Integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (eas) system

Abstract

An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. Several configurations are also disclosed for alternate deactivation coil designs and mounting schemes.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . A combined data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) deactivation system, comprising
 an optical data reader for reading optical tags being passed through a read volume;   a deactivator for deactivating electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags, said deactivator having at least one magnetic deactivation coil unit arranged to proximate the data reader to project a magnetic field into the read volume, wherein the deactivation coil unit is mounted with a pivoting mount for allowing the deactivation coil unit to be pivoted outwardly away from the data reader.   
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 3  wherein the deactivation coil unit being pivoted outwardly away from the data reader for allowing access to internal components. 
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 3  wherein the pivoting mount comprises a mounting bracket and a hinge. 
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 3  wherein the pivoting mount comprises a pair of hinged mounting brackets. 
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 6  wherein the magnetic deactivation unit is pivoted via the hinged mounting brackets between a first position proximate the data reader and a second position away from the data reader. 
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 3  wherein the optical data reader comprises an L-shaped two-plane optical scanner. 
   
   
       9 . A combined data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) deactivation system, comprising
 a housing;   an optical data reader disposed in the housing and having at least a first window through which the optical data reader reads optical tags being passed through a read volume;   a deactivator for deactivating electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags, said deactivator having at least a first magnetic deactivation coil unit disposed in the housing proximate the first window, wherein the first deactivation coil unit is pivotally mounted.   
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 9  wherein the magnetic deactivation coil unit comprises a plurality of windings disposed around a central opening, wherein the data reader reads through the first window and then through the central opening and into the read volume. 
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 10  wherein the magnetic deactivation coil unit is configured in a generally rectangular configuration arranged around the central opening. 
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 9  further comprising a hinged mounting bracket, wherein the magnetic deactivation coil unit is pivotally mounted via the hinged mounting bracket between a first position proximate the first window and a second position away from the window. 
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 9  wherein the deactivation coil unit is pivotable outwardly away from the data reader for allowing access to internal components of the system. 
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 9  wherein the data reader comprises an L-shaped two-plane optical scanner. 
   
   
       15 . A method of mounting a magnetic deactivation coil unit within a housing of a combined data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) deactivation system, comprising the steps of
 installing a mounting bracket within the housing;   pivotally mounting the magnetic deactivation coil unit to the mounting bracket.