Electro-magnetic desensitizer
First Claim
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1. In an electronic article surveillance system, a method for deactivating a marker that is in a first, activated state, comprising the steps of:
- (a) imparting to the marker a deactivation field having a first, predetermined intensity;
(b) exposing the marker to an interrogating field, detecting the response produced by the marker, producing an active marker signal if the response indicates that the marker is in the first, activated state, and producing a deactivated marker signal if the response indicates that the marker is in a second, deactivated state;
(c) imparting to the marker, in response to the active marker signal, the deactivation field having an incrementally greater intensity; and
(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the deactivated marker signal is produced.
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Abstract
A magnetic security marker of an article surveillance system is deactivated by first determining the status of the marker by exposing it to the interrogating field. If the marker is active, a deactivation field is applied to the marker. The marker is again interrogated using the interrogating field and, if an active marker is detected, an incrementally increased deactivation field is applied. The marker is continually interrogated and, as long as an active marker is detected, the intensity of the field is incrementally increased until the field reaches a level effecting deactivation.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. In an electronic article surveillance system, a method for deactivating a marker that is in a first, activated state, comprising the steps of:
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(a) imparting to the marker a deactivation field having a first, predetermined intensity; (b) exposing the marker to an interrogating field, detecting the response produced by the marker, producing an active marker signal if the response indicates that the marker is in the first, activated state, and producing a deactivated marker signal if the response indicates that the marker is in a second, deactivated state; (c) imparting to the marker, in response to the active marker signal, the deactivation field having an incrementally greater intensity; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the deactivated marker signal is produced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A deactivating apparatus for deactivating a marker of an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, the deactivating apparatus comprising:
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interrogation means for interrogating the marker to cause the marker to produce a response, for detecting the response produced by the marker, for producing an active marker signal if the response indicates that the marker is in an activated state, and for producing a deactivated marker signal if the response indicates that the marker is in a deactivated state; deactivation means for applying a deactivation field to the marker in response to the active marker signal, wherein the interrogation means re-interrogates the marker after each application of the deactivation field, and wherein the deactivation field intensity is incrementally increased each time the deactivation field is applied; and control means for disabling the deactivation means when the deactivated marker signal is produced. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification