DE3151963A1 - "LABEL READER" - Google Patents

Description

Label reader

description

The invention relates to a label reader for coded price labels. Such labels were introduced about 25 years ago and are provided with machine readable codes, usually in the form of a punched code. Examples of such labels are the so-called Kimball labels. Such labels are on the Goods attached in many stores and when an item is sold the salesperson takes the label or a detachable one Piece away from it and collect it, and those detached labels are then machined to control on sale and keep the stock. The actual processing of the collected labels is carried out as a batch operation and it is normal for such processing to be carried out in the central offices of sales chains.

According to current actual practice, reading is largely

'"· - ^: - 3Ί5Ί963 - ι -

sen and fast devices carried out, and such systems .are popular and widespread.

At the moment of the sale itself, the label also serves as a price label, with a price printed on it in a legible form is. At this moment, however, the handling of the labels is often perceived as a disturbance by the salesperson because it Must be put on a skewer or the like in order to be properly collected with other labels and then to the To be sent to headquarters. Thus, the labels can add extra work at busy times when the salesperson correctly believes that the most important thing is the customer to use as soon as possible.

There are several additional devices for the Kimball system known. In one case, an ordinary cash register was provided with a collector for labels, where every sale was made The corresponding label is inserted into an item and with special punched codes for the sales person., the paid items Price, etc., is provided. However, the labels are not read and are not used to automatically enter prices into a Cash register used.

Various kimball-like label readers are also known. An example of this is the so-called high-speed Kimball reader, in which a stack of labels is inserted and the labels one by one in front of a series of Photodetectors are brought, which receive light through code holes, where these are punched in the labels. To the labels feed, they are provided with two round feed holes into which the radial pins of a needle disk and the labels enter bring along a path around a peripheral portion of the rotating needle disk. Although this machine is very is fast, it is only suitable for batch operation.

The invention creates a further development of the known Kimba] 1-

Label principle as described above for an improved registration system. The disturbance is further caused by the label collecting eliminated especially during busy times in a crowded store. Next, as much as possible of the work of pricing is added eliminated on a keypad when selling tagged items.

further
The invention provides a system in which punched-code-marked labels can be used compatibly with printed code-marked labels and also to only use printed codes which can be created on site using simple printers instead of being supplied from a central office. A machine of the same type is also provided which can read labels of other types, for example the code type called UPC in the USA and EAN in Europe, which is a bar code. According to a particular feature of the invention, changes in the price can easily be made in a shop where the goods are marked with labels, for example when there is a sale or advertising event.

From the point of view of the salesperson, the one according to the invention works Label reader in the following way. When an item is to be sold to the customer, its label will be or a detachable piece of it removed and inserted into a slot in the reader. Although usually a visible one The sales person needs the price display on the label

to
they don't / read. When the label is inserted, the reader reads a price code from the label and a price signal is transmitted to the cash register and registered. When multiple items are to be sold to the same customer, their tags are fed in one at a time, and when all tags for a particular sale have been introduced, the salesperson pushes a grand total and the cash register calculates the total in the normal way and provides a payment slip.

Sometimes a label can be illegible or incorrect, and the reader then delivers that label to a special output collector, emitting a signal that is an audible Signal or a visible signal or both. The salesperson can then try the same label all over again to introduce. (A label inserted upside down is immediately pushed back). If it doesn't then is read, the salesperson can see the printed information read on the label and manually enter the price in the cash register using your normal keyboard. This can also be done for Items may be necessary where the price has been reduced so that the price in the label code is no longer valid. Such Labels that have received special treatment are usually stored separately, whereas the normally read ones Labels are collected in the reader.

From the standpoint of business management, the invention has following advantages. The reader can send the information on the labels to a data register at the moment of sale, online or through an appropriate medium. It is possible, for example, to use an ordinary magnetic tape cassette for registration the data on the labels. This medium can then in a suitable manner all the other data and not only register the price, so that the warehouse can be continuously monitored and the turnover quickly, e.g. with regard to Break down the product, clothing sizes, etc. A distributed System is obtained in this way instead of those centralized systems that were previously used for the same purpose have been.

