HK1069471B - Security apparatus for electronic article surveillance tag - Google Patents

Description

Security device for electronic article surveillance tag

Field of the technology

The present invention relates to Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tags and, in particular, to EAS tags with an improved anti-deactivation mechanism.

Background

Electronic article surveillance systems are well known in the art and are used for inventory control and to prevent unauthorized removal of stolen and similar articles from a controlled area. Typically, in such systems, the system's transmitter and the system's receiver are used to establish a monitoring zone that must be traversed by any item removed from the control zone. An EAS tag is attached to each article and includes a marker or sensor adapted to interact with a signal transmitted by the system transmitter to the monitoring band. This interaction causes a further signal to be established in the monitoring zone, which further signal is received by the system receiver. Thus, as the tagged item moves through the receiving tape, a signal will be received by the system receiver identifying the unauthorized presence of the tagged item in the tape.

Certain types of EAS tags are deactivatable, disposable, and permanently attached to an article. The cavity type EAS tag is designed to be reusable and thus includes a releasable attachment means for attaching the tag to an article. Such attachment means are further designed to be releasable only by authorized personnel, thus avoiding unauthorized removal of the tag from its article. To this end, many attachment devices are made releasable only through the use of a specific tool or detachment mechanism of interest.

U.S. patent No.5,426,419, entitled Security Tag hagingarc channel and Detacher Apparatus for Same, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an EAS Tag having a relatively hard Tag body that can be adapted to be released from an article in an easy and simple manner by insertion of a bow probe of an associated Detacher into a bow channel of the Tag to release a spring clip mechanism. The spring clip mechanism is a releasable locking mechanism that prevents removal of a tack assembly adapted for insertion through an article, which is captured when the tack is inserted into an opening in the tag body portion.

Fig. 1-7 show various views, and the following is an explanatory portion, of an EAS tag 1 in accordance with the inventive principles disclosed in the' 419 patent. As shown in fig. 1, the tag 1 includes an upper housing 2 having side walls 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D joined by a top wall 2E. The tag 1 further comprises a lower housing 3 having side walls 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D connected by a bottom wall 3E. The upper and lower housings 2 and 3 are joined or bonded along corresponding or associated pairs of sidewalls (2A, 3A), (2B, 3B), (2C, 3C), (2D, 3D) to form a closed tag body 1A.

The shells 2 and 3 are made of a hard or rigid material. Useful hard and rigid materials may be hard plastics such as injection molded ABS plastic. If plastic is used, the bonded sidewalls of the housing may be joined by ultrasonic welding 1B or a similar joining mechanism.

Tag 1 also includes a tack assembly 4, shown as having an enlarged tack head 4A and an elongated tack body 4B, fitted with a socket or slot 4C and a forwardly directed head 4D (see fig. 1, 2 and 6A). Tack assembly 4 is used to attach tag body 1A to an article 51 to be secured by EAS tag 1.

To detect the tag 1 and thus check for the presence of the tag and attached item 51, the inner surfaces 2F and 3F of the walls 2E and 3E of the housings 2 and 3 are fitted with frame members 2G and 3G which together define an internal cavity 1C for housing the EAS sensor 5 (see fig. 2, 3 and 4A). The EAS sensor 5 may be any sensor that produces a detectable EAS signal and may be an acoustic or mechanical resonant magnetic sensor such as, but not limited to, the sensors disclosed in u.s.pat.nos.4,510,489 and 4,510,490. Other possible magnetic EAS sensors that may be used as sensor 5 may be, but are not limited to, the sensors disclosed in U.S. Pat. nos.4,686,516 and 4,797,658, and possible RF EAS sensors may be, but are not limited to, the sensors disclosed in U.S. Pat. nos.4,429,302 and 4,356, 477.

As described above, the article 51 is attached to the tag body 1A by the tack assembly 4. This is accomplished by inserting tack body 4B into opening 2H in wall 2E of upper housing 2. When tack body 4B is fully inserted, the pointed end 4D of the tack is received in an upstanding cavity or boss 3H extending from the inner surface 3F of the lower housing wall 3E. Tack head 4A, in turn, rests in a recessed area 21 in upper surface 2J of wall 2E. So that article 51 is held between tack head 4A and the rear wall.

A component 6, discussed in more detail below, is provided within the tag body 1A for releasably preventing withdrawal of the tack body from the tag body. Tack assembly 4B and article 51 are thus made releasably lockable to the EAS tag by component 6.

The EAS tag 1 is in turn fitted such that access to the component 6 to release the component 6 is difficult for unauthorized personnel. To this end, the tag body 1A is configured such that access to the component 6 is via an arcuate channel 7 (see fig. 1, 3, 4A, 4B, 6A and 6B) defined by one or more interior walls and side walls and upper and lower wall portions of the tag body 1A. With such a configuration, a particular arcuate probe 8 is required to reach and release the component 6 and thus detach the tack assembly 4 and the article from the tag body 1A.

As shown, the arcuate channel 7 is defined by a curved inner wall 7A. This wall extends from the inner surface 3F of the bottom housing 3 up to near the inner surface 2F of the upper housing 2. The wall 7A is in turn spaced from the side wall 3D of the bottom housing 3 and its outward extremity 7A 'terminates in an inwardly curved portion 3A' of the side wall 3A. The inwardly curved portion 3A' of the wall 3A results in a space or socket 9A being formed between the side walls 3A and 3D of the lower housing 3.

