Multi-dimensional electronic identification of articles
First Claim
1. An identification system comprising at least one reader defining a predetermined reading zone and a plurality of objects, wherein:
- the reader includes first transmission means for transmitting a first interrogating and energising field into the reading zone and receiver means arranged to receive and identify an identification signal from at least one object; and
, each object is arranged to be powered by the energising field and includes memory means, and transmission means arranged to transmit an identification signal to the reader identifying itself, the memory means being arranged to record the successful transmission or otherwise of the identification signal and to retain the record in the absence of a power supply to the object, for a time period longer than any predicted interruption of power supply to the object via the energising field within the reading zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An identification system is provided for identifying a plurality of randomly aligned object-based transponders (18, 20, 22) passing through a predetermined reading volume. A reader (10) includes multiple transmitting and receiving antenna arrays (12, 14, 16) which are arranged sequentially to transmit interrogating and energizing fields (29) into the reading volume, with each energizing field having a different polarisation. Each transponder (12, 14, 16) is arranged to be powered by at least one of the interrogating and energizing fields, and includes a short term memory module (30) which is arranged to record the successful transmission or otherwise of the identification signal of the transponder (20) and to retain the record in the absence of a power supply to the transponder. The short term memory module has a retention time longer than any predicted interruption of power supply to the transponder via one of the energizing fields within the reading volume. The minimum memory retention time is typically the time period taken for the sequential transmission of all but one of the interrogating and energizing fields (29) during an interrogation cycle.
66 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An identification system comprising at least one reader defining a predetermined reading zone and a plurality of objects, wherein:
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the reader includes first transmission means for transmitting a first interrogating and energising field into the reading zone and receiver means arranged to receive and identify an identification signal from at least one object; and
,each object is arranged to be powered by the energising field and includes memory means, and transmission means arranged to transmit an identification signal to the reader identifying itself, the memory means being arranged to record the successful transmission or otherwise of the identification signal and to retain the record in the absence of a power supply to the object, for a time period longer than any predicted interruption of power supply to the object via the energising field within the reading zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of identifying a plurality of objects by a reader comprising the steps of:
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transmitting, during an interrogation cycle, a first interrogating and energising field from the reader for powering and interrogating the objects;
transmitting an identification signal from at least one object in response to the first interrogation field;
receiving the identification signal at the reader, and determining if the signal has been correctly received;
recording at the object the successful transmission or otherwise of its identification signal and retaining the record in the absence of a power supply to the object for a time period longer than any predicted interruption of power supply to the object. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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- 12. A passive transponder for an identification system of the type comprising at least one reader defining a predetermined reading zone and a plurality of object-based transponders, the transponder being arranged to be powered and interrogated during an interrogation cycle, by at least one of a plurality of energising fields from the reader, and including re-settable short term memory means, and transmission means arranged to transmit an identification signal to the reader identifying itself, the memory means being arranged to record the successful transmission or otherwise of the identification signal and to retain the record in the absence of a power supply to the object via an energising field, for a time period longer than any predicted interruption of power supply to the object within the reading zone during the interrogation cycle.
Specification