WO2003098568A2

WO2003098568A2 - Theft-proof device

Info

Publication number: WO2003098568A2
Application number: PCT/DE2003/001560
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jens Arnold; Wilfried Biedermann
Original assignee: Intersafe Gmbh
Priority date: 2002-05-16
Filing date: 2003-05-15
Publication date: 2003-11-27
Also published as: EP1527427A2; AU2003243894A1; DE10393087D2; AU2003243894A8; WO2003098568A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an intelligent goods label for securing goods against theft. Said label comprises at least one signal emitter (30, 31), a radiation source (28), a radiosensitive sensor (29), and an electronic control system (23) which is connected to the radiosensitive sensor (29) and scans the state thereof. The radiation source (28) and the radiosensitive sensor (29) are arranged in a housing (21, 22). The electronic control system (23) actuates the signal emitter (30, 31) if a change in the state of the radiosensitive sensor (29) is detected.

Description

description

Antitheft device

The invention relates to a device for securing goods against theft.

When selling high-quality products, in particular notebooks, video cameras and cell phones, it is often essential for customers to provide exhibition equipment for test use. In order to avoid the theft of such exhibition devices, it has become common to attach security devices to such exhibition devices.

US-A-5 072 213 shows a security system with one

Sensor that includes a microswitch. This microswitch is electrically connected to a monitoring unit which triggers an alarm signal when the microswitch changes its state. When the sensor is attached to the goods to be secured, the microswitch is put into an initial state. The triggering of an alarm signal when the sensor is removed from the goods to be secured can be relatively easily avoided in such systems by pushing a flat object, in particular a knife, between the goods and the sensor, thereby preventing the microswitch changes its state.

A goods security system is known from EP 0 171 459 AI published in 1986, which comprises a first holding part for fastening to an object, a second holding part for fastening to the goods and a cable connecting the two holding parts. The first holding part that can be attached to the goods includes a sensor element for monitoring the proper attachment of the holding part to the goods. The second holding part comprises monitoring means which are connected to the sensor element and are designed in such a way that an alarm can be triggered when the correct attachment is removed. An alarm is also triggered if the cable is cut. The switch used as a sensor element in such goods security systems can also be outwitted mechanically relatively easily, as a result of which removal of the goods from the holding part remains unnoticed.

WO 93 11 514 published in 1993 shows a further development of such an article security system, in which the sensor element is designed as a light-sensitive element which is arranged in a recess in the holding part. The holding part is attached to the goods in such a way that the light-sensitive element is darkened by a surface of the goods to be secured. If the goods security system is now removed from the goods, ambient light reaches this sensor element, whereupon an alarm is triggered. Another goods security system with such a light-sensitive sensor element is also described in DE 90 13 431 Ul. A disadvantage of the goods security systems known in the prior art with photosensitive sensor elements is that they can be outwitted by packing the photosensitive sensor element in an opaque bag and separating it from the goods to be secured.

A goods security system according to DE 89 07 641 Ul has an electronic switching device and two photo resistors arranged in a housing on different sides of the housing. The housing is attached to the goods to be secured by a Housing side is attached to the goods in such a way that the first photo resistor arranged in this housing side is covered by the surface of the goods and assumes a high-resistance state. If the housing is removed from the goods, the first photo resistor changes its resistance value, which leads to an alarm being triggered by the switching device. The other second photo resistor, which is not covered in the normal state, serves to prevent attempts at theft, in which the housing is covered with a cloth and detached from the goods. In this case, this second photo resistor changes its resistance value, which also leads to an alarm being triggered by the switching device. The problem often arises with such devices that the uncovered second photoresistor inadvertently triggers an alarm, for example when the lighting conditions in the immediate vicinity of the goods change when a customer looks at them.

It is an object of the invention to provide a versatile device for securing goods against theft, which permanently prevents attempts to steal the goods to be secured.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous refinements result from the respective subclaims.

The intelligent goods label according to the invention for securing goods against removal includes a signal transmitter for emitting an acoustic, an optical and / or a radio signal. Furthermore, the intelligent product label comprises a radiation source and a radiation-sensitive sensor which is used for the radiation emitted by the radiation source. sensitive and exposed to this radiation. The radiation incident on the radiation-sensitive sensor is converted by the radiation-sensitive sensor into a measurement variable, in particular into a measurement voltage or into a measurement current. The radiation-sensitive sensor is preferably arranged such that the radiation generated by the radiation source strikes the radiation-sensitive sensor directly. The intelligent goods label also has control electronics, in particular a microcontroller. This control electronics is connected on the one hand to the radiation-sensitive sensor and scans its state, on the other hand this control electronics is connected to the signal transmitter and can cause the signal transmitter to generate a signal or a signal sequence. In the following, the respective state of the radiation-sensitive sensor is understood to mean the measurement variable generated as a result of the radiation absorbed by it, in particular the measurement voltage or the measurement current.

