US3868669A

US3868669A - Reduction of false alarms in electronic theft detection systems

Info

Publication number: US3868669A
Application number: US351019A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur J Minasy
Original assignee: Knogo Corp
Current assignee: Knogo Corp
Priority date: 1973-04-13
Filing date: 1973-04-13
Publication date: 1975-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-25
Also published as: FR2228258B1; DE2417928A1; GB1440398A; AU474729B2; BE813708A; JPS5010600A; JPS5752637B2; NL161904B; DE2417928B2; AU6740774A; NL7404466A; DE2417928C3; FR2228258A1; IT1018645B; CA1023034A; NL161904C; SE397145B; ZA742089B

Abstract

Electronic theft detection systems are disclosed which have a particular frequency within which protected articles cause electronic response. False alarms are reduced by detecting similar electronic responses outside the frequency range and temporarily deactivating the system when such responses are detected. In a swept frequency system deactivation signals are produced during the portion of the frequency sweep outside the particular frequency and the deactivation remains during the remaining portion of the frequency sweep past the particular frequency.

Description

O I United States, Patent 1191 1111 3,868,669

Minasy 1 51 Feb. 25, 1975 [54] REDUCTION OF FALSE ALARMS IN 3,711,848 1/1973 Martens 340/258 C ELECTRONIC THEFT DETECTION 3,781,860 12/1973 Freyling, Jr... 340/280 3,801,977 4/1974 Cotter 340/258 A SYSTEMS [75] Inventor: Arthur J. Minasy, Woodbury, NY. Primary Examiner Glen Swarm "I [73] Assignee: Knogo Corporation, Westbury, N.Y. Attorney 8 Firm-Fi1ZPatfik, Celia, Harper & Sc'nt 22 Filed: Apr. 13, 1973 l 0 [21] Appl. No.: 351,019 57 ABSTRACT Electronic theft detection systems are disclosed which [52] US. Cl. 340/280, 340/258 C h a particular frequency within which protected [5 Illlt. Cl. articles cause electronic response False alarms are re- Fleld of Search 340/258 C, 253 A; duced by detecting similar electronic responses out- 343/5 325/478, side the frequency range and temporarily deactivating the system when such responses are detected. In a References Cited swept frequency system deactivation signals are pro- UNITED STATES PATENTS duced during the portion of the frequency sweep out- 2,794,974 6/1957 Bagno et a1 340/258 A Side the Particular frequency and the deactivation 3,218,556 11/1965 Chisholm 325/478 mains uring the remaining portion of the frequency 3,465,336 9/1969 Fishbein et a1. 340/258 A sweep past the particular frequency. 3,577,136 5/1971 Wolf 340/280 3,696,379 10/1972 Minasy 340/280 11 Claims, 4 Drawmg Figures S 55F I 7ZIYEAGL Mm Gayggnnxq fe/rwlr Awa /m 0 500 A? Own/1704 82 72 0 T pe'ccn/tg i fl 75/750 M/XLQ IF/EIE 727 12 Gem SHIICH/IYG flue/e 450- 007 /9 wk; do l c r l moor/15:

I I flaw/spam? 72. 1 1 I I l %\-/L l I\ F 76 A686 Gnzz SIGN/7L Gm: SIG/#14007 0V4) '74 i 59%;; firs/1m Q0 0V4) Due/MG Abv/dvae a|6 NG Ila/4 FSermvOFrfi/Efi 94 9b fine/vanil a? SIG/ML susmm'ma C/pcu/T 77M: Comm/1r C/iqcu/r Amen REDUCTION OF FALSE ALARMS IN ELECTRONIC THEFT DETECTION SYSTEMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the control of theft detection systems and more particularly it concerns arrangements for reducing the occurrence of false alarms from such systems due to extraneous and sporadic electrical effects, such as may result from the operation of electrical machinery near the system.

2. Description of the Prior Art The present invention is especially suitable for use in conjunction with electronic theft detection systems of the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,493,955 and 3,500,373. In both systems, each of the articles to be protected from theft has a electronic responder circuit attached to it. This circuit may be concealed in a wafer like element which may also serve as a price label or the like for the protected article. The articles are maintained in an enclosure having limited egress and checkpoints are set up at each egress. A transmitter is provided at the checkpoint to transmit an interrogation signal and receiver means are provided to note any response produced by the interaction of a wafer responder circuit with the transmitted signal field in the vicinity of the checkpoint. In the case of the systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,493,955, the wafer responder circuits respond to the transmitted interrogation signal, which is at a first frequency, to produce a response signal at a second frequency. The receiver means are tuned to detect this second frequency.

In the case of the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,373, the wafer responder circuits are resonant circuits tuned to resonate at the transmitted interrogation frequency. When these wafer responder circuits are brought into the transmitted interrogation signal field they absorb some of the transmitted energy. The receiver means monitors thetransmitted signal, which changes in amplitude due to this absorbtion. In order to maximize sensitivity the transmitter of this system produces an output frequency which sweeps cyclically over a given range which includes the resonant .frequency of the wafer responder circuits. This causes a series of responses in the form of impulses which occur at a repetition rate corresponding to the frequency sweep rate.

While in both of the above described systems the wafer circuit serves to produce a unique electrical response to the interrogation signal, the possibility exists that similar responses may be produced by nearby electrical equipment such as switches, motors, relays etc., or by other extraneous or sporadic electrical effects; and in such case a false alarm signal may result.

In another U.S. Pat., No. 3,696,379, there is described one means for counteracting the effects of nearly electrical equipment and extraneous or sporadic electrical effects. According to this patent, a separate receiving system is provided near, but not at, the checkpoint. This receiving system, because of its location, will not respond to the effects of wafer responder circuits passing through the checkpoint. However, it does respond to the signals of nearby electrical machinery, etc., which might produce false alarms. Whenever such signals are detected by the separate receiving systern, it operates to deactivate the main receiving system so that the false alarm cannot be produced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an alternative way to reduce the occurrence of false alarm signals. According to the present invention a separate receiving means is provided; but instead of being responsive to the same frequency signals as the main receiving system but at a different location, the separate receiving system of the present invention responds to different frequency signals at the same location as the main receiving system.

According to one embodiment of the present invention the separate receiving means comprises a receiving channel tuned to respond to electrical effects which occur only within a frequency range which does not include the response signal frequencies. Should those effects exceed a predetermined magnitude, the separate receiving channel produces an output which is utilized to deactivate the alarm.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the transmitter and the wafer responder circuits are arranged so that the wafer responder circuit produces a series of spaced responses. A gating system is set up in a manner which on one hand permits the main receiving system to function only at the times the spaced responses would occur and which on the other hand permits the separate receiving system to function during the intervening times. Should the output of the main receiving system exceed a predetermined level, it will activate an alarm. However, should the output of the separate receiving system exceed a predetermined amount it will override the effect of the first receiving system and deactivate the alarm.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention a transmitting system is arranged to transmit an interrogation signal at a frequency which is swept back and forth at a given rate and over a range which includes a predetermined wafer responder circuit response frequency. The wafer responder circuits on the protected articles resonate at the response frequency and change the impedance in the vicinity of the transmitting system during the times that the transmitted frequency sweeps past the response frequency. Thus when a wafer responder circuit passes through a check-point in the transmitter antenna field, it causes a series of responses to be produced at a repetition rate corresponding to the transmitter frequency sweep rate. In order to protect the system from possible false alarms a frequency selective switch is provided. This frequency selective switch is arranged to direct the receiver response into a first or a second channel referred to respectively as a noise channel and a signal channel. The frequency selective switch is tuned to span the wafer responder circuit resonant frequency range and is arranged to open the signal channel when the transmitter frequency passes through that range. Whenever the response level exceeds a predetermined threshold in the signal channel an alarm is activated. The filter switch also opens the noise channel during the remaining portions of each transmitter frequency sweep. Whenever the signal level in the noise channel exceeds a given threshold a deactivation signal is produced which deactivates the alarm for a given length of time.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures and methods for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions and methods as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Specific embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and .are shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the, specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective-view illustrating a checkpoiritfor article theft detection in which the present invention is embodies;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 there is shown a doorway separating an enclosure 12 .from an exterior region 14. The doorway lflconstitutes one of a limited number of egress passageways from the enclosure. 12; and accordingly it serves as a checkpoint for ascertaining any unauthorized removal of articles from the enclosure. The doorway 10 is provided with several antenna windings 16', I8 and 20 arranged such that when the windings are energized from a transmitter 22, they establish electromagnetic fields'in the region of the doorway 10. These electromagnetic fields serve as a monitoring means since any object passing through the doorway 10 must also pass through the electromagnetic field. All articles to be protected are provided with a wafer 24 (shown in dotted outline) which encapsulates an electronic responder circuit. When the wafer is brought through the doorway 10, its circuit reacts with the electromagnetic field. This response is detected by a receiving system (not shown which activates an alarm. If an article. has

