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: Systems and methods for purchasing an article having a security tag attached thereto. The methods involve: obtaining, by a mobile communication device, article information and payment information for purchasing the article; communicating the article information and payment information from the mobile communication device to a remote system via a network connection for completing a purchase transaction; and communicating a detachment key from the mobile communication device to the security tag via a first short-range communication. Notably, the detachment key is communicated to the security tag exclusively if the article was successfully purchased during the purchase transaction. The detachment key is configured to cause an actuation of a detachment mechanism of the security tag.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1100) for activating an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) element deactivator. The methods involve: obtaining customer-related data from a customer of a business organization who is attempting to deactivate an EAS element of at least one item; obtaining transaction data contained in a receipt issued upon completion of a checkout transaction for the customer; communicating the customer-related data, transaction data and a unique identifier for an EAS element deactivation system to a remote computing device; processing the customer-related data and transaction data to obtain confirmation that the customer has recently successfully completed the checkout transaction for the item and the EAS element of the item has not yet been deactivated; and activating the EAS element deactivator of the EAS element deactivation system subsequent to when the confirmation is obtained.

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: Systems (100) and methods (1400) for verifying a detachment of a security tag (108) from an article. The methods comprise: producing by a detaching unit (106) a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency when the security tag is in proximity thereto; generating, by a non-linear electrical circuit (504) of the security tag, a third signal from the first and second signals applied thereto; ceasing generation of the third signal by the non-linear electrical circuit when at least a first portion (306) of the security tag is moved a certain distance from the detaching unit; and determining by the detaching unit that the first portion of the security tag has been decoupled from a second portion (318) of the security tag when the third signal is no longer being generated by the non-linear electrical circuit.

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: Systems and methods for operating a security tag of an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system. The methods involve providing a unique identifier from the security tag to an application installed on a mobile communication device via a first short-range communication when the security tag is attached to an article for sale. A second short-range communication is received by the security tag from the mobile communication device that comprises a detachment command. The detachment command is received by the security tag exclusively after the article has been successfully purchased. Thereafter, the security tag verifies that the second short-range communication is intended to be processed thereby. Next, the security tag performs operations to actuate a detachment mechanism in response to the detachment command so that the security tag can be detached from the article for sale.

Abstract: Systems and methods for purchasing an article having a security tag attached thereto. The methods involve: obtaining, by a mobile communication device, article information and payment information for purchasing the article; communicating the article information and payment information from the mobile communication device to a remote system via a network connection for completing a purchase transaction; and communicating a detachment key from the mobile communication device to the security tag via a first short-range communication. Notably, the detachment key is communicated to the security tag exclusively if the article was successfully purchased during the purchase transaction. The detachment key is configured to cause an actuation of a detachment mechanism of the security tag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining access to an area or an object secured by an electronic locking device. The methods involve: obtaining, by a Mobile Communication Device (“MCD”), a unique identifier associated with the Electronic Locking Device (“ELD”)via a first Short Range Communication (“SRC”); communicating the unique identifier from MCD to a Remote Communication Device (“RCD”) via a network connection; receiving at least one symbol associated with the unique identifier that facilitates unlocking of ELD from RCD via the network connection; and causing ELD to be unlocked by communicating a key from MCD to ELD via a second SRC.

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 method and system are described for providing a wireless sensor network between a main node and a plurality of nodes, the nodes associated with sensors. The method and system define communications channels over which the main node communicates with the nodes based on a channel hopping scheme, and define at least one transfer channel that is dedicated to carrying transfer frames that are broadcast by the main node. The method and system configure non-acquired nodes that are not acquired to the network to enter a connection session by locating the at least one transfer channel to listen for a transfer message. The transfer message indicates a next communications channel that will become active. The method switches the non-acquired nodes to the next communications channel.

Abstract: A method and system are described for providing a wireless sensor network between a main node and a plurality of nodes, the nodes associate with sensors. The method and system define communications channels over which the main node communicates with the nodes based on a channel hopping scheme pattern, and define at least one transfer channel that is dedicated to carrying transfer frames that are broadcast by the main node. The method and system configure non-attached nodes that are not attached to the network, to enter a connection session by tuning to the transfer channel to listen for a transfer message. The transfer message indicates a next communications channel. The method tunes the non-attached nodes to the next communications channel, listens for a beacon frame, and utilizes the beacon frame as a timing reference to enable the non-attached nodes to attach to the network.

Abstract: A method for configuring a pattern recognition system begins by receiving object recognition data from at least one first local image processing system. The object recognition data is stored in at least one global database. Configuration data is determined for a second local image processing system based at least in part upon the received object recognition data from the at least one first image processing system, and then transmitted to the second local image processing system.

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 people counting system and method for the automatic reconfiguration of a failed people counting sensor device in a people counting system. The system includes a plurality of addressable people counting sensor devices defining a cluster having a master device in communication with at least one slave device, each of the master device and the slave devices having a corresponding Media Access Control (“MAC”) address. The master device is adapted to sequentially transmit power-on commands to each of the slave devices, assign a different node address to each of the slave devices, receive an association of the MAC address of the master device to the node address and MAC address of each of the slave devices to form a cluster configuration, store the cluster configuration as a cluster configuration table, and replicate the cluster configuration table to the slave devices. A dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server assigns an IP public address to the master device.

Abstract: A method, system and mobile sensor node for monitoring a supply chain. A communication network is established which includes a plurality of mobile sensor nodes. Status information for each mobile sensor node is periodically transmitted. Each mobile sensor node receives status information for at least one other mobile sensor node in the communication network. A log file which includes the received status information is compiled and stored in the mobile sensor node that received the corresponding status information.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring power using a data communications signal line. The data communications signal line is in a high impedance powerless state when idle. A main device is electrically coupled to the data communications signal line. The main device generates and transmits a signal on the data communications signal line. The signal includes power generation and non-power generation characters. A peripheral device is electrically coupled to the data communications signal line. The peripheral device has a functional unit arranged to perform a desired function for the peripheral device. A power conversion module is electrically coupled to the data communications signal line and receives the signal. The power conversion module converts power from the received signal to a form suitable for storage. A controller is in electrical communication with the functional unit and the power conversion module.

Abstract: A magnetic core transceiver antenna for EAS marker detection is provided. The core includes a stack of amorphous alloy ribbons insulated from each other and laminated together. A coil winding of wire, also insulted from the ribbons, and connected to an electronic controller provides the transmitter and receiver modes. The transceiver antenna is optimized for the dual mode operation, and is smaller and uses less power than conventional air-core EAS antennas with equivalent performance. Complex core geometries, such as a sandwiched stack of different sized ribbons, can be implemented to vary the effective permeability of the core to customize antenna performance. Multiple transceiver antennas can be combined to increase the size of the generated EAS interrogation zone.