Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Mechanized store
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-13
2001-11-20
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Mechanized store
C235S494000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318631
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to bar code and electronic labeling systems in general, and in particular to improved methods and apparatus for providing synergy between bar code and electronic labeling systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Bar codes are expressed as a pattern of bars and spaces of varying widths that represent digits, letters, or other symbols. In retail stores and warehouses, items are often identified through the use of bar codes, and store and warehouse personnel often use and are familiar with bar code readers that read bar codes. The particular way in which bars and spaces are arranged is called a symbology, of which there are many. The Universal Product Code (UPC) and its counterpart, the International Article Numbering Association Code (EAN), are extensively used in retail applications. Very popular in industrial, medical and government applications is Code 39, an alphanumeric symbology with self-checking properties that offers a variable length and a high degree of data security. Bar codes may be printed directly on items to be scanned or on labels that are attached to the item.
Typically, a bar code reader is used to illuminate a bar code symbol using an infrared or visible light source. Dark bars absorb the light, and the white spaces between the bars reflect the light back into the reader. A light detector in the reader transforms the presence or absence of light reflections into electrical impulses which represent the bar and space pattern in the bar code. A decoder translates the electrical impulses into a binary code which is transmitted to a PC or other controller or host computer system. The decoder may be integrated with or separate from the reader. Readers typically use visible and infrared light-emitting diodes (LED), helium-neon lasers, or solid-state laser diodes (visible and infrared) to illuminate the bar code symbol. Some readers employ charge-couple devices (CCD) which electronically “sees” the whole symbol at once. Two-dimensional CCD readers are used to read matrix symbologies. Some readers require close contact with the bar code being read, while others may read the bar code from distances up to several feet. Some readers are stationary, while others are hand-held. A bar code scanner is typically a bar code reader that uses a narrow laser beam that “scans” over a bar code, usually by reflecting the laser beam off of a small mirror within the reading device.
Electronic labels, such as Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL), are often used together with bar code identification to identify and provide information about items. These label typically have a receiver to receive initialization information and price update information, as well as a transmitter to send back information such as acknowledgment information and additional data, such as is described in applicant/assignee's U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 08/839,839, 08/632,576, 08/699,375, and PCT applications PCT-IL-97/00339, and PCT-IL-97/00192. The receiver and transmitter are typically wireless, employing RF or optical communications means. In retail stores, electronic labels are often used and are initialized and updated by store personnel. For that purpose, store personnel typically carry portable terminals that communicate with the electronic labels.
A primary disadvantage of known bar code systems and electronic label systems when collectively considered is that separate communications devices are currently employed for bar code scanning and electronic label communications. In addition, bar code scanning with hand-held devices usually requires relatively accurate aiming in terms of both position and angle with respect to the bar code being read. This presents a major limitation with regard to self-scanning systems where store shoppers, not skilled in bar code reading, are provided with a hand held devices that include bar code readers. The shoppers often become frustrated by the difficulties in aiming the bar code readers and in scanning wrinkled, worn, or wet bar code labels. In addition, while it is known to display bar codes on Liquid Crystal Displays, the use of such displays is disadvantageous in that the display must be of a very high resolution and contrast, and must have a large number of display lines to effectively display a bar code, all rendering such displays too expensive for mass implementation in electronic labels.
The following U.S. patents are believed to represent the state of the art of bar code systems and electronic label systems: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,002,886, 4,139,149, 4,387,297; 4,409,470, 4,521,677, 4,760,248, 4,766,295, 4,782,219, 5,019,811, 5,313,569, 5,345,071, 5,361,871, 5,382,779, 5,457,307, and 5,572,653.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide novel apparatus and methods for providing synergy between bar code and electronic labeling systems which overcomes the known disadvantages of the prior art as discussed above. Apparatus is provided which utilizes a bar code scanner to optically communicate with an electronic label.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a scanning communicator for use with a bar code and an electronic label including at least one optical transceiver, and circuitry operative to cause the optical transceiver to scan the bar code while in a bar code scanning mode and communicate with the electronic label while in an electronic label communications mode.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the scanning communicator further includes a selector operative to selectably place the circuitry in either of the modes.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the optical transceiver includes at least one optical transmitter and at least one optical receiver.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the optical transceiver includes a plurality of optical transceivers, and the at least one of the plurality operates in the bar code scanning mode concurrently with at least another of the plurality operating in the electronic label communications media.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the optical transceiver is operative to communicate with a central computer for data transmission therebetween.
There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a bar code ad electronic label system including at least one boar code, at least one electronic label, and a scanning communicator including at least one optical transceiver, and circuitry operative to cause the optical transceiver to scan the bar code while in a bar code scanning mode and communicate with the electronic label while in an electronic label communications mode.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the bar code and electronic label system further includes a selector operative to selectably place the circuitry in either of the modes.
There is additionally provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention as electronic label including at least one optical transceiver, circuitry operative to cause the optical transceiver to intermittently transmit light pulses representative of a predetermined bar code.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the circuitry is operative to cause the optical transceiver to intermittently transmit light pulses thereby emulating a reflected light pattern of the predetermined bar code.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electronic label further includes a memory for storing the predetermined bar code.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the circuitry is additionally operative to cause the optical transceiver to communicate in an electronic label communication mode.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electronic label further includes an o
Eldat Communication Ltd.
Frech Karl D.
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
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