Abstract: A combined article surveillance and product identification system is formed of conventional elements, of which some are modified. Included in the system are conventional EAS detection equipment, hard EAS tags with RFID circuitry installed in the hard tag enclosure, a tag detaching device modified to include product data reading and transaction data writing capabilities, and a point-of-sale terminal modified to interact with the detaching device. The point-of-sale terminal triggers operation of the detaching device to separate the hard tag from an article of merchandise in response to data read from the tag by the detaching device and relayed to the point-of-sale terminal.

Abstract: A device for removing reusable "hard" EAS tags from articles of merchandise is controlled so as to operate in response to identification data generated by an RFID element in the hard tag. A transmitter-key device is provided to selectively condition the detaching unit to operate in the absence of the otherwise required identification data. The transmitter-key device may also be used to turn the detaching unit on and off. Data indicative of the identity of the holder of the transmitter-key device may be stored in the detaching unit or an associated point-of-sale terminal to log detaching transactions authorized by the transmitter-key device.

Abstract: An antenna system for use in detecting an information tag in an interrogation zone comprising a first coil for generating a first field in an interrogation zone, a second coil that is larger than said first coil and positioned proximate the first coil for generating a second field that opposes the first field, and a nonferrous conductive plate positioned proximate the first and second coils and being shaped so that its periphery is approximately at least as large as the periphery of the second coil.