Abstract: A point of sale system is provided. The point of sale system comprises a portable electronic device and a first shroud configured to be coupled to the portable electronic device. The system also includes a point of sale device configured to communicate with the portable electronic device, and a second shroud configured to be coupled to the point of sale device. The system further includes an accessory device configured to communicate with the portable electronic device and a third shroud configured to be coupled to the accessory device. The first shroud is configured to be removably attached to the first shroud to facilitate communication between the portable electronic device and the point of sale device, and the third shroud is configured to be removably attached to the first shroud to facilitate communication between the portable electronic device and the accessory device.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method and article to eliminate false alarms, invalid security deactivation, and internal theft are described. The apparatus may include a first input to receive a first identification code associated with an item, a second input to receive a second identification code associated with the item, and an output to provide a control signal to control the operation of a security label deactivation and detection device based on the first and second identification codes. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system and method for communication with at least one radio engine module (“REM”). The system and method including at least one radio engine module, where the at least one radio engine module has a signal generator for synthesizing radio frequency signals to be transmitted to one or more remote communication devices and a receiver for receiving radio frequency signals transmitted by one or more remote communication devices. The RFID system and method further include a controller that is separate from and in communication with the at least one radio engine module, which manages the transmission of information with the at least one radio engine module.

Abstract: An electronic key capable of reinitializing or resetting a security disabled electronic article surveillance (EAS) device is provided. The electronic key can be a secure, portable, and battery powered for initializing a secured EAS system's security protocol to factory default state, or to another preselected state. The key has its own set of security protocols to prevent unauthorized use and can easily be reprogrammed for a wide variety of other functions including, but not limited to, firmware upgrading, diagnostic testing, and the like. The key can be connected to the programming port of an EAS device and perform a preset reprogramming operation, resetting activated security features. The key could be purchased for customer use, and would be secured by preselecting the total number of uses, such as one use. The one-time use would begin once the key is activated. Activation of the key is also uniquely controlled to prevent its misuse.

Abstract: An electronic key capable of reinitializing or resetting a security disabled electronic article surveillance (EAS) device is provided. The electronic key can be a secure, portable, and battery powered for initializing a secured EAS system's security protocol to factory default state, or to another preselected state. The key has its own set of security protocols to prevent unauthorized use and can easily be reprogrammed for a wide variety of other functions including, but not limited to, firmware upgrading, diagnostic testing, and the like. The key can be connected to the programming port of an EAS device and perform a preset reprogramming operation, resetting activated security features. The key could be purchased for customer use, and would be secured by preselecting the total number of uses, such as one use. The one-time use would begin once the key is activated. Activation of the key is also uniquely controlled to prevent its misuse.

Abstract: A switching power supply system is disclosed for powering electrical equipment while minimizing disturbance to an AC power line source. The system includes first and second AC switches which are operated at alternate intervals with respect to each other to permit current to flow between the AC power line source and the load over intervals of the AC voltage cycle. An energy storage element is included in an output filter and stores energy during intervals of the AC voltage cycle and releases the stored energy during the alternate intervals of the AC voltage cycle. By the disclosed switching power supply, the voltage applied to the load and the current flow between the source and the load are sinusoidal, have minimal energy in frequencies other than the fundamental AC power line frequency, have minimal harmonic distortion, result in a power factor close to unity, and are steady and non fluctuating.

Abstract: A device for deactivating a magnetomechanical electronic article surveillance (EAS) marker includes a deactivation coil array and a coil driving circuit. The coil driving circuit repetitively energizes the deactivation coil array according to a predetermined timing to generate a magnetic field for deactivating the EAS marker. The driving circuit includes at least one storage capacitor, circuitry for charging the at least one storage capacitor and a switching circuit for selectively forming a resonant circuit which includes the storage capacitor and at least some of the coils of the coil array to generate a ring-down signal in the coils. A timing circuit controls the switching circuit to generate the ring-down signal repetitively at the predetermined timing.

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.