CH716528A2 - Anti-theft transponder. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a transponder (1) for securing a product displayed in a store. The transponder comprises two blocks (2, 3) each comprising a contact surface (4, 5), the contact surfaces being positioned face to face, the blocks being connected to each other by an adjustable connection (10) which makes it possible to manually adjust bringing the blocks together or away from each other, thus allowing the transponder to be attached to a suitable element (15) of said product, by grasping the element between the contact surfaces of the blocks, one blocks comprising wireless detection and transmission equipment, which allows remote management of the presence of the transponder on the appropriate element.

Description

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to applicable security systems in luxury goods shops, such as glasses or watches.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] To protect the products displayed in a shop, systems are known which use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips attached to the products. These systems require the use of a cumbersome mechanical fixing of the chip, to be removed at the checkout upon purchase using a special device or a pair of scissors, as well as the installation of a cumbersome infrastructure, in particular gantries installed at the exit of the store.

We also connaft wired-type anti-theft systems, which prevent a product installed on a display from being away from said display, using a wire between the product and the display. These systems are also capable of managing the presence of products on the displays. But these systems are cumbersome and often prevent the customer from trying the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a transponder which can be connected to a product and which makes it possible to secure the product without the disadvantages described above.

This object is achieved by the transponder according to the attached claims. The transponder according to the invention comprises two blocks each comprising a contact surface, the contact surfaces being positioned face to face, the blocks being connected to each other by an adjustable connection which makes it possible to manually regulate the approach or the distance of the blocks Tun relative to the other, thereby enabling the transponder to be attached to a suitable element, for example an elongated one, of said product, by gripping the element between the contact surfaces of the blocks, one of the blocks comprising a detection and transmission apparatus wireless, which allows remote management of the presence of the transponder on the elongated element.

[0006] The transponder according to the invention is easy to remove at the checkout. Surveillance by wireless and local communication, such as by BLE communication, makes it possible to monitor the presence of products in the store without requiring gates at the exit. Customers are able to manipulate the products in store, without obstruction by wired security.

[0007] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description of preferred embodiments, presented by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0008]

Figure 1 shows a transponder according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows the transponder of Figure 1 attached to an arm of a pair of spectacles.

Figure 3 represents a view of the electronic components in the transponder of figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a transponder 1, hereinafter called 'tag', according to the invention. Tag 1 comprises two blocks 2 and 3 of essentially rectangular shape. Two flat side surfaces 4 and 5 of the respective blocks are mounted face to face and substantially parallel to each other. Blocks 2 and 3 are provided with respective protuberances 6 and 7 in the middle of their upper faces, said protuberances being interconnected by an adjustable connection. In the illustrated embodiment, it is a screw connection 10. Rotation of a washer 11 rotates a threaded sleeve 12, so as to actuate the axial movement of the sleeve 12 relative to a threaded hole. provided in the first block 2, when the washer 11 is rotated. A rod 13 connects the sleeve 12 to the second block 3. However, the rotation by hand of the washer 11 actuates the bringing together or the separation of the blocks 2 and 3. This makes it possible to fix the tag 1 on a suitable element, for example elongated , such as a rounded or flat rod, by grasping the elongated element between the contact surfaces 4 and 5 of the blocks 2 and 3 and tightening the washer 11.

[0010] The attachment of the tag 1 to a branch 15 of a pair of glasses is illustrated in FIG. 2. Preferably, the contact surfaces 4 and 5 of the blocks 2 and 3, i.e. the surfaces which come into contact with the branch 15, are provided with a layer of a flexible resilient material which makes it possible to fix the tag 1 by tightening the washer 11 until the resilient material is compressed, without degrading the aesthetics of the product to be protected. In the case of branches or stems with a round section and narrower than the blocks, the resilient layers will cling around the branches when the washer 11 is tightened, so as to achieve a high resistance fixing.

Claims (8)

