Monitoring device adapted for use with an electronic article surveillance system

• US 6,512,457 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2000
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hector Irizarry, Philip M. Anderson
• Original Assignee: Hector Irizarry, Philip M. Anderson
• Inventors: Irizarry, Hector, Anderson, Philip M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/748,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20010004239A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.4, 340/572.3, 340/571, 340/568.1, 340/551, 340/636, 340/693
• US Class Current: 340/573.4
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2422 using acoustic or microwave tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

An apparatus monitors the movement of a person through an exit. The apparatus comprises an electronic article surveillance system adapted to generate an electromagnetic field at the exit and a tag worn by the person. The tag is responsive to the electromagnetic field. It is caused to alarm upon departure of the person from the exit. The tag is further provided with an alarm means for alarming the electronic article surveillance system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring movement of a person through an exit, comprising:

a. an electronic article surveillance system for generating an electromagnetic field at said exit and detecting a preselected disturbance in said electromagnetic field produced by passage of an article surveillance system tag therethrough; and

b. a tag worn by said person, said tag being powered by a battery and having an alarm means responsive to said electromagnetic field, and generating a mimicking signal that reproduces said preselected disturbance, said mimicking signal having a frequency equal to the frequency of said electromagnetic field that causes said article surveillance system tag to produce said preselected disturbance;

whereby said tag will alarm and trigger said electronic article system alarm on departure of said person from said exit.

2. A tag adapted to be worn by a person, for monitoring the movement of the person through an exit having an electronic article surveillance system that generates an electromagnetic field at said exit and detects a preselected disturbance in said electromagnetic field produced by passage of an article surveillance system tag therethrough, comprising:

a. antenna means for receiving the electromagnetic field generated by said electronic article surveillance system;

b. alarm means for sounding an alarm;

c. detecting means for detecting said electromagnetic field, said detecting means causing said alarm means to sound an alarm upon detection of said electromagnetic field;

d. power means including a battery for powering said tag;

e. housing means for encasing said antenna means, said detecting means, said alarm means, and said power means; and

f. attaching means for attaching said housing means to said person;

said tag further comprising;

g. generating means responsive to said electromagnetic field for generating a mimicking signal that reproduces said preselected disturbance, said mimicking signal having a frequency equal to the frequency of said electromagnetic field that causes said article surveillance system tag to produce said preselected disturbance; and

h. switching means for switching said antenna between said detecting means and said generating means, whereby upon detection of said electromagnetic field, said detecting means causes said alarm means to sound an alarm and said switching means to connect said antenna to said generating means, causing said electronic article surveillance system to alarm.

3. A tag as recited by claim 2, further comprising resetting means for resetting said alarm.

4. A tag as recited by claim 2, wherein said battery is rechargeable.

5. A tag as recited by claim 2, further comprising:

a. generating means for generating a signal from an electronic article surveillance marker; and

b. transmitting antenna means for transmitting said mimicking signal, whereby upon detection of said electromagnetic field, said detecting means causes said alarm means to sound an alarm and said generating means to generate said signal to said transmitting antenna means causing said electronic article surveillance system to alarm.

6. A tag as recited by claim 2, wherein said person is a vulnerable person.

7. A tag as recited by claim 2, wherein said person has an infirmity.

8. A tag as recited by claim 7, wherein said person has a mental disability.

9. A tag as recited by claim 8, wherein said person is a hospital patient.

10. A tag as recited by claim 8, wherein said person is an Alzheimer'"'"'s patient.

11. A tag as recited by claim 2, wherein said person is a low risk inmate of a detention center.

12. A method for detecting the movement of a person through an exit provided with an electronic article surveillance system that generates an electromagnetic field at said exit and detects a preselected disturbance in said electromagnetic field produced by passage of an article surveillance system marker therethrough, comprising the steps of:

a. attaching to said person a tag responsive to the electromagnetic field generated by said electronic article surveillance system at said exit;

b. receiving said electromagnetic field; and

c. sounding an alarm on said tag in response to application of said electromagnetic field and generating a mimicking signal that reproduces said preselected disturbance, thereby triggering an alarm on said electronic article surveillance, said mimicking signal having a frequency equal to the frequency of said electromagnetic field that causes said article surveillance system tag to produce said preselected disturbance.

13. A tag as recited by claim 12, wherein said person is a vulnerable person.

14. A tag as recited by claim 12, wherein said person has an infirmity.

15. A tag as recited by claim 14, wherein said person has a mental disability.

16. A tag as recited by claim 15, wherein said person is a hospital patient.

17. A tag as recited by claim 15, wherein said person is an Alzheimer'"'"'s patient.

18. A tag as recited by claim 12, wherein said person is a low risk inmate of a detention center.