Theft deterrent tag

The present invention discloses an EAS based theft-deterrent tag, comprising a main member coupled with an article by a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is configured to allow comfortable trial of the article prior to purchasing, without detachment and removal of the theft deterrent tag from the article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to theft deterrent security tags in general, and in particular to Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) security tags that are coupled with articles without altering or damaging the article.

2. Description of Related Art

It is a common practice for retail stores to tag articles to prevent theft of the article by shoplifters. There are several methods of tagging articles, most common of which are coupling an EAS tag or markers (e.g., EAS labels) using adhesive, pins, lanyards or straps to trigger the EAS security system resulting in an alarm. The label markers are easy to remove while the cables or strapped tags are sometimes bulky or obtrusive to the person handling the article, making product placement of the article inconvenient and marketing thereof ineffective. As to pin type EAS tags, they are coupled with an article by the pin of the EAS tag puncturing the article, which may not be suitable or possible with most articles, such as shoes, skateboards, snowboards, framed art, etc.

Accordingly, there remains a long standing and continuing need for an advance in the art of EAS and theft deterrent tags that makes the tags more difficult to defeat, simpler in both design and use, more economical and efficient in their construction and use, and provide a more secure and reliable engagement of the article to be monitored without damaging or altering the article. Further, there also remains a long standing and continuing need for an advance in the art of EAS and theft deterrent tags that would enable a user to comfortably tryout or use an article for testing without the detachment or removal of the tag from the article.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A non-liming, exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides a theft-deterrent tag, comprising:

a main member coupled with an article by a coupling mechanism;

the coupling mechanism is configured to allow comfortable trial of the article without detachment and removal of the theft deterrent tag from the article.

Another non-liming, exemplary optional aspect of the present invention provides a theft-deterrent tag, comprising:

a main member that includes an alarm system is coupled with an article by a coupling mechanism;

the coupling mechanism is configured to allow comfortable trial of the article without detachment and removal of the theft deterrent tag from the article;

the coupling mechanism includes:

a first coupling element;

a second coupling element; and

an adjustable piece that is looped around the article and manipulated for a tight engagement of the main member with the article connecting the first and the second coupling elements, with the adjustable piece comprised of a sense loop cable.

Such stated advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments, taken together with the drawings and the claims that follow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized.

For purposes of illustration, programs and other executable program components are illustrated herein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programs and components may reside at various times in different storage components, and are executed by the data processor(s) of the computers. Further, each block within a flowchart (if a flowchart is used) may represent both method function(s), operation(s), or act(s) and one or more elements for performing the method function(s), operation(s), or act(s). In addition, depending upon the implementation, the corresponding one or more elements may be configured in hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 1G, the present invention provides a theft-deterrent tag100that is comprised of a main member104coupled with an article102by a coupling mechanism110and112. The coupling mechanism110and112is configured to allow comfortable trial of the article102without detachment and removal of the theft deterrent tag100from the article102. That is, the present invention enables the comfortable trying on of the article102such as a shoe without the interference of the tag100(i.e., the tag100does not obstruct or is not in the way of potential buyers' feet when they try on the shoes). Element128represents one or more external transponders.

As best illustrated in theFIGS. 1H to 1J, the tag100may be detachably mounted onto the quarter108sections of the shoe102(generally, near the counter section106), enabling free, easy, unobstructed insertion of the feet of potential buyers when trying on the shoes. The method for detachably mounting the theft-deterrent tag100onto an article102includes positioning one of the first and the second coupling mechanisms110and112onto a first quarter section of the shoe. Further, maneuvering the theft-deterrent tag100from underneath the outsole of the shoe, and positioning the other of the second and first coupling mechanism112and110onto a second quarter section of the shoe. The arrangement enables an adjustable piece116that adjustably couples the first coupling mechanism110of the main member104with the second coupling mechanism112to be routed via the outsole of the shoe rather than from a top of the insole. Routing the adjustable piece along the outsole is beneficial in that the adjustable piece will not obstruct the insole (or be in the way thereof), enabling easy insertion of the feet of a potential buyers that wish to try out the shoe without removal of the tag100. Upon coupling the first and second coupling mechanism110and112with respective quarter sections108of the shoe102, a handle120of the main member104is rotated to reel-in and contract the adjustable piece116, which decreases the separation span between the main member104and the second coupling mechanism112. The contraction of the adjustable piece116tightly secures with the theft-deterrent tag100onto the article102. As illustrated, the small, thin (but sturdy and strong) form of the coupling mechanism110and112enables secure engagement of the theft-deterrent tag100with the article102, but without the tag100interfering with the pleasant experience of potential buyers trying on the product. That is, coupling mechanisms110/112are comprised of a strong material (e.g., metal) that is rigid with certain level of resilience to enable the coupling mechanism to be coupled with an article, and it includes insulation to protect the article surface with which the tag is coupled. There are numerous methods of implementing the coupling mechanism, non-limiting, non-exhaustive listing of examples of which may include, for example, fasteners such as a clip or a clamp that is shown in the figures.

FIGS. 2A to 2Care non-limiting, exemplary illustration of the theft-deterrent tag illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 1Jin accordance with the present invention, but without the article. As illustrated, theft-deterrent tag100is comprised of the main member104that includes the first coupling mechanism110that is permanently attached and connected to the main member104, enabling the theft-deterrent tag100to be detachably secured with the article102for the detection of the article102. The first coupling mechanism110may be attached to the main member104by a variety of ways, non-limiting examples of which may include the use of fasteners such as screws, or may be welded or molded together with the main member104. Further included is the second coupling mechanism112that is coupled with the main member104by an adjustable piece116, which loops through a looping barrel204of the second coupling mechanism112.

As detailed below, the main member104accommodates a reel or winder consisting of a revolving spool with a handle120, an internal alarm system with a power source and electronics that constitute the theft-deterrent tag100as an EAS tag, and an alarm switch202that actuates upon securing the article within the coupling mechanism110. The alarm switch202is actuated when a side of the article is pressed against the alarm switch202, and the theft-deterrent tag100is tightly secured on the article102.

As best illustrated inFIG. 2B, the main member housing includes the handle120that may be rotated along a reciprocating path208to extend or contract the adjustable piece116to adjust the distance between second coupling mechanism112and the main member104for a tight engagement of the tag100with the article102. The main member104housing further includes a visual indicator aperture for accommodating a visual indicator such as a Light Emitter Diode (LED)124that is used to indicate if the internal alarm system is set or active, and perforated areas126that are openings for output of an audio indicator sound of the internal alarm system. Opposite the handle120, the main member104includes a power switch actuator118that when reciprocated along path210turns ON/OFF a power switch plunger to supply power to the internal alarm system. The interior cavity or chamber of the handle120accommodates a clutch housing122that includes a clutch that functions to maintain the power switch actuator118to an ON position.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2C, the adjustable piece116loops through the looping barrel204of the second coupling mechanism112, with the first and the second ends of the adjustable piece116passed through the holes206of the main member104, enabling the first and second ends of the adjustable piece116to respectively couple with the reel and internal alarm system housed in the main member104.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 3A to 3C, the adjustable piece116is comprised of at least one insulated conductor303within and inside a second conductor301, with first ends305of both of the conductors mechanically and electrically connected together and coupled with the reel, and second ends307of both conductors connected with an alarm system of the theft-deterrent tag100, forming an electrically closed circuit. With the adjustable piece116of the present invention, if severed, the use of jumper cables will maintain the electrical circuit loop closed for the outer conductor301only, but not the insulated and hidden inner conductor303that is within and inside the insulated outer conductor301. Therefore, when severing the adjustable piece116to disconnect and discontinue the physical loop to remove the secured article102, even if jumper cables are used, the insulated inner conductor303will remain open circuited when the adjustable piece116is cut, resulting in trigger of an alarm. That is, the use of the jumper cables will form a closing contact between the severed ends of the outer conductor301, but cannot contact the insulated and hidden inner conductor303that is severed.

As stated above, the adjustable piece116is comprised of one or more insulated inner conductors303enclosed within and inside one or more insulated outer conductors301. The inner conductors303are longitudinally insulated from one another and from the insulated outer conductors301by one or more inner dielectric layers. A transparent outer dielectric layer further longitudinally insulates the outermost outer conductor. In other words, all conductors are independently insulated from one another. The first distal end of the adjustable piece116is generally encapsulated and is comprised of short-circuited first ends305of the inner and outer conductors, with the short-circuited encapsulating first ends coupled with the reel of the main member104. That is, the first end305of the inner conductors303are mechanically and electrically connected (“pinched” together) with the first end of the outer conductors, forming a short-circuited return wire, and encapsulated and coupled with the reel.

The second distal end307of the adjustable piece116is comprised of second ends of the inner and outer conductors303and301, which are coupled to printed circuit board of the internal alarm system housed with the main member104, resulting in a sense loop cable. As further illustrated (inFIGS. 3A to 3C), the second distal end further includes a conductive connector that secures the inner and outer conductors, and securely maintains an extension of the outer conductors301. The inner and outer conductors (and extension) are coupled with ground GND and an input of a microprocessor. At least one of the conductors (in this exemplary instance the outer conductors) may be an internal spirally-wrapped electrical conductive cord that is bulky and strong for added mechanical strength to secure an article. Accordingly, the extension (electrically and mechanical connected with the bulky outer conductor via the conductive connector) is used as the extension of the conductor so to fit inside the housing104of the theft-deterrent tag100, and allow outer conductor to mechanically and electrically connected with the electronics of the tag100via the less bulky extension.

FIG. 4is a non-limiting, exemplary illustration of the internal structure and mechanical functions of the main member104in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, a reel mechanism is accommodated within the main member104, and may comprise of a revolving spool with a handle120. The spool body has a space402that accommodates a majority portion of the adjustable piece116when it reels-in the adjustable piece116, and includes an opening for insertion and interlocking of a first end of the adjustable piece. The reel mechanisms are well known, a non-limiting example of which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,984,629 to Xiaobin, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

The power actuator switch118is comprised of an elongated body housed within the actuator housing404, and includes a transversally oriented clutch aperture410at a distal end that accommodates a clutch412housed in the clutch housing122within the handle120. Near clutch aperture410, the power switch actuator118is curved, with a convex portion actuating a power switch plunger416to supply power to the internal alarm system. That is, when the power actuator switch118is moved along the reciprocating path210within the switch housing404, the clutch412locks the actuator switch118in the active (or closed) position, against the push of the biasing mechanism406. The clutch412, which is biased by its own biasing mechanism414, contacts the “upper” edge of the actuator switch118, and is eventually released into the transversally oriented clutch aperture410to lock the actuator switch118in its active (or closed) position, against the biasing mechanism414. Accordingly, the mechanical biasing and interlocking interplay between the various components generates a holding strength for the power switching actuator118that is increased under tensile forces that attempt to separate them from their interlocking positions. As further illustrated, the actuator switch118further includes the curved section408, the convex section of which actuates a power plunger switch416, which supplies power to the internal alarm system. Accordingly, the actuation switch118activates the power switch to power the alarm system of the tag100, and maintains the activations as a result of the action (or interlocking) of the clutch412.

A magnetic detacher may be used to release and pull back the clutch412from its biased position, and out and away from the transversally oriented clutch aperture410. This releases the actuator switch118(by the force of the basing mechanism406), with the biasing mechanism406pushing the actuator switch118to its open position along the path210, which shuts power to the alarm device. That is, the movement of the actuator switch118along the path210to an open position will move the curved section408away from the power switch plunger416, releasing the plunger to an open position to cutoff power to the internal alarm system. The unlock movement of the actuator switch118would also deactivate the alarm. As stated above, the main member104accommodates a an alarm switch202that actuates upon securing the article within the coupling mechanism110. That is, the alarm switch202is actuated when the article is inserted within the “clips” and the body of the article is pressed against the alarm switch202. Actuation of the alarm switch202sets the alarm of the alarm system.

FIGS. 5A to 5Care exemplary illustrations of accommodations for the power and alarm system within the main member of the theft-deterrent tag, including exemplary illustration of the circuit schematics illustrating the circuit topography of the alarm system in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, the tag100includes a plurality of independent mechanical and electrical circuitry that function to protect an article with which the tag100is coupled for protection. A first module in an exemplary form of a power switch416has associated with it a first independent mechanical and electrical circuitry that powers the tag100via switch51. A second module in the form of the exemplary adjustable piece116has associated with it a second independent mechanical and electrical circuitry that enables a trigger of an alarm in case of tampering. A third module in the form of the exemplary arming mechanism202has associated with it a third independent mechanical and electrical circuitry that sets (or arms) the alarm tag and triggers an alarm in case of tampering. Finally, a fourth module in the exemplary form of one or more transponders502a,502b, . . .502Nthat are associated with a fourth independent mechanical and electrical circuitry (e.g., connector CON2) that receive or send signals, and trigger an alarm in case of an unauthorized removal of an article from a secure surveillance zone.

As illustrated inFIG. 5A to 5C, power is supplied to the power connector CON2via a power source such as battery501, and switched ON by the switch S1, providing the power Vcc to the circuit. The switch S1is a schematic representation of the power plunger switch416ofFIG. 4. As described in relation toFIG. 4, the power actuator switch118actuates the power plunger switch416, which enables supply of power to the alarm system of the tag100shown inFIG. 5A. Therefore, when switch S1inFIG. 5A(or power plunger switch416ofFIG. 4) is closed, VCC power is supplied to the various components of the alarm circuit shown inFIG. 5A, with the power filtered through the capacitor and resistor combination C6and R10.

InFIG. 5A, the dashed-line box indicated as reference790generally represents the alarm switch202ofFIG. 4and its interconnections with the alarm system of the theft-deterrent tag100, and the dashed-line box indicated as reference780generally represents the adjustable piece116and its interconnections with the alarm system of the theft-deterrent tag100.

As stated above, the main member104accommodates an alarm switch202that actuates upon securing the article within the coupling mechanism110. That is, the alarm switch202is actuated when a portion of the article is inserted within the “clips” and the body of the article is pressed against the alarm switch202that is protruded from the main member104. Actuation of the alarm switch202sets the alarm of the alarm system. Therefore, the switch S3closes upon securing the article within the coupling mechanism110. When the switch S3is closed by the push of the article within the coupling mechanism110, the output of the switch S3is pulled low or ground and set to “0” from a high VCC via the current limiting resistor R30, and inputted to a first input line714of one or more input lines of a microprocessor626for activation (or arming) of the alarm tag100. In general, output of the various modules pulled low or ground and set to “0” instruct the microprocessor626to arm the alarm. Therefore, when fully closed, the power switch S1enables supply of power from the power source to the alarm system, and the output of the alarm switch S3pulled low and set to “0” instructs the microprocessor626to arm the alarm.

As stated above, the dashed-line box indicated as reference780generally represents the adjustable piece116and its interconnections with the alarm system of the theft-deterrent tag100. As further illustrated inFIG. 5Aand described in detail above, the second distal end307of the adjustable piece116is coupled with the PCB, which is schematically represented by the switch S2for better understanding. The switch S2is virtual and is for illustrative purposes only. Switch S2is used only to represent the open and closed circuit conditions of the adjustable piece116when the lanyard116has a complete loop (e.g., switch S2is closed) or when it is severed (e.g., switch S2is opened). Therefore, the illustrated switch S2is not real, but is a mere representation of open or closed condition of the lanyard116closed loop circuit. Accordingly, the normal representation of this virtual “switch S2” is in its closed position (as shown inFIG. 5B) as soon as the second distal ends307of the inner and outer conductors are permanently connected to the input line758of the microprocessor626via the Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Therefore, the closed switch S2represents a complete, internally short-circuited, electrically closed-circuit loop of the lanyard116at its first distal ends305(encapsulated within spool as shown, and within the main member104), with its second distal ends307connected to the PCB (also within main member104), with one of the conductors connected to the microprocessor626(via line758) and the other connected to the ground GND. When the switch S2is closed (e.g., the first distal ends305of the insulated inner and insulated outer conductors are electrically and mechanically connected together and the second distal ends307of the cable are mechanically and electrically connected to the input line758of the microprocessor626via the mechanical connection to the PCB and the ground), the output of the final connection (or the symbolically representative closed switch S2shown inFIG. 5B) is pulled low and set to “0” via the current limiting resistor R5, and inputted to the input line758of one or more input lines of a microprocessor626for activation (or arming) of the alarm device of the alarm tag100. With this configuration, the adjustable piece116is permanently connected to the reel mechanism of the main member at its first end, looped through the loop barrel204of the second coupling mechanism112, and permanently connected with the microprocessor at its second end. Accordingly, in normal conditions (activated alarm or not), the virtual switch S2will always remain closed as shown inFIG. 5B. However, as best illustrated inFIG. 5C, if the lanyard116is severed to release an article, even the use of jumper cables784will not prevent the sounding of an alarm. That is, jumper cable784may maintain the electrical circuit loop closed for the outer conductor only, but not the insulated inner conductor that is within and inside the outer conductor, and insulated from the outer conductor by a dielectric layer. That is, the jumper784may be mechanically and electrically connected to the severed ends of the791and792of the outer conductor, with the inner conductor severed and insulated from the outer conductor and the jumper784. Therefore, when severing the lanyard116to disconnect and discontinue the physical loop to remove the secured article, the inner conductor will remain open circuited (symbolically represented as the open switch S2) when lanyard116is cut even if cable jumpers784are used. The open circuit condition (symbolically represented as the open switch S2) will pull the input line758to a high (“1”), which, in turn, will trigger the alarm.

Referring back toFIG. 5A, the alarm system of tag100further includes the general purpose microprocessor626mounted onto a PCB with an internal memory (e.g., an EEPROM) that includes a set of instructions. The microprocessor626receives one or more input signals from one or more input periphery devices and generates one or more processed output signals for actuation of one or more periphery output devices. The processing of data may include Analog to Digital (A/D) or D/A conversion of signals, and further, each input or pin of the microprocessor626may be coupled with various multiplexers to enable processing of several multiple input signals from different input periphery devices with similar processing requirements. Non-limiting examples of one or more input periphery devices may exemplarily include the power switch S1, the lanyard116, the arming mechanisms S3, and the one or more transponders502ato502N. Non-limiting examples of one or more output periphery devices may exemplarily include the use of vibration mechanisms, audio, visual or any other indicators to alarm and notify a user regarding an occurrence.

As exemplarily illustrated inFIG. 5A, the alarm tag100may use a first module in the form of the electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag502acoupled with an EAS connector CON1, with the EAS tag502acomprised of a ferrite coil antenna that includes an inductor L1and a capacitor C2. It should be noted that several transponder antennas502ato502Nmay be used, with each tuned to a different resonant frequency for activation of different types of pedestals, such as AM, RF, etc.

As illustrated, a first output of the EAS connector CON11is coupled with ground, and a second output of the EAS connector CON12is coupled with an amplifier710to generate an amplified signal from the EAS tag502a. The amplifier710increases the signal strength from the EAS tag502asufficiently for further processing by the alarming circuit. The amplifier710is comprised of a current limiting resistor R1that limits the current input to the base of the transistor Q1, with the transistor Q1functioning to amplify the signal from EAS connector CON1. The transistor Q1is comprised of an exemplary NPN Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT), with the collector coupled to power supply Vcc and the emitter coupled to ground via a resistor-capacitor filter. It should be noted that present invention should not be limited to the amplifier illustrated, and other conventional amplifiers may also be used. Further, the amplification need not be performed by the BJT, but can be done by other transistors, such as Metal Oxide Semiconductors (MOS) or MOS field effect transistors (MOSFETS), operational amplifiers, transformers, or the like, other passive or active devices, or any combination thereof.

The output of the EAS tag is amplified by the amplifier710, and the amplified signal (form the emitter of the transistor Q1) is input to the microprocessor626via the input line716as one of one or more input signals, where the microprocessor626converts the analog amplified signal into a digital signal for processing. This signal is translated by the instructions (algorithm) within the EEPROM of the microprocessor626to determine if the signal came from the transmitters (pedestals); if so, the microprocessor626will trigger the alarm (e.g., an audio and or visual indicator). It should be noted that one or more of the one or more processed output signals may be pulsed output signals on output line (pin8) to one of the one or more periphery output devices, for example, for actuation of a transducer unit740to generate an audio alarm signal.

The transducer unit740is actuated by an amplified pulsed output signal that is output from the microprocessor626via line (pin8), and further amplified by an output amplifier752. The output amplifier752is comprised of a BJT transistor Q3with an emitter coupled to ground, a collector coupled to a transformer T2of the transducer740, and a base that is coupled with a current limiting resistor R9. The transistor Q3amplifies the pulsed output signal from line (pin8) to alternately drive the transformer from high Vcc to ground and vice versa, with the transformed pulse driving a ceramic transducer742to generate an audible alarm. It should be noted that a software routine within the microprocessor generates this pulsed output, which is amplified by the transistor Q3. In addition to the generation of an audible alarm, as further illustrated, other output periphery devices may include the use of a visual indicator D1that use LEDs124to notify users of an occurrence. The visual indicator D1is coupled with line pin9of the microprocessor626. As indicated above, other output periphery devices not illustrated may also easily be accommodated and connected with the microprocessor626.

As further illustrated, pins1and14of the microprocessor626are coupled to Vcc and ground via a filter capacitor C4, which power the microprocessor626. The microprocessor626is further coupled via its pin2to ground through another filter capacitor C3. The crystal X1coupled to pin13is used to facilitate a clocking signal to the microprocessor626. That is, it stabilizes the frequency of the clock in the microprocessor626. Pins10and11are respectively for reset and test of the microprocessor626, which is through a connector CON3that enables the testing and reset of the microprocessor626. The testing and reset enable determination of signaling of the microprocessor626, for example, to determine if the microprocessor626functions based on “0” or “1” input signal level to trigger a device. In this exemplary instance, the microprocessor626will trigger an output periphery device when the input is pulled to high (or “1”). For example, when the cable102is cut, the switch782is opened, pulling the line758to Vcc (high or “1”), which triggers an alarm. The reset pin10is coupled with the reset circuit732, which includes a current limiting resistor734that is coupled at one end to Vcc and other end to a capacitor736, with the other end of the capacitor736coupled to ground. The reset pin10is coupled with at the junction of the resistor734and capacitor736.

