MX2008004071A - Security and identification tags - Google Patents

Abstract

An identification tag, such as an EAS tag or an RFID tag, comprising a loop antenna having a substantially triangular shape and an electronic component connected to and positioned within the loop antenna, the antenna and component comprising a flexible metal structure disposed on one face of a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate extending away from one side of the triangular loop antenna to form a flap such that, when the tag is positioned on a face of a package close to its edge, the flap can be wrapped around the edge of the package and onto its other face.

Description

SAFETY AND IDENTIFICATION LABELS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to security labels that can be applied to items for theft prevention, inventory tracking, etc. These labels include radio frequency labels and EAS (electronic article surveillance, as per acronym in English), labels with radio frequency identification (RFI D), and the like. In particular, the invention relates to those labels that are suitable for use in articles such as boxes for compact discs (CD), versatile digital discs (DVD), video games and the like. The term "security tag" is used herein for both the EAS tags and the RFI tags D. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION RFI D tags have been known for some time and are routinely found in a number of uses for tracking and identification of tags. articles. An RFI D tag commonly comprises a box antenna and a small electronic circuit that includes an integrated circuit chip having a unique code programmed therein. The RFI D tags have no internal power source (battery). In use, a radio frequency (RF) interrogating signal induces a current in the loop antenna, which provides both power and data to the chip. The chip in turn provides an output signal to the antenna that is detected by the interrogation system. Active RFI D tags include a small internal power source that allows them to communicate through larger amplitudes and store and process larger amounts of information on the chip. A problem encountered with these devices when used in boxes for CD, DVD and video games is that the metallization layer on the disc interferes with the RF signals, reducing the power and the available amplitude. This problem is particularly evident at certain frequencies when the box antenna covers part of the disk. This problem produces conflicts with the desire to make the picture as large as possible to get a good signal. Another problem encountered with packaging such as boxes for CD or DVD is that it is possible to open the package and remove the disc, making it vulnerable to theft. Patent GB 231 1 053 A discloses a security label having an adhesive layer that can be wound around the open edge of the package in such a way as to secure the security label to the package and prevent the opening of the package to remove the disc. This invention is based on the recognition that the shape of the label can be configured to decrease the effect of the disc on the signals and that the label can be provided in a form suitable for use with packaging such as CD cases, DVD or games. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the invention provides a label that it comprises a box antenna having a substantially triangular shape and an electronic component connected to it and placed inside the box antenna, the antenna and the component comprise a flexible metal structure placed on one side of a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate it extends away from one side of the triangular frame antenna to form a flap such that, when the label is placed on a face of a package near its edge, the flap can be wound around the edge of the package and on its Another face. By providing the frame antenna with a substantially triangular shape, it is possible to place the label in CD or DVD packaging (which is commonly square or rectangular) in a corner region, such that it has little or no overlap with the metallic surface of the disc and in this way avoid interference while still obtaining a relatively large frame to obtain good signal reception. The flexible substrate can be provided with an adhesive on the side opposite to that on which the label is placed, in such a way as to allow its fixing on a package. It is also preferred that the substrate be transparent and that it also be provided with printing that can be displayed when the label is attached to the package. The adhesive is preferably a clear, semi adhesive transparent, removable, based on acrylic. In a particularly preferred embodiment, several labels are provided on a support strip from which they can be removed and placed on a package. In one format, labels can be placed in sequential order with the triangular array antenna consistently on one side of the substrate. This format is preferable for use with an automated application. In another format, the labels can be placed in an alternative configuration on the strip to optimize the use of space. Brief description of the drawings. Figure 1 shows a security tag according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a strip of security labels of the type shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a security tag of the type shown in Figure 1 when used in a CD case. Modes for carrying out the invention Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an EAS tag according to the invention. The active part of the tag (10) comprises a frame antenna (1 1) in the shape of a triangle, and an electronic component (12) connected to the antenna (1 1) and located inside the frame. The active part (10) is formed of thin, flexible metal structures, aluminum, commonly placed on one side of a flexible substrate (14). The way to form These flexible structures on substrates are well known for use in label identification devices. The flexible substrate (14) is a clear plastic material. In the region of the active part (10), the substrate (14) has a corresponding triangular shape, but slightly larger. The part of the substrate (1 4) along one of the sides of the antenna (11) extends to form a flap (1 5). A printed section (1 6) is provided on the substrate adjacent to the same side of the antenna (1 1). This printed section (16) may carry security markings, trademarks, or other information. The face of the substrate (1 4) opposite that in which the label and the printed section is provided, is coated with an adhesive to allow its attachment to a package such as a CD or DVD box. The adhesive is preferably a clear, semi-permanent, removable acrylic based adhesive. Adhesives with good clarity and UV resistance are preferred. These adhesives are known for applications of this type. The use to which the label of Figure 1 is directed is on a CD or game box (described in more detail below). Consequently, the dimensions of the active part (10), in particular those of the antenna (11), are selected in such a way that, when placed on the box in a corner, little or nothing of the antenna is superimposed on the disk. DVD boxes and games are often of different size and shape to those of CD boxes in such a way that the dimensions for that application can be different Also, the printed section (16) can be dimensioned such that it rests along the edge of the box when the flap (15) is wrapped around the box. The particular operation characteristics of the identification tag device will depend on the particular system being used. A number of standard systems are currently in operation use. EAS labels can be magnetic, magneto-acoustic, radiofrequency and microwave systems. RFID tags operate at various frequencies of low frequency tags that operate just above 100 kHz for microwave tags operating just over 2 GHz. High frequency systems (13.56 MHz) are particularly preferred for uses in the present invention. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a strip of labels whose use is considered particularly convenient. A number of labels A1-3, B1-3, are located so that they can be removed, on a strip C. Due to the triangular shape of the antenna (11) and the underlying part of the substrate, the alternative labels A, B, are rotated 180 ° in such a way that the antennas rest side by side. This optimizes the use of the C-strip and keeps the total length low. Strip C is coated in the usual manner to allow easy release of labels A, B, with the adhesive layer intact. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the use of a label (18) of the type shown in Figure 1 in a box for Conventional CD (20). The box (20) has a base (22) to which a flange (24) is connected in the manner of a hinge (26). In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the CD case (20) is secured to the case such that the active part (1 0) is on the flange (24) and the flap (1 5) is rolled up around the edge (25) and on the base (22), the adhesive on the substrate (14) which affixes the label (1 8) to both the flange (24) and the base (22) in such a way that the label (1 8) has to be removed before the tab (24) can be opened. The active part (1 0) is placed in the corner of the flange (24) in such a way that they do not overlap the disc in the case and in such a way as to avoid the interference effect of the metallized layer. The printed part (1 6) rests along the edge (25). The triangular shape is relatively easy to manufacture and achieves the objective of not overlapping the disc. However, the shape does not have to be a perfect triangle. Therefore, the side closest to the disk can be curved to optimize the amount of space occupied by the antenna. A system for the use of labels such as those described above, will include a transmitter and a central processing system and will be installed in the location of use, such as a store. Changes can be made while remaining within the scope of the invention. For example, as described above, the dimensions of the active part (10) can be selected according to the packaging that is going to be insured.

