Abstract: Devices, apparatuses, and methods for detecting product straps are provided. An example product security device for detecting product straps may include a base, and a pivot member affixed to the base via a first hinge. The pivot member may be configured to physically engage a strap to maintain the pivot member in a non-deflected position. The example device may further include a biasing member configured to urge the pivot member into a deflected position and a sensor configured to detect when the pivot member is in the deflected position. The sensor may be configured to, in response to detecting that the pivot member is in the deflected position, generate an alert signal. The example device may also include processing circuitry configured to receive the alert signal and, in response to receiving the alert signal, transmit an alert triggering signal to initiate an alert.

Abstract: A security device is provided including a product presence sensor configured to sense a change in product presence relative to the product presence sensor and a directional element configured to direct the product presence sensor in a sensing direction.

Abstract: A system, method, and device for improving the functioning of security tags for use with merchandise are provided. A security tag device, to be used in conjunction with a tag monitoring device, may be provided with a product. The product may be conductive or may have metallic packaging. The security tag may include a planar dielectric substrate having a first side and an opposing side. An electronic article surveillance (EAS) circuit may be placed on the first side of the planar dielectric substrate. A ferrite sheet having a first side and an opposing side may be coupled to the opposing side of the planar dielectric substrate. A metal backing sheet may be coupled to the opposing side of the ferrite sheet. The planar dielectric substrate may be centered or offset on the ferrite sheet and the ferrite sheet may be centered or offset on the metal backing sheet.

Abstract: A security device is provided including a security lock configured to retain an object when locked, a receiver configured to receive a security code transmission, and processing circuitry configured to transition the security lock between a locked state and unlock permissive state based on receipt of a security code. The security lock may initially be set to the unlock permissive state. At the first instance in which a security code is received, the processing circuitry may transition the security lock to a key permissive mode in which the security lock transitions to a locked state and in response to a subsequent receipt of the security code the security lock transitions to the unlock permissive state.

Abstract: A security device includes: a housing having a plug receptacle; a spool rotatably coupled to the housing; a locking mechanism having a locked state and an unlocked state, the locked state preventing the spool from rotating in a first direction, and the unlocked state allowing rotation of the spool in the first direction and in a second direction; a plug having an inserted position and a removed position with respect to the plug receptacle, the inserted position maintaining the locking mechanism in the locked state, and the removed position allowing alteration of the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state; a cable coupled to the spool and to the plug; an alarm circuit which activates an alarm upon sensing discontinuity of the cable and/or the plug moving from the inserted position to the removed position, the alarm circuit coupled to and rotating with the spool.

Abstract: A security tag may include a pin cover, a pin housing, a receiving gap disposed between the pin cover and the pin housing, a pin configured to engage an article placed within the receiving gap, and a biasing member configured to actuate the pin by urging the pin toward the pin cover in response to the article being substantially placed within the receiving gap.

Abstract: A tag monitoring device configured to interface with a security tag adapted to be disposed on a corresponding product in a monitoring environment may include a transmitter, a receiver and processing circuitry. The transmitter transmits a periodic signal pulse during a transmit cycle. The receiver monitors for a response from the security tag after the transmit cycle. The processing circuitry is configured to control the receiver with respect to enabling the receiver to detect the response. The processing circuitry is configured to perform dynamic tuning of the receiver by calculating an average random noise level for a predetermined period of time, comparing the average random noise level to a first threshold and a second threshold, applying an incremental gain reduction in response to the average random noise level being greater than the first threshold, and applying an incremental gain increase in response to the average random noise level being less than the second threshold.

Abstract: According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods, computer readable media, and computer program products are provided for implementing an item pusher apparatus with channel-based shuttle displacement detection. One example method includes determining a position of a channel engagement member affixed to a shuttle, where the shuttle is movable and configured to at least exert a force on an item to urge the item towards a stopping member. The channel engagement member is configured to at least physically interface with as channel defined such that movement of the shuttle alone a defined movement path causes movement of the channel engagement member in a direction that is nonparallel to the defined movement path in at least one plane. Example systems apparatuses, methods, computer readable media, and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for the rapid bulk commissioning of RFID tags includes exploiting simultaneous writing of plural tags via isolated communications bands, avoiding write acknowledgement, collision/retransmission, and other delays.

