Tag interrogation with observable response signal
First Claim
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1. A method of discriminating among similar items, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. associating each of the items with a device responsive to an optical signal encoding information specific to the item, wherein each of the devices responds to a differently modulated optical signal; and
b. exposing the items to a modulated optical signal encoding information corresponding to a selected one of the items, the exposure causing the device associated with the item, but not the devices associated with other items, to cause impartation of an observable signal.
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Abstract
An identification tag identifies a unique item from among a plurality of items with a similar appearance. Tagged items are searched by scanning the items with an interrogation signal. The tag emits an observable signal to indicate when it receives an identification that matches the identification contained in the tag. When the reader'"'"'s interrogation is not present, the tag either sleeps at a very low power level or is passively unpowered.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of discriminating among similar items, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. associating each of the items with a device responsive to an optical signal encoding information specific to the item, wherein each of the devices responds to a differently modulated optical signal; and b. exposing the items to a modulated optical signal encoding information corresponding to a selected one of the items, the exposure causing the device associated with the item, but not the devices associated with other items, to cause impartation of an observable signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of discriminating among similar items, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. associating each of the items with a device responsive to a signal encoding information specific to the item, wherein the device comprises a processor that is maintained in a low-power shutdown mode until the signal is detected; and b. exposing the items to a signal encoding information corresponding to a selected one of the items, the exposure causing the device associated with the item, but not the devices associated with other items, to cause impartation of an observable signal.
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9. An identification system, the system comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting at least one optical signal comprising an encoded identification associated with a selected tag, wherein each tag responds to a differently modulated optical signal; a plurality of tags each containing a tag identification uniquely identifying the tag, each tag being responsive to an optical signal whose encoded identification matches the tag identification; and associated with each of the tags, a transducer for imparting an observable signal upon response of the tag to the optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An identification system, the system comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting at least one signal comprising an encoded identification associated with a selected tag; a plurality of tags each containing a tag identification uniquely identifying the tag, each tag being responsive to a signal whose encoded identification matches the tag identification and wherein the tags are maintained in a low-power shutdown mode until the signal is detected; and associated with each of the tags, a transducer for imparting an observable signal upon response of the tag to the signal.
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26. An identification tag that identifies a unique object having a generic appearance, the tag comprising:
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a receiver for receiving a modulated optical signal encoding an object identification; a memory for storing a tag identification uniquely identifying the tag; and a device for emitting an observable signal in response to the optical signal when the received object identification matches the stored tag identification, wherein the object identification uniquely identifies the object from among a plurality of objects having a similar appearance. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 32, 33)
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30. An identification tag that identifies a unique object having a generic appearance, the tag comprising:
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a receiver for receiving a signal encoding a unique object identification; a memory for storing a tag identification uniquely identifying the tag; a power source that supplies an operating current for the tag; circuitry that causes the tag to operate in a sleep mode when not processing the signal; and a device for emitting an observable signal in response to the signal when the received object identification matches the stored tag identification, wherein the object identification uniquely identifies the object from among a plurality of objects having a similar appearance. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification