Patent Grant
10896403
The present invention generally relates to managing products by associated product information and, more particularly, to automated systems and methods for use in managing dated products.
It is typically desirable in retail and wholesale settings to properly manage dated products (e.g., products with freshness, expiration or sale-by dates, or the like) in order to avoid financial losses associated with unsold products being out-of-date. For example, it is typically desirable to promote the sale of products that are approaching their sale-by dates by making such products more visible or offering discounts on then. As another example, it is typically undesirable for out-of-date products to be unintentionally sold to customers. However, properly managing dated products in retail or other settings can be very time consuming.
Therefore, there is a desire for improved systems and methods for managing dated products.
In one aspect, the present invention embraces a method of managing products by associated dates, the method comprising: providing information from a computer to a headset; providing, by the headset and at least partially in response to the providing of the information from the computer, a first voice prompt to a worker requesting a date associated with at least one product of a product type; receiving, by the headset, a date from the worker via voice; providing, by the headset and in response to the receiving of the date, a second voice prompt to the worker requesting a quantity of products of the product type that are marked with the date; receiving, by the headset, a quantity from the worker via voice; and providing, by the headset, information indicative of the date and the quantity to the computer.
In one embodiment, the method comprises determining, by the computer, whether the date associated with the at least one product is valid.
In one embodiment, the date is a first date, and the method comprises: providing, by the headset, a third voice prompt to the worker requesting a second date associated with at least one product of the product type; then receiving, by the headset, a second date from the worker via voice; providing, by the headset in response to the headset receiving the second date, a fourth voice prompt to the worker requesting a quantity of products of the product type that are marked with the second date; and receiving, by the headset, a quantity from the worker via voice.
In one embodiment, the product type is a first product type, and the method comprises: receiving, by the headset, an indication that there are no more products of the first product type from the worker via voice; providing, by the headset, a fifth voice prompt to the worker requesting a date associated with at least one product of a second product type; then receiving, by the headset, a third date from the worker via voice; providing, by the headset in response to the headset receiving the third date, a sixth voice prompt to the worker requesting a quantity of products of the second product type that are marked with the third date; and then receiving, by the headset, a quantity from the worker via voice.
In one aspect, the present invention embraces a method of managing products by associated dates, the method comprising: identifying, by a mobile device, a product type to a worker; receiving, by the mobile device, a date associated with at least one product of the product type from the worker via voice; and providing, by the mobile device, information indicative of the date associated with the at least one product to a computer.
In an embodiment, the mobile device comprises a headset.
In an embodiment, the method comprises identifying, by the mobile device, the product type to the worker via voice.
In an embodiment, the method comprises determining, by the computer, whether the date associated with the at least one product is valid.
In an embodiment, the method comprises requesting, by the mobile device, a quantity of products of the product type that are marked with the date associated with the at least one product.
In an embodiment, the product type is a first product type, and the method comprises: identifying, by the mobile device, the first product type to the worker via a first voice prompt; providing, by the mobile device and in response to the receiving of the date, a second voice prompt to the worker requesting a quantity of products of the first product type that are marked with the date; receiving, by the mobile device, a quantity from the worker via voice; identifying, by the mobile device, a second product type to the worker via a third voice prompt; receiving, by the mobile device, a date associated with at least one product of the second product type from the worker via voice; and requesting, by the mobile device, a quantity of products of the second product type that are marked with the date associated with the at least one product of the second product type via a third voice prompt.
In an embodiment, the date is a first date, and the method comprises: providing, by the mobile device and in response to the receiving of the date, a second voice prompt to the worker requesting a quantity of products of the first product type that are marked with the date; providing, by the mobile device, a third voice prompt to the worker requesting a second date associated with at least one product of the product type; then receiving, by the mobile device, a second date from the worker via voice; providing, by the mobile device in response to the mobile device receiving the second date, a fourth voice prompt to the worker requesting a quantity of products of the product type that are marked with the second date; and receiving, by the mobile device, a quantity from the worker via voice.
In an embodiment, the product type is a first product type, and the method comprises: the mobile device receiving from the worker via voice an indication that there are no more products of the first product type; the mobile device providing a fifth voice prompt to the worker, the fifth voice prompt requesting a date associated with at least one product of a second product type; then the mobile device receiving a third date from the worker via voice; in response to the mobile device receiving the third date, the mobile device providing a sixth voice prompt to the worker, the sixth voice prompt requesting a quantity of products of the second product type that are marked with the third date; and then the mobile device receiving a quantity from the worker via voice.
In one aspect, the present invention embraces a method of managing products by associated product information, the method comprising: identifying, by a mobile device, a product type to a worker; receiving, by the mobile device, product information associated with at least one product of the product type from the worker via voice; and providing, by the mobile device, information indicative of the product information associated with the at least one product to a computer.
In an embodiment, the mobile device comprises a headset.
In an embodiment, the method comprises identifying, by the mobile device, the product type to the worker via voice.
In an embodiment, the method comprises determining, by the computer, whether the product information is valid.
In an embodiment, the product information is a date associated with the at least one product.
In an embodiment, the date is a first date, and the method comprises: providing, by the mobile device and in response to the receiving of the date, a second voice prompt to the worker requesting a quantity of products of the first product type that are marked with the date; providing, by the mobile device, a third voice prompt to the worker requesting a second date associated with at least one product of the product type; then receiving, by the mobile device, a second date from the worker via voice; providing, by the mobile device in response to the mobile device receiving the second date, a fourth voice prompt to the worker requesting a quantity of products of the product type that are marked with the second date; and receiving, by the mobile device, a quantity from the worker via voice.
In an embodiment, the method comprises requesting, by the mobile device, a quantity of products of the product type that are marked with the product information.
In an embodiment, the product type is a first product type, and the method comprises: identifying, by the mobile device, a second product type to the worker; receiving, by the mobile device, product information associated with at least one product of the second product type from the worker via voice; and requesting, by the mobile device, a quantity of products of the second product type that are marked with the product information associated with the at least one product of the second product type.
The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
The present disclosure is generally directed to an automated product management system, wherein in one embodiment the system is configured to assist a worker in handling dated products by engaging in a verbal dialog with the worker. In one example, the worker can engage products with both of his or her hands while simultaneously fully participating in the verbal dialog with the product management system, which can enhance the productivity of the worker. More generally and in one example, the present disclosure embraces a method of managing products by associated product information. As one example, the product information can be dates respectively associated with the products, as discussed in greater detail below.
In an embodiment of this disclosure, the product management system can include one or more mobile devices that can be in the form of headset assemblies. Each of the mobile devices, or headset assemblies, can comprise a wireless-enabled voice recognition device that is configured to be used in a hands-free manner. Alternatively, the mobile devices can be manually carried or mounted to a movable piece of equipment, such as a cart being used by a worker.
In
In the embodiment shown in
The electronics module 110 can contain or otherwise carry several components of the headset assembly 100 to reduce the weight and/or size of the headset 115. In some embodiments, the electronics module 110 can include one or more of a rechargeable or long life battery, keypad, Bluetooth® antenna, printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), and any other suitable electronics, or the like. The electronics module 110 can be mounted to a worker's torso (e.g., via a lapel clip and/or lanyard) or in any other suitable location. The headset 115 can be connected to the electronics module 110 via a communication link, such as a small audio cable 130 or a wireless link. The headset 100 can be used to support multiple workflows in multiple markets, including grocery retail, direct store delivery, wholesale, etc. In some embodiments, the headset 100 has a low profile that seeks not to be intimidating to a customer in a retail setting. That is, the headset 115 can be relatively minimalistic in appearance in some embodiments, or alternatively the headset 115 can have a larger profile in other embodiments. The electronics module 110 can be used with a wide variety of differently configured headsets, such as Vocollect™ headsets.
The electronics module 110 can be configured to read a unique identifier (I.D.) of the headset 115. The headset I.D. can be stored in an electronic circuitry package that is part of the headset 115, and the headset electronic circuitry package can be configured to at least partially provide the connection (e.g., communication path(s)) between the electronics module 110 and headset features (e.g., the one or more speakers 120 and microphones 125, 126). In one embodiment, the audio cable 130 includes multiple conductors or communication lines for signals which can include a speaker +, speaker −, main microphone, secondary microphone, and grounds. The electronics module 110 can utilize a user-configurable attachment feature 140, such as a plastic loop and/or other suitable features, for at least partially facilitating attachment of the electronics module to the worker. When a wireless link between the headset 115 and electronics module 110 is used, such as a Bluetooth type of communication link, the headset 115 can include a small lightweight battery. The wireless communication link can provide wireless signals suitable for exchanging voice communications. In an embodiment (not shown), the electronics module 110 can be integrated into the headset 115 rather than being remote from, and connected to, the headset 115. Accordingly, the mobile device, which may more specifically be in the form of the headset assembly 100, or the like, may include multiple pieces with separate housings or can be substantially contained in, or otherwise be associated with, a single housing.
In the embodiment shown in
In an embodiment, the computer 500 is configured to simultaneously interface with multiple of the headset assemblies 100, and thereby the workers respectively associated with the headset assemblies, to simultaneously provide one or more work tasks or workflows that can be related to the products or other items handled by the workers in a workplace (e.g., a retail store). The computer 500 can be located at one facility (e.g., the retail store) or be distributed at geographically distinct facilities. Furthermore, the computer 500 may include a proxy server. Therefore, the computer 500 is not limited in scope to a specific configuration. For example, and alternatively, each of the headset assemblies 100 can substantially be a stand-alone device, such that the computer 500 or suitable features thereof are part of the headset assembly. Usually, however, to have sufficient database capability to simultaneously handle large amounts of information that can be associated with multiple headset assemblies 100 being operated simultaneously, the computer 500 typically comprises a server computer configured to simultaneously interface with multiple of the headset assemblies.
In an embodiment, voice templates can be stored in the computer 500 to recognize worker voice interactions and convert the interaction into text-based data and commands for interaction with at least one software application or module being executed on at least one processor or processing unit of the computer 500. The functions ascribed to individual elements of the system 200 can be performed in one or more other locations in further embodiments. For example, computer 500 can perform voice recognition in one embodiment, or the electronics module 110 can perform voice recognition utilizing the voice templates. In one embodiment, the first stages of voice recognition can be performed on the electronics module 110, with further stages performed on the computer 500. In further embodiments, raw audio can be transmitted from the electronics module 110 to the computer 500 where the final stages of voice recognition are completed.
In one embodiment, the method 300 can be performed (e.g. looped through) in serial fashion for each product type of a plurality of product types, wherein the products of the different product types can be in the form of packages that are each individually marked with, or otherwise associated with, dates, such as discussed above. As a precursor to, or an early part of, the method 300, the system 200 may serially identify product types to be subjected to the method 300. The system 200 may identify such a product type solely for the purposes of fulfilling the workflow of method 300 for the product type, or the product type can be identified for additional workflow purposes. For example, the method 300 can be performed substantially simultaneously with one or more other workflows for the subject product type, such as restocking, facing/blocking, price relabeling and/or any other suitable workflows, or the like.
In the method 300, the provision of each of the numerous verbal prompts (e.g., at blocks 302, 306, 310, 312, 320 and/or 322) can comprise the speaker 120 converting or transforming an audio signal, which is provided by respective features of the system 200, to a voice-sound for being received by the worker; and the receipt of each of the verbal responses (e.g., as a precursor to blocks 304, 308, 314 and/or 324) can comprise the microphone 125 converting or transforming a voice sound, which is provided by the worker, to an electrical signal that is provided to respective features of the system 200. The mobile device or headset assembly 100 can provide the verbal prompts substantially in response to, or at least partially in response to, receiving information from the computer 500. For example, the headset assembly 100 can provide the verbal prompts in real time/immediately in response to receiving information from the computer 500 and/or there may be a brief or any suitable time lag, or queuing, associated with the headset assembly 100 providing the verbal prompts. Alternatively, one or more of the verbal prompts and/or verbal responses can be replaced by or substituted with other responses, such as nonverbal (e.g., visual) prompts and/or nonverbal (e.g., typed and/or scanned) responses, or the like.
In one embodiment, the method 300 can optionally begin at block 302. At block 302, at least one verbal location prompt can be provided by the system 200 to the worker, and this verbal prompt can comprise information about a location at which a first product type of a plurality of product types is located. As an example, the verbal prompt of block 302 can include information about an aisle, shelf and/or any other suitable location at which the first product type is located. After the provision of the verbal prompt at block 302, processing control can be transferred to block 304. Associated with or as a precursor to block 304, the system 200 may receive a verbal response from the worker, and the verbal response can be a verbal location verification, or the like, comprising one or more of the words “ready,” “okay,” and/or any other suitable verbal response for indicating that the worker is proximate the location indicated at block 302 for the first product type. Block 304 can be configured to be operative so that, in response to the system 200 not receiving an appropriate verbal response to the verbal prompt of block 302, such as within a predetermined timeframe, processing control is returned to block 302. In response to the system 200 receiving an appropriate verbal response to the verbal prompt of block 302, such as within a predetermined timeframe, processing control can be transferred from block 304 to block 306.
Generally described, the system 200 can be configured so that for blocks 306 and/or 308, or the like, the system 200 is configured to participate in a verbal dialog with the worker so that, generally described, both the system 200 and the worker are directing their attention to the same product type. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the worker may originally identify the first product type and verbally or otherwise provide information for the first product type to the system 200, and in response the system 200 may provide some sort of confirmation regarding the first product type, such as by providing a verbal verification comprising identifying information for the first product type and/or one or more of the words “ready,” “okay,” and/or any other suitable response for indicating that both the system 200 and the worker are directing their attention to the same product type.
More specifically and in accordance with the embodiment shown in
At least partially reiterating from above, an appropriate verbal response associated with block 308 can be a verbal response from the worker indicating that the worker has at least identified the location where the first product type is supposed to be located. For example, an appropriate verbal response from the worker for block 308 can be that there are no products of the first product type present in the location identified at block 302. In that case, processing control can be transferred from block 308 to block 310. At block 310, an enterprise or other suitable system associated with the computer 500 can be notified about the lack of products of the first product type, the system 200 can verbally prompt the worker to restock the first product type or take other corrective action, and/or the method 300 may end for the first product type.
As another example and at least partially reiterating from above, an appropriate verbal response associated with block 308 can be a verbal response from the worker comprising one or more of the words “ready,” “okay,” and/or any other suitable verbal verification for indicating that the worker has identified one or more products of the first product type at the location identified at block 302. For example, associated with or as a precursor to block 308, the system 200 may receive a verbal response from the worker, and the verbal response can be in the form of a confirmation comprising verbal identification of the first product type. As discussed above, examples of suitable verbal identifications of product types can include brand name, size, variety and/or other suitable product identifiers such as a Universal Product Code (UPC), a portion thereof, or the like. Block 308 can be configured to be operative so that, in response to the system 200 not receiving an appropriate verbal response to the verbal prompt of block 308, such as within a predetermined timeframe, processing control is transferred back to block 304. In response to the system 200 receiving an appropriate verbal response to the verbal prompt of block 308, such as within a predetermined timeframe, processing control can be transferred from block 308 to block 312.
At block 312, at least one verbal date prompt can be provided by the system 200 to the worker, and this verbal prompt can comprise a request for a date (e.g., freshness, expiration or sale-by date, or the like) associated with (e.g., printed, stamped or attached to the packaging of) at least one product of the first product type. After the provision of the verbal prompt at block 312, processing control can be transferred to block 314. Associated with or as a precursor to block 314, the system 200 may receive a verbal response from the worker. Block 314 can be configured to be operative so that, in response to the system 200 not receiving an appropriate verbal response to the verbal prompt of block 312, such as within a predetermined timeframe, processing control is transferred back to block 312. In response to the system 200 receiving an appropriate verbal response to the verbal prompt of block 312, such as within a predetermined timeframe, processing control can be transferred from block 314 to a respective one of blocks 316 and 318.
An appropriate verbal response associated with block 314 can be a verbal response from the worker that is indicative of a date associated with a first product of the first product type. In response to such a response, processing control can be transferred from block 314 to block 316. At block 316, the system 200 may determine whether the date received in association with block 314 is valid. As an example, a date verbally received from a worker in association with block 316 can be valid if that date is not later than the present day (e.g., a verbally received date can be valid if it is the present calendar day or a future calendar day).
In response to a negative determination being made at block 316, processing control can be transferred to block 320. At block 320, an enterprise system, or the like, associated with the computer 500 can be notified that there are outdated products of the first product type and/or the system 200 can verbally prompt the worker to remove the outdated products of the first product type from their location so that they are no longer available for sale, or the like. Processing control can be transferred from block 320 back to block 312. Alternatively, the step or process of block 320 can follow the step or process of block 322, or other suitable provisions can be made, so that the enterprise system, or the like, associated with the computer 500 can be notified of the quantity of outdated products of the first product type.
In response to a positive determination being made at block 316, processing control can be transferred to block 322. At block 322, at least one verbal quantity prompt can be provided by the system 200 to the worker, and this verbal prompt can comprise a request for a quantity of the products of the first type that are marked with the date most recently received by the system 200 in association with block 314. Processing control can be transferred from block 322 to block 324. Associated with or as a precursor to block 324, the system 200 may receive a verbal response from the worker. Block 324 can be configured to be operative so that, in response to the system 200 not receiving an appropriate verbal response to the verbal prompt of block 322, such as within a predetermined timeframe, processing control is returned to box 322.
An appropriate verbal response associated with block 324 can be a verbal response from the worker that is indicative of product information. At block 324, the verbal response from the worker, which is indicative of product information, can be a quantity (e.g., “one,” “two,” “three” or another suitable whole number) of the first type of products that are marked with the date most recently received by the system 200 in association with block 314. In response to the system 200 receiving such a verbal response, processing control can be transferred to block 326. At block 326, an enterprise system, or the like, associated with the computer 500 can be notified of the quantity of the first type of products that are marked with the date most recently received by the system 200 in association with block 314.
Processing control can be transferred from block 326 to block 312. At the second occurrence of block 312, at least one verbal date prompt can be provided by the system 200 to the worker, and this verbal prompt can comprise a request for another date associated with at least one product of the first product type. The system 200 can be configured and/or workers may be trained so that at the second and subsequent occurrences of block 312 for a product type, dates already processed by the system 200 for the product type are not repeated.
The loop comprising blocks 312, 314, 316, 322, 324 and 326 can be repeated for each differently dated group of products of the first product type until processing control is transferred to block 318. For example, in response to the system 200 receiving a verbal response that is from the worker and is associated with block 314, and the verbal response being indicative of there being no more products of the first type for which dates have not been provided in association with block 314, processing control is transferred to block 318. At block 318, an enterprise system, or the like, associated with the computer 500 can be notified, for example, that the method 300 has been completed for the first type of products, and the method 300 may end for the first product type.
The system 200 can be configured so that after the method 300 has been completed for the first type of products, the method is automatically completed in series for other products of the plurality of dated products, such as a second type of products, and then a third type of products, and so on. The method 300 can be described as being schematically illustrative of one or more software modules that may be executed on the computer 500 and/or headset assembly 100, and such one or more modules may be referred to as a date capture module, or the like. As another example, block 316 can be described as being schematically illustrative of one or more software modules that may be executed on the computer 500 and/or headset assembly 100, and such one or more modules may be referred to as a validity module, or the like. Similarly, one or more other blocks of the method 300 may be characterized as being schematically illustrative of one or more other software modules for being executed on the computer 500 and/or headset assembly 100, or the like. One or more steps or blocks of the method 300 can be omitted or rearranged in a suitable manner, and suitable additional blocks or steps may be incorporated into the method 300.
In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, the method 300 can schematically represent middleware that accepts a list of products that need to have their expiration date, or some other suitable date, verified etc. The list can be a product master list, a separate list, or the like. In one embodiment, the method 300 can schematically represent a date capture workflow that can be interleaved into (e.g., performed substantially simultaneously with) various other workflows, including stocking, so that a worker may not travel through the retail store for the sole purpose of verifying or otherwise managing the product dates. The workflow associated with the method 300 can prompt (e.g., verbally) the user with a location to go to and a product to verify, and can wait for the worker's confirmation (e.g., verbal confirmation) that they are handling the correct product, and upon such product verification the worker can be prompted (verbally) for an associated date. Upon valid (e.g., verbal) date entry the worker can be prompted (e.g., verbally) for the quantity of products matching the entered date. A valid date can be any date that is the present day's date or any future date. Upon quantity entry, the workflow returns to prompt (e.g., verbally) again for a date until the worker says “no more,” or the like, and the workflow moves to the next item or product requiring date capture, or the like. All information captured can be sent to and stored in the middleware for processing, such as for integration with point of sale data, alert triggering and/or other suitable actions.
In an embodiment shown in
In an embodiment shown in
Memory 503 can include volatile memory 514 and non-volatile memory 508. Computer 500 can include, or have access to a computing environment that includes, a variety of computer-readable media, such as volatile memory 514 and non-volatile memory 508, removable storage 510 and non-removable storage 512. Computer storage includes random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) & electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technologies, compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM), Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of storing computer-readable instructions.
The computer 500 can include or have access to a computing environment that includes input 506, output 504, and at least one communication device or connection 516 (e.g., a transceiver, or the like, for providing a communication connection (e.g., at least partially providing the wireless line 215 (
Computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium are executable by the processing unit 502 of the computer 500. A hard drive, CD-ROM, and RAM are some examples of articles including a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage device. The terms computer-readable medium and storage device do not include carrier waves. For example, a computer program 518 capable of providing a generic technique to perform access control check for data access and/or for doing an operation on one of the servers in a component object model (COM) based system can be included on a CD-ROM and loaded from the CD-ROM to a hard drive. The computer-readable instructions allow computer 500 to provide generic access controls in a COM based computer network system having multiple users and servers.
An aspect of this disclosure is the provision of numerous examples that can be configured in a variety of combinations and subcombinations. In a first example, a method of managing products, such as by associated dates, comprises a mobile device identifying a product type to a worker; the mobile device receiving from the worker, via voice, a date associated with at least one product of the product type; and the mobile device providing to the computer information indicative of the date associated with the at least one product.
A second example comprises the first example, wherein the mobile device comprises a headset.
A third example comprises the first example, wherein the mobile device identifies the product type to the worker via voice.
A fourth example comprises the first example and the computer determining whether the date associated with the at least one product is valid.
A fifth example comprises the first example and the mobile device requesting, via voice, a quantity of products of the product type that are marked with the date associated with the at least one product.
A sixth example comprises a system for managing products by associated dates, the system comprising: a mobile device configured to receive information from a worker via voice, and provide information to the worker via voice; and a computer configured to communicate at least indirectly with the mobile device, the computer including a date capture module configured to facilitate collection of dates associated with product types, wherein for each product type the date capture module is configured to: cause the mobile device to verbally communicate with the worker regarding the product type, and receive, from the mobile device, information indicative of a date associated with at least one product of the product type.
A seventh example comprises the sixth example, wherein the mobile device comprises a headset.
An eighth example comprises the sixth example, wherein the computer further comprises a validity module that is configured to determine whether the date associated with the at least one product is valid.
A ninth example comprises the sixth example, wherein: the date capture module is configured to cause the mobile device to provide at least one voice prompt to the worker; and the at least one voice prompt comprises information regarding the product type.
A tenth example comprises the ninth example, wherein the at least one voice prompt comprises a request for the date associated with the at least one product.
An eleventh example comprises the ninth example, wherein: the at least one voice prompt comprises a first voice prompt; and the date capture module is configured to: cause the mobile device to provide a second voice prompt requesting a quantity of products of the product type that are marked with the date associated with the at least one product, and receive, from the mobile device, information indicative of the quantity of products of the product type that are marked with the date associated with the at least one product.
A twelfth example comprises a computer for managing products by associated dates, the computer comprising: a communication device configured to communicate at least indirectly with a mobile device; a processor; and a date capture module configured to the executed by the processor to facilitate collection of dates associated with product types, wherein for each product type the date capture module is configured to: cause the mobile device to verbally communicate with a worker regarding the product type, and receive, from the mobile device, information indicative of a date associated with at least one product of the product type.
A thirteenth example comprises the twelfth example, wherein the date capture module is configured to cause the mobile device to provide information regarding the product type to the worker via voice.
A fourteenth example comprises the twelfth example, wherein the computer further comprises a validity module configured to be executed by the processor to determine whether the date associated with the at least one product is valid.
To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:
In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6021392 | Lester | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6832725 | Gardiner et al. | Dec 2004 | B2 |
| 7128266 | Zhu et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7159783 | Walczyk et al. | Jan 2007 | B2 |
| 7413127 | Ehrhart et al. | Aug 2008 | B2 |
| 7464873 | Spencer et al. | Dec 2008 | B2 |
| 7516120 | Ghazaleh | Apr 2009 | B2 |
| 7726575 | Wang et al. | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 8294969 | Plesko | Oct 2012 | B2 |
| 8317105 | Kotlarsky et al. | Nov 2012 | B2 |
| 8322622 | Liu | Dec 2012 | B2 |
| 8366005 | Kotlarsky et al. | Feb 2013 | B2 |
| 8371507 | Haggerty et al. | Feb 2013 | B2 |
| 8376233 | Van Horn et al. | Feb 2013 | B2 |
| 8381979 | Franz | Feb 2013 | B2 |
| 8390909 | Plesko | Mar 2013 | B2 |
| 8408464 | Zhu et al. | Apr 2013 | B2 |
| 8408468 | Horn et al. | Apr 2013 | B2 |
| 8408469 | Good | Apr 2013 | B2 |
| 8424768 | Rueblinger et al. | Apr 2013 | B2 |
| 8448863 | Xian et al. | May 2013 | B2 |
| 8457013 | Essinger et al. | Jun 2013 | B2 |
| 8459557 | Havens et al. | Jun 2013 | B2 |
| 8469272 | Kearney | Jun 2013 | B2 |
| 8474712 | Kearney et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
| 8479992 | Kotlarsky et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
| 8490877 | Kearney | Jul 2013 | B2 |
| 8517271 | Kotlarsky et al. | Aug 2013 | B2 |
| 8523076 | Good | Sep 2013 | B2 |
| 8528818 | Ehrhart et al. | Sep 2013 | B2 |
| 8544737 | Gomez et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8548420 | Grunow et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8550335 | Samek et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8550354 | Gannon et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8550357 | Kearney | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8556174 | Kosecki et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8556176 | Van Horn et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8556177 | Hussey et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8559767 | Barber et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8561895 | Gomez et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8561903 | Sauerwein | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8561905 | Edmonds et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8565107 | Pease et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8571307 | Li et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8579200 | Samek et al. | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8583924 | Caballero et al. | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8584945 | Wang et al. | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8587595 | Wang | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8587697 | Hussey et al. | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8588869 | Sauerwein et al. | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8590789 | Nahill et al. | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8596539 | Havens et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8596542 | Havens et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8596543 | Havens et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8599271 | Havens et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8599957 | Peake et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8600158 | Li et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8600167 | Showering | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8602309 | Longacre et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8608053 | Meier et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8608071 | Liu et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8611309 | Wang et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8615487 | Gomez et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8621123 | Caballero | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8622303 | Meier et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8628013 | Ding | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8628015 | Wang et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8628016 | Winegar | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8629926 | Wang | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8630491 | Longacre et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8635309 | Berthiaume et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8636200 | Kearney | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8636212 | Nahill et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8636215 | Ding et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8636224 | Wang | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8638806 | Wang et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8640958 | Lu et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8640960 | Wang et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8643717 | Li et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8646692 | Meier et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8646694 | Wang et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8657200 | Ren et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8659397 | Vargo | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8668149 | Good | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| 8678285 | Kearney | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| 8678286 | Smith et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| 8682077 | Longacre | Mar 2014 | B1 |
| D702237 | Oberpriller et al. | Apr 2014 | S |
| 8687282 | Feng et al. | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 8692927 | Pease et al. | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 8695880 | Bremer et al. | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 8698949 | Grunow et al. | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 8702000 | Barber et al. | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 8717494 | Gannon | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8720783 | Biss et al. | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8723804 | Fletcher et al. | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8723904 | Marty et al. | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8727223 | Wang | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8740082 | Wilz | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8740085 | Furlong et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8746563 | Hennick et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8750445 | Peake et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8752766 | Xian et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8756059 | Braho et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8757495 | Qu et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8760563 | Koziol et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8763909 | Reed et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8777108 | Coyle | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8777109 | Oberpriller et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8779898 | Havens et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8781520 | Payne et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8783573 | Havens et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8789757 | Barten | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8789758 | Hawley et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8789759 | Xian et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8794520 | Wang et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8794522 | Ehrhart | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8794525 | Amundsen et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8794526 | Wang et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8798367 | Ellis | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8807431 | Wang et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8807432 | Van Horn et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8820630 | Qu et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8822848 | Meagher | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8824692 | Sheerin et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8824696 | Braho | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8842849 | Wahl et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8844822 | Kotlarsky et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8844823 | Fritz et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8849019 | Li et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| D716285 | Chaney et al. | Oct 2014 | S |
