IDENTIFIER DEVICE AND METHOD OF IDENTIFYING

• US 20080218346A1
• Filed: 02/28/2008
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Secondo, Pierre, Mermet, Jean-Francois, Pucci, Bernard
• Granted Patent: US 7,936,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 21/00 Systems for transmitting the position of an object with respect to a predetermined reference system, e.g. tele-autographic system

Abstract

An identifier device, which may be part of a tracking or similar transponder device, which can be removably coupled to an article to be identified or tracked. Data representing the identity of the article is encoded in the form of a pattern, and can be read by the identifier device when correctly engaged to the article, by sampling the pattern so as to extract the data encoded therein for transmission. The pattern may be a relief pattern, for example in the form of bumps and pits such as a Braille pattern, or magnetic domains, or the like.

Claims

1. An identifier device for identifying an article having a surface wherein data representing an identity of the article is encoded in a form of a pattern formed thereon, the device comprising:

an interface for coupling to the article, the interface comprising;

engaging means for engaging the article; and

sampling means for sampling the pattern so as to extract the data upon correct engagement by the engaging means; and

means for processing the extracted data and for transmitting the processed data to an external receiver.

2. The identifier device of claim 1, further comprising:

a switch actuated by the device engaging the article, wherein actuation of the switch initiates sampling of the pattern.

3. The identifier device of claim 1, wherein the pattern is a magnetic pattern.

4. The identifier device of claim 1, wherein the pattern is a relief pattern.

5. The identifier device of claim 4, wherein the relief pattern comprises a three dimensional bar code or a Braille pattern.

6. The identifier device of claim 4, wherein the means for sampling comprises means to mechanically detect thane elevation of the pattern at predetermined points.

7. The identifier device of claim 1, wherein the means for engaging the article is adapted to releasably engage the article.

8. The identifier device of claim 1, wherein the means for sampling the pattern comprises a plurality of sensors.

9. The identifier device of claim 8, wherein the means for sampling the pattern comprises a plurality of sensors forming a matrix.

10. The identifier device of claim 1, further comprising:

means for decoding, checking, or storing the data read by the means for sampling.

11. The identifier device of claim 1, further comprising:

means for determining the position thereof.

12. An article, comprising:

a surface wherein data representing an identity of the article is encoded in a form of a relief pattern formed on a surface; and

means for engaging an identifier device.

13. The article of claim 12, wherein the article is a shipping container.

14. The article of claim 12, wherein the identifier device comprises:

an interface for coupling to the article, the interface comprising;

engaging means for engaging the article; and

sampling means for sampling the relief pattern so as to extract the data upon correct engagement by the engaging means; and

means for processing the extracted data and for transmitting the processed data to an external receiver.

15. A method of identifying an article comprising a surface wherein data representing an identity of the article is encoded in a form of a relief pattern formed on the surface, comprising:

engaging the article;

sampling the relief pattern so as to extract the data; and

wirelessly transmitting the data.