Milton C Watson

US Patent:

46545140, Mar 31, 1987

Filed:

Sep 10, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/649097

Inventors:

Milton R. Watson - Round Rock TX
F. G. Seeberger - Round Rock TX
Robert M. Lockerd - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G06F 1524

US Classification:

235385

Abstract:

Individual display modules are located along a shelf containing items for sale. The display modules are loaded via a hand-held unit with data pertaining to the items. This data has previously been downloaded from a host computer into the hand-held unit. In order to minimize human error, the hand-held unit contains a reader for reading a code from either the item or the shelf upon which the item is located. This code is then used by the hand-held unit in order to determine what data is to be downloaded into the appropriate display module. The coupling between the hand-held unit and the display modules may be of the type requiring a direct electrical connection or the close-proximity type employing optical or electro-magnetic coupling.