Method and apparatus for upgrading ink stain antitheft tags with RFID communications function
AssigneeAll-Tag Corporation
InventorStuart Seidel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides an RFID circuit for use with new or pre-existing antitheft tags. An RFID pin replaces the current pin on antitheft tags that retailers already own. The RFID circuit is incorporated into or secured to, the pin structure. By replacing the current pin used on antitheft tags with a low cost RFID pin, existing antitheft tags can be inexpensively upgraded to antitheft tags that are also capable of use as inventory management and/or enhanced theft control devices.
Claims17
A device for deterring theft of an article, comprising:
- a plurality of ampules;
- a permanent staining substance to be contained in said ampules, said permanent staining substance is of the type that changes the composition of the article;
- a housing which encloses said ampules, said housing comprising a base component supporting said ampules and a cover component to cover said base component;
- a means to allow said permanent staining substance to escape if said ampules are fractured;
- an elongated pin type connecting unit extending from the housing;
- and
- an RFID circuit within said housing, said RFID circuit comprising
- an integrated chip and an antenna;
- wherein said device is adapted to be attached to a locking unit to secure said device to said article.
A method of upgrading an ink-stain antitheft tag comprising a conventional ink-stain pin and a locking unit to thereby provide additional technological functions to the ink-stain antitheft tag comprising the steps of
- (a) separating the conventional ink-stain pin from the locking unit of the ink-stain antitheft tag,
- (b) replacing the conventional ink-stain pin with a new ink-stain pin comprising
- a plurality of ampules;
- a permanent staining substance to be contained in said ampules, said permanent staining substance is of the type that changes the composition of the article;
- a housing which encloses said ampules, said housing comprising a base component supporting said ampules and a cover component to cover said base component;
- a means to allow said permanent staining substance to escape if said ampules are fractured;
- an elongated pin type connecting unit extending from the housing;
- and
- an RFID circuit within said housing, said RFID circuit comprising
- an integrated chip and an antenna;
- wherein said new ink-stain pin is adapted to be attached to said locking unit, and
- (c) wherein the upgraded ink-stain anti-theft tag is adapted to be attached to an article and provide additional technological functions to the anti-theft tag.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.