U.S. patent number 3,637,989 [Application Number 04/841,209] was granted by the patent office on 1972-01-25 for automatic pricing and inventory control apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to SAID Joseph D. Howard, by said Brobeck. Invention is credited to William M. Brobeck, Joseph D. Howard.
United States Patent |
3,637,989 |
Howard , et al. |
January 25, 1972 |
AUTOMATIC PRICING AND INVENTORY CONTROL APPARATUS
Abstract
This relates to an apparatus for indicating the price and amount
on hand of any specific item of a number of items in a warehouse or
store. Every item has a code marking with identical items carrying
identical code markings. A memory unit is provided in the
apparatus, with space for every coded marking in stock. Associated
with the space of each such marking in the memory is a price and an
inventory counter, so that, as each coded marking on a particular
item is registered, the associated price is displayed, as well as,
the new inventory count of the item.
Inventors: |
Howard; Joseph D. (Piedmont,
CA), Brobeck; William M. (Orinda, CA) |
Assignee: |
SAID Joseph D. Howard, by said
Brobeck (N/A)
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Family
ID: |
25284309 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/841,209 |
Filed: |
July 14, 1969 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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749815 |
Aug 2, 1968 |
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820670 |
Jun 16, 1959 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/383; 235/385;
101/93; 235/91L |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q
10/087 (20130101); G07G 1/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07G
1/10 (20060101); G06Q 10/00 (20060101); G06k
007/14 (); G06m 001/22 (); G06k 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;235/61.9,61.111,61.112,61.113,61.115,61.8,61.7,91.14 ;101/93C
;194/4R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wilbur; Maynard R.
Assistant Examiner: Kilgore; Robert M.
Parent Case Text
The present application is a continuation-in-part of our copending
U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 749,815, filed Aug. 2, 1968, for
"Method and Apparatus for Handling Materials" and of our prior U.S.
Pat. application Ser. No. 820,670, filed June 16, 1959, now
abandoned.
Claims
We claim:
1. Automatic pricing and inventory control apparatus for
instantaneously indicating the price and inventory quantity of each
of a large plurality of different items wherein each identical item
only bears a like code marking and different items bear different
code markings comprising
a. a memory unit having a large plurality of information storage
locations and being divided into sections with portions of each
section corresponding to portions of other sections,
b. code, price and inventory quantity input means connected to said
memory unit for applying code information to a first section of the
memory unit, price information to a second section of the memory
unit and inventory quantity to a third section of the memory unit,
the price and inventory quantity of each code being stored at
locations in said respective sections corresponding to the location
of the related code in the code storage portion,
c. means scanning said memory unit to successively read each stored
code and corresponding price and quantity,
d. a register for entering codes and applying same to said memory
unit,
e. control means comparing registered codes with each stored code
to obtain a coincidence signal for an identity and gating the price
and quantity information corresponding to the identical stored code
from the memory,
f. means applying said gated quantity minus one to said memory unit
as a new inventory quantity replacement for the previously stored
quantity, and
g. readout means displaying said gated price and new inventory
quantity information.
Description
It is herein provided that each different kind, type and size of a
large variety of item and items, for example, containers and
packages, shall be separately marked with a distinctive code
marking. Identical items which are separately distinguished by
content and size and further separated by manufacturer, packer,
distributor and the like, will bear the same code marking.
Manufacturers, packers and distributors are assigned different
codes which are further separated by kind, type and size of item in
order that each kind, type and size of item of a particular
manufacturer, packer, and distributor has a code exclusively its
own. These code markings of all items to be handled in a particular
operation are stored and recorded in a memory bank unit to which
are added and recorded the corresponding price information and the
incoming and disbursed quantities of the items of such code
markings. The price is arbitrarily established at the memory bank
site by the person recording the price in the memory unit, whereas
the input and output of inventory quantities and information is
based on the quantity involved in the transaction concerning the
particular code marking in the memory unit. Thereafter as
individual items are removed from stock, only the code marking
thereof is registered on the keyboard of the memory unit, for
example by the cashier, which action then instantly activates the
memory unit so that the price which corresponds to the code marking
is simultaneously selected and recorded and the inventory record of
the code marking is automatically adjusted to give continuous
inventory information of all items sold and remaining in stock.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Modern economy requires a continual flow of consumer goods from the
manufacturer, packager and distributor through various intermediate
points which collect, store and distribute a large plurality of
items which the general public is able to obtain by purchase as
necessities and luxuries of present day civilization. In this flow
of goods there is a tremendous amount of manual handling and
rehandling of the goods. Particularly at ultimate distribution
points, i.e., retain stores, conventional procedures require a
great amount of manual manipulation or handling of each individual
item. For example, in a retail store each item must be individually
handled for pricing, stocking, and consummating the sale. The sale
itself at present requires a salesperson or checker to obtain the
price of the goods by referring to some type of listing of price,
such as those hand marked on containers, in order that the various
additional steps may be taken to register the prices upon a cash
register or point-of-sales recorder. The present invention removes
all necessity for manually recording prices on the items, for
example on packages and other containers, at wholesale and retail
stores.
Wholesale and retail stores also periodically review inventories,
which activity generally requires an on-site count of the items
inventoried. Such work generally is time consuming, expensive and
done manually. This type of inventory information is obtained only
periodically by a store manager. At other times he usually depends
on experience, spot checks and estimates for the information he
needs to maintain a sufficient quantity of each item on hand to
meet expected sales. In comparison, the present invention provides
for automatic, continuous and instantly available electronically
maintained inventory of any number of different kinds, types and
sizes of all items in the store and furnished by all manufacturers,
packers and distributors to the store. Any information related to
manufacturers, packers and distributors and to kinds, types and
sizes, prices and inventory including combinations thereof, are
available through this invention.
It is recognized that various advancements in the field of
automated or semiautomated merchandising have been made. It has,
for example, been though that modern computer technology may be
applicable to the problem. This alone, however, does not provide a
solution to the problems nor does it provide for attaining the
desirable results outlined above. More specifically there have been
advanced certain systems such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
2,899,132, to Orthuber relating to checking systems and setting
forth one approach to an improvement in the field of retail
merchandising. Another reference of interest in this field is U.S.
Pat. No. 1,801,981 to Rogal et al. which sets forth a rather
complicated system directed at least in part only to attainment of
objects similar to those of the present invention. Numerous other
issued patents are of general interest. However, it is again noted
that these systems at most provide only a partial solution to the
needs of wholesaling, retailing and merchandising. Also, these
processes do not cover all dimensions of the problems related to
prices, sales, and the invoicing information which should be
recorded as each item is sold or stocked. Thus in effect those
systems have failed to provide a sufficiently simple system to
achieve a widespread acceptance, particularly at the retail
level.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved system for price
registration, price interpretation, and inventory of items sold and
unsold. This system is applicable to and may be employed
substantially at all levels involving the flow of goods including
warehouses and wholesale and retail outlets and the like. The
invention, however, is sufficiently simple in application that its
use is particularly commended to retail outlets, for example,
grocery and drugstores wherein a substantial variety of items are
handled that relatively untrained personnel may use the invention
most effectively and accurately.
An innovation of the present invention is that handling of items at
all levels of stocking, pricing, selling and keeping inventories,
including the acquisition and dissimination of all records and the
combination of statistics thereof, is dependent on the items being
marked with an alphabetic or other code or coded indication that is
readily visible on the item, for example, on the container, label
or whatever else is used to package the item. All identical items
by kinds, contents or sizes and further separated by manufacturers,
packers or distributors are to have the same code markings.
Conversely, dissimilar kinds of items including dissimilar contents
and sizes of any particular goods of the same manufacturer, packer
or distributor are to have dissimilar code markings. Code markings
are obtained or originated in several ways.
For wholesale and retail outlets which generally handle a great
plurality of national brand items, as characteristic of grocery and
drug stores, code markings are obtained by the manufacturer, packer
or distributor from a central code office specifically established
to form, issue, control and supervise the use of the code markings
which may be used extensively by one or more outlets in local,
regional, national and even international markets. For other
wholesaling and retailing outlets, such as department stores where
items may be relatively similar in kind but actually dissimilar
because of such differences as color, minute design
characteristics, and even in sales appeal, it may be best for these
wholesale and retail outlets to originate and control codes in
whole or in part within their own organization. Even grocery and
drug stores may originate and control within their organization a
certain number of codes to cover those items of limited production
or confined to very local or regional market, or even to cover
those items which have not been coded by the manufacturer, packer
or distributor.
At locations where items arrive for stocking, pricing, sales and
the maintenance of inventory records such as wholesale and retail
outlets, a memory bank or the like is maintained for receiving,
retaining, compiling and output of information related to the codes
and their corresponding prices and quantities. Upon arrival of
coded items at these storage and marketing outlets, prices are set
by the people selling the items by inserting these prices in the
memory bank or the like so that the selected price corresponds to
the particular code of the item received. Also added to the memory
bank or the like to correspond to the particular code involved is
the quantity received of the coded item. With both the price and
quantity recorded in the memory bank to correspond to the
particular code involved, only the code need be registered
thereafter on the keyboard or the like of the memory bank unit, for
example by cashiers at grocery and drug stores, to activate the
equipment for selecting and recording the price involving the code
and sale, as the case may be, and for the simultaneous adjustment
of the inventory record involving the transaction of the specific
coded item in the memory bank.
Recorded inventory totals corresponding to registered codes are
reduced by the number of units which are sold, for example, and the
new total is applied to the records of the same memory bank unit as
the new inventory. In the instance of a single item sale, the
inventory numbers thereof minus one becomes the new inventory on
record corresponding to the same code marking for an item that has
just been distributed or sold. Readout means are provided for
indicating the inventory of any and all items having codes thereof
stored in the memory unit or bank. An entirely electronic system is
provided without moving parts and a highly advantageous system of
handling information storage and retrieval is incorporated in the
present invention.
The invention operates to register and record code markings of each
item distributed or sold by a scanning means operating at high
speed to consecutively scan all codes stored in the memory bank
unit or the like and to produce an output signal upon occurrence of
an identity of a registered and stored code. This output signal is
employed to retrieve from the memory bank unit or the like the
stored price corresponding to the code identity and to retrieve
from the memory bank unit or the like the inventory number or
record corresponding to such code.
In the instance of retail sales, the code marking and the
corresponding retail price information registered in the sale may
be recorded, registered or the like as a portion of the sales slip
issued to customers.
DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
The present invention is illustrated as to a single preferred
embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the invention in general;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system of the present invention
and;
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the circuit of the present invention
illustrated in block form in FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to FIG. 1 of the drawings there will be seen to be
schematically illustrated a flow of items 11 which may, for
example, comprise retail sales items passing a checkout register.
While these items are schematically shown as boxes, bags, bottles
and the like they of course, may comprise articles of clothing,
equipment parts or any other type of items in the flow of commerce.
Furthermore it is not necessary that the invention be employed at a
retail sales outlet for the control apparatus hereof is equally
applicable to wholesale operations or any type of distribution.
Again referring to FIG. 1 it will be seen that the items 11 each
contain a code marking 13 at a conspicuous point thereon. Such code
marking is applied to each individual item, preferably at a point
of origin thereof or at least at some point prior to the handling
contemplated by the present invention. For example, a canner of
fruits and vegetables may apply the code marking as by having same
printed upon can labels and affixing the labels to the cans as they
leave the cannery or packing house. Garments may be code marked by
the manufacturer or possibly by the brand distributor. Clearly for
certain types of merchandise or items to be operated upon by the
system of the present invention it is necessary for the code
marking to be apparent only upon examination of the item and thus
for women's dresses for example, the code may be applied to the
label generally located on the inner surface of the garment.
Further to the code marking of the present invention it is
particularly noted that each identical item is marked with an
identical code and the different codes are applied to items of
differing kinds, type, size, etc. The actual choise of particular
code identities admits of substantial variations however, it is
noted that a practical code may be made up of letters and numbers
and that in certain fields it may be advantageous to have related
codes for the same kind and/or type of merchandise. Thus for
example in a ladies apparel shop the dresses from one manufacturer
may have certain code similarities for purposes of maximizing
utilization of instantaneous inventory, as further noted below.
The system hereof as generally illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an
input register 16 which is adapted to receive either manually or
automatically the coded indicia of each item 11 in the flow of
items as illustrated. It is believed sufficient herein to merely
indicate the possibility of automated registration of codes and the
following description is referenced to manual registration thereof.
In practice, the system is employed by manually keying into the
input register the separate code markings of items sold,
distributed or otherwise operated upon so that they are inventoried
and priced in accordance with the present invention. Thus the input
register 16 incorporates means for receiving coded indicia as it
appears upon individual items in the flow of same. Such
registration may be accomplished by the provision of a code input
keyboard and it will be appreciated that an operator of such
register need only operate such a keyboard to enter information
visually available to him from the items. No other manual operation
is involved by the checker, salesperson or the like who may be
responsible for operating the present invention.
The system of this invention includes a memory unit bank which may
be comprised as a bank including a large plurality of cores and
which is adapted to have stored therein each of the separate codes
that are to be employed by the particular system. Thus for example
in a store stocking 10,000 items having some difference of either
kind, type, manufacturer or the like, there would be stored in the
memory 17 these 10,000 different codes. Initial loading of the
memory as illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 is to be accomplished
by a control 18. In addition to the separate codes stored in the
memory 17 there is also stored therein information relative to each
stored code. This information may comprise price information and/or
inventory information. The control unit 18 is considered in this
generalized schematic illustration to incorporate means for
applying such information to the memory in separate correspondence
with each appropriate code. Thus, for example, a single code
representing a certain ladies dress, size 9, manufactured by the
XYZ Company would be related in the memory core to the 14.95 price
thereof and a store inventory of, say, seven such dresses.
Further in accordance with the present invention the memory 17 is
rapidly and continuously scanned so that upon application of an
input code from the register 16 thereto there is immediately
determined a coincidence or identity between such input code and a
stored code to thus produce an output to the register 19 of the
corresponding price information to the stored code identical to the
input code and also an output of the corresponding inventory number
to an inventory output 20. It is not attempted at this point to
identify the mechanisms of comparison and output however, it is
particularly noted that the system hereof does substantially
instantaneously locate in the memory the identical code received
from the input register 16 and deliver to the output register and
inventory output the corresponding price information and inventory
information correlated with or corresponding to such code stored in
the memory.
It will thus be seen that for an operator that may for example be
handling sales items at a retail outlet it is only necessary to
register a code marking appearing upon the items and the control
apparatus hereof then accomplishes all further operation necessary
to completion of the sale. In this respect it is noted that the
output register 19 may incorporate a printer for recording prices
and a totalizer to sum such prices as the total sales price of a
number of items sold. The inventory output on the other hand
provides a continuous count of the number of items of successive
code markings remaining in inventory. It is to be appreciated that
the invention provides for subtraction of one from the inventory
number each time that the code marking corresponding thereto in the
memory is applied to the memory by the input register. Further
provision is made in the control unit 18 for adding to the
inventory number at such times as additional items of individual
code markings are added to stock. Furthermore, the control unit 18
is capable of immediately changing the price information
corresponding to any particular code in the memory. There is thus
provided a maximized flexibility and control by the present
invention over sales or distribution procedures. All of this is
accomplished without requiring any high degree of ability by an
operator employing the input register. Aside from the improvement
afforded by the present invention in the field of simplified sales
procedures and preclusion of errors in sales prices, it is
particularly noted that very substantial advantages lie in the
control afforded the manager or owner not only in ability to
substantially and instantaneously change prices but also to receive
continuous accurate inventory information. This continuous
inventory of each item stocked in a store, for example, is
invaluable as information on which reordering may be based. Not
only does a manager or the like know at all times the amount of
each item in stock but also is provided with information as to the
rate of sales thereof. This then allows such a manager to
constantly revise desired minimum stocks of individual items and to
statistically predict sales of each item. This provides the manager
or the like with information and capabilities which are highly
advantageous in the modern flow of commerce. Instantly available
inventory is a goal long sought by those engaged in the sale and/or
transfer of goods. If a particular item is moving rapidly then the
availability of this information to one making decisions regarding
restocking allows such person to reorder or restock the item more
rapidly and/or in greater quantity. Alternatively, a relatively
slow moving item need not be restocked even though the stock
thereof decreases to a low level. Furthermore, it is possible for a
manager or the like to employ continuous and instant inventory
information to determine whether or not certain items should be
removed from stock as by failure to reorder. This then provides the
manager of a store, for example, with up-to-date and accurate
information upon which he may make considered business judgments
rather than guesses.
Considering the present invention further, reference is made to
FIG. 2 showing a schematic block diagram of the system of this
invention. Considering the system as set forth in FIG. 2 it is
first noted that inasmuch as generalized units of FIG. 1 are
further broken down in the figure alternative numerals are employed
so as not to confuse the reader. Considering this block diagram it
is noted that there is provided a memory bank 31 which is
schematically illustrated to be divided into three portions, i.e.,
code 32, price 33 and inventory 34. This nomenclature is intended
to identify the information stored in the separate portions of the
bank. The bank is also provided with write means 36 by means of
which information is inserted in the memory bank and with read
means 37 by means of which information is retrieved from the memory
bank. In accordance herewith, there is provided scanning means 38
which rapidly scans all information storage positions, as for
example, at a rate of 60 times per second so as to make available
all stored information substantially instantaneously.
Further in accordance herewith, there is provided an item code
matrix 41 operated from a code register 42 and providing an output
signal to the write unit 36 and also to a control portion 43 of the
system. A code registered in the code register 42, as by an
operator viewing a sales item, will produce a signal that is placed
in usable form by the item code matrix as for example, binary form
and the output thereof is applied to the write portion 36 of the
memory bank so that as the bank is scanned a coincidence is
produced if the registered code is identical to one already stored
in the memory and otherwise the code registered is applied to and
stored within the bank. Assuming that the registered code is
already stored in the memory bank, there will be produced an output
from the read portion 36 of the memory which is returned to the
control portion 43 of the system. Each bit of price and inventory
information corresponding to successive codes of the memory bank
are read by the read unit 37, however, only upon the establishment
of an identity between a registered code and a stored code does
this read information proceed from the memory to other portions of
the system. An identity between registered code and stored code
produces an output from the code portion of the memory bank which
is applied through the read unit through the control part 43 of the
system. This then provides for passage of the other read outputs of
the memory bank so that the corresponding price information from
the identity of registered and stored codes is passed to a price
code matrix 44 converting the binary form of stored information,
for example, to decimal form for application to a price output unit
46. Additionally the inventory number corresponding to the stored
code identical to the registered code is passed by the control
portion 43 for application to an inventory output matrix 47 that in
turn converts this into decimal information for application to an
inventory output unit 48. The system also includes a buffer counter
48 which receives the inventory output information and applies the
inventory minus one back to the write circuit 36 associated with
the inventory portion 34 of the memory bank. In this manner, the
inventory number or quantity corresponding to each item code is
reduced by one every time the item code is entered on the code
register and coincides with a recorded item code in the memory
bank.
The system as generally illustrated in FIG. 2 further includes
inventory input 51 and a price input 52 with each of these units
having a corresponding matrix 53 and 54 respectively converting the
input information into binary form and applying same to write
circuits 36 associated with the corresponding portions of the
memory bank. A step counter 56 is illustrated as being connected
between the control circuitry 43 and the write circuits of the
memory bank for the purpose of energizing these circuits for the
application of price and inventory information corresponding to a
particular item code as entered upon the code register when such
information is desired to be changed. It is to be appreciated that
the generalized showing of FIG. 2 attempts only to present major
portions of the system without entering into details of operation
or connections. Insofar as an operator is concerned, the code
register 42 comprises a keyboard by means of which item codes may
be registered in the system and the price output and inventory
output units 46 and 48 respectively may comprise one or more
printers by means of which the price information and inventory
information is recorded. The code register and price output may be
mechanically interconnected, as illustrated by the dashed line in
FIG. 2, for the purpose of printing a transaction slip containing
both item codes and prices. Of course, the price output may also
include a totalization or summation of all prices recorded for
particular transaction at the command of a totalizer key provided
on the code register keyboard, for example. The inventory output
may, if desired, be physically located separately from the price
output and of course, it is possible to provide any desired number
of input and output units for FIG. 2. Time-sharing techniques may
be employed in this connection and similarly remotely connected
units may also be employed.
Considering now the specific embodiment of the system illustrated
in FIG. 3 it is first noted that the magnetic core memory 36 of the
present invention may be comprised of a plurality of "core planes"
with each such plane containing a substantial number of cores. As
an example there may be employed 49 core planes with each plane
containing 8,192 cores in an array of 128 by 64. Individual cores
of the memory are selected by simultaneously applying currents to
the X and Y coordinates thereof. The read circuits 37 are operated
from sense windings each of which threads all of the cores in one
plane and converts information therein to logic "ones" and "zeros,"
inasmuch as the circuitry operates in the binary mode. With regard
to the storage of information in the magnetic memory 31 there are
provided "inhibit" windings each of which also threads all of the
cores in one plane and are pulsed by the application of signals to
the write circuits 36. In this particular magnetic core memory the
reading of a core causes the erasing of information stored therein
and the reading thereof is stored and applied back to the write
circuits so as to replace the information read, unless it is
changed. The foregoing is automatically accomplished by the read
and write circuits of the magnetic core memory and inasmuch as the
construction and operation of this type of memory is known in the
art no further description is believed necessary herein. It is,
however, noted that the scanner 38 operates to continuously and
simultaneously scan all planes of the memory bank very rapidly, as
for example, at the rate of 60 times per second. This may, for
example, be accomplished by selecting the first row of the first
column of an array and then the second row of the first column and
so on through the last row of the last column.
Considering now the circuitry of FIG. 3 and the operation thereof,
it is first assumed that codes, corresponding prices and initial
inventories of each item have been recorded in the memory 31 and
that the scanner 38 is operating. A read circuit 37a is associated
with each of the item code core planes while a read circuit 37b is
associated with each of the price core planes and a read circuit
37c is associated with each of the inventory core planes. Signals
appear simultaneously from each of the memory core planes at the
read circuits thereof and with regard to item codes the output of
each read circuit 37a is applied to three AND gates and although
only one such group of gates 61, 62 and 63 are illustrated it is to
be appreciated that these are repeated for each core plane. In the
illustration, the price read circuit 37b is illustrative of each
price core plane and it will be seen that the output thereof is
applied to two AND-gates 64 and 66 and similarly the read circuit
37c for each of the inventory core planes has the output applied to
a pair of AND-gates 67 and 68. In the following description only a
single read circuit and write circuit for each core plane is
discussed however it is to be appreciated that the same circuitry
and operation occurs for every core plane. Two of the AND-gates 61
and 62 connected to the item code read circuit 37a also receive
inputs from an item code matrix 69 which converts the output of an
item code input keyboard 71 into a binary code. This keyboard 71
may include a mechanical register operating in the manner of an
adding machine to store the item codes set up by successive key
depressions by an operator in accordance with item codes read from
items passing a check point. The item code matrix 69 serves to
change the output of the keyboard 71 into the binary system so that
logical ones and logical zeros are produced from the item code
matrix.
In the circumstance wherein the code matrix requires a logical one
on the channel corresponding to core plane one, the AND-circuit 61
will produce an output when the read circuit 37a produces an output
corresponding to a logical "one." Thus the AND-circuit 61 passes
the signal through an OR-gate 72 connected to the outputs of the
three AND-circuits 61, 62 and 63 for application of the signal to
one of three further AND-circuits 73, 74 and 76. Under the
circumstances wherein similar coincidences occur when all of the
item codes read circuits 37c are compared with all of the remaining
output channels of the item code matrix, all of the inputs of the
AND-gates 73, 74 and 76 will be present to thus produce outputs
therefrom which are applied to an AND-gate 77 to produce a pulse on
a conductor or line 78. It will be appreciated that a pulse on this
line 78 occurs only when the scanner has located an item code in
the memory core which is identical to an item code inserted in the
item code keyboard. This pulse on the line 78 is employed to enable
the outputs of the price and inventory read circuits to pass into
the system. The pulse on line 78 is supplied to a pair of
AND-circuits 81 and 82 and, with the second of these passing a
signal, a flip-flop 83 is operated to produce an output signal on a
line 84 which is applied as one input to each of the pair of AND
circuits connected to each price read circuit 37b and to each of
the pair of AND circuits connected to each inventory read circuit
37c. The price read circuits 37b have the outputs connected through
the illustrated pairs of AND-circuits 64 and 66 to a flip-flop
circuit 86 which in turn applies the output to a price output
matrix 87 that operates a price print unit 88. The price read
circuits 37b read price information recorded on the price cores at
the same time that the item code is being read on the item read
circuit 37a and thus as long as no pulse appears on the line 78 the
price read circuits will set and reset its flip-flop circuit 86
following the information read as a scanning proceeds. When a pulse
does appear on the line 78 and providing a signal is applied on a
line 89 as the other input to the AND-circuit 81 and a read-write
switch 91 is in the read position, the flip-flop circuit 83 is
"set" and thus removes the signal from the line 84 so that the
gates 64 and 66 are closed to leave the flip-flop 86 in the
position to which it was last set. Signals from this flip-flop 86
are applied to the price output matrix 87 as noted above and the
set condition of flip-flop 83 applies the signal through a switch
92 to actuate the printer 88 connected to the price output matrix.
The flip-flop 83 is reset by the price printer output so that the
price read outputs are again applied to the flip-flop 86.
The inventory read circuits 37c operate in the same manner in that
the gates 67 and 68 from each such read circuit 37c are also
connected to the line 84 from the flip-flop 83 with the outputs
being applied to a further flip-flop circuit 93 that in turn has
the output connected to an inventory output matrix 94 that operates
an inventory printer 96. This printer is actuated by a signal
through the switch 92 from the flip-flop 83 and upon operation
resets the flip-flop 83.
Further to the inventory output of the memory, it is noted that the
flip-flops 93 connected to inventory read circuits 37c are also
connected to a buffer counter 97 to control the number stored
therein. During scanning the number changes continually until a
signal appears on the line 78 indicating a coincidence of applied
item code and stored item code. At this time the flip-flop circuits
93 to the buffer counter are disconnected from the read circuits so
that the buffer counter holds the inventory number or quantity
corresponding to the item code. At the end of each scanning cycle
of the memory the scanner 38 produces a cycle pulse on a line 101
and this pulse is applied to the buffer counter 97 so as to reduce
the count therein by one. As described below the cycle pulse causes
one input to be applied to an AND-gate 102 and with the switch 103
in the read position, as shown, the next reading of the item code
applies a pulse on the line 78 as a second input to this AND-gate
102 to thereby apply a write signal to the write circuits 36c of
the inventory portion of the memory causing the new inventory
number which is the original number reduced by one to be written in
the inventory cores of the memory.
It is to be appreciated as noted above that each read operation
erases the cores and the information read is then applied to the
corresponding write circuit to replace the information in the
cores. This is schematically illustrated by the arrows extending
between read and write circuits of the separate portions of the
memory.
An additional portion of the control circuitry of the present
invention is illustrated at the left of FIG. 3 and it is noted that
a third read-write switch 104 forms a part thereof. Assuming that
each of the three switches, 91, 103 and 104 are in the read
position as shown, operation then follows from closing of a start
switch 106 to set a first flip-flop 107 and provide one input of a
first AND-gate 108. As noted above, a cycle pulse is produced in
the line 101 from the scanner 38 upon completion of each memory
scan and this is connected to provide the other input of the
AND-gate 108. The pulse passed by the gate 108 is applied to set a
second flip-flop 109 that in turn produces an output pulse on the
line 89 as required to open the gate 81 in coincidence with a pulse
on the line 78 from the item code read circuits. At the completion
of one scanning cycle the second cycle pulse on the line 101
applied to a second AND-gate 111 opens this gate inasmuch as the
line 89 is connected to the other input thereof and the pulse
passing this gate 111 is applied through the read portions of the
switch 104 to set a third flip-flop 112 providing an input to a
third AND-gate 113. A third cycle pulse from the scanner 38
provides a second input to the AND-gate 113 for resetting the
flip-flop circuits 107, 109 and 112. It will be appreciated from a
consideration of the operation of this portion of the control
circuitry that the second flip-flop 109 should not be placed in the
set position until after the cycle pulse has passed the second
AND-gate 111. This short requisite delay may be provided by the
time required for the flip-flop 109 to change from reset to set
condition or, if this is insufficient, a time delay circuit may be
inserted between the flip-flop 109 and gate circuit 111. The same
condition exists with regard to the remaining flip-flops in the
array shown at the left of FIG. 2.
With regard to the insertion of information in the magnetic core
memory 31 it is noted that the item code matrix 69 is directly
connected to the item code write circuits 36a through an erase
switch 116, and that a price input matrix 117, operated by a price
input keyboard 118, is directly connected to the price write
circuits 36b. The item code write circuits and price write circuits
are controlled by a command pulse applied thereto through a line
119 so that these circuits write the information set up on the item
code and price keyboards when such command pulse is received. The
inventory cores of the memory are connected to an inventory input
matrix 121 through a read-write switch 122 with inventory input
information being applied through an inventory input keyboard 123
connected to the inventory input matrix. A command pulse on the
line 119 when the switch 122 is in write position, will cause the
inventory write circuit 36c to record in the memory the information
on the inventory keyboard. Further with regard to the operation of
applying or recording information in the memory it is preferable
that the cores are all loaded or recorded with continuous logical
"ones" and thus any unused group of cores can be found by searching
for an item code consisting of all "ones."
A new item code and corresponding price and inventory number may be
inserted in the memory as follows. The code is applied to the
keyboard 71, a price corresponding to the code is applied to the
price keyboard 118 and the inventory quantity or number is applied
to the inventory input keyboard 123. The switches 91, 103, 104 and
122 are placed in the "write" position and the start button 106 is
pressed so that flip-flop 107 is set. This then applies a logic one
signal to the first AND-gate 108 so that the next cycle pulse on
the line 101 from the scanner 38 causes a signal to be passed by
the gate 108 to set the flip-flop 109. During the next cycle of
scanning the memory is searched for the item code set up on the
item code input keyboard and inasmuch as such code is not already
recorded in the memory no pulse will be produced on the line 78
prior to the occurrence of the next cycle pulse from the scanner.
Additional flip-flop circuits 131, 132 and 133 are shown to
provided at the left of the control circuitry in FIG. 3 and these
are connected in the manner described in the description of the
"write" operation below. The second cycle pulse on the line 101
from the scanner 38 is applied together with the set output of the
first flip-flop 107 to pass a pulse through the gate 108 and set
the second flip-flop circuit 109. The next cycle pulse is applied
through an AND-gate 134 to set the flip-flop 131 because the
flip-flop 132 is in reset position. This flip-flop 131 placed in
the set position closes the AND-gate 62 in the item code read
circuit output and the corresponding gates in the other item codes
read channels while at the same time opening the AND-gate 63 of the
three gates in the item code read circuit outputs. This then sets
each of the readings circuits of the item code portions of the
memory searching for logical "ones" without regard to the code that
has been set up on the item keyboard. That this is the case will
become apparent from consideration of the fact that a logical zero
from read circuit 37a will not pass AND-gate 62 because of the lack
of an input from the reset of flip-flop 131 while a logic "one"
from such recircuit will pass gate 63 because the other input
thereof is provided by the set output of flip-flop 131. As this
scanner reaches the first item code of all logical "ones" a
coincidence output will thus appear on the line 78. This
coincidence signal on the line 78 is applied to the gate 81
together with the set output of the flip-flop 109 so as to pass a
signal through the switch 91 to a step counter 136. An output line
137 from the scanner 38 provides step pulses to this counter 136 so
that when each step of a complete scan has been counted from
initiation of counting by the above-noted coincidence at gate 81
there will be produced an output signal from the step counter that
is applied to the writing circuits of the memory to record the item
code, the price and the inventory number.
