AN IDENTIFICATION DEVICE

Abstract: An identification device for mounting adjacent a handle opening of a container, said device comprising: a body portion having an aperture sized to align with said handle opening; and wireless communication means atached to said body portion. The wireless commuication means containing information regarding the container.

Description: An Identification Device The present invention relates to an identification device. It is often necessary to monitor the location and movement of materials within a distribution center or manufacturing facility. One method of tracking the materials is to attach a wireless communication device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder or other identification device to containers that are housing the materials. By way of example, a liquid container such as a bottle or keg may include an identification device indicative of the liquid contained inside. An interrogation reader, or series of receivers, having an antenna device and able to send information remotely through electronic signals, is placed throughout the distribution or manufacturing facility to receive signals transmitted from the identification devices. The signals are then passed to a central control system that monitors and records the applicable information. The central control system can also send information to its interrogation readers to send to the transponders for response and/or to be stored in the transponder's memory. The identification system also allows for statistical analysis of the materials to maintain an accurate inventory, production flow rates, and other production standards. Additionally, the identification devices may include specific information about the materials housed within the containers including date of manufacture, place of manufacture, type of product within the container, the temperature of the container and ambient air, the temperature of the contents of the container, the pressure of the container, etc. A problem occurs when the containers are not conducive for mounting an identification device or transponder. One example is a beer keg that has a substantially cylindrical shape with smooth, uniform outer walls. There are no extensions or areas for effectively attaching the identification device. Additionally, these containers may be heavy and cumbersome to handle. During the filling process and distribution, the containers may bang against other containers, storage racks, conveyor equipment, etc. An identification device attached to the container may easily be damaged or destroyed during this process. Another concern is that the identification devices should be able to be quickly mounted to the containers. Each container should be identified with a separate identification device. The labor cost would be excessive and outweigh the benefits of the identification system if each device was timely to mount to the containers. Therefore, it is important that the identification devices can be quickly attached to each of the individual devices. Inherent with the quick attachment, the devices should be mounted in a straightforward manner that is not over difficult such that it requires specialised equipment, or highly trained technicians during the attachment process. In addition to be quickly attached, the identification tags should also securely attach to the containers. Secure attachment should prevent the tags from inadvertently falling off the containers even during handling of the containers when they may be dropped, bounced around, and otherwise roughly handled. It is also important that the identification tags be attached in an inconspicuous manner. For reusable containers that are sent to the consumers and then returned to be refilled and redistributed, an inconspicuous placement will help to ensure that the consumers do not tamper with or otherwise destroy the identification tag. According to the present invention there is provided an identification device for mounting adjacent a handle opening of a container, said device comprising: a body portion having an aperture sized to align with said handle opening; and wireless communication means attached to said body portion. The invention further provides an identification system comprising: a container having a handle opening; and an identification device according to the present invention mounted adjacent said handle opening. The invention further provides a method of mounting an identification device according to the present invention adjacent a handle opening of a container, said method comprising aligning said aperture of said body portion with said handle opening, and attaching said body portion to said container. The invention further provides a method of monitoring a container comprising: mounting an identification device according to the present invention adjacent a handle opening of the container by aligning said aperture of said body portion with said handle opening, and attaching said body portion to the container; moving the container through at least one interrogation point containing an interrogation reader; and establishing communication between the identification device and the interrogation reader to monitor the container. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an identification device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of communication between an identification device and an interrogation reader; Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a tracking and information system for use with an identification device; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the identification device of Figure 1 attached to a container; and Figures 5A and 5B are side views of first and second steps respectively of mounting the identification device of Figure 1 to the container. Referring now to the drawings in general, and Figure 1 in particular, an identification device or handle tag 10 comprises: a body portion 14 having an opening 13 to align with a handle opening 34 of a container 30; and a wireless communication device 20 for identifying the container 30. Figure 2 illustrates one particular type of wireless communication device 20 called a radio frequency transponder. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that there are many other different types of wireless identification devices 20 that allow electronic communication and the present invention is not limited to any one particular type. The transponder 20 is usually made out of some type of plastic or other material having within it control system 102, wireless communication electronics 104, antenna 106, and memory 108. The antenna 106 may be either external or incorporated internal to the transponder 20. In the identification device of Figure 1, the transponder antenna 22 is external, and extends around opening 13. Both antenna 22 and the remainder 24 of the transponder (i.e. identification chip 24 comprising control system 102, wireless communication electronics 104, and memory 108) are disposed within body portion 14. The control system 102 is an integrated circuit or other type of microprocessor or micro-controller electronics that controls the substantive operations of the transponder 20. The control system 102 is connected to the wireless communication electronics 104 to communicate and receive transmissions. The control system 102 is also connected to memory 108 for storing information and retrieving information. Figure 2 also depicts how communication is achieved with the transponder 20. An interrogation reader 120 contains interrogation communication electronics 122 and an interrogation antenna 124. The interrogation reader 120 communicates to the transponder 20 by emitting an electronic signal or command modulated in a frequency 126 through the interrogation antenna 124. The interrogation antenna 124 may be any type of antenna that can radiate the modulated signal 126 through a field 128 so that a compatible device such as a transponder 20 can receive such signal 126 through its own antenna 106. The field 128 could be any of a variety of different types used in electronic communications including electro-magnetic, magnetic, or electric. The signal 126 is a message containing information and/or specific instructions for the transponder 20. When the transponder antenna 106 is in the presence of the field 128 emitted by the interrogation reader antenna 124, the wireless communication electronics 104 are energized thereby energizing the transponder 20. The transponder 20 remains energized so long as its antenna 106 is in the field 128 of the interrogation reader 120. The wireless communication electronics 104 demodulate the signal 126 and send the message containing information and/or specific instructions to the control system 102 for appropriate actions. For example, the request in the message may be for the transponder 20 to send back information about the materials housed within the container 30 including date of manufacture, place of manufacture, and type of product within the container. The message may also be instructions to send back information regarding the temperature of the container, its ambient air, the temperature of the contents of the container, the pressure of the container, etc. The transponder 20 sends back information to the interrogation reader 120 by altering the contents of the signal 126. Alternative forms exist for communicating with a wireless electronic device such as a transponder 20. For instance, the transponder 20 may have a transmitter so that it can send information to the interrogation reader without having to use the signal 126 as the means for communication. The transponder 20 may contain a battery to power the transmitter, or an energy storage unit that is charged by the energy when the transponder is in the field 128 of the signal 126. It is understood to one of ordinary skill in the art there are many other manners in which to communicate with a wireless identification device such as a transponder 20, and that the present invention is not limited to the particular manner described above. Figure 3 illustrates a tracking system in which containers 30 containing transponders 20 can be tracked through an environment such as factory or distribution facility. For example, the transponder 20 connected to container 30 could pass a first interrogation point 150 that includes an interrogation reader 120. When the container 30 and its transponder 20 is in the presence of the interrogation reader 120 as described previously, a message containing information and/or a specific request for information may be transmitted by the interrogation reader 120 and received by the transponder 20. This process continues as the container 30 moves to a second interrogation point 152, a third interrogation point 154, a fourth interrogation point 156, and on to a last interrogation point 158. A central control system 130 maintains the information from the interrogation readers 120 and monitors the movement of the containers 30 through the facility. The information received by each of the interrogation readers 120 may be forwarded to the central control system 130 either through direct wire or LAN connection. The central control system 130 could also send information to the interrogation reader 120 to be transmitted to the transponder 20 for identification purposes. The central control system 130 tracks the expected location of the containers 30 and may be alerted if it expects to receive information about a particular container and does not. During commissioning of each container 30, it may be necessary to place the container 30 containing the transponder 20 in range of an interrogation reader 120 in order to erase previously stored information in memory 108 or to store particular data or configuration information about the container 30 in memory 108 for later use. Preferably, a separate wireless communication device 20 is mounted on each container 30. An identification device or handle tag 10 is mounted within a portion of the container such that the wireless communication device 20 may send signals indicative of the container and contents of the container. Referring to Figures 1, 5 A and 5B, the tag includes a body portion 14 having an opening 13 that aligns with an opening 34 in the container. Preferably, the opening 13 is the same size, or slightly smaller than the container opening to cover the container edges which may be sharp and cut the user when grasped. Additionally, a neck (not shown) may extend outward from the edges of the opening 13 to seat against the container opening 34 to further protect the user when handling the container. A first insert 16 extends from the body portion 14 for attaching the tag 10 to the container 30. The first insert 16 may include fingers 17a, 17b that are spaced apart a distance and compressed together when mounted on the container to hold the tag 10 in position. Various other configurations for the first insert 16 are also contemplated including a single finger, and more than two separate fingers. A second insert 18 extends from the body portion 14 for further mounting the tag 10. The second insert 18 is positioned on an opposing side of the body portion 14 to the first insert 16. The inserts 16, 18 work in combination to maintain the tag 10 on the container 30. As with the first insert 16, the second insert 18 may have a variety of shapes and sizes depending upon the dimensions of the container 30. Another embodiment of the tag 10 features only a body portion 14 with an opening 13. The body portion 14 is attached to the container via an adhesive or mechanical fastener such as a screw or bolt, and therefore may not include inserts. The container 30 may have a variety of shapes and sizes. Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of a container 30 having a main body 32 for holding materials. A rim 38 extends outward from a top surface 36 and includes handles 34 for grasping and carrying the container. As illustrated in Figures 5A-5B, the edges of the opening 34 may flare inward and may be sharp depending upon the type of rim material. The rim 38 may further include a lip 39 extending around the upper edge opposite the top surface 36. In one embodiment, the container is a keg for holding beer. One skilled in the art will recognize that various other types of containers 30 may be applicable and are to be included within the scope of the present invention. Figure 5 A illustrates the first step of attaching one embodiment of the handle tag 10 to the container 30. The tag 10 is positioned adjacent to the container handle 34 with the first insert 16 above the handle 34 and the second insert 18 below the handle 34. Figure 5B illustrates the tag 10 mounted to the container 30. Fingers 17a and 17b are forced together and held in compression between the lip 39 and opening 34. The second insert 18 is positioned between the bottom of the handle and the top surface 36 to further maintain the tag 12 in attachment with the container 30. To make the placement of the wireless communication device 20 less conspicuous, a second handle (not shown) may be attached to the other container handle 34. This second handle does not contain a wireless communication device, but rather gives the appearance that both handles are placed on the container to merely prevent injury to the user. In the foregoing description, like-reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also, it is to be understood that such terms as "forward", "rearward", "left", "right", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are words of convenience that are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Claims: Claims: 1. An identification device for mounting adjacent a handle opening of a container, said device comprising: a body portion having an aperture sized to align with said handle opening; and wireless communication means attached to said body portion. 2. A device according to claim 1 for mounting adjacent a handle opening of a container, said opening being disposed between a main body wall of the container and a lip of the container, in said device said body portion including (i) a first insert configured to extend between a bottom edge of said handle opening and said main body wall, and (ii) a second insert configured to extend between a top edge of said handle opening and said lip. 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said wireless communication means is mounted within said body portion. 4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said wireless communication means comprises a transponder including an antenna. 5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said antenna extends at least part way around said aperture. 6. A device according to claim 2, wherein said second insert includes a pair of spaced fingers. 7. An identification system comprising: a container having a handle opening; and an identification device according to claim 1 mounted adjacent said handle opening. 8. A system according to claim 7, wherein: said container comprises an enclosed section for containing a material and a rim extending therefrom, said rim including said handle opening; and said body portion includes insert means by which said identification device is mounted adjacent said handle opening. 9. A system according to claim 8, wherein said insert means comprises a pair of spaced inserts. 10. A system according to claim 9, wherein one of said pair of spaced inserts extends between one edge of said handle opening and a wall of said enclosed section of the container, and the other of said pair of spaced inserts extends between another edge of said handle opening and a lip of said rim of the container. 11. A system according to claim 8, wherein said wireless communication means comprises a transponder including an antenna. 12. A system according to claim 7, wherein said container has a second handle opening, and said identification system further comprises a second identification device according to claim 1 mounted adjacent said second handle opening, said second device being absent its said wireless communication means. 13. A method of mounting an identification device according to claim 1 adjacent a handle opening of a container, said method comprising aligning said aperture of said body portion with said handle opening, and attaching said body portion to said container. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said handle opening is in a rim which extends from a surface of a main body part of said container, and said step of attaching comprises: (i) inserting a first insert of said body portion between said surface of said main body part and a first edge of said handle opening; and (ii) inserting a second insert of said body portion between a second edge of said handle opening and a lip of said rim. 15. A method according to claim 13, wherein said step of attaching comprises applying adhesive to said body portion. 16. A method of monitoring a container comprising: mounting an identification device according to claim 1 adjacent a handle opening of the container by aligning said aperture of said body portion with said handle opening, and attaching said body portion to the container; moving the container through at least one interrogation point containing an interrogation reader; and establishing communication between the identification device and the interrogation reader to monitor the container. 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein a central control system is in communication with the interrogation point to monitor the movement of the container. 18. A method according to claim 16, wherein said wireless communication means includes a memory for storing information regarding the container, the wireless communication means communicating the said information to the interrogation point. 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the interrogation point delivers information to the wireless communication means which is stored in said memory.

Inventors: FORSTER IAN JAMES, KING PATRICK FRASER, FORSTER, IAN, JAMES, KING, PATRICK, FRASER
Applicants: MARCONI CORP P L C, MARCONI CORPORATION P.L.C.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G06K19
IPC codes: B65D25, G06K17, G06K19, H04B1