RFID SECURITY TAG BASED MONITORING SYSTEM AND DETACHERS FOR USE THEREWITH

• US 20140055249A1
• Filed: 01/10/2012
• Published: 02/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Glen Walter Garner
• Original Assignee: Glen Walter Garner
• Inventors: Garner, Glen Walter
• Application Number:
  US13/979,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20140055249A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.51
• 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: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/009 the reader being an RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2451 Specific applications combined with EAS
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article

Abstract

A smart detacher includes a detacher and an RFID reader. The smart detacher may be a handheld detacher or a secondary detacher. A method of monitoring using a security tag with an RFID chip therein and an detacher having an RFID reader operably connected thereto comprising the steps of: writing information onto the RFID chip; attaching the security tag to a product; detaching the security tag from the product and reading the information on the RFID chip; and forwarding the information to a control system.

Claims

1. A smart detacher for use in association with a tag having an RFID chip therein comprising:

a detacher; and

an RFID reader.

2. The smart detacher of claim 1 wherein smart detacher is one of a handheld detacher and a stationary detacher.

3. The smart detacher of claim 1 wherein the detacher is a detacher for spring lock.

4. The smart detacher of claim 1 wherein the detacher is a detacher for a magnetic lock.

5. The smart detacher of claim 1 wherein the detacher is a detacher for a combination spring lock and magnetic lock.

6. The smart detacher of claim 4 wherein the detacher is an electromagnetic detacher.

7. The smart detacher of claim 3 wherein the detacher includes an arcuate arm for detaching the spring lock.

8. The smart detacher of claim 1 wherein the RFID reader is an RFID reader and writer.

9. The smart detacher of claim 1 wherein the RFID reader is operably connected to a control system.

10. The smart detacher of claim 1 wherein the RFID reader is connected to the control system by way of one of a wireless connection and a wired connection.

11. The smart detacher of claim 1 wherein the RFID reader is operably connected to a power source.

12. The smart detacher of claim 11 wherein the power source is one of a battery and a power socket.

13. The smart detacher of claim 1 further including a UPC barcode reader.

14. The smart detacher of claim 1 wherein the tag is an active tag.

15. A method of monitoring using a security tag with an RFID chip therein and an detacher having an RFID reader operably connected thereto comprising the steps of:

writing information onto the RFID chip;

attaching the security tag to a product;

detaching the security tag from the product and reading the information on the RFID chip; and

forwarding the information to a control system.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the control system further records a date and a time of reading the information from the RFID chip.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the RFID reader is associated with a cash register and the information from the RFID chip and the date and time of reading the information is compared to information from the cash registered.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein discrepancies between the information from the RFID chip and the cash registered are red flagged.

19. The method of any one of claim 15 wherein the detacher is one of a handheld detacher and a stationary detacher.

20. The method of any one of claim 15 wherein the security tag is attached to the product at a manufacturer of the product.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the information includes a predetermined identification code and further including the step of determining if the information read includes the predetermined identification code and if not red flagging the product.

22. The method of claim 20 further including RFID readers where products enter a store and reading the information when the product enters the store.

23. The method of claim 20 further including locating RFID readers at predetermined locations around a store and periodically reading RFID information within range of each RFID readers and determining the location predetermined identification code relative an RFID reader.

24. The method of claim 15 further including RFID readers a change rooms and further including the step of reading a number of tags entering the change room and reading a number of tags leaving the change room and red flagging when these numbers are not the same.

25. The method of claim 15 wherein the detacher is a detacher for spring lock.

26. The method of claim 15 wherein the detacher is a detacher for a magnetic lock.

27. The method of claim 15 wherein the detacher is a detacher for a combination spring lock and magnetic lock.

30. The method of claim 15 wherein the RFID reader is an RFID reader and writer.

31. The method of claim 15 wherein the RFID reader is connected to the control system by way of one of a wireless connection and a wired connection.

32. The method of claim 15 wherein the RFID reader is operably connected to a power source.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the power source is one of a battery and a power socket.

34. The method of claim 15 wherein the security tag is an active tag.

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)