IE56656B1 - Resonant tag and deactivator for use in an electronic security system - Google Patents

Description

Price top This invention relates to electronic security systems for the detection of a resonant tag circuit in a controlled area, and more particularly to a tag circuit and apparatus for the electronic deactivation of the tag circuit.

Electronic security systems axe known for detecting the - / unauthorized renoval of articles fron an area under detection. Such , & * systems have been employed especially for use in retail stores to prevent the theft of articles from the store, and in libraries to prevent the theft of booies. Such electronic security systems generally include an electromagnetic field which is provided in a controlled area through which articles imist pass in leaving the protected premises. A resonant tag circuit is attached to the items, and the presence of the tag circuit in the controlled area is sensed by a receiving system to denote the unauthorized removal of the article. The tag circuit is removed by authorized personnel from an article properly leaving the pronises to permit passage of the article through the controlled area without alarm activation.

Systems are also known for the electronic deactivation of a resonant circuit such that the deactivation circuit can remain on the article properly leaving the premises. One such system is shewn in U. S. Patent ϋο. 3,624,631, in which a fusible link is in series with an inductor and burned out by means of a high powered radio frequency transmitter. The resonant circuit is interrogated by a swept radio frequency, ths presence of this circuit in the controlled area causing energy absorption at the resonant frequency which is detected by a receiver for subsequent alarm actuation. Upon application of a swept frequency of higher energy than that employed for detection, the fusible link of the resonant circuit can be destroyed to deactivate * ί the tuned circuit such that no detection is possible. Deactivation must be accomplished by a swept frequency transmitter operating at sufficiently low radiation levels to meet the requirements of the Federal Ccminicatians Oonanission, and thus, the fusible link must be extremely snail and made of a material to allow fusing af low power -2>'· levels. The small fusible link has a high resistance which appears in series with the inductor of the resonant circuit. The series resistance reduces the Q of the resonant circuit and thus reduces the sensitivity of the circuit to be detected. The current level at which the fusible link melts is determined by the geometry of the link as well as the heat conduction properties of the materials surrounding the fusible link. Thus, the fusing current is greatly affected by the material which cover and support the fusible link.

Another electronic security systen is shewn in U. S. Patent Ko. 3,810,147, of the same inventor as the present invention, in which a resonant circuit is employed having two distinct frequsneies, one for detection and one for deactivation. A snail fusible link is esrplcyed in the deactivation circuit which also includes a second capacitor to provide the distinct deactivation resonant frequency.

The resonant circuit can have a resonant frequency uhich will vary within a range due to manufacturing tolerances θ The deactivation frequency is at a fixed frequency, and thus the resonant circuit may not be tuned exactly to the fixed deactivation frequency. The series impedance of the inductor and capacitor at the intended deactivation frequency must be as snail as possible in order to permit the maximum current to flew through the fusible link to cause burnout of the link. Therefore, the capacitor should have a value as large as possible, and the inductor, a value as snail as possible. Ih actual construction, the inductor is formed as a single turn, and the capacitor is formed of plates as large as possible consistent with the economic and physical limitations of the particular tag circuit. The size of the capacitor increases tha cost and size of tha overall resonant circuit. -3J The present invention provides a resonant tag circuit having at least one resonant frequency and operative in an electronic security system in which the tag circuit is sensed and electronically deactivated to destroy or alter the resonant characteristics of the tag circuit at the detection frequency. The resonant tag circuit is electronically deactivated by a breakdown mechanism operative with the resonant structure of the tag without need for a fusible link and without affect or reduction in the Q of the resonant circuit.