The control electronics can also be connected to the radiation source and cause the radiation source to emit radiation. The connection between the control electronics and the signal transmitter and the connection between the control electronics and the radiation-sensitive sensor can be provided by means of cables or by radio. The

The radiation source and the radiation-sensitive sensor are arranged in a housing. The control electronics can either be provided inside or outside of this housing.

When the intelligent goods label is put into operation, radiation is emitted by the radiation source and the radiation picked up by the radiation-sensitive sensor is fixed. provides. This state of the radiation-sensitive sensor represents the reference state. The reference state can be characterized, for example, by the fact that the entire radiation emitted by the radiation source strikes the radiation-sensitive sensor. However, it is also conceivable that in the reference state only a certain proportion of the radiation emitted by the radiation source hits the photosensitive sensor. This portion can also have the value zero. If subsequently a change in the state of the radiation-sensitive sensor to this reference state is sensed, the control electronics cause the signal transmitter to generate a signal or a signal sequence. When the intelligent goods label is used as intended, such a change in the state of the radiation-sensitive sensor means that the goods label has undergone a change in position with respect to the goods to be secured.

According to the invention, a radiation source and a radiation-sensitive sensor for measuring the radiation emitted by this radiation source are arranged in a product label. When this goods label is attached to the goods to be secured, the radiation source and the radiation-sensitive sensor assume a defined position with respect to the goods to be secured. In this defined position, a constant proportion of the radiation emitted by the radiation source reaches the radiation-sensitive sensor.

When the intelligent goods label is put into operation, this constant radiation component striking the radiation-sensitive sensor is recorded as a reference state by The value of the measured variable of the radiation-sensitive sensor is stored by the control electronics.

If the intensity of the radiation striking the radiation-sensitive sensor changes, this ideally means that the intelligent goods label is detached from the goods to be secured. In this case, the radiation detected by the radiation-sensitive sensor changes, for example because additional radiation from other radiation sources, in particular ambient light, reaches the radiation-sensitive sensor. The radiation detected by the radiation-sensitive sensor also changes when the distance of the radiation source and the radiation-sensitive sensor from the surface of the goods and / or the angle between the radiation source or the radiation-sensitive sensor and the surface of the goods changes. Furthermore, the radiation detected by the radiation-sensitive sensor can change when the goods label is shifted on the surface of the goods and when the color or the nature of the currently irradiated surface of the goods changes.

The change in the radiation detected by the radiation-sensitive sensor causes a change in the measured variable of the radiation-sensitive sensor. This is noticed by the control electronics, which then cause the signal generator to output a signal or a signal sequence.

A basic idea of the invention is that the intelligent goods label does not monitor the influence of external light or external radiation sources, but is provided with its own radiation source. With the intelligent goods label according to the invention, a reliable optical • Monitoring provided that responds to the smallest changes in radiation intensity or the radiation angle. The provision of such an intelligent goods label ensures independence from an external radiation source. The intelligent goods label according to the invention offers simple handling and is absolutely tamper-proof. In contrast to many common goods security systems that contain light-sensitive sensor elements, it cannot be outwitted by packing the light-sensitive sensor element in an opaque bag and separating it from the goods to be secured. In such an attempt to steal the intelligent goods label according to the invention reliably triggers an alarm. Furthermore, it is impossible to imitate the internal radiation source provided in the product label according to the invention by external radiation sources.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the radiation source and the radiation-sensitive sensor are arranged on a surface of the housing, in particular in a recess of this housing. In this way, the radiation source and the radiation-sensitive sensor are stably integrated in the goods label. An unwanted influence of external light or radiation sources is reliably avoided.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the radiation-sensitive sensor is arranged in such a way that reflection radiation of the radiation emitted by the radiation source strikes it. The radiation source and the radiation-sensitive sensor are preferably oriented essentially in the same direction, with in particular no radiation directly from the radiation source onto the radiation sensitive sensor can reach. When the intelligent goods label designed in this way is applied to the goods to be secured with the side containing the radiation source and the radiation-sensitive sensor, the radiation emitted by the radiation source hits the surface of the goods and is partially or completely reflected by this surface. Part of this radiation, referred to as reflection radiation, strikes the radiation-sensitive sensor and is converted there into a measured variable.

In this embodiment of the invention, too, a reference state of the radiation-sensitive sensor is first determined. This reference state results from the intensity of the reflection radiation when the intelligent goods label is properly attached to the goods to be secured. This attachment is preferably designed such that only the radiation from the radiation source, but not the light or the radiation from external light or radiation sources, in particular ambient light, can reach the radiation-sensitive sensor. If the radiation-sensitive sensor now detects a change in the radiation impinging on it, the control electronics actuates the signal transmitter.

There is a deviation in the radiation reaching the radiation-sensitive sensor with every change in the position of the intelligent goods label in relation to the goods to be secured and thus with every attempt to steal them. An intelligent goods label according to this embodiment represents a particularly reliable anti-theft device.

That surface of the housing on which the radiation source and the radiation-sensitive sensor are arranged can can be applied in a simple manner to any product which has at least one essentially flat surface. A particularly practical fastening, which can also be easily removed again, results from an adhesive that can be carried out by means of a double-sided adhesive tape or by providing a sticky coating on the surface of the goods label housing. With such an adhesive, care must be taken that it does not extend over the radiation source and over the radiation-sensitive sensor.

In the case of an intelligent goods label according to the invention, an additional anti-theft device in the form of a transponder or a magnetic strip can be provided, which works independently of the anti-theft device according to the invention with the control electronics, the radiation source and the radiation-sensitive sensor. Such a transponder or magnetic stripe generates a signal when it enters an electromagnetic field. Such electromagnetic fields are often present in the form of locks at the exits of shops or department stores.

An intelligent goods label according to the invention can be operated in a particularly energy-saving manner if the radiation source does not emit radiation continuously, but rather intermittently, at a predetermined frequency, for example at a frequency of 1 Hz. It is furthermore advantageous if the time intervals in which radiation is emitted by the radiation source are relatively short and, for example, are only 1 μs.

A further saving results if the radiation-sensitive sensor does not continuously, but essentially measures the radiation incident on it at the same time as the radiation source is emitted. The frequency and the time intervals in which the radiation-sensitive sensor is ready for operation can be matched to the frequency and to the time intervals of the radiation source.

In the time intervals between the transmission or reception of radiation, the radiation source and / or the radiation-sensitive sensor and / or the control electronics remain in a pause state in an energy-saving manner.

If the radiation source emits light flows with invisible light, in particular with ultraviolet light or with infrared light, there is the advantage that the layman will not be able to see the functioning of the intelligent goods label even if he has the option of wrapping the goods label in one to be considered detached from the goods to be secured. It is also conceivable that the radiation source emits visible light and that additional optical filters are used.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the radiation-sensitive sensor does not measure all of the radiation incident on it, but only spectral components of the reflected luminous flux.

If a photodiode or a phototransistor is selected as the radiation-sensitive sensor, the illuminance, which is proportional to the flowing short-circuit current, can be measured particularly precisely. A robust light-emitting diode LED can advantageously be selected as the radiation source. the, which is preferably operated with a large light intensity of in particular 1000 mCd.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the goods label has an accumulator, in particular a battery. The accumulator is connected to the control electronics and supplies the control electronics, the radiation source and the radiation-sensitive sensor with voltage. If the accumulator capacity or the voltage provided by the accumulator falls below a certain predeterminable threshold value, the control electronics cause the signal generator to generate a signal, in particular a signal sequence with regular signal tones. In this embodiment of the invention, the functionality of the intelligent goods label is ensured in a simple manner. Another advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that the accumulator or the battery can be easily replaced and the intelligent product label can be put back into operation immediately.

If a constant voltage source with an accumulator, with an integrated circuit for generating a voltage reference, with an operational amplifier and with a power stage is used to supply the radiation source and the radiation-sensitive sensor with voltage, very precise measurements can be carried out by the radiation-sensitive sensor. Such a constant voltage source can be operated in a very energy-saving manner if the reference voltage source and the operational amplifier have a low current consumption and the power stage, which is present in particular as a power MOSFET, has a low gate-source voltage. A decrease in the supply of the constant voltage source set voltage below a minimum value is noticed promptly and reliably by the control electronics.

The invention also relates to an intelligent goods label in one of the embodiments described above, to which at least one safety cord is attached. With this safety cord, the intelligent product label can easily be attached to an object. This advantageously limits the area in which the goods to be secured can be moved. If the safety cord is made of metal, it is difficult to cut.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the securing cord has a securing loop for attachment to an object, in particular to an eyelet or to a ring. This eliminates the risk of loosening a knot attached to secure the safety cord.

To further improve the security of the intelligent goods label against removal of the goods, at least one cable can be integrated into the security cord. This cable preferably runs along the entire length of the safety cord and is connected to the control electronics. A circuit is formed by the cable, which is interrupted in the event of a cut of the safety cord. In this case, the control electronics cause the signal generator to generate an alarm signal.

Any bridging of a cable can be made significantly more difficult if a four-wire cable runs in the safety cord, which is connected to the control electronics and which contains two circuits. In the event of the interruption of at least one circuit, the signal generator outputs an alarm signal.

