System and method for optimizing range of an electronic article surveillance system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electronic article surveillance (EAS) system comprising:
- an EAS device configured for modifying an activation state of an EAS tag; and
an EAS range finder system configured for providing a visible operational indication when said EAS device is within an operational distance from said EAS tag sufficient for modifying said activation state of said EAS tag, said visible operational indication having a first visible characteristic when said EAS device is outside of said operational distance and a second visible characteristic different from said first visible characteristic when said EAS device is within said operational distance;
said EAS range finder system comprising a light source for providing the operational indication that is visible on at least an article carrying said tag.
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Abstract
An electronic article surveillance (EAS) system including: an EAS device and an EAS range finder system for providing indication as to when the EAS device is within an operational distance from the EAS tag. The system may include a barcode scanner for providing an output having a distinct visible pattern when the operational distance is achieved. An energy source may be provided, and the EAS system may determine when the operational distance is achieved by detection of energy reflected from an article carrying the EAS tag.
19 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An electronic article surveillance (EAS) system comprising:
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an EAS device configured for modifying an activation state of an EAS tag; and an EAS range finder system configured for providing a visible operational indication when said EAS device is within an operational distance from said EAS tag sufficient for modifying said activation state of said EAS tag, said visible operational indication having a first visible characteristic when said EAS device is outside of said operational distance and a second visible characteristic different from said first visible characteristic when said EAS device is within said operational distance; said EAS range finder system comprising a light source for providing the operational indication that is visible on at least an article carrying said tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An electronic article surveillance (EAS) system comprising:
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an EAS device configured for modifying an activation state of an EAS tag; and an EAS range finder system configured for providing an operational indication when said EAS device is within a distance from said EAS tag sufficient for modifying said activation state of said EAS tag, wherein said EAS range finder system comprises an energy source for transmitting energy and a detector for detecting a reflected portion of said energy reflected from an article carrying said EAS tag, and wherein said operational indication is provided in response to said reflected portion of said energy; said operational indication visible on at least the article carrying said tag and having a first visible characteristic when said EAS device is outside of said distance and a second visible characteristic different from said first visible characteristic when said EAS device is within said distance. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A combined EAS/Scanner system comprising:
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an EAS device configured for modifying an activation state of an EAS tag; a barcode scanner for scanning a barcode; and an EAS range finder system configured for providing an operational indication when said EAS device is within an operational distance from said EAS tag sufficient for modifying said activation state of said EAS tag, wherein said barcode scanner comprises a barcode scanner light source and a mirror configured to reflect said barcode scanner light source on an article carrying said tag, and wherein said EAS range finder system comprises a controller configured to control said mirror for establishing a barcode scanner output that is visible on said article carrying said tag; said output having a first visible characteristic when said EAS device is outside of said operational distance and a second visible characteristic different from said first visible characteristic when said EAS device is within said operational distance. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification