Abstract: A multiple frequency detection system allows the seamless integration of an almost ideal EAS function with an RFID function. While not being limited to a particular theory, the preferred embodiments integrate EAS technology at, for example, 8.2 MHz or 14 MHz, and RFID technology at, for example, 13.56 MHz in a common antenna package. The use of standard RFID frequencies as forcing functions will allow for the easy packaging of EAS with RFID and have a true roadmap of a scalable technology.

Abstract: A security device for attachment to an article to deter theft of the article has a housing containing an alarm system including an audible alarm with a defeat mechanism having a two-part connector that attaches to both a cable and a locking mechanism. The connector includes a mechanical fuse (e.g., two-step ferrule holder) that provides defeat prevention of the alarm device. The locked device alarms if pulled too hard from twisting the cable without releasing the primary lock. The connector is preferably shaped as a generally elliptic cylindrical bayonet having an oval transverse cross-section and a truncated oblique cone-shaped distal end. This enables the plug to be inserted into a locking channel of the locking mechanism in either of two directions facilitating the locking of the attached cable about an article of merchandise.

Abstract: A security device includes a plurality of cables which are securable about an item of merchandise with a lockable cable-linking member and a cable-tightening mechanism each connected to the cables in a spaced apart manner. The cable-linking member may include a key member for unlocking the tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism includes an internal spool and other internal members some of which are related to the locking and unlocking of the tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism carries sense loops which typically include the cables and which if compromised actuate an onboard audible alarm. The device is configured to sound a security gate alarm upon passing through the gate and upon simply reaching a certain distance from the gate. The tightening mechanism may include a flip-up handle for rotating the spool to tighten the cable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a novel procedure and system for making a security tag for an aluminum-pressed, cardboard container. The method employs a system of distancing the tag from the container and a method of calibrating the tag. The tag is then inserted into a specially designed cap and spaced a given distance from the container. The product is sealed and then sold to the consumer.

Abstract: A blister pack having at least one security tag formed from the metal layer of the blister pack. In one embodiment, the security tag is a detached portion of the metal layer that is entrenched in a corresponding channel in the plastic layer of the blister pack and which is then completed by electrically coupling a capacitor strap or chip strap to a gapped portion of the entrenched aluminum layer. Another embodiment also forms the security tag from the metal layer but the coil or antenna of the security tag is formed as part of the process of sealing the metal layer to the plastic layer. A capacitor strap or chip strap is then electrically coupled to a gapped portion of the coil or antenna.

Abstract: A poly sheet continuously moving in a machine direction is heated to a temperature just below its glass thermal temperature to make the poly malleable. A circuit (e.g., RFID chip, EAS chip, transponder, IC) is placed on the poly sheet and embedded into the poly sheet, preferably with a heat resistant soft (e.g., rubber) roller that presses the circuit into the poly without breaking the circuit. A conductive strip or wire may be applied on or into the poly sheet to align with connection points (e.g., conductive bumps) of the circuit for conductive communication with the circuit. The conductive strip or wire is preferably cut to form gaps that are nonconductive between the cut sections of wire to avoid shorting of the circuit and/or allow the conductive strip or wire to function as an antenna for the circuit, and thus to form a chip strap or tag. The poly sheet thus provides a protective womb or shield for the circuit and wire.

Abstract: A rotary chip attach process and manufacturing approach takes chips (e.g., integrated circuits (ICs)) from a wafer in a rotary process. A chip wafer with a positioning unit is placed over the top of a sprocketed wheel that picks the ICs directly from the wafer and moves them in a semi-continuous in-step motion to a web that will accept the ICs. The sprocketed wheel includes chips that are preferably the same type as used in a typical pick-and-place robotic system, with vacuum heads adapted to pierce the wafer flat membrane (if needed), grab and IC and place and IC as desired. This positioning system keeps the IC's placement in an accurate position on the web, which can be made to move continuously with a plurality of sprocketed wheel placement units in place.

Abstract: This invention relates to dynamically controlled, electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems whereby an array of antenna elements is digitally phased and actively driven for concurrent transmission, and digitally phased and combined in the receiver unit to improve detection. In particular, the individual frequency and phase of the plurality of the transmit/receive signals are rapidly varied to allow for automated manipulation (steering) of the transmit field pattern and receive field sensitivity. The invention achieves the following features via means of digital phasing and dynamic computer control: sufficient far-field cancellation, null-free detection and uncompromised detection performance regardless of tag's orientation while using single transmission drivers to drive entire antenna structures, whether loop antenna or ferrite core antenna, using a phase coupler, thereby allowing more efficient system operation or additional features such as deactivator antenna operation.

Abstract: A communication-ready corrugated article and method for making the corrugated article is disclosed. The corrugated article includes a linersheet (e.g., craft paper), an undulating medium (e.g., craft paper), a conductive strip (e.g., metal, aluminum, wire, coil), and a security chip (e.g., RFID chip, EAS chip, integrated circuit, chip strap, RFID tag, EAS tag). The linersheet has a first side and a second side. The undulating medium is coupled to the first side of the linersheet, the conductive strip is positioned on the first side of the linersheet between the linersheet and the undulating medium. The security chip is attached to the second side of the linersheet opposite the conductive strip and is coupled to the conductive strip through the linersheet.

Abstract: A security device for securing around a generally cylindrical article such as the neck of a bottle includes a housing which forms a lock compartment and which contains an EAS security device and a magnetically actuated lock mechanism. A ratchet strap, have a series of locking teeth and is formed integrally with the housing and extends outwardly therefrom and has sufficient rigidity to assume a generally circular configuration with a curved article contact surface of the housing to facilitate attaching the device around the article. The lock mechanism includes a locking pawl which engages the strap teeth and an actuation strip which biases the pawl toward locking engagement with the strap.

Abstract: A security storage container for securely retaining an item of merchandise therein. The storage container is in the form of a box having a base and a lid, with the item of merchandise being received in the base. The lid is locked to the base by a locking mechanism. The storage container also includes an internally disposed alarm system which is activated when the lid is locked to the base and is deactivated when the lid is unlocked from the base. The lid can only be unlocked with a specially designed key. The alarm system includes a flashing LED which indicates to the consumer that the storage container has an activated alarm therein. The alarm system further includes an EAS tag for activating a security gate at an exit to the protected environment; and further includes a sound-emitting device that will emit a loud sound if an attempt is made to pry the lid from the base when the lid is in a locked position.

Abstract: A re-usable security hard tag for use with containers. The hard tag comprises two portions that are pivotally connected at first portion ends and the portions include semi-circular, outwardly extending flanges. A security tag is associated with one of the two portions. A displaceable pin of a latch mechanism locks together respective pin receptacles of each portion. The flanges couple to the bottom edge of either end of a container whereupon closure of the two portions' free ends about a hinge causes the pin to latch through the pin receptacles. The only way retract the pin and thereby release the hard tag from the container is by positioning the hard tag/container assembly adjacent a properly sized magnet available at a point of sale in a retail establishment. Non-removal of the hard tag before leaving the retail establishment causes store electronics to detect the security tag and set off an alarm or other warning.

Abstract: A security storage container has a primary security feature that is adapted to be locked and unlocked with an appropriate key. A secondary security feature is activated when the security storage container is opened without first unlocking the lock with the key. In one embodiment, the secondary security feature includes prongs that are moved to an extended position when the primary security feature of the container is defeated. In the extended position, the prongs will at least damage the item of merchandise protected by the security storage container. The extended position of the prongs may also further lock the item of merchandise within the security storage container.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a novel procedure and system for making a security tag for an aluminum-pressed, cardboard container. The method employs a system of distancing the tag from the container and a method of calibrating the tag. The tag is then inserted into a specially designed cap and spaced a given distance from the container. The product is sealed and then sold to the consumer.

Abstract: A security storage container has a primary security feature that is adapted to be locked and unlocked with an appropriate key. A secondary security feature is activated when the security storage container is opened without first unlocking the lock with the key. In one embodiment, the secondary security feature includes prongs that are moved to an extended position when the primary security feature of the container is defeated. In the extended position, the prongs will at least damage the item of merchandise protected by the security storage container. The extended position of the prongs may also further lock the item of merchandise within the security storage container.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a transport system for blister packages or the like, with a boom for mounting on a vertical wall or the like. Guided in the boom is a finite chain formed of hooks such that it is slidable by hand out of a lower groove section via a turning point into an upper groove section and vice versa, within guide grooves extending along the two groove sections and the turning point. Blister packages or the like which are suspended from the hooks can be removed by hand only in the region of the turning point. Preceding and following the turning point, there is formed between each pair of neighboring hooks a closed compartment which opens only in the region of the turning point for removal of a blister package or the like, so that only one blister package at a time can be removed from the chain. With the removal of each blister package or the like, the chain is advanced one step to the front, whereby a neat shelf profile is maintained automatically.

Abstract: A rotary chip attach process and manufacturing approach takes chips (e.g., integrated circuits (ICs)) from a wafer in a rotary process. A chip wafer with a positioning unit is placed over the top of a sprocketed wheel that picks the ICs directly from the wafer and moves them in a semi-continuous in-step motion to a web that will accept the ICs. The sprocketed wheel includes chips that are preferably the same type as used in a typical pick-and-place robotic system, with vacuum heads adapted to pierce the wafer flat membrane (if needed), grab and IC and place and IC as desired. This positioning system keeps the IC's placement in an accurate position on the web, which can be made to move continuously with a plurality of sprocketed wheel placement units in place.

Abstract: A releasable security tag for attachment to an article of merchandise includes: a locking mechanism with a release for attaching the tag to the article of merchandise; an EAS resonant circuit or an RFID circuit for responding to a first RF signal at a predetermined frequency corresponding to the resonant circuit or to the RFID circuit; an ambient RF energy harvesting circuit; a release signal detection circuit coupled to and powered by the ambient RF energy harvesting circuit and an electro-mechanical actuator electrically coupled to the release signal detection circuit. The electro-mechanical actuator releases the locking mechanism whenever the release signal detection circuit receives a release signal.

Abstract: A resonant circuit for use with a radio-wave detection system for the prevention of shoplifting or the like, which is formed on a flexible substrate and has a coil and capacitor circuit whereby the capacitor has an indented area in the dielectric of the capacitor to promote disablement of the circuit when exposed to a strong electromagnetic field. Upon exposure to a strong electromagnetic field, an electrical short forms across the dielectric of capacitor in the indented area. Because the short is fragile and can be opened by flexure of the circuit, an island of reinforcing material is formed in the indented area, such that when the substrate is flexed, the indented area remains rigid to protect the short. The indented area can be further stress-relieved by introducing a gap in the conductors forming the capacitor plates.

Abstract: A security tag that can be attached to an item or items that provides a zero or low impact to the item or items such as elegant or soft goods. The security tag includes a security element that is enclosed within a pliable material that is coupled to the item or items it is protecting by either a lanyard or by passing a portion of the unfinished garment through aperture(s) in the pliable material. The lanyard can take on various compositions and can couple to the pliable material using different latching mechanisms. No puncturing, piercing or adhesive attachment to the elegant or soft goods occurs, thereby making a “zero or low impact” on the item while also making a pleasant presentation to customers when the item (or items) is displayed.