Method and apparatus for handling materials

Claim 2

Apparatus for handling articles subject to differences from one another and each bearing a labeling of significant coded indicia unique to the particular article and wherein said indicia normally is applied to the article prior to its distribution and offer for sale and where only identical items bear like indicia adequate for subsequent price determination and inventory representation which comprises a computer and memory means; means to record the indicia of each article in the computer and memory prior to display for sale and there storing such information for selected time periods; means to record price information for each different coded indicia in the computer and memory means in predetermined relation to the corresponding stored coded indicia; means for maintaining the price information in the memory and computer for selected time periods in a state subject to substantially instantaneous change relative to any coded indicia on each article; means to register the coded indicia of each article as actually accepted by a buyer for purchase into the memory and computer system at a distribution point of the coded items; means responsive to said coded indicia as registered in the computer and memory at the time of activation of the register means and to the coded indicia of each item stored in the computer and memory means for immediate comparison between each; and means to prepare from the stored price information of said memory and computer system and the comparison of stored coded indicia and the information supplied relative to coded indicia at the time of sale a visible record relating the coded indicia of the selected and previously stored price information of each item identified to the memory and computer system at the distribution point thereby to provide an immediately available visible sales record for items distributed, free from any need for price marking on the individual articles and to maintain automatically an inventory record.

Claim 3

A circuit for automatically producing a visual indication of the prices of items handled and including a memory unit having writing heads and reading heads associated therewith for the recording of information thereon and reading of such information, a code keyboard adapted for actuation to produce signals corresponding to item codes of items being handled, an item code matrix connected to said code keyboard and producing signals responsive thereto in the binary system, means connecting said item code matrix to the writing heads of said memory unit, a control circuit receiving signals from said item code matrix and comparing same through said reading heads with item codes retained by sAid memory unit to produce output signals from said reading heads corresponding to prices associated with individual item codes as recorded upon said memory unit, a price output matrix receiving price signals from said control circuit and converting same into the decimal system, a printing unit linked to said code keyboard and receiving signals from said price output matrix for producing a record of item codes and corresponding prices, and means connecting said control circuit to the writing heads of said memory unit for energizing same to operate in accordance with signals received from said code matrix.

Claim 4

A circuit for automatically producing a visual indication of the prices of items handled and including a memory unit having writing heads and reading heads associated therewith for the recording of information thereon and reading of such information, a code keyboard adapted for actuation to produce signals corresponding to item codes of items being handled, an item code matrix connected to said code keyboard and producing signals responsive thereto in the binary system, means connecting said item code matrix to the writing heads of said memory unit, a control circuit receiving signals from said item code matrix and comparing same through said reading heads with item codes retained by sAid memory unit to produce output signals from said reading heads corresponding to prices associated with individual item codes as recorded upon said memory unit, a price output matrix receiving price signals from said control circuit and converting same into the decimal system, a printing unit linked to said code keyboard and receiving signals from said price output matrix for producing a record of item codes and corresponding prices, and means connecting said control circuit to the writing heads of said memory unit for energizing same to operate in accordance with signals received from said code matrix.

Claim 5

A circuit as set out in claim 2 further characterized by a price keyboard adapted for operation in conjunction with said code keyboard to apply item codes and corresponding prices to said memory unit through the writing heads thereof, said price keyboard producing signals corresponding to price markings applied thereto, a price input matrix receiving signals from said price keyboard and converting same to the binary system for application to writing heads of said memory unit, and counting means connected between said control circuit and said writing heads for applying a command signal to said writing heads to actuate same whereby item code and price information is applied to said memory unit.

Claim 6

An automatic pricing circuit comprising an item code keyboard adapted for actuation to produce signals representative of code markings upon items being priced, a printing unit connected to said item code keyboard for producing a printed record of item codes and corresponding prices in response to signals applied thereto, a memory unit including a rotary electromagnetic memory drum having a plurality of writing heads aligned longitudinally thereof and a plurality of reading heads also aligned longitudinally thereof in circumferentially displaced relationship from said writing head, a first matrix circuit connected to said item code keyboard and producing from signals received from said item code keyboard output signals in the binary system, a plurality of coincidence circuit connected one to each of the reading heads adapted to reproduce item code signals from said memory drum, means connecting said first matrix to said coincidence circuit, whereby an output signal is produced at a point of coincidence between an input item code and code marking signals at a particular point upon said drum, further coincidence circuits connected to reading heads producing price signals and operating in response to the aforesaid coincidence signal to produce a price output signal in response to an identity between the input code signal and a like signal recorded on said magnetic drum, and means applying said price signals to said printing means for producing a record of corresponding item codes and price signals so passed by said latter coincidence means.

