Apparatus for identifying and counting articles in bulk

• US 20080079543A1
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nbg Id, Neopost Technologies S.A. (Quadient SA)
• Original Assignee: Nbg Id, Neopost Technologies S.A. (Quadient SA)
• Inventors: Fabre, Bruno, Venture, Guy
• Application Number:
  US11/520,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20080079543A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/753 using frequency selective elements, e.g. resonator
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10069 the collision being resolved in the frequency domain, e.g. by hopping from one frequency to the other frequency hopping or spread spectrum techniques H04B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10128 the step consisting of detection of the presence of one or more record carriers in the vicinity of the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

The invention provides apparatus for detecting articles (1) by implementing radiofrequency type means, the apparatus comprises a transmitter member (4) for transmitting a signal at given frequency and given amplitude, a receiver member (5) for receiving the transmitted signal, and an RLC type element (3) fitted to each article (1). The transmitter member (4) transmits sequentially a plurality of signals (A, B, C, D) at respective frequencies. The articles (1) are distributed by article type and each article of a given type is fitted with an RLC type element (3) that is resonant at a respective frequency. When a batch of articles (1) in bulk passes through the space (11) extending between the transmitter member (4) and the receiver member (5), attenuation is generated in the amplitude of the transmitted signals (A, B, C, D) corresponding to each article type, and this attenuation is detected by the receiver member (5), which consequently generates corresponding information relating to the presence or absence of an article (1) of the type identified by the RLC element (3) of the specific type carried by the article. The invention is applicable to verifying that the articles (1) in a delivery match the articles in the order for that delivery.

Claims

1. Apparatus for detecting articles (1) implementing radiofrequency type means for identifying and counting articles in bulk, the apparatus implementing at least one transmitter member (4) for transmitting a signal at given frequency and amplitude, at least one receiver member (5) for receiving the transmitted signal, and at least one RLC type element (3) associating a resistor, an inductor, and a capacitor, each article (1) for detection being fitted with such an RLC element (3), whereby passage of the article (1) through a space (11) extending between the transmitter member (4) and the receiver member (5) induces attenuation in the amplitude of the transmitted signal which is detected by the receiver member (5), said detected attenuation generating information, wherein the transmitter member (4) is a member for sequentially transmitting a plurality of signals (A, B, C, D) at respective frequencies, and the articles (1) are distributed by article type, each article (1) of any one type being fitted with an element (3) of the RLC type that is resonant at a respective frequency corresponding to the different signals (A, B, C, D) that are transmitted sequentially, such that when a batch of articles (1) of different types in bulk passes through the space (11) extending between the transmitter member (4) and the receiver member (5), attenuation is generated in the amplitude of the transmitted signals (A, B, C, D) corresponding to each type of article (1) present in the batch, which attenuation is detected by the receiver member (5), thereby generating corresponding information relating at least to the presence or absence of an article (1) of type identified by the RLC element (3) of the specific type carried by said article, and detection by the receiver member (5) of the attenuation in the amplitude of a signal at a given frequency generates information relating to the quantity of articles (1) of a given type, with quantity being detected on the basis of measuring the magnitude of the attenuation in the detected signal, the apparatus being fitted with such measurement means (6).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said measurement of the magnitude of detected signal attenuation corresponds to measuring said attenuation in steps, each step corresponding to some number of RLC elements (3) of corresponding type present in the space (11) extending between the transmitter member (4) and the receiver member (5).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signals (A, B, C, D) transmitted by the transmitter member (4) lie in a frequency range extending from about 1 MHz to about 40 MHz.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the duration for which each of the sequentially-transmitted signals (A, B, C, D) is transmitted is about 10 ms.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the duration of transmission of a signal sequence (A, B, C, D) is about 1 s.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, including a computer (7) for compiling the information generated by detecting the attenuations detected by the receiver member (5), the computer (7) being in communication with memory means (8) associating each type of RLC element (3) with the corresponding type of article (1).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, including display means (9) associated with the computer (7) to display at a control station the types of article (1) detected in the space (11) extending between the transmitter member (4) and the receiver member (5).

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein it is associated with input means (10) and storage means for inputting and storing an order for articles (1) of determined types and numbers, and comparator means between the order and the articles detected on passing between the transmitter member (4) and the receiver member (5) so as to generate, where appropriate, an alert in the event of the articles (1) of the order not matching the detected articles (1).

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it has a plurality of transmitter member (4) and receiver member (5) pairs oriented along respective directions in a rectangular frame of reference, with the space extending between these various transmitter member (4) and receiver member (5) pairs, thereby enabling the information generated to be made more pertinent.

10. The use of apparatus according to claim 1 for monitoring an order for articles (1) for validity relative to articles (1) detected in the space (11) extending between the transmitter member (4) and the receiver member (5).

11. A use according to claim 10 in the fast food business.

12. The use of apparatus according to claim 1 as antitheft apparatus.

13. A method of implementing apparatus according to claim 1, the method consisting:

in inputting and storing an order comprising at least one article (1) of at least one article type;

in preparing the order and placing articles (1) corresponding to said order in bulk in a receptacle (2), each article (1) being fitted with an RLC element (3) of a type that corresponds to the type of the article (1);

in placing the receptacle (2) containing the articles (1) in a space (11) extending between the transmitter member (4) and the receiver member (5);

in sequentially transmitting different signals (A, B, C, D) at respective frequencies from the transmitter member (4), and in detecting any attenuation in each of the transmitted signals;

in comparing the type and number of the articles (1) as detected with the corresponding articles (1) in the order; and

where appropriate, generating information relating to a mismatch between the order as input and the articles (1) contained in the receptacle (2).