Patent ID: 7374106

Claim:
A system for controlling access of items to a secured area, the system comprising: (a) an access control device; (b) for each item to have access, a respective tag attachable to the item; the tag further comprising: a lamp to emit light; a drive circuit, coupled to the lamp, to drive the lamp to flicker an item-identifying signal when triggered; and a trigger to actuate the drive circuit to drive the lamp to flicker, the trigger comprising a first pair of electrodes to make electrical contact between the tag and the access control device, wherein the contact actuates the drive circuit; and (c) an attachment for attaching the tag to the item; wherein the access control device further comprises a second pair of electrodes, a photodetector converting the identifying signal into an electrical signal, an analyzing circuit identifying the item from the electrical signal, and a control circuit allowing access to the area according to the identity of the item.