# US 12,183,175 B2 · Security tag with tack position feedback > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,183,175 B2 - Document ID: US12183175B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/752,322 - Filed: 2020-01-24 - Published: 2021-03-25 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-19 - Assignees: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation - Applicants: Adam S. Bergman - Inventors: Adam S. Bergman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12183175B2 ## CPC - E05B 73/0017: {Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops} - G08B 13/2431: {Tag circuit details} - E05B 73/0052: {of the magnetic type} - G08B 13/2434: {Tag housing and attachment details} - G08B 13/2482: {EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure} - G08B 13/2417: {having a radio frequency identification chip} - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract Systems and methods for verifying a detachment of a security tag from an article. The methods comprise: using a voltage induced in an internal circuit of the security tag by a magnetic field generated by a detaching unit to power a controller of the security tag; receiving, by the security tag, a first signal sent from the detaching unit; selectively supplying power to an electro-mechanical lock mechanism of the security tag for a certain amount of time to cause a pin to be released from a lock, in response to the first signal; and communicating, from the security tag, a second signal indicating whether or not the pin was released. The voltage is no longer induced in the internal circuit by the detaching unit when the second signal indicates that the pin was released. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for verifying a detachment of a security tag from an article, comprising: using a voltage induced in an internal circuit of the security tag by a magnetic field generated by a detaching unit to power a controller of the security tag; receiving, by the security tag, a first signal sent from the detaching unit; selectively supplying power to an electro-mechanical lock mechanism of the security tag for a certain amount of time to cause a pin to be released from a lock, in response to the first signal; detecting, by the electro-mechanical lock mechanism, whether or not the pin was released; and communicating, from the security tag to the detaching unit, a second signal in response to the detection, the second signal indicating whether or not the pin was released; wherein the voltage is no longer induced in the internal circuit by the detaching unit when the second signal indicates that the pin was released; wherein the detaching unit is distinct from the security tag; and wherein the detection triggers the communication of the second signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving a third signal from the detaching unit when the second signal indicates that the pin was not released; selectively supplying the power once again to the electro-mechanical lock mechanism for the certain amount of time, in response to the third signal; and communicating, from the security tag, a fourth signal indicating whether or not the pin was released. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein a counter is incremented when the second signal indicates that the pin was not released, prior to when the third signal is sent from the detaching unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the voltage is no longer induced in the internal circuit by the detaching unit when the fourth signal indicates that the pin was released. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the article is accepted for purchase when the second signal indicates that the pin was released. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein a determination is made as to whether a value of a counter is less than or equal to a given number, when the second signal indicates that the pin was not released. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, further comprising repeating the using, receiving, selectively supplying and communicating when the second signal indicates that the pin was not released and the value of the counter is less than or equal to the given number. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the voltage is no longer induced in the internal circuit by the detaching unit when the second signal indicates that the pin was not released and when the value of the counter exceeds the given number. ### Claim 9 A security tag, comprising: an internal circuit in which a voltage is induced in an internal circuit of the security tag by a magnetic field generated by a detaching unit; a controller that is powered using the voltage induced in the internal circuit; a communication enabled device that receives a first signal sent from the detaching unit; an electro-mechanical lock mechanism that is selectively supplied power for a certain amount of time to cause a pin to be released from a lock, in response to the first signal, and detects whether or not the pin was released; wherein the communication enabled device communicates a second signal to the detaching unit in response to the detection, the second signal indicating whether or not the pin was released; wherein the voltage is no longer induced in the internal circuit by the detaching unit when the second signal indicates that the pin was released; wherein the detaching unit is distinct from the security tag; and wherein the detection triggers the communication of the second signal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The security tag according to claim 9, wherein: the communication enabled device receives a third signal from the detaching unit when the second signal indicates that the pin was not released; the electro-mechanical lock mechanism is selectively supplied power once again for the certain amount of time, in response to the third signal; and the communication enabled device communicates a fourth signal indicating whether or not the pin was released. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The security tag according to claim 10, wherein a counter is incremented when the second signal indicates that the pin was not released, prior to when the third signal is sent from the detaching unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The security tag according to claim 10, wherein the voltage is no longer induced in the internal circuit by the detaching unit when the fourth signal indicates that the pin was released. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The security tag according to claim 9, wherein an article is accepted for purchase when the second signal indicates that the pin was released. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The security tag according to claim 9, wherein a determination is made as to whether a value of a counter is less than or equal to a given number, when the second signal indicates that the pin was not released. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The security tag according to claim 14, wherein operations are once again performed by the security tag for releasing the pin, when the second signal indicates that the pin was not released and the value of the counter is less than or equal to the given number. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The security tag according to claim 14, wherein the voltage is no longer induced in the internal circuit by the detaching unit when the second signal indicates that the pin was not released and when then value of the counter exceeds the given number.