The invention also relates to a device for securing a product against theft. This device comprises at least one intelligent goods label, each with at least one safety cord according to one of the embodiments described above. Furthermore, the device comprises at least one switch which is arranged on the circuit or on one of the circuits which are formed by the cable or cables. This switch can for example be designed as a micro-switch ^'is mounted on the same or on another to be backed goods and occupies a defined first state. If this switch is removed from the goods, it changes its state, whereupon the

Control electronics actuated the signal generator. With a single device of this type, several goods can be reliably secured against attempted theft. In the case of a product consisting of several individual parts or modules, this device according to the invention makes it possible to secure the most valuable individual part or module with the product label according to the invention and the further individual parts or modules each with a switch. For example, the intelligent product label can be attached to a mobile phone and the switch to its battery.

The invention also relates to the use of the described intelligent goods label, the use of the described goods label with at least one safety cord and the use of the described device for securing goods against removal. According to a further aspect of the invention, individual tone sequences can be provided for an acoustic signal generator and individual signal sequences for an optical signal generator.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the intelligent goods label has a switch for activation. If this activation switch is arranged on the side of the goods label which is attached to the goods to be secured, the goods label is particularly easy to put into operation by putting this switch in a first state or being pressed in when it is attached to the goods to be secured ,

The invention is illustrated in more detail in the drawings using an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an anti-theft device attached to a mobile phone with a goods label, Figure 2 shows a schematic bottom view of a lower housing part of the goods label shown in Figure 1 with a first horizontal section line AA and with a second vertical section line BB, Figure 3 shows a sectional view 1 with a raised upper housing part and a portion of the securing cord shown in FIG. 1 along the section line AA shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 shows an enlarged sectional view of the central region of the underside of the lower housing part shown in FIG. 3 the section line BB shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a top view of the securing loop from FIG. 1 and of a section of the four-wire cable,

FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a top view of a microswitch and of a further section of the four-wire cable,

FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of the input and output connections of the microcontroller shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 8 shows a circuit diagram of a constant voltage source for a radiation source and for a radiation-sensitive sensor of the goods label shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an anti-theft device 1 attached to a mobile telephone 5 with a goods label 2.

The anti-theft device 1 has a security cord 3, at one end of which the goods label 2 is arranged and the other end of which forms a security loop 4. A surface of the goods label 2 is glued on the back of the mobile phone 5 by means of a double-sided adhesive tape. The securing loop 4 encloses a fastening ring 6, which is located on a wall shown schematically in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic bottom view of a lower housing part 22 of the goods label 2.

From this bottom view it is clear that the left and the right side of the lower housing part 22 are each rounded. In the center on its underside, the lower housing part 22 has a shoulder-like bulge 221, which extends over a width of approximately half the total width of the lower housing part 22. In the areas of the lower housing part 22 arranged to the left and right of this shoulder-shaped bulge 221, three columns each with three small circles of the same diameter are shown. The leftmost column of the left area and the rightmost column of the right area of the lower housing part 22 each comprise three support bumps 25. The circles in the remaining four columns are sound outlet holes 26 which are in the housing wall the bottom of the lower housing part 22 are formed.

An elongated, vertically aligned recess 222 can be seen in the middle of the shoulder-shaped bulge 221. A light-emitting diode 28 and a photodiode 29 are arranged in this recess 222 and are located above this light-emitting diode 28. Between the light-emitting diode 28 and the photo diode 29 runs an intermediate wall 223, which is horizontally oriented in the illustration in FIG.

Vertically centered in a right area of the shoulder-shaped

Bulge 221 has an activation switch 27 with which the product label 2 can be put into operation.

A first section AA runs horizontally in the middle and a second section BB runs vertically in the center through the lower housing part 22 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows a sectional illustration of the goods label 2 with a raised upper housing part 21 and a section of the securing cord 3 along the section line AA.

The product label 2 is divided into the upper housing part 21 and a lower housing part 22, both of which have the same width in FIG. 2. The height of the lower housing part 22 is significantly smaller than its width. According to the sectional illustration in FIG. 3, the upper housing part 21 and the lower housing part 22 have a thin plastic wall, the lower side of the upper housing part 21 not carrying such a plastic wall.

It is clear from FIG. 3 that the shoulder-like bulge 221 formed on the underside of the lower housing part 22 extends further downward than the regions of the lower housing part 22 arranged to the left and right of this shoulder-like bulge 221 22nd

FIG. 3 also shows the recess 222 arranged centrally on the underside of the shoulder-shaped bulge 221 and the intermediate wall 223 located at the upper edge of this recess 222. The area of the lower housing part 22 which contains the recess 222 and the intermediate wall 223 and in which the light-emitting diode 28 which cannot be seen in FIG. 3 and the photodiode 29 which is likewise not visible in FIG. 3 also extends over the upper side of the lower housing part 22 and forms a centered bulge on the upper side of the lower housing part 22. The height of this centered bulge is less than the height of the upper housing part 21. Accordingly, this centered bulge is Bay when the upper housing part 21 is placed on the lower housing part 22 enclosed by the upper housing part 21.

In the sectional view according to FIG. 3 it can also be seen that the support pegs 25 arranged on the left and on the right end of the underside of the lower housing part 22 have the same height as the shoulder-like bulge 221. To the left and right of the shoulder-shaped bulge 221, two sound exit holes 26 can be seen in the housing wall. Acoustic signal transmitters 30 are arranged in the interior of the lower housing part 22 above these sound outlet holes 26. In addition to increasing the stability of the attachment of the goods label 2, the support bumps 25 also serve to ensure good sound emission of the signal tones emitted by the acoustic signal generators 30.

A microcontroller 23 is arranged in a left area on the upper side of the lower housing part 22, which is drawn as a rectangle in FIG. 3 for the sake of illustration. This microcontroller 23 is connected by means of a battery connection 241 to a battery 24, which is also shown as a rectangle and which rests on the lower part 22 of the housing in a right-hand region thereof. The microcontroller 23 is also connected to the safety cord 3, which is designed as a four-wire cable 32 and which in FIG

Figure 3 leads from the left to the microcontroller 23. The four-wire cable 32 lies in the area to the left of the microcontroller 23 on the upper side of the lower housing part 22.

In the right area of the underside of the shoulder-shaped bulge 221, an activation switch 27 is provided, which is connected to the microcontroller by an activation switch connection 271. ler 23 is connected. The two acoustic signal generators 30 are connected to the microcontroller 23 by means of a first signal generator connection 301 or by means of a second signal generator connection 302. An optical signaling device 31 is disposed on the left upper side of the housing upper part 21, ^• which is connected to the microcontroller 23 by means of a third signal transmitter connection 311th

The upper housing part 21 can be fitted onto the lower housing part 22 with a precise fit and engages in the lower housing part 22 by means of locking means (not shown in FIG. 3). A recess 211 for guiding the four-wire cable 32 is provided in a lower left area of the upper housing part 21.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged sectional view of the central region of the underside of the lower housing part 22 along the section line B-B.

This sectional illustration shows the recess 222 on the underside of the lower housing part 22, in which the light-emitting diode 28 and the photodiode 29 are arranged. No light can penetrate into the recess 222 and thus pass on the photodiode 29 when the just underside of the lower housing part 22 rests on a flat nen ^"surface.

The light-emitting diode 28 and the photodiode 29 are each shown in the form of an electrical tube in FIG. 4 for reasons of illustration. The light-emitting diode 28 is arranged to the right of the photo diode 29, an intermediate wall 223 for converting the recess 222 being located between the two diodes. This partition 223 is so large that it is one direct light incidence of the light emitted by the light-emitting diode 28 on the photodiode 29 is prevented. The light-emitting diode 28 is directed downwards and rotated clockwise about an angle of 30 ° C. with respect to the vertical position. The photodiode 29 is oriented vertically downwards. A light-emitting diode connection 281 connects the light-emitting diode 28 to the microcontroller 23. A photodiode connection 291 connects the photodiode 29 to the microcontroller 23.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a top view of the securing loop 4 and of a section of the four-wire cable 32.

The four-core cable 32, of which only the section immediately in front of the securing loop 4 is shown in FIG. 5, is divided into a first line core 33, a second line core 34, a third line core 35 and a fourth line core 36 5, the four-wire cable 32 runs from the left to the securing loop 4 to the right. In front of the safety loop 4, a sleeve 37 is arranged on the four-wire cable 32, which holds the line wires 33-36 together directly in front of the safety loop 4 and thus prevents the safety loop 4 from being torn or enlarged.

The first wire 33 runs in the safety loop 4 with the fourth wire 36. The line wires 33 and 36 thus form a first circuit. The line wires 34 and 35 also run together in the safety loop 4 and consequently form a second circuit. FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a top view of a microswitch 38 and of a further section of the four-wire cable 32.

The microswitch 38 shown schematically in FIG. 6 can be attached to a surface of any object. When the microswitch 38 is properly attached to the surface of an object, the microswitch 38 assumes a first state in which the first and the second circuit are closed. When the microswitch 38 is actuated, for example by removing the microswitch 38 from the surface of the object, one circuit or both circuits are interrupted.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of the inputs and the outputs of the microcontroller 23.

The inputs are the line wires 33-36, the battery connection 241, the photodiode connection 291 and the activation switch connection 271.

The microcontroller 23 according to the invention has a first output, namely the light-emitting diode connection 281, and a second output, namely the signal transmitter connection. The signal transmitter connection is divided into the first signal transmitter connection 301 and the second signal transmitter connection 302 for the acoustic signal transmitter 30 and the optical signal transmitter connection 311 for the optical signal transmitter 31.

The microcontroller 23 is put into operation via the activation switch connection 271. The microcontroller 23 triggers via the second output an alarm in the acoustic signal generator 30 and in the optical signal generator 31, if a change is found in the inputs of the line wires 33-36 or in the battery connection 241 or if the microcontroller 23 via the photodiode connection 291 a measured variable of the photodiode 29, which deviates from the reference state of the photodiode 29. Even if the line wires 33-36 are short-circuited, the microcontroller 23 triggers an alarm with the acoustic signal transmitters 30 and with the optical signal transmitter 31.

The mode of operation of the anti-theft device 1 according to the invention is explained below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

First, the securing loop 4 is fastened to the fastening ring 6. For this purpose, the fastening ring 6 is rotated or partially detached from the wall and the securing loop 4 is threaded onto the fastening ring 6. Then the fastening ring 6 is firmly locked again on the wall, after which it is no longer possible to detach it from the fastening ring 6 without cutting the securing loop 4. This attachment is clearly visible in Figure 1.

As an alternative to this, the anti-theft device 1 can be attached in an embodiment not shown here to a fastening ring 6 or to a fastening rod (not shown here), which offers no such possibility of threading. For this purpose, the securing loop 4 is passed through the fastening ring 6 or under the fastening rod and then the product label 2 is guided through the securing loop 4. The safety cord 3 is now starting with the product label 2 until the safety loop 4 pinches the safety cord 3 or itself.

In the next step, the microswitch 38 is attached to the battery of the mobile phone 5. The microswitch 38 assumes a defined first state. The attachment of the microswitch 38 to the accumulator of the mobile telephone 5 is not shown in FIG. 1.

The area of the shoulder-like bulge 221, which can be seen particularly well in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3, is provided on the underside of the lower housing part 22 with a double-sided adhesive label. It is essential that the area of the recess 222 in which the light-emitting diode 28 and the photodiode 29 are arranged is not covered by the adhesive label.

The goods label 2 according to FIG. 1 is now attached to the back of the mobile phone 5. This is done by gluing the shoulder-shaped bulge 221 provided with the adhesive label on the underside of the lower housing part 22 onto a flat area on the back of the mobile telephone 5.

In this case or before, the activation switch 27 is placed in a first state. This is forwarded to the microcontroller 23 via the activation switch connection 271, which initiates the commissioning of the anti-theft device 1.

A first luminous flux with a duration of 1 μs is now emitted by the light-emitting diode 28 and that which is applied to the photodiode 29 striking luminous flux measured essentially simultaneously by the photodiode 29. As can be seen particularly well in FIG. 4, the luminous flux emitted by the light-emitting diode 28 strikes the flat area on the underside of the lower housing part 22 of the rear of the mobile telephone 5 and is reflected from there. Part of the luminous flux reflected in this way strikes the photodiode 29, which converts this luminous flux into a measuring voltage. The measurement voltage determined in this way is passed on to the microcontroller 23 via the photodiode connection 291 and is stored by the latter as the reference state of the photodiode 29.

From this point in time, the light-emitting diode 28 emits a luminous flux corresponding to the first luminous flux with a duration of 1 μs at a constant frequency of 1 Hz. At substantially the same time, the photodiode 29 measures the luminous flux striking it. As long as the position of the goods label 2 on the mobile telephone 5 remains unchanged, there are no deviations of the measured variable measured by the photodiode 29 from the reference state.

Only when the product label 2 is moved in relation to the mobile phone 5 does the microcontroller 23 detect a measured variable of the photodiode 29 which differs from the reference state. The measured variable of the photodiode 29 deviates from its reference state when additional radiation from further radiation sources, Ambient light, in particular, reaches the photodiode 29 when the distance of the light-emitting diode 28 and / or the photodiode 29 from the surface of the goods or the angle between the light-emitting diode 28 or the photodiode 29 and the mobile phone 5 changes and when the goods label 2 changes the surface of the mobile phone 5 is shifted. In the case of Moving the product label 2 on the mobile phone 5 may change the color and / or the nature of the currently irradiated surface of the mobile phone 5 and the angle of reflection.

In each of these cases, the microcontroller 23 causes the acoustic signal generator 30 to generate an acoustic signal or an acoustic signal sequence and the optical signal generator 31 to generate an optical signal or an optical signal sequence.