FIG. 6is an exemplary flowchart, which illustrates the power management and functionality of the microprocessor626for the alarm tag100. As illustrated, upon start of the program at the operational functional act802, the microprocessor626at the next operational functional act804determines if the power plunger switch S1is closed. If the microprocessor626determines that the power plunger S1is closed, then it initializes at the operational functional act806, and at the operational functional act812the microprocessor626determiners if supplied power is greater than a first threshold level. If at the operational functional act812it is determined that supplied power is not greater than a first threshold level, the device is non-functional (operational functional act814). Otherwise, if at the operational act812the microprocessor626determines that supplied power is greater than the first threshold, the microprocessor626, at the operational functional act816, determines if the supplied power is greater than a second threshold level, with the second threshold level greater than the first threshold level. If the microprocessor626determines that the supplied power is not greater than a second threshold level, the microprocessor626at the operational act818activates various output periphery units in certain manner to indicate low supply of power, but continues and activates the alarm to protect an article. If the microprocessor626determines that the supplied power is greater than the second threshold level, the microprocessor626at the operational functional act808determines if the alarm switch S3is closed. If so, the alarm is set (or armed), and various indicators are activated to indicate to user that the article is protected (operational functional act810). If the switch S3is not closed, then initialization process806is repeated.

To continue with the flowchart ofFIG. 6, the microprocessor626at the operational act822determines if an antenna signal is received by any one of one or more transponders502ato502N. If the microprocessor626determines that such an antenna signal is received, at the operational act824the microprocessor626activates (or triggers) and sounds an alarm. A non-limiting example for such an alarm incident (or condition) is the actual removal of the article to which the alarm tag100is connected from a store, passing them through a surveillance zone. This will activate at least one of the one or more transponders502ato502Nto trigger a signal, which will be amplified (via the amplifier710) and input to the microprocessor626to activate (or trigger the alarm). If the microprocessor626determines that no such antenna signal was received, the microprocessor626, at the operational functional act826determines if the lanyard116has been cut (or symbolically, the alarm plunger switch603is open). If the microprocessor626determines that the cable is cut and or the alarm plunger switch S3is open, at the operational act824the microprocessor626activate (or triggers) the alarm, which indicates an actual tampering of the cable alarm tag100. On the other hand, if the microprocessor626determines that the lanyard102is not cut (and symbolically, the alarm plunger switch S3is still closed), at functional act830a determination is made regarding a timer to determine if a predetermined time has been reached. If at operational functional act830it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed, an indicator is output and the timer is reset at operational functional act831, where the microprocessor626then repeats operational functional act812. The output indicator832is an audio and or visual indicator that enables a user to determine if the tag100is properly armed. The microprocessor626output a visual and or audio indicator periodically (while the tag100is armed) at specified predetermined time intervals T.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, instead of coupling the theft-deterrent tag100to a shoe, the same tag100may be detectably coupled with frame of a pricy artwork. Detachably mounting the theft-deterrent tag100onto an article102such as a frame of a painting would include positioning one of the first and the second coupling mechanisms110and112onto a first side of the frame, maneuvering the theft-deterrent tag100from behind the painting, and positioning the other of the second and first coupling mechanism112and110onto an opposite side of the frame (opposite the first coupling mechanism). The arrangement would enable the adjustable piece116to be routed via the back of the painting rather than from a front. Routing the adjustable piece along the back of the painting is beneficial in that the adjustable piece116will not obstruct the view of the painting (or be in the way thereof), enabling enjoyment of the painting without seeing the adjustable piece116. Upon coupling the first and second coupling mechanism110and112with respective opposite sides of the frame, the handle102of the main member104is rotated to reel-in and contract the adjustable piece116, which decreases the separation span between the main member104and the second coupling mechanism112. The contraction of the adjustable piece16tightly secures with the theft-deterrent tag100onto the frame.

As another example of an alternative embodiment, the theft-deterrent tag100illustrated would be fully functional without the adjustable piece116and or the second coupling mechanism112. That is, the theft-deterrent tag100may only comprise of the main member104and its connected coupling mechanism110. Alternatively, the theft-deterrent tag100may only comprise of the main member104, its coupling mechanism110, and the adjustable piece116. As still another example, the microprocessor626and the circuit topography illustrated inFIG. 5Amay be designed so that the output of the various modules pulled high and set to “1” instruct the microprocessor626to arm the alarm. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.

In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.

In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of,” “act of,” “operation of,” or “operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.