MOVABLE-OBJECT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

• US 3,813,659 A
• Filed: 03/22/1972
• Issued: 05/28/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Walter T. Charlton
• Original Assignee: Walter T. Charlton
• Inventors: Charlton, Walter T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Henon, Paul J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thesz, Jr., Joseph M.
• Application Number:
  US05/236,925
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 340/146.3K,152T,47,174.1R 343/6.5SS 235/61.12M,61.11D 179/1.2A
• US Class Current: 235/449
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/043 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/046 using magnetic tags

Abstract

A railroad car identification system is described herein which includes a magnetic identification record mounted on a railroad car and a stationary sensing means for reading information from the identification record as the railroad car passes the stationary sensing means. The system comprises a channeling means and a follower which is guided through the channeling means as the railroad car passes the stationary sensing means. In this manner the identification record is held in close proximity to a sensing element of the stationary sensing means. In one embodiment the channeling means is a part of the identification record and mounted on the railroad car and in another embodiment the follower is a part of the identification record and mounted on the railroad car. In both embodiments provision is made for modifying information on the identification record. Various modifications of both embodiments are described. Also described herein is an electrical circuit for processing information read from the identification record. The circuit includes circuitry for storing such information on a shift register and circuitry for subsequently transferring such information to a computer.

Claims

1. A movable-object identification system for identifying objects guided along a path by a track, of the type comprising an identification record mounted on an individual movable object and a stationary sensing means positioned along said track, for reading information from said identification record as said individual movable object is guided past said stationary means by said track, said movable-object identification system comprising:

a channeling means separate from said track comprising two opposing barriers for defining a channel space therebetween;

a follower means for engaging said opposing barriers so as to be guided into said channel space and thereafter to be guided along said channel space as said individual movable object passes said stationary sensing means, said follower means having freedom of lateral movement so as to allow such guidance;

wherein one of said channeling means and said follower means is mounted on said movable object and comprises said identification record, and the other is mounted at a stationary position and comprises said stationary sensing means, such that as said follower means is guided into and along said channel space by said opposing barriers said identification record passes in close proximity to said stationary sensing means.

2. A movable-object identification system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said channel space is outwardly flared at ends thereof and the said follower means is resiliently mounted to provide said freedom of movement. said channeling means is mounted on said movable object and said identification record is attached to said channeling means;

and said stationary sensing means is attached to said follower.

3. A movable-object identification system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said channeling means is mounted on said movable object and said identification record is attached to said channeling means; and

said stationary sensing means is attached to said follower.

4. A movable-object identification system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said follower means comprises an elongated flexible shaft.

5. A movable-object identification system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said flexible shaft comprises a spring.

6. A movable-object identification system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said shaft has an elongated follower head at the end thereof.

7. In a movable-object identification system for identifying objects guided along a path by a track, of the type comprising an identification record mounted on an individual movable object and a stationary sensing means positioned along said track, for reading information from said identification record as said individual movable object is guided past said stationary sensing means by said track, an identification record comprising:

a channel means separate from said track comprising two opposing barriers for defining a channel space therebetween, said opposing barriers being flared outwardly at ends thereof for engaging a portion of said stationary sensing means and guiding said portion into said channel space and thereafter to guide said portion along said channel space as said individual movable object passes said stationary sensing means; and

an array of information storing elements embedded in at least one barrier of said channeling means.