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Claims  |
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The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are as follows:
1. A bar comprising at least one compartment, a plurality of removable
magazines provided for mounting in the at least one compartment, fiber
optics associated with the at least one bar compartment and each magazine
for assisting to detect the removal of a magazine from the at least one
bar compartment and the removal and/or movment of the contents of the
magazine, the fiber optics comprising:
(a) optical fibers secured to each magazine and lenses secured to the
optical fibers on each magazine -and-
(b) lenses on the bar associated with the at least one compartment, some of
the lenses on each magazine spaced from, and aligned with, some of the
lenses on the same magazine for the transmission of light therebetween,
and some of the lenses on each magazine spaced from, and aligned with,
some of the lenses on the bar associated with the compartment for the
transmission of light therebetween, the lenses of each magazine which are
spaced from, and aligned with, other lenses of the same magazine for the
transmission of light therebetween, being secured by optical fibers to
lenses spaced from, and aligned with, lenses on the bar associated with
the at least one compartment for transmission of light therebetween.
2. The bar of claim 1, wherein each magazine comprises a housing closed by
an access door which permits access to, and dispensing of, only one item
from the magazine at one time when the door is opened.
3. The bar of claim 1 wherein the bar is a refrigerated bar comprising at
least one refrigerated compartment.
4. The bar of claim 2, wherein the bar is a refrigerated bar comprising at
least one refrigerated compartment.
5. The bar of claim 2, wherein the access door is transparent and is
pivotable about a horizontal axis thereby rotating from a position closing
the magazine, around the leading item carried by the magazine, and into
the magazine behind the leading item, isolating the leading item from the
remaining items in the magazine permitting access only to the leading
item.
6. The bar of claim 4, wherein the access door is transparent and is
pivotable about a horizontal axis thereby rotating from a position closing
the magazine around the leading item carried by the magazine, and into the
magazine behind the leading item isolating the leading item from the
remaining items in the magazine permitting ready access only to the
leading item.
7. The bar of claim 2, wherein the bottom of each magazine is sloped
downwardly from a position remote the access door towards the access door
causing the items in the magazine to roll towards the access door.
8. The bar of claim 3, wherein the bottom of each magazine is sloped
downwardly from a position remote an access door towards the access door
causing the items in the magazine to roll towards the access door.
9. The bar of claim 4, wherein the bottom of each magazine is sloped
downwardly from a position remote the access door towards the access door
causing the items in the magazine to roll towards the access door.
10. The bar of claim 5, wherein the bottom of each magazine is sloped
downwardly from a position remote the access door towards the access door
causing the items in the magazine to roll towards the access door.
11. The bar of claim 6, wherein the bottom of each magazine is sloped
downwardly from a position remote the access door towards the access door
causing the items in the magazine to roll towards the access door.
12. The bar of claim 2, wherein when the access door is opened, the action
causes interference with a beam of light transmitted between two spaced
and aligned lenses of the same magazine permitting the leading item to be
removed from the magazine.
13. The bar of claim 4, wherein when the access door is opened, the action
causes interference with a beam of light transmitted between two spaced
and aligned lenses of the same magazine permitting the leading item to be
removed from the magazine.
14. The bar of claim 10, wherein when the access door is rotated about the
horizontal axis, the action causes interference with a beam of light
transmitted between two spaced and aligned lenses of the same magazine
permitting the leading item to be removed from the magazine.
15. The bar of claim 5, wherein when the access door is rotated about the
horizontal axis, the action causes interference with a beam of light
transmitted between two spaced and aligned lenses of the same magazine
permitting the leading item to be removed from the magazine.
16. The bar of claim 5, wherein when the leading item is removed and the
access door closed to its original position, items in the magazine roll or
slide forwardly toward the access door affecting the receipt or
non-receipt of a beam of light transmitted by one lens of at least another
pair of spaced and aligned lenses of same magazine towards the other lens.
17. The bar of claim 6, wherein when the leading item is removed and the
access door closed to its original position, items in the magazine roll or
slide forwardly toward the access door affecting the receipt or
non-receipt of a beam of light transmitted by one lens of at least another
pair of spaced and aligned lenses of the same magazine towards the other
lens.
18. The bar of claim 10, wherein when the leading item is removed and the
access door closed to its original position, items in the magazine roll or
slide forwardly toward the access door affecting the receipt or
non-receipt of a beam of light transmitted by one lens of at least another
pair of spaced and aligned lenses of the same magazine towards the other
lens.
19. The bar of claim 11, wherein when the leading item is removed and the
access door closed to its original position, items in the magazine roll or
slide forwardly toward the access door affecting the receipt or
non-receipt of a beam of light transmitted by one lens of at least another
pair of spaced and aligned lenses of the same magazine towards the lens.
20. The bar of claim 12, wherein when the leading item is removed and the
access door closed to its original position, items in the magazine roll or
slide forwardly toward the access door affecting the receipt or
non-receipt of a beam of light transmitted by one lens of at least another
pair of spaced and aligned lenses of the same magazine towards the other
lens.
21. The bar of claim 13, wherein when the leading item is removed and the
access door closed to its original position, items in the magazine roll or
slide forwardly toward the access door affecting the receipt or
non-receipt of a beam of light transmitted by one lens of at least another
pair of spaced and aligned lenses of the same magazine towards the other
lens.
22. The bar of claim 14, wherein when the leading item is removed and the
access door closed to its original position, items in the magazine roll or
slide forwardly toward the access door affecting the receipt or
non-receipt of a beam of light transmitted by one lens of at least another
pair of spaced and aligned lenses of the same magazine towards the other
lens.
