Apparatus for communicating price changes including printer and display devices

Patent 5172314 Issued on December 15, 1992. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 3, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Electronic price display unit
Patent #: 4002886
Issued on: 01/11/1977
Inventor: Sundelin

Display system
Patent #: 4139149
Issued on: 02/13/1979
Inventor: Crepeau , et al.

Real time, computer-driven retail pricing display system
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Issued on: 02/19/1985
Inventor: Gomersall , et al.

Electronic pricing display system
Patent #: 4766295
Issued on: 08/23/1988
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Electronic product information display system Patent #: 4962466
Issued on: 10/09/1990
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Inventors

Assignee

Electronic Retailing Systems International, Inc.

Application

No. 695405 filed on 05/03/1991

US Classes:

705/1, AUTOMATED ELECTRICAL FINANCIAL OR BUSINESS PRACTICE OR MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENT235/383, Mechanized store340/5.91, Including merchandise information display system (e.g., store price display)705/20, Price look-up processing (e.g., updating)705/400FOR COST/PRICE

Examiners

Primary: Envall, Roy N. Jr.
Assistant: Huntley, David

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Brumbaugh, Graves, Donohue & Raymond

International Class

G06F 015/21

Abstract

An improved price updating apparatus for use in retail store pricing systems has an input for receiving update data indicative of a product for which a price change is desired and the changed price. The apparatus looks up records in a database relating to store locations, for locations where the product may be found. Where the location has an electronic price display device, preferably connected with the apparatus by a serial data link, the changed price is transmitted to the display device by the serial data link. Where the location has a printed price, the apparatus stores a print job record containing information about the price and the shape and size of printed price. A user is later able to select, one by one, the various shapes and sizes of printed prices, and to print all the records intended for printing at the selected shape and size.