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 anti-theft device monitors objects having a shaft, strap, or similar element. The anti-theft device is comprised of a two components hingably connected together. The two components can move from an open position to a closed position to enclose the shaft or similar element. One component has a first latch element and contains electronics including an arming switch. When the two components are moved to the closed position, the other component changes the status of the arming switch. The other component has a second latch element which combines with the first latch element to hold the two components in the closed position. The anti-theft device may be armed or disarmed by a remote device. The latching elements may be releasably lockable and may be released by a magnet. The anti-theft device may have passcode protection capabilities.

Abstract: An electronic surveillance article (EAS) tag has an articulated body, or housing, having an articulating joint joining two portions, or pods. In one embodiment a first portion, or sensor pod, encloses EAS elements and a second portion, or retention pod, contains a retention mechanism. In one embodiment, the retention pod and sensor pod are connected by a swivel joint. In one embodiment the retention pod encloses a ball clutch. An aperture in the retention pod gives access to an aperture in the ball clutch. A shaft on an attaching element inserts into the clutch to attach the tag to an object. In one embodiment, the attaching element is a lanyard having one end terminating in a shaft and the other end terminating in a connector for forming a loop in the lanyard. Other attaching elements may be used.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) security apparatus is comprised of a housing, base plate, ribbon pad, and electrically conductive ribbons. In one embodiment, the ribbons pre-attached to the ribbon pad and extend from the ribbon pad. The ribbon pad and base plate on installed on opposite sides of an object to be protected. The ribbons are extended around the object and their extended ends attached to the base plate. The housing has electrical contacts and encloses electronics and is attached to the base plate so that the electrical contacts complete circuits through the ribbons. The electronics in the housing monitor the ribbons to detect unauthorized removal of the apparatus. A switch on the bottom of the housing detects that the housing is attached to a plate and object. The apparatus has a locking mechanism to maintain the housing and plate together, which can be released by application of a magnet.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) security apparatus is comprised of a base, a reel housing containing a reel, a tether joined to the base and the reel housing and disposed on the reel, and an electronics package. The base attaches to an object to be protected and the tether is wrapped around the object as the reel housing is passed around the object. The reel housing is releasably attached to the base by complimentary coupling elements on each. The base has a tether guide, which allows the tether to be redirected in additional directions as it is wrapped around the object. A releasable blocking mechanism keeps the base and reel housing coupled. The electronics package includes at least a passive EAS element and can contain a microprocessor, wireless communication elements, switches, sound generator, a power supply, and the tether if electrically conductive. The blocking mechanism may be magnetically releasable.

Abstract: An electronic surveillance article (EAS) tag has an articulated body, or housing, having an articulating joint joining two portions, or pods. In one embodiment a first portion, or sensor pod, encloses EAS elements and a second portion, or retention pod, contains a retention mechanism. In one embodiment, the retention pod and sensor pod are connected by a swivel joint. In one embodiment the retention pod encloses a ball clutch. An aperture in the retention pod gives access to an aperture in the ball clutch. A shaft on an attaching element inserts into the clutch to attach the tag to an object. In one embodiment, the attaching element is a lanyard having one end terminating in a shaft and the other end terminating in a connector for forming a loop in the lanyard. Other attaching elements may be used.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is comprised of a first EAS housing and a second EAS housing, each having electrically conducting tethers and a cover to hold the housing in place on an object to be protected. The covers have a surface with adhesive on it. Each housing is placed in a cover with the tethers extending through the cover, and the adhesive surface is pressed to the object. Switches on the bottom of the housing indicate contact with an object. The housings have apertures for receiving the ends of the tethers which are extended from the housings and inserted into the apertures of the other housing to complete circuits between the housings. Electronics within the housings monitor the circuits and switches for tampering and can generate alarms. External devices may arm and disarm the housings via wireless communication. A magnet releases a blocking mechanism to remove the housings.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance apparatus for monitoring large objects is comprised of a base, at least one segment of tape, and an electronics housing. The segment of tape has a least one electrically conductive element running the length of the tape. The base rests on an object to be monitored, and the housing releasably latches onto the base, while each tape segment wraps around the object with each end of tape segment being fixed between the base and housing. Electronics within the housing complete a circuit through each tape segment and monitor the tape segments for electrical continuity. If electrical continuity is lost, either by cutting a tape segment, 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. Both base and tape segments may have adhesive elements.

Abstract: An anti-theft device monitors objects having a shaft, strap, or similar element. The anti-theft device is comprised of a two components hingably connected together. The two components can move from an open position to a closed position to enclose the shaft or similar element. One component has a first latch element and contains electronics including an arming switch. When the two components are moved to the closed position, the other component changes the status of the arming switch. The other component has a second latch element which combines with the first latch element to hold the two components in the closed position. The anti-theft device may be armed or disarmed by a remote device. The latching elements may be releasably lockable and may be released by a magnet. The anti-theft device may have passcode protection capabilities.

Abstract: A control unit for an EAS system is described, the unit comprising a controller area network (CAN) communication device operatively coupled with a remote communications link. A master control (MC) module interfaces the CAN device and the remote communications link. Machine readable executable instructions reside on a digital signal processor (DSP). The unit further includes at least one system module having a targeted feature within the EAS system.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) apparatus is comprised of a carrier and an EAS unit. The carrier receives the EAS unit and has an adhesive element on one of its surfaces to attach to an item to be protected. The EAS unit may have several electronic components including, among others, an EAS coil, a microprocessor, communication elements, a switch, a battery, and an audible alarm generator. The EAS unit can be removed from a protected item by opening, or parting, the carrier. Once the carrier is opened the EAS unit can be retrieved for reuse. External devices can be used to communicate with and disarm the EAS unit. If an EAS unit is removed without being disarmed, a switch detects the change in status and an audible alarm is generated.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance apparatus for monitoring large objects is comprised of a base, at least one segment of tape, and an electronics housing. The segment of tape has a least one electrically conductive element running the length of the tape. The base rests on an object to be monitored, and the housing releasably latches onto the base, while each tape segment wraps around the object with each end of tape segment being fixed between the base and housing. Electronics within the housing complete a circuit through each tape segment and monitor the tape segments for electrical continuity. If electrical continuity is lost, either by cutting a tape segment, 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. Both base and tape segments may have adhesive elements.

Abstract: An EAS tag has a housing and a shackle. The shackle has a first segment with a first end and a second segment with a second end. The first segment of the shackle is slidably mounted in the housing while the second segment moves in and out of the housing in accord with the first segment. When the second segment is out of the housing, the shackle can be placed through an aperture in an object to be protected or around a portion of an object to be protected. The shackle is then slid into the housing so that the second segment inserts into the housing. A clutch within the housing prevents the shackle from being shifted until the clutch is released. The housing carries at least a passive EAS element. More advanced EAS electronic elements may also be carried in the housing.

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: An electronic article surveillance apparatus for monitoring large objects is comprised of a base, at least one segment of tape, and an electronics housing. The segment of tape has a least one electrically conductive element running the length of the tape. The base rests on an object to be monitored, and the housing releasably latches onto the base, while each tape segment wraps around the object with each end of tape segment being fixed between the base and housing. Electronics within the housing complete a circuit through each tape segment and monitor the tape segments for electrical continuity. If electrical continuity is lost, either by cutting a tape segment, 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. Both base and tape segments may have adhesive elements.

Abstract: An anti-theft device monitors objects having a shaft, strap, or similar element. The anti-theft device is comprised of a housing hingably connected to a cover. The housing and cover can move from an open position to a closed position to enclose the shaft or similar element. The housing has a first latch component and contains electronics including an arming switch on its top. When the housing and cover are moved to the closed position, the cover changes the status of the arming switch. The cover has a second latch element which combines with the first latch element on the housing to hold the housing and cover in the closed position. The anti-theft device may be armed or disarmed by a handheld remote. The latching elements may be releasably lockable and may be released by a magnet. The anti-theft device may have passcode protection capabilities.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) security apparatus is comprised of a base, a reel housing containing a reel, a tether joined to the base and the reel housing and disposed on the reel, and an electronics package. The base attaches to an object to be protected and the tether is wrapped around the object as the reel housing is passed around the object. The reel housing is releasably attached to the base by complimentary coupling elements on each. The base has a tether guide, which allows the tether to be redirected in additional directions as it is wrapped around the object. A releasable blocking mechanism keeps the base and reel housing coupled. The electronics package includes at least a passive EAS element and can contain a microprocessor, wireless communication elements, switches, sound generator, a power supply, and the tether if electrically conductive. The blocking mechanism may be magnetically releasable.

Abstract: An EAS tag has an arming switch protruding from its body to detect when the EAS tag is being forcibly removed from an object to which it is attached. A plate covers the arming switch to provide a broader surface for interacting with the attached object. The plate is capable of floating and moving when it is impinged upon by an attached object. When moved by an object when the EAS tag is attached to an object, the plate actuates the arming switch and changes its state. This can arm the EAS tag or can be a step in the arming process of the EAS tag. When the EAS tag is forcibly removed from an object, the plate and arming switch are released, and electronics onboard the EAS tag determine an alarm condition.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance system utilizing infrared communication is disclosed wherein added security is obtained by using dynamic passcode protection. The system includes tags, deactivators, a base control system and perhaps one or more remote management stations. Each tag, base station, remote station and deactivator includes an accurate clock generator, a microprocessor, infrared communication capabilities, and machine readable instructions encoded for performing an algorithm for generating multiple passcodes. At a specified time, each active tag possesses a changeable passcode. The base station further includes infrared communication capabilities with an infrared communication path between each tag and each base station, the path enabling interchange of information between each tag and each base station. Each tag replaces the passcode at a specified interval, or at a specified point in time.