Systems and methods for deactivation frequency reduction using a transformer

1. A method for deactivating an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) tag, comprising:

using an AC drive signal to charge an energy storage component of the tag deactivator;

selectively actuating a switch so that a closed circuit is formed between the energy storage component and at least one deactivation coil of the tag deactivator;

generating a tag deactivation field to deactivate the EAS tag by energizing the at least one deactivation coil with current supplied from the energy storage component; and

using a step down transformer, disposed between the energy storage component and the at least one deactivation coil, to decrease a frequency of a decaying coil current waveform representing a current flowing through the at least one deactivation coil.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the AC drive signal is provided by a controller external to the tag deactivator.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the controller comprises a Point Of Sale (“POS”) terminal.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the switch is selectively actuated in response to a tag deactivation command provided by the POS terminal when an item to which the EAS tag is coupled has been successfully purchased.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step down transformer has a turn ratio between 3 and 4.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the frequency is decreased to a value less than 1.8 kHz.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the frequency is decreased by at least half.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one deactivation coil comprises a first coil located in the first plane that is horizontal to ground and a second coil located in the second plane that is vertical to ground.

9. A system, comprising:

a switch having an input terminal and an output terminal;

an energy storage component connected to the switch's input terminal and chargeable using an AC drive signal;

a transformer having a primary winding connected to the switch's output terminal;

at least one deactivation coil connected to a secondary winding of the transformer; and

a processor programmed to selectively actuate the switch so that a closed circuit is formed between the energy storage component and the at least one deactivation coil;

wherein a tag deactivation field is generated for deactivating a security tag when the switch is actuated by energizing the at least one deactivation coil with current supplied from the energy storage component; and

wherein a step down transformer causes a decrease in a frequency of a decaying coil current waveform representing a current flowing through the at least one deactivation coil.

10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the AC drive signal is provided by a controller external to the system.

11. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the controller comprises a Point Of Sale (“POS”) terminal.

12. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the switch is selectively actuated in response to a tag deactivation command provided by the POS terminal when an item to which the EAS tag is coupled has been successfully purchased.

13. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the step down transformer has a turn ratio between 3 and 4.

14. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the frequency is decreased to a value less than 1.8 kHz.

15. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the frequency is decreased by at least half.

16. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one deactivation coil comprises a first coil located in the first plane that is horizontal to ground and a second coil located in the second plane that is vertical to ground.