Information carrier in the form of a small plate for attaching to and identifying timber structures such as tree trunks, planks, posts, boards and the like, and securing means associated with it.

p0001The invention relates to a to to characterizing woods such as tree trunks, squared timbers, posts, boards and the like. Fastened and this attachment means having information support, particularly in the form of platelets, which carries relating to the to be labeled timber information in the form of a coding.

p0002Such information carriers, which are mainly used in the woodworking industry for signing of wood, in particular of felled tree trunks, are already 1,761,200 known from DE-OS. They are in the form of a plate, which has continued rates on its one side of the plate a fastening device having a plurality of barb-shaped attachment. For fixing the tile is chipped on to be signed timber, said projections penetrate the wood and thereby anchor the platelets firmly. The other side of the plate carries a coding in the form of a printed number combination. The woods are now to be signed in each case provided with an information carrier with a his own combination of numbers, while a list is created where these number combinations are listed again, and where to every number combination listed the data of the corresponding signed timber. These data are, for example, the type of wood, type of wood, grade, length, diameter, bark deduction, cubic or the strength class. Using the coding can be the respective timber later od for loading, removal, processing. Like. Identify again, and on the records of the list, the previously established timber data can be clearly reproduced again. A disadvantage is, however, that often creep in during subsequent reading of the number combination reading errors, favored by the fact that the number coding is regularly four digits, so that accordingly removed from the Record List timber data are often wrong. This is the entire data management in disorder, which can cause incorrect customer invoices are issued, or that the overview of the manageable timber lost. In addition, the number codes must be listed separately in a complicated manner in order to compare them with the above-mentioned recording list can give a high, costly and time-intensive administrative burden causes.

p0003It is the object of the invention to provide an information carrier according to the type mentioned above, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which would allow the time-saving, reliable identification of each timber perform.

p0004This object is achieved in that the coding is formed by machine-readable for the detection means of a portable reader. The machine readability of coding includes reading errors from virtually completely, so that certainly is always the correct identification of the timber marked respectively. In addition, the time required for detecting the coding is very considerably reduced, as a handwritten writing down of the read coding is no longer required. The reader is connected to an electronic storage unit, which stores the read codes and is in a recognizable for humans and interpretable form in the built-in display. Appropriately, the reader can be connected to a computer, in which the above-mentioned timber data are stored under the corresponding code so that this timber data can be accessed directly via the detected by the reader coding with high precision. Since the coding of a portable reader can be read, for example, a simple readability of the code is in hard to reach places on timber yards in the forest, guaranteed. The evaluation of the coding can here be either directly on the spot by a small portable computer, or the individual captured and stored codes are from a central location, eg. As in the office, evaluated. For all that, the structure of the information carrier according to the invention is very simple, the coding can be attached directly, for example in the manufacture of the carrier.

p0005Advantageous developments of the invention are listed in the dependent claims.

p0006The development according to claim 2 describes a particularly favorable embodiment of the coding, which can be very reliable and simplest reading devices such as a light pen, read, which is moved away to capture the barcoding simply this transversely to the single stroke longitudinal directions.

p0007The embodiments defined in claims 4 and 5 are particularly cost-effectively, for example by the marks are printed on the information carrier.

p0008In the embodiments defined in claims 6 and 7, the coding is particularly durable and indestructible, so that it is more reliable to read even after years. Expediently consists of all information carriers of plastic material, and the preparation of the code can be easily done by means of hot embossing tools, with which the individual marks in the form of indentations in the information are permanently inserted. A color marking of the marking is in this case just as in the embodiments according to claims 10 and 11 is not required if a correspondingly adapted reading device is used. However, the marks can also be marked in color, which in the embodiments according to the claims 6 and 7 has the advantage that the color is protected from abrasion, because it deepens disposed in an information carrier. Instead of indentations the codings in the form of punching, can be prepared claim 9.

p0009The use of magnetic encoding support according to claims 12 to 14 allows the recording of a plurality of magnetically encoded information, which applied particularly simple and inexpensive, modified, deleted, modified and can be detected by means of a suitable magnetic code reader. Particularly advantageous is the sticking of a magnetic chip, a magnetic stripe or a magnetic foil and spraying, spraying and applying a magnetic dust.

p0010The coding may components manufactured in compliance claim 15 represent a signature and in particular the number of the respective timber, but it may also, as is the case with the embodiment of claim 16, directly contain timber data such as type of wood, type of wood, etc.. The latter has the advantage that no memory devices are required to save the timber data externally, rather, these data are directly integrated in the information carrier.

p0011In the further development according to claim 17, the coding is both human readable and interpretable and machine-readable.

p0012The development according to claim 18 has the advantage that the information contained on the information carrier is then read when no reader is available. This expands the scope of the invention.

p0013Hereinafter, the invention will explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therein:<ul><li>Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the information carrier according to the invention, </li><li>Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the information carrier of Fig. 1, wherein the encoding by the dashed framed field is indicated schematically and is showing how the reading of the coding by means of a light pen or a magnetic code reader takes place, and</li><li>Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the information carrier according to the invention in a sectional view according to the section line III-III of Fig. 1, wherein the marks are formed as depressions of the coding.</li></ul>

p0014With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 will first be described a first embodiment of the information carrier according to the invention. It comprises substantially a plate form and comprises a support plate 3 with a relatively small thickness and formed in the substantially rectangular. On its one flat side of the plate, the bottom 4, it bears an attachment means 5, which includes four attachment extensions 6, two of which are in the region of one of the two narrow sides 7 and 7'of the support plate 3 is arranged. a machine-readable coding 9 and an additional visually recognizable and directly interpretable additional coding is located on the platelet top 8 10. Of course, such a coding is not limited to a number, but can contain a large number of information.

p0015The information carrier according to the invention is used to identify wood and this particular stem wood. For example, if a tree trunk are marked, the information carrier is expected struck with its bottom 4 to the root end side, said fastening projections 6 penetrate the wood material, so that the support plate 3 flat comes with its bottom 4 to the wood to the plant. The fastening projections 6 protrude substantially perpendicular to the supporting plate plane by the support plate 3 away and are provided at its the supporting plate opposite end each with a barb-shaped tooth. This gets stuck in the wood and prevents the bearing tip 3 unintentionally drops the marked timber.

p0016The two of each narrow side 7 and 7'associated fastening projections 6 are seen in the longitudinal direction of the plate 3 left and rear right of the longitudinal axis with distance from each other, and between them is in each case a small through-hole 15, od by a nail. Like. Fastener hindurchsteckbar is to anchor the support plate 3 in addition to on the characterizing wood.

p0017The support plate 3 is made of plastic material, so that it must not be removed during subsequent sawing the wood to be identified, it can be rather sever without damaging the saw. The fastening projections 6 are preferably integrally formed on the supporting plate 3, for example in the context of an injection molding, as are the case with regard to four Fixierarmen 16, one of which is each arranged in one of the corner portions of the rectangular plate. This fixing arms 16 are located at the plate edge and extend beyond the upper side 8 before, ie starting from the support plate plane they point in the opposite direction as the fastening projections 6. At the same time they project with their free end region 17 a short distance over the surface of the upper side 8 to the inside what the end is widened 17 or formed camming. Thus, the support plate 3 by means of the fixing arms 16 can be on the face of a not shown, and appropriately trained hammer releasably clipped on, so that it can be driven with a single blow with its mounting projections in the to be labeled wood material without it gets hurt themselves.

p0018The information carrier according to the invention has on its upper side 8 to the above mentioned encoding 9, the encrypted one or preferably includes a plurality of information and is designed such that it is machine-readable in particular by means of a portable reader 18th

p0019The use of the information carrier according to the invention is preferably carried out as follows: Each timber to be signed is provided with an information carrier, and at the same time are listed separately, the relating of the number contained in the code on the marked each Wood data. The latter can be handwritten or expediently (not shown) by means of an electronic memory device, be in the easy input, numbers and the associated data and stored therein. Now if at a later date a featured with the information carrier timber are identified, it is easy to read the code quickly and reliably 9 by means of the reader 18 and detected. The detected code can then be decrypted be displayed so that the then knowable number with the recorded data will be compared; but preferably the detected by the reader 18 information is supplied directly to the electronic memory, such as a computer, which then automatically selects the corresponding to the detected number of wood data and this brings along with the decrypted number is displayed. In the latter case, the identification of the timber with the greatest possible safety occurs, since no reading or writing errors may occur. By means of this portable computer can be transferred to a bulk storage or a floppy disk or transmitted back from there wood data. The computer itself may also have a floppy disk or a solid-state electronic storage. In this way, timber rejections shipments and other manipulations can be detected and evaluated. This gives z. B. the possibility that immediately after the acceptance of the code numbers of the wood acquisition can be made with the computer delivery note and invoice printouts on the spot. For this purpose, only the codes 9 to be identified woods or the relevant timber need be checked in order. Instead of the direct evaluation of this information may also be merely temporarily stored, whereby the evaluation can then be stationary with the aid of a data exchange with a stationary computer unit.

