Abstract: A system and method for providing synchronized transmission in an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is provided. The method includes determining a transmission timing difference between a plurality of units of the EAS system using a communication link of the EAS system and synchronizing transmissions for each of the plurality of units based on the transmission timing difference.

Abstract: Methods of operation of a data reader and security tag deactivation system whereby a data reader such as a barcode scanner is equipped with EAS deactivation coils or modules disposed in the vicinity of the read volume or generally proximate thereto and the system is operable to permit reading of the ID tag (such as the barcode label) on an item, and upon a successful read, the deactivation unit is operable to (1) sense the presence of an EAS tag; (2) if presence of an EAS tag is sensed, energize the deactivation coil/module to deactivate the EAS tag; and (3) sense if the EAS tag is deactivated. If the EAS tag is sensed to have been deactivated, the system signals as such and a next item may be scanned. If the EAS tag is sensed to have not been deactivated, the system proceeds to alternate operational steps to handle the exception.

Abstract: An EAS/expulsion detrimental substance tag (101) in which the tag is held to an article by an attaching assembly, a part of which may be releasably prevented from being withdrawn from the body of the tag. The tag body may be provided with one or more sensors, that are disposed in the body. The sensors are positioned adjacent the detrimental substance. The Benefit Denial (Ink portion) of this tag may feature an ink vial. When the tag and its ink vial are attacked, the tag will expel the detrimental substance out and onto the article being protected.

Abstract: A near field antenna is disclosed which is configured to read an RFID label such that a localized electric E field emitted by the antenna at an operating wavelength resides substantially within a zone defined by the near field. The localized E field directs a current distribution along an effective length of the antenna corresponding to a half-wave to a full-wave structure.

Abstract: A system, apparatus (100) and method are described for an electronic article surveillance security tag (102) having a magnetically releasable tack retaining system, and a magnetic detaching device for use with the electronic article surveillance tag. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for inhibiting detection of deactivated tags. The method, system and computer program product include receiving a signal that includes environment noise from at least one tag, extracting signal detection information that includes a signal detection energy value from the received signal, extracting signal deactivation information that includes a signal deactivation energy value from the received signal, and determining a failure to deactivate ratio that corresponds to the signal detection energy value divided by the signal deactivation energy value. Generation of an alarm event is inhibited upon the failure to deactivate ratio being less than the selectable threshold and generating a noise factor to adjust a selectable threshold.

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 marker for use in a magnetomechanical electronic article surveillance system is described. The EAS marker includes at least one resonator, a housing configured to provide a cavity for vibration of the at least one resonator, a first, magnetized, biasing element configured to provide a biasing magnetic field for the at least one resonator, and a second, non-magnetized, biasing element.

Abstract: A system and an analogous method which automatically configures electronic article surveillance (EAS) devices coupled to a network, includes a server coupled to the network. The server may include software or hardware which (1) listens on a specified port for connection requests from at least one coupled EAS network device; (2) accepts the connection request from at least one coupled EAS network device; (3) queries at least one coupled EAS network device for information relating to at least one EAS network device; and (4) configures at least one coupled EAS network device based upon the information received from at least one EAS network device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a magnetic detacher with open access are described. In one embodiment, the magnetic detacher may include magnet assembly to provide open access to a hard tag and a magnetic field sufficient to disengage a clamping mechanism of the hard tag. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for controlling signal decay of a transmitted signal within a transmitter is described. The method includes measuring an amount of current induced back into the transmitter by the decaying signal, and using the current measurement to control the decay of the signal after the signal is transmitted from the load. A transmitter for an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is also described which includes a current sensing circuit configured to at least sense an amount of current induced back into the transmitter by the load after transmission of the signal, and a transmitter control circuit configured to utilize the sensed current to determine an amount and a polarity of current to be applied to the load to reduce the induced current to a desired value.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a magnetic detacher with open access are described. In one embodiment, the magnetic detacher may include magnet assembly to provide open access to a hard tag and a magnetic field sufficient to disengage a clamping mechanism of the hard tag. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A dehumidified equipment housing may be used to house equipment including one or more mechanical devices and/or electronic devices. The dehumidified equipment housing may prevent condensation on one or more regions inside of the housing and may control condensation inside of the housing to provide a dehumidified environment inside of the housing. The dehumidified equipment housing may also remove condensed water to outside of the housing.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) antenna system including at least one transmit antenna and at least one amorphous core receiver antenna adapted for installation on the floor, in the grout region of the floor, or under the flooring of a passageway. An EAS system including at least one perimeter loop antenna adapted to extend around the entire perimeter of a passageway is also provided. The system may further include at least one floor antenna adapted for installation within a region of a floor of a passageway and at least one ceiling antenna adapted for installation adjacent a ceiling of the passageway.

Abstract: An event management system, comprising a server comprising a platform component architecture (PCA) and a software engine, wherein the PCA is configured to provide runtime discovery and display of system components. The system also comprises a data source for storing user define data objects and applications; at least one system component; and at least one client for administering and monitoring user-defined events, wherein the PCA provides a common interface between the server, the data source, and the at least one client.

Abstract: A reader device for electronic article surveillance (EAS) is disclosed which includes an exciter; a transmitter, the transmitter operatively coupled to the exciter via a first signal gate; a transmitter antenna operatively coupled to the transmitter; a receiver antenna operatively coupled to a receiver front end; and a signal detector, the receiver front end operatively coupled to the signal detector via a second signal gate, wherein the exciter generates a burst of electromagnetic energy in a pulse or a continuous wave at an operating frequency of a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag within a read range of the EAS reader such that the energy level of the burst generates a residual or ring-down signal from the RFID tag indicating the presence of the RFID tag without activating the RED functions of the tag. The ring-down signal is read by the EAS reader as an EAS function.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a magnetic detacher with open access are described. In one embodiment, the magnetic detacher may include magnet assembly to provide open access to a hard tag and a magnetic field sufficient to disengage a clamping mechanism of the hard tag. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating point of sale (POS) data with electronic article surveillance (EAS) data, comprising a general-purpose computer for receiving and processing POS and EAS data is disclosed. The system and method preferable comprise reporting analyzed and collated data to a user.

Abstract: An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. In one configuration, a data reader such as a bar code scanner is equipped with an EAS deactivation module disposed behind the scanner surface preferably downstream and/or upstream of the scanner window. The system may be configured such that the EAS deactivation module is interchangeable from the right side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for left-to-right scanning motion) to the left side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for right-to-left scanning motion). In other configurations, the deactivation module may be disposed in the housing adjacent to the window and oriented longitudinally and parallel to the sweep direction of the item. The EAS deactivation modules have various configurations such as simple planar coils, a magnetically active core with coil windings, or two part L-shape construction.