| SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLC Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120131197 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY RESOLVING CONFLICTING DEVICES ON A NETWORK - A method and apparatus are disclosed for automatically detecting and resolving conflicts between devices on a security network by comparing the IP addresses of all devices on the network. When one or more conflicts are detected, the user is presented with the option of reassigning the conflicting device to a DHCP address, or to a new static IP address. The new static IP address can be configured to lie within a user defined range. In one embodiment, a default changes the address to any free address on the network. The disclosed method and apparatus automates the conflict resolution process without requiring that network devices (e.g., cameras, camera encoders) be individually and sequentially connected to the security network in order to resolve conflicts. The disclosed approach results in reduced human interaction and is much faster than the traditional approach of adding devices one at a time to the network. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120127314 | ITEM IDENTIFICATION USING VIDEO RECOGNITION TO SUPPLEMENT BAR CODE OR RFID INFORMATION - A method and system for confirming the identity of a product in a security system and for determining sales-related information pertaining to the products. One or more products are associated with a product identification element, such as a bar code or an RFID tag. A reader or a scanner within the system receives a signal from the product identification element containing product identity information about the product. The system further includes a camera that captures a video image of the product. Signals representing the product identity information and the video image of the product are forwarded to a data correlation unit that determines if the product associated with the product identity information matches the product in the video image. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120112918 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADAPTIVE SLIDING DOOR PATTERN CANCELLATION IN METAL DETECTION - A metal detection device, system and method are provided. The device includes a receiver that receives a signal pattern representing electromagnetic field disturbances over time caused by movement of metal doors in a detection region. The device further includes a memory in communication with the receiver. The memory stores a recorded signal pattern of a previously received signal pattern and at least one quality criterion. The device further includes a processor in communication with the memory. The processor determines pattern vitals indicating a quality of the received signal pattern. The processor further determines whether the at least one quality criterion is met based at least in part on the pattern vitals. The processor further updates the recorded signal pattern based at least in part on determining whether the at least one quality criterion is met. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120103863 | BENEFIT DENIAL DEVICE WITH SWIVEL ATTACHMENT - A product protection apparatus and method are provided. The product protection apparatus has an arm assembly, a first collar and a second collar. The arm assembly has a plane and is extendable in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The arm assembly has a first connection point and a second connection point. The first collar is rotatably coupled to the first connection point and is adapted to rotate about a first axis of the first connection point that is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the arm assembly. The second collar is rotatably coupled to the second connector and is adapted to rotate about a second axis of the second connection point that is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the arm assembly. The first and second collars are arranged to retain a product. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120098965 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING PRIVACY ZONE PLANAR IMAGES TO THEIR CORRESPONDING PAN/TILT COORDINATES - A method and system for converting privacy zone corner points in a still image to PTZ coordinates using the equations for distance along the great circles of a sphere, where the sphere is defined along the pan-tilt axes of a PTZ camera with radius equal to the focal length of the image. The method includes receiving planar coordinate data defining a plurality of privacy zone corner points, the planar coordinate data taken from a still image, converting each privacy zone corner point to corresponding spherical coordinates, converting each of the corresponding spherical coordinates to corresponding PTZ coordinates, and storing the corresponding PTZ coordinates in a storage device. The stored PTZ coordinates may then be transmitted to a computer monitor. The motor of the PTZ camera moves the camera according to the PTZ coordinates until the privacy zone corner points appear at the substantial center of the monitor screen. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120092166 | SYNCHRONIZATION OF ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS HAVING METAL DETECTION - A method and system are provided for minimizing metal detection signal interference by dividing a standard EAS system metal detection burst timeslot into a plurality of timeslots per burst in order to minimize triggering metal detection false alarm signals between adjacent metal detection systems. The method and system include synchronizing a plurality of metal detection systems by generating a signal having a predefined time duration and segmenting the signal into multiple timeslots per signal. A selected timeslot that is assigned to each of the plurality of metal detection systems is stored and the system performs metal detection using the assigned timeslot. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120091741 | DUAL PINCHER SECURITY SYSTEM TAG AND METHOD - A security tag that includes two different types of item-securing mechanisms within a single apparatus. The apparatus includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion forming a product clamping region, the product clamping region having a clamp to removably affix the tag to a product, and a third arm portion and a fourth arm portion forming a product piercing region, the product piecing region coupled to the product clamping region. The product piercing region includes a product piercing element to removably affix the tag to the product. Bringing together the arm portions of the product piercing region causes the arm portions of the clamping region to join together, thereby trapping a piece of a product therebetween. The piercing element of the product piercing region is retained by a latch which assists in keeping the arm portions of the clamping region together, thus retaining the product securely within the clamping region. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120080526 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PINLESS TAG SECURING - A security device is removably affixable to an article. The security device includes a housing having a securing pad, a locking element and a strap. The locking element is disposed within the housing. The strap includes a first end having a latching region that is insertable into the housing and a second end having a securing region. The strap is slidingly movable between an open position and a locked position. The locking element engages with the latching region of the strap. An eccentrically mounted wheel may be mounted on one of the securing region of the strap and the securing pad. When in the locked position, the eccentrically mounted wheel secures the article between the securing pad and the securing region of the strap. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079858 | BI-DIRECTIONAL ADJUSTABLE BENEFIT DENIAL SAFER/KEEPER - A size-adjustable apparatus for a securing a product in order to prevent theft of that product. The apparatus includes an adjustable housing, the housing having a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm. The first arm is adapted to move in a first direction and a second direction with respect to the third arm and the second arm is adapted to move in a third direction and a fourth direction with respect to the third arm, where the first direction is opposite the second direction and the third direction is opposite the fourth direction. The apparatus also includes a lock to retain the adjustable housing in a desired position. The result is a housing that can dynamically change its dimensions by movement of the first arm in a first and second direction and by movement of the second arm in a third and fourth direction. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120055944 | SECURITY SYSTEM HARD TAG CLAMP AND CLAMPING METHOD - A security tag that includes a mechanism for preventing the unauthorized removal of a security tag from its article. The security tag includes a housing having a clamp axis. A clamp is contained within the housing. The clamp is rotatable about the clamp axis from a locked position to an unlocked position. The clamp includes a lock region lockable to the housing, and a release region. The mechanism prevents the security tag from being removed from its article unless the lock region is unlocked from the housing and a force is applied to the release region. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120038480 | INTEGRATED DATA READER AND ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE (EAS) SYSTEM - An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. Several configurations are also disclosed for alternate deactivation coil designs and mounting schemes. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120032803 | SECURITY TAG WITH INTEGRATED EAS AND ENERGY HARVESTING MAGNETIC ELEMENT - An EAS security tag for providing both EAS and battery recharging features within one tag. The tag includes a rechargeable battery and an antenna having a magnetic core and at least one coil winding disposed around at least a portion of the core. The antenna supplies a voltage corresponding to a first frequency or a second frequency when placed within a magnetic field. The tag also includes an EAS circuit having a resonant frequency corresponding to the first frequency, and an energy harvesting circuit having a resonant frequency corresponding to the second frequency, where the battery recharging circuit recharges the rechargeable battery. Depending upon the magnetic field that the tag is exposed to, either the EAS circuit is enabled thus allowing for EAS detection or the energy harvesting circuit is enabled allowing for the battery to be recharged. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120018505 | Tag having dipole-loop antenna - A tag has a dipole and loop antenna. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018504 | Tag having three component unitary pole antenna - A tag has antenna system includes three antenna portions. Each of the three antenna portions has a ½ dipole structure. A fourth antenna portion is shorted to the non-linear device. The antenna is tuned to an operating frequency by modifying the electrical lengths of one, two, or all three antenna portions. Preferably, the invention includes an inductive portion, such as a slot inductive portion. The antenna portions are configured in any desired form, such as being spiral or otherwise compacted, for particular operational parameters in a limited space. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120001814 | WIDE BANDWIDTH HYBRID ANTENNA FOR COMBINATION EAS AND RFID LABEL OR TAG - A radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna exhibiting a multiple resonance is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a dipole antenna and a loop antenna are disposed upon a substrate and have dimensions and orientation to exhibit the multiple resonance. The dipole antenna may exhibit a first dipole section having a first length and second dipole section having a second length. The loop antenna may be disposed in a region of the dipole antenna. The ratio of the perimeter of the loop antenna to the sum of the lengths of the dipole sections may be selected to exhibit the multiple resonance. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110317594 | HYBRID ARCHITECTURE FOR RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION AND PACKET RADIO COMMUNICATION - A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) hybrid packet radio is provided having full duplex operability. The RFID packet radio includes an antenna and a radio that receives and transmits a packet radio signal and a RFID signal. A processor is provided in communication with the radio to perform signal detection and demodulation with respect to the RFID signal. A transmit path is provided to transport the packet radio signal and the RFID signal from the radio to the antenna. The RFID packet radio includes a first receive path for transporting a received packet radio signal from the antenna to the radio and a second receive path, different from the first receive path, to transport a received RFID signal from the antenna to the processor. The first receive path and the second receive path enable simultaneous transmission and reception of RFID signals. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110308284 | Optical disc security device having a magnetically actuable locking mechanism - A security device having magnetically actuable locking mechanism for security an optical disc is disclosed. The device includes a detectable security tag secured in a housing having an optical disc receptacle formed as a basin. The housing includes one or more arcuate grooves adjacent to the circular basin. A top cover is sized to fit into the circular basin and is configured to be rotatably mateable with the housing. The top includes arcuate lips extending outwardly therefrom adapted for sliding rotatable engagement with the one or more the arcuate grooves in the housing. Locking the device prevents the top cover from being rotated to a position where the arcuate grooves are fully disengaged with the arcuate lips. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110273360 | COMBINATION RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION AND ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE ANTENNA SYSTEM - An RFID antenna for use in an RFID-EAS antenna system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the RFID antenna has a first patch antenna element and a second patch antenna element that are electrically connected and coplanar. The RFID antenna also has a reference ground plane coplanar with the patch antenna elements. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273301 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SLIDING DOOR PATTERN CANCELLATION IN METAL DETECTION - A method and system for reducing the signal interference effects of metal doors in a metal detection system. The system includes a transmitter operable to transmit an interrogation signal that is used to detect transitory metal objects within the detection region, a receiver operable to receive instantaneous signals that represent electromagnetic field disturbances during operation of the metal detection system and include electromagnetic field disturbances attributed to the movement of metal doors. The system also includes a metal detection module that determines a resulting waveform representing the difference between the instantaneous signals received during operation of the metal detection system and a recorded pattern of signals representing electromagnetic field disturbances caused by a pattern of movement of the metal doors in the detection region when a transitory metallic object is not present. The record pattern is canceled from the resulting waveform leaving only signals from transitory metal objects. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273271 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RADIO FREQUENCY IDENFICATION TAG USING REDUCED SET COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL - A method and tag for decoding a signal received from a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader. A signal is received from the RFID reader in which the signal has a series of pulses. A time frame between receipt of two consecutive pulses is measured to determine whether the pulses represent zero bits or one bits. A total pulse duration is calculated in which the total pulse duration represents a sum of the measured time frames for the signal. A command is decoded. The decoding is based on the total duration of the two pulses. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110261195 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SECURITY SYSTEM TAMPERING DETECTION - A method and system for detecting tampering of a security system component is provided. An analytic alarm indicative of potential tampering with a security system component is received. Data from at least one sensor is received. A computing device is used to analyze the analytic alarm and the data from the at least one sensor to determine whether tampering of the security system component has occurred. A qualified alarm signal is generated when the analysis of the analytic alarm and the data from the at least one sensor is indicative of tampering. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110260865 | METHOD FOR REDUCING METAL DETECTION SYSTEM FALSE ALARMS - A system and method for reducing the occurrence of false alarms in metal detection systems and combination EAS/metal detection systems. The system includes a motion sensor mounted on or near an antenna housing, such as an EAS pedestal, at the entrance/exit of a given interrogation zone. The motion sensor detects movement or vibration of the antenna housing. The sensor transmits signals to a controller that determines if the antenna housing has moved a predetermined amount. The system includes a metal detection module that determines if metal objects are proximate the pedestal. If metal objects are detected, a metal detection alarm is enabled. However, if it is determined that the antenna housing is moving or vibrating at least a predetermined amount, the controller inhibits generation of the metal detection alarm signal. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110253790 | SECURE BATTERY COMPARTMENT FOR ALARMING HARD TAG - An electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) tag for securing an item of merchandise is provided. The EAS tag includes a housing defining an opening leading to a compartment therein. A battery is removably disposed within the compartment. An alarm transducer is electrically connected to the battery. A cover is releasably engageable with the housing to cover the opening. A an anchor is releasably engageable with the housing and adapted to removably affix the housing to the item of merchandise. The anchor overlaps at least a portion of the cover when engaged to the housing to prevent removal of the cover when the anchor is engaged to the housing. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110215929 | SYSTEM FOR TESTING REUSABLE ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE TAGS AND METHOD THEREFOR - A system and method for automatically sorting, cleaning, testing and counting reusable visible source tags (VSTs) and for detecting and rejecting tags that are not functioning within predetermined parameters. The system includes a first sub-system that stores and feeds the VSTs to a vibratory bowl where they are initialized. A second sub-system transfers the tags from the vibratory bowl and sorts the tags assuring the tags are reusable rather than disposable tags. A third sub-system tests the reusable tags to assure compliance with select parameters such as frequency and amplitude. If the reusable tags comply with the parameters then they are deemed activatable. The system may also automatically sort and count the accepted and rejected tags. The system disclosed herein is capable of testing VSTs at a high speeds, e.g., up to 150 units per minute, with the required quality level and reliability. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110215928 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING EFFECT OF INTERFERENCE IN INTEGRATED METAL DETECTION/ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS - An integrated electronic article surveillance (“EAS”)/metal detection system. The system includes a transmitter operable to transmit an EAS interrogation signal, where the EAS interrogation signal establishes an interrogation zone and is used to detect EAS markers and metal objects within the interrogation zone. The EAS interrogation signal is transmitted at a first frequency during an EAS detection cycle and at a second frequency during a metal detection cycle. The system includes a receiver operable to detect a signal received from an EAS marker, and a metal detector module operable to detect a metal object in proximity to the integrated EAS/metal detection system, where the metal detector module includes a filter tuned to substantially filter out the first transmission frequency. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110215157 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURITY TAG DEPLOYMENT USING REVERSIBLE ADHESIVES - A method and system for security tag attachment using a reversible adhesive in which a security tag has an outer surface and an inner volume. The tag includes at least one of an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) element and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) element disposed within the inner volume. The system also includes a reversible adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110215156 | SECURITY SYSTEM TAG HAVING COMBINED CLAMP AND ANTENNA - A security tag incorporating a hybrid clamp that combines an attachment clamp with an RFID component. The attachment clamp is used to secure an item, such as an article of clothing, to the tag. The RFID component, e.g., an RFID antenna, transmits data signals to an RFID reader where the data signals are encoded with information stored about the security tag. By combining the attachment features and RFID features of the security tag in one hybrid clamp, more tag space can be freed up for other components and manufacturing cost savings can be realized. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110199211 | METHOD OF ASSIGNING AND DEDUCING THE LOCATION OF ARTICLES DETECTED BY MULTIPLE RFID ANTENNAE - In accordance with preferred embodiments or the invention, a method (and corresponding apparatus) is provided for deducing the location of one or more items or objects to be monitored. In exemplary embodiments, the method (and corresponding apparatus) is implemented in RFID (radio frequency identification) applications (e.g., reading RFID tags at 13.56 MHz and approximately 900 MHz) by deducing the location of an item associated with a unique RFID tag in one or more areas of detection covered by multiple RFID reader antennae. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110171910 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECEIVER NULLING USING COHERENT TRANSMIT SIGNALS - A method and system are provided for canceling interference signals from a received signal. A ratio module receives as input a ratio of a filtered receiver output signal level and a filtered transmitter output signal level. A product module receives as inputs an output of the ratio module and a transmitter output. The product module calculates a product of the output of the ratio module and the transmitter output. An adjusted receiver signal module receives a difference calculated from the received signal level and the output of the product module. The method and system are suitable for use in a metal detection subsystem with a larger security system. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110169612 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISCOVERY AND TRANSPARENT STATUS REPORTING FOR SENSOR NETWORKS - A system and method for monitoring the status of wireless node devices in a network. A network controller polls one or more sensor devices for status information. The sensor devices are in communication with at least one wireless node device. More than one sensor device may be associated with a single wireless node device. The wireless node device appends its own status information to the transmission frame of the sensor device's response message, and the transmission frame, containing the address and status information for both the sensor device and the wireless node device, is transmitted to the network controller. The inclusion of the wireless node device address and status information is done without the knowledge of the sensor device. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110133551 | BATTERY BACKED POWER-OVER-ETHERNET SYSTEM - A power control system arranged for use in a power-over-Ethernet system comprises a battery ( | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110109456 | SYSTEM AND METHOD USING PROXIMITY DETECTION FOR REDUCING CART ALARMS AND INCREASING SENSITIVITY IN AN EAS SYSTEM WITH METAL SHIELDING DETECTION - A system for detecting electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) marker shielding includes an EAS subsystem, a metal detector, an object detector, a timer, a cart detection subsystem and a processor. The EAS subsystem is operable to detect an EAS marker in an interrogation zone. The metal detector is operable to detect a metal object in the interrogation zone. The object detector is operable to detect objects located proximate to an entry point of the EAS subsystem. The timer is programmed to start a countdown sequence upon receiving a signal generated by the object detector. The cart detection subsystem includes a sensor array. The cart detection subsystem is operable to differentiate between a wheeled device and a human passing through the interrogation zone based on an output of the sensor array. The processor is electrically coupled to the EAS subsystem, the metal detector, the object detector, the timer and the cart detection subsystem. The processor is programmed to receive a signal from the object detector and the timer to initiate gathering information outputted from the cart detection subsystem and information outputted from the metal detector to determine whether to generate an alarm signal based on the presence of EAS marker shielding. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110001620 | COMBINATION EAS AND RFID SECURITY TAG HAVING STRUCTURE FOR ORIENTING A HYBRID ANTENNA RFID ELEMENT - A security tag including independent EAS and RFID components disposed in a housing configured for geometric placement of the RFID and EAS components for optimum RFID performance. The EAS component is situated in a first compartment and the RFID component is situated in a second compartment. The RFID component includes a hybrid antenna RFID inlay and an IC chip. The tag housing includes a key structure that minimizes the de-tuning of both the EAS and RFID components by positioning the IC chip such that the IC chip is closer to a first side of the second compartment than the second side of the second compartment when the antenna inlay is inserted within the housing. The housing further includes one or more pins that raise the RFID inlay above the magnetic resonator of the EAS component to further insure optimal RFID read performance. | 01-06-2011 |
