Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method to detect RFID tags in electronic article surveillance systems using frequency mixing. The system includes an RFID module that includes an energy coupler to receive transmitted energy that includes a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency, and a mixing element to mix the first and second signals, to generate a third signal at a third frequency, and the energy coupler to transmit the third signal to an EAS detection system. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method to combine radio frequency identification and electronic article surveillance receivers into a single device are described wherein a first selection signal is sent to switch a first switch to a first state to connect a receiver to a first antenna in order to detect a first type of security tag in a first operating mode and a second selection signal is sent to switch the first switch to a second state to connect the receiver to a second antenna to detect a second type of security tag in a second operating mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A self-checkout/self-check-in and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is provided. EAS tags and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are connected to articles for use with the invention. A preferred embodiment for self-checkout includes a housing having a cavity for receiving articles for self-checkout. The cavity is disposed within a deactivation zone. The RFID tags are read, and after verification of an authorized transaction, a deactivation antenna is energized to deactivate the EAS tags, and a stored inventory database is updated. Information about the transaction can be displayed. A preferred embodiment for self-check-in includes an elongated housing into which articles are deposited for return. Once deposited, the articles pass through the housing and out the other end.