Patents by Inventor Michael R Lax

Michael R Lax has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10152862
    Abstract: A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to an object, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the object; an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the object in an unauthorized removal condition, and a remote collector system adapted to communicate with the security tag to set the security tag in the unauthorized removal condition and an authorized removal condition, wherein upon receipt of the tamper signal, the remote collector system generates a security message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: CenTrak, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova, Frederik van Koot
  • Publication number: 20170372577
    Abstract: A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to an object, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the object; an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the object in an unauthorized removal condition, and a remote collector system adapted to communicate with the security tag to set the security tag in the unauthorized removal condition and an authorized removal condition, wherein upon receipt of the tamper signal, the remote collector system generates a security message
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova, Frederik van Koot
  • Patent number: 9767662
    Abstract: A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to an object, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the object; an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the object in an unauthorized removal condition, and a remote collector system adapted to communicate with the security tag to set the security tag in the unauthorized removal condition and an authorized removal condition, wherein upon receipt of the tamper signal, the remote collector system generates a security message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Theft Prevention Innovations LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova, Frederik van Koot
  • Publication number: 20160005282
    Abstract: A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to an object, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the object; an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the object in an unauthorized removal condition, and a remote collector system adapted to communicate with the security tag to set the security tag in the unauthorized removal condition and an authorized removal condition, wherein upon receipt of the tamper signal, the remote collector system generates a security message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova, Frederik van Koot
  • Patent number: 9165446
    Abstract: A security tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a membrane operable for attachment to merchandise, wherein the housing is connected the membrane, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the housing from the membrane and an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the housing from the membrane in an unauthorized condition. A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the merchandise and an alarm operable to emit a tamper alarm signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the merchandise in an unauthorized condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Empire IP LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova, Frederik van Koot
  • Publication number: 20140292516
    Abstract: A security tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a membrane operable for attachment to merchandise, wherein the housing is connected the membrane, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the housing from the membrane and an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the housing from the membrane in an unauthorized condition. A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the merchandise and an alarm operable to emit a tamper alarm signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the merchandise in an unauthorized condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova, Frederik van Koot
  • Patent number: 8514078
    Abstract: A security tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a membrane operable for attachment to merchandise, wherein the housing is connected the membrane, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the housing from the membrane and an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the housing from the membrane in an unauthorized condition. A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the merchandise and an alarm operable to emit a tamper alarm signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the merchandise in an unauthorized condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah Libohova, Frederic van Koot
  • Patent number: 8054194
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for processing assets in a lockable container are disclosed. A decoupler receives information from the container or the asset in the container. The container may be associated with a security status, and the item may be associated with a processing status. The decoupler may move the container along a processing path in a sequence based on the security status of the container and/or the processing status of the asset. The decoupler may also lock or unlock the container while moving the container along the processing path. At least a portion of the processing path may be exposed to a magnetic field, which may lock or unlock the container and/o activate or deactivate a security tag associated with the container or the item. The decoupler may also write or read information to or from an RFID tag associated with the container and/or the asset. This information may be used in conjunction with benefit denial, audit, loss prevention, transaction management, and other similar systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Timothy Keuning, Frederik van Koot
  • Publication number: 20100134295
    Abstract: A security tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a membrane operable for attachment to merchandise, wherein the housing is connected the membrane, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the housing from the membrane and an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the housing from the membrane in an unauthorized condition. A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the merchandise and an alarm operable to emit a tamper alarm signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the merchandise in an unauthorized condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova, Frederic van Koot
  • Patent number: 7677066
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for locking and unlocking a lockable container that has an internal locking mechanism are disclosed. The apparatus may include a main body including a channel for receiving the container. A magnetic field source coupled to the main body may emit a magnetic field for actuating a container lock catch mechanism disposed at least partially inside the container. The apparatus may include a channel blocker that may be positioned by actuating a channel lock to selectively prevent the magnetic field source from actuating the catch mechanism of a container lock. The channel lock may be coupled to a cam configured to position at least a portion of the channel blocker in the channel. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a ramp retractor coupled to the channel blocker wherein the ramp retractor urges the channel blocker down through the channel by action of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Viva Onetime Limited
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova
  • Publication number: 20100050710
    Abstract: A lockable container for securing assets that has an integral and internal locking mechanism and methods of use are provided. An illustrative lockable container may include first and second covers configured to move between an open position, which allows access to the asset, and a closed position, which encloses the asset. The locking mechanism of the lockable container may include a locking mate arrangement operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second covers, and a locking member that is configured to move between an unlocked position and a locked position. The entirety of the locking member may be internal to the container when the locking member is in the unlocked position. A magnetic key arrangement may interact with the locking member to move the locking member between the unlocked and locked positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: VIVA ONETIME LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova, Timothy J. Keuning, Kwong Kwok Keung
