Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS)
 EAS systems are used in a huge number of stores, supermarkets and libraries for preventing thefts. Over 6 billion EAS tags are used each year. Their wide use is due to the low price and simple use.
Passing by an antenna with an active tag triggers a sound and light alarm that warns of potential theft. Antennae are usually placed close to the store exits. Their range of action can reach 2 meters. The tag shape vary, from a disposable lable to a plastic disc or multiple-use box.
Advantages of the EAS systems: - reduction of thefts by as much as 34%;
- cost-efficiency. The tags are very cheap;
- easy-to-use. One does not need to build complex systems and software;
- efficient. The share of tag read failure for the antennae is minimal.
The EAS systems use the so called one-bit tags. They do not have a unique number and cannot be used for identification. The only values they can have are 1 – for active tag, and 0 – for deactivated tag.
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