Abstract: A security device may include a rotatable cap and an engagement member. The cap may be graspable by an operator during attachment of the security device to at least a first strap extending substantially around a portion of an object. The engagement member may be configured to engage the first strap. The engagement member may also be substantially fixed in relation to the cap during the attachment of the security device to the first strap and the engagement member may be rotatable with the cap. The security device may be transitioned to a locked state responsive to rotational engagement of the engagement member with the first strap. The rotational engagement of the engagement member with the first strap may also increase tension on the first strap.

Abstract: A tag controller is configured to interface with a security tag adapted to be disposed on a corresponding product in a monitoring environment. The tag controller includes processing circuitry configured to perform a tag position estimation by receiving information indicative of signal strength measured at the security tag relative to each of a plurality of locating beacons disposed in the monitoring environment, defining an order of a selected number of the locating beacons based on signal strength, determining a first midpoint between two of the selected number of the locating beacons having the lowest signal strengths, determining at least a second midpoint between the first midpoint and a locating beacon having a next lowest signal strength, and determining a location of the security tag at least in part based on the second midpoint.

Abstract: A security device for protecting a merchandise item against theft typically includes a pair of clamping members, a cable extending between the clamping members, and a tightening mechanism for tightening the cable to cause the clamping members to move toward one another and clamp onto the merchandise item. One of the clamping members typically serves as a housing containing the tightening mechanism, which may include a spool, a lock slide for releasably securing the spool and a locking mechanism for releasably securing the lock slide. The locking mechanism may be unlocked with a magnetic key. The security device is typically configured to set off an alarm upon tampering or attempted removal of the item and security device from a store.

Abstract: A security container for holding a product. The container includes a jacket having a cavity, a sleeve receivable in the cavity, and a chamber in the sleeve for holding the product. The sleeve moves within the cavity between a position where a user can access the chamber and a position where they cannot access the chamber. A locking mechanism secures the sleeve against movement when in the locked condition and permits movement thereof when unlocked. An alarm mechanism is provided that is simultaneously activated when the locking mechanism is locked and deactivated when the locking mechanism is unlocked. The locking mechanism includes a magnetic locking member movable by a dedicated magnetic key to unlock the mechanism. The security container is adjustable in length to accommodate products of different sizes. The container is of a diminutive size in that it is capable of fitting into a man's dress shirt pocket.

Abstract: A security device may include an attachment assembly configured to affix the security device to an object, a locking assembly configured to lockably secure the attachment assembly and configured to transition between at least a locked state and an unlocked state, a transformer configured to drive an alarm assembly to generate an alarm, and processing circuitry. The transformer may be further configured to operate as a wireless receiver to receive a remotely transmitted wireless signal. The processing circuitry may be configured to monitor an output of the transformer to determine whether the wireless signal has been received via the transformer, and selectively activate the transformer to drive the alarm assembly to generate the alarm.

Abstract: Manufacturing antennas for a dual tag by: providing a web structure having a dielectric layer between a first metal layer and a second metal layer; depositing a first resist on the first metal layer to define a radio frequency (RF) coil and a first electrode of an RF capacitor; depositing the first resist on the second metal layer to define a second electrode of the RF capacitor; depositing a second resist on the second metal layer to define connection pads for a near field antenna, wherein one of the first resist and the second resist on the second metal layer defines a far field antenna and the near field antenna; and etching the first and second metal layers to form the RF coil, the electrodes of the RF capacitor, the far field antenna, the near field antenna, and the connection pads.

