Anti-theft detection system

• US 5,990,791 A
• Filed: 10/22/1997
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William B. Spargur
• Original Assignee: William B. Spargur
• Inventors: Spargur, William B., Andreasen, Howard P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/956,138
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572, 340/571, 340/568, 340/551
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2422 using acoustic or microwave tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details

Abstract

An anti-theft detection system. A target comprising a frequency multiplier is affixed to goods in a retail store. A low power radio frequency source is placed near the exits to the retail store, and the target emits harmonics of the frequency transmitted by the radio frequency source when located near the radio frequency source. A detector also located near the exits to the retail store detects the harmonics and commands an alarm, thereby allowing for an apprehension of shoplifters.

Claims

1. An anti-theft detection system comprising:

a radio frequency source emitting a source signal at a first frequency;

a target which outputs a target signal with a component at a second frequency when subject to the signal at the first frequency;

a detector for detecting the component of the target signal at the second frequency and for detecting a component of a doppler shifted target signal approximate the second frequency;

an alarm activated when the detector detects both the component of the target signal at the second frequency and the component of the doppler shifted target signal approximate the second frequency;

the target comprising a frequency multiplier;

the first frequency is a frequency f₁ and the second frequency is a frequency is f₂, and f₂ is a multiple of f₁ ;

wherein the detector detects signals at frequencies approximate frequency f₂, the signals at frequencies approximate frequency f₂ being doppler shifted signals of signals at frequency f₂ ;

an alarm processor, the alarm processor receiving signal level information from the detector;

wherein the alarm processor commands the alarm when the alarm processor determines that the detector has detected both the component of the target signal at frequency f₂ and the component of the doppler shift target signal approximate f₂ ;

wherein the alarm processor stores predefined values indicative of signal strength at frequencies f₁,f₂ and doppler shifted frequencies of f₂, and the alarm processor commands the alarm when the alarm processor determines that the detector has detected an increase in signal strength above the values indicative of signal strength at frequencies f₁, f₂, and doppler shifted frequencies of f₂.

2. The anti-theft detection system of claim 1 wherein the target comprises a diode.

3. The anti-theft detection system of claim 2 wherein the diode has an input antenna attached to an input of the diode and an output antenna attached to an output of the diode.

4. The anti-theft detection system of claim 3 wherein the input antenna includes a fusible link.

5. The anti-theft detection system of claim 4 wherein the output antenna includes a fusible link.

6. The anti-theft detection system of claim 3 wherein the frequency multiplier is attached to a tamper evident seal.

7. The anti-theft detection system of claim 6 wherein the tamper evident seal comprises a heat shrinkable band.

8. The anti-theft detection system of claim 7 wherein the heat shrinkable band is composed of a polyvinylchloride material.

9. The anti-theft detection system of claim 3 wherein the frequency multiplier is attached to a price tag.

10. An anti-theft detection system comprising:

a radio frequency source emitting a source signal at a first frequency;

a target which outputs a target signal with a component at a second frequency when subject to the signal at the first frequency;

a detector for detecting a component of a doppler shifted target signal approximate the second frequency;

an alarm activated when the detector detects the component of the doppler shifted target signal approximate the second frequency with the alarm not being activated solely by detection by the detector of a component of the target signal at the second frequency;

the target comprising a frequency multiplier;

the first frequency is a frequency f₁ and the second frequency is a frequency f₂, and f₂ is a multiple of f₁ ;

wherein the detector detects signals at frequencies approximate frequency f₂, the signals at frequencies approximate frequency f₂ being doppler shifted signals of signals at frequency f₂ ;

an alarm processor, the alarm processor receiving signal level information from the detector;

wherein the alarm processor commands the alarm when the alarm processor determines that the detector has detected the component of the doppler shifted target signal approximate f₂ ; and

wherein the alarm processor stores predefined values indicative of signal strength at doppler shifted frequencies of f₂, and the alarm processor commands the alarm when the alarm processor determines that the detector has detected an increase in signal strength above the values indicative of signal strength at doppler shifted frequencies of f₂.

11. The anti-theft detection system of claim 10 wherein the target comprises a diode.

12. The anti-theft detection system of claim 11 wherein the diode has an input antenna attached to an input of the diode and an output antenna attached to an output of the diode.

13. The anti-theft detection system of claim 12 wherein the input antenna includes a fusible link.

14. The anti-theft detection system of claim 13 wherein the output antenna includes a fusible link.

15. The anti-theft detection system of claim 12 wherein the diode is attached to a tamper evident seal.

16. The anti-theft detection system of claim 15 wherein the tamper evident seal comprises a heat shrinkable band.

17. The anti-theft detection system of claim 16 wherein the heat shrinkable band is composed of polyvinylchloride material.

18. The anti-theft detection system of claim 12 wherein the frequency multiplier is attached to a price tag.