Article adapted to be tracked by an electronic identifier

• US 6,816,076 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2002
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allibert Equipement
• Original Assignee: Allibert Equipement
• Inventors: Pomes, Francoise
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huang, Sihong
• Application Number:
  US10/290,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20030090388A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 343/700.R
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10178 including auxiliary means for focusing, repeating or boosting the electromagnetic interrogation field comparable booster antennas integrated on the record carrier itself G06K19/07794
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles

Abstract

The invention proposes a trackable device locally incorporating an electronic identifier comprising an integrated circuit which includes a memory and an antenna, and which is able to exchange data with a read and/or write device which is spaced at a maximum by a first predetermined communication distance. A second antenna which is able to communicate without electric contact, in particular with the identifier, is arranged at a distance from the identifier smaller than or equal to the first predetermined distance, so as to form a relay and increase the maximum distance for exchange of data between the identifier and the read and/or write device.

Claims

1. An electronically trackable carrier having an external surface, an interior, and a wall eternally defining at least a zone of the external surface, the carrier comprising:

an electronic tracer means embedded in the wall comprising an integrated electronic circuit and a first antenna connected thereto, the first antenna being adapted to operate as at least one of a signal receiver and a signal transmitter, for respectively receiving and emitting a signal, said signal having a predetermined range,

a wireless second antenna bound to a detachable additional element, adapted to operate a wireless communication with the electronic tracer means, for defining signal relay adapted for enlarging the range of the signal, the additional element being disposed on the wall.

2. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the detachable element is a label.

3. The carrier according to claim 2, wherein the carrier comprises a label holder attached to the wall of the carrier, and an opening adapted for receiving the label in the label holder.

4. The carrier according to claim 3, wherein the label holder is removably attached to the wall.

5. The carrier according to claim 3, wherein the label holder is permanently attached to the wall.

6. The carrier according to claim 2, wherein the label is affixed to the wall.

7. The carrier according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the trackable carrier is at least one of a plastic crate, a plastic pallet, a container, a bottle rack, a plastic bin, and a plastic basket.

8. A label holder for a plastic carrier member having a bottom wall and lateral walls, for defining an assembly adapted to be electronically trackable by an electronic identifier located apart from the assembly, the label holder being made of a plastic material having an external surface and an interior, the label holder being attached to one of the lateral walls of the carrier member, the label holder comprising an electronic tracer means embedded in said plastic material, the electronic tracer means comprising an integrated electronic circuit and a first antenna connected thereto the first antenna being adapted to operate as at least one of a signal receiver and a signal transmitter, for respectively receiving and emitting a signal, said signal having a predetermined range, the assembly comprising a wireless second antenna adapted to operate a wireless communication with the electronic tracer means and located apart from the interior material of the label holder, for defining a signal relay adapted for enlarging the range of the signal, so that the electronic tracer means communicate through the signal, within said enlarged range with the electronic identifier.

9. The label holder according to claim 8, wherein the plastic carrier member is at least one of a plastic crate, a plastic pallet, a plastic bottle rack, a plastic bin, and a plastic basket.