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US4553252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Counting computer software cartridge
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-12-06
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Granted: 1985-11-12
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Expires: 2002-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A cartridge housing contains a semi-conductor or memory for storing digital information which may be accessed by an external device for display on a screen. The cartridge includes a counting circuit for counting the number of times the cartridge is used and a display for exhibiting the count.
Inventors
- 👤 Harris H. Egendorf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:30
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/04; G11B23/08; G11B23/087; G11B23/08707; G11B23/0875; G07; G07C; G07C3/00; G07C3/02; G07C3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
In a cartridge adapted for insertion and use in a computer, the cartridge including electronic memory containing a stored program for use with the computer, the combination comprising a housing, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing and having a conductor portion electrically connectable to the computer, sensing means for sensing insertion of the cartridge into the computer and for generating an electrical signal, counting means electrically coupled to the sensing means for maintaining an electronic count of the number of times that the cartridge is inserted in the computer and display means electrically coupled to said counting means and located on the housing for displaying the count maintained by said counting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a cartridge adapted for insertion and use in a computer, the cartridge including electronic memory containing a stored program for use with the computer, the combination comprising a housing, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing and having a conductor portion electrically connectable to the computer, sensing means for sensing insertion of the cartridge into the computer and for generating an electrical signal, counting means electrically coupled to the sensing means for maintaining an electronic count of the number of times that the cartridge is inserted in the computer and display means electrically coupled to said counting means and located on the housing for displaying the count maintained by said counting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A cartridge in accordance with claim 1 wherein said display means is a liquid crystal display located at one end of the housing, and a bar label at said one end of the housing adjacent said display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cartridge in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing is comprised of mating halves coupled together, and a tear-away label associated with the mating halves for indicating unauthorized separation of the mating halves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A cartridge in accordance with claim 1 including a liquid crystal display mounted on the housing, said display being electrically coupled to said counting means for exhibiting the count.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a cartridge adapted for insertion and use in a computer, the cartridge including electronic memory containing a stored program for use with the computer, the combination comprising a housing, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing and having a conductor portion electrically connectable to the computer, sensing means for sensing insertion of the cartridge into the computer and for generating an electrical signal, counting means electrically coupled to the sensing means for maintaining an electronic count of the number of times that the cartridge is inserted in the computer, a liquid crystal display electrically coupled to said counting means and located at one end of the housing for displaying the count, a bar label at said one end of the housing adjacent said display, said housing being comprised of mating halves coupled together, a tear-away label associated with the mating halves for indicating unauthorized separation of the mating halves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a cartridge adapted for insertion and use in a computer, the cartridge including electronic memory containing a stored program for use with the computer, the combination comprising a housing, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing and having a conductor portion electrically connectable to the computer, sensing means for sensing insertion of the cartridge into the computer and for generating an electrical signal, counting means electrically coupled to the sensing means for maintaining an electronic count of the number of times that the cartridge is inserted in the computer, a liquid crystal display electrically coupled to said counting means and located at one end of the housing for displaying the count, a bar label at said one end of the housing adjacent said display, said housing being comprised of mating halves coupled together, a tear-away label associated with the mating halves for indicating unauthorized separation of the mating halves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
A cartridge comprising a housing insertable in an external device, comprising: a wall mounted on the housing and provided with an opening, said wall being displaceable between two positions, a printed circuit board having a conductor portion in juxtaposition with the wall opening such that the conductor portion protrudes through the opening when the wall is in one of said positions and is disposed behind the opening when the wall is in the other of said positions, signal generating means for generating an electrical signal based on displacement of the wall between said positions, means electrically coupled to said signal generating means for electronically maintaining a count based on the number of times that said wall is displaced between said positions, and display means mounted on the housing and electrically coupled to said counting means for displaying the count.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
139 words
A cartridge comprising a housing insertable in an external device, comprising: a wall mounted on the housing and provided with an opening, said wall being displaceable between two positions, a printed circuit board having a conductor portion in juxtaposition with the wall opening such that the conductor portion protrudes through the opening when the wall is in one of said positions and is disposed behind the opening when the wall is in the other of said positions, signal generating means for generating an electrical signal based on displacement of the wall between said positions, means electrically coupled to said signal generating means for electronically maintaining a count based on the number of times that said wall is displaced between said positions, and display means mounted on the housing and electrically coupled to said counting means for displaying the count.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a cartridge adapted for insertion and use in a computer, the cartridge including electronic memory containing a stored program for use with the computer, the combination comprising a housing, sensing means for sensing insertion of the cartridge in the computer and for generating an electrical signal indicating the same, counting means electrically coupled to the sensing means so as to receive said electrical signal and for maintaining an electronic count of the number of insertions of the cartridge in the computer, and display means electrically coupled to said counting means and located on the housing for displaying the count maintained by said counting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a cartridge adapted for insertion and use in a computer, the cartridge including electronic memory containing a stored program for use with the computer, the combination comprising a housing, sensing means for sensing insertion of the cartridge in the computer and for generating an electrical signal indicating the same, counting means electrically coupled to the sensing means so as to receive said electrical signal and for maintaining an electronic count of the number of insertions of the cartridge in the computer, and display means electrically coupled to said counting means and located on the housing for displaying the count maintained by said counting means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-11 | 1989-05-13 | 1989-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-11 | 1993-05-13 | 1993-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-11 | 1997-05-13 | 1997-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |