US5874896A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic anti-shoplifting system employing an RFID tag
Assignee: HID Global Corp
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Filing: 1996-08-26
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Granted: 1999-02-23
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Expires: 2016-08-26
Abstract
Abstract An electronic anti-shoplifting system monitors articles of merchandise in a sales outlet to deter shoplifting. The system is provided with transponder tags connected to the articles of merchandise. A tag exciter is positioned at an exit leading from the sales outlet and generates an RF surveillance excitation signal. If a customer carries an article through the exit without removal authorization due to failure to pay for the article, the transponder tag is activated, being powered by the RF surveillance excitation signal as the customer passes the tag exciter. The activated transponder tag generates an RF surveillance response signal that triggers an alarm. If the customer has removal authorization as the result of paying for the article, the transponder tag is reprogrammed to modify the operational data stored therein. The operational data typically includes data to alter the frequency of an RF response signal generated by the transponder tag, the frequency of an RF excitation signal to which the transponder tag responds, and/or the type of modulation used by the transponder tag to generate an RF response signal. Sales data, such as the purchase price and date of purchase, is also stored in the transponder tag. When the customer exits the sales outlet after the transponder tag is reprogrammed, the transponder tag does not generate the RF surveillance response signal that triggers the alarm. However, the sales data stored in the transponder tag can be accessed by the clerk of the sales outlet at a later date.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter R. Lowe
- 👤 Donald G. Small, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:41
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2451; G08B13/246; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G07G1/0045; G07G1/0054; G07G3/00; G07G3/003; G08B13/2405; G08B13/2414; G08B13/2417; G08B13/2428; G08B13/2431
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for monitoring the removal of an article of merchandise from a sales outlet comprising: connecting a transponder tag to an article of merchandise in a sales outlet; positioning a tag exciter at an exit leading from said sales outlet; generating an RF surveillance excitation signal with said tag exciter; activating said transponder tag with said RF surveillance excitation signal when said transponder tag passes said tag exciter in the absence of removal authorization for said article; generating an RF surveillance response signal with said activated transponder tag in response to said RF surveillance excitation signal; triggering an alarm in response to said RF surveillance response signal; and reprogramming said transponder tag and storing sales data in said transponder tag upon removal authorization for said article, wherein said reprogrammed transponder tag does not generate said RF surveillance response signal triggering said alarm when said transponder tag passes said tag exciter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for monitoring the removal of an article of merchandise from a sales outlet comprising: connecting a transponder tag to an article of merchandise in a sales outlet; positioning a tag exciter at an exit leading from said sales outlet; generating an RF surveillance excitation signal with said tag exciter; activating said transponder tag with said RF surveillance excitation signal when said transponder tag passes said tag exciter in the absence of removal authorization for said article; generating an RF surveillance response signal with said activated transponder tag in response to said RF surveillance excitation signal; triggering an alarm in response to said RF surveillance response signal; and reprogramming said transponder tag and storing sales data in said transponder tag upon removal authorization for said article, wherein said reprogrammed transponder tag does not generate said RF surveillance response signal triggering said alarm when said transponder tag passes said tag exciter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said reprogramming step further comprises: generating an RF write excitation signal including operational data and said sales data; activating said transponder tag with said RF write excitation signal; modifying operation of said transponder tag with said operational data; and storing said sales data in a non-volatile memory associated with said transponder tag.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said sales data includes the purchase price of said article.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said sales data includes the purchase date of said article.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1 further comprising using an exciter/reader/writer circuit to reprogram said transponder tag.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said operational data includes data altering the frequency of said RF surveillance response signal generated by said transponder tag.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said operational data includes data altering the frequency of said RF surveillance excitation signal to which said transponder tag responds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said operational data includes data altering the type of modulation used by said transponder tag to generate said RF surveillance response signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said RF surveillance response signal is substantially free of data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said RF surveillance response signal has a frequency of at least about one quarter the frequency of said RF surveillance excitation signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said RF surveillance response signal has a frequency about equal to one half the frequency of said RF surveillance excitation signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electronic anti-shoplifting system comprising: a tag exciter positioned at an exit of a controlled area generating an RF surveillance excitation signal; an exciter/reader/writer circuit generating an RF writing excitation signal containing operational and sales data and generating an RF reading excitation signal; a plurality of transponder tags, each transponder tag connected to an article of merchandise located in the controlled area and each said transponder tag including a memory and a controller having a surveillance mode enabling said transponder tag to generate an RF surveillance response signal after receiving said RF surveillance excitation signal, a programming mode wherein said controller stores said operational and sales data in said memory, and a reading mode wherein said controller generates an RF reading response signal containing said sales data, wherein said exciter/reader/writer circuit receives said RF reading response signal and outputs said sales data to an output device; and an alarm for generating an alarm signal in response to said RF surveillance response signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electronic anti-shoplifting system comprising: a tag exciter positioned at an exit of a controlled area generating an RF surveillance excitation signal; an exciter/reader/writer circuit generating an RF writing excitation signal containing operational and sales data and generating an RF reading excitation signal; a plurality of transponder tags, each transponder tag connected to an article of merchandise located in the controlled area and each said transponder tag including a memory and a controller having a surveillance mode enabling said transponder tag to generate an RF surveillance response signal after receiving said RF surveillance excitation signal, a programming mode wherein said controller stores said operational and sales data in said memory, and a reading mode wherein said controller generates an RF reading response signal containing said sales data, wherein said exciter/reader/writer circuit receives said RF reading response signal and outputs said sales data to an output device; and an alarm for generating an alarm signal in response to said RF surveillance response signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electronic anti-shoplifting system recited in claim 12 wherein said sales data includes the purchase price of said article.