In the presently preferred embodiment, the label reader is able to produce normal labels of the so-called Kimball type and alternatively labels where the code is not a punched code, but a printed code, which may be similar to the kimball-type code, is to be read. To get a compatible system

the alternate labels should hold pilot holes which are the same as those of the old type of labels and which are used for feeding purposes. The hole codes and the printed codes can then be read in a similar way, and if the new type of label with a special Signal marking is provided, it is possible to have such a marking control the type of reading so that the salesperson does not have to worry about the reader's attitude, but code labels of both types in each Order at will. According to a special feature, the label reader can both punch and Read ink marks using the same equipment without any distinction.

Normal labels of the known type are usually made on special machines which are quite expensive, so that it is necessary to establish centralized manufacturing. Using the system according to the invention alternative labels that are printed, it is possible to use very simple printing machines and e.g. printing through prefabricated guide holes in blank labels to let steer.

The objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by a new type of label reader that works with a cash register, achieved. Although currently the label reader is provided as a separate unit associated with a cash register the modern electronic type is to be coupled, the electr. Such a label reader can accept ical codes as an alternative to codes entered on their keyboard into a cash register or other machine with a similar one Function to be built in. It is therefore not intended to apply the invention to the case of a separate label reader although this is the currently preferred embodiment.

- 11 -

According to the invention there is thus a label reader with an entry slot for the manual insertion of labels in each case one at a time, a probe for sensing the presence of a hand-inserted label, a device for performing an optical reading on machine-readable codes on an inserted and felt Label, parity check logics for error reading on the Label, means for redirecting a label where a parity error is sensed, means for ejecting a deflected label, means for recording read code information on one of error readings free label, means for transmitting the recorded code to a cash register for entry a prize therein and a means for collecting recorded labels.

According to another feature of the invention is means for manually inserting a label into a first one Path that ends at protrusions on a needle disc with two needles arranged behind the protrusions, to manual Pressing a label against the protrusions thereby activating a switch to start the rotation of the needle disc with its two needles arranged to engage two holes in the label around it along a second curved path to bring an optical reader adjacent the curved path to the Sensing code marks thereon, a rejection device for sending out a rejection signal if one signal from the optical reader is faulty, one by the reject signal for ejecting a faulty label activated Ural steering device and a Collection device created for collecting correctly read labels.

According to a preferred embodiment, the label is

- 12 -

Readers provided with devices that allow a double reading operation, so that he an ordinary pinhole code label or one with ink marks instead of code holes can read the label provided. Both types of labels must have the same feed holes, because they are mechanically treated in the same way. However, the optical reading must be made differently, although it is intended to use the same code positions. It is possible to optically use the same set Use probes in both cases, e.g., by sensing the decreased light transmission at one with a point from printed ink, whereas a hole allows more light to pass through the label is felt. It is also possible to arrange two sets of sensors, one light transmitted to be sensed from one lamp on the opposite side of the label path, the other from light reflected to the touch

a lamp on the same side of the label path. Normal replacement

The first sensor then senses light impulses, whereas the second set of "black" impulses against the reflectivity of pure paper feels.

It is necessary to feel what kind of label is being read. It is possible to do this by feeling the nonexistence of a hole code through one set of sensors and the other set of sensors in the absence of such a set to activate, and it is then advantageous to mount the other set of sensors downstream of the hole-sensing set of sensors. However, it is also possible to have a punching or an ink marking at a predetermined location on the Label to indicate that a label is of one of the types, and a special sensor in the reader for signaling their existence to select the appropriate reading mode, to arrange.

It is also possible to use a reader for reading just printed

- 13 -

To arrange codes in labels, and thus by completely abolishing them the use of code holes to modify the system, and only those holes in labels that serve the purpose serve to locate and feed. Codes Labels can then be printed in a printing device, using the edges of the labels as indicia Make sure that code marks fall on the right spots and not off, so that the Legibility is ensured.

The invention can also be seen from the point of view that a system for invoicing and sales registration at a point of sale be established, the comprises an electronic type of cash register suitable for receiving electrical price code signals, and wherein a Label reader is added so that labels are read and their price information is automatically assigned to the cash register.

can,
instead of price information that is entered manually using the cash register keypad. The labels are taken from the goods sold and one at a time is fed in by hand; this process serves the same purpose as the salesperson keying in the price on the keyboard as previously done. It is possible to read other information as well from the labels for entry into an internal memory, external memory, computer or the like, all the information on the labels being used for treatment for all types of accounting purposes.

