Non-contact rapid reader system for reflective particle tags
| DWPI Title: Reader system for reflective particle tags used in e.g. articles for monitoring, has processor to obtain rapid burst of image frames in response to positional/angular alignment parameters of reader with respect to tag within tolerance |
| Abstract: A reflective particle tag reader system includes a read head assembly having a camera, illuminators, and a rigid frame portion for supporting the camera and the illuminators. The illuminators illuminate a focal point located opposite the camera where a reflective particle tag is placed. A computer in data communication with the camera receives and store images of the reflective particle tag that are acquired by the camera. The computer is programmed to process video images and to quantify a positional alignment parameter and an angular alignment parameter of the reader with respect to the reflective particle tag. A rapid burst of image frames is obtained in response to the positional alignment and the angular alignment parameters being within a predetermined tolerance and identity of the reflective tag is established between a first image set and a second image set. |
| Use: Reader system for reflective particle tags (RPT), or labels, used in containers, other articles for monitoring, and attached to cylinders in nuclear fuel processing and enrichment. |
| Advantage: The RPT reader system has the ability to recognize when an acceptable alignment condition has been momentarily achieved and is resistance to counterfeiting and removal without detection. The set of fiducials is projected on the display screen to assist the operator or inspector which improves the alignment of reader. The ability to align the reader with the tag and acquire images for verification is sufficient for tag verification. |
| Novelty: The system has a read head assembly comprising a camera (14), illuminators (16a-16c), and a rigid frame portion. The illuminators are mounted to a frame (18) and directed to illuminate a focal point located opposite the camera, where the focal point is the location of the reflective particle tag. A computer has a display, a processor, a data communication input and output portion, and a data storage device. The computer in data communication with the camera receives and stores images of the reflective particle tag acquired by the camera. The computer is configured to process video images and to quantify a positional alignment parameter and an angular alignment parameter of a reader (100) with respect to the reflective particle tag. A rapid burst of image frames is obtained in response to the positional alignment and the angular alignment parameters being within a predetermined tolerance and identity of the reflective tag is established between a first image set and a second image set. |
| Filed: 9/25/2018 |
| Application Number: US16140694A |
| Tech ID: SD 12561.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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