Claim 7

An automatic pricing circuit comprising an item code keyboard adapted for actuation to produce signals representative of code markings upon items being priced, a printing unit connected to said item code keyboard for producing a printed record of item codes and corresponding prices in response to signals applied thereto, a memory unit including a rotary electromagnetic memory drum having a plurality of writing heads aligned longitudinally thereof and a plurality of reading heads also aligned longitudinally thereof in circumferentially displaced relationship from said writing head, a first matrix circuit connected to said item code keyboard and producing from signals received from said item code keyboard output signals in the binary system, a plurality of coincidence circuit connected one to each of the reading heads adapted to reproduce item code signals from said memory drum, means connecting said first matrix to said coincidence circuit, whereby an output signal is produced at a point of coincidence between an input item code and code marking signals at a particular point upon said drum, further coincidence circuits connected to reading heads producing price signals and operating in response to the aforesaid coincidence signal to produce a price output signal in response to an identity between the input code signal and a like signal recorded on said magnetic drum, and means applying said price signals to said printing means for producing a record of corresponding item codes and price signals so passed by said latter coincidence means.

Claim 8

A circuit as defined in claim 4 further characterized by a reading head producing one signal from each longitudinal row of the magnetic drum, as same rotates therepast, a counter circuit operating to produce an output signal following a predetermined number of counts, means connecting said item code reading head coincidence circuit to said counter for initiating operation thereof, means connecting said counter to said writing heads for energizing same, and means applying price signals to said writing head whereby price information is applied to said memory drum through said writing head in correspondence to item code signals supplied to said memory drum.

Claim 9

An automatic item and price register adapted for use with coded items comprising item code input means supplying electrical signals indicative of item codes, a memory unit adapted to receive and retain item code markings and price information corresponding thereto and including item code reading means and price reading means scanning said unit, means producing a signal for each complete scan of information in said memory unit, the scanning means for said memory unit including a pluralitY of elements scanning limited portions of said memory unit, a coincidence circuit including three AND gate circuits associated with each of said scanning elements, means connecting each of said scanning elements to the inputs of each of said AND gate circuits, means connecting said item code input means to the inputs of the first and second of each of said three AND gate circuits, a flip-flop circuit normally retained in a reset condition and connected to power supply means through a start switch for energization to a set position thereby, and AND gate circuits having the inputs thereof connected to the set position of said flip-flop circuit and to the scan reading means to produce an output signal in response to a coincidence therebetween, a second flip-flop circuit normally maintained in a reset condition and connected to the output of said last stated AND gate circuit for switching to a set position, means connecting said second flip-flop circuit from the set position thereof to another AND gate circuit, means supplying another input of said latter AND gate circuit with a signal produced by a coincidence between an input item code signal and recorded item code signals on said memory unit for opening said latter AND gate circuit, a bistable switching circuit normally maintained in a reset position and having connection to the output of said latter AND gate circuit for switching to the set position thereof upon the receipt of signals therefrom, a plurality of controllable switches connected one to each of the price scanning elements, a printing unit adapted to produce a printed record of price information supplied thereto, means connecting said plurality of controllable switches to said printing unit, and means connecting said bistable switching circuit to control said plurality of price switches whereby said printing unit receives only such price signals as correspond to item code markings on said memory unit coincident with item code signals applied to the system.

Claim 10

An automatic item and price register adapted for use with coded items comprising item code input means supplying electrical signals indicative of item codes, a memory unit adapted to receive and retain item code markings and price information corresponding thereto and including item code reading means and price reading means scanning said unit, means producing a signal for each complete scan of information in said memory unit, the scanning means for said memory unit including a pluralitY of elements scanning limited portions of said memory unit, a coincidence circuit including three AND gate circuits associated with each of said scanning elements, means connecting each of said scanning elements to the inputs of each of said AND gate circuits, means connecting said item code input means to the inputs of the first and second of each of said three AND gate circuits, a flip-flop circuit normally retained in a reset condition and connected to power supply means through a start switch for energization to a set position thereby, and AND gate circuits having the inputs thereof connected to the set position of said flip-flop circuit and to the scan reading means to produce an output signal in response to a coincidence therebetween, a second flip-flop circuit normally maintained in a reset condition and connected to the output of said last stated AND gate circuit for switching to a set position, means connecting said second flip-flop circuit from the set position thereof to another AND gate circuit, means supplying another input of said latter AND gate circuit with a signal produced by a coincidence between an input item code signal and recorded item code signals on said memory unit for opening said latter AND gate circuit, a bistable switching circuit normally maintained in a reset position and having connection to the output of said latter AND gate circuit for switching to the set position thereof upon the receipt of signals therefrom, a plurality of controllable switches connected one to each of the price scanning elements, a printing unit adapted to produce a printed record of price information supplied thereto, means connecting said plurality of controllable switches to said printing unit, and means connecting said bistable switching circuit to control said plurality of price switches whereby said printing unit receives only such price signals as correspond to item code markings on said memory unit coincident with item code signals applied to the system.