Abstract: A security tag includes an EAS component having a defined surface area, and an RFID component having a defined surface area. The EAS component surface area is configured to at least partially overlap the RFID component surface area. The RFID component includes an antenna which at least partially overlaps the first surface. A substantially planar spacer having a thickness is at least partially disposed between the defined surface areas of the EAS and RFID components. The thickness of the spacer determines a read range between an RFID reader and the RFID component. The RFID reader is capable of activating the RFID component when the RFID component is within the read range. The antenna has a complex impedance, and the EAS component forms a part of an impedance matching network of the antenna.

Abstract: A core antenna system for use in electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. The core antenna system may include a core antenna. The core antenna may include a core, a first resonant winding disposed around at least a portion of the core, the first resonant winding having a first number of winding turns N1, and a second non-resonant winding disposed around at least a portion of the core, the second non-resonant winding having a second number of winding turns N2, the second number of turns greater than or equal to the first number of turns. The core antenna may be mounted on a shield plate and tuned to an operating frequency on the shield plate such that when the shielded core antenna is further mounted on a mounting surface, e.g., of a checkstand, no significant de-tuning of the antenna takes place.

Abstract: A magnetic core antenna system including a magnetic core and a winding network. The winding network may be configured with a non-uniform ampere-turn distribution to achieve a desired flux density in the core. The network may include a plurality of windings configured to provide a winding impedance facilitating optimal transmitter power delivery to the windings. A magnetic core may be constructed from multiple components having longitudinal contact surfaces and joined by a transverse clamping force. An air gap may be provided between the components to allow relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: Techniques for tuning an antenna to different operating frequencies are described. An apparatus includes a security tag with a substrate having a surface, a lead frame to mount on the surface and connect to an antenna, and an integrated circuit to connect to the lead frame. The antenna may be disposed on the surface, and may comprise a first antenna portion and a second antenna portion. The first antenna portion may connect to the first side and the second antenna portion may connect to the second side. The antenna may be tuned to an operating frequency by modifying a first length for the first antenna portion and a second length for the second antenna portion after the antenna portions are disposed on the surface.

Abstract: A nanocrystalline core antenna for use in electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. The nanocrystalline antenna is constructed from nanocrystalline material and exhibits improved detection range in EAS and RFID systems compared to conventional antenna configurations.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance antenna system for wide exit interrogation zones is provided. In a first aspect, a first and a second transmit antenna, each adapted for installation on opposite sides of a wide interrogation zone. A third transmit antenna is adapted for installation adjacent the ceiling of the wide interrogation zone. The first, second, and third transmit antennas are connectable to a transmitter for generation of an interrogation signal for transmission into the wide interrogation zone. A plurality of amorphous core receiver antennas are adapted for installation in the grout region of a floor of the wide interrogation zone. The output of each of the plurality of amorphous core receiver antennas are connectable to a receiver for detection of a response signal from an electronic article surveillance tag disposed in the wide interrogation zone. The response signal is responsive to the interrogation signal.

Abstract: An EAS or RFID system including first and second core antenna systems. The first and second antenna systems establish magnetic fields having opposite directions and are positioned so that the fields at least partially cancel outside of an interrogation zone for detecting an EAS or RFID tag. There is also provided an EAS or RFID wherein the magnetic field direction established by a core antenna is varied at certain time intervals to minimize the effects of null zones in the interrogation zone.

Abstract: A phase compensated loop antenna having phase compensation elements distributed along the length thereof. The phase compensation elements compensate for current variations along the antenna length resulting from increasing the length of the antenna. A nested loop configuration incorporating at least one phase compensated loop antenna is also provided.

Abstract: An EAS or RFID system including first and second core antenna systems. The first and second antenna systems establish magnetic fields having opposite directions and are positioned so that the fields at least partially cancel outside of an interrogation zone for detecting an EAS or RFID tag. There is also provided an EAS or RFID wherein the magnetic field direction established by a core antenna is varied at certain time intervals to minimize the effects of null zones in the interrogation zone.

Abstract: A magnetic core antenna system including a magnetic core and a winding network. The winding network may be configured with a non-uniform ampere-turn distribution to achieve a desired flux density in the core. The network may include a plurality of windings configured to provide a winding impedance facilitating optimal transmitter power delivery to the windings. A magnetic core may be constructed from multiple components having longitudinal contact surfaces and joined by a transverse clamping force. An air gap may be provided between the components to allow relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) antenna system including at least one transmit antenna and at least one amorphous core receiver antenna adapted for installation on the floor, in the grout region of the floor, or under the flooring of a passageway. An EAS system including at least one perimeter loop antenna adapted to extend around the entire perimeter of a passageway is also provided. The system may further include at least one floor antenna adapted for installation within a region of a floor of a passageway and at least one ceiling antenna adapted for installation adjacent a ceiling of the passageway.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance antenna system for wide exit interrogation zones is provided. In a first aspect, a first and a second transmit antenna, each adapted for installation on opposite sides of a wide interrogation zone. A third transmit antenna is adapted for installation adjacent the ceiling of the wide interrogation zone. The first, second, and third transmit antennas are connectable to a transmitter for generation of an interrogation signal for transmission into the wide interrogation zone. A plurality of amorphous core receiver antennas are adapted for installation in the grout region of a floor of the wide interrogation zone. The output of each of the plurality of amorphous core receiver antennas are connectable to a receiver for detection of a response signal from an electronic article surveillance tag disposed in the wide interrogation zone. The response signal is responsive to the interrogation signal.

Abstract: A magnetic core transceiver antenna for EAS marker detection is provided. The core includes a stack of amorphous alloy ribbons insulated from each other and laminated together. A coil winding of wire, also insulted from the ribbons, and connected to an electronic controller provides the transmitter and receiver modes. The transceiver antenna is optimized for the dual mode operation, and is smaller and uses less power than conventional air-core EAS antennas with equivalent performance. Complex core geometries, such as a sandwiched stack of different sized ribbons, can be implemented to vary the effective permeability of the core to customize antenna performance. Multiple transceiver antennas can be combined to increase the size of the generated EAS interrogation zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the position of magnetic tape within a magnetic tape cassette to ascertain whether the magnetic tape is in a rewound position within the cassette is provided. In a first aspect of the present invention, the magnetic tape cassette has two internal magnetic tape take-up reels. The magnetic tape stored on the tape-up reels is detected. The rewound status of the tape is determined by whether the magnetic tape is detected on only one reel or on both reels. In a second aspect of the present invention, a preselected amount of magnetic tape is detected within the magnetic tape cassette. The magnetic tape cassette is oriented and the position of the detected magnetic tape is determined relative to the orientation of the magnetic tape cassette. In a third aspect of the present invention, an electronically detectable member positioned in a known location of the cassette is detected. A preselected amount of magnetic tape within the cassette is detected.

Abstract: The present invention replaces the conventional bias magnets for EAS markers with a paintable or printable bias magnet material, which is either directly painted onto the EAS marker or first placed onto a substrate material, which is then placed into the EAS marker. The material includes a magnetic powder mixed with resin and solvent. This “bias paint” is then applied onto the EAS marker. The magnetic powder, resin, and solvent provide a very dense layer after drying, which has a magnetic material density that is usually lower than a rolled product, but is higher than that of the injection-molded magnet material. Printing the bias magnet allows nondeactivatable magnetomechanical EAS markers to be made using web-based mass production methods.

Abstract: The present invention replaces the conventional bias magnets for EAS markers with a paintable or printable bias magnet material, which is either directly painted onto the EAS marker or first placed onto a substrate material, which is then placed into the EAS marker. The material includes a magnetic powder mixed with resin and solvent. This “bias paint” is then applied onto the EAS marker. The magnetic powder, resin, and solvent provide a very dense layer after drying, which has a magnetic material density that is usually lower than a rolled product, but is higher than that of the injection-molded magnet material. Printing the bias magnet allows nondeactivatable magnetomechanical EAS markers to be made using web-based mass productions methods.

Abstract: A material used to form a biasing element for a magnetomechanical EAS marker has a coercivity that is lower than the coercivity of biasing elements used in conventional magnetomechanical markers. The marker formed with the low coercivity material can be deactivated by applying an AC magnetic field at a level that is lower than is required for deactivation of conventional markers. The marker with the low coercivity bias element can also be deactivated when at a greater distance from a deactivation device than was previously practical.

Abstract: A self-checkout/self-check-in and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is provided. EAS tags and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are connected to articles for use with the invention. A preferred embodiment for self-checkout includes a housing having a cavity for receiving articles for self-checkout. The cavity is disposed within a deactivation zone. The RFID tags are read, and after verification of an authorized transaction, a deactivation antenna is energized to deactivate the EAS tags, and a stored inventory database is updated. Information about the transaction can be displayed. A preferred embodiment for self-check-in includes an elongated housing into which articles are deposited for return. Once deposited, the articles pass through the housing and out the other end.

Abstract: A device for deactivating a magnetomechanical EAS marker includes two coils and an energizing circuit for alternately driving the coils. One coil is driven for one cycle of an alternating power signal, and then the other coil is driven for one cycle, and this sequence is repeated. The driving signal is switched from one coil to the other at a point in time which corresponds to a zero crossing of the current level of the driving signal.

Abstract: A coil array for an EAS marker deactivation device is formed by stacking planar substrates, on each of which a respective array of spiral coils was formed by a deposition and etching process. The coil array may be a six-by-six square array, four layers thick, with each of the spiral coils consisting of three turns.