Apparatus to prevent infant kidnappings and mixups
First Claim
1. An electronic security tag for uniquely identifying and locating persons or articles in order to prevent their removal from a protected area comprising:
- a conductive security element attachment means having two ends, whose electrical state will change when stretched, severed, partially severed or removed by parting the ends;
an encoding means for generating a unique identity code for said tag;
an alarm code generating means for determining the electrical state of said attachment means and generating an alarm code indicating said state of said attachment means;
radiant energy transmission means for transmitting said identity code and said alarm code;
an internal direct current power means operably connected to said attachment means, said encoding means, said alarm code generating means and said radiant energy transmission means; and
a power activation and deactivation means for activating said tag immediately prior to use and for permanently deactivating said tag subsequent to use.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A miniature electronic security tag is affixed to the ankle of a newborn infant. The tag contains an RF transmitter and digital encoding circuit. On a periodic basis, the tag transmits a unique encoded identity signal to receivers strategically placed within the hospital. The tag is attached to the infant with a security element having a plurality of conductors which form a plurality of complete electrical circuits while the tag is in place. Attempts to remove the tag by cutting or stretching the security element are detected by the encoder circuit, causing a change in the digital code which is transmitted. Receivers are interconnected to a central monitoring computer which continuously determines the identity and location of each infant. In the event an unauthorized person attempts to leave the hospital with an infant, or if the tag is removed, an alarm is sounded.
253 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An electronic security tag for uniquely identifying and locating persons or articles in order to prevent their removal from a protected area comprising:
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a conductive security element attachment means having two ends, whose electrical state will change when stretched, severed, partially severed or removed by parting the ends; an encoding means for generating a unique identity code for said tag; an alarm code generating means for determining the electrical state of said attachment means and generating an alarm code indicating said state of said attachment means; radiant energy transmission means for transmitting said identity code and said alarm code; an internal direct current power means operably connected to said attachment means, said encoding means, said alarm code generating means and said radiant energy transmission means; and a power activation and deactivation means for activating said tag immediately prior to use and for permanently deactivating said tag subsequent to use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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- 8. An electronic security tag having a power activation and deactivation means including a single reset conductor and a single grounded conductor imprinted upon a power activation circuit area of said tag and covered with a removable conductive covering such that said tag is caused to remain in an inactive state until said conductive covering is removed at which time said tag becomes fully active, in which the application or removal of said conductive covering to said power activation circuit area of said band changes the electrical state of said single reset conductor.
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11. An electronic security tag with two ends, comprising:
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a security element attachment means whose electrical state changes if said two ends are parted; an encoding and timing means for generating an identity code for said tag; an internal direct current power means for providing power to operate said tag; a radiant energy transmission means for periodically transmitting said identity code at a time interval; and a security tag self deactivation means including a plurality of conductors imprinted upon a front side of said tag, and a plurality of crosswise bridging contacts imprinted upon a back side of said tag, wherein a plurality of complete circuits are formed when the ends of said tag are superimposed upon one another, wherein said tag is deactivated by said self-deactivation means when the ends of said tag are parted or said security element attachment means is severed or stretched, causing said encoding and timing means to energize an increased energy consumption means which includes; an RF power increasing means which increases the amount of energy radiated by said radiant energy transmission means; a timing means which decreases the time interval between transmissions of said identity code from said radiant energy transmission means; and an energy absorbing means which absorbs energy from said internal direct current power means. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. An electronic security tag with two ends, comprising:
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a security element attachment means whose electrical state changes if said two ends are parted, including an elastic portion through which are passed a plurality of non-elastic conductors printed upon a front side of said tag, and a plurality of crosswise bridging contacts imprinted upon a back side of said tag in such a fashion as to cause a plurality of completed circuits to be formed when the ends of said tag are superimposed upon one another; an encoding and timing means for generating an identity code for said tag; an internal direct current power means for providing power to operate said tag; a radiant energy transmission means for transmitting said identity code; and an energy absorbing means for draining said internal direct current power means when said tag is removed.
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Specification