Abstract: A tag having a magnetic clamp for use in securing an item in order to prevent the unauthorized removal of the item from, for example, a retail store. The magnetic tag includes an attachment element that secures the item to the tag. A clamp having a locking region secures the attachment element such that the item cannot be separated from the tag. A keyed magnetic element on the clamp includes one or more hard magnets, where each hard magnet has either an outward-facing north or south polarity. By applying a magnetic force to the magnets, the locking region moves away from the attachment element thus allowing the item to be removed from the tag. The arrangement of magnets operates as a “key” and only a detacher unit with an identical magnetic pattern can apply the requisite magnetic force to the magnets to disengage the clamp from the attachment element to allow removal of the tag from the item.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) system tag detacher for unlocking an EAS tag is provided. The EAS tag includes a housing and a locking mechanism disposed within the housing. The EAS system tag detacher includes an EAS tag receiving area configured to receive the EAS tag. The EAS system tag detacher further includes a detaching element configured to unlock the EAS tag; and a haptic feedback element. The haptic feedback element is configured to generate haptic feedback when energized, the haptic feedback element being energized when the EAS tag has been unlocked by the detaching element.

Abstract: A detacher for unlocking a security tag having a locking mechanism is provided. The detacher includes a detaching element in which the detaching element is configured to unlock the locking mechanism if the detaching element is activated. The detacher includes a reader in which the reader is configured to receive a user identifier associated with at least one user. The detacher includes a memory. The memory is configured to store at least one user rule. The detacher includes a processor in which the processor is configured to determine whether the received user identifier meets the at least one user rule. The processor is further configured activate the detaching element if the received user identifier meets the at least one user rule. The detaching element remains deactivated if the received user identifier does not meet the at least one user rule.

Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a detacher. The detacher includes a field source. The field source is arranged to provide a first magnetic field when power is applied to the field source. The detacher further includes a magnet arranged to provide a second magnetic field. The magnet is movable from a non-detach position to a detach position when exposed to the first magnetic field. The second magnetic field is arranged to unlock a security tag when the magnet is at the detach location. The system further includes an activation device. The activation device includes a processor configured to trigger power to be supplied to the field source.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a first battery that includes a first terminal and second terminal on the opposite side of the battery from the first terminal. The battery pack further includes a battery holder. The battery holder includes a flexible substrate and a first conductive element disposed on the flexible substrate. The first conductive element has a first contact region to electrically engage with the first terminal. The battery holder further includes a second conductive element that has a second contact region to electrically engage with the second terminal when the flexible substrate is folded over the first battery.

Abstract: A soil analysis device and a method are disclosed for measuring characteristics of a soil sample. A mixing chamber combines a soil sample and an extractant into a liquid mixture. A filtration system receives and filters the liquid mixture. The filtered liquid mixture is transmitted to a measurement cell. The measurement cell is coupled to a light source so that light propagating from the light source is attenuated and/or reflected by the liquid mixture and is measured by one or more optical detectors that are also coupled to the measurement cell. The optical detector generates an attenuation spectrum and/or a reflection spectrum indicating light received by the one or more detectors at different wavelengths. The attenuation and/or reflection spectrum is used to determine the characteristics of the soil sample.

Abstract: The nitrate-nitrogen concentration in soil is estimated based on the nitrate-nitrogen 200 nm absorption peak. In one embodiment, a device measures the attenuation spectrum of a soil-extractant mixture over a wavelength range that includes wavelengths in the vicinity of the 200 nm absorption peak (the spectral operating range) and then determines the nitrate-nitrogen concentration based on the attenuation spectrum.

Abstract: A soil analysis device and a method are disclosed for measuring characteristics of a soil sample. A mixing chamber combines a soil sample and an extractant into a liquid mixture. A filtration system receives and filters the liquid mixture. The filtered liquid mixture is transmitted to a measurement cell. The measurement cell is coupled to a light source so that light propagating from the light source is attenuated and/or reflected by the liquid mixture and is measured by one or more optical detectors that are also coupled to the measurement cell. The optical detector generates an attenuation spectrum and/or a reflection spectrum indicating light received by the one or more detectors at different wavelengths. The attenuation and/or reflection spectrum is used to determine the characteristics of the soil sample.

Abstract: A soil analysis device and a method are disclosed for measuring characteristics of a soil sample. A mixing chamber combines a soil sample and an extractant into a liquid mixture. A filtration system receives and filters the liquid mixture. The filtered liquid mixture is transmitted through a pipe with a slope to a measurement cell. The measurement cell is coupled to a light source so that light propagating from the light source is attenuated by the liquid mixture and is measured by an optical detector that is also coupled to the measurement cell. The optical detector generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The attenuation spectrum is used to determine the characteristics of the soil sample.

Abstract: The nitrate-nitrogen concentration in soil is estimated based on the nitrate-nitrogen 200 nm absorption peak. In one embodiment, a device measures the attenuation spectrum of a soil-extractant mixture over a wavelength range that includes wavelengths in the vicinity of the 200 nm absorption peak (the spectral operating range) and then determines the nitrate-nitrogen concentration based on the attenuation spectrum.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for combining a soil sample and extractant in a mixing chamber to produce a liquid extractant-soil mixture. A portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture is directed from the mixing chamber through a sample measurement chamber coupled to the mixing chamber. The sample measurement chamber is coupled to a light source so that light propagates from the light source through the portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture to an optical detector which generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The sample measurement chamber may include an attenuation cell having a specified optical path between a first measurement window and a second measurement window and angular surface directing particulates in the liquid extractant-soil mixture away from the attenuation cell.

Abstract: A tag having a magnetic clamp for use in securing an item in order to prevent the unauthorized removal of the item from, for example, a retail store. The magnetic tag includes an attachment element that secures the item to the tag. A clamp having a locking region secures the attachment element such that the item cannot be separated from the tag. A keyed magnetic element on the clamp includes one or more hard magnets, where each hard magnet has either an outward-facing north or south polarity. By applying a magnetic force to the magnets, the locking region moves away from the attachment element thus allowing the item to be removed from the tag. The arrangement of magnets operates as a “key” and only a detacher unit with an identical magnetic pattern can apply the requisite magnetic force to the magnets to disengage the clamp from the attachment element to allow removal of the tag from the item.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for combining a soil sample and extractant in a mixing chamber to produce a liquid extractant-soil mixture. A portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture is directed from the mixing chamber through a sample measurement chamber coupled to the mixing chamber. The sample measurement chamber is coupled to a light source so that light propagates from the light source through the portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture to an optical detector which generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The sample measurement chamber may include an attenuation cell having a specified optical path between a first measurement window and a second measurement window and angular surface directing particulates in the liquid extractant-soil mixture away from the attenuation cell.

Abstract: A security device having a flexible material into which a product may be sealed and unauthorized removal of the product triggers a security alarm. The security device includes a flexible material adapted to house a product therein and is operable in a sealed orientation when the product is sealed within the flexible material and in an open orientation when the product is accessible from within the flexible material. Conductive material is affixed to the flexible material and forms a closed electrical circuit with an alarming device when the security device is in the sealed orientation and an open electrical circuit when the circuit is opened. The security alarm is triggered when the electrical circuit is opened.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for combining a soil sample and extractant in a mixing chamber to produce a liquid extractant-soil mixture. A portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture is directed from the mixing chamber through a sample measurement chamber coupled to the mixing chamber. The sample measurement chamber is coupled to a light source so that light propagates from the light source through the portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture to an optical detector which generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The sample measurement chamber may include an attenuation cell having a specified optical path between a first measurement window and a second measurement window and angular surface directing particulates in the liquid extractant-soil mixture away from the attenuation cell.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring field samples in a liquid form removes the need for dry-and-grind type testing. A field sample is received taken from a location in a field. A soil subsample is separated from the field sample. The soil subsample is mixed with water, and a soil-water subsample is selected and transferred for testing. The soil-water subsample is measured to determine attributes of the field sample. The field sample may be measured in the field where it was taken, at a local field office located close to the field, or at a remote laboratory. To test remotely, a test well device is prepared which stores a number of soil-water subsamples. Time and cost savings allow for area-based pricing of soil analysis, largely independent of the density at which field samples are tested.

Abstract: A security tag that includes two different types of item-securing mechanisms within a single apparatus. The apparatus includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion forming a product clamping region, the product clamping region having a clamp to removably affix the tag to a product, and a third arm portion and a fourth arm portion forming a product piercing region, the product piecing region coupled to the product clamping region. The product piercing region includes a product piercing element to removably affix the tag to the product. Bringing together the arm portions of the product piercing region causes the arm portions of the clamping region to join together, thereby trapping a piece of a product therebetween. The piercing element of the product piercing region is retained by a latch which assists in keeping the arm portions of the clamping region together, thus retaining the product securely within the clamping region.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for combining a soil sample and extractant in a mixing chamber to produce a liquid extractant-soil mixture. A portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture is directed from the mixing chamber through a sample measurement chamber coupled to the mixing chamber. The sample measurement chamber is coupled to a light source so that light propagates from the light source through the portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture to an optical detector which generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The sample measurement chamber may include an attenuation cell having a specified optical path between a first measurement window and a second measurement window and angular surface directing particulates in the liquid extractant-soil mixture away from the attenuation cell.

Abstract: A soil analysis device and a method are disclosed for measuring characteristics of a soil sample. A mixing chamber combines a soil sample and an extractant into a liquid mixture. A filtration system receives and filters the liquid mixture. The filtered liquid mixture is transmitted through a pipe with a slope to a measurement cell. The measurement cell is coupled to a light source so that light propagating from the light source is attenuated by the liquid mixture and is measured by an optical detector that is also coupled to the measurement cell. The optical detector generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The attenuation spectrum is used to determine the characteristics of the soil sample.

Abstract: A tissue measurement device can provide for rapid, robust analysis of large volumes of plant tissue samples in the field. The tissue measurement device measures tissue samples in a liquid state. The tissue measurement device uses a spectrometer to determine an absorbance spectrum over a range of wavelengths. The absorbance spectrum provides information about the properties of the tissue sample. Tissue samples may be mixed with various extractants or reagents to further improve the accuracy of measurements or allow measurement of a wider variety of nutrients or properties. The tissue measurement device may also take calibration measurements to improve the measurement of tissue sample properties.