[0011] The first block 2 further comprises detection and transmission equipment, which makes it possible to manage the presence of the tag 1 on the secure product. Generally, the detection and transmission apparatus comprises a power source, for example a battery, a detection circuit and a circuit for transmitting a signal via a wireless connection. Preferably, the battery is a wireless rechargeable battery. The detection circuit includes at least one electrical switch operable in Tun or the other of two states, called 'connected' or 'disconnected'. The switch is configured as it is in one of two states when the tag is attached to the product. Additionally, the switch automatically changes to the other state when the tag is removed from the product. The transmission circuit may be a wireless communication electronic chip, such as a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) chip. The Transmit Circuit is connected to the Detect Circuit and configured to emit a Signal which is related to the state of the switch. In the form of execution illustrated in the figures, the block 2, which comprises the detection and transmission apparatus, is provided for example with two push buttons 16, positioned at the longitudinal ends of the contact surface 4 of the block 2. The buttons 16 are visible in the front view of the block 2, in figure 3. When the tag 1 is not attached to a product, the buttons 16 come out of the plane of the contact surface. When the tag is installed on a stem or branch of a product, and when the screw connection 10 is tightened, the contact surface 5 of the other block 3 comes into contact with the buttons 16 towards the end of the approximation of the surfaces. of contact. This will depress the two buttons 16 by the fixing force of the tag when the screw connection 10 is tightened. Buttons 16 are connected to two respective switches (not shown) so that pressing or releasing buttons 16 activates either of the 'connected' or 'disconnected' states of the switches. The buttons 16 are provided with a spring or equivalent mechanism, which releases the buttons automatically when the securing force is removed, i.e. when the tag is removed from the product. The detection circuit can then take several forms depending on the embodiment of the switches and their connection. For example, the two switches can be coupled in series, forming part of a single circuit powered by the battery of the detection and transmission apparatus, so that the disconnection of at least one switch, i.e. releasing at least one push button cuts power or generates an interrupt. This interruption will be detected by the detection circuit and translated into a specific signal by the transmission circuit. Other more complex configurations can be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claims. [0013] Securing the product by a tag according to the invention is based on wireless communication between the transmission circuit inside the tag and a receiver device at a distance from the tag but inside the store in which the product is exhibited. For example, a BLE chip is capable of sending a Signal which is receivable by one or more receiving devices such as mobile phones or tablets located within a configurable and defined perimeter around the tag. BLE technology allows the sending from the chip of a sequence of data called an advertising or advertising frame ("advertising" in English terminology) in a continuous manner. Consecutive frames can be coded using an identifier which identifies the product secured by a code, and which corresponds to the state of the buttons, and therefore of the switches.The continuous sending of these advertising frames allows those responsible to continuously manage the presence of the tags on a certain number of products When a tag is removed by an unauthorized person, this change will be immediately represented in the advertising frames and reported on mobile phones or tablets in the form of an auditory alert signal, for example. a digital application which manages the communication with the tags, and which will indicate to the user an identifier of the product from which the tag has been removed, so that the user can go and check the product. [0014] The transponder according to the invention is easy to remove at the checkout. It suffices to release the screw connection, and to provide that the responsible person who removes the tag can record by his mobile phone or tablet that it is an authorized removal. Surveillance by wireless and local communication, such as by BLE communication, makes it possible to monitor the presence of products in the store without requiring gates at the exit. Customers are able to handle and fetch products in store, without obstruction by wired security. Claims 1. Transponder (1) for securing a product displayed in a store, the transponder comprising two blocks (2, 3) each comprising a contact surface (4, 5), the contact surfaces being positioned face to face, the blocks being connected between them by an adjustable connection (10) which makes it possible to manually regulate the approach or the distance of the blocks (2, 3) T one with respect to the other, thus allowing the transponder to be attached to a suitable element (15) of the said product , by gripping the element between the contact surfaces (4, 5) of the blocks (2, 3), one of the blocks comprising a wireless detection and transmission device, which allows the remote management of the presence of the transponder on the appropriate element (15). 2. A transponder (1) according to claim 1, wherein the contact surfaces (4, 5) are substantially rectangular in shape and configured to be positioned so that the longitudinal direction of the surfaces is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the transponder. adequate element (15). 3. Transponder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the blocks (2, 3) are provided with protrusions (6, 7) on their upper surfaces, and in which the adjustable connection (10) connects said protrusions (6, 7). 4. Transponder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the adjustable connection (10) is a screw connection. 5. Transponder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surfaces (4, 5) are provided with a layer of resilient and compressible material. 6. Transponder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the detection and transmission apparatus comprises a power source, for example a battery, an electrical detection circuit and an electrical transmission circuit, the Detection circuit comprising at least one switch operable in one or the other of two states, the state of the switch being determined as a function of the attachment of the transponder (1) to the appropriate element (15), the switch being integrated in the detection circuit so that the state of the switch is detectable by the detection circuit, the transmission circuit being connected to the detection circuit so that the transmission circuit can emit a signal related to the state of the switches. 7. Transponder (1) according to claim 6, wherein the contact surface (4) of the block (2) which comprises the detection apparatus comprises at least one push button (16) configured to be: - pushed in by pressure exerted by the contact surface (5) of the other block when the transponder is attached to the appropriate element (15), - released automatically when the transponder (1) is removed from the appropriate element (15), and in which the button (16) is connected to a switch, so that the state of the switch changes according to the state pressed or release the button (16). 8. Transponder (1) according to claim 6 or 7, in which the transmission circuit is an electronic chip configured to transmit a signal which is only receivable within a configurable and defined local perimeter around the chip.