ASSET PROTECTION SYSTEM

• US 20140043163A1
• Filed: 10/17/2013
• Published: 02/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Xiao Hui Yang
• Original Assignee: Xiao Hui Yang
• Inventors: Yang, Xiao Hui
• Application Number:
  US14/056,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20140043163A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/003 Chain, wire or cable locks alarms therefor E05B45/005; E05B69/006 takes precedence
• 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 73/0052 of the magnetic type
• 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 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 due to failing power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU

Abstract

An asset protection system uses a plurality of radiate and detect units to maintain a radio frequency field, or signal, in a monitored area. Each unit has a unique unit identifier code which it modulates onto its transmission of the field, and a zone where its transmission of the field will dominate. Assets have tags attached to them. The tags have a mechanism to attach them to the objects and have electronic components on board including a microprocessor, motion detector, radio frequency circuitry, audible alarm generator. The tags receive the field and when they are in a zone dominated by a unit, demodulate that units identifier code. The tags transmit a signal at a different frequency with the unit identifier code and its tag identifier code in the signal. The unit receives the tag signal with its code on it and adds the tag to the inventory for its area.

Claims

1. A tracking system comprising;

a plurality of radiate and detect units networked together with a central computer, each unit comprising a radio frequency transmitter and receiver, a processor with memory, and a power supply, and each said unit having a unique unit identifier code;

at least one tracking tag, said at least one tracking tag comprising an attaching mechanism and electronic components, said electronic components comprising a microprocessor, an audible alarm generator, a power source, and radio frequency circuitry, said radio frequency circuitry being capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals and detecting said monitoring field, each said tag having a unique tag identifier code;

wherein;

each of said units transmits a field of a first frequency into an area to be monitored, each said unit modulating its own unit identifier code onto its transmission of said field;

when a tag is placed in said area to be monitored, said tag monitors said first frequency for said field and when said tag decodes a unit identifier code from said field, said tag transmits a signal at a second frequency, said tag modulating the decoded unit identifier code and its own tag identifier code onto said signal at said second frequency; and

,

each of said units monitoring said second frequency for signals carrying their own unit identifier code, and adding the originating tag of those signals to their inventory for their area.

2. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein;

said tracking tag is attached to an inanimate object by said attaching mechanism.

3. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein;

a unit transmits a confirmation signal to a tag when it receives that tag'"'"'s signal.

4. The tracking system of claim 3, wherein;

a tag ceases to transmit when it receives a confirmation signal from a unit and begins to transmit again when it decodes a new unit identifier code.

5. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein;

when a unit acquires a tag, the unit communicates the tag identifier code to the network.

6. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein;

each unit periodically polls the tags within its recorded inventory to confirm its inventory.

7. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein;

said electronic components further comprise a motion detector;

wherein, when said motion detector has not detected any motion of said tag for a preset period of time, the electronic components enter a reduced state of operation wherein only said microprocessor and said motion detector are active.

8. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein;

said power source is a battery.

9. The tracking system of claim 1, further comprising;

a database maintaining information about what each tag is attached to.

10. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein;

said units are networked with said central computer via a wireless network.

11. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein;

said units are networked with said central computer via a Ethernet cable network.

12. The tracking system of claim 11, wherein;

said power supply for said units is the Ethernet network.

13. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein;

the power supply for said units is a standard three phase alternating current and the units synchronize with each other based on a single phase of the three phases.

14. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein;

said tag is armed at the time of attachment;

said tag alarms if detached without being disarmed;

said tag is disarmed by a disarming signal from a disarming device external to said tag;

said eternal device being a component of the tracking system.

15. The tracking system of claim 14, wherein;

said disarming signal comprises a passcode internal to the tracking system.

16. The tracking system of claim 15, wherein;

said tag comprises an internal clock; and

said network comprises an internal clock; and

,

the microprocessor of said tag executes a time based algorithm to periodically change said passcode,

while said network executes the same time based algorithm to track the changes in said passcode.

17. The tracking system of claim 14, wherein;

said disarming device is a unit.