An identification device is provided having an optical detector (1), a controller (5) and an identification transmitter unit (6), wherein the optical detector (1) has a detection area with an identification pattern partially covering the detection area and the controller (5) is designed to interact with the detector (1) and the identification transmitter unit (6) in such a manner that the identification transmitter unit (6) can be activated to transmit an identification signal depending on an analysis of the temporal sequence of measurement signals from the detector (1). A method is also provided for identifying an object by an identification system.