Anti-theft security device and perimeter detection system

• US 8,514,078 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2010
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Centrak Incorporated (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Inventors: Lax, Michael R., Libohova, Agjah, van Koot, Frederic
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US12/685,473
• Publication Number:
  US 20100134295A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.44, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/5.9, 340/10.1, 340/540, 340/541, 340/568.2, 340/568.4, 235/382, 235/385, 235/492
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0017 Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19645 Multiple cameras, each having view on one of a plurality of scenes, e.g. multiple cameras for multi-room surveillance or for tracking an object by view hand-over
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19652 Systems using zones in a single scene defined for different treatment, e.g. outer zone gives pre-alarm, inner zone gives alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19658 Telephone systems used to communicate with a camera, e.g. PSTN, GSM, POTS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19669 Event triggers storage or change of storage policy
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19697 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03
• 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 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure

Abstract

A security tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a membrane operable for attachment to merchandise, wherein the housing is connected the membrane, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the housing from the membrane and an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the housing from the membrane in an unauthorized condition. A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the merchandise and an alarm operable to emit a tamper alarm signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the merchandise in an unauthorized condition.

Claims

1. A security tag comprising:

a housing;

a connecting portion connected to the housing and operable to connect the housing to merchandise to be secured;

a magnetic locking mechanism operable to lock the housing to the connecting portion;

a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the housing from the connecting portion; and

an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the housing from the connecting portion in an unauthorized condition.

2. The security tag of claim 1, wherein the alarm does not emit the tamper signal when the housing is removed or attempted to be removed from the connecting portion in an authorized condition.

3. The security tag of claim 2, wherein the security tag is in the authorized condition when it receives an encrypted deactivation signal to deactivate the alarm.

4. A security system comprising:

a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured;

the security tag including a magnetic locking mechanism operable to lock the security tag to the merchandise;

a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the merchandise; and

an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the merchandise in an unauthorized condition.

5. The security system of claim 4, wherein the alarm does not emit the tamper signal when the tag is removed or is attempted to be removed from the merchandise in an authorized condition.

6. The security system of claim 5, wherein the security tag is in the authorized condition when it receives an encrypted deactivation signal to deactivate the alarm.

7. The security system of claim 4, wherein the magnetic locking mechanism further comprises at least one locking pin made of a magnetic material, such that the locking pin is movable to open the locking mechanism by a magnet.

8. The security system of claim 7, further comprising a removal device operable to provide the encrypted deactivation signal and to release the magnetic locking mechanism.

9. A security system comprising:

a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured, wherein the security tag includes a first element operatively connected to a second element;

the security tag further including a magnetic locking mechanism operable to lock the first element to the second element;

a monitoring device operable to monitor a relationship between the first element and the second element; and

an alarm operable to emit a first alarm signal when the monitoring device indicates that the first element is separated from the second element in an unauthorized condition.

10. The security system of claim 9, wherein the alarm does not emit the first alarm signal when the first element is separated from the second element in an authorized condition.

11. The security system of claim 10, wherein the security system is in an authorized condition when the security tag has received an encrypted deactivation signal to deactivate the alarm.

12. A security system comprising:

a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured, wherein the security tag includes a first element operatively connected to a second element;

the security tag further including a magnetic locking mechanism operable to lock the first element to the second element;

a monitoring device operable to monitor a relationship between the first element and the second element;

an alarm operable to emit a first alarm signal when the monitoring device indicates that the first element is separated from the second element in an unauthorized condition;

a plurality of network readers positioned in predetermined locations, wherein each network reader has a predefined reception range and each network reader is operable to receive wireless signals including the first alarm signal; and

a collector connected to each network reader of the plurality of network readers and operable to receive information from the network readers regarding wireless signals received by the network readers for security processing.

13. The security system of claim 12, wherein the alarm does not emit the first alarm signal when the first element is separated from the second element in an authorized condition.

14. The security system of claim 13, wherein the security system is in an authorized condition when the security tag has received an encrypted deactivation signal to deactivate the alarm.

15. A security system comprising:

a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured, wherein the security tag includes a first element operatively connected to a second element;

the first element having an adhesive adapted to connect the first element to the merchandise to be secured;

the security tag further including a locking mechanism operable to lock the first element to the second element;

a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the merchandise; and

an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the merchandise in an unauthorized condition.

16. The security system of claim 15, wherein the alarm does not emit the tamper signal when the tag is removed or is attempted to be removed from the merchandise in an authorized condition.

17. The security system of claim 16, wherein the security tag is in the authorized condition when it receives an encrypted deactivation signal to deactivate the alarm.