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electronic anti-shoplifting system recited in claim 12 wherein said sales data includes the date of purchase of said article.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for monitoring the removal of an article from a controlled area comprising: connecting a transponder tag to an article in a controlled area; positioning a tag exciter at an exit leading from said controlled area; generating an RF surveillance excitation signal with said tag exciter; activating said transponder tag with said RF surveillance excitation signal when said transponder tag passes said tag exciter in the absence of removal authorization for said article; generating an RF surveillance response signal with said activated transponder tag in response to said RF surveillance excitation signal; triggering an alarm in response to said RF surveillance response signal; and reprogramming said transponder tag and storing transaction data in said transponder tag upon removal authorization for said article, wherein said reprogrammed transponder tag does not generate said RF surveillance response signal triggering said alarm when said transponder tag passes said tag exciter.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for monitoring the removal of an article from a controlled area comprising: connecting a transponder tag to an article in a controlled area; positioning a tag exciter at an exit leading from said controlled area; generating an RF surveillance excitation signal with said tag exciter; activating said transponder tag with said RF surveillance excitation signal when said transponder tag passes said tag exciter in the absence of removal authorization for said article; generating an RF surveillance response signal with said activated transponder tag in response to said RF surveillance excitation signal; triggering an alarm in response to said RF surveillance response signal; and reprogramming said transponder tag and storing transaction data in said transponder tag upon removal authorization for said article, wherein said reprogrammed transponder tag does not generate said RF surveillance response signal triggering said alarm when said transponder tag passes said tag exciter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein said reprogramming step further comprises: generating an RF write excitation signal including operational data and said transaction data; activating said transponder tag with said RF write excitation signal; modifying operation of said transponder tag with said operational data; and storing said transaction data in a non-volatile memory associated with said transponder tag.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein said transaction data includes the name of the person removing said article from said controlled area.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein said transaction data includes the removal date of said article from said controlled area.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 15 further comprising using an exciter/reader/writer circuit to reprogram said transponder tag.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein said operational data includes data altering the frequency of said RF surveillance response signal generated by said transponder tag.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein said operational data includes data altering the frequency of said RF surveillance excitation signal to which said transponder tag responds.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein said operational data includes data altering the type of modulation used by said transponder tag to generate said RF surveillance response signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein said RF surveillance response signal is substantially free of data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein said RF surveillance response signal has a frequency of at least about one quarter the frequency of said RF surveillance excitation signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in claim 15 wherein said RF surveillance response signal has a frequency about equal to one half the frequency of said RF surveillance excitation signal.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for monitoring the removal of an article from a controlled area comprising: connecting a transponder tag to an article in a controlled area; positioning a tag exciter at an exit leading from said controlled area; generating an RF surveillance excitation signal with said tag exciter; activating said transponder tag with said RF surveillance excitation signal when said transponder tag passes said tag exciter in the absence of removal authorization for said article; generating an RF surveillance response signal with said activated transponder tag in response to said RF surveillance excitation signal, wherein said RF surveillance response signal has a frequency of at least about one quarter the frequency of said RF surveillance excitation signal; triggering an alarm in response to said RF surveillance response signal; and reprogramming said transponder tag upon removal authorization for said article, wherein said reprogrammed transponder tag does not generate said RF surveillance response signal triggering said alarm when said transponder tag passes said tag exciter.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for monitoring the removal of an article from a controlled area comprising: connecting a transponder tag to an article in a controlled area; positioning a tag exciter at an exit leading from said controlled area; generating an RF surveillance excitation signal with said tag exciter; activating said transponder tag with said RF surveillance excitation signal when said transponder tag passes said tag exciter in the absence of removal authorization for said article; generating an RF surveillance response signal with said activated transponder tag in response to said RF surveillance excitation signal, wherein said RF surveillance response signal has a frequency of at least about one quarter the frequency of said RF surveillance excitation signal; triggering an alarm in response to said RF surveillance response signal; and reprogramming said transponder tag upon removal authorization for said article, wherein said reprogrammed transponder tag does not generate said RF surveillance response signal triggering said alarm when said transponder tag passes said tag exciter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 26 wherein said RF surveillance response signal is substantially free of data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in claim 26 wherein said RF surveillance response signal has a frequency about equal to one half the frequency of said RF surveillance excitation signal.
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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) | 2002-02-22 | 2002-08-24 | 2003-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-22 | 2006-08-24 | 2007-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-22 | 2010-08-24 | 2011-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |