MXPA01002006A - Methods and apparatus employing multi-spectral imaging for the remote identification and sorting of objects - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-spectral imager and the applications of same for the marking and coding of, for example, textiles, linens, garments, documents and packages for high-speed machine identification and sortation. Specific uses include garment and textile rental operations, laundry operations, and the postal and mail sortation of documents and packages. Methods and apparatus are provided to identify items via information encoded within an applied mark, as well as a novel mark reading/decoding scheme. A method is disclosed for printing fluorescent marks (3) on an item, such as a heat-sealable label (1), to generate a unique identification number or indicia,as well as a reader system (10) for reading applied marks (3). The reader system (10) includes an illumination source (12) that excites the fluorescent marks (3) in combination with a color sensitive device, such as a camera (14), which is"blind"to the illumination wavelength (36) but which can discern the fluorescence color and a relative spatial order of the fluorescent marks (3), wherein the information is encoded.

Description

METHODS AND INSTRUMENT THAT USES FORMATION OF IMAGES MULTISPECTRAL FOR REMOTE IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF OBJECTS CLAIM OF PRIORITY OF PATENT APPLICATIONS PROVISIONALS COPENDS Priority is hereby claimed in accordance with US Code 359 §119 (e) of co-pending provisional patent application 60 / 097,906, filed on 08/26/98, under the title "Multispectral imaging", by Nabil M. Lawandy. Likewise, priority is hereby claimed in accordance with the code 35 EUA §119 (e) of co-pending provisional patent application 60 / 140,567, filed on 6/23/99, with the title "System for Remote Identification and Classification of Articles. ", by John Moon et al. The description of each of these provisional patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to systems and methods for marking and coding objects and, more particularly to systems and methods for optically coding objects such as textiles, targets, garments, documents and packages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a class of industrial problems in which a large number of articles must be separated, identified, counted and classified. An example is the textile service industry, in which dirty garments or blankets are returned in large unsorted groups for cleaning and sorting. Currently, the means to solve this problem are wide-ranging. One solution is to resort to manual workers who classify the different articles in sequence by choosing articles separately in a manual way and identifying the articles visually. This solution is not satisfactory because it is slow and expensive, due to the high dependence on manual work. There are also numerous coding and classification applications in the multi-billion dollar textile services industry, whose needs are not effectively met by the identification of barcodes or radio frequency (RFID). A particular challenge is the classification of flat objects, such as napkins, tablecloths, towels and bedding. These items, ranging from a very small size to a large size, are presented in distorted orientations and go through rigorous washing and ironing cycles. These are just some of the technological barriers for accurate mechanical identification and automated counting and classification of flat objects and clothing in volume. The lack of a viable coding and classification solution for this segment of the The textile services industry has caused high labor costs, lack of stock control and reduced profits. Consequently, a technique that provides what is necessary for the mechanical reading marking of rental textiles is important for inventory control in commercial laundries and other facilities where large quantities of similar-looking materials must be handled very quickly. Currently, only a small fraction of the rental textile industry employs machine-readable coding. Most of the coding currently used to uniquely identify a rented textile item is only text printed on a hot-stamped label attached to the article, and requires the presence of a person. There are several reasons why the textile rental industry relies only on slow-reading mechanical identification technology. As background, the only mechanical reading marking schemes available for textiles were bar codes and radio frequency identification (RFID). Barcodes are the most common type of mechanical readout available today. However, testing of identification systems in laundries has shown that bar coding is not a strong coding technology in textile articles. Bar codes are highly susceptible to degradation due to dirt and use. In addition, due to the precise spatial information required for a bar code (width and line spacing), any twist of the label (almost certainly in a cloth substrate) can cause high reading error scales. Finally, bar codes require a line of sight and, in general, a specific orientation with respect to the detector, two aspects that are difficult conditions to satisfy under typical large-scale laundry conditions. In contrast, the radiofrequency identification technique does not go through line of sight and dirt problems related to barcodes. However, RFID remains expensive, both in the initial cost and in the related maintenance costs and therefore is not economical for the rental textile industry. In addition, RFID tags have a tendency to show interference when they are close to each other which may prevent their use in narrow separation sorting conveyors. It can be seen that there is a need for a technology that has the ease of use and low cost related to bar codes, and even that is more robust and tolerant of the conditions found in commercial large-scale laundries and other similar environments, such as for example, large-scale document and package handling facilities. In the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,881, 886"Base Methods Optics and Instrument to Classify Garments and Other Textiles ", one of the inventors of that patent application has described several methods and a instrument that are also aimed at the problems mentioned above.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION The first object and advantage of this invention is to provide an improved system with optical basis and a method to encode information in objects, and then to classify or otherwise process the objects using the encoded information. Another object and advantage is to provide a photically encoded tag wherein the information concerning an object is encoded in the spatial and wavelength domains.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Through the methods and the instrument in accordance with the embodiments of this invention, the above and other problems are overcome, and the objects of the invention are realized. The teachings of this invention provide modalities of a multispectral imager and the application thereof for the marking and coding of, for example, textiles, targets, garments, documents and packages for identification and mechanical classification at high speed. Specific uses include, but are not limited to, operations of rental of clothing and textiles, laundry operations and postal classification of documents and packages. The teachings of this invention are directed to provide methods and an instrument that are used to identify articles by means of the information encoded in an applied mark, as well as a novel scheme of reading / decoding of marks. The teachings of this invention have multiple facets and encompass a method of printing fluorescent labels in an article, such as a hot stamp, to generate a unique identification number or indicia, as well as a reader system for reading applied marks. The reader system includes a light source that excites the fluorescent labels together with a color-sensitive device, such as a camera, that is "blind" for the illumination of wavelength but that can discern the fluorescence color and a relative spatial order of the fluorescent brands. A method for coding information in an article is described and includes the steps of: a) expressing the information as a number of multiple digits; and b) encoding the number as a plurality of regions that is arranged in a predetermined linear sequence. Each region emits one of a plurality of predetermined wavelengths comprising a set of wavelengths. Another step applies the plurality of regions to the article by printing the plurality of regions on a label that uses a plurality of different fluorescent inks and then affixes the label to the article, such as, for example, by a thermal process.