In addition to the foregoing, the coincidence pulse on line 78
derived from the coincidence of logical "ones" in the item code
portion of the memory applies a signal through the switch 103 to
reset the flip-flop 131 and to set the flip-flop 132. In order to
provide a check upon the information just applied to the memory the
circuit provides for restoring the connections from the reading
circuit so that they again search for the item code set up on the
item code keyboard. The set output of the flip-flop 132 opens
AND-gate 141 so that the next cycle pulse passes therethrough and
through an OR-gate 142 to set the flip-flop 133. The set output of
the flip-flop 133 is applied to an input of the AND-gate 82. Thus,
when a coincidence occurs between the code on the item code input
keyboard and the item code just recorded in the memory an output
signal on the line 78 then passes through this gate 82 to cause the
price and inventory number just recorded on the memory to be
printed on the price printer 88 and inventory printer 96. The set
output of the flip-flop 133 causes the next cycle pulse from the
scanner to pass through a further AND-gate 143 to reset the
flip-flops 107, 109, 132 and 133 and return the circuit to previous
condition.
In the circumstances wherein the price or inventory number or
quantity corresponding to a previously recorded item code is to be
changed the foregoing sequence of operations is slightly changed.
Thus, on the first scanning cycle after setting of the flip-flop
109 the item code entered on the item code keyboard 71 will be
found in the memory to produce a pulse on the line 78. This will
cause the step counter 136 to be actuated. After counting the total
number of cycle pulses required to scan the memory the step counter
produces a pulse on line 119 which causes the price and inventory
information applied to the keyboards 118 and 123, respectively, to
be recorded on the memory in the manner identified above. While the
item code will also be recorded, it is the same as the one being
read so that no change is made therein. As noted above, a signal or
pulse on the line 78 is applied through the switch 103 to set the
flip-flop 132 and thus remove one of the signals to AND-gate 134 so
that no pulse will pass therethrough. Consequently the cycle pulse
at the end of the cycle will not be able to pass the AND-gate 134.
The cycle pulse will, however, pass AND-gate 141 because of the set
output of flip-flop 132 also applied thereto and thus the pulse
will pass through the OR-gate 142 to set the flip-flop 133. During
the next cycle the item code will again be searched for and when
found the new price and inventory will be printed out as described
above. It is noted in this respect that switch 144 is connected
between the line 101 carrying the cycle pulse on the scanner and
the buffer counter 97 so that when the switch is opened, i.e., in
the "write" position, there is no subtraction from the inventory
during the foregoing operation.
Certain other points should be noted concerning operation of the
circuit of FIG. 3 as, for example, the fact that the inventory
quantity or number is reduced by one each time the item code is
applied to the item code input keyboard during normal operation of
reading. Should it be desired to provide for simplifying the entry
of a plurality of the same item codes, a repeat key may be employed
on the item keyboard. It is also possible to provide for reduction
of the recorded inventory by any number by the provision of keys
recording the quantity of separately coded items purchased, for
example. A further operation that is required herein is the removal
of item code from the memory under circumstances, for example,
wherein an item carrying such code is no longer stocked. This is
accomplished herein by placing the switch 116 in an erase position
which is the opposite of that illustrated in the figure and at the
same time placing all other circuit switches in the "write"
position. It is then only necessary to press the start button 106
to replace the code entered on the item code input keyboard 71 with
all "ones." It is not necessary to erase the price and inventory
information corresponding to an erased item code because this
information is changed to whatever accompanies the next item code
to be written in the same memory position. It is also to be
appreciated that all six of the control flip-flop circuits shown at
the left of FIG. 3 are reset by closing a switch 147 in a reset
line thereof to apply a signal from some power supply such as a
battery illustrated in the figure. Operation of a further
pushbutton switch 148 serves to apply a signal for resetting the
flip-flop 83 at the start of operation of the system.
The overall operation of the system of the present invention has
been set forth above in connection with a description of elements
of a preferred embodiment of the system. Rather than setting forth
a list of circuit elements and connections shown in FIG. 3, the
identity connections and operations of the circuit components have
been combined in the description. This manner of disclosure
minimizes the length thereof and is presented as a more
understandable description.
It will be apparent that variations are possible in the circuitry
of FIG. 3 for example. It is also further believed to be clearly
set forth herein that the control apparatus of this invention does
provide for instantaneous and continuous inventory over a large
number of separate items as may, for example, be stocked in a
retail store. No limitation is intended as to application of the
invention to retail outlets for certainly the invention is equally
suited to a variety of other applications. The establishment of
item codes and the marking of same upon items together with the
storage of such codes together with corresponding prices and
inventory quantities or numbers for each code and the substantially
instantaneous retrieval of such corresponding price and inventory
information provides a marked improvement enabling major advances
in commerce.
Although the present invention has been described above in
connection with a single preferred embodiment thereof, it is not
intended to limit the invention to the precise details of
illustration or terms of description. Reference is made to the
appended claims for a precise definition of the invention.
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