23. The bar of claim 15, wherein when the leading item is removed and the
access door closed to its original position, items in the magazine roll or
slide forwardly toward the access door affecting the receipt or
non-receipt of a beam of light transmitted by one lens of at least another
pair of spaced and aligned lenses of the same magazine towards the other
lens.
24. The bar of claim 1, wherein each lens columnates the beam of light
transmitted therefrom.
25. The bar of claim 2, wherein each lens columnates the beam of light
transmitted therefrom.
26. The bar of claim 3, wherein each lens columnates the beam of light
transmitted therefrom.
27. The bar of claim 4, wherein each lens columnates the beam of light
transmitted therefrom.
28. The bar of claim 5, wherein each lens columnates the beam of light
transmitted therefrom.
29. The bar of claim 6, wherein each lens columnates the beam of light
transmitted therefrom.
30. The bar of claim 12, wherein each lens columnates the beam of light
transmitted therefrom.
31. The bar of claim 13, wherein each lens columnates the beam of light
transmitted therefrom.
32. The bar of claim 1, wherein each lens is interfaced with each optical
fiber through the medium of a gel material carried by the lens which gel
material has the same refractive index as the lens and which material
interfaces the lens and optical fiber.
33. The bar of claim 2, wherein each lens is interfaced with each optical
fiber through the medium of a gel material carried by the lens which gel
material has the same refractive index as the lens and which material
interfaces the lens and optical fiber.
34. The bar of claim 3, wherein each lens is interfaced with each optical
fiber through the medium of a gel material carried by the lens which gel
material has the same refractive index as the lens and which material
interfaces the lens and optical fiber.
35. The bar of claim 4, wherein each lens is interfaced with each optical
fiber through the medium of a gel material carried by the lens which gel
material has the same refractive index as the lens and which material
interfaces the lens and optical fiber.
36. The bar of claim 5, wherein each lens is interfaced with each optical
fiber through the medium of a gel material carried by the lens which gel
material has the same refractive index as the lens and which material
interfaces the lens and optical fiber.
37. The bar of claim 6, wherein each lens is interfaced with each optical
fiber through the medium of a gel material carried by the lens which gel
material has the same refractive index as the lens and which material
interfaces the lens and optical fiber.
38. The bar of claim 12, wherein each lens is interfaced with each optical
fiber through the medium of a gel material carried by the lens which gel
material has the same refractive index as the lens and which material
interfaces the lens and optical fiber.
39. The bar of claim 13, wherein each lens is interfaced with each optical
fiber through the medium of a gel material carried by the lens which gel
material has the same refractive index as the lens and which material
interfaces the lens and optical fiber.
40. The bar of claim 30, wherein each lens is interfaced with each optical
fiber through the medium of a gel material carried by the lens which gel
material has the same refractive index as the lens and which material
interfaces the lens and optical fiber.
41. The bar of claim 31, wherein each lens is interfaced with each optical
fiber through the medium of a gel material carried by the lens which gel
material has the same refractive index as the lens and which material
interfaces the lens and optical fiber.
42. The bar of claim 1, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment and the removal and/or movement of
the contents of the magazine.
43. The bar of claim 2, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
44. The bar of claim 3, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment and the removal and/or movement of
the contents of the magazine.
45. The bar of claim 4, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
46. The bar of claim 5, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
47. The bar of claim 6, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
48. The bar of claim 7, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
49. The bar of claim 8, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment and the removal and/or movement of
the contents of the magazine.
50. The bar of claim 9, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
51. The bar of claim 10, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
52. The bar of claim 11, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
53. The bar of claim 12, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
54. The bar of claim 13, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
55. The bar of claim 14, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
56. The bar of claim 15, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
57. The bar of claim 16, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
58. The bar of claim 17, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
59. The bar of claim 18, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
60. The bar of claim 19, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
61. The bar of claim 20, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
62. The bar of claim 21, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
63. The bar of claim 22, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
64. The bar of claim 23, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
65. The bar of claim 38, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
66. The bar of claim 39, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
67. The bar of claim 40, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
68. The bar of claim 41, wherein the bar further comprises a microprocessor
in which microprocessor any interference with, or effect on, the light
beams transmitted between pairs of spaced and aligned lenses is registered
in the form of an electronic signal indicating the removal of a magazine
from the at least one bar compartment opening of the access door of a
magazine and the removal and/or movement of the contents of the magazine.
69. The bar of claim 42, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
70. The bar of claim 43, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
71. The bar of claim 44, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
72. The bar of claim 45, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
73. The bar of claim 46, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
74. The bar of claim 47, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
75. The bar of claim 48, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
76. The bar of claim 49, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
77. The bar of claim 50, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
78. The bar of claim 51, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
79. The bar of claim 52, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
80. The bar of claim 53, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frquency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a dipexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
81. The bar of claim 54, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
82. The bar of claim 55, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
83. The bar of claim 56, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a deplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and from the
bar from merging, the radio frequency output being reconverted to digital
output before being inputted into the central monitoring system comprising
the central processor.
84. The bar of claim 57, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a
central monitoring system comprising a central processor, to which central
monitoring system the microprocessor transmits its stored information, the
central monitoring system for storing and processing the information being
transmitted from the microprocessor after conversion to radio frequency
output, along a co-axial television cable employing a diplexor for
preventing the signals on the co-axial cable for a television and fr | | |