A cash register is understood to mean a device as it is used for adding up sales amounts and from From the standpoint of the invention, it is unimportant whether it is provided with a counter or not, whether it is a unit for registering sales in a credit card system is or whether the sales registration is in any-

- 14 -

- 1.4 -

reasonable
a / way is done. The utility of the invention would not be impaired by its use with such cash registers, and the use of the term cash register is not intended to imply that the invention is limited to cases where cash actually changes hands.

The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, expressly referred to because of their great clarity and clarity with regard to the disclosure will be described in more detail.

a label reader according to the invention, which with coupled to a cash register; a simplified, exploded view of a Label reader;

a schematic diagram showing the electrical functions of the label reader of FIG explained;

an exemplary logic circuit for handling signals from the circuits of FIG. 2; a circuit for adjusting the lighting of a label depending on its type; Waveforms encountered in label reading operations;

a circuit for sensing a phototransistor; a schematic diagram showing a feeling adjustment shows for hole and edge sensing on a label;

the hole and edge feel related to a needle disc;

a logic scheme through a motor control circuit; *. and
Fig. 11 Waveforms of the circuit of Fig. 10.

It zexgen: Fig . 1 Fig . 2 ■ · ■ '■ Fig . 3 Fig . 4th Fig . 5 Fig . 6th Fig . 7th Fig . 8th Fig, . 9 Fig, . 10

In Pig, t is a label reader 1 that works with a cash register 2 electronic type (in this case a CASIO, model £ ~ 26ER) is shown * A Kimball type label 3 is inserted by hand into an entrance slot 4 and gently pushed in with the edge. Then the reader starts, and the label 3 disappears into the reader 1. As can be seen is, the reader 1 is coupled to the cash register, and when the label 3 is successfully read, the register enters a price in its memory, displays it in the Window 9 and prints it on a sales section 7. When reading a number of labels corresponding to a purchase the clerk presses a total button on the keyboard 6 and the total is calculated in window 9 shown and printed on section 7. The read labels 3 are collected in a container in the reader, the can have the shape of a drawer 8. If there is a faulty label, it is instead ejected from output 5, so that the seller can enter the unread price (printed on the label) by means of the keyboard 6.

FIG _o 2 shows an exploded view of a label reader. It can be seen that under the label entrance 4, which works as a slot, a type of drum or needle disk 10 is present. Guides 12 and 13 are attached adjacent the periphery of the disc 10, the gap forming an extension of the path formed by the label entrance 4. An inserted label is brought against protrusions 16 on the drum and means to be described below electronically indicate that a label has been inserted. This activates a motor 11 which begins to rotate in the direction indicated. A pair of projections or needles 17 then engage corresponding holes in the label and move it forward. A lamp LS inside the drum emits light through an opening in the drum, and this light is transmitted through the label by means of a set

- 16 -

of light sensors 18, which are in a logic circuit for Feeling of codes on the label placed in front of the sensors are included, felt.

The sensors have optical fibers 19 with the light-sensitive Elements 20, preferably phototransistors, are coupled. Although that's not shown, should be for one Kimball label ten such probes, aligned to Feel ten different positions for holes or, according to a particular embodiment, printed markings, that can also be felt.

There is a feature in the logical system to be described that determines whether information read is acceptable. An accepted label follows a first path down into the drawer 8 ^f . There is also a fork device 14 that can be actuated to send a misread label to another path 5 ending in exit 5. This forking device or switch can be activated by a motor or a relay 15 which moves the plate or guide 14. The motor or relay 15 is electrically controlled by means of logic to be explained.

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration that is in more detail shows how to read a label. For the sake of simplicity, the curved path has been replaced by a straight path.

A label of one of the types provided is with holes like shown provided. There are feed holes 21, 22 and 23, of which the holes 21 and 22 are as in connection with FIG explained.