The microcontroller 23 also detects the interruption of one or both circuits of the four-wire cable 32, which can be clearly seen in FIG. In this case, the microcontroller 23 also causes an acoustic and / or optical signal or an acoustic and / or optical signal sequence to be output by the acoustic signal transmitter 30 or by the optical signal transmitter 31.

The actuation of the microswitch 38 according to FIG. 7 is also detected promptly by the microcontroller 23 and an acoustic and / or optical signal or an acoustic and / or optical signal sequence is output by the acoustic signal transmitter 30 or by the optical signal transmitter 31.

If the voltage of the battery 24 drops below a threshold value of in particular 2.5 V, this is determined by the microcontroller 23. The microcontroller 23 then also causes the output of an acoustic and / or optical signal or an acoustic and / or optical signal sequence by the acoustic signal generator 30 or by the optical signal generator 31. The signal or the signal sequence which indicates a battery to be replaced is different from the signal or the signal sequence which occurs when the mobile telephone 5 is attempted to be used is produced.

FIG. 8 shows a circuit diagram of a constant voltage source 8 for a product label 2 according to the invention.

The constant voltage source 8 comprises the battery 24, which supplies an input voltage of 3.5-2.5 V for the constant voltage source 8. The constant voltage source 8 shown in FIG. 8 works reliably up to a lower input voltage value of 2.5 V.

The radiation source in FIG. 8 is designed as a diode D2 and the radiation-sensitive sensor as a phototransistor T4. The diode D2 and the phototransistor T4 are arranged in parallel. In front of the diode D2 there is a sixth resistor R14 with an ohmic resistance of 56kΩ, and in front of the phototransistor T4 there is a third resistor R7 with an ohmic resistance of 330Ω. The sixth resistor R14 and the third resistor R7 serve to limit the current flowing through the phototransistor T4 and through the diode D2, respectively.

The diode D2 and the phototransistor T4 are supplied with a constant voltage and with a constant current by means of the constant voltage source 8. The constant voltage source 8 is able to supply a drop voltage of <10 mV with an input voltage of 2.5 V provided by the battery 24 and with a very low internal power consumption. remote. With such a constant voltage source 8, constant measured quantities of the phototransistor T4 can be achieved.

A voltage reference of 1.250 V is generated by a second integrated circuit IC4 connected in parallel to the battery 24 with its two inputs.

The constant voltage source 8 also comprises a first integrated circuit IC3 designed as an operational amplifier or OPV. This has a positive or non-inverting input or power-down input or shutdown input denoted by the number 3 in FIG. 8, an inverting input denoted by the number 4 and an output or Rail-to-rail exit on. The first integrated circuit IC3 amplifies the differential input voltage present at its two inputs and has a very low power consumption with very low drop voltages.

The voltage generated by the second integrated circuit IC4 is present at the shutdown input of the first integrated circuit IC3 as a reference. A second resistor R5 with an ohmic resistance value of 56 k.Ω is provided between the output of the second integrated circuit IC4 and the shutdown input of the first integrated circuit IC3. If there is a high signal at the shutdown input * of the first integrated circuit IC3, this is activated by the continuously applied supply voltage VCC within a period of 4 μs. Without this shutdown input, this process would take about 5 to 10 ms. Accordingly, the cycle time is approximately halved by the provision of an integrated circuit IC3 with such a shutdown input. Furthermore, the constant voltage source 8 comprises a power stage T5, which is present in the present exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 8 as a power metal oxide field effect transistor or as a power MOSFET. The power stage T5 has a very low gate-source voltage.

The output of the first integrated circuit IC3 is connected to the gate of the power stage T5. Accordingly, the first integrated circuit IC3 controls the gate of the power stage T5, a first resistor R4 having an ohmic resistance value of 15 kΩ being provided on the electrical connection between the output of the first integrated circuit IC3 and the gate of the power stage T5 ,

A fifth resistor R13, which has an ohmic resistance value of 100 kΩ, is provided between the sink of the power stage T5 and the non-inverting input of the first integrated circuit IC3. A fourth resistor R8, which has an ohmic resistance value of 100 kΩ, is located on an electrical connection between the non-inverting input of the first integrated circuit IC3 and the electrical connection between the node of the battery 24 and an input of the second integrated circuit IC4 and the Node of the diode D2 and the phototransistor T4.

This feedback of the power stage T5 to the non-inverting input of the first integrated circuit IC3 regulates the measuring voltage provided by the power stage T5 to 2.50 V in accordance with the division ratio R13 / R8. A capacitance C7 with a capacitance value of 220pF is arranged between the output and the inverting input of the first integrated circuit IC3. The capacitance C7 has two functions here, on the one hand the vibration suppression of the output voltage of the first integrated circuit IC3 and on the other hand the generation of the switch-on pulse of the measuring voltage in order to pre-energize the slow phototransistor T4. Depending on the degree of reflection of the surface of the goods to be secured, this reduces the measuring time.