been purchased special means'may be employed for removal or-deactivation of the wafer circuit so that it may pass through the electromagnetic field without causing an alarm actuating disturbance.

FIG. 2 illustrates in block diagram form, the application of the present-invention to a rebroadcaster type electronic theft detection system such as that shown and described 'inU.S. Pat. No. 3,493,955. As can be seen in FIG. 2, there is provided a transmitter 26 which energizes a transmitter antenna 28 so that the transmitter antenna continuously emits an electromagnetic field at'a monitoring frequency of, for example, 27.2 megahertz (MHZ). The transmitter antenna 28 may comprise one or more of the windings 16,18 and 20 (FIG. 1) so that the electromagnetic field fills the region of the doorway 10. A responder circuit 30, which may be encapsulated in the wafer 24 of FIG. I, is configured to respond to the 27.2 MHZ field and to emit a response signal at a frequency of between 5.1 and 5.9 MHZ, for example.

The responder circuit output signals are intercepted by a receiver antenna 32; and they are detected and amplified in a receiver 34. The receiver antenna 34 may also comprise a winding at the doorway 10 (FIG. 1). The output of the receiver 34 passes through a broad band amplifier 36; and from there the detected signals pass'along two channels. The first channel includes a signal filter 38 which is relatively sharply tuned to the output frequency of the responder circuit 30. The output of the signal filter 38 passes to a threshold detector 40 which, upon receipt of a signal of a predetermined magnitude, generates an alarm actuation signal. The alarm actuation signal from the threshold detector passes through a normally open gate circuit 42 to actuate an alarm 44. The alarm 44 may be any audio or visual type indicator means well known in the art.

The second channel of the receiver system includes a noise filter 46 which is tuned to pass signals whose frequency components do not lie within the selected signal range, i.e., between 5.1 and 5.9 MHZ. The output of the noise filter is applied to a threshold detector 38. The threshold detector is set to respond to a predetermined noise level and, upon the occurrence of such noise level, to apply a signal to an inhibit terminal 50 of the normally open gate circuit 42.

In operation of the system of FIG. 2, articles to be protected are provided with wafers 24 (FIG. I) which contain responder circuits 30 capable of emitting an electromagnetic signal of between 5.1 and 5.9 MHZ when energized by an electromagnetic field at 27.2 MHZ. Thus, whenever a protected article containingan operative responder circuit 30 passes through the doorway 10 (FIG. 1) and through the field of the transmitter antenna 28, it responds to the continuously transmitted electromagnetic field in the doorway and in turn energizes-the receiver antenna '32.;Signals from the receiver antenna 32are detectedlbyrthe receiver 34 and arepassed through the broad band amplifier 36', the filter 38, the threshold detector 40, and the normally open gate circuit 42, to activate the alarm 34.

