Patent ID: 12230112

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An article surveillance tag is utilized to prevent unauthorized removal of an article from a retail space or controlled area by triggering an alarm when a theft is attempted, i.e., a person attempts to leave the retail space without following checkout procedure(s) or purchasing the article. The article surveillance tag (hereinafter also referred as “tag”) of the present disclosure provides an additional layer of security, where an alarm is triggered when the tag is tampered with. Tampering can mean throughout the disclosure to be attempted and/or actual tampering.

The tag of the present disclosure is described in more details with reference to accompanyingFIGS.1-10.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, a tag100is shown in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The tag100includes a housing110and a locking arm120that extends from the housing. The housing110can have any suitable shape and size such that various components of the tag100can be accommodated in the housing. Additionally, the shape and size of housing110can be as per profile of the article that is to be secured. In some aspects, the housing110includes a first part130and a second part140. The first part130has a hollow configuration and is open from one side or end to facilitate placement of and access to various components therein. As shown inFIG.2, the first part130has a first side150, a second side160, a third side170, and a fourth side180. The first side150is substantially flat. Further, the second side160and the third side170are substantially parallel to each other and substantially orthogonal to the fourth side180. Edges where the fourth side180meets the second side160and the third side170are configured blunt by filleting to prevent injury to a person handling the tag100. In some aspects, the sides of the first part130are made integral so that the first part130can have a monolithic block structure. In some aspects, the first part130can be made spherical, conical, hemi-spherical or of any other suitable geometrical shape and provided with a provision to facilitate disposing of various components therein. However, the first part130can have any suitable shape and size in other aspects of the present disclosure.

The second part140is coupled with the first part130to seal open side of the first part130. The second part140can be detachably or fixedly coupled with the first part130such that the second part140cannot be easily separated from the first part130. In some aspects, the second part140is snap fitted onto the first part130. In some other aspects, the second part can be attached to the first part via hinges. In some other aspects, the second part can be attached to the first part via fasteners that cannot be easily accessed. In another aspects of the disclosure the first part130and the second part140may be connected in a manner that only authorized users are able to open. For example, necessary to change a power source or component. An authorized user may use a key or tool to separate the first part130from the second part140.

The housing110can be made of any suitable material having certain strength against breaking force so that an attempt to tamper the housing110can be resisted to a certain extent. In some aspects, the housing110can be made of transparent material (e.g., plastic or any other suitable polymer-based material). In some aspects, the housing110can be made of semi-transparent or opaque material. In another aspect of the disclosure, the housing may be constructed of an unbreakable or nearly unbreakable material, such as a polycarbonate. Any other similar material may be implemented. The material is selected to ensure that it would not interfere with the components within the housing.

The locking arm120extends from the housing110. The locking arm120is partially received in a channel190provided in the housing110. In some aspects, the channel190is provided proximal to the fourth side180of the housing110. In some aspects, the channel190extends along length of fourth side180and is accessible from top of the housing110to receive the locking arm120. In some aspects, the channel190is a pocket or an elongated slot. In some aspects, the channel190can be provided within the housing110or abutting an inner or outer surface of the housing110.

In some aspects, the locking arm120is provided with a biasing member210. In some aspects, the biasing member can be provided partially on the locking arm120. In some aspects, the biasing member210can be provided in the channel190, wherein one end of the biasing member210is coupled with a base of the channel190and the other end is coupled with an end of the locking arm120received in the channel190. In some aspects, the biasing member210is a compression spring, wherein the spring is compressed upon displacing the locking arm120towards the spring or the base of the channel190. In other words, the biasing member210is compressed when the tag100is in locked state and the biasing member210is decompressed when the tag100is in unlocked state.

In other aspects of the disclosure, the locking arm120includes notches or steps and is configured to work cooperatively with the channel190. For example, the locking arm120is lowered into the channel190, lowering the locking arm120into the housing. The channel includes a locking mechanism (not shown) in the housing110which engages with the notch or notches in the locking arm120to secure the locking arm120from being moving in an opposite direction. In other words, the notches or steps on the locking arm120work as a racketing mechanism in conjunction with the channel190and the locking mechanism (not shown).

In one aspect of the disclosure, the locking arm120is provide to the channel190at an angle thereby having the free end220, discussed below, engage with a product to be secured at roughly a forty-five degree (45°) angle. In other words, the free end220moves in a diagonal fashion as the locking arm120is lowered into the channel190of the housing110.

In some aspects, the channel190is provided with a restrictor (not shown) that prevents complete removal of the locking arm120from the channel190.

