Patents Assigned to Sensormatic Electronics
  • Patent number: 5164827
    Abstract: A camera surveillance system in which a master adjustable camera selects a position in a premises and transmits information related to the selected position to a slave adjustable camera. Based on this related information, the slave adjustable camera trains on or views the selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Paff
  • Patent number: 5130697
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a magnetic field in which eddy currents are generated and the generated currents are configured to provide a preselected effect to the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Colleen McGinn
  • Patent number: 5111186
    Abstract: A resonant tag for an article surveillance system comprising a voltage dependent capacitance means whose capacitance can be varied with changes in voltage to selectively provide one or more resonant frequencies for the resonant tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Doug Narlow, Hubert A. Patterson
  • Patent number: 5109217
    Abstract: A method for detection of EAS tags in a surveillance area into which an electrostatic field is propagated and in which an electronically conductive object is present, includes a step of providing a tag reradiator configuration which is unaffected by close proximity to the object. The step is practiced by configuring the tag reradiator as a first part of a monopole, the object being used as a further part of the monopole, and by disposing the first monopole part beyond the outside perimeter of the conductive environment. The tag reradiator is further configured to define a part of a dipole, the object being used as a further part of the dipole. In an alternative practice, the tag reradiator includes a ground plane member and itself defines such monopole and dipole. In the former practice, the tag reradiator is electrically connected with the object. In the latter practice, the tag reradiator is affixed to the object in electrical isolation therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Risto Siikarla, Douglas A. Narlow
  • Patent number: 5103234
    Abstract: A magnetic article surveillance system utilizing microcomputer control and unique time domain and frequency domain information gathering channels whose information is processed by the microcomputer via preselected time domain and frequency domain criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Harry E. Watkins, Brent F. Balch, Jeffrey T. Oakes, Richard L. Copeland, Hubert A. Patterson, Mart Martinson
  • Patent number: 5099225
    Abstract: An electrostatic tag formed from an antenna and a capacitor is disclosed. The capacitor has a charge which changes from a first charge value to a second charge value when the voltage across the capacitor reaches a first threshold value and from the second charge value to the first charge value when the voltage reaches a second threshold value. The capacitor has a dielectric which changes from a first to second dielectric value and from the second to first dielectric value at the first and second voltage thresholds. The capacitor plates also are extended beyond the dielectric to form the antenna of the tag. The tag is used in an electronic article surveillance system which generates an electrostatic field which causes one or the other of the threshold voltages to be exceeded when a tag is exposed to the field. This results in a charge change in the capacitor and a detectable electrostatic pulse is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Doug Narlow, Hubert A. Patterson
  • Patent number: 5083111
    Abstract: In an electronic article surveillance system, a jamming apparatus is provided for establishing a jamming zone in which tags can be situated and not respond to message signals from a surveillance system transmitter and in which the surveillance system receiver can be situated and still respond to tag signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Drucker, Craig Szklany
  • Patent number: 5081469
    Abstract: An antenna comprises an electrically conductive helical member having a first end and a second opposite end, an elongate substrate supporting such helical member and comprised of electrically insulative material, a ground plane member disposed adjacent the helical member first end, and an impedance matching device adjacent the ground plane member. The impedance-matching device defines an inductive-capacitive circuit, inclusive of inductance constituted by a portion of the initial turn of the helical member and capacitance, one plate of which is constituted by a portion of the initial turn of the helical member. The ground plane member supports the impedance matching device for adjustable positioning circumferentially of the helical member, thereby to effect different inductances in such circuit, and for adjustable positioning radially of the helical member, thereby to effect different capacitances in the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Robert B. Bones
  • Patent number: 5079540
    Abstract: A theft detection tag is formed from first and second sections which define a loop for receipt of an article part and which are connected by a coupling adapted to be quickly activated so as to change the loop and thereby permit quick attachment and release of the tag and article. In a first form of the tag, the first tag section includes a body having an upper end and the second tag section includes wedge means movable within the body to form the loop with the upper body end. In a second form of the tag, the first section includes a flexible member having at one end teeth and the second member includes a body with a channel for receiving the one end of the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Doug Narlow, Arjen Koch
  • Patent number: 5051726
    Abstract: A system for use in detecting the presence of an electronic article surveillance tag in an area subject to surveillance comprises first and second antenna units disposed on opposed sides of the area, each of the antenna units incorporating therein at least first and second antennas circumscribing a common center thereof at respective different distances from the common center. Excitation circuitry is provided for exciting each first antenna at a greater level than each second antenna, the excitation of the first and second antennas by the exciting circuitry being of respective opposite phasing. The system further comprises a receiver connected to the first and second antenna units and alarm circuitry connected to the receiver to provide output indication of the presence of the tag in the area subject to surveillance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Copeland, Markus B. Kopp
  • Patent number: 5049857
    Abstract: A magnetic article surveillance system in which surveillance is carried out by operating the system in first and second different modes of a magnetic transmitting and receiver means in order to make a determination as to the presence of an article in the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher B. Plonsky, Harry E. Watkins, Marco A. Paez
  • Patent number: 5031756
    Abstract: A keeper for a package containing an article in which a frame is provided with an opening for receiving the package and a slender, rod-like piercing means is supported on the frame to move between a first position wherein the piercing means is outside the frame volume and a second position wherein the piercing means is within the frame volume and able to pierce and engage the package when previously introduced in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jon D. Buzzard, Thang T. Nguyen, James M. Keil
  • Patent number: 5030940
    Abstract: In a method for enhancing the performance of tags for use in an electronic article surveillance system of the type comprising a transmitter-receiver arrangement disposed aside an area to be controlled for transmitting a first high-frequency signal into the area, a transmitter disposed aside the area and generating a second frequency signal of substantially lower frequency than the first frequency for establishing in the area an electrostatic field, a tag for attachment to an article to be subject to surveillance, the tag being responsive to the incidence thereon of energy of both the first and second frequencies to transmit a composite thereof and receiver apparatus disposed aside the area for receipt and detection of such composite signal and for generation of an output signal indicative of such detection, the method involving the steps of: configuring the tag with an antenna for receiving the first and second transmitted signals and for transmitting the composite signal; and a nonlinear circuit for connecti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Risto Siikarla
  • Patent number: 5025246
    Abstract: An electrical article surveillance (EAS) tag is inclusive of an electrical power source contained with the tag and circuitry powered by the electrical power source and a motion sensor operatively associated with the tag and contained therewith, the motion sensor providing output indication of movement and thereupon effecting loading of the electrical power source by such tag circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Howard M. Schenkel
  • Patent number: 5023600
    Abstract: The invention provides in combination, an electronic article surveillance system for disposition in an area to be subjected to such surveillance and control circuitry connected with the system, the system generating a readiness signal when prepared to effect electronic article surveillance and being thereafter responsive to an input signal to commence electronic article surveillance, the control circuitry being responsive to the readiness signal selectively to generate the input signal and being adapted to suppress generation of the input signal responsively to further input to the control circuitry indicative of the existence of a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is the presence in the area of a further electronic surveillance system which has not generated its readiness signal, and the invention looks to interconnecting the further system to the control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Craig R. Szklany, Frank Drucker
  • Patent number: 5012224
    Abstract: A tag for use in a magnetic article surveillance system employs an antenna means responsive to a transmitted magnetic signal and a piezoelectric means responsive to the antenna means for generating an audible acoustic signal. Embodiments are provided responding to unmodulated, amplitude modulated, and frequency modulated magnetic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Drucker
  • Patent number: 5005125
    Abstract: An EAS (electronic article surveillance) system and tag of type responsive to incident energy comprising EAS messages and other messages related to pricing and identification of articles includes circuitry for response to such EAS messages and for the receipt, storage and issuance of such pricing and article identification data, message generator apparatus for transmitting such EAS and other messages in the form of tag incident energy, and apparatus for interrogating the tags to cause such tag issuance of such stored pricing and identification data. An inventory store is responsive to issuance of tag stored identification data to decrement the inventory store and the use of article price totalizer apparatus responsive to the tag issuance of such stored pricing data. Further, the tag includes display apparatus for visual presentation of such pricing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Farrar, Ezra D. Eskandry
  • Patent number: 4984089
    Abstract: Outdoor surveillance apparatus, of the type having a camera assembly supported for movement therein, includes a heater supported with the camera assembly for movement therewith, a circulation fan supported with the camera assembly for movement therewith and for issuing output thereof onto the heater, and exhaust fans supported in the apparatus. A thermostat unit generates first (low dome temperature) and second (high dome temperature) output signals and a controller operates the circulation fan continuously during use of the apparatus, operates the heater upon occurrence of the thermostat first output signal, and operates the exhaust fans upon occurrence of the thermostat second output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Norbert M. Stiepel, Edwin Thompson, Luis Anderson
  • Patent number: 4980670
    Abstract: A magnetic marker is formed from a magnetic material having a hysteresis characteristic which is such that upon subjecting the material to an applied alternating magnetic field, the magnetic flux of the material undergoes a regenerative step change in flux at a threshold value when the field increases to the threshold value from substantially zero and undergoes a gradual change in flux when the field decreases from the threshold value to substantially zero. For increasing values of applied field below the threshold, there is substantially no change in the magnetic flux of the material. The aforesaid hysteresis characteristic of the marker is achieved by causing the material to have domains with a pinned wall configuration. Deactivation of the marker is realized by disabling the pinned walls from returning to their pinned condition via application of a deactivation field of high frequency and/or amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Floyd Humphrey, Jiro Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 4980575
    Abstract: A motion sensor comprises first and second housings comprised of electrically conductive material, first and second electrically conductive elements movably supported respectively in the first and second housings, and a joinder member for interconnection of the first and second housings, the joinder member being comprised of electrically insulative material and defining a passage permitting movement of the first and second electrically conductive means between the first and second housings responsively to orientation of the tag. The joinder member, the housings and the first and second electrically conductive elements are collectively dimensioned to provide for electrical conductivity between the first and second housings upon reorientation of the tag from a disposition wherein neither of the first and second electrically conductive elements are in registry with the joinder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Howard M. Schenkel