Patents by Inventor Mark Shafer
Mark Shafer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7701343Abstract: A security device detaches a combination electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radio frequency identification (RFID) tag (EAS/RFID tag), and includes a detacher (magnet) to selectively disengage a clutch release disposed in a first portion of the combination EAS/RFID tag, a near field circular microstrip antenna configured to electronically read information stored in a second portion of the combination EAS/RFID tag. The antenna encircles the detacher and reads information from the second portion of the combination EAS/RFID tag at a position relative to the detacher when the second portion of the tag is disposed at any angle relative to the detacher and only when the detacher is positioned to disengage the clutch release. As long as the portion of the EAS/RFID tag containing the clutch end mechanism is located over the detaching magnet, the RFID label is in a valid detection zone regardless of its orientation relative to the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLCInventors: Richard L. Copeland, Gary Mark Shafer
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Patent number: 7692543Abstract: A security device detaches a combination electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radio frequency identification (RFID) tag (EAS/RFID tag), and includes a detacher (magnet) to selectively disengage a clutch release disposed in a first portion of the combination EAS/RFID tag, a near field antenna configured to electronically read information stored in a second portion of the combination EAS/RFID tag. The antenna encircles the detacher and reads information from the second portion of the combination EAS/RFID tag at a position relative to the detacher when the second portion of the tag is disposed at any angle relative to the detacher and only when the detacher is positioned to disengage the clutch release. As long as the portion of the EAS/RFID tag containing the clutch end mechanism is located over the detaching magnet, the RFID label is in a valid detection zone regardless of its orientation relative to the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2005Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLCInventors: Richard L. Copeland, Gary Mark Shafer
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Publication number: 20100015730Abstract: An integrated circuit package may include a substrate and an integrated circuit. The substrate may include at least one region, and a first magnetic material associated with the at least one region. The integrated circuit may have a second magnetic material associated therewith. The second magnetic material may be attracted to the first magnetic material to coupled the integrated circuit to the at least one region of the substrate. The IC package may be utilized in an RFID tag of an RFID system. An associated method for assembling an integrated circuit to a substrate is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: Sensormatic Electronics CorporationInventors: Ming-Ren Lian, Gary Mark Shafer, George A. Reynolds, JR.
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Patent number: 7615836Abstract: An integrated circuit package may include a substrate and an integrated circuit. The substrate may include at least one region, and a first magnetic material associated with the at least one region. The integrated circuit may have a second magnetic material associated therewith. The second magnetic material may be attracted to the first magnetic material to coupled the integrated circuit to the at least one region of the substrate. The IC package may be utilized in an RFID tag of an RFID system. An associated method for assembling an integrated circuit to a substrate is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2005Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics CorporationInventors: Ming-Ren Lian, Gary Mark Shafer, George A. Reynolds, Jr.
