Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Inventory
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-11
2002-06-25
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Inventory
C235S375000, C235S383000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06409082
ABSTRACT:
THIS INVENTION relates to the tracking of products. More particularly, this invention relates to a method of detecting designated products and to a system for detecting designated products.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of detecting designated products from a number of sources, the method including the steps of
applying an unique code to each one of a plurality of products at a first location;
determining which of the plurality of products become designated;
recording the codes of the designated products;
reading the codes of products distributed at a second location;
and
comparing the read codes with the recorded codes to determine if any of the distributed products are designated products.
It will be appreciated that the term “designated products” includes products that are stolen, products that are lost by undetermined means and picked up as lost through stock taking or other methods of reconciling numbers of products, products not intended for re-sale to consumers, sample batches of products, defective products, products sold to a Government sector, export products, imported products, or the like. “Products” is also meant to include three-dimensional articles and other articles such as cheques, tickets or the like. Designated products which are detected may then be recovered. It will be appreciated that the method and system may also be used as an audit system for keeping track of designated products, in particular, for products not intended for re-sale.
The codes of the designated products may be determined by retaining a first list of the unique codes which are applied to the products at the first location, and comparing it to a second list of codes of products which are decoded at another authorised location, with the codes which appear on the first list and not the second list comprising the codes of the designated products.
The codes of the designated products may be recorded at a central loss control station. The method may include transmitting the read codes to the central loss control station, for comparing the read codes with the recorded codes.
The method may also include transmitting data on the identity of the second location and data on the time at which the read codes are transmitted to the central loss control station.
The method may include triggering an alarm at the central loss control station if designated products are detected to alert a person on duty. The data may also be visually displayed at the central loss control station in such a way that it alerts a person on duty.
A record of the data and the read codes may be retained at the central loss control station if the products are designated products.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for detecting designated products from a number of sources, the system including
an encoding means for applying an unique code to each one of a plurality of products at a first location;
a designated products determining means for determining which of the plurality of products become designated;
a recording means for recording the codes of the designated products;
a reading means for reading the codes of products distributed at a second location; and
a comparator for comparing the read codes with the recorded codes to determine if any of the distributed products are designated products.
The comparator may be located at a central loss control station. The codes of the designated products may be retained in a database of the comparator at the central loss control station.
The system may include a transmitting means for transmitting the read codes to the comparator at the central loss control station. The transmitting means may also transmit data on the second location to a central loss control station.
The first location may be a manufacturing plant, with the codes being applied to manufactured products on an assembly line. Alternatively, the first location may be a warehouse for imported products or for export products.
The second location may be a retail outlet, with the reading means forming part of a bar code scanning system. Alternatively, the second location may be a retail outlet, with the reading means being in the form of a free-standing or hand held scanner suitable for use by a till operator or an independent user of the system.
It is to be appreciated that the system is not limited to use with retail products or products earmarked for re-sale.
The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a schematic flow chart representing a system, in accordance with the invention, for recovering designated products.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4340810 (1982-07-01), Glass
patent: 4711994 (1987-12-01), Greenberg
patent: 5038283 (1991-08-01), Caveney
patent: 5401944 (1995-03-01), Bravman et al.
patent: 5434394 (1995-07-01), Roach et al.
patent: 5478990 (1995-12-01), Montanari
patent: 5801628 (1998-09-01), Maloney
patent: 5870711 (1999-02-01), Huffman
patent: 5963134 (1999-10-01), Bowers et al.
patent: 6105004 (2000-08-01), Halperin et al.
Davis Roelof Daniel Jacobus
Rabe Frederick Jacobus
Frech Karl D.
Handelman Joseph H.
Kim Ahshik
Ladas & Parry
Perseu Administration (Proprietary) Limited
LandOfFree
Tracking of products does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tracking of products, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tracking of products will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2923277