Abstract: An Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) tag and method and system for deactivating EAS tags without the need to physically contact the tag with a deactivation device. The EAS tag replaces the conventional diode with a non-linear device such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor (“MOS”) capacitor with a given breakdown voltage threshold. Inducing a predetermined voltage across the MOS capacitor results in destruction of the MOS capacitor rendering the EAS tag undetectable in the EAS interrogation system.

Abstract: A swing ticket holder for securing a swing ticket to an item using a lock and a pin includes a rigid housing arranged to retain the swing ticket. The pin extends outwardly from the rigid housing. The pin is insertable into the lock to secure the swing ticket holder to the item. The lock can be part of a security system hard tag and include at least one of an electronic article surveillance element and a radio frequency identification element. The rigid housing can also be arranged to retain at least one of an electronic article surveillance element and a radio frequency identification element.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the power consumption of power-consuming devices. A remote device manager transmits power save schedules to a local device manager over a communication network such as the internet. The local device manager transmits power save commands to one or more devices in a location such as a store, over a dedicated local communication network. The commands instruct one or more devices to activate or de-activate its power save mode according to the power save schedules. The commands could be dependent upon one or more trigger events.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader includes a hardware platform having a transceiver, an input/output interface, a controller, and a memory. The transceiver receives communication signals from at least one RFID tag. The controller is communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the input/output interface and controls the operation of the RFID reader. The memory is communicatively coupled to the controller and contains a software development framework for developing a software application. The framework includes a plurality of predefined encapsulated functional components that interact with at least one of the transceiver and the input/output interface, to allow the software application to operate in a manner that is independent of a specific embodiment of the RFID reader hardware platform.

Abstract: A system for detecting electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) marker shielding includes an EAS subsystem a metal detector, a people counting system, and a processor. The EAS subsystem operates to detect an EAS marker in an interrogation zone. The metal detector operates to detect a metal object in the interrogation zone. The people counting system operates to detect one or more people in the interrogation zone. The processor is electrically coupled to the EAS subsystem, the metal detector and the people counting system. The processor is programmed to receive information outputted from the people counting system and information outputted from the metal detector to determine whether to generate an alarm signal based on the presence of EAS marker shielding.

Abstract: A method, system and mobile sensor node monitor a supply chain monitoring. A communication network is established which includes a plurality of mobile sensor nodes. Status information for each mobile sensor node is periodically transmitted. Each mobile sensor node receives status information for at least one other mobile sensor node in the communication network. A log file which includes the received status information is compiled and stored in the mobile sensor node that received the corresponding status information.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing simultaneous deactivation of multiple electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) tags. An RF pulse is transmitted within an EAS interrogation zone to induce a response from at least one EAS tag placed within the interrogation zone. The response of the at least one EAS tag is received. A presence of more than one EAS tag is determined by evaluating a frequency response curve corresponding to the response.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a video camera arranged to provide a video signal on a transmission medium including: transmitting command data on the video transmission medium to the camera, and receiving response data from the camera over the video transmission medium during a single vertical blanking period of the video signal, improving controllability of dome type cameras. Using an encoding format with data with bit widths narrower than those conventionally used in UTC protocols, increases the usable transmission medium length for the system by allowing for longer propagation delays without errors caused by interference. A method of downloading data to a camera by disabling the video signal, and a method of self-instantiating camera functions are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package may include a substrate and an integrated circuit. The substrate may include at least one region, and a first magnetic material associated with the at least one region. The integrated circuit may have a second magnetic material associated therewith. The second magnetic material may be attracted to the first magnetic material to coupled the integrated circuit to the at least one region of the substrate. The IC package may be utilized in an RFID tag of an RFID system. An associated method for assembling an integrated circuit to a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A method, activity monitoring station and system automatically track lost or stolen items. The method begins by searching a sales activity database for at least one sales data record containing information for items sold or offered for sale on at least one Internet site, and searching a loss database for at least one loss data record containing information relating to lost or stolen items. The at least one sales data record is compared to the at least one loss data record to discover at least one matching item. If at least one matching item is discovered, a suspicious activity report is generated.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for a security device for a bottle are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting metal using an electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) system. The EAS system includes a transmitter and a receiver. An EAS interrogation signal is transmitted to establish the interrogation zone. The EAS interrogation signal is used to detect EAS markers and metal objects within the interrogation zone. The EAS signal is received and a metal object present in the interrogation zone is detected during a metal detection cycle. The metal object is detected based upon perturbations in the received EAS interrogation signal. The metal detection cycle is periodically interspersed with at least one EAS detection cycle.

Abstract: A switchable patch antenna includes a ground plane, a metal patch, at least two feed lines and a switch. The metal patch is positioned adjacent, but not in contact with, the ground plane. Each feed line is electrically connected to the metal patch. Each feed line is substantially orthogonal to at least one other feed line. The switch is electrically connected to the at least two feed lines. The switch is operable to sequentially select between the at least two feed lines for exciting the switchable patch antenna.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and deactivating electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) tags in which a housing is affixable to at least one of a bar code scanner and a RFID scanner. An electronic circuit located is within the housing. At least one user observable indicator is controlled by the electronic circuit in which the at least one user observable indicator is affixed to the housing and provides a tag deactivation status.

Abstract: A handheld barcode/RFID reader includes a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side includes at least a portion of barcode/RFID electronic circuitry affixed thereto. The second side contains a ground plane for the electronic circuitry. The handheld barcode/RFID reader further includes a patch antenna, electrically coupled to the circuitry, and mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board such that the ground plane of the printed circuit board also provides a ground for the patch antenna.

Abstract: A method and electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) system reduce interference. The EAS system includes a detection zone. At least one reference pattern of transmission windows for an interfering EAS system is provided. The reference pattern indicates a sequence of time slots for which the interfering EAS system is transmitting. A sample pattern of signals is received. Each signal has a corresponding amplitude. The received sample pattern is compared to the at least one reference pattern. Responsive to determining that the received sample pattern matches the at least one reference pattern, the at least one reference pattern is used to trim samples received during receive windows corresponding to the time slots for which the interfering EAS system is transmitting.

Abstract: A magnetomechanical tag for use in an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system and a method of manufacturing the magnetomechanical tag may be provided. The EAS may include at least one resonator, a housing configured to allow vibration therein of the at least one resonator and a cover heat sealed to the housing at a heat sealing temperature. The EAS tag further may include a powder lubricant within the housing. The powder lubricant may have a melting temperature less the heat sealing temperature.

Abstract: An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. Several configurations are also disclosed for alternate deactivation coil designs and mounting schemes.

Abstract: A security device (102) for an article, comprising a security tag, a locking mechanism, a locking element (186) and a housing (130) comprising means for securing the security tag, locking mechanism and locking element thereto.