Object identification
AssigneePalo Alto Research Center Incorporated
InventorsPing Mei, Janos Veres, Robert Street
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system includes a structure configured to hold items, at least one capacitive touch sensor, and an item scanner configured to move the capacitive touch sensor relative to the structure and to identification elements disposed on the items held by the structure. Each identification element represents a multi-digit code. The capacitive touch sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal comprising sequences of waveforms in response to movement of the capacitive touch sensor relative to the identification elements. Each sequence of waveforms includes the multi-digit code that identifies one of the items.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a structure configured to hold items;
- at least one capacitive sensor;
- an item scanner configured to move the capacitive sensor relative to the structure and to identification elements disposed on the items held by the structure, each identification element representing a multi-digit code;
- wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal comprising sequences of waveforms in response to movement of the capacitive sensor relative to the identification elements, each sequence of waveforms includes the multi-digit code that identifies one of the items.
An identification element comprising a pattern of multiple regions disposed on an item, the pattern of multiple regions comprising:
- a first region having a first dielectric constant;
- and
- a second region having a second dielectric constant that is different from the first dielectric constant, wherein the pattern of multiple regions represents a multi-digit code that identifies the item.
A method comprising:
- moving a capacitive sensor relative to identification elements disposed on the items held on a structure, each identification element representing a multi-digit code;
- in response to moving the capacitive sensor relative to the identification elements, generating a sensor signal comprising sequences of waveforms, each sequence of waveforms representing a multi-digit code identifying one of the items.
A system comprising:
- a structure configured to hold items;
- a touch implement configured to cause a swiping touch across multiple touch sensors of each item as the item is removed from the structure or placed in the structure;
- a reader configured to:
- generate an excitation signal;
- and
- receive a response signal from the item that includes a sequence of electronic waveforms generated in response to the excitation signal and the swiping touch, the sequence of electronic waveforms representing a multi-digit code;
- a processor configured to extract the code from the response signal and identify the removed or replaced item based on the code.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.