Abstract: A marker for use in an electronic article surveillance system in which the marker comprises a magnetically soft component and exhibits a pinned wall hysteresis characteristic with a step change in flux at a threshold value of applied field and in which the marker further comprises a magnetically hard or semi-hard component integral with the soft component and whose magnetic state can be switched between activating and deactivating states to switch the marker between active and deactive states.
Abstract: A theft-deterrent tack for application to an article to be protected against theft comprises a first component including a first housing having an open end and ceiling and wall structure bounding an interior space extending to the open end, the ceiling and wall structure being continuous, a second housing secured to the first housing and closing the interior space except for at least one opening extending therethrough into the interior space, the second housing having a generally flat surface facing the interior space and vial-confining members extending upwardly thereof into the interior space, at least one frangible vial disposed in the interior space and positioned in preselected position by the vial-confining members, the vial being disposed on the generally flat surface of the second housing, and vial-fracturing means disposed in the interior space and supported for movement therein in interference path with the vial, and a second component including securement means for securing the first component to t
Abstract: A periodic pulse discrimination system particularly suitable for use with electronic article surveillance systems is capable of detecting valid tag pulses while discriminating against periodic pulses caused by resonances and interfering carriers as well as random noise. Circuitry that determines the periodicity of a pulse signal and is responsive to amplitude differences between successive detected pulses controls an adaptive threshold and sampling window to discriminate against signals having an incorrect periodicity and an inadequate envelope rise time. A notch circuit notches out pulse trains that have the correct or substantially correct periodicity but persist for a longer time period than the time period required for a tag to pass through the detection zone.
Abstract: A dispenser for labels supported on a liner formed as a roll wherein the dispenser has a base member and a cover member which are provided with a first bendable latching member and a cooperating second latching member, respectively, for latching the members together. Apertures in the cover member permit access to the first bendable latching member of the base member for permitting the cover member to be unlatched from the base member.
Abstract: An EAS system having a protection zone in which tags are to be detected and a transition zone outward of the protection zone beyond which tagged articles for sale and/or monitoring can be displayed. The EAS system includes a receiving and processing unit which processes received signals in accordance with first and second different criteria to develop a first signal which can, be used to indicate the presence of a tag in the protection zone and a second signal which can be used to indicate the presence of a tag in the transition zone. Visual indication of the tags in the transition zone is also selectively provided.
Abstract: An electronic article surveillance tag comprises a reradiator element, a nonlinear element connected electrically to the reradiator element, and an electrical ground plane member connected electrically to the nonlinear element. The reradiator element, the nonlinear element and the ground plane member are in electrical series circuit connection. The reradiator element and the ground plane member define a monopole antenna upon incidence on the tag of high frequency energy for reradiation of the high frequency energy and further define a dipole antenna upon incidence on the tag of energy of frequency substantially lower than the high frequency energy.
Abstract: An antenna housing comprising panels having lateral ends which are held together by interlocking end members which slidably engage the lateral ends. End caps engage the upper and lower parts of the lateral ends and end members to hold them together to provide an integrated, low profile aesthetically pleasing antenna housing.
Abstract: A tag for an electronic article surveillance system which includes a circuit means for reradiating a predetermined tag signal and voltage dependent means in circuit with the circuit means. The voltage dependent means has a capacitance which can be varied with a change in voltage to selectively enable the circuit means and disable the circuit means from being able to reradiate the predetermined tag signal.
Abstract: A video system in which synchronization of the vertical phase components of a plurality of video signals is carried out by a plurality of reference signals having substantially the same frequency and substantially a fixed relative phase relationship. Each vertical synchronization signal is locked to one of the reference signals at a phase associated with the measured phase difference between the vertical synchronization signal and a selected one of the reference signals. In this way, all the vertical synchronization signals are brought into phase with one another.
Abstract: A transmitter for an electronic article surveillance system having a power amplifier for forming a drive signal for causing a current to flow through an antenna. The magnitude of the current flowing through the antenna is sensed and, based upon the sensed current, the drive signal is continuously controlled.
Abstract: A surveillance assembly in which a camera and lens assembly is surrounded by a shroud to form an eyeball assembly which is rotatable about first and second axes and which is enclosed within a housing. A carriage assembly for mounting the eyeball assembly to the housing is provided in the surveillance assembly and includes pivot and engagement parts which allow the carriage assembly to be pivoted into position. Additionally disclosed is a camera/lens mounting with a resilient annular member for permitting adjustment of the mounting along the lens axis and a cable support assembly for an electrical cable connected between a camera lens assembly and another part of a surveillance assembly in which the cable support assembly permits the cable to be wound about the pivot axis of the camera and lens assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 4, 1991
Date of Patent:
June 29, 1993
Assignee:
Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
Inventors:
Norbert M. Stiepel, Luis Anderson, Steve Uhl, James W. Miller, Michael Smith
Abstract: An antenna system comprises at least first and second antennas circumscribing a common center thereof at respective different distances from the common center, and circuitry for exciting the first antenna at a greater level than the second antenna, the excitation of the first and second antennas by such exciting circuitry being of respective opposite phasing. The excitation circuitry is operative to provide first fields adjacent the antenna system to a predetermined distance therefrom which are essentially controlled by the excitation of the first antenna and to provide for second fields beyond the predetermined distance which are of lesser strength than the first fields and are determined by both of the first and second antennas.
Abstract: A housing assembly for a theft-deterrent tack comprises a housing, at least one frangible vial containing a theft-deterrent substance disposed in the housing and a displaceable member supported by the housing for movement therein to cause fracture of the vial and for concurrently opening a theretofore closed portion of the assembly for egress of the theft-deterrent substance. The displaceable member has a first end portion, an opposed second end portion and an intermediate portion, the first end portion being in an interference movement path with the vial. The housing has a bounding surface having an opening therethrough, the displaceable member second end portion being resident in the housing bounding surface opening when the displaceable member is in non-fracturing relation to the vial. The displaceable member defines a passage therethrough opening into both of the first and second end portions thereof.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the amplitude of a first magnetic field at a first fundamental frequency in a zone in which a second magnetic field is able to be present wherein first and second transmissions of a magnetic field at the fundamental frequency and different phases is carried out at different times, the field in the zone is detected for each transmission and the detected fields are processed to determine the magnitude of the first magnetic field.
Abstract: An electronic article surveillance tag comprises an electrical power source, receiver circuitry for receiving coded messages for diverse state dispositions of the tag, decoder circuitry for decoding received coded messages and for directing the tag into active and inactive states, alarm circuitry for providing audible output indication of unauthorized activity in respect of the tag in an active state thereof, and motion detector circuitry operative upon disposition of the tag in an inactive state for lessening drain on the electrical power source and further operative on detecting movement of the tag when in the inactive state to dispose the tag in an active state with increased drain on the electrical power source. The alarm circuitry and the motion detector circuitry share common electrical circuit elements, inclusive of a piezoelectric unit.