Abstract: An EAS tag comprises a microprocessor, motion sensor, magnetometer, communication elements, and audible alarm generator. Various means of attaching the tag to an object to be protected can be used. The magnetometer can measure the magnetic fields around it and digitally transmit the information to the microprocessor for storage. After a certain period of inactivity as measured by the motion sensor, the tag enters a state of reduced activity to conserve energy. When the motion sensor determines that the tag is being moved, the magnetometer takes a current snapshot which is compared to a previous snapshot. If the two images differ over certain percentage, the tag alarms. The tag can also monitor the ambient magnetic fields in real time and, when the fields change abruptly, the tag alarms. This prevents defeating the tag by placing it in a metallic foil bag.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for deactivating EAS markers. The device utilizes deactivating magnetic fields created by energizing electrical coils to deactivate electronic article surveillance markers. It consists of housing having an internal structure holding an electrical coil arrangement. The coil arrangement comprises two electrical coils that are arranged essentially coplanar, arranged side-by-side. A third electrical coil is arranged such that each of its windings wraps around both the first and said second electrical coils. Current flowing through the coils generates a composite deactivating magnetic field above the housing. This deactivating magnetic field allows deactivation of a tag swept in any orientation, and does not require the tag to come into physical contact with the deactivating device. Flush mounting conserves space, allowing for ease of merchandise movement over the counter. A distinctive sound indicates the presence and deactivation of the label.

Abstract: An anti-theft device comprised of a housing hingably connected to a cover. The housing and cover can move from an open position to a closed position to clasp and secure an article to be monitored. The housing and cover have latch components. When the housing and cover are rotated to a closed position in relation to one another, a latch component on the cover interconnects with a latch component of the housing to hold the housing and cover in a closed position. The latch components may be releasably lockable and may be released by application of a magnet to a blocking component in the housing which has a magnetically-attractable element associated with it, combined with manual manipulation of a latch switch to disengage the latching components of the housing and cover. The anti-theft device carries at least a passive electronic article surveillance element. More advanced electronic article surveillance elements may also be carried in the housing.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance device attaches to an object having an electronic article surveillance RFID label in it. The EAS device interrogates the label for information and associates itself with the label. The device retransmits the information from the label to the broader system and over a longer range than the label can by itself. The device has a motion detector and periodically interrogates the label to insure the presence of the label, especially when motion is detected. The unexpected absence of the label is considered an alarm condition and the device will alarm in those circumstances. External devices arm and disarm the device and detach the device as well.

Abstract: Embodiments of the current invention entail a highly visible tag that can be attached to a product at a highly visible location on the product at a store, but can easily be removed once the purchaser buys the product and takes it home. Once the purchaser gets the product home, they can remove it themselves and use it in public. Once the tag is removed, it cannot be reattached by the consumer. Depending on the store policy, the product may not be returned, or an extra fee charged for returning the garment, or other similar policies. Absence of a tag makes it clear that the buyer has removed the tag and provides an indication that the product, such as a garment has been used or worn in public. The tag is most effective for products that are used in public, such as garments. The tag may carry EAS technology.

Abstract: An EAS system comprises a central circuit for sequentially generating signal bursts. At least one local transmitting antenna is positioned remote from the central circuit for receiving and propagating the signal bursts into an interrogation zone. A receiver is associated with the local transmitting antenna for detecting the presence of an electronic tag in the interrogation zone by means of a response tag signal from the electronic tag and transmitting the response tag signal to the central circuit. A synchronization device is provided for detecting the signal burst propagated from the local transmitting antenna, and controls the activation of the receiver for the purpose of receiving the response tag signal based on the timing of the signal burst.

Abstract: An anti-theft tag has two slightly concave shells attached to each other by a hinge. One shell has an aperture through it and the other shell has a post located to insert through the aperture when the two shells are brought together. At least one catch tab extends laterally from the end of the post. The catch tab exceeds the width of the aperture and is constructed to give to allow the post to insert into the aperture, but to resist and prevent the extraction of the post. The post is severable to allow the remove of the catch tab to allow the opening of the tag. One of the shells also has a slot and the other has a tack. When the post is inserted through the aperture, the tack inserts into the slot. The tack passes through an object to be protected and maintains the tag in place.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag incorporates alternative theft deterrence systems. The security tag incorporates both a benefit-denial ink-based system and two independent EAS detection elements operating at two different frequencies such that the tag can alternatively be operated in two different systems. The security tag is further adapted to be reusable after ink ampoule breakage and includes a visual indication of ink to serve as a further visual deterrence to shoplifters.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance apparatus for monitoring objects is comprised of a base, at least one electrically conductive wrapping element, and an electronics housing. The conductive wrapping element is long enough to wrap around an object to be protected and may be carried by a section of tape. The base rests on an object to be monitored, and the housing releasably latches onto the base, while each conductive element wraps around the object with each end of conductive element fixed between the base and housing. Electronics within the housing complete a circuit through each conductive element and monitor for continuity. If continuity is lost, either by cutting a conductive element, or unauthorized unlatching of the housing, an alarm can be sounded by the electronics within the housing. The electronic housing may be disarmed by a remote device and delatched from the base. Adhesive may be used to install the apparatus.

