Method for collecting market survey data from universal product type coded items

摘要

A method for collecting market survey data from universal product type code bearing market items is provided in which a lenseless data recorder is employed for collecting the universal product type code encoded market data. The data recorder comprises a housing with the housing having an exposure aperture therein for admitting a source of light therethrough, such as ambient light or artificial light. A photographic recording medium, such as a film having photographic emulsion on opposite sides thereof to permit recording on both sides, is disposed in the housing adjacent the exposure aperture. The exposure aperture is optically alignable with the universal product type code on a market item for which the survey data is to be collected. A keyboard is provided in the housing for enabling the insertion of ancillary market survey information corresponding to the market item whose product code has been recorded. Fiber optics may be employed with the recorder for facilitating the recording of both the ancillary and product code information, with the recording being accomplished on both sides of the film. The developed film may be electronically scanned and the information subsequently stored in a data processor for analysis.