Patent · US Expired

Self-targeting reader system for remote identification

US6064476A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
9References
46Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 23, 1998
Grant dateMay 16, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 23, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB07C5/3412
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method and apparatus for identifying articles is disclosed. The method includes steps of: (a) providing a plurality of articles, each of the articles having at least one portion that includes a photonically active material; (b) for each article, illuminating the at least one portion with light from a stimulus source; (c) identifying a location of the at least one portion by detecting an emission from the photonically active material; (d) pointing an excitation source at the identified location; and (e) illuminating the at least one portion within the identified location with light from the excitation source. A next step detects an information-encoded emission from the photonically active material in response to the light from the excitation source. An optional step (g) sorts the articles based on the detected emission.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.