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) 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 inventory control tag comprises a first component, a second component, and a fastening mechanism for fastening together the first component and the second component. The fastening mechanism is configured such that the first component and the second component can be easily locked together and can only be unlocked from each other in normal usage by an external tool. At least one chamber defined by at least one of the first and second components is provided. Further, an electronic device is located in one of the chambers for triggering a compatible sensor and alarm system external to the control tag. A dye container located in one of the chambers designed to fracture and spill dye when the first and second components are forced apart.

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 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 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 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, micro-processor, 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 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 re-usable 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 (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 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 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 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: 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 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 intelligent asset protection system is claimed and disclosed which features a plurality of devices are used to protect a retail establishment by radiating and detecting into a protection zone to identify transponders within a given area. These devices that radiate and detect are typically located in the ceiling or above the area that is desired to be monitored and create a cone shaped interrogation field which expands as it is broadcast downward into the monitored area. In communication with the RAD units, the system uses transponders capable of storing information which includes passwords and unique identifiers as well as information about the object to which the transponder is attached. The transponder is capable of responding to a RAD unit and broadcasting information to it which may include the information stored on the transponder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deactivating magnetomechanical EAS sensors is disclosed and claimed. The apparatus features an improved deactivation performance at a reduced cost by orienting at least one pair of deactivation coils such that the coils create a composite magnetic field that is stronger in the areas of the deactivation surface most likely to be utilized. The system is further arranged such as to reduce the composite magnetic field in other areas of the deactivation surface less likely to be needed, thereby lowering total power use and increasing effectiveness of the system. The deactivator further features monitoring means for detecting the presence of sensors, and for adjusting the composite magnetic field in response to system effectiveness.

Abstract: An inventory control tag comprises a first component, a second component, and a fastening mechanism for fastening together the first component and the second component. The fastening mechanism is configured such that the first component and the second component can be easily locked together and can only be unlocked from each other in normal usage by an external tool. At least one chamber defined by at least one of the first and second components is provided. Further, an electronic device is located in one of the chambers for triggering a compatible sensor and alarm system external to the control tag. A dye container located in one of the chambers designed to fracture and spill dye when the first and second components are forced apart.

Abstract: An single use, disposable electronic article surveillance tag is claimed wherein the tag features a spindle assembly which anchors and retains a set of ball bearings which are used to clutch and retain the shaft of a tack. The spindle features an operational tab which may be contacted by the appropriate probe to turn the spindle about a central axis.