SK11196A3 - Power transmission device for opto-electronic tags - Google Patents

Abstract

The pistol-shaped appts. contains a light source (1) such as a halogen bulb with a paraboloidal reflector (2) from which the beam is conc. by a set of lenses (3, 4). The second lens (4) may be mounted in a telescopic slider (6) for zooming to focus according to distance from the tag (5). The casing (7) held in the hand incorporates a butt (8) contg. a switching circuit (11) and batteries (12), and a two-position trigger (9). In the first position a laser diode (10) emits a highly directional beam for aiming. When the spot falls on the tag, the trigger is moved to a second position activating the main light source.

Description

-1- _____

Power transmission equipment for optoelectronic signals

Area, techniques

The present invention relates to an energy transfer device for an optoelectronic label.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As described in Swiss Patent Application No. 02 120 / 94-0, dated July 4, 1994, independent electronic labels with non-volatile memories that can be powered and read (read) or read / recorded can be realized by efficient means. remotely. This patent application focuses on optoelectronic devices which are necessary for the operation of this label. Swiss Patent Application No. 03,759 / 94-1, dated December 13, 1994, relates to procedures for controlling communication between this label and external reading / recording devices. One of the important problems related to this communication relates to an energy transmission device that provides the necessary operating energy by means of remote light transmission.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a power transmission apparatus for powering an optoelectronic signal. The device comprises a light energy source and means for focusing the light energy source, a picking device for detecting the signal of interest, and a switching device for operating the light source.

-2 power supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention comprising an electroluminescent spiking apparatus.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary block diagram showing a power supply switching device.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention comprising optical picking devices.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the present invention, including a prickly pumping apparatus associated with an image interpretation apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention having a pistol shape. This device comprises a light source 1, which is, for example, a halogen bulb as used in car headlights. The light supplied by this lamp is directed by means of a parabolic mirror 2 to a set of two lenses 3, 4, which allow the light to be concentrated in the direction of the label 5. The lens 4 can be mounted to have a variable focus on the slider to adjust remote operation light on a given signal. All of these parts are mounted in a molded sleeve 7 which has a pistol-shaped shape for better grip in the hand. The housing further comprises

The device additionally comprises a diode laser 10 delivering a fine and highly directed light beam, such as laser pens used by speakers at conferences to mark something on the board. This light beam is directed in the direction of the signal 5 by means of lenses 2 and 4. In addition, the device comprises a control and switching circuit 11 for the light source 1 and a diode laser 10. This circuit is activated using a trigger 2. Of course, it is possible to replace this battery pack with a set of rechargeable batteries or an external power supply using a connected cable. The device comprises additional optoelectronic devices provided to provide communication to the label. Said optoelectronic devices are described in more detail in the above two patent applications and are therefore not presented here.

The operation can be described as follows. In order to read the label, the guns must be pointed in the direction of the label. By moving the trigger 2 to the first position, the laser diode 10 is activated. A fine and highly directed light beam enables high focusing accuracy on the label. Detection occurs when the LED light strikes the label. The primary light source 1 is activated by shifting the trigger to a second position to enable power supply and establish communication with the label. At the end of the desired read operation, the light source is interrupted. It is very important to limit the start-up of the primary source to a strict minimum. First, energy consumption can be very important. In order to achieve sufficient independence of this device, batteries or accumulators must be operated in an economical manner. Secondly, these bulbs have high heat losses. Long-term startup of the primary source requires specialized

-4Equipment such as coolers or fans. Third, the operation of a plurality of devices located adjacent to each other may produce undesirable interference.

Fig. 2 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a power supply and diode laser switching apparatus 10. The apparatus has a trigger 2 activating two interrupters 13 and 14. The first interrupter 13 is engaged by sliding the starter 6 to the aforementioned first position and the second interrupter 14 is engaged. into contact by sliding the trigger 3 to the aforementioned second trigger position. The switching devices comprise two flip-flops (bistable) circuits B, 15 and 16. The output Q of the second flip-flop 16 is connected to the output of the inverting amplifier 17 and the output of the inverting amplifier 17 is connected to the AND member (product) 18. The output of the AND member 18 is connected to the first OR member (sum member) 19 and the output of this OR member. 19 controls the diode laser 10. Initially, the outputs Q of the AND members D, 15 and 16 are logically incorrect and the output of the amplifier 17 is logically correct. By shifting the trigger, the first interrupter 13 is in contact and connects the first interrupter to the second input of the AND member 16. The outputs of the AND member 16 and the first OR member 19 switch to a logically correct, diode laser 10 and emit a light beam 14 to focus on the label. By moving the trigger to the second position, a second interrupter 14 is connected to contact the second interrupter to the input D of the first flip-flop D 15. The output Q of this flip-flop 15 switches to logically correct. In addition, the clock pulse C from the flip-flop 13 is connected to the control circuit 20 to receive the clock pulse generated by the control circuit. Since the output Q of the first flip-flop D 15 is connected to the clock output C of the second flip-flop D 16, and because the input of the second flip-flop D 16 is positive, the output Q from the second flip-flop D 16 is logically correct. As a result of,

The output of the amplifier 17 switches to logically incorrect, the AND member closes and the power supply for the diode laser 10 is interrupted. On the other hand, since the output Q of the second flip-flop D 16 is connected to the primary light source 1, the logically correct output Q of the second flip-flop D 16 applies voltage to the primary light source 1 and the latter emits light to power the label. In order to generate a time offset to limit the operating time of the primary light source, the output Q of the second flip-flop D 16 is connected via a resistor 21 to the input of the OR 22 and to the capacitor 23. The capacitor 23 is slowly charged by the applied voltage. When a certain threshold voltage is exceeded at the capacitor terminals, the output of the OR 22 is switched to logically correct. Since this output is interconnected to the resetting input of the second flip-flop D 16, the latter is reset to logically incorrect. As a result, the power supply from the primary light source is interrupted. The primary light source does not remain switched on longer than the predetermined time, for example, for two seconds. To restart the device, the starter must be offset so that the first flip-flop D 16 is set to logically incorrect. The control circuit 20 further controls the communication between the device and the label. The operation of the label is described in detail in the above two patent applications. Said control circuit intervenes against the switching devices in two ways. First, to the communication between the device and the signal that lasts longer than foreseen two seconds, the control circuit 20 delivers a stop signal to the second input of the second member OR 22. Since the latter is connected to the reset input R of the second flip-flop D 16, the stop signal resets the flip-flop D 16 to logically incorrect, as a result, the power supply from the primary light source is interrupted. Second, because it is possible

Using the diode laser 10 as a means of transmitting information to the label, and while the primary light source is triggered, the control circuit 20 may generate a pulse train representing information to be transmitted to the second input of the first OR 19 member and thence to the diode laser 10. it is therefore used as an emitting diode.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention comprising exclusively optical picking devices. These optical picking devices may be similar to the picking equipment used in the cameras 37 and may be arranged in a similar manner. Referring to FIG. 3, it is a light source 30. its parabolic mirror 31 and its focusing lenses 33 and 34 for concentrating light emitted from the light energy source to the label 25; The picking procedure is performed in a completely optical manner, using a combination of lenses, allowing the object in the viewfinder 36 to display an object that is in the axis of the light beam. Thus, it is possible to center the label using a crosshair 38 arranged inside the viewfinder 36. Because there are many similar, known systems, these optical picking devices are presented only very schematically. These systems may be provided with their own optical optical devices connected by means. These systems are not used only for photographic purposes, but also in justified systems, such as weapons, with devices or focusing devices. Moreover, these systems are often passive systems that do not consume any energy, in contrast to the devices of Fig. 1. This passive system can be operated permanently. The starter 39 allows the light source 30 to be triggered upon command. Referring to the embodiment described above, this is a manual command. However, with reference to the description of the following figure, it is possible to incorporate this command into an automatic procedure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus according to the present invention, including a prickly screening apparatus which is associated with an image interpretation (recognition) apparatus. The pictoring devices are represented by a camera with a charge coupled component (CCD) 40 directed to the transmission line 45 provided with optical read / write tags 35. The first of the aforementioned patent applications mentions the possibility of associating said labels with targets that can be registered by optical means. The CDD 40 camera is connected to the means of digitizing and analyzing imaging 51, which are known and currently used in automated localization systems. These means of analyzing the display 51 allow to supply a signal for each received display of the target 42 and to compare this display with pre-programmed scales, for example when the target corresponds to the size and dimensions of the pre-programmed display of the target 43. If these pre-programmed criteria are met, the corresponding trigger signal 50 triggers. a primary light source 44. Other pre-programmed scales may stop transmission line 45 during read / write operations. Referring to FIG. 4, the picking device 40 and the light source 44 are arranged physically separate from each other. The communication means for communicating with the label 35 may be integrated inside the picking devices or inside the light source, if they can be arranged physically separate.

There are, of course, many other applications with respect to the device of the invention, but these applications do not bring any new elements.

Claims (11)

PATENT CLAIMS An apparatus for transmitting energy to an optoelectronic signal (5, 35) that is optically read (read) or read / recorded, comprising a light emitting light source (1, 30, 44) and comprising a light emitting device (10), 36, 37, 38, 40, 42, 51 (for detecting an electronic signal (5, 35) and a switching device (9, 16, 23, 39, 50) for controlling the triggering of the light source (1, 30, 44) enabling controlled emission of light on captured electronic signal. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in order to generate a time offset for limiting the length of time the light source is triggered (1), the switching devices comprise a capacitor (23) connected to the flip-flop (16), the capacitor (23) being charged by voltage the light source and this flip-flop is reset after the threshold voltage has been exceeded, thereby interrupting the energy supply to the light source, Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a housing (7) and a trigger (9) secured within the housing, which is adjustable in two positions to enable the light beam generating device (10) to be triggered in the first position of the trigger and starting a light source (1) generating light in the second position of the trigger. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the screeding means comprises a diode laser (10) emitting a directed light beam and the apparatus comprises lenses (3, 4) which are mounted so as to -9 oriented the light beam in the direction of the electronic signal (5). Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the lenses (4) are mounted on the sliding portion (6) and have a focal length variable allowing to adjust and focus the functioning light at a distance to a particular label. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises lenses (3, 4, 33, 34) and a parabolic mirror (2, 31) mounted to focus the light emitted from the light source (1, 30) on the electronic label. . Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spiking devices resemble a camera (37) with a viewfinder (36) in which a crosshair (38) is arranged to allow a crosshair (38). to visualize the captured electronic label (35) in this viewfinder and center the captured electronic label using the crosshair. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the camera (37) has a switching device comprising a starter (39) enabling the light source (30) to generate a light to be triggered. The device according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device comprises a camera (40) allowing a visible display (42) of the captured electronic label and its centering to be visible in the viewfinder. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pointing device comprises means for digitizing and analyzing the display (51), allowing comparison of the display size (42) of the captured electronic label (35) with the pre-programmed target display (43) allowing automatic detection of the electronic label (35). /. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the pickling devices comprise digitizing and image analysis means (51) supplying a trigger signal (50) for automatically starting the light energy source (44).