Abstract: A method and system for producing an electromagnetic field that exhibits a strong near field that is sufficient to deactivate an electronic article surveillance, EAS, tag and a weak far field that is insufficient to deactivate the EAS tag are disclosed. According to one embodiment, two half-wavelength dipoles spaced apart by about a half-wavelength are excited by oppositely phased signals.

Abstract: A method and system for producing an electromagnetic field that exhibits a strong near field that is sufficient to deactivate an electronic article surveillance, EAS, tag and a weak far field that is insufficient to deactivate the EAS tag are disclosed. According to one embodiment, two half-wavelength dipoles spaced apart by about a half-wavelength are excited by oppositely phased signals.

Abstract: A lifting device that raises persons with limited mobility from a first position, such as lying on the floor, to a second position, such as a sitting or standing position, and vice versa. The lifting device has a base, a plurality of supports which extend from the base and a platform connected to the supports. The platform travels upon the supports by way of a plurality of gears which are connected to a power source which is controlled by a controller. In this way the platform travels between a first position, such as adjacent the floor, and the second position, such as sitting or standing.

Abstract: A combination Electronic Article Surveillance/Radio Frequency Identification (“EAS/RFID”) tag and method and system for deactivating said combination EAS/RFID tags without the need to physically contact the tag with a deactivation device. The EAS/RFID tag replaces the conventional diode with a non-linear device such as a capacitor with a given breakdown voltage threshold. Inducing a predetermined voltage across the capacitor results in destruction of the capacitor rendering the EAS/RFID tag undetectable in the interrogation systems.

Abstract: A switchable patch antenna includes a ground plane, a metal patch, at least two feed lines and a switch. The metal patch is positioned adjacent, but not in contact with, the ground plane. Each feed line is electrically connected to the metal patch. Each feed line is substantially orthogonal to at least one other feed line. The switch is electrically connected to the at least two feed lines. The switch is operable to sequentially select between the at least two feed lines for exciting the switchable patch antenna.

Abstract: An Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) tag and method and system for deactivating EAS tags without the need to physically contact the tag with a deactivation device. The EAS tag replaces the conventional diode with a non-linear device such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor (“MOS”) capacitor with a given breakdown voltage threshold. Inducing a predetermined voltage across the MOS capacitor results in destruction of the MOS capacitor rendering the EAS tag undetectable in the EAS interrogation system.

Abstract: A combination Electronic Article Surveillance/Radio Frequency Identification (“EAS/RFID”) tag and method and system for deactivating said combination EAS/RFID tags without the need to physically contact the tag with a deactivation device. The EAS/RFID tag replaces the conventional diode with a non-linear device such as a capacitor with a given breakdown voltage threshold. Inducing a predetermined voltage across the capacitor results in destruction of the capacitor rendering the EAS/RFID tag undetectable in the interrogation systems.

Abstract: An Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) tag and method and system for deactivating EAS tags without the need to physically contact the tag with a deactivation device. The EAS tag replaces the conventional diode with a non-linear device such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor (“MOS”) capacitor with a given breakdown voltage threshold. Inducing a predetermined voltage across the MOS capacitor results in destruction of the MOS capacitor rendering the EAS tag undetectable in the EAS interrogation system.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor assembly comprises: (i) a capacitive proximity sensor (1) for mounting to a body for sensing external objects, the sensor comprising a dielectric substrate (2) having front and rear major surfaces which, in use of the sensor, face respectively outward from and towards the body; a sensor conductor (3) on the front major surface; and a guard conductor on at least one of the major surfaces to provide an electrical shield for the sensor conductor; and (ii) a cable (16) for transmitting electrical signals from the sensor (1) to an electronic control unit; the cable comprising a dielectric film substrate having, on a first major surface thereof, a first electrical conductor (13) that is connected to the sensor conductor (3) for transmitting electrical signals therefrom and, on both major surfaces thereof, an electrically-conductive layer (14) that is connected to the guard conductor to provide an electrical shield for the said first conductor (13).

Abstract: A switchable patch antenna includes a ground plane, a metal patch, at least two feed lines and a switch. The metal patch is positioned adjacent, but not in contact with, the ground plane. Each feed line is electrically connected to the metal patch. Each feed line is substantially orthogonal to at least one other feed line. The switch is electrically connected to the at least two feed lines. The switch is operable to sequentially select between the at least two feed lines for exciting the switchable patch antenna.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor is described for mounting to a body for sensing external objects. The sensor comprises a dielectric film substrate (2) having front and rear major surfaces which, in use of the sensor, face respectively outward from and towards the body; a sensor conductor (6) on the front major surface, and a guard conductor (8) on the rear major surface to provide an electrical shield for the sensor conductor. The sensor is configured so that electrical contact can be made to the sensor conductor and to the guard conductor at the edge of the film substrate. In one embodiment, this is achieved through the provision of a tongue portion (5) which extends from a peripheral edge (4a) of a main part (4) of the substrate, and onto which the sensor and guard conductors extend to provide respective terminals (10, 12) by which external electrical connections can be made to the sensor.