WIRELESS SIGNAL ACTUATED SECURITY TAG

• US 20140091933A1
• Filed: 03/01/2013
• Published: 04/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Mohammad Mohiuddin
• Inventors: Mohiuddin, Mohammad, Hall, Stewart E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,117,355 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0047 Unlocking tools; Decouplers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• 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 and methods for operating a security tag of an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system. The methods involve providing a unique identifier from the security tag to an application installed on a mobile communication device via a first short-range communication when the security tag is attached to an article for sale. A second short-range communication is received by the security tag from the mobile communication device that comprises a detachment command. The detachment command is received by the security tag exclusively after the article has been successfully purchased. Thereafter, the security tag verifies that the second short-range communication is intended to be processed thereby. Next, the security tag performs operations to actuate a detachment mechanism in response to the detachment command so that the security tag can be detached from the article for sale.

Claims

1. A method for operating a security tag of an Electronic Article Surveillance (“

EAS”

) system, comprising;

providing a unique identifier from the security tag to an application installed on a mobile communication device via a first short-range communication when the security tag is attached to an article for sale;

receiving, by the security tag, a second short-range communication from the mobile communication device that comprises a detachment command exclusively after the article has been successfully purchased;

verifying, by the security tag, that the second short-range communication is intended to be processed thereby; and

performing operations by the security tag to actuate a detachment mechanism in response to the detachment command so that the security tag can be detached from the article for sale.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device is a mobile phone.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first short-range communication is a barcode communication or a near field communication.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing by the security tag an audio indication or a visual indication indicating that the detachment mechanism has been actuated.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detachment command comprises instructions for programming the security tag to actuate the detachment mechanism using a one-time-only detachment key.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a locking code from the mobile communication device for locking an electronic lock of the security tag.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising communicating a response message from the security tag to the mobile communication device via a third short-range communication, the response message indicating that the electronic lock has been once again locked.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically securing the security tag to the article when a pre-defined time period expires.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the pre-defined time period is specified by time limit information received by the security tag from the mobile communication device.

4. The method according to clam 1, further comprising decrypting the second short-range communication at the security tag prior to performing said verifying step.

11. A security tag of an Electronic Article Surveillance (“

EAS”

) system, comprising;

at least one electronic circuit configured to;

provide a unique identifier to an application installed on a mobile communication device via a first short-range communication when the security tag is attached to an article for sale;

receive a second short-range communication from the mobile communication device that comprises a detachment command exclusively after the article has been successfully purchased;

verify that the second short-range communication is intended to be processed by the security tag; and

actuate a detachment mechanism in response to the detachment command so that the security tag can be detached from the article for sale.

12. The security tag according to claim 11, wherein the mobile communication device is a mobile phone.

13. The security tag according to claim 11, wherein the first short-range communication is a barcode communication or a near field communication.

15. The security tag according to claim 11, wherein the electronic circuit is further configured to output an audio indication or a visual indication indicating that the detachment mechanism has been actuated.

16. The security tag according to claim 11, wherein detachment command comprises instructions for programming the security tag to actuate the detachment mechanism using a one-time-only detachment key.

17. The security tag according to claim 11, wherein the electronic circuit is further configured to receive a locking code from the mobile communication device for locking an electronic lock of the security tag.

18. The security tag according to claim 17, wherein the electronic circuit is further configured to communicate a response message to the mobile communication device via a third short-range communication, the response message indicating that the electronic lock has been once again locked.

19. The security tag according to claim 11, wherein the electronic circuit is further configured to automatically secure the security tag to the article when a pre-defined time period expires.

20. The security tag according to claim 19, wherein the pre-defined time period is specified by time limit information received by the security tag from the mobile communication device.

14. The security tag according to clam 11, wherein the electronic circuit is further configured to decrypt the second short-range communication prior to verifying that the second short-range communication is intended to be processed by the security tag.