EAS/RFID identification hard tags

• US 20040233042A1
• Filed: 05/18/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Piccoli, Anthony F., Mazoki, Gary T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,183,917 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• 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: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07767 the first and second communication means being two different antennas types, e.g. dipole and coil type, or two antennas of the same kind but operating at different frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2457 Lending systems using EAS tags wherein the tags are reusable, e.g. they can be activated and deactivated more than once, e.g. for a library
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00

Abstract

A re-usable identification tag that includes a combination of RFID (radio frequency identification) elements and EAS (electronic article surveillance) elements, or multiple RFID elements without an EAS element, or multiple EAS elements without RFID elements. Systems and methods for tracking or detecting a re-usable identification tag having multiple elements therein to correspond with multiple detection zones such that as the re-usable tag moves from one detection zone to another, the tag can be tracked and/or activate an alarm and/or transmit data to a database.

Claims

1. A identification tag adapted for use with an article, said identification tag comprising:

a housing comprising at least one electronic article surveillance (EAS) element and at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) element, said at least one EAS element emitting a first detectable signal when subjected to an electromagnetic field of a frequency within a first EAS frequency range and said at least one RFID element emitting a second detectable signal when subjected to an electromagnetic field of a frequency within a first RFID frequency range.

2. The identification tag of claim 1 wherein said first RFID frequency range is approximately 2 MHz-14 MHz.

3. The identification tag of claim 1 wherein said first RFID frequency range is approximately 850 MHz-950 MHz.

4. The identification tag of claim 1 wherein said first RFID frequency range is approximately 2.3 GHz-2.6 GHz.

5. The identification tag of claim 1 wherein said first EAS frequency range is approximately 2 MHz-14 MHz.

6. The identification tag of claim 1 wherein said first EAS frequency range is approximately 50 kHz-70 kHz.

7. The identification tag of claim 1 wherein said first EAS frequency range is approximately 5 kHz-14 kHz.

8. The identification tag of claim 1 wherein said at least one RFID element comprises an RFID integrated circuit, comprising a memory containing information associated with the article, and coupled to a resonant circuit or an antenna.

9. The identification tag of claim 8 wherein said second detectable signal contains said information associated with the article.

10. The identification tag of claim 8 wherein said antenna comprises a dipole antenna.

11. The identification tag of claim 8 wherein said resonant circuit comprises a coil and a capacitor.

12. The identification tag of claim 5 wherein said at least one EAS element comprises a coil and a capacitor.

13. The identification tag of claim 6 wherein said at least one EAS element comprises an acousto-magnetic (AM) element.

14. The identification tag of claim 7 wherein said at least one EAS element comprises a low frequency element.

15. The identification tag of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises:

a detachable portion;

a releasable securement mechanism for releasably securing said housing and said detachable portion together and for securing said identification tag to the article.

16. The identification tag of claim 10 wherein said at least one EAS element and said at least one RFID element are positioned concentrically with respect to each other.

17. A identification tag adapted for use with an article, said identification tag comprising:

a housing comprising at least two radio frequency identification (RFID) elements, each having an RFID integrated circuit comprising a memory containing information associated with the article, and wherein each one of said pair of RFID elements comprises a respective resonant circuit or antenna tuned to a respective RF frequency; and

wherein each of said RFID elements emits a respective detectable signal when subjected to a respective electromagnetic field corresponding to one of said respective RF frequencies.

18. The identification tag of claim 17 wherein each one of said respective RF frequencies is selected from a different group of RF frequencies, said different groups of RF frequencies comprises a first group defined as approximately 2 MHz-14 MHz, a second group defined as approximately 850 MHz-950 MHz;

and a third group defined as approximately 2.3 GHz-2.6 GHz.

19. The identification tag of claim 18 wherein each of said respective detectable signals comprises said information associated with the article.

20. The identification tag of claim 17 wherein said housing further comprises:

a detachable portion;

a releasable securement mechanism for releasably securing said housing and said detachable portion together and for securing said identification tag to the article.

21. A identification tag adapted for use with an article, said identification tag comprising:

a housing comprising;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) element said RFID element comprises either a resonant circuit tuned to a first RF frequency or an antenna tuned to a second RF frequency, different from said first RF frequency, said RFID element comprising an integrated circuit comprising a memory containing information associated with the article;

a detachable portion;

a releasable securement mechanism for releasably securing said housing and said detachable portion together and for securing said identification tag to the article; and

wherein said RFID element emits a respective detectable signal when subjected to an electromagnetic field corresponding to said first or second RF frequency, said respective detectable signal containing said information associated with the article.

22. The identification tag of claim 21 wherein said RFID resonant circuit is tuned to a frequency of approximately 2 MHz-14 MHz.

23. The identification tag of claim 21 wherein said RFID antenna is a dipole antenna tuned to a frequency of approximately 850 MHz-950 MHz.

24. The identification tag of claim 21 wherein said RFID antenna is a dipole antenna tuned to a frequency of approximately 2.3 GHz-2.6 Ghz.

25. A identification tag adapted for use with an article, said identification tag comprising:

a housing comprising at least two electronic article surveillance (EAS) elements, each EAS element being tuned to a respective EAS frequency; and

wherein each of said EAS elements emits a respective detectable signal when subjected to a respective electromagnetic field corresponding to one of said respective EAS frequencies.

26. The identification tag of claim 25 wherein each one of said respective EAS frequencies is selected from a different group of EAS frequencies, said different groups of EAS frequencies comprises a first group defined as approximately 2 MHz-14 MHz, a second group defined as approximately 50 kHz-70 kHz;

and a third group defined as approximately 5 kHz-14 kHz.

27. The identification tag of claim 26 wherein one of said at least two EAS elements comprises a resonant circuit that is tuned to an EAS frequency within said first group.

28. The identification tag of claim 26 wherein said at least two EAS elements comprises an acousto-magnetic (AM) element and wherein said AM element is tuned to an EAS frequency within said second group.

29. The identification tag of claim 26 wherein said at least two EAS elements comprises a low frequency (LF) element and wherein said LF element is tuned to an EAS frequency within said third group.

30. The identification tag of claim 25 wherein said housing further comprises:

a detachable portion;

a releasable securement mechanism for releasably securing said housing and said detachable portion together and for securing said identification tag to the article.

31. A system for detecting a re-usable identification tag in an environment, said system comprising:

at least one re-usable identification tag having at least two elements tuned to respective frequencies and wherein said at least one re-usable identification tag is coupled to an article, said first element emitting a first detectable signal when subjected to an electromagnetic field of a first frequency and said second element emitting a second detectable signal when subjected to an electromagnetic field of a second frequency different from said first frequency;

a first detection zone within the environment comprising at least a first transmitter that emits an electromagnetic field of said first frequency and at least a first receiver that detects said first detectable signal when said at least one re-usable identification tag is present at said first detection zone, said first receiver being coupled to an alarm or a database; and

a second detection zone within the environment comprising at least a second transmitter that emits an electromagnetic field of said second frequency and at least a second receiver that detects said second detectable signal when said at least one re-usable identification tag is present at said second detection zone, said second receiver being coupled to an alarm or a database.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein said first frequency is a frequency between approximately 2 MHz-14 MHz.

33. The system of claim 31 wherein said first frequency is a frequency between approximately 850 MHz-950 MHz.

34. The system of claim 31 wherein said first frequency is a frequency between approximately 2.3 GHz-2.6 Ghz.

35. The system of claim 31 wherein said first frequency is a frequency between approximately 50 kHz-70 kHz.

36. The system of claim 31 wherein said first frequency is a frequency between approximately 5 kHz-14 kHz.

37. The system of claim 31 wherein said second frequency is a frequency between approximately 2 MHz-14 MHz.

38. The system of claim 31 wherein said second frequency is a frequency between approximately 850 MHz-950 MHz.

39. The system of claim 31 wherein said second frequency is a frequency between approximately 2.3 GHz-2.6 GHz.

40. The system of claim 31 wherein said second frequency is a frequency between approximately 50 kHz-70 kHz.

41. The system of claim 31 wherein said second frequency is a frequency between approximately 5 kHz-14 kHz.

42. The system of claim 31 wherein said at least two elements may comprise a pair of radio frequency identification (RFID) elements each having an RFID integrated circuit comprising a memory containing information associated with the article, and wherein one of said pair of RFID elements comprises a respective resonant circuit or antenna tuned to said first frequency and wherein the other one of said pair of RFID elements comprises a respective resonant circuit or antenna tuned to said second frequency.

43. The system of claim 31 wherein said at least two elements may comprise a pair of electronic article surveillance (EAS) elements and wherein one of said pair of EAS elements is tuned to said first frequency and wherein the other one of said pair of EAS elements is tuned to said second frequency.

44. The system of claim 31 wherein said at least two elements may comprise one radio frequency identification element (RFID) element and one electronic article surveillance (EAS) element, said RFID element comprising an RFID integrated circuit comprising a memory containing information associated with the article, and further comprising a resonant circuit or antenna tuned to said first frequency and wherein said EAS element is tuned to said second frequency.

45. A method for detecting a re-usable identification tag, said method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one re-usable identification tag having at least two elements tuned to respective frequencies and wherein said at least one re-usable identification tag is coupled to an article, said first element emitting a first detectable signal when subjected to an electromagnetic field of a first frequency and said second element emitting a second detectable signal when subjected to an electromagnetic field of a second frequency different from said first frequency;

detecting said first detectable signal by at least a first receiver whenever said at least one re-usable identification tag is at a first detection zone and emits said first detectable signal when at least a first transmitter emits an electromagnetic field of said first frequency in said first detection zone;

activating an alarm by, or transmitting a status signal or data to a database from, said first receiver when said first detectable signal is detected;

detecting said second detectable signal by at least a second receiver whenever said at least one re-usable identification tag is at a second detection zone and emits said second detectable signal when at least a second transmitter emits an electromagnetic field of said second frequency in said second detection zone; and

activating said alarm by, or transmitting a status signal or data to said database from, said second receiver when said second detectable signal is detected.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein said first frequency is a frequency between approximately 2 MHz-14 MHz.

47. The method of claim 45 wherein said first frequency is a frequency between approximately 850 MHz-950 MHz.

48. The method of claim 45 wherein said first frequency is a frequency between approximately 2.3 GHz-2.6 GHz.

49. The method of claim 45 wherein said first frequency is a frequency between approximately 50 kHz-70 kHz.

50. The method of claim 45 wherein said first frequency is a frequency between approximately 5 kHz-14 kHz.

51. The method of claim 45 wherein said second frequency is a frequency between approximately 2 MHz-14 MHz.

52. The method of claim 45 wherein said second frequency is a frequency between approximately 850 MHz-950 MHz.

53. The method of claim 45 wherein said second frequency is a frequency between approximately 2.3 GHz-2.6 Ghz.

54. The method of claim 45 wherein said second frequency is a frequency between approximately 50 kHz-70 kHz.

55. The method of claim 45 wherein said second frequency is a frequency between approximately 5 kHz-14 kHz.

56. The method of claim 45 wherein said at least two elements may comprise a pair of radio frequency identification (RFID) elements each having an RFID integrated circuit comprising a memory containing information associated with the article, and wherein one of said pair of RFID elements comprises a respective resonant circuit or antenna tuned to said first frequency and wherein the other one of said pair of RFID elements comprises a respective resonant circuit or antenna tuned to said second frequency.

57. The method of claim 45 wherein said at least two elements may comprise a pair of electronic article surveillance (EAS) elements and wherein one of said pair of EAS elements is tuned to said first frequency and wherein the other one of said pair of EAS elements is tuned to said second frequency.

58. The method of claim 45 wherein said at least two elements may comprise one radio frequency identification element (RFID) element and one electronic article surveillance (EAS) element, said RFID element comprising an RFID integrated circuit comprising a memory containing information associated with the article, and further comprising a resonant circuit or antenna tuned to said first frequency and wherein said EAS element is tuned to said second frequency.

59. A system for detecting a re-usable identification tag in at least two environments, said system comprising:

at least one re-usable identification tag having at least two elements tuned to respective frequencies and wherein said at least one re-usable identification tag is coupled to an article, said first element emitting a first detectable signal when subjected to an electromagnetic field of a first frequency and said second element emitting a second detectable signal when subjected to an electromagnetic field of a second frequency different from said first frequency;

a first detection zone within a first environment comprising at least a first transmitter that emits an electromagnetic field of said first frequency and at least a first receiver that detects said first detectable signal when said at least one re-usable identification tag is present at said first detection zone, said first receiver being coupled to an alarm or a database; and

a second detection zone within the second environment comprising at least a second transmitter that emits an electromagnetic field of said second frequency and at least a second receiver that detects said second detectable signal when said at least one re-usable identification tag is present at said second detection zone, said second receiver being coupled to an alarm or a database.

60. The system of claim 59 wherein said first environment comprises a third detection zone having an operative frequency and wherein said at least one re-usable identification tag comprises a third element tuned to said operative frequency.

61. The system of claim 60 wherein said second environment comprises a fourth detection zone having another operative frequency and wherein said at least one re-usable identification tag comprises a fourth element tuned to said another operative frequency.

62. A method for detecting a re-usable identification tag with at least two environments, said method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one re-usable identification tag having at least two elements tuned to respective frequencies and wherein said at least one re-usable identification tag is coupled to an article, said first element emitting a first detectable signal when subjected to an electromagnetic field of a first frequency and said second element emitting a second detectable signal when subjected to an electromagnetic field of a second frequency different from said first frequency;

detecting said first detectable signal by at least a first receiver whenever said at least one re-usable identification tag is at a first detection zone of a first environment and emits said first detectable signal when at least a first transmitter emits an electromagnetic field of said first frequency in said first detection zone;

activating an alarm by, or transmitting a status signal or data to a database from, said first receiver when said first detectable signal is detected;

detecting said second detectable signal by at least a second receiver whenever said at least one re-usable identification tag is at a second detection zone in a second environment and emits said second detectable signal when at least a second transmitter emits an electromagnetic field of said second frequency in said second detection zone; and

activating said alarm by, or transmitting a status signal or data to said database from, said second receiver when said second detectable signal is detected.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein said first environment comprises a third detection zone having an operative frequency and wherein said at least one re-usable identification tag comprises a third element tuned to said operative frequency.

64. The method of claim 62 wherein said second environment comprises a fourth detection zone having another operative frequency and wherein said at least one re-usable identification tag comprises a fourth element tuned to said another operative frequency.

65. An identification tag comprising a plurality of elements, each tuned to a respective frequency, for use in at least one environment having at least one transmitter/receiver pair tuned to a respective frequency, said identification tag comprising at least one element that is tuned to a frequency of said at least one transmitter/receiver pair.