Further, there are 10 × 12 hole positions that are used as a code pattern act, with 12 cells - corresponding to 2x5 positions available are which ten positions at a time by the line

18 of the aforementioned sensors can be read. It should be noted that the same positions may be provided with ink dots instead of holes, and that the reader have such Can read codes alternatively. (It should be emphasized that although this is a very conventional type of an encoded Label as an example, the invention is not limited to a particular card, but with each one Kind of card-like markers can be used, which are provided with code markings in rows and columns are.)

First of all, the starting procedure should be explained. If a label is inserted, its edge interrupts the light path between a light source and a phototransistor, which Pair is indicated schematically as 24. Further, there is a set of at least two photosensors 25 and 26 at the feed hole 21, which sense light through the hole 21 at the start position for the label. A circuit 27 decides when the ^ probe 24 senses a label and probe 25 and 26 feel light through hole 21 at the same time. The design features of the circuit 27 need not be described as they are easily accessible to those skilled in the art of electronics. When this combination is felt, will the motor 11 is put into operation as in FIG. It is noted that this results in a monitoring or control, so that when the opposite edge of the label 3 presented no hole 21 is found and the device will not start .. (If the label is upside down is offered, there will be no hole in the position of hole 21 and no start will take place).

Feeling the hole 21 along with feeling the edge through the sensor 24 is thus an important feature of the invention. According to a preferred embodiment, the Motor 11 (Fig. 2) for starting in the opposite direction

- 18 -

if the hole 21 has not been felt, and thus rejects the label by placing it against the fingers of the Person inserting it pushes.

In a preferred embodiment ¹ this sensing of the hole 21 and the edge of the label is carried out in a somewhat more complicated manner where two optical hole sensors H1 and H2 take the place of the sensor 24 "in FIG. 3 which are arranged in a row around one after the other to feel the hole, with two edge sensors K1 and K2 also in a row, This is shown schematically in Fig. 8. In this embodiment the drum is also provided with a hole P on one side, and in the "home" position This hole P comes in front of an optical sensor S, as shown in Fig. 9. In an adjacent position SB there is another optical sensor which senses when the drum 10 has moved backwards by a certain amount.

Optical sensors H1, H2, K1, K2, S and SB are part of a motor drive system as shown in Figure 9 for driving motor 11. As anyone skilled in the art of electronics can understand the functions of this circuit with less than a complete description of the entire gates , it is sufficient to explain that the gates labeled A are OR gates (e.g. 4075), the gates labeled B are NOR gates (e.g. 4001) and the gates labeled C are AND gates (e.g. 4073). V1-V5 are "one-bit memories", of which V1 is a hole memory, V2 is "label OK memory", V3, "forward" and V4 is "backward". OK _p and 0K _ß are optocouplers to command the motor 11 to rotate forwards and backwards, respectively.

The operation of this system will now be described, step by step, with particular reference to Figures 9 and 11, which latter Fig. 10 shows a waveform diagram in the circuit of Fig. 10.

1. Sin Etifcött Wifel ü] fi ^; äe1i ^: slot inserted, /

Wenfe.fä 4I

2. Edge feeler K1 £ Ült dl§

Edge uhd goes uhle'drlf. bas same The zeroing of the i
V1, V2 and V4 wltd

- 20 -

Hole measuring sensors H1 and H2 go low, first H1._ ^: This sets V1, the hole memory.
Edge sensor K2 goes low and V2, "label OK", is set due to V1 being set. If S ,, «■ _ " start ", is or becomes high and PF gives an enable signal from the central logic by being low, V3 is set.

The label is conveyed by the motor 11. nothing

K2 goes low and V4 for reverse motion is set as V1 is not set.

, ■ a-t: K

6. When the trailing edge of the label leaves K1, V1, V2 and V4 brought back to zero.

7. When hole P is repositioned to make S high, the feed is complete and V3 is zeroed. The label is brought back until the hole P is in position P ¹ (Fig. 8) and causes SB to go high. This sets V4 to zero, which sets V5, the reverse memory. The label is removed manually, which causes K1 to go high. Since V5 is high, V3 is set and drum 10 rotates forward until S goes high again and V3 is set to zero. When V3 was set, V5 was set to zero.

- 21 -

The reason for using probe K2 is to ensure that the The label is brought down far enough to ensure that it is securely engaged by the pins 17 in the holes 21,22 will.

It can be noted that in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the projections 16 of the drum 10 are replaced by a step 16 ' are, and a pin 80 for the hole 23 (Fig. 3) of the label 3 is provided.

Referring to Fig. 11, there are shown some waveforms illustrative of the circuit of Fig. 10. H1 and H2 are the signals from two hole detectors arranged as shown schematically in FIG. 9, whereas K1 and K2 are edge sensing signals, as can be seen from FIGS. 8 and 9. When a tag is inserted, H1 goes high first because the tag blocks the light and then H2 goes high for the same reason. Then H1 feels the hole and goes low again, after which H2 feels the hole. D is a delayed form of H2, by means of an RC circuit, which is sent into the D input of the V1 "hole memory". The ¹¹ clock "input of this circuit receives the signal labeled C1 in Figure 11. It will be noted that circuits V2-V5 have their D inputs positive and / are set by their clock input going high.

As shown in Fig. 10, the drive circuit for the motor 11 by means of an optocoupler O]
(Backward movement) activated.

Motor 11 via optocoupler OK_ (forward movement) and OK

The sensors FT1-FT10 are coupled to a logic circuit 28, has the features which are also described with reference to FIG. 6.

The logic circuit 28 has an output 29 which signals that all photosensors 18 are receiving light. This is normal

- 22 -

wise the case, e.g. if no label has reached the reading position. When the engine 11 (Fig. 2) starts, the reaches Edge of the label 3 the row of sensors 18, and they change all too "dark". The "all lights" signal on output 29 goes low and the logic process begins. the The reading phase ends when the label has passed the sensors 18 is and "all light" on output 29 goes high.

At the output 30 of the logic circuit 28 a signal "all dark" is felt, which goes high when the whole Sensor 28 feel low light intensity. If a code hole comes in front of one of the sensors, this signal opens low.

Let it be explained here that the kimball-like code is so constructed that a group of five hole positions has a digit position and that all numbers from 0-9 correspond to a pair of holes ((2) = 10). In this way, every correct digit position shows exactly two holes. At position 1, the "all dark" signal therefore goes down, as can be seen in FIG. 6. Then everything will be dark up Position 2 is reached, etc.

Each of the ten signals from the sensors 18 are connected to one input of the logic circuit 28, and there are ten Outputs on the logic circuit labeled D1-D10. (This makes the logic circuit 28 also work as one Interface to subsequent circuits, which are C-MOS.) Those outputs are individually on high, if a corresponding one Hole code is available. They are all connected to parallel inputs on a shift register S / R FF.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, SR-FF ("set-reset flip-flop") ten parallel inputs, ten parallel outputs

- 23 -

and a clear or reset input R. A pulse for resetting of input R resets the entire flip-flops. When either signal D1-D10 is high, its corresponding one switches Flip-flop around, making its corresponding output permanently high until the circuit through the input R is reset. In the preferred embodiment, this SR-FF circuit is a C-MOS circuit known as 4043 (Available from various manufacturers /. It is noted that this particular "latch circuit" does not have a Uses clock input, which is an advantageous feature because the positions on a label can be poorly defined, so that clocked hold would be difficult to timely adequately, in view of insufficient accuracy of the Place and various errors occurring in labels.

The signal outputs D1-D10 of S / R FF are clocked in the inputs shown in FIG. 4 by means of "all dark" pulses. if the first "all dark" comes, which means that the edge of a label 3 has been inserted and all of the feelers 18 blocked, the first scanning of the circuit in FIG. 3 transmits all outputs D1-D10 as active, since the sensors were previously all were lit.

The "all dark" signal is sent to a circuit PF, which creates a reset signal with a slight delay, which then resets all the flip-flops in S / R FF. they begin thus under "dark" conditions. As soon as one or more of the inputs D1-D10 go high, indicating the hole codes, goes the "all dark" signal on the head, 30 low. We are then at pos. 1 in Fig. 6. There is a corresponding flip-flop a high output in S / R FF. At the end of item 1 in Fig. β the signal “all dark” goes high again because there are no holes in front of the sensors 18. The same "all dark" signal clocks the prevailing contents of S / R FF to the circuit of Fig. 4, and circuit PF sets the flip-flops

- 24 -

R back again. This is continued line by line until the label ends and the signal "all lights" goes high, since the opposite edge of the label 3 has passed the sensors 18.

As has been explained, S / R PF in FIG. 3 becomes a Sequence of parallel output signals consisting of the first ten, parallel, and then of twelve successive ones Code sets exist, supplied. These are routed into bus switches AI and All (Fig. 4), five into each, and into switch registers 31 and 32 switched to a parallel bus input, and clocked in by the "all dark" signal. All in all there are 12 χ 10 positions in the switching registers, and when all twelve bits are entered into each individual input the first bit entered has disappeared. In case of erroneous reading such that less when twelve parallel codes have been entered, the first input signal still remains in the shift registers 31 and 32, and the usefulness of this for error detection is discussed below.

When the "all lights" signal goes high again, a data handling phase begins under the control of the logic circuit 33. The switches AI and All are set so that Outputs from registers 31 are routed in a closed path through buses 34 and 35. The shift registers 31 and 32 are clocked by clock signals from the logic circuit 33, and the successive output signals are fed to an error detector 36. This error detector for each parallel half accordingly D1-5 or D6-10 is controlled for the existence in each of exactly two active outputs and three inactive outputs. If there are more or less, an error signal is generated and the reading is rejected. If not a mistake is found, a new set of twelve clock pulses is found

- 25 -

- 25 sent out, this time for elite purposes.

The codes are thereby passed to a decade encoder which converts the Kimball codes into a suitable form for a A clerk, a cash register, a computer and / or any cash register medium.

It is noted again that if fewer than twelve lines of Kimball codes have been read, the first bits read which are all active, remain in the shift register and are detected as a faulty code in the error detector 36 »

It is noted that it is preferred to have the motor 11 operate in a step-wise manner, for example by using a stepping motor, and to stop the motor 11 in a position where a label has been read, but between the calf disc 10 and the guides 12 and 13 remains. It is then possible to hold a label that has been passed through until the data has been processed and no error has been found. "Only then is the motor 11 allowed to start again in order to transfer the label into the container or box 8 ¹ to drop. In the event that the error detector 36 is activated, the motor 15 is activated to pivot the switch 14, so that the faulty label goes to the output 5 to make a further attempt at reading or for manual handling

4 shows connections of the logic circuit 33 which are used for control signals. In the exemplary embodiment, As shown in Fig. 1, the cash register picks up prices digit by digit like an ordinary adding machine. If all Digits of a price have been fed in, the logic circuit 33 sends a sum signal to the cash register, which then automatically performs the operations described above. Other types of data collectors use other types of tax

- 26 -

Signals, e.g., sampling or clock signals, and there may be an acknowledgment signal indicating that a new digit can be entered. The various modifications necessary for such a use are known.

According to a preferred embodiment, the the same code readers can also be used for printed codes instead of punched codes. This can be achieved by that one has a phototransistor sensor feel light through the card at a line position where no holes or printed Characters are present. This sensor is connected that it controls the light source LS so that they adjusts to about half of the maximum light output when the sensor senses the light attenuated through the label will. This may be, for example, the probe 25 or 26 of FIG. 3, and a circuit therefor is shown in FIG. if a hole passes one of the phototransistors FT 1-10, or there is no label, the sensors go low, and when a printed dot is found in a "hole position" the corresponding phototransistor goes high. The output signals are sensed by window discriminators in the logic circuit 28, the passive data level by one Output average level, but active data levels for Output either high or low phototransistor voltage on probes F1-F10. In this way it is with a and the same electronics possible to sense hole codes and "black dot" codes. ;

