SE455545B - READING DEVICE FOR READING PRICE LABELS - Google Patents

Description

455 545 10 15 20 25 30 55 2 re for labels, where for each sale of an item the corresponding label is inserted and provided with extra hale codes for sellers, price actually paid, etc. However, the labels are not read and are not used for automatic entry of prices in a cash register.

Various types of readers for Kimball-type labels are also known. An example of this is the so-called High-Speed Kimball Reader where a bundle of labels is inserted and the labels are brought one by one in front of a row of photodetectors, which receive light through the code heel, where these are punched in the labels. To feed the labels, they are provided with two round feed holes, into which radial pins from a pin wheel enter and bring the labels into a path around a circumferential portion of the rotating pin. Although this machine is very fast, it is only suitable for batch processing.

Objects of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved registration system based on the well-known Kimball labeling principle described above. It is another purpose to eliminate the inconvenience of collecting labels especially during rush hours in a crowded store. Another purpose is to eliminate as far as possible the work that consists of pressing in the prices on a keyboard, when items, provided with labels, are sold. A further object is to provide a system where hollow code marked labels can be used compatible with printed, code marked labels and also to use only printed labels which can be produced locally by means of simple printing machines instead of being delivered from a central office. It is also an object to provide a machine of the same type, which can read labels of other kinds, e.g. the code type called UPC in the US and EAN in Europe, which is a barcode. In accordance with a special aspect of the invention, it is also an object to simplify price changes in a store, where the goods are marked with labels, e.g. in the case of realization or advertising sales.

Advantages of the invention From the seller's point of view, the label reader according to the invention functions in the following manner. When an item is to be sold to a customer, its label or a detachable part of it is removed and inserted into a slot in the reader. Although there is normally a visible price mark on the label, the seller does not need to read it. 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. If several goods are to be sold to the same customer, their labels are entered one after the other, and when all the labels in a certain purchase have been entered, the seller presses a button for the total amount, and the cash register calculates the sum in the normal way and delivers a receipt.

Sometimes a label may be illegible or incorrect and the reader will then deliver this label to a special output collector, giving a signal which may be an audible signal or a visible signal or both. The seller can then try to insert the same label again. (A label inserted upside down will be pushed back immediately.) If it is not read then, the seller can read the printed information on the label and enter the price in the cash register manually, using its normal keyboard. This may also be necessary for items where the price has been reduced so that the price in the label code is no longer valid. Such labels, \ stored separately, while the normally read labels are collected and given special treatment, will normally be inside the reader. ~ _...

From the point of view of business management, the invention entails the following advantages. The reader can deliver the information in the labels directly at the time of sale to a data register, either online or through a suitable medium. It is possible, for example, to arrange a standard magnetic tape cassette to record data from the labels. This medium can then suitably record all the other data and not only so that it is possible to keep control of the layer and with respect to product, price, quickly divide sales eg garment sizes, etc. A distributed system is thus obtained instead of the centralized systems previously used for the same purpose.

In the presently preferred embodiment, the label reader is capable of reading normal labels of so-called Kimball type and also alternatively labels, where the code is not a hole code but a printed code, obtain a compatible system should the alternative labels- which may be similar to the Kimball code. In order to have guide holes, which are the same as those found on the old type of labels, and which holes were used for feeding purposes. similar way, and if the new kind of labels is provided, it is possible to let a The hole codes and the printed codes can then be read on a special signal mark, such mark controls the reading method, so that the seller does not have to worry about switching the reader but can introduce code labels of both kinds in any order. In accordance with a special feature, the label reader can read both holes and ink markings using the same equipment and without distinction.

Normal labels of the prior art are usually manufactured on special machines, which are quite expensive, so it is necessary to arrange centralized manufacturing.

With the present system using alternative labels that are printed, it is possible to use very simple printing machines and, for example, let the printing be controlled by prefabricated guide holes in label forms. Summary of the Invention The objects and advantages of the invention are achieved through a new kind of label reader, which cooperates with a cash register. Although at present the label reader is intended as a separate unit to be connected to a cash register of the modern electronic type, which can accept electrical codes alternatively to codes entered on its keyboard, a label reader can also be built into a cash register or another machine with a similar function. It is therefore not intended to limit the invention to the case of a separate label reader, although this is the presently preferred embodiment.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, there is provided a label reader having an input slot for inserting labels one by one manually and one at a time, a sensor for sensing by hand label, performing an optical reading operation of machine readable codes by the presence of an inserted means. for on a label, which is introduced and sensed, parity-investigating logic, which takes care of misreadings on the label, means for disposing of a label when a parity error is detected, means for ejecting a misplaced label, means for recording read code information on a from misreads free label, means for transferring the registered code to a cash register for entering a price therein and means for collecting registered labels.

According to another aspect of the invention, means are provided for manually inserting a label into a first path which terminates against projections on a pin wheel having two pins arranged behind the projections for manually pushing a label towards the projections and thereby activating switch means for start the rotation of the pin wheel, the said two pins thereon being arranged to grip two holes in the label to bring it along a second, curved üï fi, optical reading means next to the curved path for sensing code markings thereon, ejector means for emitting a reject signal when a signal from said optical reading means is incorrect, deflection means activated by the reject signal for ejecting a bad etiquette. and collecting means for collecting correctly read 455 545 '10 15 20 25 30 35 6 In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the label reader is provided with devices for reading in two ways, so that it can read an ordinary hole-coded label or a label. , provided with ink markings instead of code holes. Both similar feed holes, same way. However, the optical reading must be done on the types of labels must be provided with because they are mechanically processed in different ways, although it is intended to use the same code positions.

It is possible to use one and the same set of optical sensors in both cases, for example by sensing the reduced light transmission at a position provided with a dot of ink, while a hole is sensed by transmitting more light through the label. It is also possible to provide two sets of sensors, one for sensing transmitted light from a lamp on the opposite side of the label web, and the other for sensing reflected light from a lamp on the same side of the label web. Normally, therefore, the first set of sensors will sense pulses of light, while the second set will sense "black" pulses against the background of the reflectivity of clean paper.

It is necessary to detect the type of label being read, to detect the absence of a hollow code with a sensor set. It is possible to do this by activating and activating the second sensor set in the event of such absence, and it is then advantageous to mount the second sensor set downstream of the hole sensing set. However, it is also possible to arrange a clip or a color marking at a predetermined place on the label to indicate that a label is of one of a kind, and in the reader a special sensor to signal its presence in order to select the appropriate reading method.

It is also possible to arrange a reader to read only printed codes in labels, and thus modify the system by completely eliminating the use of hole codes, and keeping only those holes in the labels, which serves to locate and feed. Codes in the labels can then be printed in a printing machine, using the edges of the labels as markings to ensure that the code markings fall in the right places and not next to them, thus ensuring readability.

The invention can also be seen from the point of view that it provides a system for accounting and registration of purchases at a point of sale, comprising a cash register of electronic type. wherein a label reader is added, so that labels can be read which are capable of receiving electrical price code signals, and and their price information is automatically entered in the cash register in which the price information is entered manually instead, by means of the cash register keyboard. The labels are taken from sold goods and inserted manually one at a time, which serves the same purpose as if the seller introduces the price on the keyboard. It is possible to read other information from the labels for entry to as previously used. a memory, a register, a computer or the like, and exhaust all information on the processing labels for all types of accounting purposes.

Cash register means a machine, such as is used to add purchase sums, and from the point of view of the invention it is irrelevant whether it is provided with a cash register or not, whether it is a unit for registering purchases in a credit card system or whether the registration of purchases is made on any other way.

The usefulness of the invention would not be impaired by use with such registers, and the use of the term cash registers is not intended to limit the invention to such cases where cash actually changes owners.

Short figure description Pig. 1 shows a label reader according to the invention, connected to a cash register. Oh Pig. 2 shows a simplified exploded view of a label reader. 455 545 10 15 20 25 BO 35 8 Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing explaining the electrical functions of the label reader in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an example of a logic circuit for processing signals from the circuits in Fig. 2. ' Fig. 5 shows a circuit for adjusting the illumination on a label, depending on its type.

Fig. 6 shows waveforms that occur in label reading operations.

Fig. 7 shows a circuit for sensing a phototransistor.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing sensor positions for hole and edge sensing on a label.

Fig. 9 is a schematic figure showing hole and edge sensing related to a pin wheel. Fig. 10 shows a logic diagram of a motor control circuit.

Fig. 11 shows waveforms in the circuit of Fig. 10.

Description of a preferred embodiment In Fig. 2 of electronic type e-26ER). entrance crack 4 and is lightly pressed in by hand. l shows a label reader l connected to a cashier- (in this case a CASIO model A label 3 of Kimball type is inserted by hand into a The reader will then start, and the label 3 disappears into the reader- is the reader. 1 connected to cashier - clean 1. As can be seen, the register, and if the label 3 is read successfully, the cash register will enter a price in its memory, display it in the window 9 and print it on a receipt 7. When a number of labels have been read, corresponding to a purchase , the seller presses a total sum button on the keyboard 6, and the sum is calculated, displayed in the window 9 and printed on the cash receipt 7. which may be in the form of a drawer 8.

The read labels 1 are collected in a box inside. If it happens that the reader, if there is an incorrect label, is thrown out in the dispensing door 5, so that the seller can enter the unread price (printed on the label) by means of the keyboard 6.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of a label reader. It can be seen that under the label entrance 4, which functions as a slot, there is a kind of drum or pin wheel 10. Guides 12 and 13 are mounted adjacent the circumference of the wheel 10, the gap forming a extension of the path defined by the label vapor 4. A label inserted will be brought against the projections 16 on the drum, and means, to be described below, electronically indicate that a label has been inserted. This starts the motor ll, which starts to rotate in the direction shown. A pair of projections or pins 17 then engage in corresponding holes in the label and pull it with them. A lamp LS inside the drum emits light through an opening in the drum, and this light is sensed through the label by means of a set of light sensors 18, which are included in a logic circuit for sensing codes on the label, which are brought in front of the sensors.

The sensors comprise optical fibers 19, which are connected to light-sensitive elements 20, preferably phototransistors.

Although this is not shown, there should be ten such sensors for a Kimball label, so directed that they sense ten different positions for holes or, printed markings, which can also be sensed. in accordance with a particular embodiment, In the logical system to be described below, there is a function which determines whether read information is acceptable.

An accepted label will follow a first path down into the slide box 8 '. is activated to send one mislabeled label to another There is also a branch 14, which can path, which ends at the output 5. This branch or gear (to resort to a railway term) can be activated by a motor or a relay 15, which the flag or control 14. The motor or relay 14 is electrically controlled by logic to be explained. 3 shows a schematic drawing. For the sake of simplicity, it has in fig. From which it is shown in more detail how a label is read. curved path is replaced by a straight path. 4255 10 15 20 25 30 35 545 '10 A label of one of the intended types is provided with holes in the manner shown. There are feed holes 21, 22 and 23, of which the holes 21 and 22 were used as explained in connection with Fig. 2.

There are an additional 10 x 12 hole positions, which function as a code pattern, so that there are twelve lines corresponding to 2 x 5 positions, which ten positions are read simultaneously by the line 18 of sensors, as previously mentioned. It is noted that the same positions may be provided with ink dots instead of holes and that the reader may read such codes (It should be noted that, alternatively, although this exemplifies a fairly common type of coded label, the invention is not limited to a particular card type but can be used with any kind of card-like markings, provided with code markings in rows and columns).

To begin with, the start operation must be explained. When a label is inserted, its edge will refract the beam path between a light source and a phototransistor, which pair is schematically referred to as 24. Furthermore, a set of at least two photo sensors 25 and 26 is provided at the supply hole 21, through the hole 21 at a circuit 27. determines when the sensor 24 senses one which senses the light start position of the label. label, and the sensors 25 and 26 simultaneously sense light through the hole 21. are not described, as they are well within the range of the design characteristics of the circuit 27 need electronic specialist. When this combination is sensed, the motor 11 is started in Fig. 2. It is noted that this provides a check, so that if the opposite edge of a label 3 is inserted, no hole 21 will be found, and the apparatus will not start. (If the label is inserted upside down, there will be no hole at the position of the hole 21, nor will there be a start).

The sensing of the hole 211 together with the sensing of the edge by means of the sensor 24 thus constitutes an important phenomenon in the invention. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the engine 11 (Fig. 2) is caused to start in the opposite direction if the hole 21 is not detected, which causes the label to be ejected by pressing it against the fingers of the person facing it.

In a preferred embodiment, this sensing of the hole 21 and the edge of a label is done in a somewhat more complicated manner, with two optical hole sensors H1 and H2 replacing the sensor 24 in Fig. 3, and which are placed in a row to successively sense the hole. , and 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 in one direction with a heel P, this hole P falls in front of an optical sensor S, as shown in Fig. 9. At and at the "home position" an adjacent position SB there is another optical sensor, which senses when the drum 10 has moved backwards to a certain degree.

These optical sensors H1, H2, K1, K2, 5 and SB form part of a motor drive system shown in Fig. 10 for driving the motor II. Since any electronics professional can understand the operation of this circuit without a completely complete description of all the gates, it is sufficient to explain that the gates designated A are OR gates (eg 4075), the gates designated B are NELLER gates (eg 4001) and the gates designated C are AND gates (eg 4073). V1 - V5 are "one-bit memories", where V1 is hole memory, V2 "label OK memory", V3 "forward" and V4 "back". OKF and OKB are optocouplers which are arranged to command the motor ll to rotate forward resp. backwards.

The operation of this system will now be described step by step with particular reference to Figs. 9 and 11, which later figure shows a diagram of waveforms in the circuit of Fig. 10. 455 545 10 15 20 25 30 35 2. 2. 6. 12 A label is inserted into the gap.

If correct Edge sensor K1 senses the edge and becomes low. The zero sense of memories V1, V2 and VN is removed.

The hole sensors F1 and H2 become running, of which P1.first. This sets V1 first, the hole memory.

The edge sensor K2 becomes low, and V2, "label OK", is set, as V1 is set. If S, "at home", is or becomes high, and PF from the central loika gives a clear signal by being low, V3 is set.

The label is fed by the motor 11 When the trailing edge of the label leaves K1, V1, V2 and VU are again brought to zero.

If error Same result No K2 becomes low and VU for reverse movement is set, since V1 is not set.

The label is brought back until the hole P has been brought to the position P '(Fig. 8) and brinz ~ SB to go high. This zeros VU, which sets V5, the back memory.

The label is removed manually, which means that Kl goes high.

Since V5 is high, V3 is set, and the drum 10 is rotated forward until S goes high again, and V3 zeros. When V3 was set, V5 was reset. 10 15 20 25 30 455 545 13 7. When the hole P is again brought to such a position that S is high, the feed is completed, and V is zeroed.

The reason for the sensor K2 is that one wants to ensure that the label is brought down sufficiently borrowed to ensure that it can be gripped securely by the pins 17 in the holes 21, 22.

It can be noted that in the embodiment according to Fig. 9, the projections 16 in the drum 10 are replaced by a step 16 ', and a pin 80 is arranged for the hole 25 (Fig. 5) in the label 3.

Fig. 11 shows some waveforms explaining the circuit of Fig. 10. H1 and H2 are the signals from two hole detectors, positioned as schematically shown in Fig. 9, while K1 and K2 are edge sensing signals, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. When a label is inserted, H1 first goes high because the label blocks the light, and then H2 goes high for the same reason. Then H1 detects the hole and goes low again, after which H2 detects the hole. V is a delayed version of h2, by means of an RC circuit, and which is sent to the D input of the "hollow memory" V1. The "clock" input of this circuit receives the signal designated C1 in Fig. 11. - It is noted that the circuits V2 - V5 have their D inputs positive and are therefore set by their clock input going up.

As shown in fia. 10, the drive circuit for the motor> 11 is activated by means of optocouplers OKF (forward movement1se) and OKB (reverse movement). "4s5 545 10 15 20 25 30 35 14 The sensors FT1 - FT10 are connected to a logic 28, which has properties which will also be described with reference to Fig. 6.

The logic 28 has an output 29, which signals that all the photo sensors 18 receive light. This is normally the case e.g. when no label has reached read mode. When the motor 11 (Fig. 2) starts, the edge of the label 3 will reach the row of sensors 18, and they will all become "dark". The "all bright" signal at output 29 will be low, and the logic operation will start. The read phase ends when the label has passed the sensor 18 and "all light" on output 29 becomes high. "All dark", which goes high when all sensors 18 sense low light- At output 30 to logic 28 a signal intensity is sensed. in front of one of the sensors, this signal becomes low.

It can be explained here that the Kimball type code is so constructed that a group of five hole positions gives a number position and that all numbers 0 - 9 correspond to a pair of holes ((ä) = = 10). show exactly two holes._At position 1, the signal will thus The correct number position number will thus be "all dark" will be low, as shown in Fig. 6. Then they will all be dark until position 2 is reached, etc.

Each of the ten signals from the sensors 18 is connected to an input of the logic 28, and there are ten outputs designated D1 - D10. thereby also as an adaptation to the following circuits, on logic 28, (Logic 28 functions as is in C-MOS.) These outputs are each high when a corresponding hole code is present. They are all connected to parallel inputs on a shift register S / R FF.

As shown in Fig. 3, the SR-FF ("set-reset flip-flop") has ten parallel inputs, ten parallel outputs and a reset input R. A pulse for resetting the input R will reset all flip-flops If one of the signals D1 - D10 is high, its corresponding flip-flop will switch, and make its corresponding output permanently high, until the circuit is reset via input R. In the preferred embodiment, this circuit is SR -FF a C-MOS circuit known as 4043 (can be obtained from special "locking circuit" does not use any strobe input, which several manufacturers). It is noted that this is particularly suitable because the positions on a label may be poorly defined, so that a control with a control signal would be difficult to bring to the correct time setting due to poor precision in the location and various defects found in labels.

The signal outputs D1 - D10 from S / R FF are clocked into inputs, 4 by means of pulses "all dark". When it means that the edge shown in Fig. "All dark" of the first signal, to a label 3 has been inserted and shadows all the sensors 18, the first signal control of the circuit in Fig. 3 will transmit all the outputs D1 - D10 as active, because the sensors before that were all illuminated.

The "all dark" signal is passed to a circuit PF, which generates a reset signal with a small delay, which then resets all flip-flops in S / R FF. They thus start in "dark" states. As soon as one or more of the inputs D1 - D10 goes high, which indicates hole codes, the signal "all dark" on line 30 will be low. We are then at position 1 in Fig. 6. to give a high output signal in S / R FF.

A corresponding rocker will At the end of position 1 in Fig. 1, the signal "all dark" will again be high, since there are no holes in front of the sensors 18. The same signal "all dark" will clock in the present contents in S / R FF to the circuit in Fig. 4, and the circuit PF will again reset the flip-flops via R. This is done line by line, until the label ends and the signal "all bright" becomes high, the sensors 18. since the opposite edge of the label 3 455 545 10 15 20 25 30 35 16 As now explained, a sequence of parallel output signals is supplied from the S / R FF in Fig. 3, consisting of first ten identical parallel such and then twelve successive code sets. These are routed to bus switches. AI and All (Fig. 4), 32 on a parallel bus input, “all dark.” There are a total of 12 x 10 positions in shift five in each and are connected to shift registers 31 and clocked by the signal registers, and when all twelve the bits are inserted to each individual input, so come the first inserted piece to have disappeared. If there is an erroneous read, so that less than twelve parallel codes are entered, the first input signals will still remain in the shift registers 31 and 32, and the usefulness of this for error detection will be explained below.

When the "all bright" signal goes high again, a data processing phase starts under the control of logic 33. Switches AI and AII are set so that the output signals from registers 31 and 32 are passed in a circular path by buses 34 and 35. The shift registers 31 and 32 is clocked by clock signals from logic 33, and the successive outputs are routed to an error detector 36.

This error detector performs for each parallel half the corresponding D1-5 resp. D6-10 a check of the existence in each of exactly two active output signals and three inactive output signals. If there are more or fewer, an error signal is generated and the reading is rejected. If there is no error, a new set of twelve clock pulses was sent out, this time for readout purposes.

The codes are then passed to a decade counter, which transmits the Kimball codes to a suitable form for a printer, a cash register, a computer and / or a registration medium.

It is again noted that if less than twelve lines of Kimball codes are read, then the first bits read, all active, will remain in the shift register and will be detected as an incorrect code in the error detector 36. 10 15 20 25 It is noted that it is preferred to allow the motor II in Fig. 2 to operate stepwise, e.g. by using a stepper motor, and to stop the motor II in a position where a label has been read but remains between the pin wheel 10 and the guides 12 and 13. It is then possible to keep a passed label until the data has been processed and no error has been found. Not until then will the engine 11 be allowed to start again to allow the label to fall into the box 8 '. In the event that the error detector 36 is activated, the motor 15 is activated to pivot the gear 14, so that the incorrectly read label goes to the output 5, to make a new attempt to read it or for manual handling.

In Figs. Which are used for control signals. 4, connections are shown on the logic 33. In the embodiment shown in FIG., The cash register will take in the prices figure by figure, 1 as an ordinary addition machine. When all the digits in a price have been entered, the logic 33 sends a sum signal to the cash register, which then automatically performs the previously described operations. In other types of data collectors, other types of control signals are used, for example strobe signals, and there may be a criterion signal indicating that a new digit may be necessary for input. The various modifications to such use are known to those skilled in the art.

According to a preferred embodiment, the same code reader can also be used for printed codes instead of hole codes.

This can be accomplished by having a phototransistor sensor detect light through the label in a row position where there are no heels or printed characters. This sensor is connected in such a way that it controls the light source LS so that it is set to about half the maximum light output signal when the light attenuated by the label is sensed by the sensor. the sensor 25 or 26 in Fig. 3, and a circuit for this is shown in Fig. 5. When a hole passes one of the phototransistors FT 1-10, or there is no label, these sensors will be low, and if a printed spot 455 545 10 15 20 25 30 35 18 is in a "hole position", then the respective phototransistors will go high. The output signals are sensed by window discriminators in logic 28, which emit passive data levels around a medium light level but emit active data levels for either high or low phototransistor voltage on the sensors F1 - F10.

It is thus possible - with one and the same electronics - to detect both hole codes and codes with "black dots".

As described with reference to Fig. 5, the light intensity from the lamp LS is controlled by a feedback loop. In the preferred embodiment for sensing dots or holes, there is a special circuit for each of the channels D1 - D10. An example of such a circuit is shown in Fig. 7, mounted for channel D1. When it all works, the lamp LS is controlled so that when a label portion, which is free of holes or dots, stands in front of the phototransistor FT1 (78), its output signal becomes approximately half the available voltage, ie about V + / 2. The signal from 78 is passed to a window discriminator 70. In this circuit 70 there are two comparator circuits 72 and 73, the positive inputs of which are biased by means of a resistor chain 74-76, so that they obtain approximately resp. 2v + / 3 and V + / 3. If now the rest voltage of about V + / 2 is present as input signal VF, then comparator 72 will emit a high output signal, and comparator 73 a low output signal.

These output signals Vä and V5 are led to an EXNELLER gate 71, and the result will be a low output signal i.a. If the signal VF goes below V + / 3 or goes higher than 2V + / 3, indicating a printed point resp. a hole, then the gate 71 will in both cases emit a high output signal D1. The signals D1 - D10 are processed in the case of bare holes. then in the same way as already explained for With this design, which is currently preferred, it is possible to arrange in an extremely simple manner for marking down prices. Such downsizing is usually done for various reasons, e.g. when a product no longer exists in all sizes and when there is an annual realization. Sometimes a product may have been slightly damaged so that it cannot be sold at the price originally intended. In all such cases, an adhesive label 50 (see Fig. 3) is attached to the label at a position close to the readable price 51. The adhesive label is provided with an edge, such as can be as wide as two code holes. A discriminator 53 is activated from a reading sensor 52, which operates in the same manner as the sensors 18, and will emit a signal when it encounters such an edge. This signal is used as a discard signal, and the label will be ejected, the table before the label is inserted. unless the changed price was entered on the key- Sometimes price tags were used, which in. the price code has the price 00.00. the rest of the information must be kept available for registration- The idea is to set the price later, although rering. Thus, the price is marked only in a way that is readable to the eye. In such a case, it is necessary to introduce a zero-pricing effect. This is done by providing the control logic with a guard function, which is set to zero when reading begins and which is set as soon as a number 1-9 is read but remains unset if there are only zeros to read. Therefore, if the price is read as zero, the label is rejected. unless a price is entered manually at the keyboard.

Electronic circuits now described in a preferred embodiment are based on a logic unit 33, which may be "Motorola Industrial Control Unit MC 145003". much details are described therein, refer to the "Motorola Handbook" The ROM of the used program should be programmed in accordance with Since so (printed 1977) for this one-bit computer. the described use, which is a task that one, like the choice of the average person skilled in the art, can easily solve, other hardware shown and described.

Claims (6)

455 545 Bg Patent claim Reading machine (1) for reading price tags, which are provided with a Product Code, and for transmitting the read data to a cash register (2), which registers a sale and calculates the total price, the price tags after reading being collected. in a collection room (8), and the price tags are supplied one by one to a price tag feed path, through an insertion slot (4), characterized in that one of a motor (11) is arranged in the price tag feed path after the insertion slot (4). ) rotationally driven roller (10) with projections (16, 17) for engaging a price tag (3) having a gripping hole (21, 22), means (24) for detecting an inserted price tag, optical means (25 , 26) for determining a hole (21) in the price tag and for determining whether it is inserted correctly, means (27) for starting the motor (11) and the roller (10) for advancing the price tag past a code reader (18). , 28), in that the coding of the price tags has redundancy for error detection, and a branch switch (14, 15), activatable by the code reader to direct an incorrectly read price tag towards an output (5), where the price tag is made available for manual processing, in that the price tag, if the branch switch is not activated, is moved to the storage room (8), while the read code is fed to the cash register (2). Reading apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive motor of the roller (10) is arranged that when the optical means (25, 26) does not detect said hole (21) in a label, drive the roller in the opposite direction, so that the label is passed outwards from the insertion gap (4). Reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotatable roller (10) has a circumferentially slotted slot (Fig. 2) for passing light (LS) through a price tag (3) against a set of light detectors (18). Reading apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that each light detector (18 FT1-10) has a discrimination circuit (Fig. 7), which is arranged to emit an output signal at 455 545 2.1 sensing either a relatively strong or a relatively weak light level, while it is inactive at an intermediate level, so that both a heel in and a printed mark on the label are detectable. Reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that the redundant coding of the price tags is arranged in such a way that in groups of five marking positions only two are activated, and that the code reader (18, 28) is arranged that when detecting another number activating the branch gear (14, 15) to steer a read price tag towards said output. Reading device according to claim 1, characterized by an additional sensor (52, 53) for reading an additional marking (50) on a price tag and for activating the branch gear (14, 15) to steer towards the output ( 5).