Abstract: A security tag that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, a first portion of an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, a second portion of the attachment clip is then permanently secured in a locking mechanism of a housing containing a security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF), benefit denial (e.g., ink-filled or dye-filled capsules) elements or any combination thereof. Because the security tag is not removed from the article at the point-of-sale, the security element is deactivatable. A preferred embodiment of the security tag uses all non-ferrous components including its locking mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-attach disposable security tag that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, the attachment clip is then permanently secured in a locking mechanism of a housing containing a deactivatable security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF) elements or any combination thereof. A preferred embodiment of the security tag uses all non-ferrous components including its locking mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-attach reusable security tag (MARST) that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, the attachment clip is then secured in a releasable locking mechanism of a housing containing a security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF) elements or any combination thereof. Alternatively, a fluke element can be used to secure the attachment clip to the releasable locking mechanism and wherein this fluke element permits the attachment clip to swivel outside of the housing.

Abstract: Security labels and tags including elements and methods of making them are disclosed. The elements are in the form of an oriented polymer layer, conductive traces clad to the polymer layer to form an open loop forming a window in the interior of the loop and an open support framework extending into the window to support the polymer layer in the window. In some embodiments the open support framework is in the form of parallel, interleaved linear extensions from the conductive traces which extend into the window. In other embodiments the open support framework is in a pattern of intersecting sections (e.g., a fishbone pattern) located in the window.

Abstract: A security hard tag, uses an attachment clip to couple to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected and which can only be released from the article by use of an authorized detacher that is inserted into the security hard tag. The attachment clip may include various types of locking mechanisms on its two ends, one end which is permanently secured within the security hard tag housing and the other end which is releasably secured within the housing. Before being releasably secured within the housing, the one end is inserted through or around a portion of an article, or through a security tag loop attached to the article, and then that end is locked into the housing. The detacher uses a cam, either located on the detacher itself or positioned within the security hard tag housing, to interact with the one end of the attachment clip to release the locked end.

Abstract: A multi-attach reusable security tag (MARST) that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, the attachment clip is then secured in a releasable locking mechanism of a housing containing a security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF) elements or any combination thereof. Alternatively, a fluke element can be used to secure the attachment clip to the releasable locking mechanism and wherein this fluke element permits the attachment clip to swivel outside of the housing.

Abstract: A multi-attach disposable security tag that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, the attachment clip is then permanently secured in a locking mechanism of a housing containing a deactivatable security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF) elements or any combination thereof. A preferred embodiment of the security tag uses all non-ferrous components including its locking mechanism.

Abstract: Security labels and tags including elements and methods of making them are disclosed. The elements are in the form of an oriented polymer layer, conductive traces clad to the polymer layer to form an open loop forming a window in the interior of the loop and an open support framework extending into the window to support the polymer layer in the window. In some embodiments the open support framework is in the form of parallel, interleaved linear extensions from the conductive traces which extend into the window. In other embodiments the open support framework is in a pattern of intersecting sections (e.g., a fishbone pattern) located in the window.

Abstract: A security tag that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, a first portion of an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, a second portion of the attachment clip is then permanently secured in a locking mechanism of a housing containing a security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF), benefit denial (e.g., ink-filled or dye-filled capsules) elements or any combination thereof. Because the security tag is not removed from the article at the point-of-sale, the security element is deactivatable. A preferred embodiment of the security tag uses all non-ferrous components including its locking mechanism.

Abstract: A security hard tag, uses an attachment clip to couple to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected and which can only be released from the article by use of an authorized detacher that is inserted into the security hard tag. The attachment clip may include various types of locking mechanisms on its two ends, one end which is permanently secured within the security hard tag housing and the other end which is releasably secured within the housing. Before being releasably secured within the housing, the one end is inserted through or around a portion of an article, or through a security tag loop attached to the article, and then that end is locked into the housing. The detacher uses a cam, either located on the detacher itself or positioned within the security hard tag housing, to interact with the one end of the attachment clip to release the locked end.

Abstract: A re-usable identification tag that includes a combination of RFID (radio frequency identification) elements and EAS (electronic article surveillance) elements, or multiple RFID elements without an EAS element, or multiple EAS elements without RFID elements. Systems and methods for tracking or detecting a re-usable identification tag having multiple elements therein to correspond with multiple detection zones such that as the re-usable tag moves from one detection zone to another, the tag can be tracked and/or activate an alarm and/or transmit data to a database.

