Sheet for use in operations involving a scanner

Abstract

A bag, or sheet, useful for preventing electronic barcode scanners from identifying unwanted labels that appear in the field of view of such a scanner, or other similar electronic reader. The invention provides a means for blocking the scanning of undesired item identifiers, such as barcodes, for products being packed then shipped while allowing specific desirable product identifiers to be read by the scanner.

Claims

1. A sheet for use in operations involving a scanner, the sheet comprising: a first portion; a blocking portion; a second identifier; the first portion being transparent; the blocking portion being attached to the first portion; the second identifier being attached to the blocking portion; the sheet being interposable between the scanner and at least one first identifier such that the blocking portion obscures the at least one first identifier from scanning by the scanner.

2. The sheet of claim 1 further comprising: the first portion having at least two holes.

3. The sheet of claim 2 wherein the first portion is attachable and detachable to a wicket via the at least two holes.

4. The sheet of claim 1 further comprising an adhering portion.

5. The sheet of claim 1 wherein the blocking portion is a plurality of markings.

6. The sheet of claim 5 wherein the plurality of markings are printed lines.

7. The sheet of claim 1 wherein the at least one first identifier is a first barcode and the second identifier is a second barcode.

8. The sheet of claim 1 wherein the first portion is formed into a bag.

9. The sheet of claim 1 wherein the first portion is flexible plastic.

10. A sheet for use in operations involving a scanner, the sheet comprising: a first portion; a blocking portion; a second identifier; the first portion being transparent; the first portion being flexible plastic; the first portion having at least two holes; the blocking portion being attached to the first portion; the second identifier being attached to the blocking portion; the sheet being interposable between the scanner and at least one first identifier such that the blocking portion obscures the at least one first identifier from scanning by the scanner; the first portion being attachable and detachable to a wicket via the at least two holes; the blocking portion being a plurality of markings; the plurality of markings being printed lines; the first portion having an adhering portion.

11. The sheet of claim 10 wherein the at least one first identifier is a first barcode and the second identifier is a second barcode.

12. A sheet for use in operations involving a scanner, the sheet comprising: a first portion; a blocking portion; a second identifier; the first portion being transparent; the first portion having at least two holes; the blocking portion being attached to the first portion; the second identifier being attached to the blocking portion; the sheet being interposable between the scanner and at least one first identifier such that the blocking portion obscures the at least one first identifier from scanning by the scanner; the first portion being attachable and detachable to a wicket via the at least two holes; the blocking portion being a plurality of marking; the plurality of markings being printed lines; the first portion being flexible plastic; the first portion being formed into a bag.

13. The sheet of claim 12 wherein the at least one first identifier is a first barcode and the second identifier is a second barcode.

14. A sheet used in operations involving a scanner, the sheet comprising: a first portion; a blocking portion; the first portion being transparent; the blocking portion being a plurality of printed lines; the first portion having at least two holes; the first portion being formed into a bag; the blocking portion being attached to the first portion; at least one object; at least one first barcode; the at least one object being located within the bag; the at least one first barcode being attached to the at least one object; a second barcode; the second barcode being attached to the blocking portion; the blocking portion being interposable between the scanner and the at least one first barcode; the at least one first barcode being viewable by a user through the first portion; the blocking portion obscuring the at least one first barcode from being scanned by the scanner causing the result that the scanner reads only the second barcode when the optical scanner is directed at the bag.

15. The sheet of claim 14 wherein the first portion is attachable and detachable to a wicket via the at least two holes.

16. The sheet of claim 14 further comprising at least one print area for displaying messages.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention being used in a bar code scanning operation.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention being used in a scanning operation.

DESCRIPTION

Overview.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention comprises a sheet 10. The sheet 10 is shown in FIG. 1 laid out and unfolded along line 6. A first portion 1, a layer, of the sheet 10 has attached to it a blocking portion 2. In this embodiment the blocking portion 2 is affixed to the surface of the first portion 9 or embedded within the first portion's layer. The blocking portion 2 essentially making up its own layer of the sheet 10. The blocking portion 2 is a plurality of markings, a series of lines. The blocking portion 2 performs an obscuring function so as to obscure the electronic scanning of any product identifier, such as a UPC code, that is placed on either side of the series of lines, that is the blocking portion 2.

