Abstract: An electronic key capable of reinitializing or resetting a security disabled electronic article surveillance (EAS) device is provided. The electronic key can be a secure, portable, and battery powered for initializing a secured EAS system's security protocol to factory default state, or to another preselected state. The key has its own set of security protocols to prevent unauthorized use and can easily be reprogrammed for a wide variety of other functions including, but not limited to, firmware upgrading, diagnostic testing, and the like. The key can be connected to the programming port of an EAS device and perform a preset reprogramming operation, resetting activated security features. The key could be purchased for customer use, and would be secured by preselecting the total number of uses, such as one use. The one-time use would begin once the key is activated. Activation of the key is also uniquely controlled to prevent its misuse.

Abstract: Automatic tuning of an EAS antenna pedestal without the use of special tools or advanced training is provided. The capacitance of the antenna circuit is adjusted to tune the resonant frequency to the desired frequency. Measurement of the current level is used to validate that the antenna is resonant at the desired frequency. If the current level indicates that the antenna is not resonant at the specified frequency, LEDs located on a capacitor tuning board light to indicate where jumpers should be placed to add or remove capacitance from the circuit. Alternately, the capacitance values can be electronically added or removed from the circuit.

Abstract: A controller for a video surveillance camera enclosure including a method and apparatus for controlling a stepper motor by decoding a command for a specific camera action, setting the state of a state machine, and instructing a position control process and a speed control process based upon the state of the state machine. A drive signal is send from said position control process to a motor current process and a phase control process to generate the current and phase signals to control the stepper motor. The stepper motor drive current is preferably a non-linear current. The speed control signal includes ramp up and ramp down speed control for gradually increasing motor speed and gradually decreasing motor speed, respectively. Another aspect of the invention detects a plurality of pan and/or tilt positions to reset the pan and/or tilt motor step count to a known count associated with a known location without the need to pan and/or tilt past a preselected home position.

Abstract: A thin metallic ferromagnetic alloy ribbon is annealed by continuously transporting it through an oven in order to induce specific magnetic characteristics and in order to remove a production-inherent longitudinal curvature of the ribbon. While the heat-treatment occurs, the ribbon is guided by a channel in a substantially straight annealing fixture. The channel is characterized by slight curvatures along portions of its length, in particular where the ribbon enters into the annealing oven. The curved channel provides an improved thermal contact between the ribbon and the heat reservoir. As a consequence the process can be conducted at particularly high annealing speeds without degrading the desired characteristics.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) label adapted for insertion into the packaging of various products, such as a compact disc jewel cases. The label is formed with a point at one end, and is sufficiently rigid to puncture plastic wrap that may encase the product. The maximum label dimensions are preferably maintained small enough to be inserted into one of the slots in a jewel case.

Abstract: Automatic phase adjustment of a pulsed electronic article surveillance transmitter is provided. Amplitude sampling of a received signal is used to detect the leading edge of a interfering transmit pulse and a corresponding delay is calculated for synchronizing the instant transmitter to the interfering transmitter. Detection of EAS tags placed too close to the EAS transmitter interrogation zone is also provided. An alarm can be implemented to indicate detected EAS tags that are placed too close to the interrogation zone.

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: A system that tracks and electronically identifies assets from surveillance zone to surveillance zone within a controlled area is provided. A triggering event, which can be the output of an RFID reader, or other event, initiates video tracking of the asset that is associated with the RFID tag or other trigger. The video surveillance continues from zone to zone, as the image of the asset is handed-off from camera to camera. The image of the asset can be selectively displayed and recorded, along with the identity of the asset. The system is flexible and programmable for use in a plurality of different environments and surveillance zones, using a plurality of different triggering sensors and video cameras.

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: A number of synchronized low-cost camera nodes sharing a single cable to reduce cost associated with wiring, installation, cameras, video multiplexer and mounting is provided. Each camera node is individually addressable through a single cable to transmit an externally frame synchronized video signal onto the cable. A plurality of camera nodes can thus be wired along a single cable with each camera node individually selectable for receiving its video signal on the cable.

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: A video surveillance system for monitoring an area is made up of a stationary pilot camera for monitoring the area and one or more moveable slave cameras for monitoring at least part of the area. Each slave camera is allocated to part of the area being monitored. The pilot camera produces a signal representative of the area. The location of a moving object in the area monitored by the pilot camera is determined. A signal is produced representing the location of the object. The slave cameras track the object based on the signal representing the location of the object. The pilot camera is provided with a fisheye lens and thus has a field of view wider than that of the slave cameras. The area being monitored is divided into cartesian, polar or spherical coordinates thereby enabling a microcomputer to instruct the slave camera to follow the object. The signal representative of the area is compressed and transmitted over a communications channel for remote monitoring.

Abstract: A method of making a magnetomechanical electronic article surveillance marker is provided that, in one embodiment, includes deposition or placing of at least one elongated bias magnet onto a substrate, depositing a cavity layer onto the substrate where the cavity layer defines an elongated cavity adjacent the bias magnet. Placing a magnetomechanical resonator into the cavity and sealing a cover onto the cavity layer wherein the resonator is captured in the cavity and free to mechanically vibrate substantially unencumbered. The substrate itself may be magnetic thereby eliminating a separate bias magnet. In an alternate embodiment, a cavity is molded in a plastic substrate sized to fit a resonator, and a cover is sealed to the substrate to capture a resonator in the cavity. At least one bias magnet is placed onto the cover adjacent the cavity and a second cover is sealed to the substrate, to the first cover, and to the bias fixing the bias in place adjacent the cavity.

Abstract: A method to power a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader to increase multi-tag reading capability and increase the reading range of a passive tag without maximizing the continuous transmitted power level is provided. The RFID reader transmits a pulsed interrogation signal until an RFID tag response is received, and then switches to a continuous and pulsed power scheme. The continuous power emitted maintains the power supplied to the RFID tags so the tags will not reset due to loss of power. The pulsed signal permits reading the tags at longer ranges, especially when there is a plurality of tags in the area.

Abstract: Digital implementation of electronic article surveillance (EAS) detection filtering for pulsed EAS systems is provided. Embodiments include direct implementation as a quadrature matched filter bank, as an envelope detector, a correlation receiver, and as a discrete Fourier transform. Pre-detection nonlinear filtering is also provided for impulsive noise environments.

Abstract: A cordless handheld EAS tag deactivator is provided. The deactivator is housed in a portable handheld housing. An antenna is attached to the housing. The antenna is adapted for transmission of an electromagnetic field, which deactivates EAS tags within the field. An electronic circuit is connected to the antenna to generate the electromagnetic field. A battery contained within the housing is connected to the electronic circuit to power the generation and transmission of the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: An active RFID label is provided in which the antenna also forms the battery for the RFID chip that is part of the label. The antenna can be made of one or both of the electrodes forming a thin-film lithium-ion battery. The RFID chip, antenna and battery can all be placed upon the same substrate, and because the antenna and battery are co-located, the substrate can be made relatively flexible.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a security element for the electronic surveillance of articles. This security element is detected by surveillance systems operating in different frequency ranges and it includes at least two materials of high permeability which, when excited by an external alternating magnetic field emit each a characteristic signal. The maximum signal components of the two materials lie in different frequency ranges and the signal components of the one material are negligibly ow in that particular frequency range in which the signal component of the other material is at a maximum level. The invention also relates to surveillance systems that incorporate these security elements.

Abstract: A graphical work station for use with security devices associated with a location in which the graphic work station provides a graphical image and direction relative to the graphical image enables functions to be performed within the work station, at the security devices and/or with respect to the location.

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 %.