Abstract: A security tag includes a combination of a resonant frequency circuit with an adjacent amplification shield for enhancing output signal amplitude. The amplification shield is located adjacent to the resonant frequency circuit and is preferably in the same or substantially the same plane as the resonant frequency circuit or is in a close, generally parallel plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the resonant frequency circuit includes an inductor electrically coupled to a capacitor. The resonant frequency circuit has a center frequency and is arranged to resonate in response to exposure to electromagnetic energy at or near the center frequency, providing an output signal having an amplitude. The amplification shield is arranged to direct a portion of the electromagnetic energy to the resonant frequency circuit to amplify the amplitude of the output signal from the resonant frequency circuit.

Abstract: A three-dimensional dipole antenna system for an RFID tag that optimizes detection for a given available volume in which to situate the RFID tag.

Abstract: A re-usable identification tag that includes a combination of RFID (radio frequency identification) elements and EAS (electronic article surveillance) elements, or multiple RFID elements without an EAS element, or multiple EAS elements without RFID elements. Systems and methods for tracking or detecting a re-usable identification tag having multiple elements therein to correspond with multiple detection zones such that as the re-usable tag moves from one detection zone to another, the tag can be tracked and/or activate an alarm and/or transmit data to a database.

Abstract: An electronic system verifies that an article has been tagged with an electronic article surveillance marker. The marker includes a resonant circuit for use in detecting the presence of the article by receiving an interrogation signal and returning a response signal. In the system, the physical presence of an article is detected using an article presence detector which outputs an article presence signal upon physical detection thereof. An interrogation zone is monitored with an interrogator for disturbances in the form of a response signal caused by the presence of a marker within the interrogation zone. The interrogator outputs an interrogator output signal when a marker is detected in the interrogation zone. The article presence signals and the interrogator output signals are received in a processor.

Abstract: A resonant tag circuit useful as an electronic security device includes a layered planar structure having a dielectric substrate, a resonant circuit carried on both sides of the dielectric substrate and a semiconductive material having an ionizable salt dissolved therein. The semiconductor material provides a sermiconductive bridge across an activation or deactivation point in the circuit and connects the conductive circuit on both sides of the activation or deactivation point. The resonant tag circuit of this invention is stabilized against premature operation of the activation or deactivation point from electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: A method of electrically connecting an integrated circuit (IC) to at least one electrical conductor on a flexible substrate. A flexible dielectric substrate has an IC attachment area and at least one resonant circuit formed thereon. The resonant circuit is formed with a first conductive pattern disposed on a first principal surface of the flexible substrate and a second conductive pattern disposed on a second, opposite principle surface of the flexible substrate. The first conductive pattern is electrically connected to the second conductive pattern such that the first and second conductive patterns form an inductor and a capacitor, with the inductor also functioning as an antenna. The IC attachment area of the flexible substrate is cleaned and the flexible substrate is secured in a fixed position in a plenum to prevent substantial movement thereof. The IC is secured to the IC attachment area of the flexible substrate to minimize movement of the IC relative to the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A security tag for use with an electronic security system is used for attachment to an article having an inherent capacitance such as meat. The security system includes a transmitter for transmitting into a surveilled area electromagnetic energy having a center frequency within a predetermined detection frequency range and a receiver for detecting within the surveilled area the presence of a security tag resonating at a frequency within the detection frequency range in response to the electromagnetic energy. The tag includes a generally planar dielectric substrate having a first side and a second side. Circuitry on the substrate establishes a resonant circuit having a resonant frequency which is initially a predetermined frequency interval above the center frequency of the detection frequency range.

Abstract: A security tag is disclosed for use with an electronic security system for a controlled area. The tag comprises circuitry for initially establishing a resonant circuit having a first resonating frequency within a first frequency range which is outside of the range of the detection frequency of the electronic security system. The tag is activated by changing the resonating frequency of the resonant circuit to a second frequency within the detection frequency range by exposing the resonant circuit to electromagnetic energy within the first frequency range at the predetermined minimum power level to short-circuit a first circuit component.

Abstract: A security tag for a compact disc container holding a compact disc is comprised of a generally flat substrate which includes circuitry for establishing a resonant circuit. The substrate is positioned within the compact disc storage container such that a first portion of the substrate extends beyond the periphery of the compact disc and a second portion of the substrate overlaps at least a portion of the compact disc. A part of the circuitry is located on each of the first and second portions of the substrate so that the frequency of the resonant circuit is established at least in part by interaction between the circuitry and the compact disc. The security tag is used in an electronic security system for a surveilled area, including a transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the surveilled area at a predetermined detection frequency and a receiver for detecting the presence of a security tag resonating at a detection frequency within the surveilled area.