Included are network devices, systems, methods, and computer readable medium. These may employ a microcontroller with access to computer readable memory and computer readable storage wherein the microcontroller operates at a first network component of a local area network. The microcontroller may be configured to spatially locate one or more fiducial network components of a local area network in which the microcontroller is a member. The spatial location may be determined by receiving a unique identifier for a first fiducial network component, receiving a wireless signal from the first fiducial network component, determining a physical distance between the first network component and the first fiducial network component, and updating a registry with the determined physical distance. In certain embodiments, the network component may be an RFID reader and the unique identifier may be an IP or MAC address.

Carrying out a calibration cycle on one or more components in a local area network, the network including a plurality of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and the calibration cycle including exchanging, between RFID readers or other components of the local area network, distances between RFID readers calculated by one or more other components of the local area network.

Systems and methods for operating an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system. The method comprising: receiving, by an electronic device, a synchronization signal transmitted from a remote Wireless Device Manager (WDM); performing first transmit and receive operations at the electronic device that are synchronized in accordance with the remote WDM's AC power line zero crossing specified by the synchronization signal; detecting when the synchronization signal is no longer being received by the electronic device; and performing second transmit and receive operations at the electronic device that are synchronized in accordance with the electronic device's local AC power line zero crossing, when the synchronization signal has not been received by the electronic device for a specified period of time.

A radio frequency detection device to detect RFID tags. A single double-loop RFID antenna, an RFID reader, connection cables, longitudinal conductive section bars and transverse conductive section bars which form a closed circuit. A transverse branch connecting the longitudinal section bars so as to form a double-loop circuit which is crossed by current and which provides an electromagnetic field able to detect, in three dimensions, RFID tags even on both sides of a single panel of antennas. The possibility of superimposing an RFID antenna, with other antennas with electromagnetic technology allows to obtain a hybrid gate with a simultaneous reading of RFID tags and electromagnetic tags or bars.

A radio frequency detection device to detect RFID tags. A single double-loop RFID antenna, an RFID reader, connection cables, longitudinal conductive section bars and transverse conductive section bars which form a closed circuit. A transverse branch connecting the longitudinal section bars so as to form a double-loop circuit which is crossed by current and which provides an electromagnetic field able to detect, in three dimensions, RFID tags even on both sides of a single panel of antennas. The possibility of superimposing an RFID antenna, with other antennas with electromagnetic technology allows to obtain a hybrid gate with a simultaneous reading of RFID tags and electromagnetic tags or bars.

Systems and methods for detecting a marker in a pulsed Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system. The methods comprise transmitting, from an EAS detection system, an excitation signal having a first frequency into an interrogation zone during a transmit phase of the EAS detection system. The excitation signal causes the marker to transmit a response signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency. The response signal is received at the EAS detection system during a receive phase of the EAS detection system.

Systems (100) and methods (900) for detecting the presence of a security tag. The methods involve performing operations by a master pedestal of an EAS system to determine a first Tx/Rx scheme to be used during a first iteration of an EAS tag detection process based on (A) a first total number of time windows randomly selected from a plurality of total number of time windows in which an EAS exciter signal should be transmitted from at least one pedestal, and (B) first time windows randomly selected from a plurality of time windows in which the EAS exciter signal can be sent during the EAS tag detection process. Information specifying the first Tx/Rx scheme is communicated from the master pedestal to at least one slave pedestal. Transmit and receive operations are performed by the master and slave pedestals in accordance with the first Tx/Rx scheme.

An EAS system employs multiple antennas which are in separate electrical circuits and do not overlap to avoid magnetic coupling. Each antenna is paired with each other antenna. The controls for the system employ multi-function amplifier filters (MAF) to perform a difference operation on the signals in each pair. The results are converted from analog to digital and directed to a digital signal processor (DSP). The DSP adjusts digital potentiometers to minimize the differences at the MAFs. The controls then operate at least one antenna to pulse generate an interrogation field. The controls monitor the antenna signals for additional signal at the MAFs. The DSP performs pattern recognition on additional signals at the MAFs to distinguish types of EAS tags.

A system and method provides access to antennas of an electronic article surveillance system via WiFi and the Internet. Each antenna of the EAS system has a WiFi chip associated with its controls and the WiFi chip relays the antennas operating parameters as well as its reading of electromagnetic noise in its environment to the Internet. A remote technician can review the information provided by the antennas of the EAS system and optimize their operation with each other and their environments. In some embodiments, remote software can optimize the operation of the EAS system antennas. In some embodiments, the WiFi chip is an aftermarket addition.

Disclosed herein are computer-implemented methods and systems to facilitate prevention or detection of theft of an item in a shopping container. A controller attached to the shopping container receives a first signal from a first transmitter upon entry of the shopping container into a first area within a store. A second signal is received by the controller from a second transmitter upon entry of the shopping container into a second area within the store. After receiving the second signal, the controller receives the first signal again without having received a third signal associated with a third area within the store. In response to receiving the first signal again without having received the third signal after receipt of the second signal, the controller automatically causes switching from a normal mode to an anti-theft mode associated with the controller.