A remote recognition system for monitoring the progress of a plurality of batches of semiconductor wafers or memory disks through a series of processing operations based on bar code recognition technology. Each batch is placed in a carrier in which it is transported to various locations where processing operations are performed. Each carrier is provided with an optically visible bar code tag, coded to be responsive to within reading range of a bar code reader unit which transmits a modulated light beam signal to the coded bar code tag and reads and decodes the light beam reflected back and collected by an optical receiver to uniquely identify the carrier that is positioned within range of the reader unit. Information from the reader units to permit monitoring the progress of semiconductor wafer or memory disk batches through multiple processing operations is received by further control apparatus. The novel bar coded carrier for use with this remote recognition system uses a bar code tag encapsulated in an external wall of the carrier, so that the bar code tag is protected from harsh chemical environments encountered by the process carrier while it remains readable by the various bar code reader units.

Siping, of a specific pattern, is used as a code to provide an identification number and/or a part number on a rubber object. The depth and width of the sipes, and the height and width of the rubber bars between the sipes, can be read using a zero contrast reading device, and the specific pattern of sipes and bars can be converted into identifying symbols such as letters and/or numbers. The identity of the object can be matched with a data base which may provide the history of the object.

A tire having a bar code provided in a side portion thereof, with the bar code having an uneven bar portion extending to both side edges of the bar code and substantially no difference in level between the surface of the side portion of the tire and peaks of the uneven bars in the uneven bar portion.

An identification code provided in relief on an object is read in that a radiation beam is obliquely incident on the surface on which the identification code is provided, and in that the identification code is observed by a detection system by means of the shadows thus cast.

A conveyor system that performs a conveyance by using pallets for loading green tires and device for conveying these pallets, installs a storage area for storing pallets as they are on the way to convey, and uses robots for transferring the green tires from a pallet to a tire vulcanizer. Pallets being of such a type as to be able to load two or more green tires for planar placement and a conveyor devise is desired to be able to get under these pallets for lifting up. Furthermore, a visual sensor provided on a robot reads at least one of a mark concerning the specification of a green tire, a mark for its positioning on a pallet, and a mark for its positioning on a tire vulcanizer, identifies a green tire to be conveyed, and automatically performs a positioning in transferring the green tire from the relevant pallet and a positioning in transferring the green tire to a tire vulcanizer in the conveyor system. In addition, these tire vulcanizers, conveyor device, and robots are collectively controlled using computers.