UPP(Source Tagging Solution) Development steps.

UPP(Universal Product Protection) solution was presented by Sensormatic at the beginning. Wal-Mart is pioneer for this solution. More and more retailers are accepting this solution, since it reduced lots of cost for them.This is why this solution is developing so fast.

1. First Generation: Label & soft pocket bag tag solution.

At the beginning Sensormatic used DR & LE labels,Checkpoint and some RF companies used RF labels for source tagging products. Retailers like this most lower cost solution,but after a few years using, some problem found.

• Lower detection. Labels are in worse detection than a hard tag,expecially it was distorted.
• Easy to be removed. Please be aware,most of shoplifters are top professional, they will remove these soft tags inside stores. At least store staff know well of this secret. As statistics investigated, 33% of total loss caused by own store staff !
• Some of RF labels are reactivable. One partial of soft labels will reactive after a period of time, eventhough have been deactivated at the cash counters already. As investigated,lots of customers did not remove these soft labels after shopping. When they dress the clothes and walk in a store again, one unnecessary alarming occured. This situation drove people mad. Customers got furious for such kind of problem and claiming with their retailers.

2.Second Generation: Small disposable hard tag solution
Because of problems caused by soft tag solution, Sensormatic launched VST tag for second generation. Checkpoint also lanuched their Hard Tag @ Source Program quickly.

They are small, lightweight anti-shoplifting hard tag, designed for one time usage. When an item is sold, store associates simply remove the tag at the point-of-sale and discard it—no need to store, re-stock or manage tag inventories afterwards. These Hard Tags are applied at the manufacturing source to a broad range of soft goods, so retailers can devote their time and energy to serving customers instead of tagging merchandise in the store.

Second generation solved problems of first solution but caused lots of garbage. This is another big problem for our environment. As a professional hard tag manufacturer, we know that the cost to make such a disposable tag is the same or even higher than to make it in reusable. Why disposable? Why one time usage? Such questions have to ask the two leading companies directly. I believe they are satisfying the result when we asking such questions.
Simply reason, they can sell more!

3. Third Generation: hard tag recycling
After Copenhagen un Climate Change Conference 2009, environment protection is being a frequency topic of most of people. Sensormatic modified VST tag to be reusable now and Checkpoint also changed their source tagging hard tag. Source hard tag recycling is getting popular. Retailers only pay renting service is a new solution. You pay the cost when we send the hard tags to garment manufacturers and get rebate from us when we recycle them back from your stores. This is unique! This is smart, low cost and efficient.

One main supplier in China Virginland Technology can provide this service.

How Radio Frequency(RF) System Works

Swept-RF uses a transmitter to create a detection zone where tags are detected. The transmitter sends a signal that varies between 7.4 and 8.8 MHz (millions of cycles per second), which is why it is called swept; it sweeps over a range of frequencies.
The transmitter signal energizes the swept-RF tag, which is composed of a circuit containing a capacitor and a coil, both of which store electrical energy. When connected together in a loop, the components can pass energy back and forth or "resonate."

The tag responds by emitting a signal that is detected by a wideband receiver, meaning a receiver that monitors for signals over a wide frequency range; for swept-rf systems the bandwidth is typically about 1,400,000 Hz. By detecting a phase difference between these two signals,the receiver recognizes the presence of a tag, and it alarms.

More advanced RF Systems, emit a low-energy RF pulse, which "listens" for the tag. This technology, known as Digital Signal Processing (DSP), pulse based systems are meant to be more accurate and less susceptible to false alarms.

How Acousto-Magnetic (AM) Technology Works

Acousto-Magnetic systems transmit a magnetic frequency signal at 58 kHz in a pulsed pattern. The transmit signal energizes an acousto-magnetic tag in the detection zone. When the transmit signal pulse ends, the tag responds, emitting a single very distinctive frequency signal. The tag signal is at the same frequency as the transmitter signal.                                        

While the transmitter is off between pulses, a narrow band receiver detects the tag signal. A microcomputer checks the tag signal detected by the receiver to ensure it is at the right frequency and defined characteristics, occurs at a precise point in time synchronized to the transmitter, at the proper level, and at the correct repetition rate. If all of these criteria are met several times in a row, an alarm occurs.

The advantage of AM: the unique tag signature and the large tag signal produce the Acousto-Magnetic technology's wide surveillance coverage, high tag detection rate, and immunity to false alarms.