Honeywell scanners and Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS)

Honeywell, what Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems do you support and with which scanner models?

This article attempts to address a number of FAQs regarding how Honywell scanning products can be integrated with proprietary EAS systems. Lets begin by taking a brief look at the principle EAS system types that are available.

There are 4 main types of EAS technology. This article focuses on the two types which can be supported with some of Honeywell scanning products.

RF - Radio Frequency

this is the most common type with Checkpoint Systems being the market leader in this technology type.

Radio frequency (RF) systems are one of the most commonly utilized in the world. This is mainly due to the simplicity of the technology over others.
The RF system tag has an antenna etched from thin aluminum bonded to paper. A small diode causes the tag to emit a radio signal in response to a radio signal it receives from the store exit gate. If the tag is active and can respond then the alarm system will be activated.
 

The transmitter antenna applies RF waves in pulses after which the tag responds, emitting a single frequency signal like a tuning fork because the RF pulses have been shrinking and lengthening the magnetized material. While the transmitter is off between pulses, the tag signal is detected by a receiver. This is checked by the system and if all test criteria are met, the system alarm sounds.

AM - Acousto-Magnetic

Currently, Sensormatic owns the market with intellectual property rights surrounding the technology.  Acousto-magnetic (AM) technology is a more recent innovation. It works by utilizing a 40mm long highly magneto-sensitive material within an EAS label. When subjected to a magnetic field, this material physically shrinks in size. The higher the magnetic field strength the smaller the metal becomes. AM technology has the ability to protect areas in excess of five meters. The tag is de-magnetized at the checkout to deactivate it.

The key to a good EAS system is to reduce shrinkage but not to impede customer cycle times at the store checkout. This is where some of our scanning products can help by providing part of the required deactivation process.

Currently the following models are available with EAS, either optionally or as standard:
 

Model and EAS Type

MS9520 Voyager  - Checkpoint RF
MS9540 Voyager CG  - Checkpoint RF
MS7180 Orbit CG  - Checkpoint RF
MS7580 Genesis  - Checkpoint RF
MS7600 Horizon - Checkpoint RF
MS7820 Solaris - Checkpoint RF
MS2xxx Stratos - Checkpoint RF/Sensormatic
 

For "Checkpoint" and similar RF based systems we can provide an antenna within the hood or around the scanning window of our scanners.
This will allow a de-activation signal from the EAS system to be transmitted to the tag when in range to deactivate it. Once the scanner is in range for the barcode to be read it will also be in range for the tag to be deactivated.

The cable connection to connect to the EAS system can typically be in one of two forms depending on the scanner form factor. Typically a hand scanner will integrate the EAS lines into the main data cable and will provide a 2 wire break-out with a length of cable which can be connected into the EAS system. Hands Free scanners often have a separate socket where the EAS cable can be attached.
Our bi-optic range is able to integrate with Sensormatic EAS as well as Checkpoint and currently we provide support for the Scan Max Pro system that can be configured  in Metroset.

Support is provided via either the aux or host RS232 port (providing this is not in use for host communications) using 1 of 6 different cable options. The bi-optic can provide a continuous or a Scan Interlock signal to the EAS system. It can also send a beep to or illuminate an
LED on the EAS system panel.

A manual de-activate option is available using the scanner volume switch as a trigger.

For Sensormatic we do not provide an antenna, neither can a Sensormatic system be integrated with the Stratos RF antenna.
Scan Interlock is where a bar code needs to be scanned before a tag can be deactivated. This adds an extra layer of security to the process over an RF system where a tag can be de-activated simply by holding it in range of the scanners antenna.
As always when integrating with an external system, a full lab pilot should be established to ensure compatibility and robustness between devices.