WO2006027580A1

WO2006027580A1 - Security device and transponder

Info

Publication number: WO2006027580A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/003453
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Johnston; Michael David Crossfield; Ross Peter Jones
Original assignee: Dubois Limited
Priority date: 2004-09-10
Filing date: 2005-09-07
Publication date: 2006-03-16
Also published as: GB0420089D0

Abstract

A transponder comprises a substantially flat strip of magnetic material and an elongate electrical conductor wound around the strip along at least part of its length. The transponder may be part of a store security device for securing to a container, which prevents a product from being removed from the container, e.g. by preventing the container from being opened. The product may be a media storage disk, such as a CD or DVD.

Description

SECURITY DEVICE AND TRANSPONDER

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a transponder and a security device for attachment to a container or other apparatus, for example holding a product such as a CD or DVD or other disk, to help in preventing or deterring its theft from a retail store.

BACKGROUND ART

It is well known to use security tags on retail items which trigger an alarm when the item is taken past alarm units located at the exit of a store without prior removal of the security tag. These are known as Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) labels or tags. There are 3 main types of devices: electromagnetic devices, acoustic magnetic (AM) devices (which are typically in the form of a flat strip or label approximately 45mm long x 40mm wide) and Radio Frequency (RF) tags which typically comprise either a flat coil of wire approximately 50mm in diameter or a coil wound around a cylindrical ferrite rod to form an antenna. The tag acts as a transponder, i.e. it is energised on receipt of radiation, e.g. from an alarm unit, and then transmits a signal back automatically, e.g. to the alarm unit. Other types of tags are also known, e.g. Radio Frequency ID (RFID) tags, also known as "intelligent tags" as they send additional information with the signal they transmit. These types of tags and transponders are well known so will not be described further.

A problem that arises with some of these devices, particularly with electromagnetic devices such as RF tags, is that their correct functioning can be adversely affected by a metal layer, e.g. a metal layer within a CD or DVD (which reflects laser light used by a CD or DVD player in use). However, it is desirable to be able to use this form of tag because a significant proportion of retail outlets use RF alarm systems rather than AM alarm systems.

The present invention aims (among other things) to provide a transponder and a security device which help to avoid or reduce this problem. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a transponder comprising a substantially flat strip of magnetic material and an elongate electrical conductor wound around the strip along at least part of its length.

The transponder preferably is a radio frequency (RF) transponder. Preferred frequency bands include the kilohertz (kHz) and megahertz (MHz) bands. An example of a particularly preferred frequency is 8.2 MHz, but other frequencies may apply.

A second aspect of the invention provides an RF transponder in the form of a substantially flat strip that in use generates a magnetic dipole, wherein the axis of the dipole lies along at least part of the length of the strip.

The transponder according to the second aspect of the invention may be a transponder according to the first aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

A third aspect of the invention provides a security device comprising a substantially flat member and a transponder according to the first or second aspect of the invention attached thereto. The transponder of the security device preferably is arranged to trigger an alarm if the security device is brought into a magnetic field of an alarm unit. The security device therefore preferably is an anti-theft device for deterring the theft of goods from stores and the like.

The substantially flat strip of the transponder preferably is substantially co- planar with, or substantially parallel to, the substantially flat member of the security device. For example, the transponder may be mounted on or in the flat member of the security device, or otherwise embedded in the flat member of the security device. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the transponder is at least partially embedded in a polymer material (e.g. an epoxy resin) in or on the flat member of the security device. Advantageously, the polymer material may be loaded with a magnetic filler material, e.g. a ferrite material (for example as described below). Such a magnetic filler material may contribute to the generation of the magnetic dipole by the transponder, particularly in the event that the strip of magnetic material breaks in use, for example.

The security device preferably is adapted to be attached to a container or other apparatus adapted to hold a product or other article. As indicated above, the invention has particular relevance to disks such as CDs and DVDs, and the article or product preferably comprises one or more CDs or DVDs. The invention is, however, relevant to other types of product and other types of article.

Preferably the security device includes a locking mechanism to secure it to a container or other apparatus. Preferably the locking mechanism is releasable, such that the security device may be removed from the container or other apparatus. Advantageously, the release of the locking mechanism may require the use of authorised release means. Preferably such a locking mechanism also serves to secure the product or other article, e.g. a disk, to the container or other apparatus, and/or to secure the container in a closed configuration.

Preferably, the security device is of a type such as described and claimed in international patent application WO 02/39451 , but including a transponder as described herein. Such a security device may have the above-mentioned locking mechanism to releasably secure it within a container.

The product or other article (and/or the container or other apparatus) may include an electrically conductive layer or region. For example, a CD or DVD generally includes a metal layer embedded therein (for reflecting laser light used by the CD or DVD player in use). This causes a problem in that the functioning of conventional transponders based upon magnetic dipoles normally is disrupted by the presence of such metal layers, because eddy currents generated in the metal layer by the magnetic dipole of the transponder cause attenuation of the magnetic moment generated by the transponder. Thus, the magnetic field generated by the conventional transponder when the transponder is placed in the magnetic field of an alarm unit may be insufficient to trigger the alarm.

As mentioned above, the transponder according to the present invention is in the form of a substantially flat strip whose magnetic dipole preferably lies substantially along at least part of the length thereof. Consequently, an advantage of the present invention is that by orienting the security device such that the magnetic dipole of its transponder lies approximately parallel to the electrically conductive layer or region, the attenuation of the magnetic moment generated by the transponder may be insufficient to disrupt the correct functioning of the transponder. This is because, by orienting the transponder such that its magnetic dipole is approximately parallel to the electrically conductive layer or region, the eddy currents generated by the transponder in the electrically conductive layer or region may be minimised. This is explained further below.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts comprising an apparatus for holding one or more articles, and a security device according to the third aspect of the invention adapted to be secured thereto.

Preferably the kit is arranged such that when the security device is secured to the apparatus, the magnetic dipole generated in use by the transponder is oriented substantially parallel to an electrically conductive layer or region of an article held by the apparatus. Advantageously, for those embodiments of the invention in which the article is a media storage disk (e.g. a CD or a DVD), the longitudinal centre of the axis of the magnetic dipole generated by the transponder preferably is adjacent to a window in the electrically conductive layer of the disk (e.g. a window around the central hole provided in the disk). In this way, the generation of eddy currents in the electrically conductive layer by the transponder may be minimised. Additionally or alternatively, the axis of the magnetic dipole generated by the transponder may extend between two such disks.

Advantageously, the kit may be arranged such that when the security device is secured to the apparatus, the transponder of the security device is adjacent to an external wall of the apparatus. Preferably the transponder of the security device is housed within the apparatus, e.g. adjacent to an external wall of the apparatus.

The flat strip of magnetic material of the transponder may, for example, have a simple rectangular shape. However, in at least some preferred embodiments of the invention, part of the length of the strip may have a narrower width than the remainder of the strip. For example, the strip may have an approximate H- shape. Advantageously, the elongate electrical conductor may be wound around only the narrower part of the strip.

The flat strip of magnetic material of the transponder preferably is a ferromagnetic material or a ferrimagnetic material. Preferred such materials include ferrites, especially a mixed oxide of iron and nickel and/or zinc and/or cobalt and/or manganese. Such materials generally comprise ceramics. Examples of two particularly preferred nickel-zinc ferrites, chosen by experimentation by the present inventors, are: F16 supplied by TT Electronics and 4C65 supplied by Philips.

It is possible that in at least some embodiments of the invention, the flat strip of magnetic material of the transponder is susceptible to damage. This is particularly the case, for example, when the strip is formed from a ferrite material, because such materials often tend to be brittle. Advantageously, therefore, the strip of magnetic material may be provided with one or more region(s) of weakness, whereby the strip is arranged to break preferentially at such region(s) when subjected to mechanical distortion or shock. Preferably, the or each region of weakness is located away from, or adjacent to, a region of the magnetic strip around which the elongate electrical conductor is wound. This has the advantage of effectively protecting (at least to a degree) the region of the magnetic strip around which the elongate electrical conductor is wound, since this region has been found to have the greatest effect upon the strength of the magnetic field generated by the transponder. The (or each) such region of weakness may comprise a score mark (e.g. a groove) provided in the surface of the strip, or a cut-away region (e.g. a V-cut) of the strip, for example.

The above-mentioned polymer material loaded with magnetic filler (e.g. ferrite material) may also have the effect of helping to preserve at least some of the magnetic field generated by the transponder, in the event that the flat strip of the transponder breaks. If some or all of the flat strip is at least partially embedded in such filled polymer material, in the event of a gap being formed in the strip due to a fracture, at least some of the magnetic field may be channelled through the polymer material in the region of the fracture, for example.

The elongate electrical conductor preferably comprises a metal wire. The wire or other conductor may comprise a single strand or strip. Preferably, however, the wire comprises a plurality of strands, and most preferably is a multi-strand wire. The multi-strand wire may be woven or braided, for example, and preferably is Litz wire. Such multi-stranded wires have the advantage of reducing eddy current effects, for example due to skin effects and/or proximity effects.

The diameter of each strand of wire preferably is at least 0.01 mm, more preferably at least 0.02 mm, especially at least 0.03 mm. The diameter of each strand of wire preferably is no greater than 0.06 mm, more preferably no greater than 0.05 mm, especially no greater than 0.045 mm, and for example 0.04 mm. Preferably the wire comprises at least 15 strands, more preferably at least 20 strands, and preferably no more than 50 strands, more preferably no more than 40 strands, for example 25 strands. Such wires have been chosen by experimentation by the present inventors.

The inventors have also found that the winding density of the windings of the elongate electrical conductor around the strip of magnetic material has an important effect upon the performance of the transponder. The inventors have found that a winding density of at least 0.4 turns/mm and no greater than 1.0 turns/mm provides an optimum range. More preferably, the winding density range is between 0.44 turns/mm and 0.96 turns/mm, especially between 0.6 turns/mm and 0.76 turns/mm, for example 0.68 turns/mm. Such winding densities have been found by the present inventors to maximise the magnetic field generated by the transponder. (For the avoidance of doubt, one "turn" is a single complete winding revolution around the strip.) Some experimental results obtained by the present inventors are provided below:

The transponder preferably includes a capacitor. The capacitor preferably is electrically connected between ends of the elongate electrical conductor that is wound around the strip of magnetic material. The capacitance of the capacitor preferably is no more than 100 pF, but the choice of capacitance will depend upon the particular requirements of the transponder, and may be determined by the skilled person via trial and error. The capacitance is generally chosen to make the transponder resonate at or near the frequency of interest; as the skilled person knows, if the inductance of the electrical conductor is L and the frequency of interest is f then the capacitance preferably should be close to

/-< _ 1

(2πf)²L

Other preferred and optional features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a security device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating the use of a security device similar to that shown in Figure 1 , with a CD or DVD container;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of part of a security device similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 inserted into a container as shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view similar to Figure 2, but showing the position of the security device when fully inserted into the container;

Figure 5 is a schematic cross-section on line A-A of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a similar schematic cross-section to that of Figure 5, through another form of disk holding means of a container;

Figure 7 shows two schematic illustrations of preferred transponders according to the invention; Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of the magnetic dipole generated by the transponders shown in Figure 7; and

Figure 9 shows two schematic illustrations comparing the generation of eddy currents in a metal layer of a DVD disk, by a prior art transponder (view (a)) and a transponder according to the present invention (view (b)).

BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

The embodiment of the security device illustrated in Figures 1-4 is designed for use with a CD or DVD container of the type described in WO 02/39451 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The security device may, however, be used with other types of container.

The security device 1 shown in Figures 1-4 comprises a long arm 2 and a short arm 3, both arms projecting from a head portion 4. The long and short arms 2,3 may be similar to those described in WO 02/39451. As shown in Figure 2, the long arm 2 is designed to be inserted through an aperture or slot 5 in a side wall 6 of a base portion of a CD or DVD container. Preferably, it extends across the base portion 7 and interacts with disk-holding means 8 on the base portion 7 to lock the disk (not shown) onto the base portion 7 as described in WO 02/39451. As shown in Figure 3, the short arm 3 is designed to be inserted through an aperture or slot 9 in a side wall of a lid portion 10 of the container which is hingedly attached to the base portion 7 along an edge thereof so as to hold the lid portion 10 in a closed position relative to the base portion.

The arms 2, 3 and the head portion 4 preferably are formed of a plastics material, for example a polyamide (e.g. Nylon) or ABS (an acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene copolymer). The material may container a reinforcement or other filler, for example a fibre filler, especially glass fibres.

The long arm 2 is provided with a releasable locking mechanism which, once the long arm has been inserted into the container, locks the device to the container until it is released therefrom, e.g. by a magnetic release apparatus, such as may be provided behind the counter in a retail outlet. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the locking mechanism comprises a metal pivot arm 11 which, once the security device 1 has been inserted into the container, engages a detent 12 within the base portion 7 so providing a snap-fit which prevents withdrawal of the security device 1 from the container until the pivot arm 11 is moved, e.g. by a magnetic release device or a specially shaped key, out of engagement with the detent 12. (The metal pivot arm 11 is not shown in Figure 1). This and other locking mechanisms are described further in WO 02/039451. The locking mechanism preferably is arranged to be capable of repeated locking and unlocking so the device can be re-used many times.

As shown in Figure 3, the head portion 4 has a metal plate 4a therein to assist in withdrawal of the security tag from the container by magnetic means once the locking mechanism securing it within the container has been released. (The security device can be, and preferably is, installed in the container when the latter is in a closed configuration.)

The head portion 4 preferably is mounted within a finger recess 15 provided along the opening edge of the container to reduce the distance by which it projects beyond the external dimensions of the container.

RF security devices (tags) may be designed to be deactivated by a deactivation unit behind the counter in a retail outlet in which case there is no need to remove the security tag from the container when a customer purchases the container. In this case, the security tag may be designed for a single use only and disposed of by the customer. Other types of security tags can be deactivated and then reactivated so they can be re-used. In this case, the retail outlet may deactivate the tag and then remove it before the customer takes the container away. However, the preferred form of RF security tag for use with the arrangement described herein is a permanent form which cannot be deactivated as this increases the level of security provided by the tag. In this case, the tag must be removed from the container prior to the customer taking the container out of the store. As such security tags are designed for multiple re-use, there are less cost restraints on its design so higher quality components may be used.

The RF security tag can be arranged to send an identification signal or other data to the alarm unit but a signal simply indicating its presence is sufficient to trigger an alarm.

A magnetic release apparatus for releasing a security device such as that described herein is described in WO 02/39451 so will not be described further herein.

Whilst such magnetic locking and release devices are preferred, other embodiments may use other types of locking devices including mechanical locks and mechanical release means or keys.

The container with which the security device is used may typically be provided with an outer wrapping, e.g. a plastic shrink-wrapping. The security device 1 is designed to pierce such a wrapping so the security device can be installed after application of the wrapping. The long and short arms 2 and 3 thus preferably have pointed ends, or are shaped so as to easily pierce such a wrapping. As the arms 2 and 3 are thin and the area in which they pierce the wrapping is, in use, concealed by the head portion 4 of the device, this does not prejudice the integrity of the wrapper or its appearance and the shrink-wrapping remains intact. It thus still provides tamper evidence and provides reassurance to the customer that the contents have not been interfered with.

The long arm 2 of the security device 1 carries a transponder 20 according to the invention. The arm 2 of the security device 1 thus comprises the substantially flat member of the security device referred to above. As indicated above, it is highly desirable for the transponder 20 to be carried by the long arm 2 of the security device 1 so that it can be locked within the container and once removed can be re-used in another container.

Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-section on line A-A of Figure 4 through the disk holding means 8, a disk 21 held thereon and an arm 2 of a security device 1 located under the disk holding means 8. A transponder 20 is schematically shown mounted on the arm 2 of the security device 1 so as to be located adjacent the disk 21 and in the vicinity of the central aperture 21A of the disk. Figure 5 also shows the typical extent of a metal layer 21 C embedded within the disk 21.

Figure 6 shows a similar schematic cross-section through another form of disk holding means 8' which provides more space above the security device 1 in the vicinity of the central hole 21 A of the disk 21 , and which would thus enable the invention to be implemented with an RF transponder 20' of slightly greater thickness (perpendicular to the plane of the disk) although, in cases where the security device 2 is inserted through a slot in the extended wall of the container (e.g. slot 5 shown in Figure 6), this would require the slot to be made slightly larger too.

A similar arrangement can be used in apparatus designed to hold other articles which have a tendency to affect the correct functioning of the transponder. In some cases, the container may be adapted to hold two or more such articles, e.g. side by side, in which case the security device may be arranged so that the transponder lies in the vicinity of a gap between the articles, but preferably is arranged so that the transponder lies adjacent to only one of the articles (i.e. on the outside of the two or more articles).

The arrangements described in relation to Figures 1-6 have the additional advantage in that the head of the security device need not protrude significantly beyond the external walls of the container as the transponder is mounted within the container. This has the advantage that a thief will therefore find it difficult to mechanically compromise the security device.

Views (a) and (b) of Figure 7 illustrate schematically the basic form of preferred transponders according to the present invention. Each transponder 20 comprises a substantially flat strip 23 of magnetic material, preferably formed from a ferrite material (e.g. as described above). An elongate electrical conductor 25, preferably in the form of multi-stranded wire, is wound around the strip 23 along part of its length. A capacitor 27 electrically interconnects the opposite ends of the elongate electrical conductor. The capacitor 27 may be directly or indirectly attached to the strip 23 of magnetic material (as shown in view (a)) or it may be located away from the strip 23 (as shown in view (b)), for example.

The region 29 of the strip 23 around which the electrical conductor is wound is narrower in width than adjacent regions 31 and 33 of the strip. In use, the region 29 (carrying the wound conductor 25) preferably is located directly under a disk-holding means 8 of a disk container, for example as shown in figures 4, 5 and 6. The fact that the region 29 of the magnetic strip 23 is narrower in this region than in the adjacent regions can provide the advantage that the strip 23 (which may be formed from brittle ferrite material) is supported by more material of the arm 2 of the security device 1 in this region, thus providing additional mechanical protection for the strip. The adjacent regions 31 and 33 of the strip may be of equal, or different, length.

Some preferred dimensions for the magnetic strip 23 are: (1 ) length of region 29: 10-50 mm, especially 20-30 mm, e.g. 25 mm; (2) overall length of the strip: 40-120 mm, especially 60-90 mm, e.g. 75 mm; (3) width of region 29: 3-10 mm, especially 4-8 mm, e.g. 6mm; (4) width of regions 31 and 33: 5-20 mm, especially 7-15 mm, e.g. 10 mm; (5) thickness of strip: 0.3-5.0 mm, especially 0.5-2.0 mm, e.g. 1.0 mm. Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of the generation of a magnetic dipole field H by means of a current I induced in the coil of the electrical conductor 25, showing that the axis of the dipole lies along at least part of the length of the strip 23 in the transponders 20 of Figure 7.

Views (a) and (b) of Figure 9 are schematic illustrations comparing the generation of eddy currents in a metal layer of a DVD disk 21 , by a prior art transponder 35 (view (a)) and a transponder 20 according to the present invention (view (b)). The prior art transponder 35 comprises a flat spiral of wire (not shown - the spiral of wire is enclosed in the flat tag shown) arranged to generate a magnetic dipole substantially perpendicular to the plane of the transponder. As illustrated schematically in Figure 9(a), the transponder 35 is most conveniently oriented substantially parallel to the disk 21 , for example by attaching the transponder to a generally flat container for the disk (not shown, for clarity). However, when the transponder 35 is subjected to an appropriate applied magnetic field (e.g. by a store alarm unit), eddy currents 37 are generated by the transponder in the metal layer of the disk. Such eddy currents 37 flow around the magnetic field lines H from the transponder 35, and substantially mirror the current flow in the transponder. The effect is that the metal layer of the disk is strongly coupled to the transponder 35, and the magnetic field generated by the transponder 35 is therefore significantly reduced in strength. As explained above, this can mean that the theft of a disk from a store is not detected by the store's alarm unit.

In contrast, the corresponding magnetic field lines H and eddy currents 39 generated in a disk 21 by a transponder 20 according to the invention oriented parallel to the disk, are shown in Figure 9(b). The magnetic field lines at each opposite longitudinal end of the transponder 20 are oriented generally parallel to the disk, and hence any eddy currents induced in the metal layer of the disk by these field lines tend to be insignificant. In the longitudinal centre of the transponder 20, the generated magnetic field lines at one end of the coil extend approximately perpendicular to the disk 21 , and at the opposite end of the coil extend back into the transponder approximately perpendicular to the disk. Consequently, the eddy currents induced in the metal layer of the disk 21 by these magnetic field lines tend to flow in two counter-rotating loops 39. As a result, the coupling between the transponder 20 and the metal layer of the disk 21 is much less strong, and the attenuation of the magnetic field generated by the transponder is much less severe than is the case with the prior art transponder. Additionally, the presence of the usual hole in the middle of disk 21 can interrupt the paths of the two counter-rotating loops of eddy current, forcing the eddy currents to divert around the perimeter of the hole. This weakens the eddy currents further, and further reduces the attenuation of the magnetic field generated by the transponder according to the invention. (This is in contrast to the prior art transponder shown in Figure 9(a), which is not significantly assisted by the hole in the disk, because the eddy currents generated by the prior art transponder generally circulate around the hole.) Consequently, the attempted theft of a disk from a store is much more likely to be detected by the store's alarm unit when a transponder according to the invention is used, than is the case with the prior art transponder.

Claims

1. A transponder, comprising a substantially flat strip of magnetic material and an elongate electrical conductor wound around the strip along at least part of its length.

2. A transponder according to claim 1 , which is a radio frequency (RF) transponder.

3. A transponder according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the elongate electrical conductor is wound around the strip with a winding density of at least 0.4 turns/mm and no greater than 1.0 turns/mm.

4. A transponder according to claim 3, wherein the elongate electrical conductor has a winding density of at least 0.44 turns/mm and no greater than 0.96 turns/mm.

5. A transponder according to claim 4, wherein the elongate electrical conductor has a winding density of at least 0.6 turns/mm and no greater than 0.76 turns/mm, for example 0.68 turns/mm.

6. A transponder according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate electrical conductor comprises a multi-strand wire.

7. A transponder according to claim 6, wherein the multi-strand wire comprises at least 15 strands and no more than 50 strands, for example 25 strands.

8. A transponder according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein each strand of the wire has a diameter of at least 0.01 mm and no greater than 0.06 mm, for example 0.04 mm.

9. A transponder according to any preceding claim, wherein a part of the length of the substantially flat strip of magnetic material has a narrower width than the remainder of the strip.

10. A transponder according to claim 9, wherein the strip is approximately "H" shaped.

11. A transponder according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the elongate electrical conductor is wound around only the narrower part of the strip.

12. A transponder according to any preceding claim, wherein the magnetic material is a ferromagnetic material or a ferrimagnetic material.

13. A transponder according to any preceding claim, wherein the magnetic material comprises a ferrite material.

14. A transponder according to any preceding claim, wherein the substantially flat strip of magnetic material is provided with one or more region(s) of weakness, whereby the strip is arranged to break preferentially at such region(s) when subjected to mechanical distortion or shock.

15. A transponder according to claim 14, wherein the, or each, region of weakness is located away from, or adjacent to, a region of the strip of magnetic material around which the elongate electrical conductor is wound.

16. A transponder according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the, or each, region of weakness comprises a score mark, a groove, a cut-away region, or a V-cut, of the strip of magnetic material.

17. A transponder according to any preceding claim, which includes a capacitor.

18. A security device, comprising a substantially flat member and a transponder according to any preceding claim attached thereto.

19. A security device according to claim 18, wherein the substantially flat strip of the transponder is mounted on or in the substantially flat member of the security device, such that the strip is substantially coplanar with, or substantially parallel to, the member.

20. A security device according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the transponder is at least partially embedded in a polymer material in or on the member.

21. A security device according to claim 20, wherein the polymer material is loaded with a magnetic filler material.

22. A security device according to any one of claims 18 to 21 , which includes a locking mechanism to secure it to a container or other apparatus.

23. A security device according to claim 22, wherein the locking mechanism also serves to secure a product or other article to a said container or other apparatus, and/or to secure a said container in a closed configuration.

24. A kit of parts, comprising an apparatus for holding one or more articles, and a security device according to any one of claims 18 to 23 adapted to be secured thereto.

25. A kit according to claim 24, wherein, when the security device is secured to the apparatus, a magnetic dipole generated in use by the transponder of the security device is oriented substantially parallel to an electrically conductive layer or region of an article held by the apparatus.

26. A kit according to claim 25, wherein the article is a media storage disk and the longitudinal centre of the magnetic dipole generated by the transponder is adjacent to a window in the electrically conductive layer of the disk.