Flexible cable with security system for code markings

• US 5,600,115 A
• Filed: 01/16/1996
• Issued: 02/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alfiero Balzano
• Original Assignee: Alfiero Balzano
• Inventors: Balzano, Alfiero
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FILIPEK, JEFFER
• Application Number:
  US08/586,987
• Time in Patent Office: 385 Days
• Field of Search: 235/382, 235/468, 235/491, 250/271, 348/156, 348/143
• US Class Current: 235/382
• 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

Abstract

A system which includes an information transmitting element including flexible length of cable supporting an array of energy emitting elements of such sizes, shapes and spacings as to represent bar code markings, a carrier for the information transmitting element which is adapted to be mounted on a person or object, where its movement from one place to another requires control and where its admission to such places might be selectively denied, and a receiver element for detecting and determining the encoded information being transmitted.

Claims

1. An identification system for use in determining whether to permit objects access to a preselected location, comprising:

an information transmitting element adapted to be carried by an object, said information transmitting element including a flexible substrate and an array of heat energy emitting members disposed on said substrate, said heat energy emitting members collectively being of such sizes, shapes and spacings as to present a bar code marking,

a carrier for said transmitting element adapted to be mounted on said object, and

a receiving element for detecting the heat energy emitted by said heat energy emitting members and decoding the encoded information being transmitted,

whereby if the information represented by said bar code marking satisfies preexisting conditions required for access to said location, said object is permitted to enter said location.

2. The identification system of claim 1, wherein said object is a person, and said carrier for said transmitting element comprises an arm band having a pocket in which said transmitting element is inserted.

3. The identification system of claim 2, and further including a power pack for providing power to said transmitting element.

4. The identification system of claim 1, wherein said array of heat energy emitting elements are electrically connected to one another by conductive paths to form a circuit, and said information transmitting element further includes a power supply which is electrically coupled to said circuit.

5. The identification system of claim 4, wherein said heat energy emitting elements are arranged in parallel in said circuit.

6. The identification system of claim 1, wherein said heat energy emitting elements are formed on said substrate by an additive process of depositing conductive ink.

7. The identification system of claim 1, wherein said heat energy emitting elements are formed on said substrate by a subtractive process of etching.

8. An electrical cable component adapted to be carried in an armband for producing an information bearing signal, comprising:

a flexible insulating substrate, and an array of heat emitting elements disposed on said substrate, each of said heat emitting elements having a configuration and being arranged adjacent a neighboring heat emitting element in such a manner as to represent a bar code marking.

9. The component of claim 8, wherein said heat emitting elements are electrically connected together via conductive paths to form a circuit.

10. The component of claim 9, wherein said heat emitting elements are arranged in parallel in said circuit.

11. The component of claim 9, and further including a power supply, said power supply being electrically connected with said circuit.

12. The component of claim 9, wherein said configuration is substantially rectangular.

13. The component of claim 9, wherein said configuration is substantially polygonal.

14. The component of claim 8, wherein said heat emitting elements are formed through a process of depositing conductive ink on said substrate.

15. The component of claim 8, wherein said heat emitting elements are formed through an etching process.