Abstract: A device is disclosed for activating and deactivating magnetic electronic article surveillance (EAS) markers. In one embodiment, the device includes control circuitry comprising a coil, such as a solenoid-type coil, that provides a magnetic field in one direction and another coil that provides a magnetic field in a substantially perpendicular direction, so that EAS markers that pass through the device are positioned generally in the plane defined by the first and second directions.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for activating and deactivating magnetic electronic article surveillance (EAS) markers. In one embodiment, the device includes control circuitry comprising a coil, such as a solenoid-type coil, that provides a magnetic field in one direction and another coil that provides a magnetic field in a substantially perpendicular direction, so that EAS markers that pass through the device are positioned generally in the plane defined by the first and second directions.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for activating and deactivating magnetic electronic article surveillance (EAS) markers, and particularly those EAS markers that are associated with magnetically recorded media. In one embodiment, the device includes control circuitry comprising a coil, such as a solenoid-type coil, that provides a substantially uniform magnetic field that reliably activates and deactivates the marker, yet doesn't damage the magnetically-recorded media.

Abstract: A book marker insertion apparatus includes a cartridge assembly, a separator assembly, a gripper assembly, an elevator assembly and a page spreader assembly. The cartridge assembly holds a roll of marker material including a plurality of markers on a backing sheet and advances the material to the separator assembly. The separator assembly includes jaws and a peel bar for removing the endmost marker from the backing sheet. The gripper assembly includes rotatable arms which grip the separated end marker and position the separated end marker for insertion into the book. The elevator raises and lowers the gripper assembly from the position for gripping the separated end marker to the position for inserting into the book. The page spreader assembly includes a V-arm with a slot formed therein-for receiving the gripper arms and the separated end marker.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of multiple items includes a platform upon which one or more items may be placed and a detector positioned with respect to the platform to receive an image of a profile of the one or more items on the platform. The detector is configured and arranged to generate a signal corresponding to the profile. The signal indicates whether multiple items are on the platform. The detector may be, for example, a moving point detector, a linear detector, or a two-dimensional array detector. This apparatus can be used in conjunction with an inventory control device, such as an automated library check-out device, to prevent the unauthorized removal of inventory items.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for activating and deactivating an electronic article surveillance marker carried by an article. The apparatus includes a housing having a platform for supporting the article. The apparatus also includes a first magnet positioned within the housing adapted for producing a magnetic field of sufficient strength to deactivate the marker. Additionally, the apparatus includes a translating mechanism for translating the first magnet between first and second positions along the platform. The electronic article surveillance marker is deactivated by placing the article onto the platform and translating the first magnet between the first and second positions. The first magnet can also be part of an alternating decaying array of magnets adapted for either activating or deactivating the electronic surveillance marker.

Abstract: A demagnetization apparatus for use with magnetically based electronic article surveillance systems having a dual status anti-theft marker containing at least one demagnetizable control element which when demagnetized allows the marker to be detected by the system when the marker is present in an interrogation zone. The apparatus includes an elongated magnetic section contained within a housing which exhibits a succession of fields of alternate polarity and at least a portion of which exhibits exponentially decreasing intensities at the working surface of the housing along that portion of the section. The section and a cover plate are orientated such that the external fields near the working surface are sufficient in intensities to demagnetize the demagnetizable element of the marker positioned proximate thereto while being rapidly attenuated a short distance from the section.

Abstract: A marker insertion apparatus automatically removes a marker from a roll of marker material and applies the marker to an applicator. The markers mount to a backing sheet and are peeled from the sheet by passing over a peel bar. Jaws are positioned near the peel bar and configured for gripping an end marker. An applicator member inserts intermediate the jaws and has the end marker pressed onto the applicator and torn from the roll. In a first embodiment, the applicator is a paddle applicator for inserting markers between opposing pages, and in a second embodiment the applicator is a bayonet applicator for inserting markers into the spine of a book.

Abstract: An EAS marker assembly is a packaging and delivery method for large numbers of individual ferromagnetic EAS markers. The assembly is especially suited for use with an automated or semiautomated EAS marker insertion system. The EAS markers have an adhesive layer on each side to allow the markers to be attached between pages of a book. The assembly includes a plurality of markers carried by a differential release liner. The finished assembly can be in either a roll or stack form. When the roll assembly is rolled up, or when a plurality of sheets of markers are assembled in a stack, the easy release side of the differential release liner contacts one of the adhesive layers, and the tight release side of the liner contacts the adhesive layer on the other side of the marker.

Abstract: A book marker insertion apparatus includes a cartridge assembly, a separator assembly, a gripper assembly, an elevator assembly and a page spreader assembly. The cartridge assembly holds a roll of marker materials including a plurality of markers on a backing sheet and advances the material to the separator assembly. The separator assembly includes jaws and a peel bar for removing the endmost marker from the backing sheet. The gripper assembly includes rotatable arms which grip the separated end marker and position the separated end marker for insertion into the book. The elevator raises and lowers the gripper assembly from the position for gripping the separated end marker to the position for inserting into the book. The page spreader assembly includes a V-arm with a slot formed therein for receiving the gripper arms and the separated end marker.

Abstract: A marker insertion apparatus automatically removes a marker from a roll of marker material and applies the marker to an applicator. The markers mount to a backing sheet and are peeled from the sheet by passing over a peel bar. Jaws are positioned near the peel bar and configured for gripping an end marker. An applicator member inserts intermediate the jaws and has the end marker pressed onto the applicator and torn from the roll. In a first embodiment, the applicator is a paddle applicator for inserting markers between opposing pages, and in a second embodiment the applicator is a bayonet: applicator for inserting markers into the spine of a book.

Abstract: A magnetic security marker of an article surveillance system is deactivated by first determining the status of the marker by exposing it to the interrogating field. If the marker is active, a deactivation field is applied to the marker. The marker is again interrogated using the interrogating field and, if an active marker is detected, an incrementally increased deactivation field is applied. The marker is continually interrogated and, as long as an active marker is detected, the intensity of the field is incrementally increased until the field reaches a level effecting deactivation.

Abstract: The present re/desensitizer is an apparatus for changing the status of a magnetic marker of an electronic article surveillance system. The markers are attached to or otherwise associated with an object to be protected, such has a book, CD, etc. The device can be set up as a resensitizer, a desensitizer, or with the inclusion of a mode switch, a combination re/desensitizer. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator for generating a marker status changing magnetic field, detection means for detecting presence of an object, a control means for controlling the activation time of the magnetic field generator such that the marker status changing magnetic field is generated when an object is present. The magnetic field generator includes an offset core designed for continuous operation without excessive heat build up.

Abstract: A composite marker providing electronic article surveillance (EAS), identification, and authentication. The marker preferably includes an EAS detection element which includes a low-coercive force, high-permeability ferromagnetic material, and an adjacent, remanently-magnetizable ferromagnetic material which, when magnetized, alters a characteristic response produced by the first material when in an interrogation zone of an associated EAS system, an intermediate layer containing UPC or similar optically-readable information and a substantially-transparent, optically-detectable security element overlying said intermediate layer and having means integrally associated therewith for thwarting counterfeiting or other unauthorized duplication.

Abstract: A deactivating device for magnetic markers in an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system includes a housing adapted to constrain typical audio and video cassettes in preferable orientations with respect to first and second deactivating surfaces. The first deactivating surface includes a first magnetic insert, which includes a first magnet designed to produce a deactivating magnetic field which deactivates markers affixed to audio and/or video cassettes without causing audible signal degradation of the prerecorded magnetic media within the audio or video cassette. The second deactivating surface includes a second magnetic insert and second magnet designed to produce a deactivating magnetic field which deactivates markers placed in the recessed edge of video cassette without causing audible signal degradation of the prerecorded magnetic media contained in the video cassette. An alternate magnetic insert which can be substituted for the first and second magnetic inserts is also described.

Abstract: A magnetic tag deactivator for use in an electromagnetic article surveillance system. [The deactivator is adapted for use in conventional, pre-existing retail store check-out counters.] An elongated magnet assembly is secured beneath a transition plate which spans the distance between a [check-out counter] conveyor belt and countertop of a conventional, pre-existing retail store check-out counter. The magnet assembly provides a magnetic field above the transition plate that is capable of deactivating a magnetically alterable tag secured to an object to be purchased as the object is passed over the transition plate from the conveyor belt to the countertop.

Abstract: An optical information storage disk especially adapted for tamper-proof monitoring by an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. The compact disk hereof includes a generally planar, annular first disk surface and an opposed, generally annular second disk surface, a plurality of generally concentric data tracks on at least one of the disk surfaces, a centered aperture and a generally annular EAS magnetic marker concentrically oriented about the centered aperture. The annular EAS marker comprises a dual status, multi-directional marker with a selectively demagnetizable, essentially linear magnetic switching field. The marker is preferably received within a grooved recess in one of the disk surfaces and is immovably retained within the grooved recess by a coating covering the disk surface.

Abstract: A desensitizing apparatus for magnetizing a desensitizable marker used with an electromagnetic article surveillance system. The apparatus includes a rectangular, non-metallic plate positioned so that its length is perpendicular to a likely direction of travel of the marker to be magnetized. A row of X-shaped arrays of elongated magnets is embedded on the plate. A marker passing over the row of magnets will be desensitized regardless of its orientation or direction of travel over the magnets.

Abstract: A theater rope connector for terminating a fine fiber rope such as typically used in patron control. The connector comprises two injection molded plastic components, the first being formed to have a hook or other structure for attaching the connector to a suitable fixture and toothed legs for penetrating and thus securing the rope. The other component comprises a sleeve adopted to fit over the first component and thereupon press the toothed legs into the rope, securing them in place. The sleeve also has a flange at one end adapted to mate with a peripheral recess on the first component, thereby maintaining the two components in position.