Should there occur any sporadic or extraneous electrical disturbances capable of causing premature or improper actuation of the alarm 44, such disturbances would, according to the present invention, be detected and utilized in a novel way to protect against any premature or improperalarm actuation. The present invention is based inpart on the discovery that sporadic and extraneous electrical disturbancesoccur over a rather broad frequency band substantially greater than the selected response signal frequency. Thus, in the present case, while sporadic electrical disturbances may produce electromagnetic fields inthe vicinity of the doorway), within the 5.l to 5.9 MHZ response frequency range, those same disturbances will also produce other electromagnetic fulls at frequencies both above and below the response frequency range. These other electromagnetic fields are detected by the receiver 34; and while the receiver signals they produce do not pass through the signal filter 38, they do pass through the noise filter 46. These signals pass through the threshold detector 48 and appear at the inhibit terminal of the gate circuit 42. This closes the gate circuit 42 and prevents the sporadic electrical disturbance induced signals in the signal channel from passing through the channel to activate the alarm 44. When the electrical disturbance ceases, the signals in the noise channel terminate, and the inhibit terminal 50 of the gate circuit 42 is deactivated, thus allowing the gate circuit to revert to its normally open condition. Thus, any responder circuit induced signals which are not accompanied by signals outside the selected response fre quency range may then pass through the signal channel and through the gate 42 to activate the alarm 44. The noise filter 46 must, of course, also be tuned to prevent passage of signals at the transmitted frequency in order to prevent continuous indications of false alarm from energy received directly from the transmitter.

FIG. 3 shows in block diagram form, a modified version of the present invention as applied to an electronic theft detection system of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,373. As shown in FIG. 3, the theft detection system includes sweep generator 60 capable of producing a repetitive output sweep, for example a sine wave voltage whose amplitude varies at a frequency of 300 cycles per second. The sweep generator output is applied to a tunable transmitter oscillator 62 which, in response to the signals from the sweep generator 60, produces an output frequency which shifts, for example, from 1.95 to 2.05 MHZ at a 300 cycle per second rate. This varying frequency output is applied to a transmitter amplifier 64 where it is amplified and then applied to a transmitter antenna 66. This transmitter antenna may comprise one or more of the

windings

16, 18 and 20 arranged in the doorway I0 of FIG. 1. The antenna 66 produces an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the doorway which varies in frequency between I95 and 2.05, MHZ at a 300 cycle per second rate. A responder 68, which may be encapsulated within the wafer 24 of FIG. 1, comprises a resonant circuit, such as shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,373. This circuit is tuned to resonante at some fixed frequency between 1,95 and 2.05 MHZ. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the responder circuit is tuned to resonate at 2.00 MHZ.

A receiver 70 is connected to a point between the transmitter amplifier 64 and the antenna 66. The output of the receiver 70 is applied to a threshold detector 72, and its output in turn is connected in parallel to a noise gate circuit 74 and to a signal gate circuit 76. The output of the signal gate circuit 76 is connected through a time constant circuit 78 to an alarm 80.

The circuit of FIG. 3, as thus far described, operates to detect the presence of the responder circuit 68 in the field of the antenna 66, i.e., in the vicinity of the doorwayl0 (FIG. 1), in the manner described in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,373. Thus, the vicinity of the doorway is filled with a high frequency electromagnetic field whose frequency is swept continuously at a 300 cycle per second rate back and forth over a frequency range which includes the resonant frequency of the responder circuit 68. This frequency sweep is illustrated by a curve (a) in FIG. 4. The resonant frequency of the responder circuits 68, which is indicated by a cross hatched strip (b), is chosen to be near the middle of the frequency range. The width of the strip (b) depends upon the Q of the resonant circuits 68, that is, upon the sharpness with which they can be tuned.

Each time the antenna field frequency sweeps across the resonant frequency of a resonant circuit 68 which is in its field, i.e., which is present in the doorway 10 of FIG. I, the impedance presented to the antenna 66 decreases and a greater amount of energy flows out the antenna. Because of this, the amount of transmitter energy presented to the receiver 70 decreases. This phenomenon is experienced twice during each cycle of transmitter frequency sweep, i.e., at 600 times per second. The receiver circuits are designed, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,373, to respond to the occurrence of energy decreases incident on the receiver at 600 times per second, and to supply a signal to the threshold detector 72 when this occurs. Signals from the threshold detector 72 pass through the signal gate circuit 76, the time constant circuit 78 and activate the alarm 80.

The remainder of the system of FIG. 3 is designed to disable the actuation of the alarm 80 whenever spurious electromagnetic or electrical disturbances occur, which otherwise might be interpreted by the receiver 70 and the threshold detector 72 as a responder circuit 68 passing through the field of the antenna 66. The disabling portion of the system of FIG. 3 includes a sharply tuned oscillator 82 which is tuned to a frequency of 1.5 MHZ. The output of this oscillator is ap plied to a mixer 84 along with output signals from the tunable transmitter oscillator 62. These signals, when mixed in the mixer 84, produce an output signal which varies between 450 and 550 KHZ (kilohertz) at a 300 cycles per second rate. The mixer output is applied to i output terminal 92 which are alternately energized.

Normally, the noise gate actuation output terminal 92 of the monostable multivibrator 88 is energized. However, whenever the output of the mixer 84 reaches a frequency approaching a frequency corresponding to that of the responder circuit 68, the switching filter 86 produces an output causing the monostable multivibrator 88 to deenergize the noise gate actuation terminal 92 and to energize the signal gate actuation terminal 90. Since the switching filter 86 is tuned to have an equivalent band pass range (0) which is slightly greater than the responder circuit response frequency range (b), the switching filter 86 will operate to trigger the monostable multivibrator whenever the antenna frequency approaches the responder circuit resonant frequency in both directions of the antenna frequency sweep, irrespective of whether the antenna frequency is increasing or decreasing. The monostable multivibrator 88 reverts back to its normal state, i.e., with the noise gate actuation output terminal 92 energized and the signal gate actuation output terminal 90 deenergized, after a predetermined length of time following each output from the switching filter 86. This predetermined length of time is slightly longer than the length of time required for the antenna frequency sweep to circuit 68. That is, the monostable multivibrator 88 remains energized over a period of time which straddles the period during which the antenna frequency sweeps across the resonant frequency of the'responder circuits 68. This energization of the monostable multivibrator 88 is illustrated by a curve (d) in FIG. 4.

It will be noted from FIG. 4 that the monostable multivibrator 88 is switched to its non-stable state at different transmitter frequencies depending upon whether the transmitter frequency is increasing or decreasing. This is made possible by thetuning of the switch filter 86. This tuning is broader than that of the responder circuits 68; and it produces a switching signal at the multivibrator 88 just before the antenna frequency reaches the resonant frequency of the responder circuits 68.

' gate circuit 74 is connected through a signal sustaining circuit 94 to an inhibit terminal 96 of the signal gate circuit 76. The signal sustaining circuit 94 is constructed to cause outputs from the noise gate circuit 74 to remain on the inhibit terminal 96 of the signal gate circuit 76 for a predetermined length of time (e.g., 0.1 seconds), which is substantially in excess of the frequency sweep period of the transmitter. This allows time for any spurious interference to terminate before the system reverts to normal operation.

The operation of the system of FIG. 3 will now be described. The tunable transmitter oscillator 62 energizes the antenna 66 so that an electromagnetic field is emitted from the antenna 66 into the vicinity of the doorway 10 (FIG. 1). The frequency of this electromagnetic field is continuously varied by the action of the sweep generator 60 so that the antenna field undergoes successivefrequencysweeps between 1.95 and 2.05 MHZ circuit 68 passes through the doorway 10 (FIG. 1) and encounters the field of the antenna 66, the responder circuit will resonate each time the frequency of the antenna field passes through 2.00 MHZ. Since this happens twice during each frequency sweep, a resonant response is generated at the rate of 600 responses per second. As indicated previously, the nature of these resonant responses is such that they produce a decrease in antenna output impedance and a corresponding reduction of energy applied to the receiver 70. These decreases in energy are detected by the receiver 70; and its filter configuration is such as to select those ener'gy decreases which occur at the 600 responses per second rate. When this occurs, the receiver 70 produces an output which is applied to the threshold detector 72 and its output in turn is applied to the noise gate circuit and the signal gate circuit 74 and 76 respectively. In the event that the output from the receiver 70 occurs while the anetnna 66 is emitting a frequency within the range (0) of FIG. 4, i.e., corresponding substantially to the resonant range (b) of the responder circuits 68; then the switching filter 86 will have caused the monostable at a 300 cyclesper secondlrate'. Whenever a responder multivibrator 88 to energize its signal gate actuation output terminal 90 to open the signal gate circuit 76 and allow the-output from the threshold detector 72 to pass through the timevconstant circuit 78- to energize the alarm 80 for predetermined length of time.

On the other hand, if the receiver causes an output to pass through the threshold detector 72, when the antenna 66 is transmitting outside the range (c) of FIG. 4, then the switching filter will not have caused the monostable multivibrator 88 to energize its signal gate actuation output terminal 90. Instead, the noise gate actuation output terminal 92 of the monstable multivibrator 88 remains energized. Accordingly, the-signal gate 76 remains closed; and the receiver output, which passes through the threshold detector 72, is stopped at the signal gate circuit 76 and does not actuate the alarm 80. Thus, even though a resonant circuit may be present in the antenna field, it will not cause a false alarm if it produces any resonant response outside the preselected resonant frequency range of the responder circuits 68.

The system of FIG. 3 provides additional protection in that it uses information obtained during the portion of the frequency sweep outside the preselected responder circuit resonant frequency range to control its operation when the transmitter frequency subsequently reaches the preselected resonant frequency of the responder circuits. Thus, should responses be detected outside the responder circuit resonant frequency range, the system will, for a predetermined length of time, prevent any alarm actuation even from subsequent responses which do occur within the resonant frequency range. This protects against false alarms from objects which pass through the antenna field and which have an assortment of electrical characteristics producing resonant responses in several frequency ranges including the resonant range of the responder circuits 68.

the noise gate circuit 74 in an open condition. As a re- ,sult of this, the noise gate cir'cuit-74 applies a signal through the signal sustaining circuit 94 to the inhibit terminal 96 of the signal gate circuit 76. Accordingly, as the antenna frequency continues to sweep and ultimately passes through the response ranges (b) and (c) the resulting switching of the monostable multivibrator 88 which. opens the signal gate circuit 76 is rendered ineffective because of the continued'presence of an inhibit signal at the'inhibit terminals 96 of the gate circuit 76. This maintains the signal gate circuit 76 is closed for a predetermined length of time (e.g., 0.1 seconds), which is well is excess of the transmitter frequency sweep period. In most instances the sporadic electrical disturbance will have terminated. On the other hand, if the sporadic electrical disturbance should continue. the noise gate circuit 74 will be allowed to produce an inhibit signal gate circuit 76 on the next subsequent transmitter sweep.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides protection from false alarms based upon active detection in frequency ranges out- 9 side the frequency range of the various responder devices.

Having thus described the invention with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A method for reducing the occurrence of false alarms in an electronic theft detection system of the type wherein an interrogation signal is varied infrequency and wherein predetermined changes in the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of a checkpoint are produced by the passage therethrough of protected articles carrying special electronic circuits whenever said interrogation signal passes through a given frequency range, and wherein an alarm indication is produced in response to said predetermined changes, said method comprising the steps of monitoring the interrogation signal frequency and preventing alarm indications when said interrogation signal frequency is outside said given range.

2. A method for reducing the occurrence of false alarms in an electronic theft detection system of the type wherein an interrogation signal is varied in frequency and wherein predetermined changes in the electromagnetic field in the vicinity ofa checkpoint are produced by the passage therethrough of protected articles carrying special. electronic circuits whenever said interrogation signal passes through a given frequency range, and wherein an alarm indication is produced in response to said predetermined changes, said method comprising the steps of monitoring for similar changes in the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of said checkpoint which occur while said interrogation signal is outside said given range and preventing alarm indications in response to detection of said similar changes when said interrogation signal subsequently passes through said given range.

3. A system for detecting the unauthorized passage of articles through a checkpoint, said system comprising a transmitter operative to transmit an interrogation signal which varies in frequency, responder circuits mounted on articles whose unauthorized passage is to be detected, said responder circuits being operative to produce a predetermined change in the electromagnetic field conditions in the vicinity of said checkpoint in response to the incidence on said circuits of said interrogation signal within a given frequency range, receiver means operative in response to said predetermined change to produce an alarm actuating signal, alarm means responsive to said actuating signal to produce an alarm indication and means operative to prevent alarm actuation while said interrogation signal is outside said given frequency range.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein said responder circuits include energy absorbing resonant circuits and wherein said receiver means is connected to respond to energy level changes in the vicinity of said checkpoint caused by the absorption of power in a responder circuit passing through the checkpoint.

