REMOTE OPTICALLY READABLE SYSTEM AND METHOD

An optically readable system and method to allow for the remote identification of people and/or objects is disclosed. The system includes a spectrally continuous source of radiation generating an interrogating beam, an optically readable device carried by a person or attached to an object and having a unique spectral signature and, generating a retroreflected beam when exposed to the interrogating beam, and an optical spectrum analyzer and decoder for identifying the unique spectral signature of the interrogated optically readable device and for transmitting the identifying information to a display and/or a computer input. The spectrally continuous source of radiation can comprise a tungsten filament lamp, a tunable laser or the like. If covert identification is desired, the source is operated to generate an interrogating beam in the infra-red spectrum only.