Patent ID: 11948435
Assignee: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLC
Field: Control (Instruments)
Classification: CPC E  G | IPC G

Claim 12:
13. An apparatus for unlocking a security tag that is connected to an article, comprising: an unlocking device configured to provide an electromagnetic unlock force to a security tag allowing for the security tag to be removed from the article; and an outer housing having an unlocking surface at least partially disposed above the unlocking device; wherein the unlocking surface includes a continuous and uninterrupted surface area defined by a first surface area connected to a second surface area, and the first surface area extends a first distance along the unlocking surface and the second surface area extends a second distance along the unlocking surface, wherein the first distance is substantially larger than the second distance; wherein the second surface area is tactily distinct from the first surface area and includes an alignment feature configured to indicate a center of a source of the electromagnetic unlock force; and wherein the electromagnetic unlock force is configured to act on a tag at both the second surface area and a section of the first surface area and first surface area and the second surface area are configured to enable unlocking of the security tag without impeding movement of the security tag with respect to the unlocking surface.