The socket 9A cooperates with a similar socket 9B between the side walls 2A and 2D of the upper housing 2 to define a second opening 9 providing access to the upward tip 7' of the channel 7. At this entry point, the side wall 2A also curves inwardly at the portion 2A ', the rear portion 2A ' mating with the curved side wall portion 3A ' of the side wall 3 of the lower housing 3.

The passage 7 is in turn defined by a second curved wall 7B (see fig. 4A and 7) extending downwardly from the inner surface 2F of the upper housing 2. The wall 7B is located beyond the inner end 7A "of the curved wall 7A and extends beyond this end to the frame part 2G.

The presence of the wall 7B changes or modifies the configuration of the channel 7 at its inner end 7 "located in the vicinity of the component 6 (see fig. 6B). This change or modification in configuration defines a keyway for the passage 7 which must be accommodated by the probe 8 in order to pass through the passage and gain access to the component 6.

The wall 7B changes the channel cross-section from substantially rectangular to substantially L-shaped. This is shown in the cross-section of fig. 7, which is taken along the line B-B of fig. 1 so that a cross-section of the channel end 7 "is visible.

Fig. 6A and 6B are enlarged views of a portion of lower housing 3 containing component 6 and arcuate channel 7. In fig. 6A, the arcuate probe 8 is shown received in the channel 7 and guided thereby towards the component 6 to release the component. As can be seen, the front end 8A of the probe 8 is L-shaped and thus fits within the L-shaped keyway defined by the inner end 7 "of the channel. In fig. 6B, the probe 8 is shown exiting the channel.

Near the inner end 7 "of the channel 7, the lower and upper housings 2 and 3 are also provided with curved walls 9 and 11 which terminate in wall portions 9A and 11A which adjoin the end walls 2D and 3D. The walls 9 and 11 are external to the channel 7 and define with the walls 2D and 3D a restricted area 13 which prevents access to the component 6. This area provides a security measure against unauthorized objects being introduced into the passageway 7 of the tag body 1A in an attempt to reach the component 6.

As noted above, member 6 is adapted to releasably block withdrawal of tack body 4B from tag body 1A. More specifically, member 6 is particularly adapted to accommodate release of tack body 4B by movement of arcuate probe 8 in arcuate channel 7. The component 6 is shown in detail in fig. 6A and 6B and in the exploded view of fig. 5.

As shown, the component 6 is in the form of a spring clip having a clip body 14 and slits 15 and 16. The clip body includes a mounting portion 14A with a slit 15 extending laterally and a release portion 14B with a slit 16 extending laterally. The mounting portion 14A includes a mounting hole 14A'.

Each of the slots 15, 16 extends out of the plane of the clamp body 14 and then inwardly towards the field slot. In addition, the slits 15, 16 terminate in welts 15A and 16A. These sides extend inwardly toward one another from a common side 14C of clamp body 14 and then curve outwardly away from one another to define an aperture 14C' (generally circular or oval) for receiving tack body 4B. The edges 15A and 16A then continue in an aligned manner and terminate in an elongated transverse slot 14D in the clip body 14. The latter slot is located inside the other clamp body side 14E opposite clamp body side 14C.

A further laterally extending tension spring cuff or arm 17 is attached to side 14E' of edge 14E adjacent mounting portion 14A by a bonded region. The cuff 17 extends along the length of the edge 14E and also out of the plane of the clamp.

In order to mount and support the spring clamp 14, the lower case 3 of the tag body 1A includes a hollow circular mounting base 21 with a circular base 21A and support walls 22, 23 and 24 (see fig. 2, 3, 6A and 6B). The clip is mounted on a mounting table 21 with an area of mounting portions adjacent the holes 14A 'supported on the circular table 21A through the holes 14A' of the mounting member 14. The circular wall 25 of the upper housing 3 and the central cylindrical key post 26 of this housing (see fig. 2 and 4A) hold the mounting portion 14A in its mounted position while allowing the mounting portion to be rotated. Thus, as described more fully below, the spring clip 14 is able to rotate about the mounting portion.

The rear end 14A "of the mounting portion 14A and the clip transverse portion connecting the mounting portion 14A with the release portion 14B bear against the support walls 22 and 24, while the release portion is carried by the wall 23. One end 17A of the spring cuff 17 is received in an insert 24A in the support wall 24.

When pointed end 4D of tack body 4B is introduced into upper housing 2 downwardly through opening 2H, upper housing portion 2K, which is shaped to fit within the hollow of spring clamp body 14 above jaws 15, 14, and has opening 2H, directs the tack body toward aperture 14C' defined by jaws 15A and 16A of the jaws. This causes the slit to spread or open and allow tack body 4B to pass through the slit.

When tack downward travel stops in the desired socket 4C, i.e., a socket that provides a tight fit of tack head 4A and article 51 against wall 2E of upper housing 2, jaws 15, 16 retract and grip tack body 4B. In this position, the slits 15, 16 prevent upward movement of the tack 4. Such that tack 4 and article 51 are locked to tag body 1A.

To release the tack 4 from the tag body 1A, the arcuate probe 8 is now introduced into the opening of the tag body 1A by rotation of the probe about its rear end 8B. This causes the probe to move in the channel 7 and be guided by the probe until the L-shaped forward end 8A of the probe reaches and passes into the L-shaped inner end 7 "of the channel 7. This brings the probe end 8A into a portion adjacent the common edge 14C of the released portion 14B of the clamp body 14.

Continued rotational movement of the probe 8 then causes a force to the release portion 14B. This force in turn causes the clamp body 14 to rotate about the support area 14A on the mounting table 21. This allows slits 15, 16 to spread apart or open due to the force of tack body 4B, which tack body 4B is held stationary by sleeve 3H and acts on the wall of aperture 14C'. This expands the aperture 14C' and releases the tack body 4B from the pinch or grip of the slit. Tack 4 can now move through the throat in an upward direction by an upward force on tack head 4A, thereby backing out and separating tack body 4B from tag body 1A and separating article 51 from tag 1.

During rotation of the pinch clamp body 14, the spring arm 17 is compressed at the connection 18 as a result of in-plane forces exerted by the probe 8. After the tack 4 is separated from the tag body 1A, the probe 8 is rotated in the reverse direction. This reverse rotation disengages the probe from the release portion 14A of the spring clip 14 as the probe 8 is withdrawn from the channel 7. The force thus acting on the spring clip 14 is removed and the spring arm 17 is extended. This causes the spring clip 14 to rotate in the opposite direction about the support area 14A. Spring clamp 14 is thereby brought back to its original position, waiting for tack body 4B to re-enter to again attach an item to a tag.

A detachment assembly incorporating arcuate detachment probe 8 and capable of being used to rotate the probe as described above to detach tack 4 from tag 1 is shown bent in the' 419 patent, which is incorporated herein by reference. It should be noted that the spring clip 14 of the tag 1 can be constructed of spring steel metal. The probe 8 can also be composed of hardened tool steel.

The EAS tags of the' 419 patent are difficult to defeat, but there are continuing attempts to defeat the tags by damaging the tags or by unauthorized removal of the tags from the articles to which they are attached for detection as the articles pass through the monitoring band. Once the EAS tag is placed into service, an unauthorized removal attempt is initiated. After a certain period of time, a person wishing to remove an item without detection by an associated EAS system knows the technique to disable. It is a natural advance to try to retrofit and improve EAS tags, always before the known deactivation techniques. U.S. patent application No.09/634,236, filed on August 8, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, shows certain improvements in the EAS tags disclosed in the' 419 patent that make tag deactivation more difficult. Further improvements to prevent the deactivation of unauthorized tags are disclosed below.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, an electronic article surveillance tag is provided, wherein the tag comprises a tag body and is provided with a tack assembly for attaching the tag body to an article. The tack assembly includes a tack head and a tack body receivable in the tag body, and the tag body is provided with a guard mechanism for releasably preventing withdrawal of the tack body. The channels defining the structure within the tag body define an arcuate channel. This channel opens into the guard mechanism and allows an arcuate probe to be directed toward this mechanism for release thereof. Release of the guard mechanism allows the tack body to be withdrawn, thereby separating the tack assembly from the article from the tag body. A sensor that is removable by an electronic article surveillance system is disposed in the tag body. A shield is provided in the tag body adjacent the sensor to prevent damage to the sensor by an instrument inserted through the tag body and into the sensor.

The guard mechanism may include a receiving and clamping mechanism that receives and clamps the tack body, thereby preventing withdrawal of the tack body from the tag body. The release portion of the housing and clamping mechanism, when engaged, causes the housing and clamping mechanism to release, thereby allowing the large head nail body to be withdrawn. A second opening in the tag body leads to a bore passage which in turn leads to a release portion of the receiving and clamping mechanism to allow a bore probe to engage the portion to effect release. A shield is disposed in the tag body adjacent the release and clamping mechanism to prevent unauthorized release of the receiving and clamping mechanism by something other than the arcuate probe.

The aforementioned shielding at the tag body adjacent the sensor to prevent instruments inserted through the tag body and into the sensor from damaging the sensor can be incorporated into the tag body with the shielding to prevent unauthorized release of the tack assembly.

In a second aspect of the present invention, an electronic article surveillance tag is provided, wherein the tag comprises a tag body and is provided with a tack assembly for attaching the tag body to an article. The tack assembly includes a tack head and a tack body receivable in the tag body, and the tag body is provided with a guard mechanism for releasably preventing withdrawal of the tack body. The channels defining the structure within the tag body define an arcuate channel. This channel opens into the guard mechanism and allows an arcuate probe to be directed toward this mechanism for release thereof. Release of the guard mechanism allows the tack body to be withdrawn, thereby separating the tack assembly from the article from the tag body. A sensor that is removable by an electronic article surveillance system is disposed in the tag body. An alarm is provided in the tag body for emitting an audible alarm if the tack assembly is withdrawn from the tag body without the arcuate probe being directed through the arcuate channel toward the guard mechanism.

An LED or other light emitting device can be made visible outside the tag body so as to periodically blink when a warning is issued.

A plurality of relatively small holes may be configured on the tag body to allow audible sound from the alarm to travel from the interior of the tag body to the exterior of the tag body. The plurality of holes cover a sufficient portion of the label body to prevent localization of a sound generating mechanism for generating sound from the alarm outside of the location within the label body.

A magnetic switch may be included for triggering the alarm when a relatively strong magnetic field is incident on the tag body.

The prevention mechanism may include a receiving and clamping mechanism that receives and clamps the tack body, thereby preventing withdrawal of the tack body from the tag body. The release portion of the housing and clamping mechanism, when engaged, causes the housing and clamping mechanism to release, thereby allowing the large head nail body to be withdrawn. A second opening in the tag body leads to a bore passage which in turn leads to a release portion of the receiving and clamping mechanism to allow a bore probe to engage the portion to effect release. A first switch is actuated from the tack body to a first state upon insertion of the tack body into the tag body. A second switch is projected to the first state by the tack head when the tack body is inserted into the tag body. A third switch is projected by the arcuate probe toward the first state to engage the receiving and clamping mechanism when the arcuate probe is introduced into the arcuate channel. The alarm is sounded when the first switch is switched to the second state and the third switch is not in its first state, and is sounded when the second switch is switched to the second state and the third switch is not in its first state.

