Abstract: An improved attachment mechanism for a reusable theft deterrent tag of the type that includes a tack assembly as part of the attachment mechanism. The provided attachment mechanism includes a tack assembly having an elongated tack body connected to a tack head. A retaining member is attachable to the tack head and forms a loop to provide a variety of additional attachment positions for attachment to various articles to be protected and/or identified. The tack head includes at least one recessed area under the tack head on the side adjacent the tack body to receive at least one end of the retaining member. When the tack body is inserted into a theft deterrent tag, the tack head rests relatively flush against the tag body, capturing the retaining member end in the recessed area.

Abstract: A video data recording unit receives input video signal streams from up to 16 cameras. The signal streams are selectively converted into digital video signals and are stored on a data storage device such as a hard disk. The apparatus is controlled so that both odd and even signal fields generated by at least one camera are recorded, whereas only odd fields or only even fields generated by the other cameras are recorded. Odd and even signal field streams may be derived from a single stream of demodulated video signals, or from respective demodulation streams.

Abstract: A cartridge for electronic article surveillance labels comprising a housing shaped to hold a plurality of electronic article surveillance labels in a stack such that the electronic article surveillance labels can be removed individually from a first side of the housing and a system utilizing such housing and a plurality of electronic article surveillance labels that are at least semirigid.

Abstract: A flexible multimedia information analysis apparatus stores a database which includes both audio and video information. Also stored are a plurality of content analysis algorithms for analyzing the audio information in the database. A user can manipulate a mouse to select one of the analysis algorithms. The selected algorithm is used to analyze audio information in the database or on a "live" basis as the audio information is received. Audio analysis algorithms can be applied in tandem with moving image content analysis algorithms applied to stored video data or live input video streams.

Abstract: In an intelligent video information management (IVIM) system, a first sequence of dynamic video images is generated by a first video camera on a first occasion and is recorded on a hard disk. The same camera, or a different camera, generates a second sequence of dynamic video images on a second occasion that is later than the first occasion, and the second sequence is recorded on the hard disk. Both sequences are reproduced from the hard disk and are displayed simultaneously. Alternatively, the first sequence is reproduced and displayed while the second sequence is being recorded.

Abstract: A harmonic-type electronic article surveillance marker includes a thin, elongated active element and flux concentrators provided at the ends of the active element. The flux concentrators have magnetic anisotropies that are oriented perpendicular to the length of the active element. The orientation of the magnetic anisotropies and the anisotropy field of the flux concentrators stabilize the switching threshold of the marker. The switching threshold level can be controlled by varying parameters such as the angle of the magnetic anisotropies relative to the length of the active element, the strength of the anisotropy field of the magnetic anisotropies, and the geometry of the active element and the flux concentrators.

Abstract: A two-dimensional array of magnetomechanical markers is adhered to a continuous web. A magnetizer element is scanned across the web to magnetize the bias elements in a group of the markers with a first polarity, thereby activating the group of markers. The web is then advanced and the magnetizer is scanned across the web in an opposite direction to the previous scan, to magnetize the bias elements of a second group of the markers with a second polarity, thereby activating the second group of markers. The web is slit in a longitudinal direction to produce web-strips each carrying a column of the activated markers. The web-strips are rolled to form marker roll assemblies each having about half the bias elements magnetized with a first polarity and the remaining bias elements magnetized with an opposite polarity. The roll of activated markers forms no more than a minimal "leakage" magnetic field.

Abstract: In an electronic article surveillance system, quadrature transmitting and receiving antennas are used to improve field distribution. A transmitting antenna arrangement includes first and second adjacent co-planar antenna loops and excitation circuitry for generating respective alternating currents in the first and second loops such that the respective alternating currents are 90.degree. out of phase. In a receiving arrangement, respective signals received from two adjacent co-planar antenna loops are respectively phase-shifted by +45.degree. and -45.degree., and the resulting phase-shifted signals are summed. A far-field cancelling transmitting antenna arrangement includes four loops operated at phases of 0.degree., 90.degree., 180.degree. and 270.degree. respectively. All four loops may be co-planar, with any bucking vertical segments being horizontally displaced from each other. Alternatively, the 0.degree. and 180.degree.

Abstract: A mounting bracket permits mounting a camera base for a video surveillance camera to a variety of different support structures. The mounting bracket includes first and second outside corner panel sections for defining a concave right-angled structure to selectively be fitted to an outside wall corner, first and second planar panel sections for defining a substantially planar structure to selectively be fitted to a planar wall section, first and second inside corner panel sections for defining a convex right-angled structure to selectively be fitted to an inside wall corner, and first and second attachment panel sections to permit attachment of the camera base to the mounting bracket. The first and second outside corner panel sections are connected to the first and second planar panel sections, respectively, which in turn are connected to the first and second inside corner panel sections, respectively, which in turn are connected to the first and second attachment panel sections, respectively.

Abstract: A single deactivation device is used to deactivate both harmonic type EAS markers and magnetomechanical type EAS markers. The deactivation device includes a housing, and a permanent magnet and a coil disposed within the housing. The coil is circular and is arranged concentrically with, and outside of, the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet forms a DC magnetic field for deactivating the harmonic type marker by magnetizing control elements thereof. The coil is driven to generate an AC magnetic field that deactivates the magnetomechanical type marker by degaussing a control element thereof. The maximum amplitude of the AC magnetic field is lower than the level of the DC magnetic field, and is substantially below the coercivity of the control elements of the harmonic type marker. The coercivity of the control element of the magnetomechanical type marker is low enough to be degaussed by the AC magnetic field.

Abstract: A video image data field to be compression-encoded is divided into rectangular blocks. Each of the rectangular blocks is compared with a corresponding block of a reference image to generate comparison data. The block of the image to be encoded is selected for representation if the comparison data for the block meets a selection criterion. The comparison data is generated on the basis of coefficients formed by applying an orthogonal transform to the blocks of the reference image and to the blocks of the image to be encoded. Mapping data is generated which is indicative of locations in the image plane corresponding to the selected blocks. The image to be encoded is represented in compressed form by header data, the mapping data and image data representative of the selected blocks. When the reference image is compression encoded, the blocks may be expanded in areas of the reference image which correspond to a low information density.

Abstract: A bias element for use in a magnetomechanical EAS marker is magnetized to saturation. Then the magnetic charge in the bias element is redistributed by applying to the bias element a magnetic field having an AC ringdown characteristic. The redistribution of magnetic charge improves the stability of the bias element, so that the marker incorporating the bias element is less likely to have its resonant frequency shifted by exposure to a stray magnetic field.

Abstract: A hard disk in a video data storage apparatus includes a first section in which video data is stored and appointed for permanent recording, and a second section in which the video data is stored subject to rewriting after a short period of time. If an alarm event occurs, some or all of the data in the second section may be secured for permanent storage. The process to be employed in securing the data in the second section for permanent storage is adapted to the proportion of the data in the second section which is desired to be secured.

Abstract: A method for initializing an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system which transmits pulses into an interrogation zone and receives signals from the interrogation zone in a sequence of multiple successive transmit and receive windows during each line period of an AC mains supply energizing the EAS system, associated with a corresponding apparatus, comprises the steps of: (a.) determining whether a delay value is stored in a nonvolatile memory; (b.)if the delay value is stored in the nonvolatile memory, loading the stored delay value into a delay control register, terminating the initializing and omitting all remaining steps; (c.) if the delay value is not stored in the nonvolatile memory, loading a first delay value into the delay control register; (d.) determining whether noise in a certain receive window is less than a threshold level; (e.) if the noise is less than the threshold level, terminating the initializing and omitting all remaining steps; (f.

Abstract: An apparatus for data communication and deactivating an electronic article surveillance tag comprising an antenna for communicating with a transponder located within a predetermined area and a deactivation coil for deactivating an electronic article surveillance tag located within the predetermined area.

Abstract: A modular video signal matrix switcher is constructed with a midplane architecture. The functional components of the system include a power supply board, a controller board, one or two output boards, an optional control signal generating board, and one or more switching boards. These components are contained within a housing which has a number of non-dedicated board placement slots. The non-dedicated slots can receive any one of a switching board, an output board or a camera control signal generating board. Each type of board component is assigned a respective distinguishing color pursuant to a color coding system. The color coding system facilitates configuration management, assembly and maintenance operations.

Abstract: A video surveillance system includes a central control station and a plurality of video cameras each mounted inside a dome housing unit. A video data buffer memory, storing compressed video data generated by the camera, is mounted with each camera in the respective dome unit. Data buffered at the dome units may be selectively protected from over-writing in response to alarm signals and then retrieved for display or tape-recording by the central control station. Both live and buffered video signals are transmitted in compressed form over a data network that is also used for command, alarm and status messaging.

Abstract: A conventional magnetomechanical EAS marker is modified to aid in authenticating an article of merchandise to which the marker is to be applied. The marker includes a housing, a magnetostrictive element in the housing, a bias magnet mounted to the housing, and an authentication element in the housing for indicating the authenticity of the item to which the marker is to be applied. The authentication element may be a printed logo, bar code or character string or a discrete element having distinctive or rare characteristics.

Abstract: A flexible video information analysis apparatus stores a video information data base and a plurality of moving image content analysis algorithms for analyzing the video information in the data base. A user can manipulate a mouse to select one of the analysis algorithms. The selected algorithm is used to analyze video information in the data base.

Abstract: A system and method for setting the activation state of electronic article surveillance markers, tags, and labels being transported on a conveyor system is provided. The system includes a pair of electromagnetic transmitting coils mountable on opposite sides of a conventional conveyor section, an electronic controller, and can include a remote external controller for manual operation. The electromagnetic transmitting coils are mounted within sensor housings that include one or more sensors to automatically sense an article traveling on the conveyor system and trigger the transmission of preselected activation or deactivation electromagnetic pulses when the article is in the proper location. The system can include an inhibiting sensor input to prevent the automatic transmission of an activation/deactivation pulse for specific preselected articles. The system includes a logic scheme to preselect and shape the activation or deactivation electromagnetic pulse.