Abstract: A video game cartridge includes a memory and a security device, which comprises a magnetically operated switch and a magnetic element positioned adjacent to the switch. The switch has first and second states with the first state for inhibiting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge and the second state for permitting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge. The magnetic element has a first magnetic state for placing the switch in the first state and a second magnetic state for placing the switch in the second state.

Abstract: A method and system for use in a computer controlled video surveillance system are disclosed for storing and retrieving data relating to information recorded on a video tape, thereby locating visual information recorded on a video tape. The system comprises means for recording visual information on a plurality of segments of a video tape, each of the segments being defined by a time at which its recording begins and a time at which its recording ends. Means are provided for recording a tape identification code on the plurality of segments of the video tape. A tape counter generates a tape count such that for each segment, a corresponding initial tape count is generated at the time when recording of that segment begins. The invention further comprises a database. Stored in the database is a log corresponding to the video tape. The log comprises a record relating to each segment. Each record contains searchable fields.

Abstract: In a rail-based closed-circuit TV surveillance system, initialization is performed by positioning the surveillance camera at two different positions along the rail from which a target image is acquired. Camera direction parameters for each of the positions are stored. From the stored parameters there is calculated an optimum position for target acquisition. A normal surveillance routine is interrupted in response to an alarm signal. If the camera is within a range for viewing the target, target acquisition occurs immediately while the camera is moved toward the optimum position. If the camera is not within the range for viewing the target, the camera is moved toward the viewing range, while camera direction and focus are adjusted so that target acquisition occurs as soon as the camera reaches the viewing range. Camera direction and focus continue to be adjusted so that a target acquisition is maintained while the camera is moved within the viewing range toward the optimum position.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for attaching a theft-deterrent tag to an article to be protected in an article surveillance system, the assembly comprising a strap having a first end and a strap section extending from the first end, the strap section being adapted to loop around so as selectively bring subsections of the strap section adjacent the first end and having a plurality of first engagement means spaced along the length of the strap section. The first end includes a second engagement means adapted to engage with the first engagement means included in a subsection of the strap section brought adjacent to the first end when the strap section is looped around, thereby to form a closed loop of a selective dimension. The first end and strap section are further adapted to include means for receiving a locking means for locking the strap section and first end together.

Abstract: A marker for a harmonic electronic article surveillance system includes three wires of magnetic material arranged in parallel. The material has a magnetic hysteresis loop with a large Barkhausen discontinuity such that, upon exposure of the marker to an external magnetic field whose field strength in the direction opposing the instantaneous magnetic polarization of the marker exceeds a predetermined threshold value, there results a regenerative reversal of the magnetic polarization in the material. The three wires are coupled at opposite ends thereof by magnetic charge spreading elements formed of a highly permeable material so that all three wires exhibit the regenerative reversal simultaneously on exposure to the above-described magnetic field. The resulting harmonic marker can be formed with a substantially shorter over-all length than previously practical markers of the harmonic type while providing a signal of comparable amplitude.

Abstract: A dual frequency microwave EAS tag includes a dual frequency antenna circuit formed on one side of a substrate. The antenna circuit includes a diode. A deactivation circuit is formed on the other side of the substrate. A conductive connection passes through a hole in the substrate and connects the deactivation circuit to the antenna circuit. The deactivation circuit responds to a low energy ac magnetic field by inducing a voltage in the diode of the antenna circuit so as to disable the diode, thereby deactivating the tag without requiring the tag to be placed in direct contact with a disabling device.

Abstract: A controller apparatus for controlling a device comprising a support having a surface with a wall extending therefrom and along a segment of the surface. A plurality of force sensing members are positioned in a predetermined arrangement adjacent to an inner surface of the wall of the support with each member generating a signal in response to a force applied to the member. An assembly for adaptable engagement with the force sensing members is translationally movable to selectively engage and transmit a translational force to the force sensing members to develop a signal for control of a function of the device.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) system includes a transmitting antenna, a driver operable for exciting the transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna and circuitry connected to the receiving antenna for improving the quality of transmissions from the transmitting antenna. The driver excites the transmitting antenna at a preselected system operating frequency and the circuitry connected to the receiving antenna improves the quality of transmissions from the transmitting antenna by lessening harmonics of the operating frequency in the transmissions. The harmonics are attributable to protection diodes connected to the receiving antenna for limiting voltages impressed thereon and otherwise adversely impacting on the receiver tag signal processing circuitry. The harmonic lessening circuitry is connected in parallel with the protection diodes and is operative to lessen protection diode harmonic generation.

Abstract: An inventory of goods is protected from theft by means of electronic article surveillance (EAS) markers integrated with items of the inventory. Each such item has a structural member in which a cavity is integrally formed. A respective magnetostrictive element is housed, free of mechanically clamping constraint, in each cavity. A respective biasing element is located adjacent to the cavity on each such item of inventory. The biasing element provides a magnetic field to bias the respective magnetostrictive element. EAS equipment is provided at a retail store where the inventory is maintained. The EAS equipment generates an alternating electromagnetic interrogation field, and when an item of inventory having the integrated EAS marker is exposed to the interrogation field, the biased magnetostrictive element is excited into mechanical resonance that is detected by the EAS equipment.

Abstract: An improvement in a method for the manufacture of electronic surveillance tags by providing a continuous web of electrically insulative material, applying to opposed surfaces of the electrically insulative material web a succession of first and second electrically conductive coils and applying to the succession of first electrically conductive coils a normally electrically insulative deactivation structure extending across the first coil succession and convertible to be electrically conductive, the improvement comprising the step of providing an electrostatic charge drain in electrically conductive relation with each of the first electrically conductive coils substantially throughout the manufacture of the tags. The new step may be practiced by providing an elongate electrically conductive member across the succession of first electrically conductive coils in electrical continuity therewith.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance system has a receiver with a plurality of receiving coils. Each coil in the system is treated as a separate detection unit with its own noise environment which is distinct from the noise environments of the other coils in the system. This allows the system to optimize its performance by maximizing the sensitivity of each coil according to its own local noise environment. In EAS systems in accordance with the invention, the priority of the detection routines is to keep an accurate and up-to-date picture of the noise environment for each coil in "noise phases" and to look for tags during "transmit phases". Upon tag detection, a controller establishes a validation sequence comprising a number of cycles and can change the number of cycles adaptively to the noise environment.

Abstract: A marker for use in a magnetomechanical electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is made by mounting a magnetostrictive element in a housing adjacent to a biasing element that is magnetized to a degree of magnetization that is less than saturation. The resonant frequency of the marker is detected. If the detected resonant frequency does not match a predetermined operating frequency of the EAS system, the degree of magnetization of the biasing element is adjusted so as to tune the resonant frequency of the marker to the predetermined operating frequency.

Abstract: A deactivator for deactivating electronic article surveillance tags includes a deactivating coil, drive circuitry controllable for supplying driving signals to the deactivating coil, a reference signal generator for generating a reference signal having preselected characteristics varying with time, a comparator for comparing characteristics of the driving signals with the reference signal characteristics, and a control unit for controlling the drive circuitry in accordance with signal comparisons effected by the comparator.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance tag deactivation system includes a transmitter, a receiver, a deactivation coil and a controller (microprocessor) for establishing time periods for operation of the transmitter, the receiver and the deactivation coil, and for selectively varying detection sensitivity of the receiver. Detection of a tag prior to deactivation is effected with the receiver at low sensitivity and redetection of the tag subsequent to deactivation is effected with the receiver at high sensitivity.

Abstract: A ribbon-shaped strip of an amorphous magnetic alloy is heat treated, while applying a transverse saturating magnetic field. The treated strip is used in a marker for a pulsed-interrogation electronic article surveillance system. A preferred material for the strip is formed of iron, cobalt, silicon and boron with the proportion of cobalt exceeding 30% by atomic percent.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance system of type including a transmitter for providing in a preselected area an electromagnetic field periodically swept in frequency over a predetermined range of frequencies for causing tags in the preselected area to generate tag signals containing a frequency within the predetermined range of frequencies and a receiver including a detector for receiving the tag signals and providing output indication of detected tag signals, has a modulator in its transmitter which modulates the electromagnetic field and a modulation responsive circuit in its receiver for synchronizing the detector with the frequency of the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A theft deterrent tag for protecting an article is disclosed wherein the tag comprises a tag body, a tack-like assembly for securing the tag body to an article and a cutting blade for cutting the article upon a preselected force being applied to the tag body or the tack-like assembly.