5. A system according to claim 3 wherein said means operative to prevent alarm actuation comprises a gate circuit associated with said receiver and arranged in the path of said alarm actuating signal, a frequency sensitive switch connected to receive transmitted interrogation signals and to produce switching signals to open said gate circuit when said interrogation signals are within said given frequency range and to close said gate circuit where said interrogation signals are outside said given frequency range.

6. A system for detecting the unauthorized passage of articles through a checkpoint, said system comprising a transmitter operative to transmit an interrogation signal which varies in frequency, responder circuits mounted on articles whose unauthorized passage is to be detected, said responder circuits being operative to produce a predetermined change in the electromagnetic field conditions in the vicinity of said checkpoint in response to the incidence on said circuits of said interrogation signal within a given frequency range, receiver means operative in response to said predetermined change to produce an alarm actuating signal, alarm means responsive to said actuating signal to produce an alarm indication and means associated with said receiver means for producing alarm inhibit signals in response to said predetermined change which occurs while said interrogation signal is outside said given frequency range and means responsive to the occurance of said alarm inhibit signals for inhibiting alarm indications when said interrogation signal subsequently passes through said given frequency range.

7. A system according to claim 6 wherein said responder circuits include energy absorbing resonant circuits and wherein said receiver means is connected to respond to energy level changes in the vicinity of said checkpoint caused by the absorption of power in a responder circuit passing through the checkpoint.

8. A system according to claim 6 wherein said means associated with said receiver means comprises first and second gate circuits each connected to receive signals from said receiver means, one of said gate circuits being connected to permit signals passing therethrough to produce an alarm indication, the other gate circuit beingconnected to permit signals passing therethrough to override any opening of said, one gate circuit for a predetermined length of time and a frequency sensitive switch connected to receive transmitted interrogation signals and to produce switching signals to open said one gate when said interrogation signals are within said given frequency range and to open said other gate when said interrogation signals are outside saidgiven frequency range. V

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein said frequency sensitive switch includes a multivibrator having two output terminals which are alternately energized and which are connected, respectively, to control terminals of said first and second gate circuits.

, 10. A system according to claim 8 wherein a signal sustaining circuit is connected to the output of said other gate circuit.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein said transmitter is operative to vary the frequency of said interrogation signal cyclically at a given rate and wherein said signal sustaining circuit has a duration in excess of the cyclic period of frequency variation of said interrogation signal. 7

Claims

1. A method for reducing the occurrence of false alarms in an electronic theft detection system of the type wherein an interrogation signal is varied in frequency and wherein predetermined changes in the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of a checkpoint are produced by the passage therethrough of protected articles carrying special electronic circuits whenever said interrogation signal passes through a given frequency range, and wherein an alarm indication is produced in response to said predetermined changes, said method comprising the steps of monitoring the interrogation signal frequency and preventing alarm indications when said interrogation signal frequency is outside said given range.

2. A method for reducing the occurrence of false alarms in an electronic theft detection system of the type wherein an interrogation signal is varied in frequency and wherein predetermined changes in the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of a checkpoint are produced by the passage therethrough of protected articles carrying special electronic circuits whenever said interrogation signal passes through a given frequency range, and wherein an alarm indication is produced in response to said predetermined changes, said method comprising the steps of monitoring for similar changes in the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of said checkpoint which occur while said interrogation signal is outside said given range and preventing alarm indications in response to detection of said similar changes when said interrogation signal subsequently passes through said given range.

8. A system according to claim 6 wherein said means associated with said receiver means comprises first and second gate circuits each connected to receive signals from said receiver means, one of said gate circuits being connected to permit signals passing therethrough to produce an alarm indication, the other gate circuit being connected to permit signals passing therethrough to override any opening of said one gate circuit for a predetermined length of time and a frequency sensitive switch connected to receive transmitted interrogation signals and to produce switching signals to open said one gate when said interrogation signals are within said given frequency range and to open said other gate when said interrogation signals are outside said given frequency range.

10. A system according to claim 8 wherein a signal sustaining circuit is connected to the output of said other gate circuit.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein said transmitter is operative to vary the frequency of said interrogation signal cyclically at a given rate and wherein said signal sustaining circuit has a duration in excess of the cyclic period of frequency variation of said interrogation signal.