WO1981002801A1 - System and method for identifying an article to which a label is attached - Google Patents

System and method for identifying an article to which a label is attached Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1981002801A1
WO1981002801A1 PCT/GB1981/000056 GB8100056W WO8102801A1 WO 1981002801 A1 WO1981002801 A1 WO 1981002801A1 GB 8100056 W GB8100056 W GB 8100056W WO 8102801 A1 WO8102801 A1 WO 8102801A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
label
radiation
frequencies
predetermined frequency
range
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1981/000056
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
P Dudley
M Hutchinson
Original Assignee
Polymark Int Ltd
P Dudley
M Hutchinson
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Polymark Int Ltd, P Dudley, M Hutchinson filed Critical Polymark Int Ltd
Priority to AU67897/81A priority Critical patent/AU6789781A/en
Publication of WO1981002801A1 publication Critical patent/WO1981002801A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H04B5/266—
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/0672—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with resonating marks
    • H04B5/77—

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system and method for identifying a textile or other type of article to which a lable is attached.
  • a system for identifying ah article to which a lable is attached characterised in that the label comprises means adapted to absorb or respond to radiation of a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, means for exposing the label to radiation at said predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, and means for detecting the absorption of or response to the radiation by the label.
  • the label comprises a device which is normally in a quiescent state but which when exposed to said radiation of a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies-assumes an excited state
  • the detecting means comprise means for detecting the excitation of the device.
  • the invention also provides a method for identifying an article to which a label is attached; characterised in that the label comprises means adapted to absorb or respond to radiation of a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, the label is exposed to radiation at said predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, and the absorption of or response to the radiation by the label is detected.
  • the label comprises a device which is normally in a quiescent state but which when exposed to said radiation of a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies assumes an excited state, and the excitation of the device is detected.
  • the device may be magnetically coupled to the means for exposing the label to radiation.
  • the device is in the form of a tuned circuit which may be caused to resonate by placing the circuit near to a coil energised with an AC signal. Oscillation of the tuned circuit changes the current through the coil and this current change can be detected.
  • the device may be fabricated from a material which may be excited by radiation at one frequency to emit radiation at a second frequency.
  • the device may be fabricated from a material which selectively absorbs radiation at said predetermined frequency or frequencies.
  • Fig. 1 shows a label embodying the present invention incorporating a tuned circuit
  • Fig. 2 illustrates the construction of a label embodying the present invention.
  • the resonant frequency of the tuned circuit is determined by the component values of the inductor 2 and the capacitor
  • the label 1 may be identified according to the resonant frequency of the tuned circuit incorporated therein.
  • the resonant frequency of the tuned circuit is determined by bringing the label into close proximity to a coil 5 which is excited by a variable frequency AC generator (not shown).
  • the magnetic flux generated by the coil 5 magnetically couples the coil 5 to the inductor 2, the coil 5 and inductor 2 effectively forming the primary and secondary windings of a transformer.
  • an alternating voltage is induced into the inductor 2.
  • the label corresponds to the resonant frequency of the tuned circuit resonance occurs, which results in the current in the coil 5 increasing significantly, the actual value attained being dependent on the value of resist 4.
  • This increase in current may be detected using known apparatus 6, for example a current meter.
  • the step change in the phase angle between the voltage and current in the coil 5 which occurs at resonance may be used.
  • known apparatus may be used to detect the change in phase.
  • the label may be flexible, and wash and dry clean resistant in use, the circuit is preferably incorporated in or laminated, printed or etched on a flexible substrate which is then sealed or encapsulated within the label as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the label may be rigid or semi-rigid, particularly if its physical dimensions are small.
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a label 7 applied to an article 8.
  • a substrate 9 comprising the circuit elements is sealed using a lacquer within .the label 7.
  • the label 7 may be coated using an injection moulding process or dip coated or powder coated and sintered.
  • a capacitor may be produced by printing, etching or laminating adjacent layers of conducting and dielectric materials onto the substrate 8.
  • a coil and a resistor may be produced simply by printing, etching or laminating coaductors onto the substrate 8.
  • the label employed in the present invention may usefully comprise a heat transfer or heat sealable element made from a resin system capable of being transferred to a substrate by the application of heat . and pressure.
  • a heat transfer may be made in accordance with one of our previous patents, e.g. British Patents 928 347, 1 201 713, 1 215007, 1 287452, 1 386 392 and 1 523869 and German Published Specification 28 22 411.
  • the label may be inserted into a pouch formed in the article to be labelled. The label could thus be concealed if desired.
  • circuit incorporated into the label need not be as simple as a tuned circuit.
  • band pass, or band stop filters may be incorporated into the label.
  • Active elements such as transistors, diodes and integrated circuits may also be produced on the substrate.
  • a label which incorporates a small receiver/transniitter may be provided. Power may be derived from the voltage induced in a coil on the substrate and a frequency characteristic of the label is transmitted. This arrangement eliminates the need to provide a variable frequency AC generator as a number of receivers each tuned to a characteristic frequency may be used.
  • materials such as pigments may be incorporated into the label which respond by emitting radiation at a characteristic frequency or which selectively absorb radiation at a characteristic frequency when irradiated with for example ultra-violet, infra red or X-ray radiation.

Abstract

A system and method for identifying an article to which a label is attached, the label comprising a radiation responsive or absorbing device which is exposed to radiation of a predetermined frequency or group of frequencies. The response to or absorption of the radiation is detected to identify the label and hence the article to which it is attached.

Description

The present invention relates to a system and method for identifying a textile or other type of article to which a lable is attached.
The identification of a textile article from amongst large numbers of similar or identical articles, as is often required in for example laundries, is most frequently achieved using a lable which is secured to the article and which comprises information concerning, the identity of the article. Unfortunately in order to ascertain the information carried by the lable it is necessary for an operator first to find the lable and then visually or physically to examine it. This is a laborious, time-consuming and consequently expensive procedure especially where large numbers of substantially identical articles are involved.
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above problem.
According to the present invention, there is provided a system for identifying ah article to which a lable is attached, characterised in that the label comprises means adapted to absorb or respond to radiation of a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, means for exposing the label to radiation at said predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, and means for detecting the absorption of or response to the radiation by the label.
Preferably the label comprises a device which is normally in a quiescent state but which when exposed to said radiation of a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies-assumes an excited state, and the detecting means comprise means for detecting the excitation of the device. The invention also provides a method for identifying an article to which a label is attached; characterised in that the label comprises means adapted to absorb or respond to radiation of a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, the label is exposed to radiation at said predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, and the absorption of or response to the radiation by the label is detected.
Preferably the label comprises a device which is normally in a quiescent state but which when exposed to said radiation of a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies assumes an excited state, and the excitation of the device is detected.
The device may be magnetically coupled to the means for exposing the label to radiation.
In one form of the invention the device is in the form of a tuned circuit which may be caused to resonate by placing the circuit near to a coil energised with an AC signal. Oscillation of the tuned circuit changes the current through the coil and this current change can be detected.
As an alternative, the device may be fabricated from a material which may be excited by radiation at one frequency to emit radiation at a second frequency. As a further alternative, the device may be fabricated from a material which selectively absorbs radiation at said predetermined frequency or frequencies.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :
Fig. 1 shows a label embodying the present invention incorporating a tuned circuit; and
Fig. 2 illustrates the construction of a label embodying the present invention.
With reference to Fig. 1 there is shown a label
1 incorporating a tuned circuit comprising an inductor
2, a capacitor 3 and a resistor 4. The resonant frequency of the tuned circuit is determined by the component values of the inductor 2 and the capacitor
3. As a result the label 1 may be identified according to the resonant frequency of the tuned circuit incorporated therein.
In use the resonant frequency of the tuned circuit is determined by bringing the label into close proximity to a coil 5 which is excited by a variable frequency AC generator (not shown). The magnetic flux generated by the coil 5 magnetically couples the coil 5 to the inductor 2, the coil 5 and inductor 2 effectively forming the primary and secondary windings of a transformer. As a result an alternating voltage is induced into the inductor 2. When the frequency of the alternating voltage induced into the inductor
2 corresponds to the resonant frequency of the tuned circuit resonance occurs, which results in the current in the coil 5 increasing significantly, the actual value attained being dependent on the value of resist 4. This increase in current may be detected using known apparatus 6, for example a current meter. As an alternative to detecting the increase in current in the coil 5 the step change in the phase angle between the voltage and current in the coil 5 which occurs at resonance may be used. Again, known apparatus may be used to detect the change in phase. In order that the label may be flexible, and wash and dry clean resistant in use, the circuit is preferably incorporated in or laminated, printed or etched on a flexible substrate which is then sealed or encapsulated within the label as shown in Fig. 2. Alternatively the label may be rigid or semi-rigid, particularly if its physical dimensions are small.
Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a label 7 applied to an article 8. A substrate 9 comprising the circuit elements is sealed using a lacquer within .the label 7. Alternatively the label 7 may be coated using an injection moulding process or dip coated or powder coated and sintered. A capacitor may be produced by printing, etching or laminating adjacent layers of conducting and dielectric materials onto the substrate 8. A coil and a resistor may be produced simply by printing, etching or laminating coaductors onto the substrate 8.
The label employed in the present invention may usefully comprise a heat transfer or heat sealable element made from a resin system capable of being transferred to a substrate by the application of heat . and pressure. Such a heat transfer may be made in accordance with one of our previous patents, e.g. British Patents 928 347, 1 201 713, 1 215007, 1 287452, 1 386 392 and 1 523869 and German Published Specification 28 22 411. Alternatively, the label may be inserted into a pouch formed in the article to be labelled. The label could thus be concealed if desired.
It will be appreciated that the circuit incorporated into the label need not be as simple as a tuned circuit. By the addition of further circuit elements band pass, or band stop filters may be incorporated into the label. Active elements such as transistors, diodes and integrated circuits may also be produced on the substrate. As a result a label which incorporates a small receiver/transniitter may be provided. Power may be derived from the voltage induced in a coil on the substrate and a frequency characteristic of the label is transmitted. This arrangement eliminates the need to provide a variable frequency AC generator as a number of receivers each tuned to a characteristic frequency may be used.
As a further embodiment of the present invention materials such as pigments may be incorporated into the label which respond by emitting radiation at a characteristic frequency or which selectively absorb radiation at a characteristic frequency when irradiated with for example ultra-violet, infra red or X-ray radiation.

Claims

CLAIMS : -
1. A system for identifying an article to which a label is attached, characterised, in that the label comprises means adapted to absorb or respond to radiation of a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, means for exposing the label to radiation at said predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, and means for detecting the absorption of or response to the radiation by the label.
2. A system according to claim 1, characterised in that the label comprises a device which is normally in a quiescent state but which when exposed to said radiation of a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies assumes an excited state, and the detecting means comprise, means for detecting the excitation of the device.
3. A system according to claim 2, characterised in that the device is magnetically coupled to the means for exposing the label τo radiation.
4. A system according to claim 3, characterised in that the device comprises a tuned circuit, and the means for exposing the label to radiation comprises a coil energised with an AC signal, the tuned circuit being adapted to resonate when placed near to the coil.
5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the detecting means comprise means for detecting variations in the current through the coil.
6. A system according to claim 2, characterised in that when the device is in said excited state it emits radiation at a frequency different from the said predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, and the detecting means comprises means for detecting the radiation emitted by the device.
7. A system according to claim 6, characterised in that the device comprises a material which responds by emitting radiation at said different frequency when irradiated with radiation at said predetermined frequency or frequencies.
8. A system according to claim 1, characterised in that the device comprises a material which selectively absorbs radiation at said predetermined frequency or frequencies.
9. A method for identifying an article to which a label is attached, characterised in that the label comprises means adapted to absorb or respond to radiation of a predetermined frequency or range cf frequencies, the label is exposed to radiation at said predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, and the absorption of or response to the radiation by the label is detected.
10. A method according to claim 9 , characterised in that the label comprises a device which is normally in a quiescent state but which when exposed to said radiation of said predetermined frequency or range of frequencies assumes an excited state, and the excitation of the device is detected.
PCT/GB1981/000056 1980-03-27 1981-03-26 System and method for identifying an article to which a label is attached WO1981002801A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU67897/81A AU6789781A (en) 1980-03-27 1981-03-26 System and method for identifying an article to which a labelis attached

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8010357 1980-03-27
GB8010357 1980-03-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1981002801A1 true WO1981002801A1 (en) 1981-10-01

Family

ID=10512433

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1981/000056 WO1981002801A1 (en) 1980-03-27 1981-03-26 System and method for identifying an article to which a label is attached

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0048245A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1981002801A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2333933A (en) * 1998-01-22 1999-08-04 Sensor Technos Co Ltd Method of retrieving information from an lc resonance tag
FR2883087A1 (en) * 2005-03-14 2006-09-15 K2 Technologies Sarl Article detection and counting device for e.g. fast-food industry field, has reception unit permitting to detect presence of corresponding type of article within container when amplitude of respective emitted signal is attenuated

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3473027A (en) * 1965-03-08 1969-10-14 American Cyanamid Co Process for recording and retrieving information employing photoluminescent inks which luminesce under ultraviolet illumination
US3521280A (en) * 1969-01-16 1970-07-21 Gen Res Corp Coded labels
FR1601522A (en) * 1968-12-26 1970-08-24
DE2033796A1 (en) * 1969-07-09 1971-02-18 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co System for identifying a marking device
US3816708A (en) * 1973-05-25 1974-06-11 Proximity Devices Electronic recognition and identification system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3473027A (en) * 1965-03-08 1969-10-14 American Cyanamid Co Process for recording and retrieving information employing photoluminescent inks which luminesce under ultraviolet illumination
FR1601522A (en) * 1968-12-26 1970-08-24
US3521280A (en) * 1969-01-16 1970-07-21 Gen Res Corp Coded labels
DE2033796A1 (en) * 1969-07-09 1971-02-18 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co System for identifying a marking device
US3816708A (en) * 1973-05-25 1974-06-11 Proximity Devices Electronic recognition and identification system

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2333933A (en) * 1998-01-22 1999-08-04 Sensor Technos Co Ltd Method of retrieving information from an lc resonance tag
GB2333933B (en) * 1998-01-22 2003-03-19 Sensor Technos Co Ltd Method of retrieving information from an LC resonance tag
FR2883087A1 (en) * 2005-03-14 2006-09-15 K2 Technologies Sarl Article detection and counting device for e.g. fast-food industry field, has reception unit permitting to detect presence of corresponding type of article within container when amplitude of respective emitted signal is attenuated

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0048245A1 (en) 1982-03-31

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