A lanyard may be used to attach the tag to an article. The alarm may sound when the lanyard is cut or broken or otherwise becomes interrupted.

In a third aspect of the present invention, an electronic article surveillance tag is provided, wherein the tag comprises a tag body and is provided with a tack assembly for attaching the tag body to an article. The tack assembly includes a tack head and a tack body receivable in the tag body, and the tag body is provided with a guard mechanism for releasably preventing withdrawal of the tack body. The channels defining the structure within the tag body define an arcuate channel. This channel opens into the guard mechanism and allows an arcuate probe to be directed toward this mechanism for release thereof. Release of the guard mechanism allows the tack body to be withdrawn, thereby separating the tack assembly from the article from the tag body. A sensor that is removable by an electronic article surveillance system is disposed in the tag body. An LED or other light emitting device can be made visible outside the label body, periodically flashing the warning emitted by the analog label.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, an electronic article surveillance tag is provided, wherein the tag comprises a tag body and is provided with a tack assembly for attaching the tag body to an article. The tack assembly includes a tack head and a tack body receivable in the tag body, and the tag body is provided with a guard mechanism for releasably preventing withdrawal of the tack body. The channels defining the structure within the tag body define an arcuate channel. This channel opens into the guard mechanism and allows an arcuate probe to be directed toward this mechanism for release thereof. Release of the guard mechanism allows the tack body to be withdrawn, thereby separating the tack assembly from the article from the tag body. A sensor that is removable by an electronic article surveillance system is disposed in the tag body. An alarm is provided in the tag body for emitting an audible alarm if the tack assembly is withdrawn from the tag body without the arcuate probe being directed through the arcuate channel toward the guard. A first switch is actuated from the tack body to a first state upon insertion of the tack body into the tag body. A second switch is projected to the first state by the tack head when the tack body is inserted into the tag body. A third switch is projected by the arcuate probe toward the first state to engage the receiving and clamping mechanism when the arcuate probe is introduced into the arcuate channel. The alarm is sounded when the first switch is switched to the second state and the third switch is not in its first state, and is sounded when the second switch is switched to the second state and the third switch is not in its first state. An LED or other light emitting device can be made visible outside the tag body, periodically flashing when the alarm is armed. A plurality of relatively small holes may be configured on the tag body to allow audible sound from the alarm to travel from the interior of the tag body to the exterior of the tag body. The plurality of holes cover a sufficient portion of the label body to prevent localization of a sound generating mechanism for generating sound from the alarm outside of the location within the label body.

A magnetic switch may be included for triggering the alarm when a relatively strong magnetic field is incident on the tag body.

A lanyard may be used to attach the tag to an article. The alarm may sound when the lanyard is cut or broken or otherwise becomes interrupted.

A shield may be provided in the tag body adjacent the sensor to prevent damage to the sensor by an instrument inserted through the tag body and into the sensor.

A shield may be disposed adjacent the release and clamping mechanism in the tag body to prevent unauthorized release of the receiving and clamping mechanism by something other than the arcuate probe.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, a method for alarming an electronic article surveillance tag has a tag alarm disposed in a tag body adapted to receive a tack assembly for releasably attaching a tag to an article. The method includes providing an electronic article surveillance tag having internal circuitry for sounding an audible alarm in response to unauthorized removal of the tag. The tag alarm is armed by insertion of the tack assembly into the tag body and detection of a first state of the tack switch, a first state of the plunger switch, and a first state of the on/off switch. The tag alarm is activated upon detecting the second state of the tack switch and the first state of the on/off switch. The tag alarm is activated upon detection of the plunger switch second state and the on/off switch first state. And deactivating the tag alarm upon detecting the second state of the on/off switch.

Detection of a relatively strong magnetic field incident on the tag body activates the tag alarm. Detection of an attached lanyard break can activate a tag alarm.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, an electronic article surveillance system has an electronic article surveillance tag attachable to an article, the electronic article surveillance tag including a tag body and having a tack assembly for attaching the tag body to the article. The tack assembly includes a tack head and a tack body receivable in the tag body, and the tag body is provided with a guard mechanism for releasably preventing withdrawal of the tack body. The channels defining the structure within the tag body define an arcuate channel. This channel opens into the guard mechanism and allows an arcuate probe to be directed toward this mechanism for release thereof. Release of the guard mechanism allows the tack body to be withdrawn, thereby separating the tack assembly from the article from the tag body. A sensor that is removable by an electronic article surveillance system is disposed in the tag body. An alarm is provided in the tag body for emitting an audible alarm if the tack assembly is withdrawn from the tag body without the arcuate probe being directed through the arcuate channel toward the guard mechanism. A transmitter for transmitting the first signal to the monitoring band. A receiver for receiving a tag signal from the first signal monitoring zone as a result of interaction with an electronic article surveillance sensor detectable in the tag body for detecting the presence of the tag at the monitoring zone.