In some aspects, the locking arm120has an arcuate shaped configuration such that a free end220of the locking arm120faces the housing110. In some aspects, the free end220of the locking arm120faces a substantial middle portion of the second part140of the housing110. In some aspects, the free end220has quadrilateral shape having width more than remaining portion of the locking arm120. In some aspects, the locking arm120can have ‘U’ or ‘V’ shaped configuration. Due to the arcuate configuration of locking arm120, a space is defined between the housing110and the locking arm120. A portion of article is typically received in this space when the tag100is coupled with the article.

The tag100includes a lock230provided for retaining the locking arm120in a particular position both in locked and unlocked state of the tag100. In some aspects, the lock230retains the position of the locking arm120when the locking arm120is pressed or lowered towards the base of the channel190. In some aspects, the locking arm120includes multiple engageable means240that can be engaged with the lock230so that the locking arm120can be retained at different locking positions. The engageable means240can be crests and troughs formed on the locking arm120, as described above. In some aspects, the engageable means240can be notches, slots, recesses etc., as described above.

In some aspects, the lock230includes locking members (not shown in figures) made of ferromagnetic materials. The locking members engage with engageable means240to retain the position of the locking arm corresponding to that engageable means240. In some aspects, the locking members include spherical ferromagnetic components and a ferromagnetic block. The lock230can be provided with a restraining mechanism that allows displacement of the locking arm120only in one direction (for example, towards the base of the channel190). In some aspects, the restraining mechanism can include a ratchet (not shown) that engages with the engageable means240. When the locking arm120is sufficiently displaced within the channel190, the lock230engages with the locking arm120and prevents displacement of the locking arm120at least out of the channel190so that the tag100remains attached to an article in which unauthorized removal is to be prevented.

Unlocking means is employed to disconnect the lock230from the locking arm120. It is to be noted that the configuration of unlocking means is dependent on configuration of the lock230. For example, in case of the lock230being made of ferromagnetic materials, the unlocking means can include a magnet. However, it is to be noted that the configuration of the lock230and the unlocking means is not limited to ferromagnetic material and magnet respectively. Various other locks and complementary locking means can be employed to retail the locking arm120at a particular position to keep the tag100locked.

The tag100includes an electronic circuit250provided to trigger an alarm when the tag100tampered with or unauthorized removal of the article is attempted. In one aspect of the disclosure, the alarm may be an audible, visual or combination type of alert. Referring toFIGS.2-6,10aand10billustrate various components of the circuit250.

The circuit250includes a switch260. The switch260is arranged in the housing110. The switch260includes a first contact270and a second contact280. The contacts270,280are arranged within the housing110. In some aspects, the contacts270,280are metallic and can carry electric current therethrough. In some aspects, the contacts270,280are metallic plates. In alternative aspects, the contacts270,280can be of any shape and size other than plates.

The first contact270is mounted in the housing110using one or more brackets290. In some aspects, the bracket290is coupled with an inner portion of the second part140of the housing110. In some other aspects, the bracket can be attached to other suitable locations within the housing110.

The second contact280is arranged within the housing110such that it abuts the first contact270. The second contact280is supported by a contact carrier300. The tag100includes a pad310which is provided to be in contact with the second contact280and an article to which the tag100is attached. The second contact280displaces with the pad310. The housing110includes a hole to provide a passage to the pad310. The pad310can be made of any suitable material. In some aspects, the pad310is a rubber pad. In another aspect of the disclosure, the pad310may be constructed of any material which provides friction or grip when the tag is engaged with an article. The article is held between the pad310and the free end220of the locking arm120when the tag is attached to the article. In some aspects, the free end220is provided with a cushioning member320to abut the article. Typically, the pad310and the cushioning member320abut opposite surfaces or sides of the article. In another aspect of the disclosure, the cushioning member320may be constructed of any material which provides friction or grip when the tag is engaged with an article. The pad310and the cushioning member320can have mating features for securely gripping them onto an article or to create a strong friction between pads and the article. The pad310and the cushioning member320have high friction surfaces therefore, tampering or pulling of the tag100causes the second contact280to move with respect to the housing110, more specifically with respect to the first contact270, thereby breaking the electrical contact between the first contact270and the second contact280. The electrical contact breaks when there is sufficient displacement of the second contact280with respect to the first contact270.

The tag100includes one or more resilient members330provided in the housing110to allow the second contact280to regain an original position after displacement. Typically, while handling the article having tag100or the tag100alone, the pad310tends to displace with respect to the housing110resulting in displacement of the second contact280in the housing110as both the pad310and the second contact280are physically connected. Thus, the resilient members330displace with the second contact280and regain their original position when the force exerted on the pad310is removed. In some aspects, the resilient members330are coupled between the contact carrier300and the housing110. In some aspects, one or more support members335are provided at inner surfaces of the housing110to facilitate connection of the resilient members330. In some aspects, the support members335are provided at an inner surface of the second part140of the housing110. In some aspects, the brackets290are utilized as supports for the resilient members330. The number and position of the resilient members330are determined as per the application requirement. In some aspects, the tag100includes two resilient members330provided at opposite sides of the contact carrier300. In some aspects, the resilient members330are provided in the direction along X axis, Y axis, Z axis or in combination of two or three axes so that the second contact280can regain its position if displaced in any direction.

In some aspects, the resilient members330are springs which are compressed when the second contact280is sufficiently displaced along with the pad310. The springs regain their original position when the pad310stops displacing with respect to the housing110, thereby resulting in regaining the original position of the second contact280. In some other aspects, the resilient members can be made of shape memory alloys. In some other aspects, the resilient members are made of rubber or silicon. In some other aspects, the resilient members include Hall effect magnets.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the top resilient member330and the bottom resilient member330contain and align the second contact280within the contact carrier300. The resilient members330allow the second contact280to stay in a neutral position when in a stead state. In the neutral position, the first contact270and the second contact280are configured to touch each other in a center point position.

The circuit250includes a processing circuit340electrically coupled with the switch260and is provided to detect electrical disconnection between the first contact270and the second contact280. More specifically, the disconnection between the first contact270and the second contact280occurs when the tag100is tampered with. When the tag is attempted for tampering, the pad310is displaced with respect to the housing110, thereby displacing the second contact280away from the first contact270. The processing circuit340detects such disconnection and triggers an alarm, as described above, and provides a notification to third parties about the attempted tampering. In another aspect of the disclosure, the alarm may also send a signal to a remote server indicating a disconnection or tampering. The dimensions of the first contact270and the second contact280are determined such that the electrical connection between the first contact270and the second contact280remains active upon slight displacement of the pad310during routine activities such as picking up articles, transportation, trying on an article and other typical daily activity. However, the electrical connection between first contact270and the second contact280breaks when the second contact280is displaced sufficiently with respect to the first contact270due to displacement of the pad, which typically occurs during tampering attempt. When sufficient pull force is exerted on the tag100(for example, during tampering the tag100), the first contact270surpasses the predetermined range of movement and the electrical contact between the first contact270and the second contact280breaks. The processing circuit340senses the disconnection and triggers an alarm.

In some aspects, the processing circuit340includes a processor350and a memory360. Processor350may be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. Processor350is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory360or received from other computer readable media (e.g., CDROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.).

Memory360may include one or more devices (e.g., memory units, memory devices, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing and/or facilitating the various processes described in the present disclosure. Memory360may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage, non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitable memory for storing software objects and/or computer instructions. Memory360may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. Memory360may be communicably coupled with processor350and may include computer code for executing (e.g., by processor350) one or more processes described herein.

The processing circuit340can be provided with a logic that detects the disconnection between the first contact270and the second contact280. In some aspects, the processing circuit340detects the disconnection based on voltage levels. In some other aspects, the processing circuit340detects electrical disconnection based on current levels. Memory360may include computer code for executing one or more processes described herein.

In some aspects, the processing circuit340is provided on a printed circuit board (PCB)380along with other necessary components of the circuit250.

The printed circuit board380is provided with a control mechanism to determine the position of locking arm120, allow power supply to the processing circuit340when the locking arm120is depressed in the channel190, and restrict power supply to the processing circuit340when the locking arm120is in unlocked state, i.e., the biasing member210is in uncompressed state. In some aspects, the control mechanism can include a sensor to sense the position of the locking arm120in the channel190. In some aspects, the control mechanism act as a key or a button that act as a switch. When the key is in ON condition, the processing circuit340receives the power for operation. Similarly, when the key is in OFF condition, power supply to the processing circuit340is interrupted. In some aspects, the key is set to ON condition by the locking arm120. More specifically, when the locking arm120is depressed within the channel190towards the base of the channel190, the locking arm120sets the key in ON condition. When the locking arm120is in unlocked state, the key is set in OFF condition. Thus, when the tag is locked onto an article, the key is in ON condition as the locking arm120is depressed in the channel190. On the other hand, the key is in OFF condition when the tag100is in unlocked condition. In OFF condition, the processing circuit340does not generate any alarm. In some other aspects, the control mechanism can include a handle, a lever, a joystick, a circuit breaker, a switch or the like.

In some aspects, the processing circuit340detects the disconnection based on voltage levels. Upon detecting disconnection, the processing circuit340generates an alarm signal to trigger an alarm. The tag100can include various types of alarming devices. In some aspects, the processing circuit340includes an audio alarm390or a visual alarm400or combination of both audio alarm390and visual alarm400. In some aspects, the visual alarm400is an LED lamp. In some aspects, a perforated cover can be provided on the audio alarm390and/or the visual alarm400for protection. The audio alarm390or the visual alarm400can be located suitably on the housing110. In some aspects, the audio alarm390and the visual alarm400are located at the fourth side180of the housing110. In one aspect, the alarm signal is transmitted to one or more remote alerting system or servers by the processing circuit340.

The tag100includes a power supply410electrically coupled with the processing circuit340and the control mechanism. In some aspects, the power supply410is a battery. As described in foregoing paragraphs, the control mechanism establishes connection between the power supply410and the processing circuit340when the locking arm120is depressed in the channel190, and disconnects the connection between the power supply410and the processing circuit340when the locking arm120is in unlocked state.

The tag100includes a sensor, transmitter, or the like to transmit a detectable signal when it is located within a monitored surveillance zone. A detaching device can remove the tag100when surveillance is not necessary (e.g., after the item has been purchased). While the tag100is attached to, for example, an article of clothing, a monitoring system monitors the surveillance zone for the tag signal to ensure that the article of clothing including the tag is not removed from the surveillance zone without triggering an alarm or the like. If the article with a tag100is tried to be removed from the surveillance zone, the monitoring system triggers an alarm. In some aspects, the transmitter is a radio frequency identification (RFID) unit disposed in the housing110of the tag100. The RFID may also provide a method of tracking inventory within a retail location. In other words, the RFID may provide serial numbers, model, sizes, etc. when scanned by a RFID reader. The RFID reader may be a handheld reader or a mounted reader. The RFID can operate within the known frequency bands based upon determined requirements. In some aspects, the transmitter is an electronic article surveillance unit.

Operation of the tag100is now described. Referring toFIG.7, the tag100is shown coupled with an article420in an unlocked configuration. Referring toFIG.8, the tag100is shown coupled with the article420in a locked configuration. As shown inFIG.7, initially, the tag100is coupled with the article420. Typically, the article420is received in the space between the housing110and locking arm120. To lock the tag100with the article420, the locking arm120is pressed in the channel190. Due to the pressing, the pad310and the cushioning member320firmly abut the article420. Further, as the locking arm120is depressed in the channel190, the circuit250is activated. In this configuration, the tag100is said to be in the locked configuration. If the tag100is tampered with by forcefully trying to decouple the tag100from the article or trying to damage the tag100, there is relative motion between the first contact270and the second contact280. If the tag100is twisted or moved either, up, down or laterally (left or right), the housing110will shift, but the second contact280which will stay in a place because the resilient members330will allow a predetermined amount of movement. The first contact270will travel away from the second contact280. If the tag100moves more than a predetermined distance, the first contact270and the second contact will not touch thereby breaking the electronic loop and causing the alarm to trigger.

In other words, due to the relative motion, the electrical contact between the first contact270and the second contact280breaks. This is detected by the processing circuit340and subsequently an alarm is triggered. To safely remove the tag100, the unlocking means are utilized to unlock the lock230. Once the lock230is unlocked, the locking arm120is released and under the influence of the biasing member210, the locking arm120is displaced in the direction towards opening of the channel190. Due to this, the processing circuit340is deactivated.

The tag100provides two layers of security, i.e., the lock230and the circuit250. The lock230prevents any unauthorized removal of an article, whereas the circuit250prevents tampering with the tag100.

Further,FIGS.9a,9b,9c,9dand9eare views of the tag100, described above, in an isolated state.FIG.9ais a front view of the tag100.FIG.9bis a rear view of the tag100.FIG.9cis a bottom view of the tag100. The area illustrated in dashed lines shows the location of a power source, for example, a battery.FIG.9cis a side view of the tag100in a locked state, as described above.FIG.9dis a side view of the tag100in an unlocked state.

The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary aspects are illustrative only. Although only a few aspects have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps can be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative aspects. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary aspects without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Aspects within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures, and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

The order of method steps may differ from what is described. Also, two or more steps can be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps.