Abstract: In a method for controlling the actual temperature of an intermittently operated heating means, at least one operating parameter is measured for a predetermined measuring time period (T) during a switch-on interval (86) of the heating means. On the basis of the measured value of the at least one operating parameter, the actual temperature of the heating element is detected. The length of the current switch-on interval (86) is changed in dependence on the result of a comparison between the actual temperature and a predetermined desired temperature. The minimum length of each switch-on interval (86) is equal to the measuring time period (T). The measuring time period (T) is selected to provide that, during the length of the measuring time period (T), the thermal energy supplied to the heating means is less than the thermal energy emitted during the following switch-off interval (88) extending up to the next switch-on interval (86).

Abstract: An apparatus for use with magnetically based electronic article surveillance systems employing certain types of markers includes a hollow core having a gap in its perimeter, a coil of wire wrapped around a portion of the core, and appropriate circuitry to drive the combination as an electromagnet. The gap configuration produces an external field of large intensity but limited range, such that the magnetizable portion of a marker is magnetized without affecting magnetic states of the article to which the marker is affixed. Depending on the nature of the circuit, the apparatus may be used as a desensitizer of such markers, or preferably as a resensitizer. The resensitizer incorporates a proportional-integral controller that keeps the level of the alternating current constant.