UNIVERSAL TRACKING ASSEMBLY

• US 20080174437A1
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Security Applications ID Incorporated
• Original Assignee: United Security Applications ID Incorporated
• Inventors: ARGUIN, PAUL R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,859,410 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.7
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2411 Tag deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/242 Tag deactivation
• 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

Abstract

A universal tracking assembly that is capable of supporting more than one protocol used in electronic article surveillance (EAS) labels. The universal tracking assembly includes an acousto-magnetic (AM) EAS label with a Radio Frequency (RF) EAS label. The intrinsic characteristics and properties of the components of the individual labels are utilized to enhance the overall performance and utility of the combined EAS universal tracking assembly.

Claims

1. An electronic tracking label, comprising:

a first circuit portion permitting of interrogation by a first technological protocol;

a second circuit portion permitting of interrogation by a second technological protocol, said first technological protocol being different from said second technological protocol; and

said first circuit portion and said second circuit portion being formed on a common substrate.

2. The electronic tracking label according to claim 1, wherein:

said first circuit portion and said second circuit portion are in electrical communication with one another.

3. The electronic tracking label according to claim 1, wherein:

said first circuit portion is a component of a radio-frequency circuit; and

said second circuit portion is a component of an acousto-magnetic circuit.

4. The electronic tracking label according to claim 1, wherein:

said first circuit portion is a component of an inductively-coupled radio-frequency circuit; and

said second circuit portion is a component of a capacitively-coupled radio-frequency circuit.

5. The electronic tracking label according to claim 1, wherein:

said first circuit portion and said second circuit portion share at least one common element.

6. The electronic tracking label according to claim 5, wherein:

said at least one common element is a power source.

7. The electronic tracking label according to claim 3, wherein:

said radio-frequency circuit includes a capacitor and an inductor assembly;

said acousto-magnetic circuit includes an amorphous resonator; and

wherein said amorphous resonator is located between said capacitor and an inductor assembly, and said substrate.

8. A method for forming a universal tracking label, comprising the steps of:

forming a first circuit portion on a substrate, said first circuit portion being capable of excitation by a first interrogation protocol; and

forming a second circuit portion on said substrate, said second circuit portion being capable of excitation by a second interrogation protocol, wherein said first interrogation protocol is different from said second interrogation protocol.

9. The method for forming a universal tracking label according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

configuring a component of said first circuit portion to be a radio-frequency circuit; and

configuring a component of said second circuit portion to be an acousto-magnetic circuit.

10. The method for forming a universal tracking label according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

configuring a component of said first circuit portion to be an inductively-coupled radio-frequency circuit; and

configuring a component of said second circuit portion to be a capacitively-coupled radio-frequency circuit.

11. The method for forming a universal tracking label according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

configuring said first circuit portion and said second circuit portion to share at least one common element.

12. The method for forming a universal tracking label according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

configuring said radio-frequency circuit to include a capacitor and an inductor assembly;

configuring said acousto-magnetic circuit to include an amorphous resonator; and

locating said amorphous resonator between said capacitor and an inductor assembly, and said substrate.

13. A universal identification assembly, comprising:

a first device that includes a magnetically responsive element;

a second device that includes a radio-frequency responsive element; and

wherein a component of one of said first and said second devices are shared by the other of said first and said second devices.

14. The universal identification assembly according to claim 13, wherein:

said component is an antenna.

15. The universal identification assembly according to claim 13, wherein:

said component is a power source.

16. A method of transmitting data between identification assemblies having differing operating protocols, said method comprising the steps of:

fixing a first identification circuitry on a substrate, said first identification circuitry having a first operating technology;

fixing a second identification circuitry on said platform, said second identification circuitry having a second operating technology wherein said first operating technology is different from said second operating technology;

electrically coupling said first and said second identification assemblies;

interrogating one of said first and said second identification assemblies, thereby causing one of said first and said second identification assemblies to take an action in response thereto; and

communicating an instruction to the other of said first and said second identification assemblies in dependence thereon.