EAS DEVICE WITH TAMPER DETECTION

An electronic article surveillance (EAS) device has a body and a mount for attaching to a protected item. The body houses electronic elements and the mount adhesively attaches to the protected item. A stem with tabs extends upward from the mount. The body has an aperture for receiving the stem. The stem tabs and body interlock to keep the body attached to the item. A actuator from a switch in the body extends through the stem toward the item. A shaft and a separate floater element initially associated with the mount interpose between the plunger and the item. When the device is attached to an item and armed, tampering with the device dislodges the floater and allows the shaft and actuator of the switch to extend. This changes the state of the mount switch and the electronics in the body determine an alarm condition and issue an alarm.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the tracking of goods. More specifically, this invention relates to the tracking of goods by an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device adhesively attachable to an item and having a configuration easily destabilized by tampering which provides detection of tampering and/or theft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Theft is frequently a problem in retail stores as well as in other environments. In some environments, the focus is on the desire to track items. To address these issues, electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems are installed. Generally, in EAS systems, electronic tags, labels, or similarly titled electronic devices are placed on items to be protected, or monitored. These EAS tags, or devices, are capable of generating a signal to reply back to the broader EAS system. The broader EAS system creates interrogation fields which stimulate the EAS devices to produce reply signals in response to the interrogation fields. These responding signals from the EAS devices, indicate that an EAS device, and the item to which it is attached, are in an interrogation field.

These interrogation fields are frequently set up at exits or entries to an area that is being monitored or protected. Frequently, the antennas that are used to generate the interrogation fields and to monitor for device signals are housed within pedestals that are placed to each side of an exit. However, these antennas and their controlling electronics can be positioned overhead or within the floor in the area close to the exit.

The controlling electronics for these antennas generate a signal which is transmitted by the antennas and creates the interrogation field. This field energizes or stimulates devices that are passing through the interrogation field, or zone. The devices then produce a signal in response to the interrogation field. This signal from the devices may be created by the energy of the field itself, or the devices may have on board power supplies and electronics that reply to the interrogation field. The interrogation field is cycled for periods of transmission and monitoring. The interrogation field initially cycles and broadcast out into the zone being monitored and then the interrogation field is stopped. The antennas of the EAS system then monitor for a device signal. If a device signal is detected, it is assumed that the device is improperly in the zone being monitored by the interrogation field, and the EAS system determines that an alarm condition is in effect. The EAS system can then generate an alarm, either an optical alarm such as flashing lights, an audible alarm such as bells, etc., or a system alarm that is broadcast to operator stations.

EAS tags, or devices, are attached to items by various methods. The method used depends on the type of item being protected and determines the shape of the EAS device. As one example, EAS devices for clothing frequently employ a tack to maintain the EAS device on the article of clothing. Other applications use different methods which leads to EAS devices having different physical characteristics. In some cases, EAS devices employ an adhesive to maintain the device on the item, and these may also employ a switch to monitor the continued attachment of the EAS device on the item. If the EAS device is removed from an item, the state of the switch is changed. Logic within the EAS device interprets the state change as meaning that the device has been removed, determines an alarm condition exists, and transmits an alarm. The alarm may an audible sound, a transmission to other system elements, or both.

One method a thief may employ to defeat an EAS device with such a switch is to maintain the state of the switch while removing the EAS device. For example, if the switch is actuated by an actuator compressed when the EAS device is attached to the item, the thief will maintain the compressed state of the actuator while removing the EAS device. This may be accomplished by inserting a thin element between the item and the EAS device. The thin element and the EAS device are then removed together and the switch and alarm of the EAS device are defeated.

RELEVANT ART

U.S. Pat. Application Publication 2015/0302711 A1 by Yang is for “EAS DEVICE HAVING INTERCHANGEABLE CONTOURED BASE”. In Yang ‘711, an electronic article surveillance device attaches to an object to be protected. The EAS device has a base, or mount, and a housing which contains EAS electronics. The housing and base are separate but have elements which act together to attach the housing to the base. The base attaches to the object and has a surface contoured to fit the contour of the object to be protected. The base, or mount, may be attached to the object by an adhesive element. Multiple interchangeable bases having differently countered surfaces allow a housing to be attached to different objects having different contours.

U.S. Pats. 8,305,219 and 8,368,542 by Yang are for “EAS tag using tape with conductive element”. In Yang '219 and '542, an electronic article surveillance apparatus for monitoring large objects is comprised of a base, at least one segment of tape, and an electronics housing. The segment of tape has at least one electrically conductive element running the length of the tape. The base rests on an object to be monitored, and the housing releasably latches onto the base, while each tape segment wraps around the object with each end of tape segment being fixed between the base and housing. Electronics within the housing complete a circuit through each tape segment and monitors the tape segments for electrical continuity. If electrical continuity is lost, either by cutting a tape segment, or unauthorized unlatching of the housing, an alarm can be sounded by the electronics within the housing. The electronic housing may be disarmed by a remote device and unlatched from the base. Both base and tape segments may have adhesive elements.

U.S. Pat. 8,373,565 by Yang is for “Security apparatus with conductive ribbons”. In Yang '565, an electronic article surveillance (EAS) security apparatus is comprised of a housing, base plate, ribbon pad, and electrically conductive ribbons. In one embodiment, the ribbons are pre-attached to the ribbon pad and extend from the ribbon pad. The ribbon pad and base plate are installed on opposite sides of an object to be protected. The ribbons are extended around the object, and their extended ends attached to the base plate. The housing has electrical contacts and encloses electronics. It is attached to the base plate in such a way that the electrical contacts complete circuits through the ribbons. The electronics in the housing monitors the ribbons to detect unauthorized removal of the apparatus. A switch on the bottom of the housing detects that the housing is attached to a plate and object. The apparatus has a locking mechanism to maintain the housing and plate together, which can be released by application of a magnet.

U.S. Pat. 10,311,691 B2 by Yang is for “Anti-theft tag with attaching panel”. In Yang '691, an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device has a housing containing EAS electronics and a panel extending from the housing. An adhesive element on the panel provides a means of attaching the EAS device to an object to be monitored. The EAS device has a switch to detect when the EAS device is mounted to an object. The electronics within the housing monitor the switch. The switch may be associated with, or mounted in, the panel. The panel may be hinged to the housing. The panel may fold flat to the housing when not in use, and the switch will disconnect any power source to conserve energy when the panel is closed. The EAS electronics can communicate with external devices and an external EAS system which may include cloud functionality.

U.S. Pat. 9,997,037 B2 by Yang is for “Anti-theft tag for electronic device charging port”. In Yang '037, an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device has a plug configured to fit a port of a portable electronic device. In some embodiments, the port used in the portable electronic device is a charging port. The EAS device may have an additional attaching mechanism to maintain the EAS device attached to a portable electronic device. In one embodiment, the additional attaching mechanism is a panel with an adhesive element. The EAS device may have a switch that changes state when the plug is inserted into the port. Electronics within the EAS device may monitor the switch and plug to detect attachment of the EAS device. The EAS device may also have a charging port in electrical continuity with the plug so that the electronic device can be charge with the EAS device in place.

SUMMARY FOR EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

An electronic article surveillance (EAS) antitheft device has a body and a mount for attaching the body to a protected item. The body houses electronic elements for monitoring the state of the device, for communicating with external devices in a greater antitheft or tracking system, and for executing logic associated with those functions. The mount has an adhesive element on its contact surface and adhesively attaches to the protected item. The body then attaches to the mount.

In some embodiments of the EAS device, the mount has a base, and it is on that base where the adhesive is located. The base may be sufficiently thin and pliable such that the base can conform to curved surfaces on an item. In some embodiments, the base may have slots in it to provide further flexibility so that the base may more easily adhesively attach to curved surfaces.

The base has a stem extending up from it. The stem has tabs extending laterally at its end. The body has a coupler aperture for receiving the stem and that aperture has notches in it to accommodate the tabs. After the body is placed on the stem, turning the body couples the body and the mount to each. The body may house a locking mechanism, such as a slide, that may be manually moved to lock the body in place on the mount. The body may house a lock switch that detects the position of the locking mechanism and communicates the position to the other electronics in the body. The electronics of the body may arm the EAS device as a result of receiving the signal from the lock switch.

A mount switch within the body aligns with the coupler aperture in the body. The mount has a mount aperture that passes through the base and the stem of the mount. An actuator from the mount switch aligns with the mount aperture in the stem when the body is assembled with the mount. Previous to its installation, the mount has a tamper detector in the mount aperture. The tamper detector has a shaft and a floater element temporarily connected to the base at the mount aperture on the opposite surface from the stem. When the body is attached to the mount, the actuator moves the shaft which then detaches the floater element. The floater element is trapped between the shaft and the surface of the item in a precarious equilibrium. If an attempt is made to remove the device, the floater element is easily displaced, which allows the shaft of the tamper detector and switch actuator to shift. This is detected by the mount switch which communicates to the other electronics housed in the body of the device. The logic components of the electronics determine an alarm condition, and the communication components of the electronics issue an alarm.

The electronics within the body are capable of communicating with external elements of a greater security system. Theses communication elements can receive signals as a final arming step for installation of the EAS device or to disarm the device, so that it may be removed without issuing an alarm. The communication can with contact or wireless communication. An authorized person can disarm the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1is an upper perspective view of an embodiment of an EAS device10having body20and mount40for body20. Mount40is comprised of base41and stem46. In the embodiment ofFIG.1, base41is disc shaped and sufficiently thin to be flexible. Slots42in base41divide base41into multiple sections43. Among other benefits, this provides additional flexibility to base41. Stem46extends from base41. Stem46has tabs47extending from it and mount aperture48through it. Mount aperture48extends through the length of stem46and base41, i.e. through mount40. In the embodiment shown inFIG.1, stem46is centrally located on base41.

FIG.2is a side view of an embodiment of an EAS device10having body20and mount40for body20. Actuator52of a switch located within body20extends beyond bottom surface24of body20. Actuator52aligns with stem46of mount40to insert into mount aperture48of stem46.FIG.2shows item100beneath mount40representing an item to be protected by application of an embodiment of EAS device10.

FIG.3is a top perspective view of an embodiment of body20of an EAS device10comprised of top shell21and bottom shell22.FIG.4is a top perspective view of an embodiment of body20of an EAS device10with top shell21removed, showing the inside of bottom shell22. Stem46is inserted into bottom shell22through coupler aperture26(not apparent inFIG.4). Stem46is in an initial orientation with tabs47contacting pegs25of bottom shell22on first edges27of pegs25. Slide60in bottom shell22is in an initial position with locking arm61of slide60spaced away from stem46and tabs47. Pin cup68and blocking pin67are positioned over slide60. Button62of slide60extends through button aperture28of body20. Button62may also be seen inFIGS.1-3and other figures.

FIG.5is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a body20of an EAS device10with top shell21removed from device body20, showing mount stem46rotated to an interlocking position with tabs47contacting second edges29of pegs25. Stem46may not be withdrawn from coupler aperture26when body20and stem46are in this relative orientation. Slide60is still in an initial position with locking arm61still spaced away from stem46and tabs47. InFIG.5, the shape of coupler aperture26may be more clearly seen. Coupler aperture26has tab notches30in it which require a particular orientation of stem46and tabs47to allow insertion and withdrawal of stem46.

FIG.6is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a body20of an EAS device10with top shell21removed from device body10, showing slide60moved to a blocking position. Locking arm61is in contact with mount stem46and one of tabs47, preventing stem46from rotating. With stem46prevented from rotating, the relative angular orientation of body20and mount40cannot be changed to bring tabs47into alignment with tab notches30in coupler aperture26. This prevents body20from being separated from mount40.

When slide60is moved to engage locking arm61with stem46and tabs47, a spring moves blocking pin67in pin cup68to a blocking position with respect to slide60. Blocking pin67then keeps slide60in place until blocking pin67is withdrawn back into pin cup68. More will be discussed below with respect to slide60and blocking pin67.

FIG.7is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of mount40of EAS device10, showing mount stem46, tabs47, and base41. Additionally,FIG.7shows adhesive element44. Adhesive element44may be an adhesive applied directly to base41, or adhesive element44may be an adhesive pad having adhesive on both sides. Adhesive element44attaches mount40to an item being protected. Base41is flexible enough to adapt to curved surfaces on items.FIG.18shows base41of mount40applied to item100having a curved surface.

Referring now toFIGS.1-7, once mount40is attached to an item, body20of EAS device10is attached to mount40by inserting stem46into coupler aperture26in body20and turning body20until pegs25contact tabs47. Moving slide60until locking arm61engages stem46and tabs47prevents turning motion between body20and mount40. Blocking pin67then moves into its blocking position to lock body20to mount40until blocking pin67is withdrawn into pin cup68. The withdrawal of blocking pin67allows slide60to be moved away from stem46, which in turn allows rotation of body20on stem46to align tabs47with tab notches30in coupler aperture26. With tabs47aligned with tab notches30, body20may be removed from mount40. Before use, mount40may have a covering over adhesive element44which is removed to attach mount40to an item.

FIG.8is a perspective view of an embodiment of mount40of an EAS device10, showing mount contact surface45on the bottom of mount40. Mount aperture48in mount40passes through stem46. Referring toFIG.2, when body20is placed on mount40, actuator52inserts into stem46. In at least one embodiment of EAS device10, actuator52is not long enough to extend all the way through mount40.

FIGS.9and10are perspective views of an embodiment of a mount40of EAS device10showing floater element70initially fixed to the mount40. InFIG.9, it may be seen that floater element70is seated in mount aperture48. InFIG.10, it may be seen that in its initial position, the top of floater element70is essentially flush with contact surface45of adhesive element44.

FIGS.11and12are perspective views of an embodiment of mount40of EAS device10showing floater element70displaced and extended from mount aperture48by shaft71. In the embodiment ofFIGS.11and12, shaft71is initially located within mount aperture48. When body20is placed on stem46of mount40, actuator52displaces shaft71which extends and detaches floater element70from mount40at mount aperture48. Floater element70is not fixed on shaft71. When mount40is attached to an item and body20is joined to mount40, shaft71detaches floater element70, and the item assists in maintaining floater element70in place at the end of shaft71. If an attempt is made to defeat the switch by sliding a thin object between the item and mount40, floater element70will be displaced, allowing shaft71to shift. This allows actuator52to extend and changes the state of the switch.FIGS.13and14are perspective views of an embodiment of a mount40of EAS device10, showing a floater element70displaced and shaft71extended.

FIG.15is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of an EAS device10having body20and mount40for the body20. Circuit board50carries most of the internal electronic elements of EAS device10. These electronic elements include: mount switch51; lock switch53; battery54; passive EAS element55; sound generator56; a programmable chip (not shown inFIG.15); and light emitting diodes57(LED), and/or other wireless communication elements (also not shown inFIG.15). Some embodiments of EAS device10may have additional elements such as motion sensor chips.

Mount switch51aligns with coupler aperture26. When body20is assembled to mount40, actuator52of mount switch51aligns with mount aperture48in stem46. When body20is assembled to mount40, actuator52has sufficient length and stiffness to contact and move shaft71. Shaft71in turn displaces floater element70from its initial seat on mount aperture48. As discussed above, when mount40is attached to an item and body20is connected to mount40, shaft71displaces floater element70, and floater element70is then maintained between shaft71and the item. If EAS device10is tampered with, such as an attempt to slide a thin device between device10and the item, floater element70is displaced, shaft71and actuator52shift, and mount switch51has its state changed. The electronics of EAS device10detect this and determine that an alarm state is present. Audible and wireless alarm signals are then generated.

Lock switch53on circuit board50signals the position of slide60, which acts as the locking mechanism in this embodiment. Referring toFIG.4, switch peg63on slide60is positioned to contact lock switch53. When slide60is moved from its initial position to engage locking arm61with stem46and tabs47to lock body20and stem46from rotation, lock switch53has its state changed and this provides a signal to the logic components of EAS device10. When mount switch51indicates that actuator52is compressed, the combined signals indicate that EAS device10is attached to an item. In at least some embodiments, this places EAS device10in an armed state. Once EAS device10is armed, if tampering displaces floater element70and allows actuator52of mount switch51to extend, an alarm condition will be determined by the logic elements of EAS device10which will then issue an alarm. Some embodiments of EAS device10may have an additional step of receiving a signal from an external device to complete the arming of EAS device10. This may be effected through the wireless communication elements of EAS device10such as through optical or radio communication.

InFIG.15, tamper detector74is shown fully removed from mount40. In the embodiment ofFIG.15, tamper detector74is comprised of shaft71with floater70. Shaft71has a first end73and a second end72. First end73has a cap on it. When shaft71is inserted into mount aperture48from the stem46side of mount40, capped first end73keeps shaft71from passing all of the way through mount aperture48and falling out of mount40.

Cylinder31on top shell21of body20retains pin cup68in position. Pin cup68contains blocking pin67and spring69. In the initial uninstalled configuration of EAS device10, slide60holds blocking pin67up in pin cup68with spring69compressed. When slide60is shifted to engage locking arm61with stem46and tabs47, spring69moves blocking pin67into pin notch64on slide60. This locks slide60into engagement with stem46and tabs47. Locking pin67is at least partially made of a magnetically attractable material. To allow slide60to be moved back to an initial unengaged position, a magnet is applied to body20to withdraw locking pin67from pin notch64. Dome32on top shell21of body20provides a visual cue as to where to apply a magnet.

Sound generator56is positioned beneath sound aperture33in top shell21. Sound generator56can communicate audible alarms as well as other signals. For example, sound generator56may communicate confirmation that EAS device10is armed or disarmed.

LED57and optical sensor58are positioned beneath respective optical windows34in top shell21. LED57and optical sensor58enable wireless optical communication with EAS device10. Optical sensor58may receive optical signals such as infra-red signals. LED57may generate signals for optical receivers on external devices, or can flash to communicate the device status. For example, LED57may flash to confirm EAS device10is armed.

InFIG.15, adhesive element44is shown separated from base41of mount40. However, adhesive element44may more likely be pre-applied to base41. Pre-application of adhesive element44along with preassembly of shaft71and floater element70with mount40produces a unit ready to be applied to an item.

FIG.16is an exploded side perspective view of an embodiment of EAS device10having body20and mount40for the body20. InFIG.16, the alignment of actuator52of mount switch51with floater element70(and shaft71) may be seen. Floater element70is seated in mount aperture48of mount40. InFIG.16, passive EAS element55is of the type having a ferrite core and conductive coil wrapped around the core. However, other passive EAS elements could be used.

Spring69is positioned above blocking pin67and fits around the top portion of blocking pin67when body20is assembled. Spring69provides the bias for blocking pin67to move to a blocking position when slide60is moved to lock body20to mount40. For blocking pin67to be withdrawn into cup68and cylinder31, a magnet is applied to dome32of body20The magnet must be sufficiently strung to overcome spring69.

Programmable chip59on circuit board50provides the logic, storage, and communication capabilities of EAS device10. Programmable chip59monitors the status of mount switch51and lock switch53to determine whether EAS device10is installed and armed. Programmable chip59may provide radio frequency wireless communication or may communicate wirelessly via LED57and optical sensor58. Additionally, programmable chip59may drive sound generator56to generate audible sounds. External devices may communicate with ant-theft device10as a final arming step after EAS device10is installed. When programmable chip59determines an alarm condition exists, it can generate various alarms, such as an audible alarm, or wireless alarms transmitted to external devices and the larger EAS systems as a whole.

FIG.17is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of EAS device10having body20and mount40for the body20with body20exploded. InFIG.17, blocking pin67, pin cup68, and spring69are shown assembled and in position within cylinder31of top shell21. As discussed above, programmable chip59on circuit board50provides the logic, storage, and communication capabilities of EAS device10. Pin notch64in slide60is well visible inFIG.17. Adhesive element44is in position on mount40. Floater element70is displaced slightly from mount40and mount aperture48may be seen behind floater element70.

InFIGS.9-17, floater element70is depicted as a spherical element. However, any shape that provided some level of stability when EAS device10is installed on an item may be used. For examples, floater element70may have the shape of a disc, cylinder, prism, frustum, etc. Additionally, mount aperture48may have a opening perimeter adapted to provide an appropriate seat for a given shape of floater element70.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the invention be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.