To read the encoded information, the method further includes the steps of: c) illuminating the plurality of regions with excitation light; b) detecting a plurality of wavelength emissions resulting from the plurality of regions; and e) decoding the number of the plurality of resulting wavelength emissions and their location in the linear sequence. The article can be identified from the decoded number, and a future trajectory that the article takes based on the decoded number can be controlled. As an example, a controller may select a type of washing that the article will receive, and / or a storage location for the article can be determined based on the decoded number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other features of the invention become more apparent in the following detailed description of the invention when read together with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a tag having a plurality of fluorescent and different bar-shaped regions placed in a predetermined linear sequence to encode information about an article to which the label will be affixed; Figure 2 is a block diagram of a multispectral imaging system in accordance with this invention; Figure 3 is a block diagram of a mode of a color-sensitive camera found in the system of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a graph illustrating exemplary optical filter responses and fluorescent data; Figure 5 is a graph illustrating exemplary spectral data for each pixel of image it detects with a green, yellow or red bar on the label illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a logical flow diagram of an image processing method in accordance with this invention; Figure 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for classification, washing and commercial storage of textiles / garments that is constructed and operated in accordance with the embodiments of this invention; and Figure 8 represents an alternative embodiment of a multispectral imaging system for reading the label in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION First, a description of the coding technique according to this invention is made. Figure 1 represents a preferred embodiment of a brand for a textile rental application. In one embodiment, a plurality of fluorescent bands are applied using a standard impact printing technology. In other modalities, the plurality of fluorescent bands is applied using, for example, inkjet printing, stenciling, sublimation or printing. As such, any number of techniques for applying the markings can be employed, and as used herein, said technique is generally referred to as "printing." In general, the applied photonic ink consists of a plastic fluorescent pigment and a standard phthalate ester plasticizer vehicle. In a presently preferred embodiment of a formulation for a fluorescent impact printing ink, the preferred impact ink formula is 40 g / 100 ml of fluorescent pigment plasticizer / phthalate. The phthalate plasticizer is preferably diisononyl phthalate. Other combinations of phthalate plasticizers, such as dioctyl-, dibutyl-, diethyl-, etc., phthalate can also be used. The only requirement is that the resulting combination of phthalate / pigment ester does not soften the plastic cartridge containing the nylon impact print lath. The preferred fluorescent pigment is a finely ground thermoset plastic resin containing a selected fluorescent dye (such as one of the rhodamines) entangled in the matrix. Other embodiments include phosphorescent and fluorescent organic or inorganic pigments that do not have significant degradation in an industrial laundry process. The selected inks can be applied with print cartridges in matrix of common points in the commercial market, where each cartridge can hold, for example, three optically active inks different (for example, red, yellow, green), and a conventional black ink (optional for printing information readable by an operator.) Labels 1 can be printed on a durable thermal seal material 2 and joined with standard hot sealing equipment. A conventional printer 4 is illustrated in Figure 7 for printing the labels 1 using a cartridge 5 containing, for example, red, yellow and green fluorescent inks in accordance with this invention In practice, the printer is controlled by a suitable computer (not illustrated) that has a program to generate numerical codes based on a desired coding technique (for example, large napkins are assigned a group of numbers, small napkins another, etc.), and another or the same program to convert the generated number into a linear sequence of different wavelengths that will be applied as fluorescent inks through the printer 4. In other embodiments, the fluorescent bars 3 may be applied directly to the textile, garment or white article, or applied to an existing label on the textile, garment or white article, or applied to a removable (and perhaps reusable) tag. ), or applied in any way that is suitable for the intended purpose of identification, classification and control of the handling of textiles, white goods or clothing. In other modalities the previous teachings are applied, as well as to other objects that are going to be identified and classified, including example, correspondence, packages, documents, financial instruments, boxes containing various types of items, etc. In the example of Figure 1, a label 1 consists of a substrate of suitable label material 2 having a plurality (e.g., 16) of vertical fluorescent bars applied thereto. In this example, 3 different fluorescent colors are used: green (G), yellow (Y) and red (R). Each color is assigned to a number. For example, green = 1, yellow! O = 2 and red = 3. A code is formed by reading fluorescent colors from left to right, such as (green) (yellow) (yellow) = 122 (base 3). The number of possible combinations for a given number of fluorescent marks n is therefore 3n. In this way, for three fluorescent colors and thirteen of bars 3, the number of possible combinations is around 1.6 million. The exemplary label 1 has sixteen bars. Assuming a code based on 13 bars, it leaves three bars for error correction purposes. The bars at either end can be reserved to verify the orientation of the label (so that the code is always rebuilt starting with the green bar and ending with the yellow bar). Also, any label that does not have a green bar at one end and a yellow bar at the other end can be rejected immediately. In addition, one or many bars can be reserved for a module-M division check of the decoded word. This represents another level of error correction that can be built into the code.

