Tool identification system

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Provision is made for identifying tools used in an automated machine tool system. A module or transponder is mounted to the tool and interrogated by a transceiver which in the preferred embodiments, has read/write capabilities. The transponder uses energy from the transmitted signal to power itself and send information stored in its memory back to the transceiver. In one embodiment, electromagnetic energy is transmitted from the transceiver to the transponder while the transponder to transceiver communication link is provided by way of capacitive coupling. In another embodiment data is communicated bi-directional through modulated optical signals while power to the transponder is sent from …