Electronic surveillance using self-powered article attached tags
First Claim
1. An electronic surveillance system of type employing alarm tags releasably attachable to articles to be monitored in an installation, said system comprising:
- (a) transmitter means for radiating signals containing a plurality of different messages for said tags;
(b) a plurality of alarm tags, each having(1) attachment means for releasably attaching said tag to an article and providing an output indication of the attachment state thereof;
(2) receiver means for receiving such radiated signals and for decoding the messages contained therein; and
(3) tag controller means connected to said attachment means and to said receiver means for selectively generating an output alarm indication responsive to said attachment means state output indication and such decoded messages.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Alarm tags releasably attachable to articles to be monitored in a retail installation or the like have enhanced operational capabilities giving rise to an improved likelihood of detection of article theft. The system has a transmitter unit which radiates signals containing diverse message contents. The tags each include an attachment device for releasably securing the tag to an article, a receiver unit for receiving such radiated signals and decoding the messages therein, an alarm unit and a signal processor, the latter being responsive to the state of the attachment device and to decoded messages for selectively operating the alarm unit to provide sensible output alarm indication.
In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a transmitter in an exit area of the retail installation which radiates a signal containing a first message for receipt only by tags in such area and has a transmitter in a checkout area which radiates signals containing various selectable messages for article checkout purposes.
97 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An electronic surveillance system of type employing alarm tags releasably attachable to articles to be monitored in an installation, said system comprising:
-
(a) transmitter means for radiating signals containing a plurality of different messages for said tags; (b) a plurality of alarm tags, each having (1) attachment means for releasably attaching said tag to an article and providing an output indication of the attachment state thereof; (2) receiver means for receiving such radiated signals and for decoding the messages contained therein; and (3) tag controller means connected to said attachment means and to said receiver means for selectively generating an output alarm indication responsive to said attachment means state output indication and such decoded messages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An electronic surveillance system of type employing alarm tags releasably attachable to articles to be monitored in an installation, said system comprising:
-
(a) primary transmitter means for radiating a signal containing a message for said tags; (b) a plurality of alarm tags, each having receiver means for receiving such radiated signals and for decoding the message contained therein; and (c) secondary transmitter means for radiating a signal of complemental character to that radiated by said primary transmitter means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification