Automatic vehicle identification system and method
First Claim
1. A method of tracking objects comprising:
- generating an energy field at a fixed location in a tracking area, which energy field is composed of a number of discrete and fixed radio frequency signals of different frequencies,disposing different coded arrays of passive tuned electrical circuits on a plurality of objects to be tracked which objects may pass said known location, and wherein each of said coded arrays of circuits defines a code which is different from the codes defined by the other objects so that each object has an array of such circuits which is different from the arrays of circuits defining the codes of the other objects, andwhen an object with a coded array of tuned electrical circuits comes within a given range of said fixed location in said tracking area, indicating the presence of said object thereat by detecting the presence of its tuned electrical circuits by sensing the absorption of energy of said field by said passively tuned circuits and generating a corresponding electrical signal for each frequency of the field which experiences energy absorption, andgenerating a code signal defined by the combination of said tuned electrical circuits detected when said object is within said given range of said field and employing said code signal to indicate the presence of said object at said known location.
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Abstract
An automatic vehicle identification system for use in identifying and routing vehicles, such as railway cars or other vehicles which routinely travel a given track or path. A passive electronic device or electrical circuit is employed to intersect an energy field and respond thereto by generating a code in accordance with energy received and converted to coded electrical signals. Connected to the passive device is a short wave transmitter for transmitting signals generated by the electrical device when so energized. The electrical device may also comprise a plurality of different induction coils or antenna which serve to modify an energy field in a given manner, which modification may be detected by short wave sensing and converted to a coded electrical signal which is employed to identify the vehicle. In another form, a coded array of antenna or induction coils is provided which modify energy fields generated at check points or scanning locations along a trackway or roadway, wherein such energy field modifications are sensed at each such scanning location, resulting in the generation of an electrical code at each location and identification of the vehicle.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of tracking objects comprising:
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generating an energy field at a fixed location in a tracking area, which energy field is composed of a number of discrete and fixed radio frequency signals of different frequencies, disposing different coded arrays of passive tuned electrical circuits on a plurality of objects to be tracked which objects may pass said known location, and wherein each of said coded arrays of circuits defines a code which is different from the codes defined by the other objects so that each object has an array of such circuits which is different from the arrays of circuits defining the codes of the other objects, and when an object with a coded array of tuned electrical circuits comes within a given range of said fixed location in said tracking area, indicating the presence of said object thereat by detecting the presence of its tuned electrical circuits by sensing the absorption of energy of said field by said passively tuned circuits and generating a corresponding electrical signal for each frequency of the field which experiences energy absorption, and generating a code signal defined by the combination of said tuned electrical circuits detected when said object is within said given range of said field and employing said code signal to indicate the presence of said object at said known location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification