Abstract: An access control system includes a mesh network of nodes for tracking and authenticating users throughout a building. The nodes include wireless interfaces. The user devices send user information to the nodes, which send the user information to a verification and tracking system, which returns authentication status information. As the user moves throughout the building, the nodes calculate the proximity between the particular node and the user device and compare the calculated proximity information to that of nearby nodes. The user information and authentication status information is then handed off to the node determined to be closest to the user device and, in the case of door nodes connected to door controllers, is used to grant access to restricted areas of the building. Door nodes are equipped with directional antennas with an adjustable antenna assembly including two or more probes to eliminate dead zones around the door nodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a reader. The methods comprise: supplying power from the reader to an external sensor using a single cable that (A) connects the reader to both an external antenna and the external sensor and (B) is used for data communications between the reader, the external antenna and the external sensor; receiving, by the reader via the single cable, a sensor signal comprising information indicating the external sensor's detection of an individual's presence in proximity thereto, where the sensor signal has a frequency that is outside the antenna's transmit frequency; initiating tag read operations of the reader in response to the sensor information's reception at the reader; and communicating an interrogation signal for tag reading from the reader to the external antenna via the single cable, where the interrogation signal has a frequency which is outside the external sensor's receive frequency band.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for configuring an intrusion detection system, by receiving from a user device, a set of identity credentials, sending the set of identity credentials to an identity service to verify a user's identity that is associated with the set of credentials, receiving a result of the verification of the identity; and when verified, configuring the intrusion detection system to operate in a mode pre-selected based on the verified identity.

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 surveillance system and method with at least one wireless input capture device ICD(s) and a corresponding digital input recorder (DIR) and/or another ICD, including the steps of providing the base system; at least one user accessing the DIR via user interface either directly or remotely; the DIR and/or ICD searching for signal from the ICD(s) and establishing communication with them, and the system providing for input capture and data transmission prioritization, thereby providing a secure surveillance system having wireless communication for monitoring a target environment with prioritization capabilities.

Abstract: A video recorder cluster for use in a video surveillance system includes multiple recorder nodes that can each participate in processing of user-specified operations such as playback, recording, and analysis of the video streams. The video recorder cluster determines the required resources for processing the video data of streams, determines the available resources on each of the recorder nodes, and forwards the video data of the streams to recorder nodes that either include the required resources or include a preferred set of available resources in accordance with the required resources. The video recorder cluster presents a single cluster address for client user devices to access the resources of the video recorder cluster, thereby enabling the video recorder cluster to appear as a single virtual network video recorder to clients.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an inventory. The methods comprise: placing an RFID tag in a first operational mode in which at least one communication operation or device of the RFID tag is disabled or bypassed; performing first operations by the RFID tag to determine when it is time to begin communications in accordance with the time slotted communications scheme; transitioning an operational mode of the RFID tag from the first operational mode to a second operational mode in which the communication operation(s) or device of the RFID tag is enabled or no longer bypassed, in response to a determination that it is time for the RFID tag to begin communications; and transitioning the operational mode of the RFID tag back into the first operational mode when the RFID tag's communications with a remote tag reader for inventory determination purposes are complete or a time slot has expired.

Abstract: A mesh network-based environmental data capture system and method for providing communication between a base system having at least one wireless input capture device ICD(s) and other ICD(s), wherein the ICD(s) are capable of smart cross-communication with each other and remote access to their inputs via a server computer, including the steps of providing this base system; at least one user accessing the ICDs and inputs remotely via a user interface through a remote server computer and/or electronic device communicating with it, for providing a secure surveillance system with extended inputs range and wireless smart cross-communication for monitoring a target environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods involve: establishing an electrical connection between the security tag and an external Power Removal Station (“PRS”); performing operations by the security tag to authenticate a detach command sent from the external PRS; allowing power to be supplied from the external PRS to an electro-mechanical component of the security tag when the detach command is authenticated; and actuating the electro-mechanical component so that a pin of the security tag transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to the security tag.

Abstract: A surveillance system and method with at least one wireless input capture device ICD(s) and a corresponding digital input recorder (DIR) and/or another ICD, including the steps of providing the base system; at least one user accessing the DIR via user interface either directly or remotely; the DIR and/or ICD searching for signal from the ICD(s) and establishing communication with them, and the system providing for input capture and data transmission prioritization, thereby providing a secure surveillance system having wireless communication for monitoring a target environment with prioritization capabilities.

Abstract: A pedestal for an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system. The pedestal comprising: a frame; at least one antenna disposed in or coupled to the frame; and a rotatable member directly coupled to the frame so as to mechanically support the pedestal in a vertical position when in use and configured to allow the frame to transition from the vertical position to an angled position when a force is applied to the frame by an external object.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multi-factor authentication that requires a user provide credentials via an authenticating server when attempting access or to control local functions and then, based on the success with the authenticating server, provides the access or control of local functions at subsequent attempts at access or control of the local functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an Electronic Smart Tag (“EST”). The methods involve: operating the EST in a first operational state in which first item related information is output from an electronic output device of the EST that is powered by an energy storage device storing energy harvested from an external energy source; detecting when a charge level of the energy storage device reaches or falls below a first threshold level; and transitioning an operational state of the EST from the first operational state to a second operation state in which a message is output from EST requesting that a mobile device be placed in proximity to the EST for purposes of obtaining at least a first portion of the first item related information, in response to the detection that the charge level of the energy storage device has reached or fallen below the first threshold level.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a network security system implementing security cameras, motion sensors, access control systems, security door locks, and mobile panic button devices within a monitored area. Security cameras transmit video to a network video recorder and the video is analyzed by a video analytics system to determine if a security event is occurring. If a security event occurs, a security control system calls a dispatch service, which transmits a notification to only those security guards who are within a given area of the event.

Abstract: A video tracking system includes a user interface configured to facilitate tracking of a target between video cameras. The user interface includes user controls configured to assist a user in selecting video cameras as the target moves between fields of view of the video cameras. These user controls are automatically associated with specific cameras based on a camera topology relative to a point of view of a camera whose video data is currently being viewed. The video tracking system further includes systems and methods of synchronizing video data generated using the video cameras and of automatically generating a stitched video sequence based on the user selection of video cameras. The target may be tracked in real-time or in previously recorded video and may be track forward or backwards in time.

Abstract: A surveillance system monitors a predetermined environment based on received data. The surveillance system includes a first intelligent appliance configured to capture video and/or still images and configured to be in wireless communication with a second intelligent appliance that operates based on data from the first intelligent appliance. The surveillance system can detect a person located within the predetermined environment and can track the person's movement. The surveillance system is configured to allow remote viewing of data and/or controlling cameras.

Abstract: A system and method for identification and suppression of time varying background objects is disclosed. A proposed surveillance security system includes an image analytics system and at least one surveillance camera. The image analytics system identifies objects within image data of a scene captured by the surveillance camera, and then analyzes the objects to determine whether each object is a foreground object or a dynamic background object. In examples, the image analytics system determines whether an object is a foreground object or a dynamic background object based upon movement and/or an appearance of the object. The surveillance security system does not send alerts to users of the system for objects determined to be dynamic background objects. When users request objects of interest, the dynamic background objects are also excluded from lists of objects sent in reply messages to the users.

Abstract: A method and system for configuring surveillance cameras can be used to leverage emerging trends in surveillance camera systems, while also enabling the configuration of cameras to operate in such systems. The method comprises displaying configuration images on mobile computing devices and enabling the cameras to view and capture those images within image data. The configuration images are then derived from image data from the surveillance cameras using integrated or separate analytics systems. Then, configuration information from the mobile device can be paired with corresponding surveillance cameras by reference to the configuration images. In one example, cloud image data storage is allocated as part of this setup and configuration process.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for configuring an intrusion detection system, by receiving from a user device, a set of identity credentials, sending the set of identity credentials to an identity service to verify a user's identity that is associated with the set of credentials, receiving a result of the verification of the identity; and when verified, configuring the intrusion detection system to operate in a mode pre-selected based on the verified identity.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing queues in frames of video enables operators to preferably draw three regions of interest overlaid upon the video as short, medium, and long queue regions that form a notional queue area within the video. The regions are drawn with knowledge of, or in anticipation of, foreground objects such as individuals and vehicles waiting for service in a queue. Examples include retail point of sale locations or for automated teller machine (ATM) transactions. In conjunction with a video analytics system that analyses the movement of the foreground objects relative to the queue regions, the system determines the number of objects occupying each queue region, length of the queue, and other queue-related statistics. The system can then create reports and send messages that include the queue analysis results for directing operators to change their staffing resources as part of a real-time queue servicing and optimization response.