Self-detaching Security Tag with Wireless Energy Limit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current anti-theft devices in retail settings require customers to bring merchandise to a fixed Point Of Sale for security tag removal, leading to customer dissatisfaction and potential false alarms due to human error, limiting the mobility of mobile POS units and burdening customers with post-POS tasks.

Innovation Solution

A self-detaching security tag system using wireless command signals to actuate mechanical components, such as solenoids or gear motors, allowing customers to remove tags using a mobile device, with energy harvesting and resonant RF technology to power the tag's electronics and mechanical components, ensuring secure and efficient detachment without human assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed POS station with dedicated removal device is used, then security tag removal is reliable, but customer wait time increases and POS mobility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity tag removal reliabilityVSAvoidcustomer wait time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The security tag is equipped with a self-detachment mechanism that automatically releases the pin when energized by a wireless signal from the mobile POS device. This eliminates the need for customers to manually bring items to a fixed POS station or use a dedicated removal device, allowing them to detach tags themselves at any location within the surveillance zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical dedicated removal device with a wireless electromagnetic signal transmission system. The mobile POS device transmits a wireless command signal that induces voltage in the security tag's receive circuit, which then energizes the mechanical detachment mechanism, eliminating the need for physical contact between the POS device and security tag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile POS unit is used, then POS mobility increases, but security tag removal becomes unreliable without dedicated removal device

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePOS mobilityVSAvoidsecurity tag removal reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the mobile POS device and the security tag. The wireless command signal carries the detachment command through this field, enabling reliable communication and activation of the detachment mechanism without requiring direct physical contact or line-of-sight mechanical interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If energy is continuously supplied to mechanical component, then detachment mechanism is always ready, but mechanical component may be damaged from excessive energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachment readinessVSAvoidmechanical component damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller monitors the distance between the security tag and external transmit circuit, and only closes the switch to supply energy to the mechanical component when the distance is within the safe threshold. This periodic monitoring and conditional activation ensures the detachment mechanism is ready only when needed and safe, preventing damage from continuous or excessive energy supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the distance between the security tag and external transmit circuit. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically controls the switch state, closing it only when the distance is within the safe threshold and opening it when the distance exceeds the threshold, thereby preventing mechanical component damage from excessive energy while ensuring readiness when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables secure and efficient removal of security tags from purchased items using mobile devices, reducing customer wait times, minimizing false alarms, and enhancing the mobility of POS operations in retail environments.

Implementation Method 1

inducing a voltage in the receive circuit of the security tag while the first wireless signal is being received

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

energy harvesting and resonant RF technology to power the tag's electronics and mechanical components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS11727240B2Self-detaching anti-theft device with energy limit

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods comprise: receiving a first wireless signal using a receive circuit of the security tag; inducing a voltage in the receive circuit of the security tag while the first wireless signal is being received; performing operations by a controller to selectively close a switch while the voltage is being induced in the circuit; causing a release of a mechanical component of the security tag by allowing energy to flow from the receive circuit to the mechanical component when the switch is closed; and performing operations by the controller to prevent damage to the mechanical component as a result of the security tag being a certain distance from an external device.