As explained with reference to FIG. 5, the light intensity from the lamp LS is regulated by a feedback loop. In the preferred embodiment for sensing points or holes, there is a particular one for each of the channels D1-D10 Circuit. An example circuit is shown in FIG. 7, which is attached for channel D1. If you are in

is driven, the lamp LS is controlled so that if there is a label area free of holes or dots in front of the phototransistor FT1 (78), its output signal is approximately half the available voltage, ie approximately V ₊ / 2. * In This circuit 70 has two comparator circuits 72 and 73, the positive inputs of which are biased by means of a resistor chain 74-76 in such a way that they _{receive approximately 2 ¥ ^ / 3 and V +} / 3, respectively. If the open-circuit voltage now prevails at approximately V ^ / 2 as the input signal V ", the comparator 72 outputs a high output signal and the comparator 73 outputs a low output signal. These output signals V

el

and V _b are passed to an EXCLUSIVE-NOR (NOT-XOR) gate 71 and the result is a low output signal D1 "When the signal V" _{goes below V +} / 3 or higher than 2V ₊ / 3 "by having a printed Indicates a point or a hole , the gate 71 supplies a high output signal D1 in both cases. The signals D1-D10 are then treated as explained for the case with only holes.

In this embodiment, which is preferred at the moment? it is possible to make arrangements for reducing prices in an extremely simple manner. Such reducing xf is usually done for a variety of reasons, such as when an article is not. more is available in all sizes or when there is a seasonal sale. Sometimes a product can get damaged or dirty and cannot be sold at the originally intended price. The sticker has a border or border that is as wide as two holes for ZoBo. A discriminator 53 is activated by a reading sensor 52, which functions in the same way as the sensors 18, and outputs a signal _? if he finds such a border «This signal is used as a reject signal, and

^Ä The signal from 78 is fed to a window discriminator »

the label is rejected if the unchanged price was entered on the keyboard before the label was introduced.

Sometimes price labels are used that have a price of 00.00 in the price code. The idea is that To be provided for the price at a later date, but to keep the other information available for registration. In this way, the price is only marked in an eye-readable form. In such a case it is necessary to have a zero price finding effect to introduce. This is done through Versehex: the control logic with a monitoring function that is set to zero is switched off when reading is started and it is switched on as soon as a number from 1-9 is read remains done if only zeros are read. In this way, when the price is read as zero, will the label will be rejected unless a price is entered manually on the keypad.

The now described in a preferred embodiment electronic circuits build on a logical unit 33, which is the "Motorola Industrial Control Unit MC 14500B ". Since so many details are described there the "Motorola Handbook" for this 1-bit computer, printed 1977, hereby incorporated into the present description by reference. The read-only memory (ROM) for the The program used should be programmed according to the use described, a task within the Opportunities of an average electronics enthusiast like the Selection of the other hardware shown and described is.

END OF DESCRIPTION

Claims (9)

PATENT LAWYERS DR. KADOR & DR. KLUNKER K 13 861 Stefan Persson Label reader Claims ) Label reader for reading labels of the so-called. Kimball type, characterized in that it has an entry slot (4) for inserting labels by hand, one after the other, a code reader for reading a price code of a label (3) and creating a price signal on egg ^f nem output terminal for steering the rate signal into a ν cash register (2) to register therein a sale, upstream "is seen, and means (8, 8 ¹⁾ is provided for collecting the read labels is. 2. Label reader according to claim 1, characterized in that a device (36) for sensing an incorrect code reading and for providing an error signal, means (33) for sensing the error signal and for ejecting a label (3) corresponding to the erroneous code reading and a rejection device (5) for making an ejected label available intended for manual treatment. 3. Label reader for reading labels with a number of numeric codes including a price code with redundancy are provided and with at least two feed holes (22, 23) ^ are provided, characterized in that the reader has outputs for connection to a cash register for \ Infeed of coded in the labels and to the sold ones - 2 - Goods belonging to prices there, with the label reader (1) a housing and a label entrance in the housing (4) for inserting labels by hand, a memory (8, 8 ') for labels that have been read and accepted, and an exit (5) for unaccepted labels, a drum (10) rotatable about a shaft with first and second projections (16, 17) provided jacket, guides (12, 13), which start a label web at the label entry slot (4) and the drum accompanying the circumference around at least part of its jacket in a curved area of the path, form an electrical controlled fork switch (14), which the track in divides individually selectable paths, with a first of the paths leading into the memory (8, 8V) for read and accepted labels, and a second of the paths opens into the exit (5) for unaccepted labels, a light source and a light sensor (24/25, 26) placed on different sides of the web for sensing decreased light intensity, when a label (3) is fed through the label entrance (4) and for alignment with an edge against the first projection (16) is placed on the drum, a motor (11) for driving the drum (10) to rotate when the sensor is activated is, wherein the second projection (17) to protrude in the at least two holes (22, 23) of the label are arranged to drive it along the track, a logic circuit (36, 33) for sensing the code signals, for checking the validity of code signals by means of a redundancy check and for transmission an error signal if the redundancy check fails, an electrical connection device for connecting the error signal to activate the electrically controlled fork switch (14) to place a label in the second path divert, and a signaling device to an operator to signal a failed reading of a label. 4. Optical label reader for hole-coded labels with a Line of a plurality of optical detectors (18) which labels for reading consecutively lines of hole codes are brought, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that means for reading another type of label with codes printed on the surface, which punch codes replace, are provided, and a sensor for sensing a code on a label to signal whether a label is a is the former hole code label or a label with codes printed on the surface, and for activating the device for reading the other type of labels, are provided. 5. Label readers for reading kimball-like labels, in particular according to one of the preceding claims ^ with a Needle or pin washer (10), which in a predetermined direction with
device is rotatable, two pins (17) for gripping labels ura
ten (3) and / to bring them along a path in front of a line of photosensitive elements (18), which correspond to a line of hole locations in the labels, for successive reading of hole codes which are brought past in the predetermined direction, characterized in, that the pin washer (10) is provided with a protrusion (16) on the pin washer which is arranged in front of the two pins relative to the predetermined direction, and guides (12, 13) for guiding a hand-fed label against the protrusions, a sensor (24/25, 26) for sensing an inserted label and activation means (27) coupled to the sensor for starting the reading process and means for stopping the reading process after a label has been read in a position where a projection in position in front of the guides (12, 13) for manual insertion of a new label are provided. 6. Optical label reader, in particular according to one of the preceding Claims / for hole-coded labels (3), with a number of a plurality of optical detectors (18) -A- the labels must be brought to sequential Reading rows of pinhole codes with each optical detector at a single one of a plurality of predetermined row positions is directed, an input (4) for inserting a label and a guide (12, 13/16) for aligning an inserted Labels, and a motor-operated (11) rotating device (10) with a circular circumference, which is provided with label grippers (17) is provided for conveying an inserted label, characterized in that a measuring sensor (24/25, 26) for sensing an inserted label (3), a device (11) for rotating the rotating device (10) by a predetermined one Angle, when an inserted label is felt, for gripping (17) an inserted label and for driving it, so that it follows the circular circumference when it is rotated through the predetermined angle are provided. 7. System for account assignment and registration of purchases at a point of sale, with a cash register that is connected to a sales slip printing device, a summing device, a keyboard "(6) for entering prices of items sold and a device for collecting information-bearing items Labels that have been detached from sold items are provided, characterized in that one with the Cash register (2) coupled and provided with a device for the manual insertion of labels (1), a device for reading label-carried price information codes and for feeding the codes into the totalizing device of the cash register, instead of fed in via the keyboard Information, and a device for ejecting defective labels in an output collector (5), for manual Entering a price read thereon by means of the keyboard device are provided. 8.System for accounting and registering sales at a point of sale, in particular according to one of the preceding the claims, with a cash register that comes with a facility for printing receipts (7), a totalizing device, a keyboard (6) for manually entering prices items sold and a device for collecting information-bearing labels from items sold have been solved, is provided, characterized in that a label reader (1) for reading price information from labels and for providing encoded electrical signals to be fed to the totalizing means of the cash register of price information entered manually using the keyboard is provided, the label reader having a plurality of light sensors (18) arranged in a row, a light source (LS) for illuminating a label in a position near the line of light sensors, an electrical one Discrimination circuit for handling signals from a light sensor and for sending out a discriminated one Code signal when a probe signal is outside an average idle interval is, and a device for processing the discriminated code signals for the transmission of Has price data signals to the cash register. 9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that a further light sensor is arranged outside of the row and is provided with an electrical discrimination circuit for emitting a discriminated code signal when a signal from the light sensor outside of a quiescent average interval is, and / means for sensing the discriminated code signal and for sending out one operator perceivable signal to indicate the presence of a particular mark on a Has label.