Portable electronic security key for electronic article surveillance device

• US 6,864,792 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2002
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Labit, Rich, Maitin, Steven R., Brooks, Carl A., Canipe, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/236,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.5, 340/572.7, 340/573.3, 340/572.3, 340/572.4, 340/572.8, 340/505, 340/556, 340/442, 283/67, 283/70, 283/81, 235/378, 235/383, 235/385
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2411 Tag deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/242 Tag deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2465 Aspects related to the EAS system, e.g. system components other than tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

An electronic key capable of reinitializing or resetting a security disabled electronic article surveillance (EAS) device is provided. The electronic key can be a secure, portable, and battery powered for initializing a secured EAS system'"'"'s security protocol to factory default state, or to another preselected state. The key has its own set of security protocols to prevent unauthorized use and can easily be reprogrammed for a wide variety of other functions including, but not limited to, firmware upgrading, diagnostic testing, and the like. The key can be connected to the programming port of an EAS device and perform a preset reprogramming operation, resetting activated security features. The key could be purchased for customer use, and would be secured by preselecting the total number of uses, such as one use. The one-time use would begin once the key is activated. Activation of the key is also uniquely controlled to prevent its misuse. In one embodiment, the electronic key must detect the interrogation field of a properly functioning EAS exit system prior to becoming enabled. The allowed usage can be limited by time, the number of units reprogrammed, or a combination of both. Once the key has been activated for its pre-selected number of uses and shuts off, only qualified service personnel can reset the electronic key function for further uses.

Claims

1. A portable apparatus for reinitialization of an electronic article surveillance device for use in affecting an electronic article surveillance device proximate said article, said apparatus comprising:

a processor;

means, connected to said processor, for communication with said electronic article surveillance device to be reinitialized; and

,

means, connected to said processor, for activating a security code reinitialization in said device to be reinitialized wherein a security code stored in said device is set to a preselected value.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said processor is battery powered and includes a sleep mode and an active mode, said sleep mode using less power than said active mode for reducing battery consumption.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising means for putting said processor into said sleep mode.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising means for putting said processor into said active mode and for generating an interrupt to said processor for activating said security code reinitialization.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising receiver means for sending a second a second interrupt to said processor after receipt of an electronic article surveillance transmit signal at a preselected frequency and threshold, said processor activating said security code reinitialization only after receipt of said second interrupt.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising means for programming said processor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for communication includes an RS-232 protocol.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for video feedback to a user.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for audio feedback to a user.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further including a real-time clock and a software-controlled oscillator for driving said means for audio feedback.

11. A method for reinitialization, to preselected settings, of a security code of an electronic article surveillance device for use in affecting an electronic article surveillance device proximate said article, said method comprising:

activating a reinitialization procedure;

checking if a preselected number of resets allowed has been expended, and if so then stopping, otherwise;

enabling communication with the electronic article surveillance device to be reinitialized;

checking for an indication to proceed with reinitializing;

checking if the number of resets allowed has been expended, and if so then stopping, otherwise;

checking if the electronic article surveillance device is connected, and if so then, reinitializing the security code of the electronic article surveillance device to preselected values;

decrementing the number of resets allowed by one; and

,

jumping to the enabling communication step and repeating the subsequent steps.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said activating a reinitialization procedure includes waking a processor form a sleep mode and wherein said step of stopping includes putting said processor into said sleep mode.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising in the step of checking if the electronic article surveillance device is connected, if the electronic article surveillance device is not connected, then indicating to the user the remaining number of resets allowed.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of reinitializing the security code of the electronic article surveillance device to preselected values further comprises:

checking for a stored security code configuration of the electronic article surveillance device, and if none is found then, reading and storing the security code of the electronic article surveillance device and stopping;

otherwise, if a security code configuration of the electronic article surveillance device is stored, then;

resetting said security code of the electronic article surveillance device to said stored security code configuration and clearing said stored security code configuration.

15. A portable and programmable security reinitialization apparatus for electronic article surveillance devices, comprising:

a processor, wherein said processor is battery powered and includes a sleep mode and an active mode, said sleep mode using less power than said active mode for reducing battery consumption;

means for putting said processor into said sleep mode;

means, connected to said processor, for communication with an electronic article surveillance device to be reinitialized; and

,

means, connected to said processor, for activating a security code reinitialization in said device to be reinitialized wherein a security code stored in said device is set to a preselected value;

means for putting said processor into said active mode and for generating an interrupt to said processor for activating said security code reinitialization; and

receiver means for sending a second interrupt to said processor after receipt of an electronic article surveillance transmit signal at a preselected frequency and threshold, said processor activating said security code reinitialization only after receipt of said second interrupt.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for programming said processor.