Security tags with a reversible visible indicator
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorAlan H. Karp
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reusable security tag is provided which is reversibly operable in a first magnetic condition to trigger a detector when the tag is within communication range of the detector, and a second magnetic condition in which the detector is not triggered when the tag is within communication range of the detector. The tag includes a visual indicator which has a first visual characteristic when the tag is in the first magnetic condition, and a second visual characteristic when the tag is in the second magnetic condition.
Claims29
A reusable security tag reversibly operable in a first magnetic condition, to trigger a detector when the tag is within communication range of the detector, and a second magnetic condition, in which the detector is not triggered when the tag is within communication range of the detector, the tag including a visual indicator which has a first visual characteristic when the tag is in the first magnetic condition, and a second visual characteristic when the tag is in the second magnetic condition.
A surveillance system comprising:
- a tag selectively switchable between an active state and an inactive state, the tag including a visual indicator configured to provide a visual indication of whether the tag is in the active state or the inactive state;
- a first antenna;
- a second antenna;
- a transmitter coupled to the first antenna and configured to transmit energy having a predetermined characteristic in an area between the first and second antennas, the tag providing a predetermined detectable output in response to the energy from the transmitter if the tag is in the active state;
- and
- a receiver coupled to the second antenna and configured to provide an alarm signal in response to detecting the detectable output of the tag in the area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.