Security device and transponder

• US 7,315,253 B1
• Filed: 01/04/2005
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dubois Regional Medical Center Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Meadwestvaco (WestRock Company)
• Inventors: Johnston, Robert, Crossfield, Michael D., Jones, Ross P., Pijanowski, Stefan A., Fraser, Anthony H. J., Farrar, Peter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr.; John
• Application Number:
  US11/027,938
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 340/686.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.5, 340/572.8, 340/572.9
• US Class Current: 340/686.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details

Abstract

A security device for attachment to a container having external walls such that a transponder thereon is located externally of or adjacent to one of said external walls so as to avoid being shielded by a metal layer within the container (e.g. the metal layer within a disk such as a CD or DVD). The security device is arranged to trigger an alarm signal if the container is moved within the range of an alarm unit with the security device attached thereto, and has a releasable locking mechanism to secure it to the container such that release of the locking mechanism requires the use of authorized release means. In one embodiments the transponder is located in the vicinity of a window in a metal layer, e.g. at the centre of the disk.

Claims

1. A security device for attachment to a container having external walls such that at least a signal receiving and/or transmitting portion thereof comprising an RF transponder is located externally of, or adjacent to, one of said external walls, the security device being arranged to trigger an alarm signal if the container is moved within the range of an alarm unit with the security device attached thereto, the security device having a releasable locking mechanism to secure it to the container such that release of the locking mechanism requires the use of authorized release means, and wherein the container is adapted to hold a substantially planar article, the article including a metal layer, and wherein the security device is located in a position substantially co-planar with said metal layer.

2. A security device as claimed in claim 1, having a first arm for insertion within a first aperture in the container.

3. A security device as claimed in claim 2, in which said first arm is a snap-fit within the container.

4. A security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the locking mechanism is releasable magnetically.

5. A security device as claimed in claim 2, having a second arm for insertion within a second aperture in the container.

6. A security device as claimed in claim 5, arranged such that the first arm fits within an aperture in a base portion of the container and the second arm fits within an aperture in a lid portion of the container, or vice versa.

7. A security device as claimed in claim 2, in which the container comprises a base portion and a lid portion, the lid portion being hingedly connected to the base portion along a first edge thereof, the first arm being arranged to fit within said first aperture which is provided in an opening edge of the container opposite said first edge.

8. A security device as claimed in claim 1, for attachment to a container having holding means for holding a disk via a central aperture thereof and which is arranged to interact with the holding means so as to lock the disk thereon.

9. A security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the RF transponder comprises a magnetic core with a cog wound therearound.

10. A security device as claimed in claim 9, in which the magnetic core is formed of ferrite.

11. A security device as claimed in claim 10, in which the magnetic core is substantially flat.

12. A security device as claimed in claim 9, having a cover portion which holds the transponder in the device.

13. A security device as claimed in claim 12, in which the cover portion is held in place by a snap-fit.

14. A security device as claimed in claim 1, in combination with a container adapted to receive the security device.

15. A security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the transponder of the security device is adapted to be housed within the container.

16. A security device for attachment to apparatus adapted to hold one or more articles which includes a layer which is non-transparent to electromagnetic radiation, the security device having a portion for receiving and/or transmitting electromagnetic radiation so as to trigger an alarm signal if the apparatus is moved within the range of an alarm unit with the security device attached thereto, said portion being located on the device such that it lies in the vicinity of a window in said layer or a gap between two such layers so as to be able to receive and/or transmit electromagnetic radiation through said window or gap when the device is attached to said apparatus.

17. A security device as claimed in claim 16, for attachment to apparatus adapted to hold a disk having a central aperture, said portion being located such that, in use, it lies adjacent the disk in the vicinity of the central aperture thereof.

18. A security device as claimed in claim 16, in which said portion comprises a flat coil of electrical conductors wound in elongate loops.

19. A security device as claimed in claim 16, in which said portion comprises a coil wound around a substantially flat ferrite core.