Many other error correction schemes can also be employed, as those skilled in the art may think. It should be noted that this preference coding scheme employs a predetermined fixed number of bars. The codes are not weighed by the presence or absence (ie, binary weight) of a bar at any particular position. All bars must be present to have a successful decoding. This is, in contrast to a standard fluorescent bar code, which uses a single fluorescent color and then determines the value of bits, not through the fluorescent color, but of the distance between the presence or absence of a color. The bar pattern can be read in any direction (for example, starting from a green bar and ending with a yellow bar, or starting, on the contrary, with yellow and ending with green), and the resulting code is only inverted, if it is determined from the first bar read that the bar pattern 3 was read in the reverse direction. This aspect of the invention therefore provides a method for encoding information into articles, and includes steps to express the information as a number of multiple digits.; and encoding the number as a plurality of regions (e.g., bars 3) that are arranged in a predetermined linear sequence, wherein each region emits one of a plurality of predetermined wavelengths comprising a set of wavelengths.

It should be noted that the label 1 can be coated after the thermal printing and application to a garment or textile of interest. For example, a UV curable transparent coating may be applied to the label 1, at least to cover the plurality of regions or bars 3, after printing and perhaps hot sealing the label. The transparent coating improves the washing characteristics in a beneficial way. An example of such a coating resin is CraigCoat 1081 R, available from Craig Adhesives. A preferred embodiment of a multi-spectral imager, also referred to as a reader system 10, is illustrated in Figure 2. The reader system 10 includes three main components, which are a unit or source of illumination 12 to excite the fluorescence found in the bars 3 on label 1, a color-sensitive and synchronized image formation system 14 for obtaining image data, including the label 1, and a digital image processing unit 16 for processing the image data. To read tag 1, reader system 10 operates in the following manner. First, the light source 12 is activated, comprising, as an example, a Xenon flash lamp with a short-pass filter, or a light-emitting diode, or a laser, or an incandescent light bulb, or even filtered sunlight. appropriately. The output light excites the fluorescent bars 3 on label 1, and the fluorescent emissions are detected by the color sensitive camera unit 14.

An example of a color imaging system suitable for the camera 14 is illustrated in FIG. 3. A plurality of flash splitters, such as a 30% flash splitter (30-BS) and a 50 flash splitter. % (50-BS) divide the fluorescence that comes from the label 1 to the plurality of color channels, each of which contains a selective imager per color. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the three chambers 14A, 14B and 14C have a different filter 15A, 15B and 15C, respectively, in the detector element (DE), so that the wavelength of the illumination is blocked and the Fluorescent color bands are ignored, by varying amounts that depend on the fluorescence color, on the detector element. The incidence of light on the detector element (DE) can be focused by an imaging lens (IL). In this example, the camera unit 14 includes the three separate CCD sets 14A-14C, each with a large pass filter 15A-15C. Large-pass filters are preferred because they are much cheaper than bandpass filters and have other advantages that are detailed later in the decoding algorithm. However, bandpass filters and other types of filters can also be used. In general, the reader 14 may comprise a color sensitive CCD camera, a color sensitive CMOS camera or a combination of two or more gray scale cameras with appropriate filters. The preferred data format of a color-sensitive camera is YUV, since this The format allows rapid separation of the luma component and, therefore, the rapid spatial location of the fluorescent marks or bars 3 that appear as images. For example, suppose the responses of the large-pass filter illustrated in Figure 4 (OG530, OG550 and RG610 are specific large-pass filter types, where the number designates the wavelength where 50% of the transmission occurs), and also suppose the exemplary fluorescent signals for R, G and Y; then, the spectral data illustrated in Figure 5 (which has three points for each pixel) can be decoded, for example, by a radial base operating neural network, or some other suitable decoder type, as will be explained in more detail more ahead. The teachings of this invention provide several advantages and novel features. First, only the spatial order of the bars 3 is relevant to decode the label 1. Since the actual spatial position is not important, the distortions of the label 1 due to wrinkles of the fabric, etc., do not change the decoded output. Second, since cameras 14A-14C can point to color bands that naturally show a low background fluorescence (unlike where ultraviolet illumination is used), only the code itself appears in the camera's field of view. This allows a much faster location of the bar image within an acquired image.

