Elongate flexible tag
Systems and methods for providing a tag. The tag comprising a flexible elongate structure comprising a cord or a cable; an electronic thread device integrated into the cord or cable that is operative to wirelessly communicate with external devices for inventory management or security purposes; and/or an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) component integrated into the cord or cable.
1. A method for operating a tag, comprising:
receiving a wireless signal including a command at an electronic thread device integrated into a flexible elongate structure of the tag;
performing operations by the electronic thread device to authenticate the command; and
causing, by the electronic thread device, at least one of an actuation of a detachment mechanism of the tag, a heating of a heat sensitive material of the tag, and a deactivation of a communication operation of the tag, in response to an authentication of the command;
wherein an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) component is also integrated into the flexible elongate structure of the tag, and the EAS component comprises a magnetic or metallic material disposed in a core layer of the flexible elongate structure of the tag and a coil wrapped around at least one of the magnetic or metallic material and a fabric layer of the flexible elongate structure of the tag.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate structure comprises a cord or a cable.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic thread device comprises an antenna and an Integrated Circuit (“IC”).
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate structure comprises a fabric layer on which the electronic thread device is disposed, or to which the electronic thread device is placed adjacent or coupled.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein a battery is printed on the fabric layer for supplying power to the electronic thread device.
6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the flexible elongate structure further comprises a protective sleeve to prevent damage to the fabric layer and electronic thread device.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the electronic thread device is compressed between the protective sleeve and the fabric layer.
8. The method according to claim 4 , wherein a trace is formed on the fabric layer that connects the electronic thread device to an external power source located in a body of the tag.
9. A tag, comprising:
a flexible elongate structure; and
an electronic thread device integrated into the flexible elongate structure and configured to:
receive a wireless signal including a command from an external device,
authenticate the command, and
cause at least one of an actuation of a detachment mechanism of the tag, a heating of a heat sensitive material of the tag, and a deactivation of a communication operation of the tag, in response to an authentication of the command;
wherein an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) component is also integrated into the flexible elongate structure of the tag, and the EAS component comprises a magnetic or metallic material disposed in a core layer of the flexible elongate structure of the tag and a coil wrapped around at least one of the magnetic or metallic material and a fabric layer of the flexible elongate structure of the tag.
10. The tag according to claim 9 , wherein the flexible elongate structure comprises a cord or a cable.
11. The tag according to claim 9 , wherein the electronic thread device comprises an antenna and an Integrated Circuit (“IC”).
12. The tag according to claim 9 , wherein the flexible elongate structure comprises a fabric layer on which the electronic thread device is disposed, or to which the electronic thread device is placed adjacent or coupled.
13. The tag according to claim 12 , wherein a battery is printed on the fabric layer for supplying power to the electronic thread device.
14. The tag according to claim 12 , wherein the flexible elongate structure further comprises a protective sleeve to prevent damage to the fabric layer and electronic thread device.
15. The tag according to claim 14 , wherein the electronic thread device is compressed between the protective sleeve and the fabric layer.
16. The tag according to claim 12 , wherein a trace is formed on the fabric layer that connects the electronic thread device to an external power source located in a body of the tag.
17. A tag, comprising:
a flexible elongate structure comprising a cord or a cable;
an electronic thread device integrated into the cord or cable that is operative to wirelessly communicate with external devices for inventory management or security purposes; and
an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) component integrated into the cord or cable, and wherein the EAS component comprises a magnetic or metallic material disposed in a core layer of the cord or cable and a coil wrapped around at least one of the magnetic or metallic material and a fabric layer of the cord or cable.