Device for Electronic Identification of Items

• US 20090102613A1
• Filed: 10/20/2008
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Fontanot, Paolo
• Application Number:
  US12/254,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20090102613A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.400
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4183 characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A device for electronic identification of items has a signal receiver circuit and a visual signaling unit that, based on a received signal, indicates a transport status of an item to which the device for electronic identification of items is attachable. The device provides a way for enhancing the identification, tracking and transportation of items for logistical purposes.

Claims

1. A device for electronic identification of items, the device comprising:

a signal receiver circuit; and

a visual signaling unit coupled to said signal receiver circuit and, based on a received signal, indicates a transport status of a movable item to which the device for electronic identification of items is attachable.

2. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, further comprising a microchip connected to said signal receiver circuit and containing means for adapting a received signal to provide information readable by at least one further connected devices.

3. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 2, wherein said microchip is connected to said visual signaling unit and has means for transmitting transport status indication commands to said visual signaling unit.

4. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 2, further comprising a signaling digital output, said microchip is connected to and has means for transmitting transportation commands via said signaling digital output to a transportation system.

5. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 3, wherein said signal receiver circuit has a non-volatile memory unit used to store product identification data and the transportation and transport status indication commands.

6. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, wherein said visual signaling unit contains one of color-coded means and other variable visual patterns indicating whether a transport of the movable item is to be stopped or continued.

7. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, wherein said visual signaling unit additionally contains one of color-coded means and other variable visual patterns indicating whether the movable item is to be placed in a production holding pattern.

8. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 6, wherein said visual signaling unit contains optical emitting devices selected from the group consisting of control lamps and optoelectronic devices, each separately emitting light of a different color.

9. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 6, wherein said visual signaling unit contains an electronic paper device.

10. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 6, wherein said visual signaling unit provides the variable visual pattern in a form of one of a barcode and 2D image code that can be read by standard optical scanners.

11. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, wherein said signal receiver circuit contains at least one antenna.

12. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, wherein said signal receiver circuit is adapted to receiving radio frequency signals.

13. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, wherein said signal receiver circuit is powered by a battery.

14. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, wherein said signal receiver circuit is powered by a current induced by an electromagnetic wave provided by a transmitting source which is located in reception range of said signal receiver circuit.

15. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 14, wherein said visual signaling unit is powered by the current induced by the electromagnetic wave provided by the transmitting source which is located in reception range of said signal receiver circuit.

16. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 14, whereby said signal receiver circuit has means to demodulate a modulated signal formed in the electromagnetic wave provided by the transmitting source and interpret a thereby demodulated signal.

17. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 14, whereby said signal receiver circuit has means to reflect to the transmitting source a reflected electromagnetic wave.

18. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 17, whereby said signal receiver circuit has means to modulate stored information into the reflected electromagnetic wave.

19. The device for electronic identification of movable items according to claim 18, whereby the transmitting source and said signal receiver circuit use a proprietary protocol for an exchange of data.

20. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 18, whereby the transmitting source and said signal receiver circuit use a standard RFID protocol for an exchange of data.

21. A system for tracking and transportation of an item, the system comprising:

a product identification device for electronic identification of items, said product identification device containing;

a signal receiver circuit; and

a visual signaling unit coupled to said signal receiver circuit and, based on a received signal, indicates a transport status of a movable item to which said product identification device for electronic identification of items is attachable;

an electronic product tracker, said electronic product tracker contains means for receiving and interpreting commands from said product identification device via a signaling output for locating a position of the product identification device for electronic identification of items.

22. The system according to claim 21,

wherein said product identification device has a signaling output;

and

further comprising an electronically controlled product transporter having means for receiving and interpreting commands from said product identification device for electronic identification of items via said signaling output in order to move and sort products and materials.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein said signaling output is a signaling digital output.

24. The system according to claim 22, wherein said signaling output is a visual signaling unit.

25. A method for locating movable items, which comprises the steps of:

providing a device for electronic identification of items, the device having a signal receiver circuit and a visual signaling unit that, based on a received signal, indicates a transport status of a movable item to which the device for electronic identification of items is attachable; and

using the device for controlling a location based logistic of the movable items in an area.

26. A method for triggering at least one displacement machine, which comprises the steps of:

providing a device for electronic identification of items, the device having a signal receiver circuit and a visual signaling unit that, based on a received signal, indicates a transport status of a movable item to which the device for electronic identification of items is attachable; and

using the device for triggering the at least one displacement machine.