A security apparatus and a method of operating the security apparatus

(19)

(11)

EP 1 288 878 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	27.08.2003 Bulletin 2003/35

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	05.03.2003 Bulletin 2003/10

(21)	Application number: 02255733.4

(22)	Date of filing: 16.08.2002

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: G08B 13/14, G08B 13/24

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

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Priority:

17.08.2001 GB 0120077

(71)	Applicant: Dalton, Paul
	Earsdon, Coventry CV5 6BZ (GB)

(72)	Inventor:
	Dalton, Paul Earsdon, Coventry CV5 6BZ (GB)

(74)	Representative: Croston, David et al
	Withers & Rogers, Goldings House, 2 Hays Lane London SE1 2HW London SE1 2HW (GB)

(54)	A security apparatus and a method of operating the security apparatus

(57) A security apparatus 10 comprises a base station 12 with an aerial 20 acting as transmitter and receiver, a control unit 18 and an RFID security tag 14. The aerial sends a monitor signal of limited range which is received by, and preferably powers, the RFID security tag 14. On receipt of the monitor signal, the tag 14 sends an identity signal of limited range. The identity signal is received by the aerial 20 and passes to the control unit 18. Removal of the RFID security tag 14 out of range of one of the signals causes the identity signal not to be passed to the control unit 18 which can sound an alarm. A method of operating such an apparatus also forms part of the invention. In another aspect, the apparatus comprises an aerial 20, an RFID security tag 14 with an identity code, a control unit 18 and a control tag 14 which comprises a security tag which the control unit 18 has been programmed to recognise as a control tag.

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