Personnel identification devices

• US 5,414,405 A
• Filed: 02/10/1993
• Issued: 05/09/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Colebrand Limited, Oxley Developments Company Ltd. (Oxley International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Colebrand Limited, Oxley Developments Company Ltd. (Oxley International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Edwards, Geoffrey S., Hogg, Robin I. T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WORTH, WILLIE M
• Application Number:
  US08/016,083
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 116/202, 116/209, 340/321, 340/331, 340/573, 340/947, 340/953
• US Class Current: 340/321
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0728 the arrangement being an optical or sound-based communication interface
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0776 the adhering arrangement being a layer of adhesive, so that the record carrier can function as a sticker
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

An identification device comprising an IR LED contained within a housing which is adapted to be carried externally by a person or object who or which is to be identifiable in dark conditions. In cases where the device is to be used as a personnel identification beacon (PIB) the housing can carry means to enable it to have a "stick-on" capability whereby the housing can be easily attached or detached to/from the external clothing of a wearer. The IR LED can be adapted to flash and this can be in a coded sequence to enable the particular wearer to be identified.

Claims

1. A device for an object to be identified in the dark, comprising:

a waterproof housing;

means for enabling the housing to be secured removably to the object to be identified in the dark;

at least one infrared light emitting diode disposed within the housing for emitting infrared light to be detected for object identification purposes, said housing having an infrared transparency portion to enable said infrared light to be emitted therethrough;

a reed switch for causing said infrared light emitting diode to be actuated on and off;

a battery for electrically energizing the infrared light emitting diode through said reed switch;

said infrared light emitting diode, said reed switch, and said battery all being disposed within said waterproof housing;

a magnet; and

mounting means recessed into said waterproof housing without perforating it for receiving said magnet;

wherein said mounting means enables said magnet to be placed in the vicinity of said reed switch for activating the reed switch to cause said infrared light emitting diode to be coupled to the battery for electrical energizing purposes.

2. An identification device for identification of a wearer in dark conditions, comprising:

a waterproof housing having a base and an infrared transparency portion;

attachment means for enabling the housing to be attached externally removably to a garment worn by the wearer;

at least one infrared light emitting diode disposed within the housing at the transparency portion thereof;

switching means including timer means disposed within the housing for enabling said at least one infrared light emitting diode to be actuated on and off at a predetermined rate and sequence;

battery means within the housing for electrically energizing said at least one infrared light emitting diode via said switching means;

wherein said attachment means is stick-on means to attach removably said housing to the garment worn by the user;

wherein said switching means further includes a reed switch for activating said timer means;

said battery means and said reed switch being contained within said waterproof housing;

a magnet; and

mounting means recessed into said waterproof housing for receiving said magnet without perforating said housing for controlling the on and off actuation of said reed switch.

3. An identification device according to claim 2, wherein said housing is molded from a resilient plastic material and the infrared transparency portion thereof permits infrared light to be emitted therethrough;

and

said switching means being molded into the housing.

4. An identification device according to claim 3, wherein a visible light emitting diode is wired in series with the infrared light emitting diode but is arranged to illuminate only a small portion of the base of the housing;

whereby the wearer of the device can determine by inspection of the visible light emitting diode that the device is working, without the need for the wearer to resort to the use of an infrared sensitive viewing device.