Detacher for a security device

1. A detacher for unlocking a security device having a detectable security tag therein, the security device having a magnetically-actuable locking mechanism, the magnetic-actuable locking mechanism including a magnetic latch which can be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position by application of an external magnetic force, a latch-mating element for engaging with the magnetic latch in the locked position, and a flexible element for providing a resistive force to bias the magnetic latch into the locked position, comprising:

a magnet configured to exert a magnetic force on the security device, the magnetic force exerted by the magnet having a strength sufficient to overcome the resistive force of the flexible element to allow the magnetic latch to move from the locked position to an unlocked position;

a motor coupled with the magnet;

a housing comprising a nest, the magnet and motor disposed in the housing, the motor arranged and configured to cause movement of the magnet with respect to the nest; and

a security tag interrogator disposed in the housing, the security tag interrogator including a security tag antenna and a security tag reader.

2. The detacher of claim 1 , wherein the security tag antenna is an RFID tag antenna.

3. The detacher of claim 1 , wherein the security tag interrogator includes an EAS tag interrogator.

4. The detacher of claim 1 , wherein the security tag interrogator includes an RFID tag reader.

5. The detacher of claim 3 , wherein the EAS tag interrogator is an acousto-magnetic tag interrogator.

6. The detacher of claim 1 , wherein the security tag interrogator is for a combination EAS and RFID tag.

7. The detacher of claim 1 , wherein the magnet is operable to engage the magnetically actuable locking mechanism in the security device by magnetically forcing a magnetically actuable latch in the security device away from a locking position.

8. The detacher of claim 1 , further comprising an integral article identifier.

9. The detacher of claim 8 , wherein the article identifier is a bar code scanner.

10. The detacher of claim 1 , further comprising a proximity sensor disposed adjacent the nest.

11. A detacher for unlocking a security device having a detectable security tag therein, the security device having a magnetically-actuable locking mechanism, comprising:

a magnet to engage the magnetically-actuable locking mechanism in the security device;

a motor coupled with the magnet;

a housing comprising a nest, the magnet and motor disposed in the housing, the motor arranged and configured to cause movement of the magnet with respect to the nest; and

a security tag interrogator disposed in the housing, the security tag interrogator including a security tag antenna and a security tag reader; and

a shield positioned between the magnet and at least one of the security tag reader and the security tag antenna, the shield configured and positioned to control at least one of the direction and force of the magnetic field emitted by the magnet.

12. The detacher of claim 1 , wherein the magnet is selectively movable between two or more discrete positions with respect to the nest thereby selectively varying the strength of the magnetic field applied to the nest.

13. The detacher of claim 12 , wherein each of the two or more discrete positions are respectively associated with two or more categories of security devices.

14. The detacher of claim 12 , wherein each of the two or more discrete positions are associated with a different category of article to be secured, the magnet in each of the two or more positions operable to engage with the magnetically-actuable locking mechanism of a security device attached to the associated article.

15. The detacher of claim 12 , wherein one of the two or more discrete positions of the magnet is selected based on data read from the security tag.

16. The detacher of claim 11 , wherein the shield obstructs of the magnetic field.

17. The detacher of claim 11 , wherein the shield directs the magnetic field towards the nest.