Third, even the codes represented by very dim bars 3 can be read successfully by increasing the illumination power of the source 12 and / or the gain (sensitivity) of the cameras 14A-14C. In order to successfully read a code of a tag 1, the image processing software running in the digital image processing unit 16 (FIG. 2) performs the following tasks, in a preferred embodiment, in near real time. Reference is also made to the logical flow diagram of Figure 6. In block A, the image processing software locates and orients the code (coded region) in the image. In block B the algorithm locates and separates all the images of the bars, that is, the algorithm identifies and separates one from another of each of the sub-regions in the coded region. In block C, the method determines the emission wavelength or color of each bar 3, and in block D, of the color list and the spatial order of bars 3, the algorithm decodes the information that it previously decoded. in the coded region of the tag 1. The execution of block D is direct, once the AC blocks have been executed successfully. The first step (block A) is preferably done using a center-of-mass and eccentricity algorithm. Since the code appears in the image as a large rectangle, the tag 1 can be located and oriented first by finding the center of mass of the pixels above a certain threshold, and then finding the orientation of the main axis around the center of mass. This allows multiple line scans to be taken in the pixel data through the bars in the direction of the main axis. A more sophisticated algorithm delineates and separates all the bright areas that appear in the image, so the need for the label to display all the bars through a single-line scan is eliminated. In this case, the dots or any other form can be used for each fluorescent mark, so the use of the bars 3 is eliminated. It should be noted that there is an important detail of the optical system that greatly simplifies the steps illustrated in FIG. blocks A and B. That is, since the preferred type of filters 15A-15C are large pitch filters, the data in the shortest pitch filter appear to have the same brightness, that is, the image appears to be an equalized image in grayscale, no matter what the fluorescence color of each bar 3. This would not be the case if bandpass filters were used. It is much simpler to locate and orient the code in this type of image, since it is not necessary to worry (at this stage) about color information. The use of large-pitch filters, instead of band-pass filters, has a greater advantage in the assembly of a multiple-chamber unit. If bandpass filters are used, the grayscale image needed for the location and orientation of codes would need to be synthesized from the three images, without prior knowledge of where the code is at that moment in the field of view. If the color image Synthetic does not register with perfection in the space between sets, the bars can not overlap each other, therefore, they can give false color information in the coding step. However, if all bars can be precisely positioned in space, one of the large-step images regardless of color decreases the need for perfect registration between sets. The precise location of a bar is recorded in the first image and then the brightest part of that bar can be found in images filtered successively using a very simple search procedure limited to a few pixels. This means that the lack of registration of the sets can be corrected in the software, and also eliminates the need for scale adjustment of microns of the position and focus of the assemblies during the assembly step. Once the line data containing the peak positions of the data (corresponding to each bar 3) are located, the spatial position of each peak is discovered (block B). Preferably, the algorithm for finding peaks is based on a pattern recognition algorithm that searches for a signature of four characteristic points at the inflection points of the uniform data. The peaks are decoded and then classified according to the peaks that look more similar to a typical bar (which can be determined previously offline). The first highest record peaks are then retained, where n is the number of bars expected to be seen (for example 16). If less than n bars are found in the image, an error condition is indicated.

