DUAL STAGE SECURITY TAG RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/178,686 entitled “DUAL STAGE SECURITY TAG” filed on April 23, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention is generally related to tags for retail security and, more specifically dual stage security tags.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Standard security tags can be compromised using magnets, or purchased detachers sold in the aftermarket. In a standard security tag, a pin is inserted into the item to be secured and then into a ball clutch. Balls within the ball clutch pinch the pin, securing it against removal. Lifting a cage, via a magnet or mechanical system, loosens the ball clutch that the pin can be pulled free. Some attempts to combat this have included making the spring on the ball clutch holding the cage in place stronger in new iterations, requiring a stronger detacher magnet. The additional security provided for by iterations of stronger springs lasts only for the time it takes for stronger magnets to enter the market.

SUMMARY

[0004] A two-stage tag uses driven mechanisms, such as but not limited to driven by external magnetic force, to secure the pin from removal. One stage involves a ball clutch (sometimes referred to as a “ball clutch stage”). A pin is installed through the item to be secured and into the ball clutch. The ball clutch stage has a locked position in which the pin cannot be removed. The ball clutch stage has an unlockable position. In this unlockable position, the pin can be removed from the ball clutch upon application of a sufficient force such as but not limited to magnetic.

[0005] Another stage (sometimes referred to as a “dial stage”) has locked and unlocked positions that influence the position of the ball clutch stage. In the locked position, the dial stage prevents the ball clutch stage from being moved into the unlockable position. That is, before the call clutch stage can transition from the locked position to the unlockable position, the dial stage must be moved into the unlocked position. The dial stage includes a shackle with locking ribs (sometimes referred to as “locking ridges”) and at least two cams, each with a keyhole. The dial stage is in the unlocked position when the keyholes are lined up with the locking rib. With multiple cams, the dial stage has a combination comprising the specific orientation of each of the keyholes. One cam (sometimes referred to as a “major cam”) includes components, such as but not limited to, magnets that facilitate movement, such as but not limited to rotation, of the major cam from an external source. The other cam(s) (sometimes referred to as “minor cam(s)”), do not include, for example, magnets to be externally controlled. The major cam imparts movement as referenced on the minor cam(s). In such a manner, the major cam can be used to align the orientation of the keyholes to unlock the second stage without a retailer having physical access to the cams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] Operation of the present disclosure may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: [0007] FIG. 1 A illustrates an example dual stage security tag that operates in accordance to the teachings of this disclosure.

[0008] FIG. IB illustrates a perspective view of an interior of the example dual stage security tag of FIG. 1A that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0009] FIGS. 2 A, 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrates various views of the components of the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 1A and IB that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0010] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D illustrate various views of a shackle of the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 1A and IB that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D illustrate various views of a major cam of the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 1A and IB that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D illustrate various views of a minor cam of the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 1A and IB that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0013] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate views of a first stage of the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 1 A and IB that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0014] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate views of components of the first stage of the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 1A and IB that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0015] FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D illustrate views of an example dual stage security tag that operates in accordance to the teachings of this disclosure.

[0016] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D illustrate various views of the components of the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0017] FIGS. 10 A, 10B, IOC, and 10D illustrate various views of a shackle of the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 11 A, 1 IB, 11C, and 1 ID illustrate various views of a major cam of the dual stage security tags described herein that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D illustrate various views of a minor cam of the dual stage security tags described herein that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0020] FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate views of components of the first stage of the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0021] FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D illustrate views of an example dual stage security tag that operates in accordance to the teachings of this disclosure.

[0022] FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D illustrate various views of a shackle of the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0023] FIGS. 16 A, 16B, 16C, and 16D illustrate various views of a shackle of the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0024] FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate views of components of the first stage of the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D that operates in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a system to operate the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 1A and IB in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an example method to operate the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 1A and IB in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 20 illustrates an example detacher of FIG. 19 to operate the dual stage security tag of FIGS. 1A and IB in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 21 illustrates and example decoder pulley of the detacher of FIG. 20, in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 22 illustrates a portion of an example body of the detacher of FIG. 20, in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 23 illustrates a block diagram of the detacher of FIG. 20, in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] As used herein, the words “example” and “exemplary” mean an instance, or illustration. The words “example” or “exemplary” do not indicate a key or preferred aspect or embodiment. The word “or” is intended to be inclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As an example, the phrase “A employs B or C,” includes any inclusive permutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C). As another matter, the articles “a” and “an” are generally intended to mean “one or more” unless context suggests otherwise. [0033] Provided is a two-stage security tag. As used here, the terms “two-stage” and “dual stage” may be used interchangeably. A two-stage tag uses two interrelated mechanisms to secure the pin from removal, and applications of two different magnetic forces to release the pin. A ball clutch stage involves a ball clutch comprising a mount with a cup, a cage, multiple steel balls, a mount, and an enclosure. A pin is installed through the item to be secured and into the ball clutch. The steel balls pinch the pin to prevent the pin from being removed. The steel balls are held in the pinching position by the cage. While the cage is in place, the pin is difficult to remove. When a magnet strong enough to overcome the resistance of a spring associated with a dial stage is applied, or mechanical device able to facilitate the release, or other similar force not mentioned, movement of the ball clutch stage causes the cage to separate or become separable from the cup so that the steel balls are not pinched against the pin and the pin can be removed from the ball clutch. As described below, the ball clutch stage has a locked position in which the cage cannot be moved sufficiently to release the steel balls, regardless of an application of a magnetic force. The ball clutch stage has an unlockable position in which the cage can be moved sufficiently to release the balls upon application of the proper force.

[0034] The types of components, such as but not limited to magnets, employed are not particularly limited and can be selected as desired for a particular purpose or intended application. Examples of suitable components as referenced include, but are not limited to using neodymium magnets, electro-magnets, polymagnets, a combination of magnets and ferrous materials, combinations thereof, etc.

[0035] A dial stage has locked and unlocked positions that control whether or not the ball clutch stage is in the locked position or the unlockable position. In the locked position, the dial stage prevents the ball clutch stage from being moved into the unlockable position. That is, before the ball clutch stage can transition from the locked position to the unlockable position, the dial stage is moved into the unlocked position. The dial stage includes a shackle, a spring, and at least two cams. The mount of the ball clutch stage is configured to slidably mount the ball clutch stage onto the shackle under the influence of the spring. When the dial stage is in the locked position, the enclosure of the ball clutch stage prevents the cage from being displaced enough to remove the pin. That is, when the dial stage is in the locked position, the ball clutch stage is also in the locked position. When the dial stage moves to the unlocked position, the ball clutch stage moves into the unlockable position. Thus, the pin cannot be removed from the dual stage security tag unless the dial stage is in the unlocked position and a force, such as but not limited to magnetic, is then applied to the shackle of the dial stage.

[0036] The cams lock the shackle, causing the enclosure to be in the locked position, when keyholes on each of the cams are not aligned with a locking ridge of the shackle. The keyholes are oriented on the cams so that the keyholes align with the locking ridge when the cam is at a predetermined orientation about an axis defined by the shackle. With multiple cams, the second stage has a combination comprising the specific orientation of each of the cams. The cams include teeth such that, when the tooth of a first cam interfaces with the tooth of a second cam, the first cam can influence the rotation of the second cam about the axis. One cam (sometimes referred to as a “major cam”) includes magnets that facilitate rotation of the major cam from an external source. The other cam(s) (sometimes referred to as “minor cam(s)”), do not include magnets to be externally controlled. The major cam imparts movement, such as but not limited to rotations or movement along or around an axis, on the minor cam(s) via the teeth. In such a manner, the major cam can be used to align the orientation of the keyholes to unlock the second stage without a retailer having physical access to the cams. The orientations of cams to align the keyholes with the locking ridge to unlock the second stage may also be referred to herein as the “combination” of the second stage.

[0037] In some examples, the dual stage security tag includes a passive wireless communication device (e.g., an RFID label or tag, etc.) and/or an informational tag (e.g., a barcode, a QR code, etc.) that includes an identifier. In such examples, a tag remover (sometimes referred to as a “detacher”) configured to move and orient the cams of the dial stage is communicatively coupled to a key repository that stores the identifier with the corresponding combination for the cams of the dual stage security tag. When the identifier is read (e.g., by the tag remover), the corresponding combination is provided to the tag remover to unlock the dial stage of the dual stage security tag. In such a manner, dual stage security tags at a retailer may have different combinations that are not readily apparent to an observer of the dual stage security tag to hinder unlocking of the dial stage of the dual stage security tag.

[0038] The detacher unlocks the dual stage security tag (e.g., moves the dial stage into the unlocked position) using force, such as but not limited to magnets (sometimes referred to as “decoder magnets” in forementioned function) which control the movement of the major cam of the dial stage to input the combination in a movement such as but not limited to rotations. After the combination is entered, a detacher magnet is moved into position to apply a magnetic force to the shackle of the dial stage to unlock the dual stage security tag as described below. The detacher magnet may also be configured to open single stage tags. To control the decoder magnets to input the combination, the detacher includes and/or is communicatively coupled to a processor. The processor may, in some examples, communicate with a database of combinations (sometimes referred to as a “key repository”) in a remote location and/or point- of-sale software or devices. In some examples, the detacher includes a reader to read an identifying tag information associated with the dual stage security tag to be unlocked. For example, the reader may be an RFID reader to read a corresponding RFID tag affixed to the dual stage security tag and/or a bar code reader to read a corresponding barcode affixed to the dual stage security tag. That identifying information may be used determine the correct combination (e.g., from the key repository) associated with the dual stage security tag. The reader may also be used for inventory tracking and/or any number of inventory /customer tracking uses. The detacher may be mounted in-counter at the point of sale. Alternatively, in some examples, the detacher may be separated from the counter and/or maybe handheld (e.g., portable and configured to be held). In some examples, the detacher may be wirelessly connective to a network to, for example, access the key repository.

[0039] FIGS. 1A and IB illustrate an example dual stage security tag 100. The dual stage security tag 100 may be fastened to an object, such as clothing or blister packs, etc., to track the object (e.g., via RFID tag, etc.) and/or detect when the object has passed through a security barrier. As described below, the dual stage security tag 100 has a ball clutch stage that locks a pin that passes through the object to fasten the dual stage security tag 100 and a dial stage that prevents the ball clutch stage from unlocking unless it is first unlocked. The dial stage interacts with a tag remover that magnetically imparts force that causes one or more components of the dial stage to rotate about an axis to unlock the dial stage. The dial stage then interacts with the tag remover, which magnetically imparts force that causes one or more components of the dial stage to move along an axis to unlock the ball clutch stage.

[0040] In the illustrated example of FIG. 1A, the dual stage security tag 100 includes a shell 102 that resists access to the interior of the shell. The shell 102 is configured (e.g., defines a hole) to accept a pin. When inserted, the pin is locked to the shell 102 unless the dual stage security tag 100 is unlocked as described herein.

[0041] FIG. IB illustrates an interior of the shell 102 of the dual stage security tag 100. In the illustrated example, the dual stage security tag 100 includes a dial stage 104 and a ball clutch stage 106 that is slidably mounted to the dial stage 104 along a first axis 108. As described below in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7, one or more components of the ball clutch stage 106 move along a second axis 110. The dial stage 104 has a locked position and an unlocked position. The ball clutch stage 106 has a locked position and an unlockable position. When the dial stage 104 is in the locked position, the ball clutch stage 106 is also in the locked position. When the dial stage 104 is in the unlocked position, the ball clutch stage 106 is in the unlockable position. When the dial stage 104 is in the locked position, the pin cannot be removed from the dual stage security tag 100. In the unlockable position, the pin can be removed from the dual stage security tag 100 upon application of the appropriate magnetic force on the ball clutch stage 106.

[0042] In the illustrated examples of FIG. IB, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, the dial stage 104 includes a shackle 112, one or more cams 114A and 114B (collectively “cams 114”), and a dial stage spring 116. One of the cams 114A (sometimes referred to herein as the “major cam 114A”) includes magnets (e.g., neodymium magnets, electro-magnets, polymagnets, and/or a combination of magnets and ferrous materials, etc.) that are used to impart rotational motion about the first axis 108 to the major cam 114A from the tag remover through the shell 102 without physical access to the major cam 114A. As describe below, the major cam 114A directly or indirectly imparts rotational motion about the first axis 108 to the other cams 114B (sometimes referred to as “minor cam(s) 114B”). In the illustrated examples, there is one minor cam 114B. It will be appreciated that a dual stage device in accordance with the present technology is not limited to having a single minor cam, and, in embodiments, there may be multiple minor cams 114B.

[0043] As best shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, shackle 112 includes a body 302 and a shaft 304. The body 302 defines cutouts 306 on which the ball clutch stage 106 slides. The cutouts 306 facilitate movement of the ball clutch stage 106 along the first axis 108 relative to the shackle 112. The cutouts 306 are configured such that, as the ball clutch stage 106 slides along the cutout 306 as the second stage moves from an unlocked position to a locked position, a portion of the ball clutch stage 106 moves along the second axis llOto transition the ball clutch stage 106 to the unlockable position from the locked position.

[0044] In the illustrated example, the body 302 includes a disk 308. The disk 308 engages with the dial stage spring 116. The dial stage spring 116 also engages with the ball clutch stage 106. When the dial stage 104 is in the locked position, the dial stage spring 116 is extended and exerts force on the ball clutch stage 106 to encourage the ball clutch stage 106 into the unlockable position when the dial stage 104 is unlocked. When the dial stage 104 is unlocked, the dial stage spring 116 draw the ball clutch stage 106 towards the disk 308 such that the portion of the ball clutch stage 106 slides on the cutouts 306 of the body 302.

[0045] The shaft 304 includes locking ridges 310A and 310B (collectively “locking ridges 310”) and rotational portions 312A and 312B (collectively “rotational portions 312”). In some examples, the shaft 304 includes a locking ridge 310 and a rotational portion 312 for each of the cams 114. The locking ridges 310 prevent the shaft 304 (and the body 302) from moving relative to the cams 114 unless the locking ridges 310 are aligned with the corresponding keyhole of the cams 114. When the dial stage 104 is in the locked position, the locking ridges 310 and the keyholes of the cams 114 are not aligned and the shackle 302 cannot move along the first axis 108. The rotational portions 312 facilitate the cams 114 rotating about the first axis 108. When the dial stage 104 is in the locked position, the cams 114 are located at the rotational portions 312. At the rotational portions 312, the cams 114 may be rotated to align the keyholes with the locking ridges 310. When the dial stage 104 is in the unlocked position, the cams 114 are located at the locking ridges 310 with the locking ridges 310 passing through the keyholes of the cams 114.

[0046] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D illustrate an example major cam 114A. FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D illustrate an example minor cam 114B. The cams 114A and 114B define keyholes 402 and 502 and include teeth 404 and 504, respectively. The major cam 114B defines magnet holes 406 to hold magnets that are used to rotate the major cam 114B via a magnetic field generated by the tag remover. The shaft 304 of the shackle 112 goes through a portion of the keyhole 402 and 502 such that, when the cam 114 is located at a rotational portion 312 of the shaft 304, the cam 114 is rotatable around the first axis 108. A portion of the keyhole 402 and 502 is configured to accommodate the locking ridge 310 when the keyhole 402 and 502 is aligned with the locking ridge 310. The keyhole 402 and 502 is oriented relative to tooth 404 and 504, respectively, so that causing each tooth to move to a certain, defined location about the first axis 108 causes the keyholes 402 and 502 to align with locking ridge 310. In such a manner, to unlock the dial stage 104, each of the cams 114 are rotationally moved to a particular orientation. This provides a combination for the dual stage security tag 100 that may be different for different dual stage security tags 100 and maybe associated with an identifier assigned to the dual stage security tag 100.

[0047] When the major cam 114A rotates, the tooth 404 of the major cam 114A may interface with the tooth 504 of the minor cam 114B. The major cam 114A may use this interface to impart rotational movement to the minor cam 114B. To orient the minor cam 114B, the major cam 114A is rotated in a first direction sufficiently for the teeth 404 and 504 to interface. For example, the major cam 114A may be rotated 360 degrees about the first axis 108 to ensure that the teeth 404 and 504 interface regardless of the starting position of the tooth 404 of the major cam 114A relative to the tooth 504 of the minor cam 114B. The major cam 114A is then rotated in the first direction until the keyhole 502 of the minor cam 114B is aligned with the locking ridges 310. The major cam 114A is then rotated in a second direction, opposite the first direction, until the keyhole 402 of the major cam 114A is aligned with the locking ridges 310. The teeth 303 and 504 are located on their respective cams 114 such that, during the major cam’s 114A rotation in the second direction to align the keyhole 402, the teeth do not interface again. The dial stage 104 is in the unlocked position when both keyholes 402 and 502 are aligned.

[0048] In the preceding embodiment, the second stage includes one minor cam 114B. However, it will be appreciated that the dial stage 104 may have multiple minor cams 114B that interface together where their respective keyholes are aligned substantially as described above. For example, an intermediate minor cam may have a tooth on a bottom surface to interface with the major cam 114B and a tooth on a top surface to interface with another minor cam.

[0049] FIG. 6 A illustrates a perspective view of the ball clutch stage 106 with the dial stage spring 116. In the illustrated example, the ball clutch stage 106 includes a housing 602 and a locking assembly 604. FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of the locking assembly 604. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of the locking assembly 604. The locking assembly 604 includes a slide housing 606, a cup 608, a ball clutch spring 610, ball bearings 702, and an internal structure 704 (sometimes referred as a “cage”). The slide housing 606 includes sliding ledges 612 that engage with and slide on the cutouts 306 of the shackle 112. Additionally, the slide housing defines a pin hole 614 through which a pin 706 may be inserted to secure the dual stage tag 100 to an object.

[0050] When the pin 706 is inserted, the cup 608 causes the ball bearings 702 to pinch the pin 706 such that the pin resists being removed from the locking assembly 604. When a sufficient magnetic force to overcome the force of the dial stage spring 116 is applied the shackle 112, the ball clutch stage 106 moves relative the shackle 112 and the ball clutch spring 610 moves the ball clutch stage 106 into the unlockable position. Conversely, when the magnetic force is removed, the shackle 112 and dial stage spring 116 overcome the force of the ball clutch spring 610 to force the ball clutch stage 106 into the locked position. The slope of the cutouts 306 of the shackle 112 are shallow enough that the ball clutch spring 610 cannot move the shackle 112. However, the dial stage spring 116 may be strong enough to overcome the force of the ball clutch spring 610 when the magnetic force holding the shackle 112 is removed. Thus, to remove the pin 706, a magnetic force is applied to the shackle 112 sufficient to overcome the force exerted by the dial stage spring 116, which causes (i) the first stage 106 to move relative the shackle 112 along the cutouts 306 and (ii) the clutch ball spring 610 to move the ball clutch stage into the unlockable position. The cage 704 then allows the ball bearings 702 to move enough so they do not pinch the pin 706. This facilitates the pin 706 being removed from the locking assembly 604. When the magnetic force is removed, the dial stage 104 and the ball clutch stage 106 moved back into the their respective locked positions causing the cage 704 again sit on the cage 704 so that when the pin 706 is again inserted, the ball bearings 704 pinch in the pin 706.

[0051] In one embodiment, locking and unlocking of the tag is configured to work in a manner opposite of the locking/unlocking mechanism discussed above. For example, in one embodiment, when the dial stage 104 is in the locked position, the ball clutch spring 610 exerts force on the ball clutch stage 106 to encourage the ball clutch stage 106 into the locked position. The shackle 112 sliding forces the ball clutch into the unlocked position, and the dial stage spring 116 returns the shackle to its original position.

[0052] Thus, in one embodiment, when a sufficient magnetic force to overcome the force of the dial stage spring 116 is applied the shackle 112, the ball clutch stage 106 moves relative the shackle 112 and the ball clutch spring 610 moves the ball clutch stage 106 into the locked position. Conversely, when the magnetic force is removed, the shackle 112 and dial stage spring 116 overcome the force of the ball clutch spring 610 to force the ball clutch stage 106 into the unlocked position. Thus, to remove the pin 706, a magnetic force is applied to the shackle 112 sufficient to overcome the force exerted by the ball clutch spring 610, which causes (i) the first stage 106 to move relative the shackle 112 along the cutouts 306 and (ii) the dial stage spring 116 causing the shackle 112 to return to an unlockable position. [0053] When the ball clutch stage 106 is in the locked position, the locking assembly 604 is positioned in the housing 602 such that the distance between the housing 602 and the cup 608 prevents the cup 608 from being removed enough from the cage 704 to stop the ball bearings 702 from pinching the pin 706. That is, regardless of whether a magnetic force is applied to the cup 608, the cup 608 cannot be displaced to release the pin 706.

[0054] When the ball clutch stage 106 transitions from the locked position to the unlockable position, the housing 602 does not move long the second axis 110. When the ball clutch stage 106 transitions from the locked position to the unlockable position, the locking assembly 604 moves long the second axis 110 creating a space between the cup 608 and the cage 704. This space facilitates the cup608 being displaced from the cage 704to release the pin 706.

[0055] FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D illustrate an example dual stage security tag 800. FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of the exterior of the dual stage security tag 800. FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the dual stage security tag 800. FIG. 8C illustrates a perspective view of the stage security tag 800 with part of a shell 802 removed for illustrative purposes. FIG. 8D illustrates a perspective view of the stage security tag 800 with the shell 802 removed for illustrative purposes. The dual stage security tag 800 may be fastened to an object, such as clothing or blister packs, etc., to track the object (e.g., via RFID tag, etc.) and/or detect when the object has passed through a security barrier. As described below, the dual stage security tag 800 has a ball clutch stage that locks a pin that passes through the object to fasten the dual stage security tag 800 and a dial stage that prevents the ball clutch stage from unlocking unless it is first unlocked. The dial stage interacts with a tag remover that magnetically imparts force that causes one or more components of the dial stage to rotate about an axis to unlock the dial stage. The dial stage then interacts with the tag remover, which magnetically imparts force that causes one or more components of the dial stage to move along an axis to unlock the ball clutch stage. [0056] In the illustrated example of FIG. 8A, the dual stage security tag 800 includes the shell

802 that resists and/or impedes access to the interior of the shell. The shell 802 defines a hole

803 to accept a pin. When inserted, the pin is locked to the shell 802 unless the dual stage security tag 800 is unlocked as described herein.

[0057] FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D illustrate an interior of the shell 802 of the dual stage security tag 800. In the illustrated example, the dual stage security tag 800 includes a dial stage 804 and a ball clutch stage 806 that is slidably mounted to the dial stage 804 along a first axis 808. As described in connection with FIG. 7 above and FIGS. 13A and 13B below, one or more components of the ball clutch stage 806 move along a second axis 810. The dial stage 804 has a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, a first stage spring 805 is at least partially stretched such that it provides a force for the dial stage 804 to remain in the locked position. In the unlocked position, the first stage spring 805 initially is at least partially stretched as before. The first stage spring 805 provides a resistive force to prevent movement of the dial stage 804 from the locked position to the unlocked position as described below until a sufficient magnetic force is applied to the dial stage 804 along the first axis 808 to stretch the first stage spring 805. Thus, the dial stage 804 only remains in the locked position while the sufficiently strong magnetic force is applied. That is, when the sufficiently strong magnetic force is removed, the first stage spring 805 moves the dial stage 804 into the locked position.

[0058] The ball clutch stage 806 has a locked position and an unlockable position. When the dial stage 804 is in the locked position, the ball clutch stage 806 is also in the locked position. When the dial stage 804 is in the unlocked position, the ball clutch stage 806 is in the unlockable position. When the dial stage 804 is in the locked position, the pin cannot be removed from the dual stage security tag 800. In the unlockable position, the pin can be removed from the dual stage security tag 800 upon application of the appropriate magnetic force on the ball clutch stage 806. [0059] In the illustrated examples of FIG. 8B, 8C, 8D, 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D, the dial stage 804 includes the first stage spring 805, a shackle 812, one or more cams 814A and 814B (collectively “cams 814”). One of the cams 814A (sometimes referred to herein as the “major cam 814A”) includes magnets 815 (e.g., neodymium magnets, electro-magnets, polymagnets, and/or a combination of magnets and ferrous materials, etc.) that are used to impart rotational motion about the first axis 808 to the major cam 814A from the tag remover through the shell 802 without physical access to the major cam 814A. As describe below, the major cam 814A directly or indirectly imparts rotational motion about the first axis 808 to the other cams 814B (sometimes referred to as “minor cam(s) 814B”). In the illustrated examples, there is one minor cam 814B. It will be appreciated that a dual stage device in accordance with the present technology is not limited to having a single minor cam, and, in embodiments, there may be multiple minor cams 814B. In certain positions, the cams 814 align to unlock the shackle 812, allowing the first stage spring 805 to be at least partially stretched to facilitate the shackle 814 to moving to the unlocked position under the influence of a sufficiently strong magnetic force.

[0060] As best shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, IOC, and 10D, the shackle 812 includes a body 1002 and a shaft 1004. The body 1002 defines wedge portions 1006 that cooperate with the ball clutch stage 806 to facilitate the ball clutch stage 106 and the shackle 812 sliding relative to each other in the direction of the first axis 808. That is, the wedge portions 1006 facilitate movement of the ball clutch stage 106 along the first axis 808 relative to the shackle 812. The wedge portions 1006 are configured such that, as the ball clutch stage 806 slides along the wedge portions 1006 as the dial stage 804 moves from an unlocked position to a locked position, a portion of the ball clutch stage 806 moves along the second axis 810 to transition the ball clutch stage 806 to the unlockable position from the locked position.

[0061] The shaft 1004 includes locking ridges 1010A and 1010B (collectively “locking ridges 1010”) and rotational portions 1012A and 1012B (collectively “rotational portions 312”). In some examples, the shaft 1004 includes a locking ridge 1010 and a rotational portion 1012 for each of the cams 814. The locking ridges 1010 prevent the shaft 1004 (and the body 1002) from moving along the first axis 808 relative to the cams 814 unless the locking ridges 1010 are aligned with the corresponding keyhole of the cams 814. When the dial stage 804 is in the locked position, the locking ridges 1010 and the keyholes of the cams 814 are not aligned and the shackle 812 cannot move along the first axis 808. The rotational portions 1012 facilitate the cams 814 rotating about the first axis 808. When the dial stage 804 is in the locked position, the cams 814 are located at the rotational portions 1012. At the rotational portions 1012, the cams 814 may be rotated to align the keyholes with the locking ridges 1010. When the dial stage 804 is in the unlocked position (e.g., the locking ridges 810 are aligned with the keyholes of the cams 814), the first stage spring 805 initially maintains the shackle 812 in its location relative to the first axis 808. When a sufficiently strong magnetic force is applied to the shackle 812, the shackle 812 moves along the first axis 808 and stretches the first stage spring 805. When the shackle 812 moves along the first axis 808 in this manner, the locking ridges 1010 passing through the keyholes of the cams 814. In such a manner, the wedge portions 1006 of the shackle 1002 slide so that the ball clutch stage 806 is in the unlockable position. Resetting the dial stage 804 to the locked position comprises (i) removing the magnetic force on the shackle 812 which causes the first stage spring 805 to move the body 1002 so the cams 814 are located at the rotational portions 1012, and (ii) rotating the cams 814 so the keyholes are not aligned with the locking ridges 1010.

[0062] FIGS. 11 A, 11B, 11C, and 11D illustrate an example major cam 814A. FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D illustrate an example minor cam 814B. The cams 814A and 814B define keyholes 1102 and 1202 and include teeth 1104 and 1204, respectively. The major cam 814B defines magnet holes 1106 to hold the magnets 815 that are used to rotate the major cam 814B via a magnetic field generated by the tag remover. The shaft 1004 of the shackle 812 goes through a portion of the keyhole 1102 and 1202 such that, when the cam 814 is located at a rotational portion 1012 of the shaft 1004, the cam 814 is rotatable around the first axis 808. A portion of the keyhole 1102 and 1202 is configured to accommodate the shaft 1004 and the locking ridge 1010 when the keyhole 1102 and 1202 is aligned with the locking ridge 1010. The keyhole 1102 and 1202 is oriented relative to tooth 1104 and 1204, respectively, so that causing each tooth 1104 and 1204 to move to a certain, defined location about the first axis 808 causes the keyholes 1102 and 1202 to align with locking ridge 1010. In such a manner, to unlock the dial stage 804, each of the cams 814 are rotationally moved to a particular orientation. This provides a combination for the dual stage security tag 800 that may be different for different dual stage security tags 800 and maybe associated with an identifier assigned to the dual stage security tag 800.

[0063] When the major cam 814A rotates, the tooth 1104 of the major cam 814A may interface with the tooth 1204 of the minor cam 814B. The major cam 814A may use this interface to impart rotational movement to the minor cam 814B. To orient the minor cam 814B, the major cam 814A is rotated in a first direction sufficiently for the teeth 1104 and 1204 to interface. For example, the major cam 814A may be rotated 360 degrees about the first axis 808 to ensure that the teeth 1104 and 1204 interface regardless of the starting position of the tooth 1104 of the major cam 814A relative to the tooth 1204 of the minor cam 814B. The major cam 814A is then rotated in the first direction until the keyhole 1102 of the minor cam 814B is aligned with the locking ridges 1010. The major cam 814A is then rotated in a second direction, opposite the first direction, until the keyhole 1102 of the major cam 814A is aligned with the locking ridges 310. The teeth 1104 and 1204 are located on their respective cams 814 such that, during the major cam’s 814A rotation in the second direction to align the keyhole 1102, the teeth 1104 and 1204 do not interface again. The dial stage 804 is in the unlocked position when both keyholes 1102 and 1202 are aligned. [0064] In the preceding embodiment, the second stage includes one minor cam 814B. However, it will be appreciated that the dial stage 804 may have multiple minor cams 814B that interface together where their respective keyholes are aligned substantially as described above. For example, an intermediate minor cam may have a tooth on a bottom surface to interface with the maj or cam 814B and a tooth on a top surface to interface with another minor cam.

[0065] FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrates perspective views of the ball clutch stage 806. In the illustrated example, the ball clutch stage 806 includes a slide housing 1302, a cup 608, a ball clutch spring 610, ball bearings 702, and an internal structure 704 (sometimes referred as a “cage”). In some examples, the slide housing 1302 may be integrally formed with the internal structure 704. The slide housing 1302 includes sliding ledges 1304 that engage with and slide on the wedge portions 1006 of the shackle 812. Additionally, the slide housing 1304 defines a pin hole 1306 through which a pin 706 may be inserted to secure the dual stage tag 800 to an object. The pin hole 1304 is coaxial with the second axis 810. The sliding ledges 1304 sliding on the wedge portions 1006 of the shackle 812 causes the slide housing 1302 (e.g., and the cup 608) to move along the second axis 810 relative the shackle 812.

[0066] When the ball clutch stage 806 is in the locked position, (i) the clutch spring 610 applies a force to the cup 608 and (ii) the sliding ledges 1304 are fully engaged with the wedge portions 1006 of the shackle 812 (e.g., the dial stage 804 is in the locked position). As a result, when the ball clutch stage 806 is in the locked position and the pin 706 is inserted, the cup 608 causes the ball bearings 702 to pinch the pin 706 such that the pin 706 resists being removed from the ball clutch stage 806 and, consequently, the dual stage tab 800. In the unlockable position of the ball clutch stage 806, where the wedge portions 1006 of the shackle 812 and the sliding ledges 1304 of the slide housing 1302 are substantially are at least partially not engaged (e.g., the dial stage 804 is in the unlocked position and a strong magnetic force is applied to the shackle 812), the ball clutch spring 610 is at least partially uncompressed, pulling the cup 608 into a position such that the ball bearings 702 do not pinch the pin 706. Thus, in this position, the pin 702 is removable from the ball clutch stage 806 and, consequently, the dual stage tab 800. Returning the shackle 812 such that the sliding ledges 1304 are fully engaged with the wedge portions 1006 recompresses the ball clutch spring 610 and locks the cup 608.

[0067] FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D illustrate an example dual stage security tag 1400. FIG. 14A illustrates a perspective view of the exterior of the dual stage security tag 1400. FIG. 14B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the dual stage security tag 1400. FIG. 14C illustrates a perspective view of the stage security tag 1400 with part of a shell 1402 removed for illustrative purposes. FIG. 8D illustrates a perspective view of the stage security tag 1400 with the shell 1402 removed for illustrative purposes. The dual stage security tag 1400 may be fastened to an object, such as clothing or blister packs, etc., to track the object (e.g., via RFID tag, etc.) and/or detect when the object has passed through a security barrier. As described below, the dual stage security tag 1400 has a ball clutch stage that locks a pin that passes through the object to fasten the dual stage security tag 1400 and a dial stage that prevents the ball clutch stage from unlocking unless it is first unlocked. The dial stage interacts with a tag remover that magnetically imparts force that causes one or more components of the dial stage to rotate about an axis to unlock the dial stage. The dial stage then interacts with the tag remover, which magnetically imparts force that causes one or more components of the dial stage to move along an axis to unlock the ball clutch stage.

[0068] In the illustrated example of FIG. 14A, the dual stage security tag 1400 includes the shell 802 that resists and/or impedes access to the interior of the shell. The shell 1402 defines a hole 1403 to accept a pin. When inserted, the pin is locked to the shell 1402 unless the dual stage security tag 1400 is unlocked as described herein.

[0069] FIGS. 14B, 14C, and 14D illustrate an interior of the shell 1402 of the dual stage security tag 1400. In the illustrated example, the dual stage security tag 1400 includes a dial stage 1404 and a ball clutch stage 1406 that is slidably mounted to the dial stage 1404 along a first axis 1408. As described in connection with FIG. 7 above and FIGS. 17A and 17B below, one or more components of the ball clutch stage 1406 move along a second axis 1410. The second axis 1410 is coaxial with the hole 1403. The dial stage 1404 has a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, a first stage spring 1405 is at least partially stretched such that it provides a force for the dial stage 1404 to remain in the locked position. In the unlocked position, the first stage spring 1405 initially is at least partially stretched as before. The first stage spring 1405 provides a resistive force to prevent movement of the dial stage 1404 from the locked position to the unlocked position as described below until a sufficient magnetic force is applied to the dial stage 1404 along the first axis 1408 to stretch the first stage spring 1405. The magnetic force necessary can be calibrated by selecting the elasticity of the first stage spring 1405. Thus, the dial stage 1404 only remains in the locked position while the sufficiently strong magnetic force is applied. That is, when the sufficiently strong magnetic force is removed, the first stage spring 1405 moves the dial stage 804 into the locked position.

[0070] The ball clutch stage 1406 has a locked position and an unlockable position. When the dial stage 1404 is in the locked position, the ball clutch stage 1406 is also in the locked position. When the dial stage 1404 is in the unlocked position, the ball clutch stage 1406 is in the unlockable position. When the dial stage 1404 is in the locked position, the pin cannot be removed from the dual stage security tag 1400. In the unlockable position, the pin can be removed from the dual stage security tag 1400 upon application of the appropriate magnetic force on the ball clutch stage 1406.

[0071] In the illustrated examples of FIG. 14B, 14C, 14D, 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D, the dial stage 1404 includes the first stage spring 1405, a shackle 1412, one or more cams 1414A and 1414B (collectively “cams 1414”). One of the cams 1414A (sometimes referred to herein as the “major cam 1414A”) includes magnets 1415 (e.g., neodymium magnets, electro-magnets, polymagnets, and/or a combination of magnets and ferrous materials, etc.) that are used to impart rotational motion about the first axis 1408 to the major cam 1414A from the tag remover through the shell 1402 without physical access to the major cam 1414A. As describe below, the major cam 1414A directly or indirectly imparts rotational motion about the first axis 1408 to the other cams 1414B (sometimes referred to as “minor cam(s) 1414B”). In the illustrated examples, there is one minor cam 1414B. It will be appreciated that a dual stage device in accordance with the present technology is not limited to having a single minor cam, and, in embodiments, there may be multiple minor cams 1414B. In certain positions, the cams 1414 align to unlock the shackle 1412, allowing the first stage spring 1405 to be at least partially stretched to facilitate the shackle 1414 to moving to the unlocked position under the influence of a sufficiently strong magnetic force. The major cam 1414A may be an example of the major cam illustrated in FIGS. 11 A, 11B, 11C, and 11D above. The minor cam 1414B may be an example of the minor can illustrated in FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D above.

[0072] As best shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D, shackle 1412 includes a body 1602 and a shaft 1604. The body 1602 defines cutouts 1606 on which the ball clutch stage 1406 slides. The cutouts 1606 facilitate movement of the ball clutch stage 1406 along the first axis 1408 relative to the shackle 1412. The cutouts 1606 are configured such that, as the ball clutch stage 1406 slides along the cutout 1606 as the dial stage 1404 moves from an unlocked position to a locked position, a portion of the ball clutch stage 1406 moves along the second axis 1410 to transition the ball clutch stage 1406 to the unlockable position from the locked position.

[0073] The shaft 1604 includes locking ridges 1610A and 1610B (collectively “locking ridges 1610”) and rotational portions 1612A and 1612B (collectively “rotational portions 1612”). In some examples, the shaft 1604 includes a locking ridge 1610 and a rotational portion 1612 for each of the cams 1414. The locking ridges 1610 prevent the shaft 1604 (and the body 1602) from moving relative to the cams 1414 unless the locking ridges 1610 are aligned with the corresponding keyhole 1102 and 1202 of the cams 1414. When the dial stage 1404 is in the locked position, the locking ridges 1610 and the keyholes 1102 and 1202 of the cams 1414 are not aligned and the shackle 1602 cannot move along the first axis 1408. The rotational portions 1612 facilitate the cams 1414 rotating about the first axis 1408. When the dial stage 1404 is in the locked position, the cams 1414 are located at the rotational portions 1612. At the rotational portions 1612, the cams 1414 may be rotated to align the keyholes 1102 and 1202 with the locking ridges 1610. When the dial stage 1404 is in the unlocked position, the cams 1414 are located at the locking ridges 1610 with the locking ridges 1610 passing through the keyholes 1102 and 1202 of the cams 1414.

[0074] FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrates perspective views of the ball clutch stage 1406. In the illustrated example, the ball clutch stage 1406 includes a slide housing 1702, a cup 608, a foam block 1704, ball bearings 702, and an internal structure 704 (sometimes referred as a “cage”). In some examples, the slide housing 1702 may be integrally formed with the internal structure 704. The slide housing 1702 includes sliding ledges 1706 that engage with and slide on the cutouts 1606 of the shackle 1412. Additionally, the slide housing 1706 defines a pin hole 1708 through which a pin 706 may be inserted to secure the dual stage tag 1400 to an object. The pin hole 1708 is coaxial with the second axis 1410. The sliding ledges 1706 sliding on the cutouts 1606 of the shackle 1412 causes the slide housing 1702 (e.g., and the cup 608) to move along the second axis 1410 relative the shackle 1412.

[0075] In the locked position, the foam block 1704 applies a force to the slide housing 1702. This force holds the cup 608 to the slide housing 1702, keeping the pin 706 locked. The cutouts 1606 of the shackle 1412 interact with the sliding ledges 1706 of the slide housing 1702. When the cams 1414 are oriented correctly and the shackle 1414 is pulled on by a magnet with a sufficiently strong magnetic force to overcome the resistance of the first stage spring 1405, the ball clutch stage 1406 is unlocked. The shackle 1414 physically moves the slide housing 1702 out of the cup 608 to release the pin 706. When the sufficiently strong magnetic force is removed from the shackle 1412, the sliding ledges 1706 of the slide housing 1702 slide on the cutouts 1606 of the shackle 1412 causing the cup 608 to be pressed against the slide housing 1702, preventing removal of any pin 706 in the pin hole 1708.

[0076] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a system 1800 to operate the dual stage security tags 100, 800, and 1400. In the illustrated examples, the system 1800 includes a tag remover 1802 (sometimes referred to as a “detacher”), a retail system 1804, and a key repository 1806. The tag remover 1802 is configured to apply magnetic force to manipulate the dial stage 104, 804, and 1404 (e.g., rotate the major cam 114B, 814B, and 1414B). The tag remover 1802 is also configured to apply magnetic force to manipulate the shackle 112, 812, and 1412 of the dial stage 104, 804, and 1404 to release the pin 706. In the illustrated example, the tag remover 1802 is communicatively coupled to the retail system 1804. The retail system 1804 may be a point-of-sale system and/or may be a server. In the illustrated example, the retail system 1804 is communicatively coupled to the key repository 1806. In some examples, the key repository 1806 is a database that is hosted on a server controlled by a manufacturer of the dual stage security tag 100, 800, and 1400. Alternatively or additionally, the key repository 1806 may be incorporated into the retail system 1804. The key repository 1806 stores identifiers associated with the dual stage security tags 100, 800, and 1400 and the corresponding combination.

[0077] In the illustrated example of FIG. 18, the dual stage security tag 100, 800, and 1400 includes a passive tag 1808, such as a passive RFID tag, that stores an identifier associated with the dual stage security tag 100, 800, and 1400. In some examples, the identifier is unique to the dual stage security tag 100, 800, and 1400. In some examples, the identifier is associated with a particular combination such that any dual stage security tag 100, 800, and 1400 with that combination shares the same identifier. In the illustrated example, the tag remover 1802 includes a tag reader 1810 configured to read the identifier from the tag 1808. The tag remover 1802 may also be referred to herein as a detacher. When read, the identifier is used to retrieve the combination from the key repository to unlock the dial stage 104, 804, and 1404.

[0078] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an example method to operate the dual stage security tag 100. While the method is described in connection with the security tag 100, the method may be employed with the security tag 800 and 1400. Initially, the tag remover 1802 obtains the identifier of the dual stage security tag 100 (block 1902), For example, the tag remover 1802 may read the tag 1808 with the tag reader 1810. The tag remover 1802 retrieves the corresponding combination from the key repository 1804 (e.g., via the retail system 1804, etc.) (block 1904). The combination specifies the orientations of the major cam 114A and the minor cam 114B of the dial stage 104 of the dual stage security tag 100 to unlock the dial stage 104. The tag remover 1802 spins the major cam 114A in the first direction to engage the major cam 114A with the minor cam 114B (block 1906). The tag remover 1802 spins the major cam 114A in the first direction to orient they keyhole 504 of the minor cam 114B (block 1908). The tag remover 1802 spins the major cam 114A in the second direction to orient they keyhole 404 of the major cam 114A, causing the second stage to transition from the locked position to the unlocked position (block 1910). The tag remover 1802 then applies a magnetic force to the shackle 112 of the dial stage 104 to release the pin 706 from the dual stage security tag 100 (block 1912).

[0079] FIG. 20 illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of a tag remover or detacher 1802 of FIG. 18 to operate the dual stage security tag 100 of FIGS. 1A and IB. While the operation of the detacher 1802 is described in connection with the security tag 100, the detacher 1802 may be employed with the security tag 800 and 1400. The dual stage security tag 100 is inserted into a recess 2002 of a body 2004 of the detacher 1802. FIG. 21 illustrates an example of the recess 2002 defined in the body 2004. When the dual stage security tag 100 is inserted fully, a switch 2006 is actuated. A circuit 2008, that may include a processor and memory, reads the signal and begins the detaching process. Initially, the circuit 2008 turns a motor 2010. Rotation generated by the motor 2010 is transmitted from a motor pulley 2012 to a decoder pulley 2014. As illustrated in FIG. 22, the decoder pulley 2014 includes magnets 2100 in an inner circumference to exert force on the major cam of the tag dual stage security tag 100. The magnets 2100 in the decoder pulley 2014 remotely move the cams in the dual stage security tag 100 as described above to enter the combination. Once the combination is entered, the circuit 2008 triggers a solenoid 2016. When the solenoid 2016 extends, a detacher magnet 2018 at the end of the solenoid 2016 moves into position. The detacher magnet 2018 pulls on the shackle 112 of the dual stage security tag 100 as described above to unlock the tag dual stage security tag 100. FIG. 23 illustrates a block diagram of the detacher 1802. In the illustrated example, the detacher 1802 includes the reader 1810 and is communicative coupled to a remote database (e.g., the key repository 1806).

[0080] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the disclosure described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. The terms “includes,” “including,” and “include” are inclusive and have the same scope as “comprises,” “comprising,” and “comprise” respectively. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.