The present invention provides an electronically detectable and deactivatable tag comprising a planar substrate of dielectric material * and a tuned circuit on the substrate in planar circuit configuration and resonant at a tag circuit-detection frequency within a predetermined range, conductive areas on the substrate, including conductive areas, which are generally in alignment on opposite surfaces of the substrate to define a capacitor of the tuned circuit, and a deactivation zone between certain of the conductive areas which is adapted to break down when the tuned circuit is subjected to an electron-magnetic field at a deactivation frequency of sufficient energy, resulting in destruction of the resonant properties of the tuned circuit at the detection frequency, wherein the deactivation zone comprises a region of dielectric material between and mutually insulating the certain conductive areas, which provides a path along which an arc discharge will preferentially occur through the dielectric material and between the latter conductive areas in response to the electromagnetic field at the deactivation frequency, resulting in the destruction or alteration of the resonant properties of the tuned circuit at the detection frequency.

The present invention also provides an electronic security system including a tag as defined above, and electronic apparatus operable to detect the tuned circuit of the tag, and electronically deactivate the resonant characteristics of the tag circuit, the apparatus comprising: Q - 4 a transmitter operable to provide an electromagnetic field at a detection frequency which is swept within the predetermined range; a detector operable fo detect a resonant frequency of the fag 5 circuit within said range; and a deactivator operable to deactivate the tag circuit, and operative upon detection of the presence of a resonant tag circuit to provide an electromagnetic field at a resonant frequency of the tag circuit of sufficient energy to cause the arc discharge between the certain conductive areas and thereby destroy or modify the resonant properties of the tag circuit.

In one embodiment, the resonant tag circuit is of planar form having a flat spiral formed on a surface of a thin plastic substrate film and at least on capacitor formed by capacitor plates on respective opposite surfaces of the substrate. Energy is coupled to the tag circuit at or near the resonant frequency to cause electrical breakdown through the substrate film between the capacitor plates. The resonant structure includes means to ensure that breakdown will almost always occur in a predetermined region between the capacitor plates. In response to applied energy of sufficient magnitude, an electric arc is formed through the substrate film to cause vaporization of a surrounding or adjacent conductive area to thereby destroy the resonant properties of the circuit. Alternatively, the electrical breakdown through the substrate film can cause formation of a plasma and deposition of metal between the capacitor plates along the discharge path, thereby to form a permanent short circuit between the capacitor plates which destroys the resonant properties of the circuit. - 5 The invention will bs store fully understood frcm the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a resonant tag circuit embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a dual frequency resonant tag circuit eribodying the invention; Fig. 3 and 4 are pictorial views of respective sides of the resonant tag circuit of Fig. 1; Figs. 5 and 6 axe pictorial views of respective sides of the resonant tag circuit of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic security system eaploying the invention; Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of a single frequency resonant tag circuit; Figo 9 is a schematic diagram of an alternative enbodiment of a dual frequency resonant tag circuit; Figs. 10, 11, and 12 are diagrammatic representations of the electrical breakdown mechanism employed in the invention; - 6 Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of electronic apparatus for determining the resonant frequency of a tag circuit to be deactivated; Figs. 14 and 15 are waveforms useful in illustrating ths operation of the apparatus of Fig, 13; and Fig. 16 is a block diagram of an electronic deactivator providing deactivation energy for a controlled interval.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shewn in schematic form a resonant tag circuit which includes a capacitor Cl formed of capacitor plates 10 and 12 on respective opposite surfaces of a substrate 14 which is of a dielectric or electrically insulative material, and an inductor Ll in series with the capacitor to provide a single resonant frequency o The inductor is connected at one end to capacitor plate 10, and has the other end connected to an electrical path 16 through the substrate 14 which is connected to the capacitor plate 12 via a conductive path 18. The inductor and capacitor plate 10 are integrally formed on one surface of the substrate, typically, the inductor is formed as a flat, rectangular spiral on ths substrate surface. Similarly, the capacitor plate 12 and associated connecting path are integrally formed on the opposite substrate surface. The planar tag construction will be described below.

A portion 20 of the conductive path 18 which confronts the capacitor plate 10 is indented or otherwise formed to be spaced from the capacitor plate 10 by a distance which is less than the distance between the plates 10 and 12» When sufficient electrical energy is coupled to the tag circuit at or near the resonant frequency of the circuit, the voltage across the capacitor plates 10 and 12 increases until electrical breakdown occurs at the burnout point provided by the idented portion 20 of the conductive path. Since this portion provides the shortest distance between the capacitor plates, electrical breakdown always occurs at this point. The electric arc formed at breakdown is sustained by the energy which is being j continuously coupled to the resonant circuit by an external power source, lhe electric arc vaporizes metal in the vicinity of the breakdown region 20 which destroys the conductive path 18, thereby permanently destroying the resonant characteristics of the tag circuit.

An alternative embodiment of the resonant tag circuit is illustrated schematically in Fig. 2 in which the tag circuit exhibits two resonant frequencies. In addition to the capacitor Cl formed by plates 10 and 12 and inductor Ll, the circuit of Fig. 2 includes a second capacitor C2 fanned by plates 22 and 24 and an inductor L2.

The junction of the inductors Ll and L2 is connected to the capacitor plate 22« The other end of inductor L2 is connected to a through connection 26 in the substrate and which is connected through a conductive path 28 to the capacitor plate 24. A conductive path 30 interconnects the capacitor plates 24 and 12, and this conductive path includes an indented burnout portion 32 provided in confronting relation to the capacitor plate 22.

One resonant frequency is employed for detection of the tag by an associated electronic security system, and the other resonant frequency is enployed for deactivation of tha tag. Usually the deactivation frequency is selected to be one of the frequencies allocated by the Federal Ccommications Ccmnissian (FGC) to be in the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band so that the radiated energy for tag deactivation can be at relatively high power without special federal license „ The detection frequency is usually chosen to ba in ona of the frequency bands allocated for field disturbance sensors. A detection frequency of 8.2 MHz is typical.

The capacitor C2 and inductor L2 are tha primary components which form a resonant tuned circuit at the deactivation frequency, while the inductor Ll in conjunction with the capacitor Cl are the primary components which form a resonant tuned circuit at the detection frequency. Due to mutual coupling, all the components interact to provide the exact detection and deactivation frequencies. When sufficient energy is coupled to the circuit at the deactivation frequency, the voltage increases across the capacitor plates 22 and 24 until the substrate film breaks down at the burnout point 32. Again, breakdown always occurs at the burnout point, since this point or region 32 provides the shortest distance between the capacitor plates 22 and 24. The electric arc provided upon breakdown is sustained by the energy being coupled to the resonant circuit from the external power source and this arc causes vaporization of metal in the vicinity of the breakdown region, including the adjacent portion of conductive path 30. Wien the external energy is discontinued, the electric arc is extinguished. The resonant properties of the tag at the detection frequency are permanently destroyed since there is no longer an electrical connection between capacitor plate 24 and capacitor plate 12.

The resonant circuits of Figs. 1 and 2 do not require the use of a small narrow fuse and there is thus no additional resistance placed in series with the inductor and capacitor elements of the circuit. There is, therefore, no degradation of the Q of the resonant circuit. BGoreover, since the electric arc occurs between the capacitor plates and not on the surface, the materials, which cover or are in contact with the surface of the capacitor plates do not significantly affect the ability of the electric arc to vaporize the metal in the vicinity of the arc» In order to maximize the voltage developed across the capacitor plates 22 and 24, the capacitance of capacitor C2 should be as small as possible and the inductance of inductor L2 should be as large as possible to provide resonance at the intended deactivation frequency» The capacitor C2 can be made quite small physically and will not significantly increase the overall sise and cost of the dual frequency tag circuit of Fig. 2.

The resonant tag circuit of Fig. 1 is illustrated in typical construction in Figs» 3 and 4 which respectively depict the opposite planar surfaces of the tag» Referring to Fig. 3, the inductor Ll is formed as a flat spiral 40 on the surface of the thin plastic film substrate 42. The plastic film serves as the dielectric of the parallel plate capacitor as well as the signposting substrate for the circuit. The spiral path extends between an outer conductive area 44 and an inner conductive area 46» The irwer conductive area 46 serves as capacitor plate 10. On the opposite surface of the tag, as sham in Fig. 4, conductive areas 48 and 50 are in alignment with the respective conductive areas 44 and 46, and are interconnected by a conductive path 52. The conductive area 50 serves as the capacitor plate 12 and thus capacitor Cl is provided by the confronting conductive areas 46 and 50» A conductive interconnection 54 couples conductive areas 44 and 48 together to complete the circuit* The conductive area 50 includes recesses 51 adjacent to the area of joinder between the conductive area 50 and tho conductive path 52» This area includes an indented portion 56 to provide a conductive area of the path 52 which confronts ths conductive area 46 and which is wre closely spaced thereto than the spacing between the conductive areas 46 and 50. This indentation 56 provides the burnout point at which electrical breakdown will occur in response to the application of energy from an external source at the resonant frequency of the tag circuit and of sufficient power to cause breakdown,, The dual frequency tag circuit of Fig. 2 is shewn in typical construction in Figs. 5 and 6 which depict the respective opposite planar surfaces of the tag. The inductor LI is fomsd by a flat spiral 60 on the surface of the plastic film 62, this spiral extending between conductive areas 64 and 66. The conductor L2 is formed by a flat spiral 68 on the film surface and which extends between conductive area 64 and conductive area 70. Cn the opposite surface of the film substrate, shewn in Fig. 6, conductive areas 72, 74, and 76 are provided in alignment with the respective conductive areas 64, 66 and 70 on the other substrate surface. The conductive areas 72 and 74 are interconnected by a conductive path 78, while tha conductive areas 72 and 76 are connected by a conductive path 80. A burnout point is provided in ths conductive path 78 by indentation of a portion 82 of the path confronting the conductive area 64. Ths capacitor Cl of Fig. 2 is provided by ths conductive areas 66 and 74, while the capacitor C2 is provided by the conductive areas 64 and 72. A conductive interconnection 84 between the conductive areas 70 and 76 is provided through the substrate film to complete the circuit. Ths circuit is operative in tha manner described to cause destruction of the resonant properties of ths tag circuit at the detection frequency by burnout or vaporisation of the conductive path near the burnout point 82 in response to an electric arc.

Ths resonant tags described heroin are similar to those of patent 3,810,147 of the inventor hereof. Construction of the tag circuits is preferably according to the planar circuit fabrication process which is the subject of patent 3,913,219 of the inventor hereof.

Apparatus is shewn in Fig. 7 for use in deactivating tha resonant properties of the tag circuits described above. This apparatus includes an antenna 90 operative to sense the presence of a resonant tag circuit 92 and coupled to a tag sensing system 94 midi provides an output signal to a tag presence indicator 96 and a tag deactivation - 10 indicator 98. The tag seising system 94 also provides a control signal to a tag deactivation systen 100 which includes an antenna 102. The tag deactivation system can also be manually activated by manual control 104. Upon sensing the presence of the tag circuit 92, the tag sensing system 94 is operative to trigger the deactivation system 100 to cause radiation by antenna 102 of radiation at the resonant frequency of the tag circuit and of sufficient power level to cause electrical breakdown af the breakdown point of the tag circuit and formation of an electric arc. In the case of a du^L frequency tag vsiich is being defected, the deactivation systen provides energy at the deactivation frequency of that tag. Visual or other indications can be provided by indicators 96 and 98 of the presence and deactivation of the tag.

If a tag circuit is a single resonant circuit as shown in Fig. 1, the tag sensing systen 94 is operative to determine the resonant frequency of ths particular tag 92 which is sensed, and to provide a control signal to the deactivation system 100 representative of the measured resonant tag frequency θ In response to the control signal, the deactivation systen will provide radiation at this resonant frequency, and efficient coupling to the tag circuit for destruction of its resonant properties. The tag sensing systen 94 can include the apparatus shewn in Fig. 13 to determine the approximate resonant frequency of the tag circuit. A voltage controlled oscillator 150 drives the tag sensing antenna 90, the oscillator being controlled by the output of a microcomputer 152 by way of a digital-to-analog converter 154. The raicroocnputer stores digital values which after conversion to analog form by converter 154, drive oscillator 150 to produce a stepwise frequency sweep. The antenna signal is applied to an analog-to-digital converter 156, the digital output of which is applied to ths microcomputer 152 which stores such digital outputs.

The operation of the apparatus of Fig. 13 will be explained in conjunction with ths waveforms of Figs. 14 and 15. The output of tha voltage controlled oscillator 150 is sho^m in Fig. 14 and oonprises frequency steps, each step occurring for a corresponding time interval or step number. Fig. 15 illustrates the current through the antenna 90 in relation to time. With no resonant circuit present, the current through the antenna decreases as the frequency of the oscillator increases, as illustrated by the straight line portion of the waveform - 11 of Fig. 15. With a resonant circuit 92 present near the antenna 90, the inpedanoe of the resonant circuit will be reflected into the antenna and cause an abrupt reduction in antenna current as illustrated in Fig. 15» The current through the antenna is converted to digital values by converter 156, and these digital values are stored in the msrnory of nucrcccmputer 152. The step number which corresponds to the minimum value of the stored current values corresponds to the approximate resonant frequency of the tag circuit. The stored digital value representing the resonant frequency is converted to an analog signal for control of oscillator 150 to provide an output af the resonant frequency for actuation of deactivation systsn 100 (Fig. 7) far destruction of the resonant properties of the tag circuit 92.

Tha deactivation energy is applied for a predetermined period of time determined in accordance with the time intended for tag deactivation. After deactivation, the tag sensing systoi 94 is operative to sense tag presence, and if the tag has been deactivated, the indicator 98 will be energized to denote that deactivation has occurred. If the tag 92 is still operative af its resonant frequency as sensed by system 94, the deactivation system 100 will again be triggered for another deactivation cycle. The deactivation cycle will be repeated a determined number of times until deactivation occurs.

If deactivation has not occurred after a predetermined number of cycles, an annunciator can be enabled to denote to the operator that the particular tag has not been deactivated» The operator can then manually actuate the deactivation system for deactivation of the tag or take other action to deactivate or destroy the tag.

Alternatively, the tag sensing system 94, upon detection of a resonant tag circuit 92, can cause the deactivation system 100 to drive antenna 102 with a relatively high power signal that is slowly swept in frequency through the resonant frequency of the tag 92. The apparatus can be operative to alternately sense tag presence and activate the deactivation field in a cyclic manner until the tag is deactivated. Again, an operator can be notified by appropriate annunication in the event that a particular tag has not been deactivated.

In the event that a dual frequency tag circuit is employed, the tag sensing system 94 is operative to detect the resonant detection - 12 frequency of the tag, while the deactivation systen 100 is operative to provide energy at the resonant deactivation frequency of the tag. Apparatus suitable for deactivation and sensing of the two frequency tag is described in patent 3,938,044 of the same inventor as herein.

Resonant circuits of alternative construction are shown in Figs. and 9 and which will ba recognized as being similar to the respective circuits of Figs. 1 and 2. In the embodiments of Figs. 8 * and 9, an indentation is made at any selected point or multiple points cn one or both of the capacitor plates to reduce the thickness of the dielectric film at this indentation, and thereby reduce the voltage 4 required to cause an arc across the capacitor plates. In the embodiment of Fig» 8, the indentation is shown in the capacitor plate 12a. In the embodiment of Fig. 9, the indentation is shewn in the capacitor plate 24a. Ujoon application of energy at the resonant frequency of the tag of sufficient magnitude, electrical breakdown occurs through the dielectric film at the indentation point, and since energy is being applied to the tag, the arc tends to be sustained and forms a plasma between the capacitor plates. By reason of the Q of the resonant circuit, very little energy is dissipated in the resonant circuit itself, and the energy is dissipated in the arc formed between the plates. The energy of the arc rapidly heats the plasna and causes vaporization of the metal vhich forms the capacitor plates. The vaporized metal causes the arc to become conductive and short circuit the capacitor plates, which temporarily destroys the resonant properties of the circuit and causes current through the arc and voltage across the arc to rapidly collapse. The arc therefore cools and causes deposition of the previously vaporized metal between the capacitor plates.

If a short circuit is formed, the tag is permanently destroyed.

If a short circuit is not formed, the voltage again builds up across the capacitor plates in response to the applied energy, and the process is repeated. Since the plastic film has already been ruptured * and weakened at the breakdown point, the arc will normally form again at the same point, and additional metal will be vaporized and I deposited until a permanent short circuit occurs. The deactivation sequence is illustrated in Figs. 10-12. In Fig. 10 there is shown the commencement of a voltage breakdown through the plastic film 110 and between the plates 112 and 114. Formation of the plasma after arc - 13 discharge is shewn in Fig. 11, and the final deposition of metal along the discharge path to short circuit the capacitor plates is depicted in Fig. 12.

If the deactivation power is too high, it is possible to bum off a portion of the capacitor plate without forming a short circuit across tha plates . This will cause slight change of tha resonant frequency at each arc build-up and collapse until the arc can no longer form, although the tag will still exhibit a resonant frequency. The deactivation power should be accurately controlled, or the deactivation process electronically monitored to turn off the deactivator shortly after the first arc has formed „ The deactivator can be re-energized on a cyclic basis as described until a permanent short circuit has developed across the capacitor plates. Since the deactivator antenna is coupled to the tag circuit, the impedance of the tag circuit is reflected back into the deactivation antenna. Upon formation of an arc, the impedance of the .resonant circuit abruptly changes, and this change is reflected directly back into the deactivation antenna and can be detected by the deactivation system and employed for accurate control of the deactivation system. Thus, upon detection of'an abrupt change in the deactivation antenna current caused by impedance change in the resonant tag circuit in response to an arc breakdown, the deactivation system can be turned off and cyclically reapplied to cause arc formation and deposition of metal along the discharge path between tha capacitor plates to provide in a controlled manner deactivation of the resonant properties of the tag circuit.

The deactivation system 100 can be controlled in the manner illustrated in Fig. 16. The tag sensing system 94 provides a tag signal in response to the swept radio frequency signal passing through the resonant frequency of the tag circuit, and this tag signal is applied to a sharp cutoff high pass filter 160. The filter 160 filters out the modulation components and substantially all components of the tag signal spectrum. When an arc is formed across the capacitor plates, a relatively large and abrupt change in the current through the antenna 90 results, and this signal will pass through the high pass filter 160 to a threshold detector 162, which triggers a timer 164 which determines the time interval during which the tag - 14 deactivation system 100'operates. The operating cycle nay be repeated as necessary to deactivate' the resonant properties of the tag circuit.

The invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described except as indicated in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. An electronically detectable and deactivatable tag comprising a planar substrate of dielectric material and a tuned circuit on the substrate in planar circuit configuration and resonant at a tag circuit-detection frequency within a predetermined range, conductive areas on the substrate, including conductive areas, which are generally in alignment on opposite surfaces of the substrate to define a capacitor of the tuned circuit, and a deactivation zone between certain of the conductive areas which is adapted to break down when the tuned circuit is subjected to an electron-magnetic field at a deactivation > frequency of sufficient energy, resulting in destruction of the resonant properties of the tuned circuit at the detection frequency, wherein the deactivation zone comprises a region of dielectric material between and mutually insulating the certain conductive areas, which provides a path along which an arc discharge will preferentially occur through the dielectric material and between the latter conductive areas in response to the electromagnetic field at the deactivation frequency, resulting in the destruction or alteration of the resonant properties of the tuned circuit at the detection frequency.