p0020The shown in Figs. 1 and 2 advantageous embodiment of an information carrier in addition to bearing the machine-readable coding 9 also on its top 8 visually immediately recognizable by a person additional coding 10 that is included in the code 9, ie, the embodiment here an in coding 9 encrypted number made directly identified by stamped numbers. The marking of each timber is facilitated since it is immediately apparent that number carries the fixed support plate, and in addition can also take place directly visually subsequent identification in the absence of a suitable reading device, in which case, however, not all data can be viewed.

p0021There is a space 19, which can be used to apply, for example, the name of the owner or the wood copse, in which the tree was felled marked, between the two codes 9, 10 on the tile top. 8

p0022As machine-readable coding 9 each for proper encoding can be used. It is even possible that coding 9 both machine-readable and directly visually recognizable form, so that can be dispensed with an additional coding 10th An example of such an encoding would be to apply the respective plate number as raised lettering on the platelet top so that it is readable without difficulty, but can also be scanned with an appropriate reader. This embodiment is not shown in the figures.

p0023Advantageously, however, the machine-readable coding represents a plurality of information, in particular, directly relating to the marked timber relating timber data. Here, a suitable coding device is required with the creation by the allowance of each timber the appropriate encoding can be mounted on the support plate. 3 Thus, a detailed, elaborate storage and management of each species is unnecessary.

p0024The shown in the figures bearing tip 3 is a coding 9 each a barcoding selected 20 or 20 ', which includes a plurality in platelets longitudinal direction sequentially and parallel to each other and spaced line-shaped markers 21 and 21'. These stand out in color from the adjacent areas of the plate top 8 from, they are preferably carried out in black paint, and the chip itself has a contrast contrasting bright coloration. So it is with these in Figs. 1 and 2 marks 21 used to color markings that are applied directly to the upper side 8. The encoding of the information takes place in this case by selecting appropriate thickness dimensions and / or spacings between the individual markings 21, and the reading is performed by means of a formed as a light-pen reader 18, which is in this case carried away with its sensor 23 in encoding the longitudinal direction according to arrow 22 via the bar code 20 , as is indicated in Fig. 2. The reader 18 is a indicated by dashed lines at 24 storage unit, a computer or the. Like., Attached.

p0025Even with the improvement according to FIG. 3, the coding 9 is designed as barcoding 20' whose marks are 21' but 25 let into the top plate 8 in the form of elongated depressions. Instead of depressions also outs are possible and suitable. The coding of the respective information can be done via different mark depths (not shown) here, or Ausstanzbreiten but by different groove widths (as viewed in the reading direction 22) in the embodiment achieved. In addition, the base of each well, in one respect to the environment of the marks 21'-contrast color dyed sien, so that here od reading the coding means of a light pen. Like. Can be done.

p0026The design of the markings as depressions or punch has the advantage that one of the effects of weather-independent, even after a long time yet readable coding is achieved. Even against mechanical influences, such a coding resistant. If the bottom of the depressions 25 inked, the depth position has the advantage that the color in the handling of each timber can not be accidentally erased, so that here is given a permanent code. The bar code is virtually integrated into platelets and for years to read.

p0027The production of the recesses 25 having coding is expediently carried out in so-called hot stamping stations where the existing plastic supporting plate 3 heated locally and means according to the desired coding arranged stamps markings in the form of indentations are introduced.

p0028Appropriately, will manufacture the supporting plates made of dark plastic material, then attach the impression and then the platelets in the plane of its top 8 with bright color painting, so that lifting the recessed markings contrast.

p0029In one embodiment, not shown, it is provided that the labeling of the coding in the form of surveys and encrypt the information contained in the coding oer by selecting appropriate height width of the elevations.

p0030With regard to the embodiment of Fig. 3 should be pointed out that the support plates shown there 3, with the exception of the recesses corresponding in FIGS. 1 and 2 embodiment depicted, like parts are therefore provided with identical reference numerals.

p0031However, the encoding 9 can also be applied as a magnetic code on a magnetic coding carrier. This may be a magnetic plate, a magnetic strip, a magnetic film or a magnetic layer of dust. The respective carriers can be either applied to the surface, in particular glued, or else be inserted in a corresponding recess. In case of formation of a magnetic dust that can be injected, be sprayed or preferably applied with a brush. To facilitate the application of the magnetic dust is provided with a binder. To read out the information contained in the magnetic coding is used instead of the light pen, a corresponding magnetic code reader. The magnetic coding firstly has the advantage that a larger number of information can be applied to a small area and, secondly, that the coding when already eingeschlagenem in a wooden plate subsequently be changed or ever can be applied subsequently. The magnetic code reader is configured in this case as a combined Magnetcodelser / writer. The information to be entered is thereby input to the portable computer, and this transmits the corresponding information as a magnetic code on the chip.