Electronic remote chemical identification system
First Claim
1. An electronic remote chemical identification system consisting of a transponder unit for mounting on a container;
- memory and processor units associated with said transponder unit;
said memory unit having both permanent and programmable sections, said permanent section containing a unique transponder identification number; and
encoder unit for programming and reprogramming said programmable memory section in said transponder with information relating to the chemical being transported and other data; and
an interrogator unit for interrogating said transponder unit to cause said processor units in said transponder to compare the information content of said interrogation with both said data in said permanent memory section and said chemical specific data in said programmable memory section of said transponder and to compile and encode a proper response to said interrogation only if said proper response is appropriate, and to transmit said response compiled from said data in said memories, said interrogator unit being capable of simultaneous communication with a plurality of transponders.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic remote chemical identification system is described, in which a transponder for recording information regarding the contents and other information of a railroad tank car, highway tank truck or other container is placed thereon, the transponder being coded remotely with the information by a remotely located, fixed or portable encoder and interrogated when desired by a remotely located, fixed or portable interrogator unit. In the case of an accident, emergency and other response personnel can utilize the interrogator to query a single or a plurality of transponders on the tank cars in the train or on the tank truck to safely and immediately ascertain the exact contents of the containers and other associated information regarding the shipper, the origin and destination of the consignment, shipper'"'"'s emergency personnel telephone number and proper response action to be taken at the accident scene, etc. Similarly, the system can be used in normal commerce to inventory the contents of a passing freight train, a train in a yard or a road truck.
245 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An electronic remote chemical identification system consisting of a transponder unit for mounting on a container;
- memory and processor units associated with said transponder unit;
said memory unit having both permanent and programmable sections, said permanent section containing a unique transponder identification number; and
encoder unit for programming and reprogramming said programmable memory section in said transponder with information relating to the chemical being transported and other data; and
an interrogator unit for interrogating said transponder unit to cause said processor units in said transponder to compare the information content of said interrogation with both said data in said permanent memory section and said chemical specific data in said programmable memory section of said transponder and to compile and encode a proper response to said interrogation only if said proper response is appropriate, and to transmit said response compiled from said data in said memories, said interrogator unit being capable of simultaneous communication with a plurality of transponders. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
- memory and processor units associated with said transponder unit;
- 4. An electronic remote chemical identification system consisting of a transponder unit for mounting on a container for transporting chemicals or hazardous materials and an interrogator unit which is operable to program a programmable memory in said transponder nit with information relating to the chemical cargo and other data associated therewith, said interrogator unit also being operable to cause said transponder unit to recall said information and other data relating to said chemicals or cargo, and to transmit said data to said interrogator unit, said transponder unit comprised or a battery and associated charging circuit for powering said unit, a non-volatile memory and a programmable memory for storing data relating to the chemical cargo associated therewith, microprocessors for controlling operation of said transponder, a pulse generating circuit for encoding and decoding of said data in said memories, and a radio frequency transmitter and receiver and associated antenna for reception and transmission of said encoded data, and said interrogator unit comprised of a battery for powering said unit, a keyboard for data entry and program control, a display means for displaying of decoded data, a programmable memory and a non-volatile memory for storage of encoded data, microprocessors for controlling operation of said interrogator, a radio frequency transmitter and receiver and associated unidirectional and omnidirectional antennas for reception and transmission of said data, and a sighting device and null meter for determining the direction or location of a signal transmitted from said transponder.
Specification