Self-sounding tag alarm

• US 5,589,819 A
• Filed: 08/18/1994
• Issued: 12/31/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Takeda Technological Research Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Takeda Technological Research Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Takeda, Harumi
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/292,750
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571, 340/572
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details

Abstract

A self-sounding tag alarm apparatus having a tag type main body attached to a commodity and automatically operable to sound an alarm when an attempt is made to steal the commodity. The apparatus includes a coupling such as a wire, pin or the like for detachably attaching the main apparatus body to the commodity, an alarm generator mounted in the main apparatus body, a detector for detecting a signal of a particular frequency produced externally of the main apparatus body and removal of the coupling, a reset signal intake device for taking into the main apparatus body a reset signal applied externally of the main apparatus body, and an alarm control device for rendering the alarm generator operative based on a detection signal received from the detector, and rendering the alarm generator inoperative based on the reset signal received from the reset signal intake device.

Claims

1. A self-sounding tag alarm apparatus for use on a commodity to prevent shoplifting, said apparatus comprising:

a main housing;

coupling means for detachably attaching the main housing to the commodity;

alarm generating means mounted in said main housing for generating an alarm;

detecting means for detecting at least one of a signal of a particular frequency produced externally of said main housing and removal of said coupling means;

reset signal input means on said main housing for having a reset signal applied thereto, said reset signal being provided externally of said main housing, said reset signal input means including a resonator circuit for detecting an electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency, said electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency being different from the signal of a particular frequency produced externally of said main housing, and a comparator, said comparator being enabled when an output of said resonator circuit exceeds a predetermined level; and

reset signal generating means for generating the electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency, said electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency being a reset signal, said reset signal generating means including an oscillator coil disposed in a flat housing.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a wire for connecting said main housing to said commodity, and wherein said detecting means generates electrical signals in response to connection and disconnection of said wire to and from said main housing.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a pin for connecting said main housing to said commodity, and wherein said detecting means generates electrical signals in response to connection and disconnection of said pin to and from said main housing.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a clip for connecting said main housing to said commodity, and wherein said detecting means generates electrical signals in response to connection and disconnection of said clip to and from said main housing.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises an adhesive tape for connecting said main housing to said commodity, and wherein said detecting means generates electrical signals in response to connection and disconnection of said adhesive tape to and from said main housing.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes a resonator circuit for detecting an electromagnetic wave which is said signal of a particular frequency produced externally of said main housing.