Sensormatic Electronics Corporation

Tyco Fire & Security Services Gmbh

Tyco Fire + Security Gmbh

Douglas A Narlow

Hubert A Patterson

Gary Mark Shafer

Risto Siikarla

Richard Loyd Copeland

Sergio M Perez

David N Lambeth

Stewart E Hall

Manuel A Soto

Ming-Ren Lian

Wing Kei Ho

Ronald B Easter

Jorge F Alicot

Norman B Hansen

Dennis L Hogan

James G Farrar

George G Pinneo

Kevin D Romer

Roy C Hannes

David M Salcedo

Robert L DiLonardo

Eugene Stevens

Kevin Romer

Roy Hannes

Norman Hansen

Dennis Hogan

David M Sacedo

A method for detecting metal using an electronic article surveillance ('EAS') system. The EAS system includes a transmitter and a receiver. An EAS interrogation signal is transmitted to establish the interrogation zone. The EAS interrogation signal is used to detect EAS markers and metal objects within the interrogation zone. The EAS signal is received and a metal object present in the interrogation zone is detected during a metal detection cycle. The metal object is detected based upon perturbations in the received EAS interrogation signal. The metal detection cycle is periodically interspersed with at least one EAS detection cycle.

Electronic article surveillance system with metal detection capability and method therefor

A method, system and mobile sensor node for monitoring a supply chain. A communication network is established which includes a plurality of mobile sensor nodes. Status information for each mobile sensor node is periodically transmitted. Each mobile sensor node receives status information for at least one other mobile sensor node in the communication network. A log file which includes the received status information is compiled and stored in the mobile sensor node that received the corresponding status information.

Mobile wireless network for asset tracking and supply chain monitoring

A system, apparatus, and method to combine radio frequency identification and electronic article surveillance receivers into a single device are described wherein a first selection signal is sent to switch a first switch to a first state to connect a receiver to a first antenna in order to detect a first type of security tag in a first operating mode and a second selection signal is sent to switch the first switch to a second state to connect the receiver to a second antenna to detect a second type of security tag in a second operating mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Techniques for radio frequency identification and electronic article surveillance receivers

A reusable EAS tag that is detachable from an article by placing the EAS tag in proximity to a detaching device is provided. The tag includes an energy coupler, a micro-actuator, and a clamping mechanism. The detaching device transmits a signal to the EAS tag to signal detachment, which is received by the energy coupler. The energy coupler converts the energy from the transmitted signal to electrical energy and delivers the electrical energy to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical energy to mechanical energy to actuate the clamping mechanism and release the tag's locking or clamping mechanism for removal of the tag from the article to which it is attached.

Proximity detaching for electronic article surveillance tags

A deactivation apparatus for an electronic article surveillance tag having a plurality of layers and an equivalent resonant circuit containing an inductor and a capacitor is provided. The apparatus includes: a capacitor formed by a pair of conductive capacitor plates separated apart by a dielectric layer; an inductor connected to each of the pair of capacitor plates where an electromagnetic field of a preselected frequency at a first magnitude impinging upon the tag causes the equivalent resonant circuit to resonate and produce a detectable response from the tag; and, an electrically weakened area in the dielectric layer between the pair of conductive capacitor plates where the electromagnetic field at a second magnitude higher than the first magnitude impinging upon the tag causes a conductive path through the weakened area electrically connecting the pair of capacitor plates together and deactivating the tag.

Deactivatable radio frequency security label

A device for deactivating a magnetomechanical EAS marker includes two coils and an energizing circuit for alternately driving the coils. One coil is driven for one cycle of an alternating power signal, and then the other coil is driven for one cycle, and this sequence is repeated. The driving signal is switched from one coil to the other at a point in time which corresponds to a zero crossing of the current level of the driving signal.

Energizing circuit for EAS marker deactivation device

A deactivatable EAS tag in which a circuit comprising a non-linear element causes the generation of a detectable signal in response to an interrogating signal and in which a first magnetic element is arranged to be brought from a first position where the magnetic element does not short the non-linear element to a second position where the magnetic element shorts the non-linear element.

Deactivatable EAS tag

A video game cartridge includes a memory and a security device, which comprises a magnetically operated switch and a magnetic element positioned adjacent to the switch. The switch has first and second states with the first state for inhibiting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge and the second state for permitting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge. The magnetic element has a first magnetic state for placing the switch in the first state and a second magnetic state for placing the switch in the second state.

Video game cartridge including a security device and method of deterring

A dual frequency microwave EAS tag includes a dual frequency antenna circuit formed on one side of a substrate. The antenna circuit includes a diode. A deactivation circuit is formed on the other side of the substrate. A conductive connection passes through a hole in the substrate and connects the deactivation circuit to the antenna circuit. The deactivation circuit responds to a low energy ac magnetic field by inducing a voltage in the diode of the antenna circuit so as to disable the diode, thereby deactivating the tag without requiring the tag to be placed in direct contact with a disabling device.

Dual frequency EAS tag with deactivation coil

A method for detection of EAS tags in a surveillance area into which an electrostatic field is propagated and in which an electronically conductive object is present, includes a step of providing a tag reradiator configuration which is unaffected by close proximity to the object. The step is practiced by configuring the tag reradiator as a first part of a monopole, the object being used as a further part of the monopole, and by disposing the first monopole part beyond the outside perimeter of the conductive environment. The tag reradiator is further configured to define a part of a dipole, the object being used as a further part of the dipole. In an alternative practice, the tag reradiator includes a ground plane member and itself defines such monopole and dipole. In the former practice, the tag reradiator is electrically connected with the object. In the latter practice, the tag reradiator is affixed to the object in electrical isolation therefrom.

Method and apparatus for enhancing detection of electronic article

A method is disclosed for effecting electronic article surveillance with a first high frequency signal and a second lower frequency signal, the second signal having a modulation characteristic therewith. Generally rectangular tag devices are attached to said articles for receipt of such signals and for reradiation thereof. The method involves the fabrication of the tag devices by the steps of: (a) providing first and second circuit elements to be of type exhibiting fixed inductive and capacitive reactances; (b) providing a third circuit element to be of type exhibiting voltage dependent capacitive reactance and forming an electrical series circuit of the first, second and third circuit elements; and (c) configuring the first and second circuit elements with respective geometric diversities, whereby the first circuit element extends longitudinally of the device and is of first transverse dimension, and whereby the second circuit element extends longitudinally of the device at least in part jointly spacedly with the first circuit element and is of second transverse dimension substantially exceeding the first transverse dimension, thus effecting predominant different receipt by the first and second circuit elements of the first and second frequency transmitted signals.

Tag device and method for electronic article surveillance

A pulse source powers a wand-like probe with spaced contacts that is arranged to be applied to and drawn along the surface of a surveillance tag that contains a diode semiconductor with exposed terminals. When the probe contacts engage the diode terminals, current is passed through the diode sufficient to destroy its unidirectional conducting characteristics and thereby deactivate the tag. A cut-out circuit is included to prevent the passage of excessive current through the diode or damaging short-circuiting of the power amplifier output.

Apparatus for deactivating a surveillance tag

A floor mat consisting of a conductive grid laminated to a conductive sheet with a layer of dielectric material therebetween to form a capacitor is disposed between the pedestals that house means for radiating a microwave signal through a surveillance area. A low frequency signal is applied to the capacitor mat for direct capacitive coupling through the body of a pedestrian to any surveillance tag carried thereon.

Growing community of inventors

Coral Springs, FL, United States of America

Douglas A Narlow