Transmit-only electronic article surveillance system and method
First Claim
1. An antitheft security system, said system comprising:
- an electromagnetic (EM) field generator, said EM field generator comprising a housing to which at least one antenna is coupled thereto, said at least one antenna generating said EM field of a predetermined frequency, said housing being securable to a surface or surfaces in a plurality of orientations; and
at least one security tag comprising a circuit tuned to said predetermined frequency, a detector and an alarm, said detector detecting said EM field received by said circuit and either activating said alarm or maintaining said alarm in a deactivated condition depending upon a security zone configuration of said antitheft security system;
wherein said housing comprises an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends located at opposite ends of said longitudinal axis, wherein said first and/or second ends of said elongated housing comprise an electrical port for coupling to an external power source;
wherein said EM field generator further comprises an internal power source, said EM field generator comprising means for automatically switching between power provided from said external power source and from said internal power source with no loss of operation of said EM field generator during switching;
the antitheft security system further comprising a passive infrared sensor (PIR) for detecting motion around said EM field generator when said EM field generator is being powered from said internal power source, said PIR causing said field generator to switch to a low power “
sleep state”
when there is no motion being detected; and
wherein said PIR is automatically deactivated when said EM field generator is being powered from said external power source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An anti-theft security system that utilizes an electronic article surveillance (EAS) beacon that emits an electromagnetic field that a corresponding security tag transponder detects in determining whether to set off onboard transponder alarms or to remain dormant. The EAS beacon is a self-contained beacon that can be easily installed at any desired location and can utilize local utility power or revert to battery power. Among other things, this avoids the large installation, calibration and maintenance costs and tasks of conventional EAS pedestals. The EAS beacon includes coil panels that are secured to an elongated housing that can be flexed to avoid or minimize damage should something or someone come into contact with the panels. An audible/visible alarm is activated when such flexing or tampering occurs. A passive infrared detector is provided to reduce power consumption when the EAS beacon is operating on battery power. The EAS beacon may also be used in existing EAS and RFID anti-theft security systems wherein the associated security transponder also includes passive EAS and/or RFID security elements. A wireless disable key can also be used to shut off an alarming transponder.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An antitheft security system, said system comprising:
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an electromagnetic (EM) field generator, said EM field generator comprising a housing to which at least one antenna is coupled thereto, said at least one antenna generating said EM field of a predetermined frequency, said housing being securable to a surface or surfaces in a plurality of orientations; and at least one security tag comprising a circuit tuned to said predetermined frequency, a detector and an alarm, said detector detecting said EM field received by said circuit and either activating said alarm or maintaining said alarm in a deactivated condition depending upon a security zone configuration of said antitheft security system; wherein said housing comprises an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends located at opposite ends of said longitudinal axis, wherein said first and/or second ends of said elongated housing comprise an electrical port for coupling to an external power source; wherein said EM field generator further comprises an internal power source, said EM field generator comprising means for automatically switching between power provided from said external power source and from said internal power source with no loss of operation of said EM field generator during switching; the antitheft security system further comprising a passive infrared sensor (PIR) for detecting motion around said EM field generator when said EM field generator is being powered from said internal power source, said PIR causing said field generator to switch to a low power “
sleep state”
when there is no motion being detected; andwherein said PIR is automatically deactivated when said EM field generator is being powered from said external power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for establishing an antitheft security system, said method comprising:
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generating an electromagnetic (EM) field of a predetermined frequency by energizing at least one antenna that is coupled to a power source and wherein said at least one antenna is coupled to a housing that is securable to a surface or surfaces in a plurality of orientations; coupling a security tag to an item of merchandise, said security tag comprising a circuit tuned to said predetermined frequency and a detector; permitting said security tag to encounter said EM field; and detecting, by said detector, said EM field encountered by said circuit of said security tag; wherein the step of generating an EM field comprises providing an electrical port in at least two different locations on said housing for permitting said housing to be oriented in said plurality of orientations; and wherein said step of generating an EM field comprises including an internal power source and wherein said step of generating an EM field comprises automatically switching between power provided by said external power source and by said internal power source; the method further comprising step of reducing the power provided to said at least one antenna to a low power “
sleep state”
whenever there is no motion being detected in the vicinity of said EM field;wherein said step of reducing the power utilizes a passive infrared sensor (PR) that is deactivated when said external power source is providing power. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification