Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) tag for an EAS system, comprising an antenna, a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) chip configured to transmit and/or receive a wireless signal via the antenna; and a magnetically-actuatable switch configured to move between a first position and a second position. The switch is configured to electrically couple the RFID chip to the antenna in the first position. The switch is further configured to electrically decouple the RFID chip from the antenna in the second position.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) tag for an EAS system, comprising an antenna, a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) chip configured to transmit and/or receive a wireless signal via the antenna; and a magnetically-actuatable switch configured to move between a first position and a second position. The switch is configured to electrically couple the RFID chip to the antenna in the first position. The switch is further configured to electrically decouple the RFID chip from the antenna in the second position.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) tag for an EAS system, comprising an antenna, a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) chip configured to transmit and/or receive a wireless signal via the antenna; and a magnetically-actuatable switch configured to move between a first position and a second position. The switch is configured to electrically couple the RFID chip to the antenna in the first position. The switch is further configured to electrically decouple the RFID chip from the antenna in the second position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to provision and/or utilization of a hidden feature for accessing and/or repairing mobile devices are described. An embodiment includes a wire physically adjacent to an adhesive. The adhesive bonds a first portion of a computing device and a second portion of the computing device. The wire is capable of being heated in response to application of electrical voltage or current. In turn, the heated wire causes cutting of the adhesive to allow for physical separation of the first portion of the computing device and the second portion of the computing device. Another embodiment utilizes a hidden end of an opening in a computing device to hide a fastener. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to provision and/or utilization of a hidden feature for accessing and/or repairing mobile devices are described. An embodiment includes a wire physically adjacent to an adhesive. The adhesive bonds a first portion of a computing device and a second portion of the computing device. The wire is capable of being heated in response to application of electrical voltage or current. In turn, the heated wire causes cutting of the adhesive to allow for physical separation of the first portion of the computing device and the second portion of the computing device. Another embodiment utilizes a hidden end of an opening in a computing device to hide a fastener. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to provision and/or utilization of a hidden feature for accessing and/or repairing mobile devices are described. An embodiment includes a wire physically adjacent to an adhesive. The adhesive bonds a first portion of a computing device and a second portion of the computing device. The wire is capable of being heated in response to application of electrical voltage or current. In turn, the heated wire causes cutting of the adhesive to allow for physical separation of the first portion of the computing device and the second portion of the computing device. Another embodiment utilizes a hidden end of an opening in a computing device to hide a fastener. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to provision and/or utilization of a hidden feature for accessing and/or repairing mobile devices are described. An embodiment includes a wire physically adjacent to an adhesive. The adhesive bonds a first portion of a computing device and a second portion of the computing device. The wire is capable of being heated in response to application of electrical voltage or current. In turn, the heated wire causes cutting of the adhesive to allow for physical separation of the first portion of the computing device and the second portion of the computing device. Another embodiment utilizes a hidden end of an opening in a computing device to hide a fastener. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An radio frequency identification (“RFID”) system and RFID tag that include a substrate body having a surface where the substrate body defines a plane of the tag, an RFID integrated circuit disposed on the surface of the substrate body, and an antenna that has an antenna pattern, which is disposed on the substrate body and in electrical communication with the RFID integrated circuit, the antenna generating a radiation pattern with maximum gain along an axis that is substantially coplanar with the tag.

Abstract: A magnetic detacher has a core magnet and a ring magnet. The core magnet has a body with a top and bottom surface, and produces a first magnetic field. The ring magnet defines a cavity. The ring magnet has a body with a top and bottom and produces a second magnetic field. The ring magnet is axially aligned with the core magnet such that the first magnetic field opposes the second magnetic field along the bodies and enhances it within the cavity. The top surface of the core magnet is separated from the bottom surface of the ring magnet by a predetermined distance thereby producing a resultant magnetic field having a first resultant field strength at a specific position greater than a second resultant field strength produced at the same position when the top surface of the core magnet abuts the bottom surface of the ring magnet.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a magnetic detacher with open access are described. In one embodiment, the magnetic detacher may include magnet assembly to provide open access to a hard tag and a magnetic field sufficient to disengage a clamping mechanism of the hard tag. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A magnetic detacher has a core magnet and a ring magnet. The core magnet has a body with a top and bottom surface, and produces a first magnetic field. The ring magnet defines a cavity. The ring magnet has a body with a top and bottom and produces a second magnetic field. The ring magnet is axially aligned with the core magnet such that the first magnetic field opposes the second magnetic field along the bodies and enhances it within the cavity. The top surface of the core magnet is separated from the bottom surface of the ring magnet by a predetermined distance thereby producing a resultant magnetic field having a first resultant field strength at a specific position greater than a second resultant field strength produced at the same position when the top surface of the core magnet abuts the bottom surface of the ring magnet.

Abstract: An identification/surveillance device including a tag portion and a tack. The tack includes a button and a pin having a dull end and a sharp end. The identification/surveillance device is secured to an article to be identified/surveilled by inserting the pin through the article and engaging the pin with the tag portion. The dull end of the pin is releasably engaged with either the button or the tag portion such that when the identification/surveillance device is removed from the article the sharp end of the pin remains engaged with either the tag portion or the button and only the dull end of the pin is exposed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a magnetic detacher with open access are described. In one embodiment, the magnetic detacher may include magnet assembly to provide open access to a hard tag and a magnetic field sufficient to disengage a clamping mechanism of the hard tag. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An identification/surveillance device including a tag portion and a tack. The tack includes a button and a pin having a dull end and a sharp end. The identification/surveillance device is secured to an article to be identified/surveilled by inserting the pin through the article and engaging the pin with the tag portion. The dull end of the pin is releasably engaged with either the button or the tag portion such that when the identification/surveillance device is removed from the article the sharp end of the pin remains engaged with either the tag portion or the button and only the dull end of the pin is exposed.

Abstract: An radio frequency identification (“RFID”) system and RFID tag that include a substrate body having a surface where the substrate body defines a plane of the tag, an RFID integrated circuit disposed on the surface of the substrate body, and an antenna that has an antenna pattern, which is disposed on the substrate body and in electrical communication with the RFID integrated circuit, the antenna generating a radiation pattern with maximum gain along an axis that is substantially coplanar with the tag.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a magnetic detacher with open access are described. In one embodiment, the magnetic detacher may include magnet assembly to provide open access to a hard tag and a magnetic field sufficient to disengage a clamping mechanism of the hard tag. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a magnetic detacher with open access are described. In one embodiment, the magnetic detacher may include magnet assembly to provide open access to a hard tag and a magnetic field sufficient to disengage a clamping mechanism of the hard tag. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a magnetic detacher with open access are described. In one embodiment, the magnetic detacher may include magnet assembly to provide open access to a hard tag and a magnetic field sufficient to disengage a clamping mechanism of the hard tag. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive element for use in a magneto-mechanical marker has a resonant frequency characteristic that is at a minimum at a bias field level corresponding to the operating point of the magnetomechanical marker. The magnetostrictive element has a magnetomechanical coupling factor k in the range 0.28 to 0.4 at the operating point. The magnetostrictive element is formed by applying cross-field annealing to an iron-rich amorphous metal alloy ribbon (45 to 82 percent iron) which includes a total of from 2 to 17 percent of one or more of Mn, Mo, Nb, Cr, Hf, Zr, Ta, V. Cobalt, nickel, boron, silicon and/or carbon may also be included. The metal alloy may include one early transition element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf and Ta, and also a second early transition element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Mo, Nb, Cr, and V.

Abstract: A harmonic-type electronic article surveillance marker includes a thin, elongated active element and flux concentrators provided at the ends of the active element. The flux concentrators have magnetic anisotropies that are oriented perpendicular to the length of the active element. The orientation of the magnetic anisotropies and the anisotropy field of the flux concentrators stabilize the switching threshold of the marker. The switching threshold level can be controlled by varying parameters such as the angle of the magnetic anisotropies relative to the length of the active element, the strength of the anisotropy field of the magnetic anisotropies, and the geometry of the active element and the flux concentrators.