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 Title: |
US4128757:
Customer initiated ordering system
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Garner, Jr., Dudley E.; Palm Bay, FL 32905
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1978-12-05
/ 1977-05-05
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| Application Number: |
US1977000794009
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
G06K 7/14;
G06K 17/00;
G06K 19/02;
G07F 7/00;
G07F 7/02;
IPC-7:
G06F 7/38;
G06K 7/10;
G06K 15/18;
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| ECLA Code: |
G07F17/00C; G06K7/14; G06K17/00; G06K19/02; G06Q20/342; G07F7/02E; S06K17/00W20;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
235/383;
235/460;
377/013;
Original:
235/383;
235/092.R;
235/460;
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| Field of Search: |
235/61.6 E,61.7 B,61.7 R,61.9 R,61.9 A,61.11 E,92 R,61.12 R,61.12 N
340/146.3 SY
035/48 B
250/568,569,570
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| Priority Number: |
| 1977-05-05 |
US1977000794009 |
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| Abstract: |
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for registering and filling customer orders for merchandise at fast food restaurants or other retail stores. The system includes an opaque card of predetermined size which includes therein a data matrix of punch-out blanks for being removed by the customer from the card to form data apertures therein which represent the items and quantities ordered. The order card is then removably inserted into a frame such that the data matrix is in stationary registration with a matrix of photosensitive detectors, each located adjacent to a corresponding one of the punch-out blanks of the card for generating a data signal responsive to being illuminated by light passing through the data aperture from a source of light. A data processor is provided for sequentially receiving the data signals and responsive thereto generating order signals representative of the items and quantities ordered. Selected ones of the order signals are displayed on visual displays adjacent to the food preparation area in which that item is prepared, whereby the items comprising the order may be collected from the various preparation areas to fill the customer's order.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Dixon, Richard D. ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Kilgore, Robert M.;
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 13 claims |
I claim:
1. A customer initiated system for ordering selected quantities of a plurality of customer selected items, said system comprising in combination:
- an opaque card of predetermined size including therein a two dimensional data matrix of punch-out blanks for being removed by the customer from the card to form data apertures therein representative of the items and quantities to be ordered, with said data matrix oriented in known registration with a reference edge of said card;
- a frame for removably receiving said card so as to be in stationary registration with said reference edge of said card;
- a source of light coupled to said frame for illuminating said data apertures of said card;
- a two dimensional matrix of photosensitive detectors coupled to and in known stationary registration with said frame and said card, with each of said photosensitive detectors being located adjacent to a corresponding one of said punch-out blanks of said card for generating a data signal responsive to being illuminated by light passing through said data aperture from said source of light;
- computer means electrically coupled to each of said photosensitive detectors for sequentially scanning said matrix and receiving said data signals therefrom and responsive thereto generating order signals representative of the items and quantities ordered; and
- a plurality of visual displays electrically coupled to, but each remotely spaced from, said computer means for visually displaying selected ones of said order signals, whereby individual items comprising the order may be separately assembled and collected from the remote preparation locations to fill the customer's order.
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| Background / Summary: |
Show background / summary
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
Show drawing descriptions
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| Description: |
Show description
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| Forward References: |
Show 26 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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