Asset security tag

• US 6,137,414 A
• Filed: 11/30/1998
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xmark Corporation (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EXI Wireless Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Federman, Vladimir
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US09/201,702
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/539
• US Class Current: 340/572.9
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/06 by tampering with fastening
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article

Abstract

The present invention provides an asset security tag comprising a housing, a transmitter transmitting radio frequency waves, the transmitter located in the housing, an electronic circuit located in the housing and coupled to the transmitter, the electronic circuit transmitting an alarm signal when the asset has been relocated to an unauthorized area, and a tag removal alarm circuit for detecting an unauthorized removal of the asset security tag from the asset and for enabling the transmitter to transmit an alarm signal upon detecting the unauthorized removal, whereby the asset security tag may be secured to an asset, and either unauthorized relocation of the asset or unauthorized removal of the tag from the asset will cause an alarm signal to be transmitted.

Claims

1. An asset security tag comprising:

a housing having a base with an opening;

a means for transmitting radio frequency waves, the transmitting means located in the housing;

an electronic circuit located in the housing and coupled to the transmitting means, the electronic circuit having means for enabling the transmitting means to transmit an alarm signal when the asset has been relocated to an unauthorized area; and

a means for detecting an unauthorized removal of the asset security tag from the asset and for enabling the transmitting means to transmit an alarm signal upon detecting the unauthorized removal, the detecting and enabling means includes a tag removal alarm circuit located in the housing, the tag removal alarm circuit includes a voltage reference and a conductive element having a first end and a second end, the first end flexibly secured to the housing and electrically coupled to the voltage reference, the second end having an open position and a closed position, in the open position the second end is spaced apart from the opening and the alarm circuit is not completed, in the closed position the second end is adjacent the opening and the tag removal alarm circuit is completed, the conductive element is biased with the second end in the closed position, whereby the asset security tag may be secured to an asset, and either unauthorized relocation of the asset or unauthorized removal of the tag from the asset will cause an alarm signal to be transmitted.

2. The asset security tag of claim 1, wherein the detecting and enabling means includes a member having a base portion and a pin portion, the base portion having a bottom surface, the bottom surface having means for securing to the asset, the pin portion sized to extend through the opening and bias the second end in the open position, whereby with the housing and the member secured to an asset via the securing means, the member maintains the second end in the open position, and if the housing is removed from the asset, the member remains with the asset and the pin portion is extracted from the opening and the second end returns to the closed position and an alarm is transmitted.

3. The asset security tag of claim 2, wherein the wall of the housing has a thickness, and the base portion is substantially flat and thin, the base portion includes a top surface, the pin portion extends from the top surface and has a length greater than the thickness of the wall of the housing.

4. The asset security tag of claim 3, wherein the wall of the housing includes an interior surface, the opening extends through the outer surface and the interior surface, the tag removal alarm circuit includes a conductive pad located on the interior surface of the housing and adjacent the opening, the second end of the conductive element, in the closed position, is in electrical contact with the conductive pad and completes the tag removal alarm circuit.

5. The asset security tag of claim 4, wherein the opening defines a peripheral edge at the interior surface, and the conductive pad is substantially ring shaped and extends along the peripheral edge of the opening.

6. The asset security tag of claim 5, wherein the conductive element is a metal spring arm, the spring arm having the first end flexibly secured to the voltage reference with spring tension biasing the second end toward electrical contact with the ring shaped conductive pad wherein the ring shaped conductive pad is made of gold.

7. An asset security tag to be attached to an asset, the tag capable of transmitting an alarm signal to a receiver of a monitoring system, the asset security tag comprising:

a housing, the housing having a base with an outer surface, the base having an opening, the outer surface having an adhesive for securing to an asset;

a means for receiving and transmitting radio frequency waves, the receiving and transmitting means located in the housing;

an electronic circuit located in the housing and coupled to the receiving and transmitting means, the electronic circuit having means for enabling the receiving and transmitting means to transmit an alarm signal when the asset has been relocated to an unauthorized area, the electronic circuit having means for enabling the receiver and transmitter to transmit an alarm signal when the electronic circuit receives a tag removal signal;

a tag removal alarm circuit located in the housing and which includes a conductive element having a first end and a second end, the first end flexibly secured to the alarm circuit, the second end having a open position and a closed position, in the closed position the second end is adjacent the opening and the alarm circuit is completed and a tag removal signal is developed and coupled to the electronic circuit, in the open position the second end is spaced apart from the opening and the alarm circuit is not completed and a tag removal alarm signal is not developed and coupled to the electronic circuit, the conductive element is biased with the second end in the closed position; and

a member having a base portion and a pin portion, the base portion having a surface, the surface having an adhesive for securing to an asset, the pin portion sized to extend through the opening and bias the second end in the open position, whereby with the housing and the member secured to an asset via the adhesive, the member maintains the second end in the open position, and if the housing is removed from the asset, the member remains with the asset and the pin portion is removed from the opening and the second end moves to the closed position and an alarm signal is transmitted.

8. A system for maintaining security of an asset, the system comprising:

at least one asset tag, each of the at least one asset tag having a housing, the housing having a base with an outer surface, the base having an opening, the outer surface having an adhesive for securing to an asset,

a means for transmitting radio frequency waves, the transmitting means located in the housing,

an electronic circuit located in the housing and coupled to the transmitting means, the electronic circuit having means for enabling the transmitting means to transmit an alarm signal when the asset has been relocated to an unauthorized area, the electronic circuit having means for enabling the transmitter means to transmit an alarm signal when the electronic circuit receives a tag removal signal, and

a tag removal alarm circuit located in the housing and which includes a conductive element having a first end and a second end, the first end flexibly secured to the alarm circuit, the second end having an open position and a closed position, in the closed position the second end is adjacent the opening and the alarm circuit is completed and a tag removal signal is developed and coupled to the electronic circuit, in the open position the second end is spaced apart from the opening and the alarm circuit is not completed and a tag removal alarm signal is not developed and coupled to the electronic circuit, the conductive element is biased with the second end in the closed position;

a member having a base portion and a pin portion, the base portion having a surface, the surface having an adhesive for securing to an asset, the pin portion sized to extend through the opening and bias the second end in the open position, whereby with the housing and the member secured to an asset via the adhesive, the member maintains the second end in the open position, and if the housing is removed from the asset, the member remains with the asset and the pin portion is removed from the opening and the second end moves to the closed position and an alarm signal is transmitted;

a security monitor; and

at least one secured area, each of said secured areas associated with a respective means for receiving the alarm signal, each of the respective receiving means is coupled to the security monitor.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the alarm signal provides information specific to the asset associated with the asset tag which developed the alarm signal.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the specific information includes indicating the approximate location of the tag, the serial number of the tag and the article description.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein, upon a respective receiving means receiving an alarm signal, the security monitor displays the specific information of the received alarm signal.

12. A security tag comprising:

a means for receiving radio frequency waves;

a means for transmitting radio frequency waves;

a micro controller coupled to the transmitting means and the receiving means;

means for detecting that the receiving means received a specific data stream, the specific data stream associated with the security tag; and

means for enabling the micro controller upon detecting the specific data stream, whereby the micro controller is normally in a power down mode until the detecting means detects the specific data stream, whereupon power is applied to the micro controller to carry out a task, the security tag thus conserving power consumption by not unnecessarily applying power to the micro controller.

13. The tag of claim 12, further comprising a voltage source, the voltage source being coupled to the receiving means, transmitting means and detecting means, and the enabling means includes means for coupling the voltage source to the microcontroller.

14. The tag of claim 13, further comprising means for maintaining the voltage source coupled to the microcontroller.