[0040] In the FIG. 1 embodiment, shown located to one side of the sheet 10, behind it so to speak, is an inventoried item 4, or object, such as product intended for future sale. Warehouses or fulfillment centers, for instance, inventory and ship varied products in different amounts and sizes as orders are received from consumers. The item 4 has affixed to its surface a first identifier 3. The first identifier 3 shown in FIG. 1 is a barcode commonly used to identify consumer goods. The sheet 10 has affixed to its first portion 1, and usually also placed over a part of the blocking portion 2, a second identifier 5. The first symbols making up the first identifier 3 are not identifiable by a bar code scanner (not shown), or the like, while the second symbols making up the second identifier 5 are readily identifiable by the scanner. The sheet 10, best as part of its first portion 1, includes a handling area 7 with holes to facilitate manipulation of the sheet 10, particularly when the sheet is in the form of a bag and attached via the holes to a wicket (not shown). The handling area 7 generally does not interfere with the functionality of the series of lines of the blocking portion 2. Too, shown is at least one print area 8 for displaying messages, suffocation warnings for instance. The print area 8 is printed onto the sheet 10 at one or more locations as required by a particular application of the sheet 10. For instance, a fulfillment center for a large online retailer may have specific requirements for messages to print than are required by the center itself.

[0041] The embodiment depicts an adhering portion 9 attached to the first portion 1. This adhering portion can be used to seal sheet 10 when the sheet is formed into a bag. I envision the adhering portion being an adhesive tape, but any adhering mechanism will suffice. For instance, the adhering portion 9 could be a magnetic strip. The adhering portion can also be used to attach the sheet 10 to a container (not shown) and thereby cover up a first identifier that is on that container.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, another perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention being used in a bar code scanning operation comprises a sheet 25. The sheet 25 functions, for instance through the use of a blocking portion 29 made of a series of lines affixed to a first portion 28 surface, to obscure any item that is placed on either side of the sheet 25. As depicted, an item 27 is placed behind the sheet 25. The item 27 has a first identifier, in this case a UPC label, 26 affixed to its surface. The first portion 28 has a second identifier, another UPC label, 24 affixed to its surface. I envision this being a sticker attached to the sheet over the blocking portion 29. In this instance, the first portion 28 is transparent and the item 27 can be viewed by a user. However, a user, a fulfillment center worker 21 for instance, who uses a bar code scanner 20 to read UPC labels will find that the obscured UPC label, the first identifier 26, is unreadable while the second identifier, the second UPC label, 24 is easily scanned by the scanner. The invention has thus prevented the scanner from reading the bar code label(s) located on items to be shipped and instead reading the bar code labels placed on the sheet, often in the form of a bag, that is being used to ship those items.

[0043] More specifically, a fulfillment center worker 21 will often use a bar code reader, or the like, to do her job. The bar code reader 20 will assist in logging the inventory of items that exist in a warehouse (not shown). The bar code scanner 20 emits electromagnetic radiation, usually light waves, that interacts with such a bar code 24 and returns bar code information 22 to the scanner 20. While at the same time failing to read an obscured bar code, 26 for instance, and thus returning none of that bar code information 23. Essentially, the inventive embodiment works to prevent electronic reading of unwanted symbols and allow reading of those that are desired to be read.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention being used in a scanning operation comprises a sheet 30. The sheet 30 has placed behind it a first identifier 32. The sheet 30 has placed in front of it a second identifier 31. The first identifier 32 and the second identifier 31 are located proximate to a symbol interpreter 33. Envisioned as a symbol interpreter is a commonly known UPC scanner. The sheet 30 is interposed between the scanner 33 and the first identifier 32.

[0045] Due to the inventive function of the sheet 30 to obscure symbols that are placed behind it, the symbol interpreter 33 is able to identify and interpret 34 the second identifier 31 but is unable to do the same identifying and interpreting 35 of the first identifier 32.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with the reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example, there may be more than one first identifier attached to an object and there may be more than one second identifier as well. Also, presently bar code scanners are commonly known, however, future technologies and processes used for reading printed symbols would also benefit from the inventive apparatus' ability to obscure the reading of those symbols not desired to be read. The spirit of the invention is to provide a means for blocking the scanning of undesired item identifiers, such as barcodes, for products being packed then shipped. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

[0047] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state means for performing a specified function, or step for performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a means or step clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. 112, 6. In particular, the use of step of in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, 6.