Abstract: A wireless sensor node, WSN, tag and method for filtering sensor data obtained by the WSN. At least one event filter is applied to sensor data. The sensor data is based at least in part on motion of the WSN tag. The at least one event filter includes at least one filter parameter, and the at least one filter parameter includes a minimum amount of movement of the WSN tag within a predetermined time threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for activating an EAS element deactivator is provided. At a computer, item data including a physical attribute of an item is received. A determination is made as to whether the item data corresponds to a purchased item in a purchase receipt. When it is determined that the item data corresponds to the purchased item, EAS element deactivator is activated for use.

Abstract: A system for identifying handling events of an item is provided. The system includes at least one wireless sensor node, WSN, tag associable with the item. The WSN tag includes a transceiver and at least one sensor. The at least one sensor is configured to generate sensor data based at least in part on motion of the wireless sensor node. The WSN tag includes a memory configured to store at least one event filter and the sensor data. The WSN tag further includes a tag processor that is configured to filter the sensor data based on the at least one event filter. The tag processor is configured to determine whether an event occurred based on the filtering of the sensor data and generate event data in response to determining an event occurred. The tag processor is configured to cause the transceiver to transmit the event data.

Abstract: A method and computer for responding to an assistance request message. An assistance request message from a requester mobile device associated with a requester is received at a response computer. The assistance request message includes at least one input parameter. A responder is determined, from multiple potential responders, to respond to the assistance request message. The responder is associated with responder data corresponding to the at least one input parameter. An availability inquiry message to a responder device associated with the responder is transmitted. A response to the availability inquiry message is received from the responder device. When the response to the availability inquiry message indicates that the responder is available to respond to the assistance request message, the requester mobile device is notified that the responder is available.

Abstract: A portable deactivator having a corresponding identifier is provided. Identification data associated with a user is captured by the portable deactivator. A determination is made whether to activate a deactivation element in the portable deactivator based at least in part on the captured user identification data. The deactivation element is configured to disable at least one electronic article surveillance, EAS, tag when the deactivation element is activated. The deactivation element remains disabled when the determination is made the user associated with the captured identification data is unauthorized to use the deactivator.

Abstract: A product information system including a server having an item database that stores at least one item identifier and corresponding item data for at least one item. Also, the item database is associated with a predetermined vendor. The server also includes a receiver that receives a message including tag data captured from a tag by a portable wireless device. The tag data includes an item identifier. Also, the server includes a processor that operates, in response to the received message, to select item data from the item database that corresponds to the received item identifier. The server also includes a transmitter that transmits the selected item data to the portable wireless device.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for inhibiting electronic article surveillance, EAS, system alarming are provided. A receiver is configured to receive captured identification data after a transaction. A processor is configured to determine whether the captured identification data is associated with the transaction. The processor is further configured to determine whether to inhibit EAS system alarming based at least in part on the determination whether the captured identification data is associated with the transaction. The determination whether to inhibit EAS system alarming is made without regard to whether an active EAS tag is detected. A transmitter configured to transmit an authorization message. The authorization message indicates whether to inhibit EAS system alarming.

Abstract: A portable deactivator having a corresponding identifier is provided. Identification data associated with a user is captured by the portable deactivator. A determination is made whether to activate a deactivation element in the portable deactivator based at least in part on the captured user identification data. The deactivation element is configured to disable at least one electronic article surveillance, EAS, tag when the deactivation element is activated. The deactivation element remains disabled when the determination is made the user associated with the captured identification data is unauthorized to use the deactivator.

Abstract: A method and system for activating an EAS element deactivator is provided. At a computer, item data including a physical attribute of an item is received. A determination is made as to whether the item data corresponds to a purchased item in a purchase receipt. When it is determined that the item data corresponds to the purchased item, EAS element deactivator is activated for use.

Abstract: A system for identifying handling events of an item is provided. The system includes at least one wireless sensor node, WSN, tag associable with the item. The WSN tag includes a transceiver and at least one sensor. The at least one sensor is configured to generate sensor data based at least in part on motion of the wireless sensor node. The WSN tag includes a memory configured to store at least one event filter and the sensor data. The WSN tag further includes a tag processor that is configured to filter the sensor data based on the at least one event filter. The tag processor is configured to determine whether an event occurred based on the filtering of the sensor data and generate event data in response to determining an event occurred. The tag processor is configured to cause the transceiver to transmit the event data.

Abstract: A method and computer for responding to an assistance request message. An assistance request message from a requester mobile device associated with a requester is received at a response computer. The assistance request message includes at least one input parameter. A responder is determined, from multiple potential responders, to respond to the assistance request message. The responder is associated with responder data corresponding to the at least one input parameter. An availability inquiry message to a responder device associated with the responder is transmitted. A response to the availability inquiry message is received from the responder device. When the response to the availability inquiry message indicates that the responder is available to respond to the assistance request message, the requester mobile device is notified that the responder is available.

Abstract: A wireless sensor node, WSN, tag and method for filtering sensor data obtained by the WSN. At least one event filter is applied to sensor data. The sensor data is based at least in part on motion of the WSN tag. The at least one event filter includes at least one filter parameter, and the at least one filter parameter includes a minimum amount of movement of the WSN tag within a predetermined time threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a network control module permits any or all of power signals, traffic signals and controller command signals to be carried on as few as one wire or cable to a first port of the network control module. In another aspect, a “peripheral array” includes a network control module (in any one of a number of different possible embodiments), with one or more peripheral devices, such as antennas, attached to or coupled with the network control module outputs. In one embodiment, RFID “smart shelving” may be fabricated in sections, with several (for example, 4, 8 or 16) antennas in each section, and as few as one cable coupling adjacent sections. Additional embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A product information system including a server having an item database that stores at least one item identifier and corresponding item data for at least one item. Also, the item database is associated with a predetermined vendor. The server also includes a receiver that receives a message including tag data captured from a tag by a portable wireless device. The tag data includes an item identifier. Also, the server includes a processor that operates, in response to the received message, to select item data from the item database that corresponds to the received item identifier. The server also includes a transmitter that transmits the selected item data to the portable wireless device.

Abstract: A product display system and method. A database stores product information for a corresponding product. An access point, which can be a reader, receives the product information. The access point is arranged to wirelessly transmit the product information within a corresponding interrogation zone. The wireless transmission uses an electronic product code (“EPC”) transmission protocol. An electronic price label (“EPL”) has an antenna, an RFID element and a display. The antenna is arranged to receive the product information from the access point. The RFID element is in communication with the antenna. The RFID element stores the received product information. The display is arranged to display the received product information.

Abstract: An inventory control system and method that tracks inventories of items with RFID tags, includes a reader unit and an intelligent station that tracks RFID tags to determine item information of items to be inventoried. The reader unit transmits and receives RF signals. The intelligent station includes a first RF antenna connected to the reader unit by a first transmission cable through a first switch, and one or more additional RF antennae connected to the reader unit by the same first transmission cable through additional switches. An inventory control processing unit receives item information from the intelligent stations to update inventory information regarding the items to be inventoried.

Abstract: An inventory control system and method that tracks inventories of items with RFID tags, includes a reader unit and an intelligent station that tracks RFID tags to determine item information of items to be inventoried. The reader unit transmits and receives RF signals. The intelligent station includes a first RF antenna connected to the reader unit by a first transmission cable through a first switch, and one or more additional RF antennae connected to the reader unit by the same first transmission cable through additional switches. An inventory control processing unit receives item information from the intelligent stations to update inventory information regarding the items to be inventoried.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for combining RF-EAS circuits with paperboard for producing disposable RF-EAS security tags, or to a method for manufacturing paperboard packaging, such as trays, lids, cartons containers or combinations with an integral RF-EAS security tag.

Abstract: A continuous loop inductor for an RF-EAS security tag comprises a plurality of discrete, unconnected foil loop segments connected together by conductive ink patches.