System for the identification of containers, notably gas cylinders
AssigneeGemplus Card International
InventorsMichel Fallah, Michel Leduc
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The system includes an electronic label (1) and a data terminal (6). The electronic label (1) is provided with a device for the emitting of electromagnetic waves (8) fixed to a ring (2) of the bottom of the protective bell (5). The data terminal (6) is coupled to a detachable read/write head (7) that can be inserted, as desired, into the bell (5) directly facing the label (1) bearing ring (2) to transmit information elements between the data terminal (6) and the label. The system may be used for the automatic identification of gas cylinder type articles.
Claims20
A system for the identification of containers closed by a tap that is surrounded by a protective socket, the system comprising:
- an electronic label coupled to a coil, the electronic label being attached to a ring surrounding the tap at a bottom of the protective socket, the electronic label further comprising an electronic module coupled to the coil, the shape of the coil substantially matching that of the ring;
- and
- a data terminal coupled to a detachable read/write head the read/write head being inserted into the protective socket, the read/write head being disposed adjacent the coil, and the read/write head directly facing the coil, the coil and the read/write head being electromagnetically coupled so as to define an electromagnetic transmission path which permits the transmission of information elements between the data terminal and the electronic label.
A method of identifying a gas cylinder, the method comprising the steps of:
- surrounding a tap of the gas cylinder with a ring, the ring having an electronic label and an antenna coil embedded therein, the electronic label being coupled to the coil, the coil having a shape substantially matching that of the ring;
- placing a detachable read/write head adjacent the ring so that the read/write head faces the ring;
- emitting electromagnetic energy from the detachable read/write head in the form of electromagnetic waves;
- absorbing in the coil at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the detachable read/write head;
- supplying power to the electronic label using at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy absorbed by the coil;
- processing signals sent by the detachable/write head in the coil, the signals being carried by the electromagnetic waves;
- and
- transmitting a signal from the coil to the detachable read/write head, the signal being transmitted in response to the electromagnetic energy absorbed by the coil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.