US5589820A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retail theft prevention and information device
Assignee: PAC SCAN Inc
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Filing: 1995-10-11
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Granted: 1996-12-31
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Expires: 2015-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A device for use in preventing theft of an item from a building and for use in identification of the item is disclosed. The device comprises an antenna adapted to receive a frequency signal from an external device and for generating a voltage in response to receiving the frequency signal; a capacitor coupled to the antenna for storing the antenna voltage and for supplying an activation signal; a piezoelectric device for receiving an activation signal; a power supply; a memory device for digitally storing the code and for outputting the digital code upon receiving power from the power supply; a switch with normally open contacts coupled to the capacitor and to the piezoelectric device, the switch being operable to couple the power supply to the memory device upon the piezoelectric device receiving an activation signal; and a voltage to frequency converter, coupled to the memory device, for converting the digital code to frequencies representing the digital code, the voltage to frequency converter being coupled to the antenna so that the antenna transmits the frequencies representing the code.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald G. Robinson
- 👤 Michael W. Geatz
- 👤 Michael J. Corcoran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:36
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2451; G08B13/246; G08B13/2462; G08B13/2465; G08B13/2468; G08B13/2474
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A device adapted to be associated with a product for preventing theft of the product and for emitting a code identifying the product, the device comprising: frequency activation means for receiving a frequency signal generated by an external source and for generating an activation signal; a piezoelectric device for receiving the activation signal; power means for supplying power only after the activation signal is received; memory means for storing the code, the memory means being coupled to the power means to output the code when power is supplied to the memory means; switch means with normally open contacts coupled between the memory means and the power means, the switch means being operable in response to the piezoelectric device to couple the power means to the memory means upon the piezoelectric device receiving the activation signal initiated by the frequency activation means; and transmitter means for transmitting the code received from the memory means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A device adapted to be associated with a product for preventing theft of the product and for emitting a code identifying the product, the device comprising: frequency activation means for receiving a frequency signal generated by an external source and for generating an activation signal; a piezoelectric device for receiving the activation signal; power means for supplying power only after the activation signal is received; memory means for storing the code, the memory means being coupled to the power means to output the code when power is supplied to the memory means; switch means with normally open contacts coupled between the memory means and the power means, the switch means being operable in response to the piezoelectric device to couple the power means to the memory means upon the piezoelectric device receiving the activation signal initiated by the frequency activation means; and transmitter means for transmitting the code received from the memory means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the frequency activation means comprises an antenna for receiving a radio-frequency signal and a latch which stores the radio-frequency signal and generates the activation signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the antenna is a loop antenna.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the memory means comprises a memory device for digitally storing the code and for outputting the digital code upon receiving power from the power supply.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the transmitter means comprises means for converting the digital code to frequencies representing the digital code from the memory means, the frequency converter means being coupled to the antenna so that the antenna transmits the frequencies representing the code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the frequency activation means further comprises a latch coupled to an antenna for receiving an induced voltage and thereafter activating the piezoelectric device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the latch comprises a capacitor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the power means comprises a battery.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
181 words
A device adapted to be associated with a product for preventing theft of the product and for emitting a code identifying the product, the device comprising: an antenna adapted to receive a radio-frequency signal from an external source and for generating a voltage in response to receiving the radio-frequency signal; a capacitor coupled to the antenna for storing the antenna voltage and for supplying an activation signal; a piezoelectric device for receiving the activation signal; a power supply; a memory device for digitally storing the code and for outputting the digital code upon receiving power from the power supply; a switch operably connected to the piezoelectric device, the switch having normally open contacts and being operable in response to the piezoelectric device to couple the power supply to the memory device upon the piezoelectric device receiving the activation signal; and a voltage to frequency converter, coupled to the memory device, for converting the digital code to frequencies representing the digital code, the voltage to frequency converter being coupled to the antenna so that the antenna transmits the frequencies representing the code.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
181 words
A device adapted to be associated with a product for preventing theft of the product and for emitting a code identifying the product, the device comprising: an antenna adapted to receive a radio-frequency signal from an external source and for generating a voltage in response to receiving the radio-frequency signal; a capacitor coupled to the antenna for storing the antenna voltage and for supplying an activation signal; a piezoelectric device for receiving the activation signal; a power supply; a memory device for digitally storing the code and for outputting the digital code upon receiving power from the power supply; a switch operably connected to the piezoelectric device, the switch having normally open contacts and being operable in response to the piezoelectric device to couple the power supply to the memory device upon the piezoelectric device receiving the activation signal; and a voltage to frequency converter, coupled to the memory device, for converting the digital code to frequencies representing the digital code, the voltage to frequency converter being coupled to the antenna so that the antenna transmits the frequencies representing the code.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for preventing theft of an item from a store, the method comprising: providing a device capable of transmitting an alarm signal from an antenna only in response to an energizing signal; maintaining the device in a passive, unenergized state by use of a switch means with normally open contacts operable in response to a piezoelectric device to prevent it from transmitting the alarm signal unless the piezoelectric device receives an activation signal developed in response to the energizing signal; securing the device to the item; providing an alarm at at least one exit of the store that supplies a localized energizing signal; disabling the antenna of the device at a sales counter of the store after purchase to prevent the device from transmitting the alarm signal after the item has been purchased; and sending an energizing signal to the device from the alarm to determine whether the device has been disabled; activating the device to an active, energized state in response to the energizing signal only if the device has not been disabled from transmitting an alarm signal to the alarm; and automatically activating a visual and/or audio theft warning indicator if the alarm signal is transmitted by the device to the alarm.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for preventing theft of an item from a store, the method comprising: providing a device capable of transmitting an alarm signal from an antenna only in response to an energizing signal; maintaining the device in a passive, unenergized state by use of a switch means with normally open contacts operable in response to a piezoelectric device to prevent it from transmitting the alarm signal unless the piezoelectric device receives an activation signal developed in response to the energizing signal; securing the device to the item; providing an alarm at at least one exit of the store that supplies a localized energizing signal; disabling the antenna of the device at a sales counter of the store after purchase to prevent the device from transmitting the alarm signal after the item has been purchased; and sending an energizing signal to the device from the alarm to determine whether the device has been disabled; activating the device to an active, energized state in response to the energizing signal only if the device has not been disabled from transmitting an alarm signal to the alarm; and automatically activating a visual and/or audio theft warning indicator if the alarm signal is transmitted by the device to the alarm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the switch means comprises a physical contact switch closed by action of the piezoelectric device.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
86 words
A device for selectively coupling a power means to an electrical load in response to an activation signal, the device comprising: a piezoelectric device for receiving the activation signal; power means for supplying power only after the activation signal is received; and switch means with normally open contacts coupled between the electrical load and the power means, the switch means being operable in response to the piezoelectric device to selectively couple the power means to the electrical load upon the piezoelectric device receiving the activation signal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
86 words
A device for selectively coupling a power means to an electrical load in response to an activation signal, the device comprising: a piezoelectric device for receiving the activation signal; power means for supplying power only after the activation signal is received; and switch means with normally open contacts coupled between the electrical load and the power means, the switch means being operable in response to the piezoelectric device to selectively couple the power means to the electrical load upon the piezoelectric device receiving the activation signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 12 further comprising frequency activation means for receiving a frequency signal generated by an external source and for generating the activation signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the frequency activation means comprises an antenna for receiving a radio-frequency signal and a latch which stores the radio-frequency signal and generates the activation signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 14 wherein the antenna is a loop antenna.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the frequency activation means further comprises a latch coupled to an antenna for receiving an induced voltage and thereafter activating the piezoelectric device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 16 wherein the latch comprises a capacitor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the power means comprises a battery.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-07-01 | 2000-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-31 | 2004-07-01 | 2004-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-31 | 2008-07-01 | 2008-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |