RF RELEASE MECHANISM FOR HARD TAG
First Claim
1. A security tag for attachment to an article comprising:
- a locking mechanism with a release for attaching the tag to the article;
a resonant circuit or an RFID circuit for responding to wireless signal at a predetermined frequency corresponding to said resonant circuit or to said RFID circuit;
an ambient RF energy harvesting circuit;
a release signal detection circuit coupled to and powered by said ambient RF energy harvesting circuit andan actuator electrically coupled to said release signal detection circuit, said actuator releasing said locking mechanism whenever said release signal detection circuit receives a release signal.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A releasable security tag for attachment to an article of merchandise is disclosed. Features of the security tag include: a locking mechanism with a release for attaching the tag to the article of merchandise; an EAS resonant circuit or an RFID circuit for responding to a first RF signal at a predetermined frequency corresponding to the resonant circuit or to the RFID circuit; an ambient RF energy harvesting circuit; a release signal detection circuit coupled to and powered by the ambient RF energy harvesting circuit and an electro-mechanical actuator electrically coupled to the release signal detection circuit. The electro-mechanical actuator releases the locking mechanism whenever the release signal detection circuit receives a release signal.
58 Citations
53 Claims
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1. A security tag for attachment to an article comprising:
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a locking mechanism with a release for attaching the tag to the article; a resonant circuit or an RFID circuit for responding to wireless signal at a predetermined frequency corresponding to said resonant circuit or to said RFID circuit; an ambient RF energy harvesting circuit; a release signal detection circuit coupled to and powered by said ambient RF energy harvesting circuit and an actuator electrically coupled to said release signal detection circuit, said actuator releasing said locking mechanism whenever said release signal detection circuit receives a release signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A article security tag comprising:
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a locking device for fastening said security tag to an article to be monitored, said locking device incorporating an actuator suitable for unlocking the locking device; an ambient RF harvesting circuit; a control circuit, powered by said ambient RF harvesting circuit, and being adapted to receive a wireless signal; said control circuit being arranged to determine if said wireless signal is appropriate for releasing said locking device, whereupon said control circuit produces a signal causing said electro-mechanical actuator, which is electrically coupled to said control circuit, to unlock the locking device. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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- 17. A lock system comprising a remote actuating device and a passive lock, said remote actuating device comprising a portable member arranged to wirelessly transmit at least one wireless signal to said lock, said lock comprising an energy storage mechanism, an acuatable trigger mechanism, and a control circuit powered by an ambient RF harvesting circuit, said energy storage mechanism being arranged to store potential mechanical energy therein and to release said energy when triggered by said trigger mechanism, said energy when released enabling said lock to be opened, said control circuit being adapted to receive at least one wireless signal from said portable member, said control circuit also being arranged to determine if said at least one wireless signal is appropriate to unlock said lock, whereupon said control circuit produces a trigger signal, said trigger mechanism being coupled to said control circuit and responsive only to said trigger signal to actuate and enable said potential energy storage mechanism to release said energy to enable said lock to be opened.
- 30. A protection system comprising a lock system and a structure to be protected by a lock, said lock system comprising a remote actuating device and a passive lock, said remote actuating device comprising a portable member arranged to wirelessly transmit at least one wireless signal to said lock, said lock comprising an energy storage mechanism, an actuatable trigger mechanism, and a control circuit powered by an ambient RF harvesting circuit, said energy storage mechanism being arranged to store potential mechanical energy therein and to release said energy when triggered by said trigger mechanism, said energy when released enabling said lock to be opened, said control circuit being adapted to receive said at least one wireless signal from said portable member, said control circuit also being arranged to determine if said wireless signal is appropriate to unlock said lock, whereupon said control circuit produces a trigger signal, said trigger mechanism being coupled to said control circuit and responsive only to said trigger signal to actuate and enable said potential energy storage mechanism to release said energy to enable said lock to be opened.
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42. A method of protecting a structure by use of a lock system comprising:
- (A) providing a lock system comprising a remote actuating device and a passive lock, said remote actuating device comprising a portable member arranged to wirelessly transmit at least one wireless signal to said lock, said lock comprising an energy storage mechanism, an actuatable trigger mechanism, and a control circuit powered by an ambient RF harvesting circuit, said energy storage mechanism being arranged to store potential mechanical energy therein and to release said energy when triggered by said trigger mechanism, said energy when released enabling said lock to be opened, said control circuit being adapted to receive said at least one wireless signal from said portable member, said control circuit also being arranged to determine if said wireless signal is appropriate to unlock said lock, whereupon said control circuit produces a trigger signal, said trigger mechanism being coupled to said control circuit and responsive only to said trigger signal to actuate and enable said potential energy storage mechanism to release said energy to enable said lock to be opened; and
(B) coupling said lock to said structure. - View Dependent Claims (43, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
- (A) providing a lock system comprising a remote actuating device and a passive lock, said remote actuating device comprising a portable member arranged to wirelessly transmit at least one wireless signal to said lock, said lock comprising an energy storage mechanism, an actuatable trigger mechanism, and a control circuit powered by an ambient RF harvesting circuit, said energy storage mechanism being arranged to store potential mechanical energy therein and to release said energy when triggered by said trigger mechanism, said energy when released enabling said lock to be opened, said control circuit being adapted to receive said at least one wireless signal from said portable member, said control circuit also being arranged to determine if said wireless signal is appropriate to unlock said lock, whereupon said control circuit produces a trigger signal, said trigger mechanism being coupled to said control circuit and responsive only to said trigger signal to actuate and enable said potential energy storage mechanism to release said energy to enable said lock to be opened; and
- 44. The method of claim 44 wherein the product to be sold is protected by a structure.
Specification