Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080204247 | Integrated Eas/Rfid Device and Disabling Devices Therefor - An integrated electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radiofrequency identification (RFID) marker is provided which a semiconductor device which may he coupled to an antenna for receiving and retransmitting energy and signals to the antenna. A current receiving front end section of the semiconductor device communicates with at least one other section of the device so more than one function can be implemented upon receiving and retransmitting energy and signals. A first switch is operatively coupled to the front end section such that the functions are entirely but reversibly disabled upon closure of the first switch thereby effecting a reversible EAS function. A second switch is operatively coupled to the front end section such that at least one of the functions is at least partially disabled upon closure of the second switch. RFID functions of the marker am retained upon EAS deactivation. | 08-28-2008 |
20080284605 | Automated Tuning Method for Rfid Labels - A method and an analogous system for tuning an RFID label prior to application to an article are disclosed. The method includes providing an RFID label having at least one antenna disposed therein, identifying an article, relaying information related to the identification of the article to a controller, with the controller including a memory of predetermined tuning parameters for the article, retrieving from memory one or more of the tuning parameters for the article; and adjusting the tuning parameters of the RFID label to correspond to the article by altering a geometric parameter of the antenna of the RFID label. The system includes a cutting device to alter a geometric parameter to correspond to the article by removing material from at least one antenna forming part of the RFID label. | 11-20-2008 |
20090009296 | Rf Switched Rfid Multiplexer - A radiofrequency identification (RFID) multiplexer, which may be in a network, interprets an RF signal from an RFED reader as RFE) tag interrogation data. A single cable directs an RF signal from the RFID reader and RF control signals and/or RF power through the multiplexer. An RF sampler may be coupled to the cable; and an RF detector detects the RF signal from the cable via the RF sampler. A data decoder decodes and interprets the RF signal as the RFID tag interrogation data and forwards the RFID tag interrogation data to a control logic circuit as a MUX channel-change command. The logic circuit and decoder may be combined in a microcontroller, and an RF backscatter modulator coupled to the cable enables reverse communication with the RFID reader to determine whether another RFID multiplexer is coupled to the RFID multiplexer. | 01-08-2009 |
20090015480 | RFID Near Field Microstrip Antenna - A near field antenna is disclosed which is configured to read an RFID label such that a localized electric E field emitted by the antenna at an operating wavelength resides substantially within a zone defined by the near field. The localized E field directs a current distribution along an effective length of the antenna corresponding to a half-wave to a full-wave structure. | 01-15-2009 |
20090108992 | Technique And Hardware For Communicating With Backscatter Radio Frequency Identification Readers - An apparatus, system, and method for communicating with a radio frequency identification reader are described. The apparatus includes a protocol converter to receive a request for information from an RFID reader, to convert the request for information from the RFID protocol to a device protocol, and to communicate the request for information to an electronic device lacking RFID communication capability according to the device protocol RFD. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 04-30-2009 |
20100015730 | Magnetic self-assembly for integrated circuit packages - An integrated circuit package may include a substrate and an integrated circuit. The substrate may include at least one region, and a first magnetic material associated with the at least one region. The integrated circuit may have a second magnetic material associated therewith. The second magnetic material may be attracted to the first magnetic material to coupled the integrated circuit to the at least one region of the substrate. The IC package may be utilized in an RFID tag of an RFID system. An associated method for assembling an integrated circuit to a substrate is also provided. | 01-21-2010 |
20100148965 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ITEM LEVEL UHF RFID TAG WITH LOW FREQUENCY POWER ASSIST - A method and system for increasing the read range of a security tag by supplying an additional antenna system to the tag in order to provide power to a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) chip without the need to rely solely on power from the RFID reader. The security tag includes an RFID chip and a first antenna circuit coupled to the RFID chip where the first antenna circuit is adapted to decode interrogation signals from an RFID reader. The security tag also includes a second antenna circuit coupled to the RFID chip. The second antenna circuit is adapted to induce power from signals received from at least an alternate power source, such as an EAS transmitter, so that the RFID chip can be powered up and activated during an RFID interrogation round. | 06-17-2010 |
20100277322 | TRANSMIT-ONLY ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - An anti-theft security system that utilizes an electronic article surveillance (EAS) beacon that emits an electromagnetic field that a corresponding security tag transponder detects in determining whether to set off onboard transponder alarms or to remain dormant. The EAS beacon is a self-contained beacon that can be easily installed at any desired location and can utilize local utility power or revert to battery power. Among other things, this avoids the large installation, calibration and maintenance costs and tasks of conventional EAS pedestals. The EAS beacon includes coil panels that are secured to an elongated housing that can be flexed to avoid or minimize damage should something or someone come into contact with the panels. An audible/visible alarm is activated when such flexing or tampering occurs. A passive infrared detector is provided to reduce power consumption when the EAS beacon is operating on battery power. The EAS beacon may also be used in existing EAS and RFID anti-theft security systems wherein the associated security transponder also includes passive EAS and/or RFID security elements. A wireless disable key can also be used to shut off an alarming transponder. | 11-04-2010 |
20110068906 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR MANAGING CONFIGURABLE MONITORING DEVICES - Provided are embodiments of configurable monitoring devices, methods, systems, computer readable storage media and other means for locating devices. In some examples, the devices are attached to a retail or other type of article. The devices can be dynamically configurable and communicate wirelessly with other network entities. | 03-24-2011 |
20110068921 | CONFIGURABLE MONITORING DEVICE - Provided are embodiments of configurable monitoring devices, methods, systems, computer readable storage media and other means for dynamically transitioning the functionality, roles and/or modes of operation of networked devices. In some examples, the dynamic configuration of the configurable monitoring device may be accomplished wirelessly and used to monitor and track the location of retail products as well as thwart theft of the retail products. | 03-24-2011 |
20110072132 | Retail Product Tracking System, Method, and Apparatus - According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for monitoring articles, such as in a commercial environment. | 03-24-2011 |
20110074580 | System, Method, and Apparatus for Triggering an Alarm - According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for triggering an alarm. In this regard, one example apparatus includes means for receiving an instruction to alarm a security gate device, and means for tuning a security resonator at a location such that a field generated by the security gate device interacts with the security resonator to cause the security gate device to trigger an alarm in response to at least receiving the instruction to alarm the security gate device. | 03-31-2011 |
20110084840 | Key Device for Monitoring Systems - Exemplary systems, methods and other means for providing a key device that may be used with a monitoring system are discussed herein. The key device may be configured to communicate with one or more other devices, silence an alarm, commission a tag, decommission a tag, unlock a tag from an item, among other things. The key device may include rules that permit particular functionality based on, for example, time and/or location. | 04-14-2011 |
20120001756 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR TRIGGERING AN ALARM - According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for triggering an alarm. In this regard, one example apparatus includes means for receiving an instruction to alarm a security gate device, and means for tuning a security resonator at a location such that a field generated by the security gate device interacts with the security resonator to cause the security gate device to trigger an alarm in response to at least receiving the instruction to alarm the security gate device. | 01-05-2012 |
20120210755 | YOKE DEVICE FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH A SECURITY DEVICE - The present invention relates to a yoke device for use in combination with a security device. The security device includes a housing and a cable having a first end and a second end, whereby the second end is secured to the housing. The yoke device includes a first leg, a second leg, and a base portion extending therebetween. | 08-23-2012 |
20130009770 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWERING A SECURITY DEVICE - A security apparatus and method for protecting merchandise items is presented. In the preferred embodiment, a merchandise security device includes a housing with an access door that has an open position and a closed position, a primary power source, a secondary power source and alarm system. The alarm system determines when a voltage of the primary power source drops below a threshold value. When the voltage drops below the threshold value, the alarm system switches to the secondary power source for its power. When the alarm system is in a standby mode, it will not generate alarms when operating on the secondary power source. However, when the alarm system has not been placed into a standby mode, the alarm system will generate alarms when operating on the secondary power source and the access door is in the open position. | 01-10-2013 |
20140351098 | RETAIL PRODUCT TRACKING SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS - According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for monitoring articles, such as in a commercial environment. In one aspect, the invention can be a system comprising: a monitoring device configured for attachment to the article, the monitoring device including a display configured to display a price of the article; a server; and a router configured to maintain a wireless communications connection between the monitoring device and the server; wherein the monitoring device is configured to: receive a communication including a price change message; and modify a stored price in response to receiving the price change message. | 11-27-2014 |