Abstract: A security device may include a lanyard, a lanyard retention lock, and connectivity detection circuitry. The lanyard may include a first conductor and a second conductor that form an open circuit due to an insulator being electrically disposed therebetween. The lanyard retention lock may be configured to retain one or more ends of the lanyard to secure the security device to a protected object. The connectivity detection circuitry may be electrically connected to the first conductor and the second conductor. The connectivity detection circuitry may be configured to detect an occurrence of a closed circuit connection between the first conductor and the second conductor due to, for example, physical damage to the insulator, and may be configured to generate an alarm trigger signal in response to detecting the occurrence of the closed circuit connection between the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for localizing an asset using the modulated backscatter from an asset tag and one or more marker tags are described. The system includes the reader, a location module and one or more marker tags. The location estimates for the asset tag are based partially on a prior knowledge of the location of each of the one or more marker tags. The location for each marker tag may be stored in a database. The location module determines a location estimate for the asset tag using the estimated parameters of the modulated backscatter signals received from one or more marker tags and from the asset tag. Using the known locations of the marker tags, a location estimate of the asset tag can be determined. The location estimate may be a relative location, an absolute location, and/or may be a zone including the marker tags. A mobile reader using the marker tags can localize asset tags throughout a large area and may, for example, take an inventory of assets throughout the large area.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a merchandise item is presented. An alarm system for protecting the merchandise item includes: an alarm logic, a cable, and a switch. The cable has first and second ends with the first end adapted to be plugged into the alarm system. The switch is located at the second end of the cable and indicates when the second end of the cable is attached to the merchandise item and when the second end of the cable is not connected to the merchandise item. The second end of the cable can be connected to a standard port located on the merchandise item. The alarm system generates an alarm when the second end of the cable is not connected to the merchandise item.

Abstract: A security device may include a spool, locking mechanism, button, plug, and latch. The spool is configured to either wind or unwind a cable for wrapping around an object. The locking mechanism is configured to partially lock the spool. The button may be used to move the locking mechanism between locked and unlocked positions. The button may be blocked by inserting a plug into a housing of the device such that the button cannot be activated to unlock the spool. The plug may be secured to the housing through the latch that prevents the unauthorized removal of the plug. For an enhanced locking feature, the latch and the plug may be configured to require at least two forces to move the latch and free the plug. The spool, locking mechanism, and button may be stacked along a common axis to provide a more compacted design.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically deactivating a security tag upon entry into business establishment to prevent tag pollution. The system and method involve positioning a security tag deactivator at an entrance of a business establishment and emitting an EM field sufficient to deactivate any security tag that enters into the business establishment.

Abstract: An anti-theft security device is particularly useful with bottles and is typically secured to a bottle neck. The device may carry an onboard alarm. The device typically includes a catch member which engages the bottle neck to secure the device to the bottle and a blocking structure to help block access to the catch member.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a merchandise item is presented. A power supply system for charging the merchandise item includes: a power supply unit, a power cable with a cable control logic. The power supply unit includes a variable power supply and power supply control logic. The power supply can be attached at one end to a power socket of the merchandise item and at the other end to the power supply unit. The cable control logic reads a power requirement from a charge adaptor logic located near the end of the cable connected to the merchandise item and communicates it over the power cable to the power supply control logic. The power supply control logic controls the variable power supply based, at least in part, on the power requirement so that the variable power supply generates a supplied voltage onto the power cable to power the merchandise item.

Abstract: A system for RFID communication includes an antenna device for emitting a wireless signal, and a circuit connected to the antenna device. The antenna device, as a near field antenna, has a dual stripline having a first stripline and a second stripline formed parallel to the first stripline. The antenna device further has a termination, and a balancing element for damping a common mode signal. The balancing element is connected to first connections of the dual stripline, and the termination is connected to second connections of the dual stripline. The circuit is connected to the balancing element for symmetrical emission of the wireless signal to the dual stripline.

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.

Abstract: A security apparatus and method for protecting merchandise items is presented. In the preferred embodiment, a merchandise security device includes a housing with an access door that has an open position and a closed position, a primary power source, a secondary power source and alarm system. The alarm system determines when a voltage of the primary power source drops below a threshold value. When the voltage drops below the threshold value, the alarm system switches to the secondary power source for its power. When the alarm system is in a standby mode, it will not generate alarms when operating on the secondary power source. However, when the alarm system has not been placed into a standby mode, the alarm system will generate alarms when operating on the secondary power source and the access door is in the open position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to security devices used to protect merchandise or other objects, including security devices having one or more adjustable cables used to wrap around objects of various shapes and sizes, such that the security devices are secured to the objects. The present invention also relates to a removable module that can enable a disposable, one-alarm passive security device to provide three-alarm functionality.