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Patent number: 7616092Abstract: Method and apparatus for a wireless transponder for a security system are described.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2004Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics CorporationInventors: Gary Mark Shafer, Stewart E. Hall, Douglas Allen Drew
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Patent number: 7612719Abstract: A near field linear element microstrip antenna is disclosed which is configured to read an RFID label such that a localized electric E field emitted by the antenna at an operating wavelength resides substantially within a zone defined by the near field. The localized E field directs a current distribution along an effective length of the antenna corresponding to a half-wave to a full-wave structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2005Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics CorporationInventors: Richard L. Copeland, Gary Mark Shafer
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Patent number: 7609163Abstract: A system and method for a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for use in an RFID detection system. The reader has an RF source for generating RF signals. An antenna is coupled to the RF source. The antenna transmits interrogation RF signals to one or more RFID markers within an interrogation zone and receives communication signals from one or more items within the interrogation zone. The communication signals include Doppler signals indicating movement of an item within the interrogation zone. A receiver receives the communication signals and motion detection circuitry detects the Doppler signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics CorporationInventor: Gary Mark Shafer
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Publication number: 20090213116Abstract: Technology creates a better visual perception of PMI data in a three dimensional representation of an object by adjusting the opacity of elements not normal to the view of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventors: Max Konev, Mark Shafer, Jed Fisher
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Publication number: 20090108992Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for communicating with a radio frequency identification reader are described. The apparatus includes a protocol converter to receive a request for information from an RFID reader, to convert the request for information from the RFID protocol to a device protocol, and to communicate the request for information to an electronic device lacking RFID communication capability according to the device protocol RFD. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2005Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Senomatic Electronics CorporationInventor: Gary Mark Shafer
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Publication number: 20090027202Abstract: An RFID detection system for determining the location of tagged items within an interrogation zone. The system includes one or more printed circuit boards coupled to each other and placed within a region of the interrogation zone. Each printed circuit board contains an antenna array having one or more antennas where each antenna detects the presence of one or more tagged items within a specific read zone in the region. The printed circuit board also contains a multiplexer coupled to the antenna array, where the antenna array and the multiplexer are provided on a substrate. Upon an interrogation request from an RFID reader, a specific antenna can be activated and selected by the multiplexer and tagged items within the antenna's read zone are interrogated. RF signals containing RF identification information are then transmitted back to the RFID reader where a host computer interprets the signals and determines the location of the identified tagged items.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventors: Richard L. COPELAND, Gary Mark SHAFER
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Publication number: 20090015480Abstract: A near field antenna is disclosed which is configured to read an RFID label such that a localized electric E field emitted by the antenna at an operating wavelength resides substantially within a zone defined by the near field. The localized E field directs a current distribution along an effective length of the antenna corresponding to a half-wave to a full-wave structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2005Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: Sensormatic Electronics CorporationInventors: Gary Mark Shafer, Karen Bellum Bomber, George A. Reynolds, JR., John Ford, Ming-Ren Lian, Edward Di Carlo, Richard L. Copeland, Marcus Christopher
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Publication number: 20090009296Abstract: A radiofrequency identification (RFID) multiplexer, which may be in a network, interprets an RF signal from an RFED reader as RFE) tag interrogation data. A single cable directs an RF signal from the RFID reader and RF control signals and/or RF power through the multiplexer. An RF sampler may be coupled to the cable; and an RF detector detects the RF signal from the cable via the RF sampler. A data decoder decodes and interprets the RF signal as the RFID tag interrogation data and forwards the RFID tag interrogation data to a control logic circuit as a MUX channel-change command. The logic circuit and decoder may be combined in a microcontroller, and an RF backscatter modulator coupled to the cable enables reverse communication with the RFID reader to determine whether another RFID multiplexer is coupled to the RFID multiplexer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2006Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: Sensomatic Electronics CorporationInventor: Gary Mark Shafer
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Publication number: 20080284605Abstract: A method and an analogous system for tuning an RFID label prior to application to an article are disclosed. The method includes providing an RFID label having at least one antenna disposed therein, identifying an article, relaying information related to the identification of the article to a controller, with the controller including a memory of predetermined tuning parameters for the article, retrieving from memory one or more of the tuning parameters for the article; and adjusting the tuning parameters of the RFID label to correspond to the article by altering a geometric parameter of the antenna of the RFID label. The system includes a cutting device to alter a geometric parameter to correspond to the article by removing material from at least one antenna forming part of the RFID label.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2006Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Gary Mark Shafer, Richard L. Copeland
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Publication number: 20080204247Abstract: An integrated electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radiofrequency identification (RFID) marker is provided which a semiconductor device which may he coupled to an antenna for receiving and retransmitting energy and signals to the antenna. A current receiving front end section of the semiconductor device communicates with at least one other section of the device so more than one function can be implemented upon receiving and retransmitting energy and signals. A first switch is operatively coupled to the front end section such that the functions are entirely but reversibly disabled upon closure of the first switch thereby effecting a reversible EAS function. A second switch is operatively coupled to the front end section such that at least one of the functions is at least partially disabled upon closure of the second switch. RFID functions of the marker am retained upon EAS deactivation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2005Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventors: Ming-Ren Lian, Gary Mark Shafer
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Publication number: 20080186174Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system for item level inventory and a method for performing an RFID item level inventory may be provided. The method may include selectively controlling with an RF signal each of a plurality of multiplexers connected to a plurality of local antennas and selectively enabling with an RF signal the plurality of local antennas using the plurality of multiplexers to perform RFID interrogation on a plurality of RFID tags. The method further may include acquiring inventory information based on the RFID interrogation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventors: Mark Alexis, Gary Mark Shafer
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Publication number: 20080180248Abstract: A reader device for electronic article surveillance (EAS) is disclosed which includes an exciter; a transmitter, the transmitter operatively coupled to the exciter via a first signal gate; a transmitter antenna operatively coupled to the transmitter; a receiver antenna operatively coupled to a receiver front end; and a signal detector, the receiver front end operatively coupled to the signal detector via a second signal gate, wherein the exciter generates a burst of electromagnetic energy in a pulse or a continuous wave at an operating frequency of a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag within a read range of the EAS reader such that the energy level of the burst generates a residual or ring-down signal from the RFID tag indicating the presence of the RFID tag without activating the RED functions of the tag. The ring-down signal is read by the EAS reader as an EAS function.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2005Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: Sensormatic Electronics CorporationInventors: Ming-Ren Lian, Gary Mark Shafer
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Publication number: 20080094394Abstract: A system and method for creating a derivative view from graphical data which is derived from native application data. The native application data may be extracted from a graphical application, such as a CAD application, converted to an intermediate or derivative format, and a derivative view of the graphic information produced by the original, native application is provided from the intermediate format.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: RIGHT HEMISPHERE LIMITEDInventors: Mark Thomas, Paul Delaney, Mark Shafer, David Dauncey, Patrick Ashby
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Publication number: 20080079564Abstract: A method and system for exchanging data between one or more RFID readers and one or more non-tag devices in an RFID system using RFID air interface protocol. An RFID system includes one or more non-tag devices in data communication with one or more RFID readers over an interrogation zone. Non-tag devices utilize RFID air interface protocol to transmit and receive wireless data signals to and from the RFID readers, obviating the need to implement a separate communication infrastructure. The RFID readers may forward the data to an RFID backscatter enabled host computer for processing the received signals. Non-tag devices acting as readpoints communicate with other non-tag devices to establish a parent/child readpoint hierarchy. One or more multiplexers may facilitate the data exchange between RFID readers and the non-tag devices in order to provide an even more robust communication network.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Gary Mark Shafer, Mark Alexis
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Publication number: 20080079583Abstract: A method, device and system for radio frequency identification (“RFID”) performance analysis. An analyzer for analyzing the performance of an RFID reader is provided. The analyzer has an interface in communication with the reader. A processor is in communication with the interface. The processor operates to use the interface to monitor communication with the reader and/or simulate one or more RFID tags.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Mark Alexis, Gary Mark Shafer, Robert Kevin Lynch
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Publication number: 20080079582Abstract: A method and system for exchanging data between one or more RFID readers and one or more EAS system devices in an RFID system using RFID air interface protocol. An RFID system includes one or more EAS system devices in data communication with one or more RFID readers over an interrogation zone. EAS system devices utilize RFID air interface protocol to transmit wireless data signals, which may include alarm event data, to the RFID readers, obviating the need to implement a separate communication infrastructure. The RFID readers may forward the alarm event data to an RFID backscatter enabled host computer for processing the received signals. The host computer may then schedule further interrogation of inventory items at locations where an alarm event has occurred. One or more multiplexers may facilitate the data exchange between RFID readers and the EAS system devices in order to provide an even more robust communication network.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventors: Mark ALEXIS, Gary Mark SHAFER