Claims (9)

REVIVAL DICTION EN

1 . An identification tag comprising a frame antenna having a substantially triangular shape and an electronic component connected to the square antenna and placed therein, the antenna and the component comprise a flexible metal structure placed on a face of a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate extends away from one side of the triangular quad antenna to form a flap such that when the label is placed on one side of a package near its edge, the flap may be rolled around the edge of the package and on its other side.

2. An identification tag as described in claim 1, further characterized in that the flexible substrate has a similar triangular shape in the region of the quad antenna.

3. An identification tag as described in claim 2, further characterized in that the substrate is transparent.

4. An identification label as described in claim 2 or 4, further characterized in that the substrate is provided with an adhesive on the side opposite to that in which the label is placed in such a way as to allow its fixing on a package.

5. An identification tag like the one described in claim 4, further characterized in that the adhesive is a clear, semi-transparent, acrylic-based adhesive that can be removed.

6. An identification tag as described in any of claims 2 to 5, further characterized in that the substrate is provided with a print that can be displayed when the label is attached to the package.

7. An identification tag as described in any preceding claim, which includes an EAS tag.

8. An identification tag as described in any preceding claim, including an RFI D tag.

9. An RFI D label comprising a loop antenna and an electronic circuit connected to it and placed inside the quad antenna, further characterized in that the loop antenna has a substantially triangular shape. 1 0. A strip of identification labels, comprising a plurality of labels as described in any preceding claim, placed on a support strip from which they can be removed and placed on a package, the labels can be placed in pairs in an alternative configuration on the strip in such a way that the triangular antennas of the labels in one pair rest side by side. SUMMARY An identification tag, such as an EAS tag or an RFI D tag, comprising a square antenna having a substantially triangular shape and an electronic component connected to and placed inside the antenna, the antenna and the component comprising a flexible metal structure positioned on one side of a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate extends outward from one side of the triangular frame antenna to form a flap, such that when the label is placed on the surface of a packaging near its edge, the flap can be folded around the edge of the package and on its other side.