Abstract: An electrical switch with a conductive bridge, a first wire configured to provide continuity with the conductive bridge, and a biasing member connected to the first wire. The biasing member provides a threshold reaction force to maintain continuity between the first wire and the conductive bridge. The switch further includes a housing that directs tensile forces acting upon the first wire to oppose a reaction force of the biasing member. When a tensile force acting on the first wire exceeds a threshold reaction force of the biasing member continuity between the first wire and the conductive bridge is broken.

Abstract: A security tag assembly for placing around a boot, including a circuit board having a processor, and one or more wires electrically connected to the circuit board that form a first opening and a second opening. The first and second openings are respectively configured to receive first and second components of the boot. The assembly further includes a tension switch connected to the one or more wires and having a closed position corresponding to a first tension level on the one or more wires and an open position corresponding to a second tension level on the one or more wires, wherein the second tension level is greater than the first tension level. Further, the processor is configured to monitor whether the tension switch is in at least the open position, wherein the processor is configured to trigger an alarm in response to the switch being in the open position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag detacher. The methods comprise: receiving a tag body of a security device in a nest of the tag detacher; actuating a detachment mechanism of the tag detacher so as to cause a release of a tack assembly from a securement mechanism located within the tag body of the security device; allowing the tag body to travel out of a nest by at least rotating a portion of the nest so that the nest transitions between a home position and a pivoted position; and returning the nest to the home position when the tag body no longer resides in the nest.

Abstract: A security tag assembly for placing around a boot, including a circuit board having a processor, and one or more wires electrically connected to the circuit board that form a first opening and a second opening. The first and second openings are respectively configured to receive first and second components of the boot. The assembly further includes a tension switch connected to the one or more wires and having a closed position corresponding to a first tension level on the one or more wires and an open position corresponding to a second tension level on the one or more wires, wherein the second tension level is greater than the first tension level. Further, the processor is configured to monitor whether the tension switch is in at least the open position, wherein the processor is configured to trigger an alarm in response to the switch being in the open position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling a tag to an item. The methods comprise: dispensing the tag from a tag feeder of a tag applicator; performing first operations by the tag applicator to mechanically move the tag into a nest of the tag applicator; determining if a given criteria is met based on feedback information received from at least one of a user of the tag applicator and a sensor provided with the tag applicator; and performing second operations by the tag applicator to couple the tag to the item, when a determination is made that the given criteria is met.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag detacher. The methods comprise: receiving a tag body of a security device in a nest of the tag detacher; actuating a detachment mechanism of the tag detacher so as to cause a release of a tack assembly from a securement mechanism located within the tag body of the security device; allowing the tag body to travel out of a nest by at least rotating a portion of the nest so that the nest transitions between a home position and a pivoted position; and returning the nest to the home position when the tag body no longer resides in the nest.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1500, 1600) for operating a Security Tag (“ST”). The methods involve communicating a Wireless Signal (“WS”) to ST (132) tag attached to an article (102) when a successful purchase thereof has been verified. WS includes a detach command. A mechanical component (922) of ST is caused to be released in response to a reception of WS at ST, whereby a pin (308) of ST transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to ST. An end (1002) of the pin resides within an aperture (1102) formed in a first portion (312) of an enclosure (302) spaced apart from a second portion (310) of the enclosure by a gap when the pin is in the engaged position. The pin is fully retracted into the second portion when it is in the unengaged position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling a tag to an item. The methods comprise: dispensing the tag from a tag feeder of a tag applicator; performing first operations by the tag applicator to mechanically move the tag into a nest of the tag applicator; determining if a given criteria is met based on feedback information received from at least one of a user of the tag applicator and a sensor provided with the tag applicator; and performing second operations by the tag applicator to couple the tag to the item, when a determination is made that the given criteria is met.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1500, 1600) for operating a Security Tag (“ST”). The methods involve communicating a Wireless Signal (“WS”) to ST (132) tag attached to an article (102) when a successful purchase thereof has been verified. WS includes a detach command. A mechanical component (922) of ST is caused to be released in response to a reception of WS at ST, whereby a pin (308) of ST transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to ST. An end (1002) of the pin resides within an aperture (1102) formed in a first portion (312) of an enclosure (302) spaced apart from a second portion (310) of the enclosure by a gap when the pin is in the engaged position. The pin is fully retracted into the second portion when it is in the unengaged position.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1500) for operating a security tag. The methods involve: converting rotational motion of a pinion gear in a first direction into linear motion of a rack gear in a second direction so as to cause a pin to transition from an unengaged state in which the pin is retracted into a first portion of an enclosure to an engaged state in which an end of the pin resides within an aperture formed in a second portion spaced apart from the first portion of the enclosure; mechanically retaining the pin in the engaged position using a pawl that prevents movement of the pinion gear in a third direction opposed to the first direction; and automatically releasing the pawl in response to a reception of a wireless signal at the security tag, whereby the pin is returns to the unengaged state.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1500, 1600) for operating a Security Tag (“ST”). The methods involve communicating a Wireless Signal (“WS”) to ST (132) tag attached to an article (102) when a successful purchase thereof has been verified. WS includes a detach command. A mechanical component (922) of ST is caused to be released in response to a reception of WS at ST, whereby a pin (308) of ST transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to ST. An end (1002) of the pin resides within an aperture (1102) formed in a first portion (312) of an enclosure (302) spaced apart from a second portion (310) of the enclosure by a gap when the pin is in the engaged position. The pin is fully retracted into the second portion when it is in the unengaged position.

Abstract: Systems (100, 1300) and methods (1700, 1800) for detaching a tag (1304) from an article. The methods comprise: detecting when the tag is in proximity to a detaching unit (1302); verifying that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased using information received from the tag; mechanically coupling a tag body to the detaching unit when it has been verified that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased; detecting when a pin (1306) of the tag is no longer in proximity of the detaching unit; and mechanically decoupling the tag body from the detaching unit when the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit.

Abstract: Systems (100, 1300) and methods (1700, 1800) for detaching a tag (1304) from an article. The methods comprise: detecting when the tag is in proximity to a detaching unit (1302); verifying that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased using information received from the tag; mechanically coupling a tag body to the detaching unit when it has been verified that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased; detecting when a pin (1306) of the tag is no longer in proximity of the detaching unit; and mechanically decoupling the tag body from the detaching unit when the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) comprising: first and second structural parts (102, 104) that are formed of a rigid material or a semi-rigid material; and a bond comprising a first adhesive (304) and at least one conductive member (502) disposed in a bonding area (306) between the first and second structural parts so as to securely couple the first and second structural parts together. The cure time of the first adhesive is decreased and a strength of the bond is increased during a bonding process by increasing a temperature of the first adhesive using the conductive member having electricity traveling therethrough.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1500) for operating a security tag. The methods involve: converting rotational motion of a pinion gear in a first direction into linear motion of a rack gear in a second direction so as to cause a pin to transition from an unengaged state in which the pin is retracted into a first portion of an enclosure to an engaged state in which an end of the pin resides within an aperture formed in a second portion spaced apart from the first portion of the enclosure; mechanically retaining the pin in the engaged position using a pawl that prevents movement of the pinion gear in a third direction opposed to the first direction; and automatically releasing the pawl in response to a reception of a wireless signal at the security tag, whereby the pin is returns to the unengaged state.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1500, 1600) for operating a Security Tag (“ST”). The methods involve communicating a Wireless Signal (“WS”) to ST (132) tag attached to an article (102) when a successful purchase thereof has been verified. WS includes a detach command. A mechanical component (922) of ST is caused to be released in response to a reception of WS at ST, whereby a pin (308) of ST transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to ST. An end (1002) of the pin resides within an aperture (1102) formed in a first portion (312) of an enclosure (302) spaced apart from a second portion (310) of the enclosure by a gap when the pin is in the engaged position. The pin is fully retracted into the second portion when it is in the unengaged position.

Abstract: A self-contained, integrated mobile readpoint unit capable of reading at least one electronic tag that includes a housing, a power source located proximate the housing, at least one reader located proximate the housing that is capable of reading from and writing to the at least one tag and receives power from the power source, and a repositionable antenna structure that includes at least one readpoint antenna capable of communicating a signal to and from the electronic tag.

Abstract: A self-contained, integrated mobile readpoint unit capable of reading at least one electronic tag that includes a housing, a power source located proximate the housing, at least one reader located proximate the housing that is capable of reading from and writing to the at least one tag and receives power from the power source, and a repositionable antenna structure that includes at least one readpoint antenna capable of communicating a signal to and from the electronic tag.

Abstract: An applicator for use in applying labels adhered to a release liner, the labels being in the form of a roll. The applicator comprises a body having a trigger and a roll holder for supporting the rolled release liner, an indexer for positioning label formats of varying pitch in the applicator and stripping labels from the release liner, an applicator assembly for applying the labels which were positioned by the indexer, and a friction drive responsive to the trigger for advancing the release liner through the applicator assembly. The friction drive includes a self-adjusting tensioner which includes a drive slip which allows the drive to slip when the label is correctly positioned by the indexer in the applicator. The drive slip includes a slip means for allowing the drive to slip when the label is correctly positioned, enabling the largest pitch label to be completely stripped from the release liner.