Abstract: A ferromagnetic resonator for use in a marker in a magnetomechanical electronic article surveillance system is manufactured at reduced cost by being continuously annealed with a tensile stress applied along the ribbon axis and by providing an amorphous magnetic alloy containing iron, cobalt and nickel and in which the portion of cobalt is less than about 4 at %.

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 SUBTANCE tag in which the tag is held to an article by an attaching assembly, a part of which may be releasably prevented from being withdrawn from the body of the tag.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 an arcuate channel through which an arcuate detacher probe can be guided for releasing the attaching assembly part. A spring clamp may provide the releasable preventing function and may include jaws specifically adapted to respond to in-plane torsional and/or other forces provided by the arcuate probe, which may be moved through the arcuate channel by rotation to reach the spring clamp. An abutment may be placed within the arcuate channel to prevent a relatively rigid wire formed into an arcuate shape from being used to release the attaching assembly part. The Benefit Denial (Ink portion) of this tag may feature an ink vial that may be disposed inside of a rubber bladder, which may then be placed in a completely sealed, ultrasonically welded compartment.

Abstract: A deactivator having a deactivation antenna coil and a capacitor to store energy. The deactivator converts the stored energy to an alternating current over a deactivation period to generate a deactivation magnetic field when driven through the deactivation antenna coil during the deactivation period. The alternating current defines a ring down envelope during the deactivation period. An energy recovery module having an electrical impedance is coupled to the deactivator to recover a portion of the energy converted to the alternating current during a portion of the deactivation period based on the impedance. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a burglar alarm system capable of accurately discriminating an alarm from a disturbance noise approximate to the alarm such as background music, ambient noises, etc. In a burglar alarm system comprising an alarm unit attached to an object to be protected from theft to emit an alarm of a particular frequency and an alarm sensor device for issuing an alarm signal upon sensing an alarm from the alarm unit, the alarm sensor device counts a predetermined number of waveform pulses of a received sound (S2, S5) more than once (S1˜S3, S4˜S6), determines, if it transpires that a differential between counted values falls within a predetermined time range, that the received sound is an alarm and issues an alarm signal (S7).

Abstract: A reusable EAS tag that is detachable from an article by placing the EAS tag in proximity to a detaching device is provided. The tag includes an energy coupler, a micro-actuator, and a clamping mechanism. The detaching device transmits a signal to the EAS tag to signal detachment, which is received by the energy coupler. The energy coupler converts the energy from the transmitted signal to electrical energy and delivers the electrical energy to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical energy to mechanical energy to actuate the clamping mechanism and release the tag's locking or clamping mechanism for removal of the tag from the article to which it is attached.

Abstract: Techniques to apply a label to an object are described. In one embodiment, the label application system can include a magazine, an indexer, a separator, an applicator and an impressor. The magazine may hold one or more sets of contiguous labels. The indexer advances a label from the contiguous set of labels. The separator separates the label from the contiguous set of labels. The applicator may apply adhesive to the separated label or, alternatively, a substrate of the object. The impressor presses the label onto the desired object to complete the attachment process. In one embodiment the indexer is mechanically implemented. Alternatively, the indexer can receive control signals from a processor which control the movement of the indexer through the desired indexing positions.

Abstract: A distributed wireless phase locked loop system for synchronizing the transmit carrier's modulating waveform, such as the transmitter pulse timing in a pulsed EAS system and the transmit sweeping function for swept RF synchronization, is provided. To remove the effect of phase noise on the power line signal, a phase locked loop is used to filter this signal. The filtered output is used as a reference to a second phase locked loop tied to a numerically controlled oscillator and the received signal to provide a distributed phase looked loop algorithm that is wireless, and automatically synchronizes adjacent EAS systems.

Abstract: A video signal connection apparatus comprises an array of individual video signal connector contacts arranged in a matrix having connector contact rows and connector contact columns, the individual video signal connector contacts extending in a first connection ‘direction, a connector having individual connector contacts corresponding in number to the individual video signal connector contacts of the array, the individual connector contacts extending in a second connection direction, the second connection direction being orthogonal to the first connection direction and conductors interconnecting the individual video signal connector contacts to the individual connector contacts.

Abstract: A magnetic core antenna system including a magnetic core and a winding network. The winding network may be configured with a non-uniform ampere-turn distribution to achieve a desired flux density in the core. The network may include a plurality of windings configured to provide a winding impedance facilitating optimal transmitter power delivery to the windings. A magnetic core may be constructed from multiple components having longitudinal contact surfaces and joined by a transverse clamping force. An air gap may be provided between the components to allow relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: Techniques for tuning an antenna to different operating frequencies are described. An apparatus includes a security tag with a substrate having a surface, a lead frame to mount on the surface and connect to an antenna, and an integrated circuit to connect to the lead frame. The antenna may be disposed on the surface, and may comprise a first antenna portion and a second antenna portion. The first antenna portion may connect to the first side and the second antenna portion may connect to the second side. The antenna may be tuned to an operating frequency by modifying a first length for the first antenna portion and a second length for the second antenna portion after the antenna portions are disposed on the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a frequency-division marker are described.

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.

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.

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: Method and apparatus for a frequency divider using variable capacitance are described.

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: 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 electronic article surveillance (EAS) and people counting system including an EAS system, a people counting system, and an alarm management unit. The alarm management unit accepts the EAS data signal from the EAS system and a people count signal from the people counting system for facilitating correlation of EAS and people count data. A method of monitoring a passageway and an alarm management unit associated with an integrated system are also provided. There is also provided a people counting system for determining a direction of travel of people including first and second people detection devices and a controller. The controller provides an output representative of a direction of travel in response to the outputs of the first and second people detection devices.

Abstract: A multiplexer selects an input signal from one of plural sensors. An A/D converter converts the selected input signal to a digital input value. A processor then determines, based on the digital input value, an output resistance to which the resistance of the selected sensor is to be translated. Finally, the processor controls a digital potentiometer corresponding to the selected sensor to the determined output resistance. In one embodiment, a conditioning circuit adjusts the gain of the input signal according to calibration data, effectively performing at least a part of the translation in the analog domain.