| 8851383 | Yeakley et al. | Oct 2014 | B2 |
| 8854633 | Laffargue | Oct 2014 | B2 |
| 8866963 | Grunow et al. | Oct 2014 | B2 |
| 8868421 | Braho et al. | Oct 2014 | B2 |
| 8868519 | Maloy et al. | Oct 2014 | B2 |
| 8868802 | Barten | Oct 2014 | B2 |
| 8868803 | Caballero | Oct 2014 | B2 |
| 8870074 | Gannon | Oct 2014 | B1 |
| 8879639 | Sauerwein | Nov 2014 | B2 |
| 8880426 | Smith | Nov 2014 | B2 |
| 8881983 | Havens et al. | Nov 2014 | B2 |
| 8881987 | Wang | Nov 2014 | B2 |
| 8903172 | Smith | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8908995 | Benos et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8910870 | Li et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8910875 | Ren et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8914290 | Hendrickson et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8914788 | Pettinelli et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8915439 | Feng et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8915444 | Havens et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8916789 | Woodburn | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8918250 | Hollifield | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8918564 | Caballero | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8925818 | Kosecki et al. | Jan 2015 | B2 |
| 8933791 | Vargo | Jan 2015 | B2 |
| 8939374 | Jovanovski et al. | Jan 2015 | B2 |
| 8942480 | Ellis | Jan 2015 | B2 |
| 8944313 | Williams et al. | Feb 2015 | B2 |
| 8944327 | Meier et al. | Feb 2015 | B2 |
| 8944332 | Harding et al. | Feb 2015 | B2 |
| 8950678 | Germaine et al. | Feb 2015 | B2 |
| D723560 | Zhou et al. | Mar 2015 | S |
| 8967468 | Gomez et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8971346 | Sevier | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8976030 | Cunningham et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8976368 | Akel et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8978981 | Guan | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8978983 | Bremer et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8978984 | Hennick et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8985456 | Zhu et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8985457 | Soule et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8985459 | Kearney et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8985461 | Gelay et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8988578 | Showering | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8988590 | Gillet et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8991704 | Hopper et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8996194 | Davis et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8996384 | Funyak et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8998091 | Edmonds et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9002641 | Showering | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9007368 | Laffargue et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9010641 | Qu et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9015513 | Murawski et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9016576 | Brady et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| D730357 | Fitch et al. | May 2015 | S |
| 9022288 | Nahill et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9030964 | Essinger et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9033240 | Smith et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9033242 | Gillet et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9036054 | Koziol et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9037344 | Chamberlin | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9038911 | Xian et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9038915 | Smith | May 2015 | B2 |
| D730901 | Oberpriller et al. | Jun 2015 | S |
| D730902 | Fitch et al. | Jun 2015 | S |
| D733112 | Chaney et al. | Jun 2015 | S |
| 9047098 | Barten | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9047359 | Caballero et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9047420 | Caballero | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9047525 | Barber | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9047531 | Showering et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9049640 | Wang et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9053055 | Caballero | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9053378 | Hou et al. | Jun 2015 | B1 |
| 9053380 | Xian et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9057641 | Amundsen et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9058526 | Powilleit | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9064165 | Havens et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9064167 | Xian et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9064168 | Todeschini et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9064254 | Todeschini et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9066032 | Wang | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9070032 | Corcoran | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| D734339 | Zhou et al. | Jul 2015 | S |
| D734751 | Oberpriller et al. | Jul 2015 | S |
| 9082023 | Feng et al. | Jul 2015 | B2 |
| 9224022 | Ackley et al. | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9224027 | Van Horn et al. | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| D747321 | London et al. | Jan 2016 | S |
| 9230140 | Ackley | Jan 2016 | B1 |
| 9443123 | Hejl | Jan 2016 | B2 |
| 9250712 | Todeschini | Feb 2016 | B1 |
| 9258033 | Showering | Feb 2016 | B2 |
| 9262633 | Todeschini et al. | Feb 2016 | B1 |
| 9310609 | Rueblinger et al. | Apr 2016 | B2 |
| D757009 | Oberpriller et al. | May 2016 | S |
| 9342724 | McCloskey | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9375945 | Bowles | Jun 2016 | B1 |
| D760719 | Zhou et al. | Jul 2016 | S |
| 9390596 | Todeschini | Jul 2016 | B1 |
| D762604 | Fitch et al. | Aug 2016 | S |
| D762647 | Fitch et al. | Aug 2016 | S |
| 9412242 | Van Horn et al. | Aug 2016 | B2 |
| D766244 | Zhou et al. | Sep 2016 | S |
| 9443222 | Singel et al. | Sep 2016 | B2 |
| 9449205 | Vargo | Sep 2016 | B2 |
| 9478113 | Xie et al. | Oct 2016 | B2 |
| 9679321 | Pitzel | Jun 2017 | B1 |
| 10108824 | Vargo | Oct 2018 | B2 |
| 20040117243 | Chepil | Jun 2004 | A1 |
| 20070063048 | Havens et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20080046114 | White | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080097876 | White | Apr 2008 | A1 |
| 20090134221 | Zhu et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
| 20090303001 | Brumer | Dec 2009 | A1 |
| 20100177076 | Essinger et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20100177080 | Essinger et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20100177707 | Essinger et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20100177749 | Essinger et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20100265880 | Rautiola et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |
| 20110169999 | Grunow et al. | Jul 2011 | A1 |
| 20110202554 | Powilleit et al. | Aug 2011 | A1 |
| 20120111946 | Golant | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120150699 | Trapp | Jun 2012 | A1 |
| 20120168512 | Kotlarsky et al. | Jul 2012 | A1 |
| 20120193423 | Samek | Aug 2012 | A1 |
| 20120203647 | Smith | Aug 2012 | A1 |
| 20120223141 | Good et al. | Sep 2012 | A1 |
| 20130037613 | Soldate | Feb 2013 | A1 |
| 20130043312 | Van Horn | Feb 2013 | A1 |
| 20130075168 | Amundsen et al. | Mar 2013 | A1 |
| 20130080289 | Roy et al. | Mar 2013 | A1 |
| 20130175341 | Kearney et al. | Jul 2013 | A1 |
| 20130175343 | Good | Jul 2013 | A1 |
| 20130257744 | Daghigh et al. | Oct 2013 | A1 |
| 20130257759 | Daghigh | Oct 2013 | A1 |
| 20130270341 | Janneh | Oct 2013 | A1 |
| 20130270346 | Xian et al. | Oct 2013 | A1 |
| 20130287258 | Kearney | Oct 2013 | A1 |
| 20130292475 | Kotlarsky et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130292477 | Hennick et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130293539 | Hunt et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130293540 | Laffargue et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130306728 | Thuries et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130306731 | Pedraro | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130307964 | Bremer et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130308625 | Park et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130313324 | Koziol et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130313325 | Wilz et al. | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130342717 | Havens et al. | Dec 2013 | A1 |
| 20140001267 | Giordano et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20140002828 | Laffargue et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20140008439 | Wang | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20140025584 | Liu et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20140100813 | Showering | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20140034734 | Sauerwein | Feb 2014 | A1 |
| 20140036848 | Pease et al. | Feb 2014 | A1 |
| 20140039693 | Havens et al. | Feb 2014 | A1 |
| 20140042814 | Kather et al. | Feb 2014 | A1 |
| 20140049120 | Kohtz et al. | Feb 2014 | A1 |
| 20140049635 | Laffargue et al. | Feb 2014 | A1 |
| 20140061306 | Wu et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140063289 | Hussey et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140066136 | Sauerwein et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140067692 | Ye et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140070005 | Nahill et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140071840 | Venancio | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140074746 | Wang | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140076974 | Havens et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140078341 | Havens et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140078342 | Li et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140078345 | Showering | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140098792 | Wang et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140100774 | Showering | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140103115 | Meier et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140104413 | McCloskey et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140104414 | McCloskey et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140104416 | Giordano et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140104451 | Todeschini et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140106594 | Skvoretz | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140106725 | Sauerwein | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140108010 | Maltseff et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140108402 | Gomez et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140108682 | Caballero | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140110485 | Toa et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140114530 | Fitch et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140124577 | Wang et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140124579 | Ding | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140125842 | Winegar | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140125853 | Wang | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140125999 | Longacre et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140129378 | Richardson | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140131438 | Kearney | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140131441 | Nahill et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140131443 | Smith | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140131444 | Wang | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140131445 | Ding et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140131448 | Xian et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140133379 | Wang et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140136208 | Maltseff et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140140585 | Wang | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140148947 | Levesque | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140151453 | Meier et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140152882 | Samek et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140158770 | Sevier et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140159869 | Zumsteg et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140165614 | Manning | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140166754 | Vargo | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140166755 | Liu et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140166757 | Smith | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140166759 | Liu et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140168787 | Wang et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140175165 | Havens et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140175172 | Jovanovski et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140191644 | Chaney | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140191913 | Ge et al. | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140197238 | Lui et al. | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140197239 | Havens et al. | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140197304 | Feng et al. | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140203087 | Smith et al. | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140204268 | Grunow et al. | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140214631 | Hansen | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140217166 | Berthiaume et al. | Aug 2014 | A1 |
| 20140217180 | Liu | Aug 2014 | A1 |
| 20140231500 | Ehrhart et al. | Aug 2014 | A1 |
| 20140232930 | Anderson | Aug 2014 | A1 |
| 20140247315 | Marty et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140263493 | Amurgis et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140263645 | Smith et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140267609 | Laffargue | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140270196 | Braho et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140270229 | Braho | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140278387 | DiGregorio | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140278391 | Braho et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140282210 | Bianconi | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140284384 | Lu et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140288933 | Braho et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140297058 | Barker et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| 20140299665 | Barber et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| 20140312121 | Lu et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| 20140319220 | Coyle | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| 20140319221 | Oberpriller et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| 20140326787 | Barten | Nov 2014 | A1 |
| 20140332590 | Wang et al. | Nov 2014 | A1 |
| 20140344943 | Todeschini et al. | Nov 2014 | A1 |
| 20140346233 | Liu et al. | Nov 2014 | A1 |
| 20140351317 | Smith et al. | Nov 2014 | A1 |
| 20140353373 | Van Horn et al. | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20140361073 | Qu et al. | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20140361082 | Xian et al. | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20140362184 | Jovanovski et al. | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20140363015 | Braho | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20140369511 | Sheerin et al. | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20140374483 | Lu | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20140374485 | Xian et al. | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20150001301 | Ouyang | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150001304 | Todeschini | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150003673 | Fletcher | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150009338 | Laffargue et al. | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150009610 | London et al. | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150014416 | Kotlarsky et al. | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150021397 | Rueblinger et al. | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150028102 | Ren et al. | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150028103 | Jiang | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150028104 | Ma et al. | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150029002 | Yeakley et al. | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150032709 | Maloy et al. | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150039309 | Braho et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150040378 | Saber et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150048168 | Fritz et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150049347 | Laffargue et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150051992 | Smith | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150053766 | Havens et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150053768 | Wang et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150053769 | Thuries et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150062366 | Liu et al. | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20150063215 | Wang | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20150063676 | Lloyd et al. | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20150069130 | Gannon | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20150071819 | Todeschini | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20150083800 | Li et al. | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20150086114 | Todeschini | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20150088522 | Hendrickson et al. | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20150096872 | Woodburn | Apr 2015 | A1 |
| 20150099557 | Pettinelli et al. | Apr 2015 | A1 |
| 20150100196 | Hollifield | Apr 2015 | A1 |
| 20150102109 | Huck | Apr 2015 | A1 |
| 20150102913 | Vargo | Apr 2015 | A1 |
| 20150115035 | Meier et al. | Apr 2015 | A1 |
| 20150127791 | Kosecki et al. | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150128116 | Chen et al. | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150129659 | Feng et al. | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150133047 | Smith et al. | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150134470 | Hejl et al. | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150136851 | Harding et al. | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150136854 | Lu et al. | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150142492 | Kumar | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150144692 | Hejl | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150144698 | Teng et al. | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150144701 | Xian et al. | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150149946 | Benos et al. | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150161429 | Xian | Jun 2015 | A1 |
| 20150169925 | Chang et al. | Jun 2015 | A1 |
| 20150169929 | Williams et al. | Jun 2015 | A1 |
| 20150186703 | Chen et al. | Jul 2015 | A1 |
| 20150193644 | Kearney et al. | Jul 2015 | A1 |
| 20150193645 | Colavito et al. | Jul 2015 | A1 |
| 20150199957 | Funyak et al. | Jul 2015 | A1 |
| 20150204671 | Showering | Jul 2015 | A1 |
| 20150210199 | Payne | Jul 2015 | A1 |
| 20150220753 | Zhu et al. | Aug 2015 | A1 |
| 20150254485 | Feng et al. | Sep 2015 | A1 |
| 20150327012 | Bian et al. | Nov 2015 | A1 |
| 20160014251 | Hejl | Jan 2016 | A1 |
| 20160040982 | Li et al. | Feb 2016 | A1 |
| 20160042241 | Todeschini | Feb 2016 | A1 |
| 20160057230 | Todeschini et al. | Feb 2016 | A1 |
| 20160109219 | Ackley et al. | Apr 2016 | A1 |
| 20160109220 | Laffargue | Apr 2016 | A1 |
| 20160109224 | Thuries et al. | Apr 2016 | A1 |
| 20160112631 | Ackley et al. | Apr 2016 | A1 |
| 20160112643 | Laffargue et al. | Apr 2016 | A1 |
| 20160124516 | Schoon et al. | May 2016 | A1 |
| 20160125217 | Todeschini | May 2016 | A1 |
| 20160125342 | Miller et al. | May 2016 | A1 |
| 20160133253 | Braho et al. | May 2016 | A1 |
| 20160171720 | Todeschini | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160178479 | Goldsmith | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160180678 | Ackley et al. | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160189087 | Morton et al. | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160189270 | Mellott et al. | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160125873 | Braho et al. | Jul 2016 | A1 |
| 20160203429 | Mellott et al. | Jul 2016 | A1 |
| 20160227912 | Oberpriller et al. | Aug 2016 | A1 |
| 20160232891 | Pecorari | Aug 2016 | A1 |
| 20160260148 | High | Sep 2016 | A1 |
| 20160292477 | Bidwell | Oct 2016 | A1 |
| 20160292633 | Griffin | Oct 2016 | A1 |
| 20160294779 | Yeakley et al. | Oct 2016 | A1 |
| 20160306769 | Kohtz et al. | Oct 2016 | A1 |
| 20160314276 | Sewell et al. | Oct 2016 | A1 |
| 20160314294 | Kubler et al. | Oct 2016 | A1 |
| 20160350709 | Taylor | Dec 2016 | A1 |
| 20170004334 | Vargo | Jan 2017 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 103745342 | Apr 2014 | CN |
| 3043300 | Jul 2016 | EP |
| 2013163789 | Nov 2013 | WO |
| 2013173985 | Nov 2013 | WO |
| 2014019130 | Feb 2014 | WO |
| 2014110495 | Jul 2014 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Office Action in related European Application No. 17181028.6 dated Sep. 18, 2018, pp. 1-7 [All references previously cited.]. |
| Extended Search Report in related European Application No. 17181028.6 dated Sep. 11, 2017, pp. 1-8. |
| Ackerman, “Voice Recognition Systems Technology at Work in Today's Warehouse/Distribution Facilities”, Prologis Supply Chain Review, Mar. 1, 2006, Denver, CO, Retrieved from the Internet: URL:http://www.prologis.com/docs/research/supply chain/Voice_Recognition_Systems_-_March 2006.pdf, 12 pages [Cited in EP Search Report]. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/715,916 for Evaluating Image Values filed May 19, 2015 (Ackley); 60 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 29/525,068 for Tablet Computer With Removable Scanning Device filed Apr. 27, 2015 (Schulte et al.); 19 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 29/468,118 for an Electronic Device Case, filed Sep. 26, 2013 (Oberpriller et al.); 44 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 29/530,600 for Cyclone filed Jun. 18, 2015 (Vargo et al); 16 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/707,123 for Application Independent DEX/UCS Interface filed May 8, 2015 (Pape); 47 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/283,282 for Terminal Having Illumination and Focus Control filed May 21, 2014 (Liu et al.); 31 pages; now abandoned. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/705,407 for Method and System to Protect Software-Based Network-Connected Devices From Advanced Persistent Threat filed May 6, 2015 (Hussey et al.); 42 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/704,050 for Intermediate Linear Positioning filed May 5, 2015 (Charpentier et al.); 60 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/705,012 for Hands-Free Human Machine Interface Responsive to a Driver of a Vehicle filed May 6, 2015 (Fitch et al.); 44 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/715,672 for Augumented Reality Enabled Hazard Display filed May 19, 2015 (Venkatesha et al.); 35 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/735,717 for Indicia-Reading Systems Having an Interface With a User'S Nervous System filed Jun. 10, 2015 (Todeschini); 39 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/702,110 for System and Method for Regulating Barcode Data Injection Into a Running Application on a Smart Device filed May 1, 2015 (Todeschini et al.); 38 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/747,197 for Optical Pattern Projector filed Jun. 23, 2015 (Thuries et al.); 33 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/702,979 for Tracking Battery Conditions filed May 4, 2015 (Young et al.); 70 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 29/529,441 for Indicia Reading Device filed Jun. 8, 2015 (Zhou et al.); 14 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/747,490 for Dual-Projector Three-Dimensional Scanner filed Jun. 23, 2015 (Jovanovski et al.); 40 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/740,320 for Tactile Switch for a Mobile Electronic Device filed Jun. 16, 2015 (Barndringa); 38 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/740,373 for Calibrating a Volume Dimensioner filed Jun. 16, 2015 (Ackley et al.); 63 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/367,978, filed Feb. 7, 2012, (Feng et al.); now abandoned. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/277,337 for Multipurpose Optical Reader, filed May 14, 2014 (Jovanovski et al.); 59 pages; now abandoned. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 14/446,391 for Multifunction Point of Sale Apparatus With Optical Signature Capture filed Jul. 30, 2014 (Good et al.); 37 pages; now abandoned. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 29/516,892 for Table Computer filed Feb. 6, 2015 (Bidwell et al.); 13 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 29/523,098 for Handle for a Tablet Computer filed Apr. 7, 2015 (Bidwell et al.); 17 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 29/528,890 for Mobile Computer Housing filed Jun. 2, 2015 (Fitch et al.); 61 pages. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 29/526,918 for Charging Base filed May 14, 2015 (Fitch et al.); 10 pages. |
| Decision to Refuse for European Application No. 17181028.6, dated Feb. 5, 2020, 13 pages. |
| Summons to Attend Oral Proceedings for European Application No. 17181028.6, dated Sep. 5, 2019, 11 pages. |
| U.S. Patent Application for a Laser Scanning Module Employing an Elastomeric U-Hinge Based Laser Scanning Assembly, filed Feb. 7, 2012 (Feng et al.), U.S. Appl. No. 13/367,978. |
| U.S. Patent Application for Indicia Reader filed Apr. 1, 2015 (Huck), U.S. Appl. No. 14/676,109. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180018623 A1 | Jan 2018 | US |