Abstract: An anti-theft device comprised of a housing hingably connected to a cover. The housing and cover can move from an open position to a closed position to clasp and secure an article to be monitored. The housing and cover have latch components. When the housing and cover are rotated to a closed position in relation to one another, a latch component on the cover interconnects with a latch component of the housing to hold the housing and cover in a closed position. The latch components may be releasably lockable and may be released by application of a magnet to a blocking component in the housing which has a magnetically-attractable element associated with it, combined with manual manipulation of a latch switch to disengage the latching components of the housing and cover. The anti-theft device carries at least a passive electronic article surveillance element. More advanced electronic article surveillance elements may also be carried in the housing.

Abstract: An EAS tag has an adjustable retention cable for attaching the tag to an irregularly shaped object. A clutch mechanism prevents the retention cable from being released without authorization. The tag may carry electronic components including a circuit board, microprocessor, battery, audible alarm generator, light emitting diode, anti-tamper switches, infrared communication port, and other communication electronics. The tag may also carry an EAS element such as a harmonic element or acousto-magnetic element. An EAS system with which the EAS tag is associated may communicate with the EAS tag and obtain information, arm, disarm, encode information, and otherwise reprogram the tag via the infrared communication port or other means.

Abstract: An asset protection system uses a plurality of radiate and detect units to maintain a radio frequency field, or signal, in a monitored area. Each unit has a unique unit identifier code which it modulates onto its transmission of the field, and a zone where its transmission of the field will dominate. Assets have tags attached to them. The tags have a mechanism to attach them to the objects and have electronic components on board including a microprocessor, motion detector, radio frequency circuitry, audible alarm generator. The tags receive the field and when they are in a zone dominated by a unit, demodulate that units identifier code. The tags transmit a signal at a different frequency with the unit identifier code and its tag identifier code in the signal. The unit receives the tag signal with its code on it and adds the tag to the inventory for its area.

Abstract: An EAS device with a housing. In one embodiment, the EAS housing is a one-piece tray-shaped device with the edges contoured so that the monitored object snaps into the tray or is slid into the tray. Other embodiments may include but are not limited to a two piece housing where one piece of the housing has a protrusion which, when closed together and fitted with the other piece of the housing, engages with a releasable clutch located within the back piece. A clutch within the housing prevents the two pieces of the housing from being disengaged until the clutch is released. The EAS devices carry at least a passive EAS element. More advanced EAS electronic elements may also be carried in the housing.

Abstract: An anti-theft device monitors bottles. It is comprised of a two components hingably connected together. They can move from an open position to a closed position to enclose the neck of a bottle. One component has a first latch element and contains electronics including an arming switch. The other component has a second latch element. The latch elements combine to hold the two components in the closed position. When the two components are moved to the closed position, and a bottle is in position, the bottle changes the state of the arming switch. One of the components, or both, may have a protrusion that engages a feature on the bottle to keep the tag in place on the bottle. The anti-theft device may be armed or disarmed by remote devices. The latching elements may be releasably lockable such as by a magnet. The anti-theft device may have passcode protection capabilities.

Abstract: An EAS tag includes a cap with a tack shaft and a body with a clutch for receiving and retaining the tack shaft. An aperture in the body gives access to the clutch. The cap is concave and shaped to fit over the body, and the tack shaft extends into the concavity of the cap. The shape of the body and cap and the position of the tack shaft provide an initial resistance to twisting the cap with respect to the body. Both the cap and body may have additional features with interact or interlock to prevent the cap from being twisted. Additional, the cap may have areas of reduced thickness to induce breaking away of parts of the cap when excessive stress is induced in the cap.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for deactivating EAS markers. The device utilizes deactivating magnetic fields created by energizing electrical coils to deactivate electronic article surveillance markers. It consists of housing having an internal structure holding an electrical coil arrangement. The coil arrangement comprises two electrical coils that are arranged essentially coplanar, arranged side-by-side. A third electrical coil is arranged such that each of its windings wraps around both the first and said second electrical coils. Current flowing through the coils generates a composite deactivating magnetic field above the housing. This deactivating magnetic field allows deactivation of a tag swept in any orientation, and does not require the tag to come into physical contact with the deactivating device. Flush mounting conserves space, allowing for ease of merchandise movement over the counter. A distinctive sound indicates the presence and deactivation of the label.

Abstract: An asset protection system maintains a radio frequency field or signal in a monitored area. Assets have tags attached to them and are placed in the monitored area. The tags have a mechanism to attach them to the objects and have electronic components on board including a microprocessor, motion detector, radio frequency circuitry, audible alarm generator and in some cases, a passive EAS element. The tags are normally idle in the monitored area, but when the motion detector indicates that a tag is being moved, the RF circuitry checks for a signal or field at an expected frequency. If the tag does not detect a signal, the tag electronics determine that the tag has left the monitored area and generate an audible alarm. If a signal is detected, the tag returns to an idle state once it stops moving. The tags may also alarm if tampered with.

Abstract: An EAS tag includes a cap component with a tack shaft. The cap component is contoured to engage with a body component. The body component has a clutch for receiving and retaining the tack shaft. The shape of the body component and the cap component, along with the position of the tack shaft, provide an initial resistance to twisting the cap with respect to the body. Both the cap and body components may have additional features which interact or interlock to prevent the cap from being twisted. Additionally, the EAS tag may incorporate a staining agent-based benefit denial system. The EAS tag is further adapted to be reusable after actuation of the benefit denial system, and includes a visual indication of a compartment containing a staining agent to serve as a visual deterrent to shoplifters.