The system performs communication between two systems, a master system, that creates an alternating magnetic field by means of which it dialogues with one or more slave systems, which respond at frequencies other than those generated by the master by a non-linear magnetic core generating harmonics of higher order than those of the magnetic field created by the master. The generation of harmonics is controlled by the slave by a short-circuit coil which enables the data transmission from the slave to the master. The slave system can have its own power supply or it can be powered by the short-circuit coil. This allows microcontrollers in the slaves to be powered and give them intelligence and a large storage capacity, making them ideal for control security and monitoring processes. The excitation frequency can be varied because the functionality of the slaves does not depend on the frequency of the exciter field.

Systems and methods for deactivating an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) security tag coupled to an item. The methods comprise: detecting a presence of the EAS security tag in proximity to a tag deactivator; determining a distance between the item and at least one deactivation coil of the tag deactivator, in response to a detection of the EAS security tag; dynamically adjusting a deactivation field strength setting of the tag deactivator based on the distance that was previously determined; and using the at least one deactivation coil to generate a deactivation field in accordance with the deactivation field strength setting which was previously dynamically adjusted.

An asset protection system and method may include detecting that a first item includes a first security device coupled to the first item, in response to the first item being scanned by the user, instructing the user to deactivate the first security device and then place the first item into a bagging area, wherein a deactivator located at the point of sale computer terminal to deactivate the first security device, directing a detection source to scan the bagging area after the first item and other items have been placed into the bagging area, and determining based on the scanning by the detection source, that a second security device coupled to the at least one item other than the first item in the bagging area has been deactivated, but the at least one item has not been scanned by the user at the point of sale computer terminal.

Systems and methods for operating a marker that involve receiving, by a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) element of the marker, an RFID deactivation signal; and responsive to the RFID deactivation signal, supplying power to a detuner element of the marker so that the detuner element switches from a first state to a second state. The marker's resonant frequency is changed to a first value that falls outside of an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems operating frequency range when the detuner element switches from the first state to the second state.

A cordless indicia reader including a multifunction coil that can be configured to either transmit or receive electromagnetic energy is disclosed. In this way, the multifunction coil facilitates both the wireless charging of a battery and the wireless deactivation of electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags. The multifunction coil and a plurality of modules to perform these functions are integrated within the cordless indicia reader's hand-supportable housing.

Systems and methods for providing a tag. The tag comprising a flexible elongate structure comprising a cord or a cable; an electronic thread device integrated into the cord or cable that is operative to wirelessly communicate with external devices for inventory management or security purposes; and/or an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) component integrated into the cord or cable.

A cordless indicia reader including a multifunction coil that can be configured to either transmit or receive electromagnetic energy is disclosed. In this way, the multifunction coil facilitates both the wireless charging of a battery and the wireless deactivation of electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags. The multifunction coil and a plurality of modules to perform these functions are integrated within the cordless indicia reader's hand-supportable housing.