Finally, once the bars are located, the color information of each bar is obtained (block C). The color information contains, for a palette of three exemplary colors, three points per pixel. These three points then pass through a radial base function neural network (which may be software running on the processing unit 16) to determine the color. The data in the neural network pre-ordered in sequence are grouped, for example, in accordance with the number of wash cycles. This takes into account any changes in general data on the labels due to discoloration, etc. The important features of the optically encoded labels 1 include, for example: they can be applied thermally using a hot stamp backing (or simply also with seams), they have a durability to washing that can make the garment they are wearing last longer. fixed, a high accuracy of reading is obtained (99%), they also have a high reading capacity under dirty conditions, and finally, reliable readings have been achieved at speeds of conveyor belts up to 10,000 items / hour. The advantages of optically encoded labels include, for example, that they do not depend on a technology based on the contrast, and the dirt on the label has a very reduced effect on the reading ability. Furthermore, since the coding is done spatially and by wavelength, the separations and the thicknesses of the bars on the label 1 have no impact on the reading capacity (unlike). of conventional bar codes), and the labels can be read in any orientation. In addition, since the bars can be read using a non-scanning technology, an exemplary 30.48 cm field of view of the color-sensitive camera 14 allows a greater latitude when the articles are on hooks, which may have slanted movements when passing through a camera unit 14 mounted next to the conveyor belt. A code capability of an exemplary multispectral imaging system operating in accordance with the present invention can be defined by the following: Number of codes Nc = TN, where T = number of unique spectral signals (e.g., red, green yellow), and N = number of spatial positions. As an example, for T = 5 and N = 10 (5 unique spectral signals in 10 positions), the total number of codes Nc = 10 With respect to Figure 7, an identification and classification system 20 in accordance with the present invention includes a master control unit or module 22 that is connected to one or more material transport unit modules, which is illustrated as a first conveyor module for sorting 24 and a second conveyor module for sorting 26. In general, articles dirty and unsorted blankets and garments are loaded through various means, such as ducts or laundry conveyors (load situations 22 and 22B) in the master control module 22. The dirty and unsorted articles are then transported via the conveyor modules 24 and 26, first to the washing stations 24A, 24B, etc., through the air jet sorting units 28, and then to storage bin locations 26A, 26B, etc. The washing stations 24A-24E can be segregated to carry out the appropriate washing classes of white articles and garments. Warehouse storage locations are segregated, so that only a specific type of white item or item of clothing is stored in each location. System 20 includes one or more multispectral imagers or reader systems 10 described above, as shown in FIG. 2, which have the ability to read at high speed labels 1 or similar tags or materials on white items and clothing. Labels 1 and / or labels are coded for identification purposes with the photonically active materials already mentioned. The readers 10 can be located in the conveyor modules for sorting 24 and 26, or in a space 23 between the master control module 22 and the conveyor modules for sorting 24 and 26. The readers 10 are connected to a central processor (CP) in the master control module 22. The central processor uses data from the readers 10 to control the conveyor modules for sorting 24 and 26 to automatically select the white items and garments for washing in the washing stations corresponding 24A-24E, and then to store them in the appropriate storage location 26A-26E. The system 20 can also be operated optionally with an inventory without photonic coding, such as by indicating with a switch closure to the master control module 22 that the conveyor or conveyors 24, 26 are to be programmed for conventional manual sorting. A hybrid system operation can also be used, where for example, the selection of articles is done manually, but the inventory account and the washing classification are made using the information encoded on the labels 1. White articles and garments of clothing employed with system 20 of the present invention include labels 1, threads or strands with photically active materials. Photonically active materials are encoded on labels 1, threads or strands to identify white articles and clothing, for example, by type of washing and storage category. Washing types and coded categories are recognized by the central processing unit as they pass through the reader 10 in the system 20. The white articles and garments that are used with the system 20 of the present invention, preferably employ the labels 1 influencing the disadvantages of signal to noise emitting light with the high densities of bar coding codes. Each tag 1 contains, as already described, a series of lines or bars 3 that emit one or more wavelengths to represent a unique number. Given that the Label 1 emits wavelengths of light, instead of reflex light, as with barcodes, they are very tolerant to discoloration by dirt and washing. The photically active labels 1 of this invention do not depend on the spacing and thickness of the printed lines or bars as is the case in bar code technology. The encoded information of tag 1 is contained in the wavelength domain and in the spatial sequence of wavelengths. As a result, labels 1 provide much more robust and simple code patterns than those found in conventional bar coding techniques. This attribute allows labels 1 to be read accurately in any orientation with folds, distortion or other serious problems that are often encountered with clothing in laundries with high production. Photonically active tags 1 can also be read over a wider field of vision (e.g., 20 cm by 15 cm) unlike bar codes, since the requirement to resolve narrow line characteristics does not exist. Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of a multispectral reader system 10A, wherein the fluorescent strands or fluorescent wires 3A or the bars 3 are illuminated within an area 12A through the excitation source 12, and the resulting fluorescent emissions are collected by means of an image forming system 30, they pass through a slit 32 to a grating 34 or some other length resolution device. suitable wave, to produce a spectrum 36. The spectrum 36 contains the encoded information of the 3A wires or bars 3, and the information is expressed as a function of wavelength and position. The spectrum 36 can be converted to pixels by a two-dimensional CCD detector or other suitable means, and the locations of those pixels above a threshold value converted to the encoded information by the use of a neural network ordered in appropriate sequence or some another image processing technique. Thus, while the invention has been shown and described in particular with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that changes in form and detail may be made herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. .

Claims (36)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A method for coding information in an article, comprising the steps of: expressing the information as a number of multiple digits; and encoding the number as a plurality of wavelengths, wherein each of the plurality of wavelengths emanate from a plurality of regions that are arranged in a predetermined linear sequence.

2. A method according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a step to apply the plurality of regions to the article.

3. A method according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a step for applying the plurality of regions to the article by printing the plurality of regions using a plurality of different fluorescent inks.

4. A method according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a step for applying the plurality of regions to the article by printing the plurality of regions on a label using a plurality of different fluorescent inks, and then setting the label to the article.

5. - A method according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a step for applying the plurality of regions to the article by impact printing the plurality of regions on a label using a plurality of different fluorescent inks, and then fixing the label to the article by a thermal procedure.

6. A method according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises the steps for illuminating the plurality of regions with excitation light; detecting a plurality of wavelength emissions resulting from the plurality of regions; and decoding the number of the plurality of resulting wavelength emissions and their location in the linear sequence.

7. A method according to claim 6, further characterized in that it comprises a step to identify the article of the decoded number.

8. A method according to claim 6, further characterized in that it comprises a step to control a path that the article takes from the decoded number.

9. A method for coding information in an article consisting of blanks, textiles or clothing, comprising the steps of: expressing the information as a number of multiple digits; encode the number as a plurality of wavelengths, wherein each of the plurality of wavelengths emanates from one of a plurality of regions which are arranged in a predetermined linear sequence; and applying the plurality of regions to the article by printing the plurality of regions on a label using a plurality of different fluorescent inks, and then affixing the label to the article.

10. A method according to claim 9, further characterized in that the step for applying impact prints the plurality of regions on the label, and then affixes the label to the article by a thermal process.

11. A method according to claim 9, further characterized in that it comprises the steps of: transporting the targets, textiles or clothing passing a reading station; and in the reading station, illuminate the plurality of regions with excitation light, detect a plurality of wavelength emissions resulting from the plurality of regions and decode the number of the plurality of resulting wavelength emissions and their location in the linear sequence.

12. A method according to claim 11, further characterized in that it comprises a step of identifying the type of targets, textiles or garments of the decoded number.

13. A method according to claim 11, further characterized in that it comprises a step of controlling a path that the targets, textiles or garments follow based on the decoded number.

14. - A method according to claim 11, further characterized in that it comprises a step of selecting the type of cleaning procedure for blanks, textiles or garments based on the decoded number.

15. A method according to claim 11, further characterized in that it comprises a step of selecting a storage location for blanks, textiles or garments based on the decoded number.

16. A label that will be fixed to an object, said label comprises a plurality of regions placed in a linear sequence, each emission region, when exposed to the light of an excitation source, one of a plurality of predetermined wavelengths , wherein the information that is descriptive of at least one aspect of said object is encoded as a combination of only emitted wavelengths and a spatial arrangement of the emitted wavelengths.

17. A system for controlling the handling of articles based on coded information placed in the articles, comprising: a source of excitation light to illuminate an area in each of the articles when they pass through the source, the area comprises a plurality of regions placed in a linear sequence, each region emits, upon exposure to the excitation light, one of a plurality of predetermined wavelengths, wherein the information that is descriptive of at least one aspect of said article is encoded as a combination only of said wavelengths emitted and a spatial arrangement of the emitted wavelengths; a formed of images that respond to the wavelengths emitted to produce data of color images of the area; and a controller, having an input coupled to an output of said image former, for processing the color image data to decode the information and to direct the handling of the item based on the encoded information.

18. A system according to claim 17, further characterized in that the controller selects a type of washing that the article will receive.

19. A system according to claim 17, further characterized in that the controller selects a storage location for the article.

20. A system according to claim 17, further characterized in that the area comprises a label having the plurality of regions applied thereto by printing with at least two different fluorescent inks.

21.- A photonic ink that responds to the illumination to emit light containing a predetermined wavelength, said ink consists of a pigment and a plasticising vehicle of phthalic ester.

22. A photonic ink according to claim 21, further characterized in that said phthalatheric ester plasticizer consists of one of diisononylphthalate or dioctyl-, dibutyl-, diethyl-, etc., phthalate.

23. - A photonic ink according to claim 21, further characterized in that the ink is a fluorescent impact printing ink consisting of 40g / 100 ml of fluorescent pigment / phthalate plasticizer.

24. A photonic ink according to claim 21, further characterized in that the fluorescent pigment consists of a finely ground thermoset plastic resin containing a selected fluorescent dye or a fluorescent or organic or inorganic fluorescent pigment.

25. A photonic ink according to claim 21, further characterized in that the ink is printed on a label to be fine to an object, said label comprises a plurality of regions placed in a linear sequence, each region comprises said photonic ink and emits, when exposed to the light of an excitation source, one of a plurality of predetermined wavelengths, wherein the information that is descriptive of at least one aspect of said object is encoded as a combination of only said emitted wavelengths and a spatial arrangement of the emitted wavelengths.

26.- A label that will be fixed to an object, said label comprises a plurality of regions placed in a linear sequence, each region comprises a photonic ink and emits, when exposed to the light of an excitation source, one of a plurality of predetermined wavelengths, wherein the information that is descriptive of at least one The aspect of said object is encoded as a combination of only said emitted wavelengths and a spatial arrangement of the emitted wavelengths, and further comprises a transparent coating that is applied to the label to cover at least the plurality of regions.

27. A label according to claim 26, further characterized in that the transparent coating consists of a coating curable by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

28.- A method for reading information based on emissions of a coded region of information in a substrate, comprising the steps of: illuminating the substrate; obtaining an image of at least a portion of the substrate; locating and orienting the region encoded in the image, the encoded region consists of a plurality of subregions; locate and separate each of the regions in the image; determining an emission wavelength of each separate subregion; and in accordance with a list of possible emission wavelengths and a spatial arrangement of the subregions, decode the encoded information.

29. A method according to claim 28, further characterized in that the step of locating and orienting employs an image processing technique of center of mass and eccentricity.

30. A method according to claim 29, further characterized in that the image processing technique of center of mass and eccentricity finds the center of mass of the pixels of the image above a certain threshold, and then find an orientation of a principal axis around the center of mass.

31.- A method according to claim 28, further characterized in that the step of locating and orienting delineates and separates the bright areas that appear in the image.

32. A method according to claim 28, further characterized in that the step of obtaining an image obtains the image using a plurality of large-pitch filters.

33. A method according to claim 32, further characterized in that it comprises registering a location of a subregion in a first image; and locate a brighter part of the subregion in successively filtered images. 34.- A method according to claim 28, further characterized in that the step of locating and separating employs an algorithm that finds peaks and is based on a pattern recognition algorithm that searches for a signature of four characteristic points at inflection points of uniform image data, where the peaks are coded and then classified according to the peaks that are most similar to a typical sub-region, and further comprises a step of retaining the first peaks of highest register n, where n is a number of Expected subregions. 35.- A method according to claim 28, further characterized in that the step of determining comprises a step of determine the color of each subregion using a neutral network of function with radial basis. 36.- A method according to claim 35, further characterized in that the substrate consists of a label that is fixed to an object that is subjected to washing cycles, and wherein the data for the neural network are grouped according to a number of wash cycles.