Automated newspaper rack inventory and alert management system
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G06F-017/00
출원번호
US-0335042
(2002-12-31)
발명자
/ 주소
Hertz, Kim Marie
대리인 / 주소
Hertz, Allen D.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
4인용 특허 :
17
초록▼
The present invention describes various methods and apparatus to increase efficiency and sales of a Newspaper Rack. Several sensors are positioned throughout the Newspaper Rack to monitor when the remaining inventory reaches a predetermined quantity or is depleted. A logic circuit monitors the senso
The present invention describes various methods and apparatus to increase efficiency and sales of a Newspaper Rack. Several sensors are positioned throughout the Newspaper Rack to monitor when the remaining inventory reaches a predetermined quantity or is depleted. A logic circuit monitors the sensors and when the sensors change state, a signal is transmitted to a central location. The central location may add time-stamping, reference the location, and compile the information into a database. The central location notifies the proper party to service the Newspaper Rack. The Newspaper Rack can include various mechanisms to stimulate customers into purchasing a Newspaper, such as a visual display or audible means. The stimulating information can be obtained and/or changed using wireless transmission to a receiver. The Newspaper Rack can include external monitoring devices to gather information for traffic flow, weather, or other desirable information. This can offset the service costs for monitoring the inventory levels. Power consumption and replenishment are considered by the inclusion of solar cells to recharge the battery, placement of the battery under the platform for ease of replacement, and the inclusion of a battery monitoring circuit for optimizing replacement.
대표청구항▼
The present invention describes various methods and apparatus to increase efficiency and sales of a Newspaper Rack. Several sensors are positioned throughout the Newspaper Rack to monitor when the remaining inventory reaches a predetermined quantity or is depleted. A logic circuit monitors the senso
The present invention describes various methods and apparatus to increase efficiency and sales of a Newspaper Rack. Several sensors are positioned throughout the Newspaper Rack to monitor when the remaining inventory reaches a predetermined quantity or is depleted. A logic circuit monitors the sensors and when the sensors change state, a signal is transmitted to a central location. The central location may add time-stamping, reference the location, and compile the information into a database. The central location notifies the proper party to service the Newspaper Rack. The Newspaper Rack can include various mechanisms to stimulate customers into purchasing a Newspaper, such as a visual display or audible means. The stimulating information can be obtained and/or changed using wireless transmission to a receiver. The Newspaper Rack can include external monitoring devices to gather information for traffic flow, weather, or other desirable information. This can offset the service costs for monitoring the inventory levels. Power consumption and replenishment are considered by the inclusion of solar cells to recharge the battery, placement of the battery under the platform for ease of replacement, and the inclusion of a battery monitoring circuit for optimizing replacement. ing power to said second battery-powered communication device.3. The communication package of claim 2, wherein said second battery comprises an electrochemical cell and said first battery comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells.4. The communication package of claim 1, wherein said power management unit includes: a reference voltage; a measured voltage representative of a charge level of said battery power source; and a switch for cutting a flow of electricity from said storage device to said first battery-powered communication device when said measured voltage drops below a predetermined level that corresponds to a minimum battery charge level required for continued operation of said second battery-powered communication device for a desired period of time. 5. The communication package of claim 4, wherein a silicon bandgap circuit produces said reference voltage.6. The communication package of claim 4, wherein a voltage divider circuit produces said measured voltage.7. The communication package of claim 4, which further comprises a comparator including: an output; a first input coupled to said reference voltage; and a second input coupled to said measured voltage. 8. The communication package of claim 7, wherein said switch is a transistor controlled by said comparator output.9. The communication package of claim 4, wherein said second battery-powered communication device is a pager, and said first battery-powered communication device is a wireless telephone.10. The communication package of claim 1, which further comprises: an intermediate node interposed between said current-limiting resistor and said intermediate FET; a final FET having a gate coupled to said intermediate node through at least one buffer, said final FET and said flyback inductor providing a serial current path between said first and said second output terminals; and a final node within said serial current path interposed between said flyback inductor and said final FET, said intermittent flow of said current taken from said final node within said serial current path. 11. The communication package of claim 10, wherein said intermediate FET and said final FET are both N-channel devices.12. The communication package of claim 11, further comprising: an adjustment resistor interposed in said serial current path having a resistance value setting said output voltage. 13. The communication package of claim 1, further comprising: a flyback shut-off transistor controlled by said output voltage for disabling said inverter when said output voltage reaches a preset level. 14. The communication package of claim 13, further comprising: a voltage divider which adjusts said preset level. 15. A plurality of communication devices in a portable package having a single battery power source for powering said plurality of communication devices and having a power management unit, said single battery power source including a first battery and a second battery, said power management unit comprising: an oscillator producing a clock signal, said oscillator powered by one of said first battery and said second battery; an inverter including a P-channel FET having a gate coupled to said clock signal and a channel coupling a first output terminal of said single battery power source to an output node, and an N-channel FET having a gate coupled to said clock signal and a channel coupling a second output terminal of said single battery power source to said output node; a current-limiting resistor for limiting current supplied by one of said first battery and said second battery; an intermediate FET having a gate and a channel in series with said current-limiting resistor coupling said first output terminal to said second output terminal; a plurality of series-coupled diodes coupling said output node to said gate of said intermediate FET; a flyback inductor through which current from a storage device intermittently flows, being controlled by
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (17)
Menoud Edouard (Plan-les-Ouates CHX), Automatic vending machine for newspapers.
Horne Arthur H. (Salt Lake City UT) Henderson Ralph J. (Salt Lake City UT) Anderson David C. (Deer Valley UT), Inventory, cash, security, and maintenance control apparatus and method for a plurality of remote vending machines.
Phillips Paul Anderson ; Miller John Stanley ; Taylor Kit Weston, Method and apparatus for vending goods in conjunction with a credit card accepting fuel dispensing pump.
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