In a seventh aspect of the present invention, an electronic article surveillance system has an electronic article surveillance tag attachable to an article, the electronic article surveillance tag including a tag body and having a tack assembly for attaching the tag body to the article. The tack assembly includes a tack head and a tack body receivable in the tag body, and the tag body is provided with a guard mechanism for releasably preventing withdrawal of the tack body. The channels defining the structure within the tag body define an arcuate channel. This channel opens into the guard mechanism and allows an arcuate probe to be directed toward this mechanism for release thereof. Release of the guard mechanism allows the tack body to be withdrawn, thereby separating the tack assembly from the article from the tag body. A sensor that is removable by an electronic article surveillance system is disposed in the tag body. A shield is provided in the tag body adjacent the sensor to prevent damage to the sensor by an instrument inserted through the tag body and into the sensor. A transmitter for transmitting the first signal to the monitoring band. A receiver for receiving a tag signal from the first signal monitoring zone as a result of interaction with an electronic article surveillance sensor detectable in the tag body for detecting the presence of the tag at the monitoring zone.

In an eighth aspect of the present invention, an electronic article surveillance system has an electronic article surveillance tag attachable to an article, the electronic article surveillance tag including a tag body and having a tack assembly for attaching the tag body to the article. The tack assembly includes a tack head and a tack body receivable in the tag body, and the tag body is provided with a guard mechanism for releasably preventing withdrawal of the tack body. The channels defining the structure within the tag body define an arcuate channel. This channel opens into the guard mechanism and allows an arcuate probe to be directed toward this mechanism for release thereof. Release of the guard mechanism allows the tack body to be withdrawn, thereby separating the tack assembly from the article from the tag body. A sensor that is removable by an electronic article surveillance system is disposed in the tag body. A shield is disposed adjacent the release and clamping mechanism in the tag body to prevent unauthorized release of the receiving and clamping mechanism by something other than the arcuate probe. A transmitter for transmitting the first signal to the monitoring band. A receiver for receiving a tag signal from the first signal monitoring zone as a result of interaction with an electronic article surveillance sensor detectable in the tag body for detecting the presence of the tag at the monitoring zone.

Description of the drawings

The above and other features and aspects of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art EAS tag and an associated detacher probe in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of the EAS tag of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the interior of the EAS tag lower housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A shows a view of the interior of the housing on the EAS tag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B shows a view of the exterior of the housing on the EAS tag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a spring clip used in the EAS tag of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show partial views of the interior of the EAS tag lower housing of FIG. 1 with probes inserted into and withdrawn from the arcuate channels of the tag, respectively;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of the EAS tag of FIG. 1 taken along line B-B of FIG. 1 with a probe inserted into the arcuate channel of the tag;

fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an EAS tag incorporating multiple anti-deactivation embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a reverse perspective view of the upper label housing component illustrating one embodiment of a sensor shield.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a clip shield.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tag on/off switch.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tack switch.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the lower label housing assembly showing one embodiment of a PC board and switch position.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a tag label alarm of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the EAS tag of the invention.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the EAS tag of the invention with a lanyard for attaching the tag to an article.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the tag alarm switch logic of the present invention

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an electronic article surveillance system for use with the EAS tag of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 8, an EAS tag 100 is shown in conjunction with an anti-deactivation embodiment of the invention. The following reference numerals are the same for the equivalent reference numerals of prior art figures 1-7. In a similar manner to the EAS tag 1 shown in fig. 1, the upper tag housing component 102 and the lower tag housing component 104 cooperate together to capture the sensor 5. The terms "upper" and "lower" refer only to the orientation of the tag 100 as shown in FIG. 8, and are not structural limitations. Sensor 5 may be any detectable sensor in the EAS system described herein. The sensor shield 106 is placed on one or both sides of the sensor 5 to prevent a failure mode in which a metal probe, screw driver, or the like is passed through the upper or lower tag housing parts 102 or 104 to damage or destroy the sensor 5. Once the sensor 5 is destroyed, the article to which the tag 100 is attached can override the EAS warning by interrogating the belt. The sensor shield 106 is preferably made of a non-ferromagnetic metal that does not interfere with the operation of the sensor 5, such as stainless steel or other very rigid material, but it is very difficult to enable insertion of a metal probe or the like that could damage the sensor 5. Referring to fig. 9, the upper label housing component 102 is shown in an inverted position to illustrate one possible location of the sensor shield 106.

Returning to FIG. 8, secondary shielding, clip shield 108 is used to prevent another failure technique. The probe can be forced through the upper or lower housing 102 or 104, respectively, to engage the spring clip 6 shown in fig. 5 and 6A, rotating the spring clip 6 about the support region 14A to release the tack body 4B. This forces the probe through upper or lower housing 102 or 104, respectively, to release tack 4 in a manner similar to that described above in connection with the use of withdrawal probe 8. The clip shield 108 may be made of stainless steel metal or other very rigid material, which can make it very difficult for a metal probe to act on the spring clip 6 through insertion of the upper or lower housing components 102 or 104, respectively. Fig. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a clip shield 108 configured for use with EAS tag 100. The exact shape of the clip shield 108 will depend on the EAS tag to which it is mounted.

Another precaution against tag failure is an alarm 150 that self-alerts the tag. The label alarm 150 is described in detail below and shown in fig. 14. A self-alarming tag alarm is an alarm signal emitted by the tag itself when an EAS tag is brought into the interrogation zone, rather than an alarm signal emitted by the EAS system. A Printed Circuit (PC) board 110 contains the circuitry for the alarm which will sound if the tag 100 is detached by something other than the detachment probe 8, as described in detail below. As shown in fig. 14, a battery 112 fits into cavity 113 and a piezoelectric transducer 152 fits into cavity 114, both of which are used to form an alarm in cooperation with circuitry on PC board 110. The alarm may be configured such that the battery 112 may be placed in either chamber 113 or 114 and the piezoelectric transducer may be placed in a chamber that is not in use. A series of holes 115 and 116 pass through the upper and lower label housing parts, respectively, covering the area adjacent to the two cavities 113 and 114. Because these holes cover the area where cavities 113 and 114 are adjacent, holes 115 and 116 cannot be used as a positioning target for pointing the probe towards the piezo in an attempt to destroy or destroy it. Probes that are forced to point at the piezo can be difficult to damage or destroy the piezo, but probes that are inserted indiscriminately into the label 100 can deactivate the label alarm. Depending on the position of plunger switch 118, on/off switch 120, and tack or pin switch 122, which are used to provide the warning logic described in more detail below, the tag warning will sound when the tack 4 is removed from the tag 100 without authorization. On/off switch 120 and tack switch 122 are best seen in fig. 11 and 12, respectively.

Referring to fig. 8 and 13, when tack assembly 4 (shown in fig. 1 and 2) is inserted into aperture 124, the bottom of tack head 4A presses plunger switch 118, which protrudes slightly through upper tag housing component 102 through aperture 126, and tack body 4B simultaneously contacts tack switch 122 moving it into contact with PC board 110. Both plunger switch 118 and tack switch 122 must be contacted to arm tag 100. Once the tag 100 is armed, the tag alarm will sound if either switch 118 or 122 is opened. If only tack switch 122 is used to arm tag 100, tack head 4A can be cut or pried apart and the tag will not be alerted. If only plunger switch 118 is used to arm tag 100, inadvertent depression and release of plunger switch 118 during normal processing may cause the tag to issue a warning. Once armed, the on/off switch 120 must make contact with the appropriate contact area on the PC board 110 in order to disarm or open the tag warning of the tag 100. The on/off switch 120 is adapted to rotate in cooperation with the spring contact 6 during normal detachment of the tag 100 using a conventional detacher probe 8. Upon rotation, the switch contact 121 engages the contact area 128, which turns off the warning of the tag 100. The tag alert switch logic is described in detail below.

Referring to FIG. 14, a block diagram of one embodiment of a tag alarm 150 is shown. The microprocessor 155 is connected to the piezoelectric 152, the tack or pin switch 122, the plunger switch 118, the on/off switch 120, and the battery 112. The microprocessor 155 generates signals to drive the piezo 152 based on switching logic, which is explained in detail below. The piezo 151 can be stably driven at about 3kHz, or can be pulsed at, for example, 1Hz to conserve battery life, or can be frequency modulated at a 250Hz offset and a modulation frequency of 4Hz, or driven in a combination of modulation techniques. The piezoelectric 152 may be any small transducer that produces audible sound and can be driven at relatively low power.

In addition to the switches described above, the magnetic switch 130 is connected to the microprocessor 154. One embodiment of the tag 100 includes a magnetic sensor 5. The magnetic force sensor includes a magnetostrictive resonator that resonates at a predetermined frequency when deflected by a magnetic field. Such a magnetic sensor is realized by a magnetic field and one method of failure involves placing a relatively strong magnet at and near the resonator so that the resonator is correctly no longer offset and no longer resonates at the desired frequency. If the tag does not resonate at the desired frequency, it will not be detected when moved by the interrogation zone. The tag 100 can contain a magnet switch 130 that closes upon exposure to an externally applied magnetic field, thus alerting the tag 100. The magnet switch 130 may be any suitable magnetic switch, such as a reed switch, or a wire segment with a free end located within an exposed wire loop, and which moves in contact with the exposed wire loop in an applied magnetic field to make contact and close the switch.

Referring again to fig. 15, LED 132 is connected to microprocessor 154, and when tag 100 is on standby, LED 132 flashes to indicate that tag 100 is active. The LED 132 can be configured to blink at a desired repetition rate, e.g., 3 seconds 'on' and 3 seconds 'off'. To conserve battery life, the 'on' time of the LED 132 may be pulsed, or cycled at a higher frequency than would be sensed by the human eye. Thus, during the time when the LED 132 is 'on', it appears to be constant, but in reality the 'on' and 'off' cycles out rapidly. For example, the cycle frequency for the 'on' time should be greater than 50Hz, such as 333 Hz. A flashing LED 132 indicates that the tag 100 is armed and will warn if damaged, which provides additional hertzian resistance to defeat efforts. The repetition rate of 3 second 'on' and 3 second 'off' will change to a cycle of faster repetition rate, for example, when a warning is issued. Thus, when the tag 100 issues a warning, the response of the LED 132 will be visually different from the standby state of the tag 100. This allows easy location of the alarming tag 100 in the vicinity of a plurality of standby tags that are not alarming.

Referring again to fig. 16, lanyard 134 is connected to microprocessor 154 and is used in an embodiment of tag 100 'that includes lanyard 134 for attaching tag 100' to an article. The lanyard 134 is attached around or through a portion of the article, with the tag loop 135 disposed under the tack head 4A, and the tack body 4B passing through the loop 135 and into the tag 100'. The lanyard 134 is provided with a cord and if the lanyard 134 is cut, the microprocessor 154 will alert the tag 100'.

Referring to fig. 17, tag alert switch logic is shown, which begins in a non-standby state 200. When tack 4 is inserted at 201, the tack switch is closed and the plunger switch is activated at 202. When the plunger switch is closed 203, the tag stands by 204. If no tack 4 is removed using detacher modulation 8 at 205, or if the lanyard 134 is cut, the tag alarm 150 will issue an alarm at 206. If the detacher modulation 8 is used at 205, the tag is released at 200. If the tack 4 is not removed, or the lanyard 134 is not cut, and the magnetic switch is closed by the applied magnetic field at 208, the tag alarm 150 will issue an alarm at 206. If the magnetic switch is not closed at 208 and the plunger switch is released or opened at 210, the tag will issue a warning at 206 indicating that tack head 4A is cut or pried open. The tack 4 alarm and tag are disconnected by detaching at 212 with the detacher probe 8.

The tag 100 can be configured with all of the tag deactivation apparatus and methods described herein, as well as any combination thereof. For example, a decoy tag may be used in which the LED 132 flashes to indicate that the tag is armed, but the tag may not have a warning, but only a flashing LED. The perpetrator will not know whether the tag will issue a warning because it appears identical to the tag 100 with the alarm mounted. Similarly, tag 100 may contain both masks 106 and 108, or neither, or only one. In addition, the shields 106 and 108 can be incorporated into an EAS tag 1 that does not have any self-alarming characteristics.

Fig. 18 shows an EAS system 301 for detecting or detecting EAS tags as they pass through a monitoring zone 302. The EAS tag 100 is an EAS tag 1 modified as described above to incorporate the present invention. The interrogation signal is transmitted to the strip 302 by means of the transmitting means 303. The signal from the interaction of the tag 100 with the transmitted signal is received at a receiver 304, which is in communication with a detection and warning device 305. Which detects the received signals and generates an alert indicating the presence of the tag 100 and item 51 at the monitoring zone 302.

The particular configuration of the devices 303, 304 and 305 used in the system 301 will depend on the particular nature of the sensors. For example, instead of the transmitter 303 and the separate receiver 304, one or more transceivers may be used. For the types of sensors disclosed in the above-mentioned patents, the various types of devices disclosed in these patents can also be used.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the many possible specific embodiments, which represent applications of the present invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can of course be devised in accordance with the principles of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. An electronic article surveillance tag comprising:

a label body having a first opening and a second opening to an interior of the label body;

a guard within said tag body for releasably preventing withdrawal of a tack assembly having an elongated tack body and a tack head from said tag body, said elongated tack body being receivable in said first opening of said tag body and insertable into said tag body, said guard including a receiving and clamping means within said tag body for releasably receiving and clamping said tack body when said tack body is introduced into said tag body through said first opening, said receiving and clamping means preventing withdrawal of said tack body from said tag body when said tack body is received and clamped, and including a release portion adapted to be engaged by an arcuate probe to cause said receiving and clamping means to release clamping of said tack body to permit withdrawal of said tack from said tag body;

means within said tag body defining an arcuate channel leading from outside said tag body to said guard means, said arcuate channel being adapted to receive and guide an arcuate probe toward said guard means so as to release said guard means to prevent withdrawal of said elongated tack body from said tag body when said elongated tack body is in said tag body, said arcuate channel leading from said second opening in said tag body to said release portion of said receiving and clamping means, wherein said arcuate probe, when introduced into said arcuate channel, is caused to engage with said release portion of said receiving and clamping means to cause said receiving and clamping means to release from clamping said tack body so as to permit withdrawal of said tack body from said tag body;

a detectable electronic article surveillance sensor disposed in the tag body; first shielding means adjacent said sensor for preventing insertion of an instrument into said sensor through said tag body; and

second shielding means disposed in said tag body adjacent said shielding means for preventing the insertion of other than said arcuate probe through said tag body into engagement with said receiving and clamping means to release clamping of said tack body.

2. An electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first shielding means is disposed in said tag body.

3. An electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 2, wherein said first shielding means extends the full length of said sensor.

4. The electronic article surveillance tag according to claim 1, further comprising:

a warning device disposed within said tag body for emitting an audible warning sound if said tack assembly is withdrawn from said tag body without said arcuate probe being directed through said arcuate channel toward said guard; and

a light emitting device for periodically flashing in response to the armed state of the warning device, the periodic flashing of the light emitting device being visible outside the tag body.

5. An electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 4, wherein said light emitting means blinks at a first repetition rate in response to said armed state of said warning means and blinks at a second repetition rate in response to a warning state of said warning means.

6. An electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 4, further comprising a plurality of relatively small holes disposed in said tag body to allow audible sound from said warning device to propagate from inside said tag body to outside said tag body, said plurality of holes covering a sufficient portion of said tag body to prevent externally locating the position within said tag body of a sound-generating device that generates sound of said warning device.

7. An electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 4, further comprising magnetic switching means for triggering said warning means to sound said warning when a relatively strong magnetic field is incident on said tag body.

8. An electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 4, wherein

The label body includes a second opening leading to the interior of the label body;

said guard means including receiving and clamping means within the tag body for releasably receiving and clamping the tack body when introduced into said tag body through said first opening, said receiving and clamping means preventing withdrawal of said tack body from said tag body when receiving and clamping said tack body, and including a release portion adapted to be engaged by said arcuate probe to cause said receiving and clamping means to release clamping of said tack body to permit withdrawal of said tack from said tag body;

said arcuate channel leading from said second opening in said tag body to said release portion of said housing and clamping means, wherein said arcuate probe, when introduced into said arcuate channel, is caused to engage said release portion of said housing and clamping means to cause said housing and clamping means to release grip of said tack body so as to permit withdrawal of said tack body from said tag body;

a first switch placed in a first state by the tack body when inserted into the tag body,

the second switch is arranged in a first state by the tack head when the tack body is inserted into the tag body,

a third switch placed in a first state by said arcuate probe when said arcuate probe is introduced into said arcuate passage to engage with the housing and clamping means, said warning means sounding said warning when said first switch is placed in a second state and said third switch is not in said first state, and said warning means sounding said warning when said second switch is placed in a second state and said third switch is not in said first state.

9. An electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 4, further comprising a lanyard having a first end secured to said tag body and a second end securable by said tack assembly, said warning device sounding said warning if said lanyard becomes interrupted.

10. The electronic article surveillance tag according to claim 1, further comprising:

a light emitting device for periodically shining, the light emitting device being visible outside the tag body, simulating the presence of a warning device inside the tag body.

11. The electronic article surveillance tag according to claim 2, further comprising:

a warning device disposed within the tag body for sounding a warning if the tack assembly is withdrawn from the tag body without the arcuate probe being directed through the arcuate channel toward the guard,

a first switch placed in a first state by the tack body when inserted into the tag body,

the second switch is arranged in a first state by the tack head when the tack body is inserted into the tag body,

a third switch placed in a first state by said arcuate probe to engage with receiving and clamping means when said arcuate probe is introduced into said arcuate passage, said warning means sounding said warning when said first switch is placed in a second state and said third switch is not in said first state, and said warning means sounding said warning when said second switch is placed in a second state and said third switch is not in said first state;

a light emitting device adapted to flash in response to an armed state of said warning device, said blaze of said light emitting device being visible outside said tag body, said armed state being defined by said first switch being in said first state, said second switch being in said first state, and said third switch being in a second state; and

a plurality of relatively small apertures are configured on the tag body to allow audible sound from the warning device to propagate from inside the tag body to outside the tag body, the plurality of apertures covering a sufficient portion of the tag body to prevent externally locating the position within the tag body of a sound generating device that generates the sound of the warning device.

12. An electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 11, further comprising magnetic switching means for triggering said warning means to sound said warning when a relatively strong magnetic field is incident on said tag body.

13. An electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a lanyard having a first end secured to said tag body and a second end securable by said tack assembly, said warning device sounding said warning if said lanyard is cut or broken.

14. An electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 11, further comprising shielding means disposed in said tag body adjacent said sensor for preventing insertion of an instrument into said sensor through said tag body.

15. An electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 11, further comprising shielding means disposed in said tag body adjacent said shielding means for preventing insertion of other than said arcuate probe through said tag body into engagement with said receiving and clamping means to release clamping of said tack body.

16. An electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 11, wherein said light emitting means blinks at a first repetition rate in response to said armed state of said warning means and at a second repetition rate when said warning means sounds said warning.

17. A method for alarming an electronic article surveillance tag in accordance with claim 1, with the tag alarm disposed within a tag body adapted to receive a tack assembly for releasably attaching the tag to an article, the method comprising:

providing an electronic article surveillance tag having internal circuitry for sounding an audible alarm in response to unauthorized detachment of the tag;

inserting the tack assembly into the tag body, detecting a first state of a tack switch, converting the first state of the switch by the plunger, and switching on/off the first state of the switch to enable the tag alarm to be sent out;

activating a tag alarm upon detecting the second state of the tack switch and the first state of the on/off switch;

activating a label alarm upon detecting the second state of the plunger switch and the first state of the on/off switch;

deactivating the tag alarm upon detecting the second state of the on/off switch.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising activating a tag alarm upon detecting a relatively strong magnetic field incident on the tag body.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising activating a tag alarm upon detecting an interruption of an attached lanyard.

20. An electronic article surveillance system comprising:

an electronic article surveillance tag attachable to an article, the electronic article surveillance tag comprising:

a label body having a first opening and a second opening to an interior of the label body;

a guard within said tag body for releasably preventing withdrawal of a tack assembly having an elongated tack body and a tack head from said tag body, said elongated tack body being receivable in said first opening of said tag body and insertable into said tag body, said guard including a receiving and clamping means within said tag body for releasably receiving and clamping said tack body when said tack body is introduced into said tag body through said first opening, said receiving and clamping means preventing withdrawal of said tack body from said tag body when said tack body is received and clamped, and including a release portion adapted to be engaged by an arcuate probe to cause said receiving and clamping means to release clamping of said tack body to permit withdrawal of said tack from said tag body;

means within said tag body defining an arcuate channel leading from outside said tag body to said guard means, said arcuate channel being adapted to receive and guide an arcuate probe toward said guard means so as to release said guard means to prevent withdrawal of said elongated tack body from said tag body when said elongated tack body is in said tag body, said arcuate channel leading from said second opening in said tag body to said release portion of said receiving and clamping means, wherein said arcuate probe, when introduced into said arcuate channel, is caused to engage with said release portion of said receiving and clamping means to cause said receiving and clamping means to release from clamping said tack body so as to permit withdrawal of said tack body from said tag body;

a detectable electronic article surveillance sensor disposed in the tag body; first shielding means adjacent said sensor for preventing insertion of an instrument into said sensor through said tag body; and

second shielding means disposed in said tag body adjacent said shielding means for preventing the insertion of other than said arcuate probe through said tag body into engagement with said receiving and clamping means to release the clamping of said tack body;

means for transmitting a first signal to a monitoring band; and

means for receiving a tag signal resulting from interaction of said first signal monitoring zone with said detectable electronic article surveillance sensor in said tag body for detecting the presence of said tag at said monitoring zone.