Anti-shoplifting system

• US 4,800,369 A
• Filed: 10/15/1986
• Issued: 01/24/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kozo Yamada, Toyoji Gomi
• Original Assignee: Kozo Yamada, Toyoji Gomi
• Inventors: Yamada, Kozo, Gomi, Toyoji
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US06/918,919
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572, 340/571
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details

Abstract

Anti-shoplifting system comprising a switching circuit, a signal generator, and a detector gate. Said switching circuit has a built-in flat-shaped miniature power pack which is attached to individual goods sold in shops and switches on and maintains the circuit of said power pack switched on under the action of external radiowaves. The signal generator consists of a built-in signal-transmitting circuit for transmitting radio signals of a specific frequency from said power supply. The detector gate is provided with a signal-generating state forming a weak radiowave area of the required frequency to energize the switching circuit of said signal generator and receives the radiowaves transmitted from said signal generator so as to drive an alarm device via said received signals.

Claims

1. An anti-shoplifting system for identifying unauthorized removal of individual goods sold in shops by generating a theft-detection alarm and being capable of identifying the shoplifter, said system comprising:

a detector means mounted in the vicinity of each entrance and exit of the shop, said detector means having a signal-generating stage for generating a radiowave having a predetermined range, a signal-receiving stage for receiving a specific frequency, and a warning device for providing a warning signal upon receipt of said specific frequency;

a signal generator unit, being attached to individual goods sold in the shop, for generating said specific frequency when said signal generator unit is within said predetermined range of said detector means, said signal generator unit including

a parallel wound coil, being a conductive wire wound at least once to form several interconnected coils to obtain a parallel array of coils, said parallel wound coil for receiving said generated radiowave from said signal-generating stage and for producing a magnetic field current;

a switching circuit receiving said magnetic field current and for producing an "energized" signal;

a flat miniature power pack receiving said "energized" signal and upon receipt of said "energized" signal being maintained in a switched-on condition for supplying power to said signal generator unit;

an oscillation-modulation circuit for generating a radiowave of said specific frequency; and

a signal-transmitting circuit for transmitting said generated radiowave from said oscillation-modulation circuit.

2. Anti-shoplifting system of claim 1 wherein said switching circuit is a double switching circuit having a primary switching circuit for energizing the flat miniature power pack while receiving said generated radiowave, and a secondary switching circuit for driving the oscillator and having an attachment string, protruding from said signal generator unit and attached to individual goods, for energizing said power pack and for maintaining said power pack in said switched-on condition when said attachment string has been separated from the individual goods.

3. Anti-shoplifting system of claim 2 wherein said attachment string is a breakable flexible conductive wire.

4. Anti-shoplifting system of claim 3 wherein said attachment string can be readily attached and detached to or from the signal generator unit.