Another electrical connection connects the source and the gate of the power stage T5. A seventh resistor R17 with an ohmic resistance value of 15 kΩ is arranged on this electrical connection.

The constant voltage source 8 described in FIG. 8 can supply an output voltage of 2.50 V at a current of up to 50 mA at an input voltage of 2.50 to 3.50 V. This enables an accurate measurement up to the steeply falling discharge curve of the accumulator, which can be configured as a lithium battery.

Claims

claims

1. Intelligent goods label for securing goods against removal, which has the following features: at least one signal transmitter (30, 31), a radiation source (28),

a radiation-sensitive sensor (29), which is exposed to the radiation emitted by the radiation source (28), control electronics (23),

- The control electronics (23) is connected to the radiation-sensitive sensor (29) and senses its state, - The control electronics (23) is operably connected to the signal transmitter (30, 31), a housing (21, 22) in which the Radiation source (28) and the radiation-sensitive sensor (29) are arranged, the control electronics (23) actuating the signal transmitter (30, 31) if a change in the state of the radiation-sensitive sensor (29) is sensed.

2. Intelligent goods label according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiation source (28) and the radiation-sensitive sensor (29) on a surface of the housing (22), in particular in a recess of this housing, are arranged.

3. Intelligent product label according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the radiation-sensitive sensor (29) is exposed to the reflection radiation of the radiation emitted by the radiation source (28).

4. Intelligent product label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that surface of the housing on which the radiation source (28) and the radiation-sensitive sensor (29) are arranged, can be applied to the product, in particular can be stuck on.

5. Intelligent product label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transponder or a magnetic strip is attached to or in the product label (2).

6. Intelligent goods label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radiation source (28) each emits a short period of radiation at a constant frequency and that the radiation-sensitive sensor (29) each essentially at the same time the reflection radiation measures.

7. Intelligent product label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radiation source (28) emits luminous fluxes with invisible light, in particular with ultraviolet light or with infrared light.

8. Intelligent product label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radiation-sensitive sensor (29) measures spectral components of the reflected luminous flux.

9. Intelligent goods label according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the radiation-sensitive sensor is designed as a photodiode (29) or as a phototransistor (T5).

10. Intelligent goods label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radiation source is designed as a bright LED (28).

11. Intelligent goods label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the goods label (2) further comprises an accumulator (24), in particular a battery (24), which is connected to the control electronics (23) and which the control electronics ( 23), the radiation source (28) and the radiation-sensitive sensor (29) are supplied with voltage, in the control electronics (23) actuates the signal transmitter (30, 31) if the voltage provided by the accumulator (24) falls below a predeterminable voltage value.

12. Intelligent goods label according to claim 11, characterized in that the goods label (2) further comprises a constant voltage voltage (8) with an accumulator (24), with an integrated circuit (IC4) for generating a voltage reference, with an operational amplifier (IC3 ) and having a power stage (T5), the constant voltage source (8) supplying the radiation source (28) and the radiation-sensitive sensor (29) with voltage and being connected to the control electronics 5 (23), the control electronics (23) actuates the signal generator (30, 31) if the voltage provided by the constant voltage source (8) falls below a predeterminable minimum value.

13. Intelligent goods label according to one of the preceding claims with at least one securing cord attached to the goods label, which has in particular metal.

-5 14. Intelligent goods label with at least one securing cord according to claim 13, characterized in that the securing cord (3) has a securing loop (4) for attachment to an object, in particular to an eyelet

> 0 or on a ring (6).

15. Intelligent goods label with at least one safety cord according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that in the safety cord (3) at least one cable (32) runs, which is connected to the control electronics (23) and which closes a circuit, if the circuit is interrupted, the control electronics (23) actuates the signal generator (30, 31).

16. Intelligent goods label with at least one safety cord according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that in the safety cord (3) runs a four-wire cable (32) which is connected to the control electronics (23) and which closes two circuits, being in

If at least one circuit is interrupted, the control electronics (23) actuates the signal transmitter (30, 31).

17. Device for securing goods against theft with at least one intelligent goods label, each with at least one safety cord according to one of claims 15 or 16, wherein the device (1) has at least one switch (38) which is on the circuit or on one of the Circuits is arranged, the control electronics (23) actuating the signal transmitter (30, 31) if the or a switch (38) changes its state.

18. Use of the intelligent product label according to one of claims 1 to 12 for securing a product against removal.

19. Use of the intelligent goods label with at least one safety cord according to one of claims 13 to 16 for securing goods against removal.

20. Use of the device according to claim 17 for securing a product against removal.