2. A tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said deactivation zone is defined by an indented portion on at least one of the certain conductive areas providing a spacing between the certain conductive areas at the indented portion which is less than the spacing between the conductive areas outside of the indented portion.

3. A tag as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the arc discharge is operable to cause burnout of a connection of one of the certain conductive areas to the tuned circuit to destroy or alter the resonant properties of the tuned circuit at said detection frequency.

4. A tag as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the arc discharge is * operable to cause a short circuit along the preferential path between the certain conductive areas to destroy or alter the resonant properties of the tuned circuit at said detection frequency. - 16 5. A tag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the deactivation frequency equals or approximates the defection frequency, or is within said predetermined range, and is af a higher energy level than the detection frequency, and wherein said tuned circuit comprises

5. A single resonant detection/deactivafion circuit, the arc discharge being operable to destroy or alter the resonant properties of the single detection/deactivafion circuit in response to the electromagnetic field af the deactivation frequency. 10

6. A tag as claimed in claim 5, wherein the conductive areas form a first conductive path on a surface of said substrate in a configuration to define an inductor, a pair of conductive platedefining areas on said substrate in alignment on respective opposite surfaces of said substrate to define a capacitor, and interconnecting 15 areas by which the plate-defining areas are electrically connected to said inductor at selected points to define the tuned circuit, the deactivation zone comprising a region of the substrate between the pair of plate-defining areas, or between a plate-defining area and an interconnecting area connected to the other plate-defining area.

7. A tag as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said deactivation frequency is outside said predetermined range, and said tuned circuit includes a detection circuit resonant at said defection frequency, and a deactivation circuit resonant at said deactivation 25 frequency, said arc discharge being operable to destroy or alter the resonant properties of the detection circuit within said predetermined range in response to the electro-magnetic field at the deactivation frequency. 30

8. A tag as claimed in claim 7, wherein the conductive areas from first and second conductive paths on a surface of said substrate in configurations to define respective first and second inductors, a plurality of pairs of conductive plates-defining areas, with the plate defining areas of each pair in alignment on respective opposite surface 35 of said substrate to define an associated capacitor, and interconnecting areas by which the plate-defining areas are electrically connected to the conductive paths at selected points to define the tuned detection and deactivation circuits, the deactivation zone - 17 comprising a region of the substrate between one of the pairs of platedefining areas, or between a plate-defining area of one pair and an interconnecting area connected to the other plate-defining area of that pair.

9. An electronic security system including a tag as claimed in any preceding claim, and electronic apparatus operable to detect the tuned circuit of the tag, and electronically deactivate the resonant characteristics of the tag circuit, the apparatus comprising: a transmitter operable to provide an electromagnetic field at a detection frequency which is swept within the predetermined range; a detector operable to detect a resonant frequency of the tag circuit within said range; and a deactivator operable to deactivate the tag circuit, and operative upon detection of the presence of a resonant tag circuit to provide an electromagnetic field at a resonant frequency of the tag circuit of sufficient energy to cause the arc discharge between the certain conductive areas and thereby destroy or modify the resonant properties of the tag circuit.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the deactivator of the apparatus is operative to cause a short circuit between the capacitor-defining conductive areas of the tag circuit to destroy or alter the resonant properties of the tag circuit.

11. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the deactivator of the apparatus is operative to cause vaporization of a conductive area of the tag circuit to destroy or alter the resonant properties thereof

12. A system as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the apparatus includes: an indicator operable to indicate the presence of a resonant tag circuit to be detected; and - 18 10 an indicator operable to indicate the deactivation of the resonant properties of the tag circuit.

13. A system as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the deactivator includes: a detector operable to defect an arc discharge across the certain conductive areas and to provide a signal representative thereof; and a time operative in response to said signal for determining the time interval during which the deactivator operates.

14. Resonant fag circuits substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. Electronic security systems substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.