Multi-technology transponder and system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for operating a security tag, comprising:
- coupling the security tag to an article using an attachment assembly at least partially inserted into a tag body;
electrically connecting a first electronic circuit disposed in the tag body to a second electronic circuit disposed within the attachment assembly via a first conductive portion of an elongate tack body extending down and away from a tack head of the attachment assembly;
supplying power between the attachment assembly and the tag body using a second conductive portion of the elongate tack body that is spaced apart and insulated from the first conductive portion of the elongate tack body;
providing a ground connection between the tag body and the attachment assembly using a third conductive portion of the elongate tack body that is spaced apart and insulated from the first and second conductive portions of the elongate tack body;
performing at least one of a plurality of core security tag functions by the first electronic circuit disposed within the tag body of the security tag to protect the article from an unauthorized removal of the article from an area, the plurality of core security tag functions comprising an Electronic Article Surveillance (“
EAS”
) function and a Radio Frequency Identification (“
RFID”
) function; and
performing at least one first peripheral security tag function by the second electronic circuit disposed within the attachment assembly of the security tag.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems (100) and methods (800) for operating a security tag. The methods involve: coupling the security tag to an article by at least partially inserting an attachment assembly into a tag body; performing core security tag functions by a first electronic circuit disposed within the tag body of the security tag to protect the article from an unauthorized removal of the article from an area; and performing at least one first peripheral security tag function by a second electronic circuit disposed within the attachment assembly of the security tag.
33 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for operating a security tag, comprising:
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coupling the security tag to an article using an attachment assembly at least partially inserted into a tag body; electrically connecting a first electronic circuit disposed in the tag body to a second electronic circuit disposed within the attachment assembly via a first conductive portion of an elongate tack body extending down and away from a tack head of the attachment assembly; supplying power between the attachment assembly and the tag body using a second conductive portion of the elongate tack body that is spaced apart and insulated from the first conductive portion of the elongate tack body; providing a ground connection between the tag body and the attachment assembly using a third conductive portion of the elongate tack body that is spaced apart and insulated from the first and second conductive portions of the elongate tack body; performing at least one of a plurality of core security tag functions by the first electronic circuit disposed within the tag body of the security tag to protect the article from an unauthorized removal of the article from an area, the plurality of core security tag functions comprising an Electronic Article Surveillance (“
EAS”
) function and a Radio Frequency Identification (“
RFID”
) function; andperforming at least one first peripheral security tag function by the second electronic circuit disposed within the attachment assembly of the security tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system, comprising:
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a security tag comprising a tag body and an attachment assembly that can be at least partially inserted into a tag body so as to couple the security tag to an article; a first electronic circuit disposed within the tag body and configured to perform core security tag functions to protect the article from an unauthorized removal of the article from an area; and a second electronic circuit disposed within the attachment assembly configured to perform at least one first peripheral security tag function; wherein the attachment assembly comprises an elongate tack body configured to provide electrical connections between the tag body and the attachment assembly when the attachment assembly is at least partially inserted into the tag body; and wherein a first one of the electrical connections is provided via a first conductive portion of the elongate tack body, a second one of the electrical connections is provided via second conductive portion of the elongate tack body that is spaced apart and insulated from the first conductive portion of the elongate tack body, and a third one of the electrical connections is provided via a third conductive portion of the elongate tack body that is spaced apart and insulated from the first and second conductive portions of the elongate tack body. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification