Abstract: Disclosed are markers for a magnetic theft protection system, which markers contain at least one oblong alarm strip made of an amorphous ferromagnetic alloy and at least one activation strip made of a molybdenum-free semi-hard magnetic alloy consisting essentially of NiaMbFeRest, wherein M is one or more of the elements from the group including Cr, W and V, and wherein a and b are weight percentages such that 15% by weight?a?25% by weight, and 2% by weight?b?8% by weight. The activation strip has a coercive force Hc of 10 A/cm to 25 A/cm and a remanence Br of at least 0.9 T.

Abstract: An RFID tag and an RFID access card configured to reduce detuning effects from a typical RFID environment. The present invention provides an RFID tag that is specifically configured to reduce the detuning effects caused by initiating communication between an RFID tag and an RFID tag reader in the presence of materials such as metal, liquid, and the human body. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an RFID tag comprising an electronic circuit portion attached to a main antenna body portion, the main antenna body portion having two opposite side portions, which are substantially symmetrical with respect to one another, wherein each side portion extends outwardly to form a generally side-oriented v-shape.

Abstract: A contactless electronic device comprises a semiconductor integrated circuit device, a plurality of antennas (or antenna coils) for receiving high-frequency signals supplied by radio waves or electromagnetic waves having different frequencies. An interface judgment circuit judges which antenna the high-frequency signals are inputted through, and according to a result of the judgment, the operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit device is changed. In this manner, the contactless electronic device becomes possible to respond to a plurality of communication protocols using high-frequency signals having different frequencies, while contactless electronic devices have been impossible to respond to communication protocols using various high-frequency signals.

Abstract: Remote communication devices, radio frequency identification devices, wireless communication systems, wireless communication methods, radio frequency identification device communication methods, and methods of forming a remote intelligent communication device are provided. According to one aspect, a remote intelligent communication device includes communication circuitry configured to at least one of receive communication signals and generate communication signals; and an antenna coupled with the communication circuitry and substantially tuned to a plurality of frequencies, the antenna being configured to communicate wireless signals corresponding to the communication signals including at least one of receiving wireless signals and outputting wireless signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device with its related electronic circuit and to a detection process targeted to detect any magnetic material moving around the antennas/sensors used in Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) electromagnetic systems, which can be internally or externally coupled to these kind of anti-theft systems, significantly decreasing its current vulnerability to fraud since the current EAS electromagnetic systems are vulnerable for not being able to detect magnetic materials. The present process and detector device filter and treat the DC signal generated by the displacement of a magnetic material around one or more EAS electromagnetic system antenna/sensor(s). Magnetic material detection is achieved from a differential signal existing in the antenna/sensor receiver, such signal being forwarded to a control unit wherein there are coupled a device comprising a “n” order filter, a buffer, a sensitivity control circuit, a control logic and an alarm module.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification data tag, a system and a method for reading the tag are described. The tag comprises a plurality of diffractive elements which are indicative of data carried by the tag. The diffractive elements have such shape that the dimension of the diffractive elements along one axis is substantially different than the dimension of the elements along the perpendicular axis. The diffractive elements are arranged in columns and rows in accordance with a predetermined layout scheme. In each column, the diffractive element is oriented in a direction other than the direction of the elements in the neighboring columns. The system for reading the tag comprises an array of transmitting (Tx) antennas for emitting an RF transmitted radiation signal at a predetermined polarization towards the tag, and an array of receiving (Rx) antennas configured for collecting re-radiated RF radiation produced by the tag at a polarization orthogonal to the polarization of the transmitting antenna.

Abstract: A system and method for silencing communication devices is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a silencing system having a controller element to transmit an RF signal to an RF receiver of a mobile communication device. An audible alerting function of the mobile communication device can be adjusted in response to the RF signal. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a tag identification system, a tag reading apparatus, and a method for determining sequence of tags. According to an aspect of the invention, a tag identification system comprises a tag reading apparatus and a plurality of tags, wherein: the tag reading apparatus has at least two antennas, wherein the apparatus transmits an interrogation signal within the coverage of each of the antennas; the plurality of tags sequentially pass by the coverage of each of the at least two antennas, each of the plurality of tags returning a reply to the at least two antennas in response to a received interrogation signal; and the tag reading apparatus includes a sequence determination unit which determines the sequence in which the plurality of tags pass by based on replies returned from the plurality of tags and received by the at least two antennas.

Abstract: A reader/writer comprises a circuit board, a communication control portion mounted on the circuit board and configured to perform communication with IC tags, sealing resin for sealing the communication control portion; and an antenna electrically connected to the communication control portion, in which a resin layer is disposed on the sealing resin, the resin layer having a higher adhesiveness to a conductive film used as the antenna than that of the sealing resin, and the antenna is disposed on the resin layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a marking system comprising wires exhibiting ultrasoft ferromagnetic properties. Said wires are arranged on or in a carrier and are associated with pre-established parallel positions which are separated by a constant gap according to a pre-established frame. The wires can be present or absent in each position, forming a detectable binary code. The inventive marking system can especially be embodied as a magnetically coded label. The invention also relates to a method for producing one such marking system by continuously incorporating ferromagnetic wires into an adhesive complex. The inventive marking system is used to identify and authenticate articles, products or objects.

Abstract: An improved solution for radio frequency identification (RFID) systems is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, the RFID tag includes: a power source; a data storage repository; a radio frequency (RF) transmitting element configured to transmit data from the data storage repository, and electrically attached to the power source; and a thermal to electrical energy converter electrically attached to the power source.

Abstract: A contact-free data communication system includes a data communications device located in a predetermined place and a contact-free identification tag. The data communications device includes a first data controller and a data global positioning system that acquires positional information of the data communications device and a transmitter that transmits an electromagnetic wave for providing power and transmits the positional information of the data communications device to the contact-free identification tag in a surrounding area of the data communications device.

Abstract: A radio communication terminal of one example of the present invention is a radio communication terminal provided with an electronic device shielded to prevent electromagnetic interference, in a housing, and comprises an integrated circuit, a first resonant circuit for making non-contact communication with an external device, and a second resonant circuit resonating with the first resonant circuit.

Abstract: An electric field generated by another electric field communications apparatus reaches electric field sensor ES. Electric field sensor ES outputs an electric signal in response to the changes in the electric field. The electric field that reaches electric field sensor ES enters a return path of the electric field communications apparatus that is a source of the electric field. By locating electric field sensor ES between receiver main electrode ERB and receiver return electrode ERG, electric field intensity at the location where electric field sensor ES is positioned. Therefore, sensitivity of the changes in electric field for electric field communications apparatus TRX can be improved.

Abstract: In an information access system, an active-type contactless information storage device senses a carrier of an RF signal at a first frequency in time periods for carrier sensing occurring in a predetermined carrier sensing cycle period, and then in response to detection of a carrier of an RF signal at the first frequency, further receives the information request signal, while it also transmits the tag information signal at a second frequency carrying information in time periods for tag information transmission occurring in a predetermined tag information transmitting cycle period.

Abstract: A magnetomechanical marker for use in an electronic article surveillance system comprising a magnetomechanical element, a bias magnet and a housing. The magnetomechanical element comprises first and second resonator strips composed of an unannealed magnetostrictive amorphous metal alloy having a resonant frequency response including a resonant frequency minimum in response to the incidence thereon of an electromagnetic interrogating field. The bias magnet has a bias point to magnetically bias the magnetomechanical element so that the magnetomechanical element resonates at a predetermined frequency in the presence of an electromagnetic interrogating field.

Abstract: A security tag includes an EAS component having a defined surface area, and an RFID component having a defined surface area. The EAS component surface area is configured to at least partially overlap the RFID component surface area. The RFID component includes an antenna which at least partially overlaps the first surface. A substantially planar spacer having a thickness is at least partially disposed between the defined surface areas of the EAS and RFID components. The RFID element read range is affected and controlled by the spacing between the RFID element and the EAS element. The RFID reader is capable of activating the RFID component when the RFID component is within the read range. The antenna includes a magnetic loop antenna in electrical contact with a spiral antenna to increase near field read response.

Abstract: A security tag includes an EAS component having a defined surface area, and an RFID component having a defined surface area. The EAS component surface area is configured to at least partially overlap the RFID component surface area. The RFID component includes an antenna which at least partially overlaps the first surface. A substantially planar spacer having a thickness is at least partially disposed between the defined surface areas of the EAS and RFID components. The thickness of the spacer is configured to effect a read range between an RFID reader and the RFID component. The RFID reader is capable of activating the RFID component when the RFID component is within the read range. The antenna has a complex impedance, and the EAS component forms a part of an impedance matching network of the antenna.

Abstract: A security tag includes an EAS component having a defined surface area, and an RFID component having a defined surface area. The EAS component surface area is configured to at least partially overlap the RFID component surface area. The RFID component includes an antenna which at least partially overlaps the first surface. A substantially planar spacer having a thickness is at least partially disposed between the defined surface areas of the EAS and RFID components. The RFID element read range is affected and controlled by the spacing between the RFID element and the EAS element. The RFID reader is capable of activating the RFID component when the RFID component is within the read range. The antenna includes a magnetic loop antenna in electrical contact with a spiral antenna to increase near field read response.

Abstract: A security tag includes an EAS component having a defined surface area, and an RFID component having a defined surface area. The EAS component surface area is configured to at least partially overlap the RFID component surface area. The RFID component includes an antenna which at least partially overlaps the first surface. A substantially planar spacer having a thickness is at least partially disposed between the defined surface areas of the EAS and RFID components. The thickness of the spacer determines a read range between an RFID reader and the RFID component. The RFID reader is capable of activating the RFID component when the RFID component is within the read range. The antenna has a complex impedance, and the EAS component forms a part of an impedance matching network of the antenna.

Abstract: A material is laced with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags at a known concentration of RFID tags per unit of material. Subsequently, if an interrogation of the RFID tags reveals a reduced concentration of RFID tags in the material, then a conclusion is drawn that the material has been diluted.

Abstract: RFID and sensor assemblies for vehicles in which an interrogator transmits RF signals and receives responsive RF signals from the RFID assemblies. Each RFID assembly includes a sensor and an RFID switch which receives an RF signal from the interrogator and upon receipt of a signal containing its identification, enables transmission of a signal from the sensor from which a property being monitored by the sensor is determinable. The sensor may be a SAW sensor which modifies a received wave as a function of the property being monitored by the sensor and thus transmits a modified wave. Each RFID assembly may include an antenna arranged to receive signals from and provide signals to the interrogator. The RFID switch is arranged to connect or disconnect the sensor from a circuit dependent on whether the antenna receives a particular signal associated with the RFID assembly.

Abstract: A resonance tag includes a dielectric layer, a first circuit layer, a second circuit layer and a hard pad. The first circuit layer is formed on one surface of the dielectric layer, and the first circuit layer has a first electrode pattern and a coil. A second circuit layer is formed on the other surface of the dielectric layer, and the second circuit layer has a second electrode pattern and a wiring. A hard pad is formed on the second circuit layer and corresponding to the wiring of the second circuit layer, and then an edge of the hard pad is beyond the edge of the wiring.

Abstract: The RFID tag includes: a main unit consisting of a base, a communication antenna that is wired on the base, a circuit chip that is electrically connected to the antenna and performs radio communication via the antenna, a chip reinforcing member covering the periphery of the circuit chip, an underside reinforcing member that is disposed at a position that sandwiches the base with respect to the chip reinforcing member, and a rubber cover member that covers these components; and protective layers that sandwich the main unit from the front and rear sides and have greater slipperiness than the slipperiness between the main unit and a contactant.

Abstract: An acoustic-magneto (AM) anti-theft marker is formed with the bias piece made from a soft magnetic material, instead of a “semi-hard” magnetic material that has been used in conventional anti-theft AM security markers. The method of manufacturing such soft magnetic bias pieces includes cold deforming a soft magnetic material with at least an eighty percent reduction rate, while keeping its DC coercivity below 12.5 Oe. The strip or wire of soft magnetic material is then cut to size as required for the bias piece. The anti-theft AM security marker has the soft magnetic bias piece placed inside or outside of the resonating cavity of the housing for the security tag with the resonator pieces inside the resonating cavity with a cover film placed over the housing. The soft magnetic bias piece or pieces effectively operate close to resonator piece or pieces with or without a non-magnetic separating film.

Abstract: A pest detection device includes a housing with a sensor and one or more bait members. The sensor includes one or more of a chisel-shaped electrically conductive trace carried on a substrate, a low resistance electrically conductive ink defining an electrical pathway on a substrate with a pointed profile, and/or a substrate including a directional grain structure oriented in a predefined manner relative to an electrically conductive pathway.

Abstract: A wireless IC tag mounted on a low magnetic permeability material is mounted on a holding part which has first and second surfaces and is made of a high magnetic permeability material. The holding part has a penetrating part which penetrates the first and second surfaces, and a notch which penetrates a part of the first and second surfaces at a periphery. A discontinuous region is formed on the holding part due to the notch, and at least on the penetrating part, the wireless IC tag is tightly held together with the low magnetic permeability material. An axis of reverse direction magnetic flux generated by an eddy current that flows in the periphery of the penetrating part and the notch is shifted from an axis of the magnetic flux produced by electromagnetic waves directed toward the wireless IC tag on the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A user interface for an electronic device, the interface comprising first and second parts arranged for relative displacement, said first part comprising a magnet and said second part comprising a first hall effect sensor for sensing a displacement of said magnet along a first axis and a second hall effect sensor for sensing a displacement of said magnet along a second axis, wherein said magnet moves relative to said first and second hall effect sensors in response to movement of said second part relative to said first part; a plurality of switch settings, each of said switch settings comprised of a unique combination of a magnet position along said first axis and a magnet position along said second axis; and control electronics coupled to said first and second hall effect sensors for converting the combination of a current position of said magnet along said first axis and a current position of said magnet along said second axis into a selected one of said plurality of switch settings.

Abstract: An acoustic-magneto (AM) anti-theft marker is formed with the bias piece made from a soft magnetic material, instead of a “semi-hard” magnetic material that has been used in conventional anti-theft AM security markers. The method of manufacturing such soft magnetic bias pieces includes cold deforming a soft magnetic material with at least an eighty percent reduction rate, while keeping its DC coercivity below 12.5 Oe. The strip or wire of soft magnetic material is then cut to size as required for the bias piece. The anti-theft AM security marker has the soft magnetic bias piece placed inside or outside of the resonating cavity of the housing for the security tag with the resonator pieces inside the resonating cavity with a cover film placed over the housing. The soft magnetic bias piece or pieces effectively operate close to resonator piece or pieces with or without a non-magnetic separating film.

Abstract: A magnetomechanical tag for use in an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system and a method of manufacturing the magnetomechanical tag may be provided. The EAS may include at least one resonator, a housing configured to allow vibration therein of the at least one resonator and a cover heat sealed to the housing at a heat sealing temperature. The EAS tag further may include a powder lubricant within the housing. The powder lubricant may have a melting temperature less the heat sealing temperature.

Abstract: A disarming system for an RFID tag or an IRID tag having a magnetically operated sensor or switch includes a permanent magnet, wherein the permanent magnet is configured to activate the magnetically operated switch or sensor in the RFID tag or IRID tag when the RFID tag or IRID tag is brought into proximity of the permanent magnet. The disarming station also includes a receiving station configured to disarm a security system when the magnetically operated switch or sensor in the RFID tag or IRID tag is activated.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first integrated circuit or die having a first circuit and a first inductive interface. A second integrated circuit or die includes a second circuit and a second inductive interface, wherein the first inductive interface and the second inductive interface are aligned to magnetically communicate first signals between the first circuit and the second circuit and wherein the second inductive interface is coupled to engage in near field communications with a remote device, wherein the near field communications include second signals.

Abstract: A magnetomechanical resonance element or marker strip with facilitated performance based on an amorphous magnetostrictive alloy ribbon is utilized in an electronic article surveillance marker. A curvature along the element's length direction is introduced during ribbon fabrication with a different radius of curvature, which increases the resonance performance with minimal loss in the magneto-mechanical circuit, and more particularly, in a marker utilizing a plurality of resonating elements or marker strips. A marker is fabricated utilizing the resonance element or elements and is utilized in an electronic article surveillance system.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a magnet and/or determining the orientation of the apparatus relative to the magnet. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a multi-axis magnetic field sensor movable in a reciprocating manner so as to permit sensor readings at multiple spaced locations. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of multi-axis magnetic field sensors arrayed along a straight line. The apparatus may be used in a number of medical and other applications, including tissue resection, tracking movement of a medical device in a body cavity and tracking movement of an internal organ.

Abstract: Articles are magnetically tagged by a spatial distribution of passive magnetic elements. Each such magnetic element comprises a layer of soft magnetic material characterised by high permeability, low coercivity and a non-linear B-H characteristic, and formed as a discrete region of such material. Each such magnetic element also has at least one second layer of magnetic material capable of being permanently magnetised at least in a region adjacent the first layer to provide a magnetic bias for the magnetic element. The bias of individual such magnetic elements in the spatial distribution and the particular spatial nature of the distribution enables the article to be magnetically encoded.

Abstract: A contactless identification tag includes a capacitor and an electrostatic capacity variable device that varies an electrostatic capacity of the capacitor according to an externally applied compression force.

Abstract: The present invention generally comprises an apparatus that allows an RFID antenna to obtain information from an RFID tag mounted on a container. The apparatus reproduces the RF field generated by the antenna to a location proximate to the RFID tag. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a pickup device and a reproduction device electrically coupled with the pickup device. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one magnetic rod, which creates a magnetic path for the RF field to travel between the antenna and the RFID tag. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a pickup antenna and a reproduction antenna for transmitting the RF signal from the antenna proximate to the RFID tag.

Abstract: A “coil-on-a-chip” RFID tag having an rfid integrated circuit and an antenna contemporaneously formed on a substrate. The antenna is a helical multiple layer, multi-turn coil having an axis of revolution oriented at an angle, preferably ninety degrees, with respect to the major body plane of the rfid integrated circuit. The coil has a central opening with an annular core of magnetically permeable material. The RFID tag has an increased operating range over known ID tags.

Abstract: An IC tag communication system according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a plurality of reader antennas which receive radio waves emitted from an IC tag attached to an article, the radio waves being at least partly overlapped with each other; a plurality of readers which are connected respectively to the reader antennas; and a phase adjustment section for adjusting the phases of the radio waves that the reader antennas receive to each other.

Abstract: Swimmers are detected in a given body of water by dispersing sensors throughout the water column. The sensors adhere to the swimmer and reflect acoustic energy. Acoustic energy is broadcast in the water and the swimmer is detected by the characteristic motion of the sensors clinging to the swimmer as detected by acoustic monitors. The sensors may also fluoresce and be detectible by optical monitors when a portion of the swimmer is above the water.

Abstract: A method for controlling electronic article surveillance (EAS) transmissions is described. The method includes calculating system parameters associated with one or more of a desired frequency, a desired duty cycle, and a desired phase difference between antennas for a transmitter, and initializing a counter with a value based on the system parameters. The method also includes comparing a count from the counter to the system parameters, and modulating EAS transmission signals based on the comparison between the count and the system parameters. An EAS transmitter and an EAS system are also described.

Abstract: A strain sensor includes a load carrying body configured to strain in response to a load applied along a load path. The sensor further includes a magnetostrictive electrical conductor affixed to the body but out of the load path. Application of the load causes the body to strain, which in turn results in a proportional stress being imparted to the magnetostrictive conductor, altering its magnetic permeability. A circuit is electrically connected to the conductor to detect such changes in permeability, which are indicative of the applied load.

Abstract: An antenna array is provided for an RFID reader, which includes a first reader antenna tuned to operate at a first frequency and a second reader antenna tuned to operate at a second frequency different from the first frequency. The first and second antennas are preferably arranged in an overlapping arrangement or an opposing magnetic flux arrangement to reduce the effect of antenna self resonance.

Abstract: A system for dispensing, reading and verifying RFID tags. The system includes a label dispenser that dispenses labels that contain RFID tags from a bulk label storage device, an RFID Reader/Writer device that is operatively connected to the label dispenser. The RFID Reader/Writer device reads and codes tags which are embedded within these labels. The RFID Reader/Writer is configured to function in close range and thus provide adequate fidelity of coding and transfer of individual program tags. The invention also includes an RFID reader/writer that is powered by its communications means.

Abstract: Disclosed are a marker for a magnetic theft protection system, comprising: (a) at least one oblong alarm strip comprising an amorphous ferromagnetic alloy; and (b) at least one oblong activation strip comprising an alloy consisting essentially of formula NiaMobXcFeRest, wherein X is one or more of the elements from the group including Cr, W and V, and wherein a, b, and c are weight percentages, such that 15% by weight?a?25% by weight, 0% by weight?b?2.8% by weight, 0% by weight?c?8% by weight; and, wherein said activation strip has a coercitive force Hc of 10 A/cm to 25 A/cm and a remanence Br of at least 1.0 T; the activation strip itself, a tag containing the activation strip and/or marker, articles containing the marker or tag, methods for making the activation strip, and methods for making the marker.

Abstract: A seal device includes a locking member with a magnetically permeable material portion, and structure that can receive the locking member. The structure supports a magnetic field generator and detector at locations spaced from each other and from a region that is occupied by the portion of the locking member when the locking member is received by the structure. The structure defines a main flux path as a loop having a first portion, a second portion and a remainder that are mutually exclusive, and that collectively define the entirety of the flux path. The first and second portions are respectively within the magnetic field generator and the region, and most of the remainder extends through magnetically permeable material of the structure. The detector is located where the magnetic field has different characteristics when the portion of the locking member is respectively present in and absent from the region.

Abstract: A secure optical data disc comprising an electronic article surveillance tag embedded within a layered disc structure comprising first and second substrates is disclosed. The tag is placed within a non-readable zone (i.e., one that does not have data tracks) of the secure disc. Layer-wise, the tag is either sandwiched between the two substrates or alternatively embedded within one of the two substrates. In the case where the tag is sandwiched between first and second substrates, a bonding layer occupies a space radially outward from the tag. The bonding layer holds the first and second substrates together thereby forming the secure disc.

Abstract: A multi-stage fabrication process produces markers for a magnetomechanical electronic article surveillance system. The marker includes a magnetomechanical element comprising one or more resonator strips of magnetostrictive amorphous metal alloy housing a cavity sized and shaped to accommodate the resonator strips for free mechanical vibration therewithin; and a bias magnet to magnetically bias the magnetomechanical element. A web of cavity stock is independently produced on a separate machine. The web of cavity stock is thereafter integrated with a feed of resonator strip to facilitate production of a magneto-mechanical marker element. The process employs adaptive control of the cut length of the resonator strips, correction of the length being based on the deviation of the actual marker resonant frequency from a preselected, target marker frequency. Use of adaptive, feedback control advantageously results in a much tighter distribution of actual resonant frequencies.

Abstract: A digital storage medium (e.g., a CDROM, a DVD, a tape, etc.) has an integrated RFID tag to store information for use in controlling access to the data stored on the digital storage medium.

Abstract: A disarming system for an RFID tag or an IRID tag having a magnetically operated sensor or switch includes a permanent magnet, wherein the permanent magnet is configured to activate the magnetically operated switch or sensor in the RFID tag or IRID tag when the RFID tag or IRID tag is brought into proximity of the permanent magnet.