Apparatus for deactivating a surveillance tag
First Claim
1. Apparatus for deactivating a surveillance tag, the detection of which by an interrogation station is dependent upon the condition of a semiconductor diode contained in said tag which diode is connected conductively to a first pair of contacts exposed adjacent at least one surface of said tag, said apparatus comprising a probe constructed to be brought into engagement with said one surface and moved relative thereto, said probe including a second pair of contacts that ride along said one surface during said movement of said probe so as to engage conductively said first pair of contacts, and means coupled to said second pair of contacts for furnishing thereto alternating current sufficient to deteriorate said diode during the interval of said conductive engagement such that said tag is no longer detectable by said interrogation station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pulse source powers a wand-like probe with spaced contacts that is arranged to be applied to and drawn along the surface of a surveillance tag that contains a diode semiconductor with exposed terminals. When the probe contacts engage the diode terminals, current is passed through the diode sufficient to destroy its unidirectional conducting characteristics and thereby deactivate the tag. A cut-out circuit is included to prevent the passage of excessive current through the diode or damaging short-circuiting of the power amplifier output.
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Citations
12 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for deactivating a surveillance tag, the detection of which by an interrogation station is dependent upon the condition of a semiconductor diode contained in said tag which diode is connected conductively to a first pair of contacts exposed adjacent at least one surface of said tag, said apparatus comprising a probe constructed to be brought into engagement with said one surface and moved relative thereto, said probe including a second pair of contacts that ride along said one surface during said movement of said probe so as to engage conductively said first pair of contacts, and means coupled to said second pair of contacts for furnishing thereto alternating current sufficient to deteriorate said diode during the interval of said conductive engagement such that said tag is no longer detectable by said interrogation station.
Specification