Abstract: A system and device for detecting and/or deactivating a security tag when passing through an electronic article surveillance (EAS) portal. The portal may be oriented by the arrangement of one or more antennas to generate an electromagnetic field at or within the portal to detect and/or deactivate the security tag. The electromagnetic field may detect and/or deactivate a security tag located at any orientation on merchandise as the security tag passes through the portal. The portal may be mounted on a counter at a point-of-sale station in which merchandise having security tags attached thereto are passed through the portal. The portal may also be mounted to a floor in which a shopping cart having merchandise is passed through the portal so that security tags attached to the merchandise in the cart are detected and/or deactivated.

Abstract: A security device for placement about a merchandise item includes a housing, cable and a clip. The housing includes a lock device, a spool for receiving the cable and a ratchet assembly to maintain the cable tightened about the merchandise item. The clip is connected to the cable and is engagable with the housing. The lock device locks the clip to the housing when the clip is attached to the housing and allows the spool to release cable from the housing when the clip is not locked to the housing. When the clip is locked to the housing, the lock device allows ratcheting of cable onto the spool but not unwinding of cable from the spool. The clip contains alarm logic fully contained within the clip configured to generate an alarm if the cable is severed. In some configurations, the alarm logic can transmit/receive wireless messages with a network.

Abstract: A tag controller may be configured to interface with one or more security tags and at least one of the tags may be adapted to be disposed on a product in a monitoring environment. The tag controller may include processing circuitry configured to receive location information indicative of tag location responsive to initial movement of a tag, and compare the location information to alerting criteria. The alerting criteria may include at least a position component and a temporal component. The processing circuitry may be further configured to initiate an alerting function responsive to the alerting criteria being met.

Abstract: An antenna device and supports for an antenna. The antenna device includes a plate-like support, having a from, back, and surrounding side face. The surrounding side face has a first groove. The front of the support has at least one second groove. The first antenna cable is located in the first groove and in the second groove. The first and second end regions of the second groove are spaced apart from the surrounding side face. The first end region of the second groove has a first opening to the first groove, and the second end region of the second groove has a second opening to the first groove. The first antenna cable is routed through the first and second openings.

Abstract: A security device includes a locking member, a ratchet mechanism, and a plurality of cables. The cables are wrapped around an object. An attachment clip is releasably snap-fitted into the body of the security device. The ratchet mechanism includes a spool and a locking pawl or lever. A key is used to unlock the clip from the housing. An alarm system is contained in the housing and actuates an audible alarm upon certain unauthorized actions occurring. Insertion of the clip into the housing automatically actuates the ratchet mechanism preventing movement of the cable in the unwind direction and activates the alarm system.

Abstract: In a tag communication system, a method includes determining range information representative of a distance between two tags, and estimating parameter information representative of backscatter signals of a marker tag and an asset tag. A tag is localized according to the range information and the parameter information to provide a localized tag. The range information is determined according to a beacon signal. The system includes a plurality of beacon signals and the method further includes determining the range information according to at least two of the beacon signals. A logical operation is performed on the range information of the two beacon signals. A further beacon signal has a plurality of signal ranges and the range information is determined according to the signal ranges. A logical operation is performed on the range information of the signal ranges.

Abstract: An RFID reader device and an antenna device have a first antenna implemented as a near-field antenna, wherein the first antenna has a first dual strip line. The first antenna has a first strip line and a second strip line. The first strip line and the second strip line may be implemented in the form of open loops. The first strip line may be implemented inside the open loop of the second strip line.

Abstract: A tag controller is configured to interface with a tag on a product in a monitoring environment that includes first and second monitoring zones. The first monitoring zone includes first locator devices, and the second monitoring zone includes second locator devices. The tag controller includes processing circuitry configured to facilitate operation of the tag in a first mode to employ wireless communication with the first locator devices or the second locator devices to generate position information usable for locating the tag in the monitoring environment. The first mode defines communication parameters associated with the wireless communication. The processing circuitry may also be configured to determine whether mode switch criteria are met, and direct the tag to switch to operation in a second mode to employ different communication parameters relative to wireless communication with the first locator devices or the second locator devices responsive to the mode switch criteria being met.

Abstract: A magnetic decoupling unit that is capable of magnetically releasing several types of magnetically releasable antitheft devices may include a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly may be placed inside a magnet housing with a cover that has an aperture and insert for receiving portions of a magnetically releasable antitheft device. The magnet assembly may include a first magnet with a vertical magnetic orientation which is surrounded by adjacent magnets with magnetic orientations that are orthogonal to the vertical magnetic orientation. Additionally, the magnet assembly includes one or more additional magnets oriented in the vertical and orthogonal directions. The resulting magnet assembly may be capable of magnetically releasing single clutch, double clutch, and electronic media type antitheft devices.