Non-contacting code recognition system for code carriers on production line workpieces

Non-contacting code recognition system, to sense information data, characterizing conditions, status, parameters, orientation, designation, and the like, of workpieces (14, 15) on a transport line, and providing said information data to a stationary data processing and control stage (22), having

• a code information carrier (23;
• 24, 40) including storage means for storing said information data form of bit patterns, associated with said workpieces;
• read-out means indicating the status of the stored bit pattern;
• and at least one stationary transducer station (19, 20) having non-contacting sensing means, located in sensing relation with respect to said read-out means and sensing the bit pattern of information data indicated thereby,
• wherein, in accordance with the invention,
• the information carrier (23) comprises an electronic memory unit (24, 40) and a control logic (37);
• one transducer station includes induction coil means (33, 47;
• 191, 192, 193, 194) for transmitting energy and data to the memory unit (24, 40) and command signals to said control logic;
• the information carrier (23) further comprises
• input means (23, 33;
• 46-50) located in non-contacting data transfer relation to said at least one transducer station (19, 20) for recording information and storing said information in the memory unit (24, 40),
• an electronic memory section (25, 27;
• 41, 42) to store and receive information in the form of said bit pattern;
• and output means (30;
• 44, 45, 50) located in non-contacting data transfer relation to said at least one transducer station to permit scanning of data supplied to the output means by the transducer station for transmission to said control stage;
• and
• said at least one transducer station (19) transmits energy by means of an alternating magnetic field having a basic frequency and transmits said command signals by superimposing a modulation, having a frequency different from said basic frequency, on said alternating magnetic field.