrical communication with the first electrically conductive terminal and the second electrically conductive terminal when the object is hung from the display peg;

a source configured to provide a current that flows from the first electrically conductive terminal through the resistive element to the second electrically conductive terminal; and

an electronic device configured to detect the current flowing from the second electrically conductive terminal,

wherein the system is configured to identify a type of the object depending on the pre-selected resistance of the resistive element.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the resistive element makes electrical contact with the electrically conductive terminals of the display peg such that an electrical current is capable of flowing between the electrically conductive terminals via the resistive element.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical terminals are fashioned using conductive ink.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminals are molded to an outer surface of the display peg.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the display peg protrudes from a display with which the display peg is electrically coupled.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the display comprises a pegboard.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the resistive element is formed using conductive ink.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the display peg comprises a single rod.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the display peg comprises two rods.

10. A system for displaying one or more electronically identifiable objects, comprising:

a display peg;

two electrically conductive terminals laterally aligned along an upper surface of the display peg, the terminals adapted to permit for an electrical current to flow therebetween when an object, having a pre-selected resistive element printed on a point of contact between the object and the upper surface of the display peg, is hung from the display peg;

a source configured to provide a current that flows through the two electrically conductive terminals and the resistive element; and

an electronic device configured to detect the current flowing from one of the electrically conductive terminals,

wherein the system is configured to identify a type of the object depending on the pre-selected resistance of the resistive element.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the electrical terminals are fashioned using conductive ink.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the terminals are molded to an outer surface of the display peg.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the display peg protrudes from a display with which the display peg is electrically coupled.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the resistive element is formed using conductive ink.

15. A method of electronically identifying one or more objects hung on a display, the method comprising:

providing a display peg, the display peg comprising two electrically conductive terminals laterally aligned along an upper surface of the display peg; and

hanging an object on the display peg, the object comprising a printed resistive element having a pre selected resistance,

wherein upon hanging the object on the display peg, the resistive element contacts each of the electrically conductive terminals;

providing an electrical current that flows between the electrically conductive terminals via the resistive element;

detecting the electrical current that flows from one of the electrically conductive terminals; and

identifying a type of the object hanging on the display peg depending on the pre-selected resistance of the resistive element.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising providing an electrical signal to the display peg, and interpreting an electrical signal received from the display peg.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising determining a quantity of objects on the peg.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive terminals are fashioned using conductive ink.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the resistive element is formed using conductive ink.