  • Patent number: 7671741
    Abstract: A security tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a membrane operable for attachment to merchandise, wherein the housing is connected the membrane, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the housing from the membrane and an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the housing from the membrane in an unauthorized condition. A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the merchandise and an alarm operable to emit a tamper alarm signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the merchandise in an unauthorized condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova, Frederik van Koot
  • Patent number: 7624861
    Abstract: Benefit denial systems may include a benefit denial device that secures an asset within a container. The benefit denial device may include a base member and at least one locking member. In some embodiments, portions of the asset and the container may be secured between the base and locking members. By securing the asset between the base member and the locking member, the asset may be damaged or rendered unusable if a thief attempts to remove the asset from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Autotronic Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R Lax, Agjah I Libohova
  • Patent number: 7610782
    Abstract: A lockable container for securing assets that has an integral and internal locking mechanism and methods of use are provided. An illustrative lockable container may include first and second covers configured to move between an open position, which allows access to the asset, and a closed position, which encloses the asset. The locking mechanism of the lockable container may include a locking mate arrangement operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second covers, and a locking member that is configured to move between an unlocked position and a locked position. The entirety of the locking member may be internal to the container when the locking member is in the unlocked position. A magnetic key arrangement may interact with the locking member to move the locking member between the unlocked and locked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Viva Onetime Limited
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova, Timothy J. Keuning, Kwong Kwok Keung
  • Patent number: 7415851
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for locking and unlocking a lockable container that has an internal locking mechanism are disclosed. The apparatus may include a main body including a channel for receiving the container. A magnetic field source coupled to the main body may emit a magnetic field for actuating a container lock catch mechanism disposed at least partially inside the container. The apparatus may include a channel blocker that may be positioned by actuating a channel lock to selectively prevent the magnetic field source from actuating the catch mechanism of a container lock. The channel lock may be coupled to a cam configured to position at least a portion of the channel blocker in the channel. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a ramp retractor coupled to the channel blocker wherein the ramp retractor urges the channel blocker down through the channel by action of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Viva Onetime Limited
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova
  • Publication number: 20070245779
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for locking and unlocking a lockable container that has an internal locking mechanism are disclosed. The apparatus may include a main body including a channel for receiving the container. A magnetic field source coupled to the main body may emit a magnetic field for actuating a container lock catch mechanism disposed at least partially inside the container. The apparatus may include a channel blocker that may be positioned by actuating a channel lock to selectively prevent the magnetic field source from actuating the catch mechanism of a container lock. The channel lock may be coupled to a cam configured to position at least a portion of the channel blocker in the channel. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a ramp retractor coupled to the channel blocker wherein the ramp retractor urges the channel blocker down through the channel by action of the magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova
  • Patent number: 7140489
    Abstract: Benefit denial systems for securing an asset within a container and methods of use are provided. Such benefit denial systems of the present invention may include a benefit denial device that secures the asset within the container. The benefit denial device may include a base member and at least one locking member, and the asset may be secured therebetween. By securing the asset between the base member and a locking member, the asset will be rendered unusable if a thief attempts to remove the asset from the container. For example, if the asset is a storage medium such as a DVD, then the DVD will break if the thief attempts to remove the DVD from the confines of the benefit denial device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R Lax, Agjah I Libohova, Timothy J Keuning, Frederik A van Koot
  • Publication number: 20060116899
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for processing assets in a lockable container are disclosed. A decoupler receives information from the container or the asset in the container. The container may be associated with a security status, and the item may be associated with a processing status. The decoupler may move the container along a processing path in a sequence based on the security status of the container and/or the processing status of the asset. The decoupler may also lock or unlock the container while moving the container along the processing path. At least a portion of the processing path may be exposed to a magnetic field, which may lock or unlock the container and/o activate or deactivate a security tag associated with the container or the item. The decoupler may also write or read information to or from an RFID tag associated with the container and/or the asset. This information may be used in conjunction with benefit denial, audit, loss prevention, transaction management, and other similar systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Timothy Keuning, Frederik van Koot
  • Publication number: 20040188286
    Abstract: Benefit denial systems for securing an asset within a container and methods of use are provided. Such benefit denial systems of the present invention may include a benefit denial device that secures the asset within the container. The benefit denial device may include a base member and at least one locking member, and the asset may be secured therebetween. By securing the asset between the base member and a locking member, the asset will be rendered unusable if a thief attempts to remove the asset from the container. For example, if the asset is a storage medium such as a DVD, then the DVD will break if the thief attempts to remove the DVD from the confines of the benefit denial device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova, Timothy J. Keuning, Frederik A. van Koot
  • Publication number: 20040129587
    Abstract: A lockable container for securing assets that has an integral and internal locking mechanism and methods of use are provided. An illustrative lockable container may include first and second covers configured to move between an open position, which allows access to the asset, and a closed position, which encloses the asset. The locking mechanism of the lockable container may include a locking mate arrangement operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second covers, and a locking member that is configured to move between an unlocked position and a locked position. The entirety of the locking member may be internal to the container when the locking member is in the unlocked position. A magnetic key arrangement may interact with the locking member to move the locking member between the unlocked and locked positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Michael R. Lax, Agjah I. Libohova, Timothy J. Keuning, Kwong Kwok Keung