Wireless transponder for a security system

• US 20050253686A1
• Filed: 05/11/2004
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Shafer, Gary Mark, Hall, Stewart E., Drew, Douglas Allen
• Granted Patent: US 7,616,092 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• 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 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range

Abstract

Method and apparatus for a wireless transponder for a security system are described.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first receiver to receive a reply signal at a first frequency from a marker within an interrogation zone for an electronic article surveillance system; and

a first transmitter to connect to said receiver, said first transmitter to transmit said reply signal at a second frequency.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first receiver comprises an inductor-capacitor antenna.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first transmitter comprises:

an amplifier to receive as input said reply signal and output an amplified signal;

a local oscillator to provide an oscillation signal; and

a mixer to connect to said amplifier and local oscillator, said mixer to receive as input said amplified signal and said oscillation signal and output said reply signal at said second frequency.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power source to provide power to said first receiver and said first transmitter, said power source to comprise a battery powered circuit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power source to provide power to said first receiver and said first transmitter, said power source to comprise a power circuit configured to convert signals from a radio-frequency field to direct current.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a processor to connect to said first receiver and said first transmitter, said processor to receive said reply signal, qualify said reply signal, and output a data signal representative of said reply signal; and

wherein said first transmitter transmits said data signal at said second frequency.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said processor comprises one of a digital processor or analog processor, and said data signal comprises a digital data signal or analog data signal, respectively.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second receiver to receive said reply signal, said second receiver to convert said reply signal from said second frequency to said first frequency, and send said reply signal to a controller.

2. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first frequency comprises a lower frequency in a range between 50 Hertz to 13 Megahertz, and said second frequency comprises a higher frequency in a range between 13.01 Megahertz to 2.45 Gigahertz.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first frequency comprises a higher frequency in a range between 13.01 Megahertz to 2.45 Gigahertz, and said second frequency comprises a lower frequency in a range between 50 Hertz to 13 Megahertz.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first frequency corresponds to said second frequency.

12. A system, comprising:

a first transmitter to transmit an interrogation signal within an interrogation zone;

a marker to generate a reply signal in response to said interrogation signal;

a first transponder to receive said reply signal at a first frequency, and transmit said reply signal at a second frequency;

a first receiver to receive said reply signal at said second frequency, and convert said reply signal to said first frequency; and

a controller to detect said marker within said interrogation zone using said reply signal, and output a marker detect signal in accordance with said detection.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said first transponder comprises:

a second receiver to receive said reply signal from said marker at said first frequency; and

a second transmitter to connect to said second receiver, said second transmitter to transmit said reply signal at said second frequency.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said first frequency comprises a lower frequency in a range between 50 Hertz to 13 Megahertz, and said second frequency comprises a higher frequency in a range between 13.01 Megahertz to 2.45 Gigahertz.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said first frequency comprises a higher frequency in a range between 13.01 Megahertz to 2.45 Gigahertz, and said second frequency comprises a lower frequency in a range between 50 Hertz to 13 Megahertz.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said first frequency corresponds to said second frequency.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said second receiver comprises an inductor-capacitor antenna.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein said second transmitter comprises:

an amplifier to receive as input said reply signal and output an amplified signal;

a local oscillator to provide an oscillation signal; and

a mixer to connect to said amplifier and local oscillator, said mixer to receive as input said amplified signal and said oscillation signal and output said reply signal at said second frequency.

19. The system of claim 13, further comprising a power source to provide power to said second receiver and said second transmitter, said power source to comprise a battery powered circuit.

20. The system of claim 13, further comprising a power source to provide power to said second receiver and said second transmitter, said power source to comprise a power circuit configured to convert signals from a radio-frequency field to direct current.

21. The system of claim 13, further comprising a processor to receive as input said reply signals, qualify said reply signals, and output a data signal representative of said reply signals.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein said processor comprises one of a digital processor or analog processor, and said data signal comprises a digital data signal or analog data signal, respectively.

23. The system of claim 13, further comprising a second transponder comprising:

a third receiver to receive said reply signal from said second transmitter at said second frequency; and

a third transmitter to connect to said third receiver, said third transmitter to transmit said reply signal at said first frequency.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said second transponder further comprises a processor to receive as input said reply signal, qualify said reply signal, and output a data signal representative of said reply signals.

25. A method, comprising:

transmitting an interrogation signal in an interrogation zone;

generating a reply signal from a marker in response to said interrogation signal;

repeating said reply signal by a transponder;

receiving said reply signal from said transponder; and

determining whether said marker is within said interrogation zone in accordance with said reply signal.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said repeating comprises:

receiving said reply signal at a first frequency;

converting said reply signal to a second frequency; and

transmitting said reply signal at said second frequency.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein receiving said reply signal from said transponder comprises:

receiving said reply signal at said second frequency;

converting said reply signal to said first frequency; and

sending said reply signal to a controller.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

receiving said reply signal at said second frequency by a second transponder;

converting said reply signal to said first frequency; and

transmitting said reply signal at said first frequency.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein receiving said reply signal from said transponder comprises:

receiving said reply signal at said first frequency; and

sending said reply signal to a controller.