RFID proximity tack for RFID detacher

• US 10,068,449 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2015
• Issued: 09/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Ellers, Edward P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAMSON, SARA B
• Application Number:
  US14/974,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20170178479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0017 Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0047 Unlocking tools; Decouplers
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/242 Tag deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/246 Check out systems combined with EAS, e.g. price information stored on EAS tag anti-theft systems in point of sale systems G07G3/003

Abstract

Systems (100, 1300) and methods (1700, 1800) for detaching a tag (1304) from an article. The methods comprise: detecting when the tag is in proximity to a detaching unit (1302); verifying that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased using information received from the tag; mechanically coupling a tag body to the detaching unit when it has been verified that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased; detecting when a pin (1306) of the tag is no longer in proximity of the detaching unit; and mechanically decoupling the tag body from the detaching unit when the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit.

Claims

1. A method for operating a detaching unit to detach a tag from an article, comprising:

using a wireless receiver of the detaching unit to detect when the tag is in proximity to a detaching unit;

receiving, by the detaching unit, information from an external device to obtain verification that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased using information received from the tag;

operating the detaching unit to prevent a tag body from being removed from the detaching unit when it has been verified that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased;

detecting when a pin of the tag is no longer in proximity of the detaching unit; and

deactivating the detaching unit and operating the detaching unit to allow the tag body to be removed from the detaching unit in response to said detecting.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detaching unit comprises a magnetic or power detacher.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tag is an Electronic Article Surveillance (“

EAS”

) tag.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said verification in made using an article identifier or a unique tag identifier obtained from the tag via a Radio Frequency (“

RF”

) communication.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a detection is made that the pin is not in proximity to the detaching unit when a signal is no longer being generated by a non-linear electrical circuit disposed within or coupled directly to the pin.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the non-linear electrical circuit comprises a frequency mixer.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a detection is made that the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit when a signal generated by an electrical circuit disposed within or coupled directly to the pin stops being received by the detaching unit.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

supplying power to a field source of the detaching unit subsequent to when the tag body is prevented from being removed from the detaching unit; and

discontinuing the supply of power to the field source when a detection is made that the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit and prior to when the tag body is allowed to be removed from the detaching unit.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising concurrently performing the following operations (1) and (2) by the detaching unit:

(1) producing at least one signal when the tag is in proximity to the detaching unit whereby an electrical circuit disposed within or coupled directly to the pin is caused to generate a response signal; and

(2) applying a magnetic field to the tag whereby the pin is released from a locking mechanism disposed within the tag body.

10. A system, comprising:

a tag comprising a tag body and a pin; and

a detaching unit configured to

detect when the tag is in proximity thereto,

prevent a tag body from being removed therefrom when it has been verified that an article to which the tag is attached has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased,

detect when the pin of the tag is no longer in proximity of the detaching unit, and

deactivate at least one of the detaching unit'"'"'s functions and allow the tag body to be removed therefrom in response to the detection that the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the detaching unit comprises a magnetic or power detacher.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the tag is an Electronic Article Surveillance (“

EAS”

) tag.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein a verification is made that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased using an article identifier or a unique tag identifier obtained from the tag via a Radio Frequency (“

RF”

) communication.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein a detection is made that the pin is not in proximity to the detaching unit when a signal is no longer being generated by a non-linear electrical circuit disposed within or coupled directly to the pin.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the non-linear electrical circuit comprises a frequency mixer.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein a detection is made that the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit when a signal generated by an electrical circuit disposed within or coupled directly to the pin stops being received by the detaching unit.

17. The system according to claim 10, wherein the detaching unit is further configured to:

supply power to a field source of the detaching unit subsequent to when the tag body is prevented from being removed from the detaching unit; and

discontinue the supply of power to the field source when a detection is made that the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit and prior to when the tag body is allowed to be removed from the detaching unit.

18. The system according to claim 10, wherein the detaching unit is further configured to concurrently perform the following operations (1) and (2):

(1) produce at least one signal when the tag is in proximity to the detaching unit whereby an electrical circuit disposed within or coupled directly to the pin is caused to generate a response signal; and

(2) apply a magnetic field to the tag whereby the pin is released from a locking mechanism disposed within the tag body.