Abstract: Systems and methods for the wireless pairing of a personal health device (PHD) (e.g., blood glucose monitor) with a computing device (e.g., smartphone) are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the PHD communicates a private key to the computing device via a first communication medium (e.g., light signal, audio signal, pattern). The PHD receives from the computing device via a second wireless communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth® or WiFi) pairing information including the private key. The PHD can then establish a secure communication channel with the computing device by pairing the PHD to the computing device.

Abstract: A combination EAS/RFID antenna for use in an EAS/RFID surveillance system. The antenna includes an EAS antenna element and an RFID antenna element. The EAS antenna element includes an EAS loop antenna defining an interior area. The RFID antenna element is positioned within the interior area defined by the EAS loop antenna and includes a ground plane and RFID patch antenna. The ground plane and/or the RFID patch antenna have a segmented conductor pattern etched thereon. The segmented conductor pattern minimizes eddy currents in the ground plane produced by current flow through EAS loop antenna. The RFID antenna element is situated proximate the EAS loop antenna in such a fashion that the overall size of the antenna is reduced.

Abstract: A combination EAS/RFID antenna for use in an EAS/RFID surveillance system. The antenna includes an EAS antenna element and an RFID antenna element. The EAS antenna element includes an EAS loop antenna defining an interior area. The RFID antenna element is positioned within the interior area defined by the EAS loop antenna and includes a ground plane and RFID patch antenna. The ground plane and/or the RFID patch antenna have a segmented conductor pattern etched thereon. The segmented conductor pattern minimizes eddy currents in the ground plane produced by current flow through EAS loop antenna. The RFID antenna element is situated proximate the EAS loop antenna in such a fashion that the overall size of the antenna is reduced.

Abstract: A combination EAS/RFID antenna for use in an EAS/RFID surveillance system. The antenna includes an EAS antenna element and an RFID antenna element. The EAS antenna element includes an EAS loop antenna defining an interior portion. The RFID antenna element includes an RFID patch antenna having a hatched conductor pattern. The RFID antenna element is situated proximate the EAS loop antenna in such a fashion that the overall size of the antenna is reduced.

Abstract: A combination EAS/RFID antenna for use in an EAS/RFID surveillance system. The antenna includes an EAS antenna element and an RFID antenna element. The EAS antenna element includes an EAS loop antenna defining an interior portion. The RFID antenna element includes an RFID patch antenna having a hatched conductor pattern. The RFID antenna element is situated proximate the EAS loop antenna in such a fashion that the overall size of the antenna is reduced.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus and system are disclosed for activating, deactivating or reactivating an electronic article surveillance (EAS) label by way of a coil antenna in an H-bridge circuit which generates from the antenna: a positive increasing magnetic field; a positive decreasing magnetic field; a negative increasing magnetic field; and a negative decreasing magnetic field. The positive and negative magnetic fields are created by positive and negative currents directed through the antenna by four switches connected to the antenna in an H-bridge configuration. The method and apparatus enable low voltage activation, deactivation or reactivation of an EAS tag, e.g., at voltage levels of 12 to 24VDC, ensure uninterruptible power in case of loss of external power, and portability without a high voltage capacitor which is normally required in large deactivation designs. Activation and reactivation is by an increasing magnetic field followed by a decreasing magnetic field without altering polarity.

Abstract: An electric motor, system and method for activating and deactivating an EAS article is disclosed. The electric motor has a stationary electromagnet having a center. The electric motor further has a platform located parallel to the electromagnet, wherein the platform rotates about a center concentric with the center of the electromagnet. The electric motor further has a first magnet with a first polarity located on the platform and a second magnet with a second polarity located on the platform radially opposite to the first magnet. The electric motor further has a commutator for periodically reversing current supplied to the electromagnet so as to produce a first magnetic field that interacts with the first and the second magnet and causes the platform to spin about its center. When the platform rotates, a second magnetic field for one of activation and deactivation of an EAS article is produced by the first and the second magnet.

Abstract: A handheld barcode/RFID reader includes a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side includes at least a portion of barcode/RFID electronic circuitry affixed thereto. The second side contains a ground plane for the electronic circuitry. The handheld barcode/RFID reader further includes a patch antenna, electrically coupled to the circuitry, and mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board such that the ground plane of the printed circuit board also provides a ground for the patch antenna.

Abstract: The present invention provide a motion detection circuit for a handheld item detection system, where the motion detection circuit includes an accelerometer outputting at least one signal corresponding to a measured acceleration. A differentiator differentiates the measured acceleration. A motion detection device evaluates a discriminated version of the acceleration and a discriminated version of the acceleration to determine whether the handheld item detection system is in motion. The present invention extends battery life and allows a handheld system to quickly enter an active operational mode without any user intervention other than handling (moving) the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and deactivating electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) tags in which a housing is affixable to at least one of a bar code scanner and a RFID scanner. An electronic circuit located is within the housing. At least one user observable indicator is controlled by the electronic circuit in which the at least one user observable indicator is affixed to the housing and provides a tag deactivation status.

Abstract: A handheld barcode/RFID reader includes a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side includes at least a portion of barcode/RFID electronic circuitry affixed thereto. The second side contains a ground plane for the electronic circuitry. The handheld barcode/RFID reader further includes a patch antenna, electrically coupled to the circuitry, and mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board such that the ground plane of the printed circuit board also provides a ground for the patch antenna.

Abstract: An electric motor, system and method for activating and deactivating an EAS article is disclosed. The electric motor has a stationary electromagnet having a center. The electric motor further has a platform located parallel to the electromagnet, wherein the platform rotates about a center concentric with the center of the electromagnet. The electric motor further has a first magnet with a first polarity located on the platform and a second magnet with a second polarity located on the platform radially opposite to the first magnet. The electric motor further has a commutator for periodically reversing current supplied to the electromagnet so as to produce a first magnetic field that interacts with the first and the second magnet and causes the platform to spin about its center. When the platform rotates, a second magnetic field for one of activation and deactivation of an EAS article is produced by the first and the second magnet.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus and system are disclosed for activating, deactivating or reactivating an electronic article surveillance (EAS) label by way of a coil antenna in an H-bridge circuit which generates from the antenna: a positive increasing magnetic field; a positive decreasing magnetic field; a negative increasing magnetic field; and a negative decreasing magnetic field. The positive and negative magnetic fields are created by positive and negative currents directed through the antenna by four switches connected to the antenna in an H-bridge configuration. The method and apparatus enable low voltage activation, deactivation or reactivation of an EAS tag, e.g., at voltage levels of 12 to 24VDC, ensure uninterruptible power in case of loss of external power, and portability without a high voltage capacitor which is normally required in large deactivation designs. Activation and reactivation is by an increasing magnetic field followed by a decreasing magnetic field without altering polarity.

Abstract: An electronic circuit, apparatus and method for detecting and deactivating electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) tags, in which a coil induces a current when subject to an electromagnetic field and also is used to transmit an electromagnetic tag signal. A tuning capacitor is in electrical communication with the coil. The tuning capacitor and the coil establish a resonance for the transmission of the electromagnetic tag signal. A storage capacitor is in electrical communication with the coil. The storage capacitor receives the induced current from the coil. The electronic circuit, apparatus and method can also include a first diode for rectifying the induced current from the coil and a processor for determining an EAS tag status.

Abstract: An adaptive security device includes a tag module and a processor module. The processor module contains a tag disable electronic circuit and a controller. The controller provides tag control commands to the tag disable electronic circuit. The tag disable electronic circuit selectively enables or disables the tag module based on the tag control command. In one embodiment, the tag module is an electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) tag module.

Abstract: The present invention provide a motion detection circuit for a handheld item detection system, where the motion detection circuit includes an accelerometer outputting at least one signal corresponding to a measured acceleration. A differentiator differentiates the measured acceleration. A motion detection device evaluates a discriminated version of the acceleration and a discriminated version of the acceleration to determine whether the handheld item detection system is in motion. The present invention extends battery life and allows a handheld system to quickly enter an active operational mode without any user intervention other than handling (moving) the system.

Abstract: A simple and attractive electronic survey device for collecting survey data includes an electronic housing including an electronic display, whereon survey questions are displayed. A user input interface is mounted on the electronic housing, and coupled to operate in response to displayed survey questions. A central processing unit (CPU) is coupled to operate the electronic display. An electronic memory, coupled to the CPU, is used for storing at least one question(s) and customer response entered through the user input interface. A communications port is coupled to receive and transmit data from the electronic memory. An Internet: web portal is linked to the communications port for receiving and transmitting survey data including survey programs and questions for loading into the CPU and memory.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a deactivator using an inductive charging technique are described.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) system including: an EAS device and an EAS range finder system for providing indication as to when the EAS device is within an operational distance from the EAS tag. The system may include a barcode scanner for providing an output having a distinct visible pattern when the operational distance is achieved. An energy source may be provided, and the EAS system may determine when the operational distance is achieved by detection of energy reflected from an article carrying the EAS tag.