Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a marker. The method comprising: receiving, by a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) element of the marker, an RFID deactivation signal transmitted from an external device; and responsive to the RFID deactivation signal, supplying power from the RFID element to a detuner element so that the detuner element switches from a first state to a second state. The marker's resonant frequency is changed to a first value that falls outside of an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) systems operating frequency range when the detuner element switches from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for controlling the environmental conditions of a building in accordance with feedback from the occupants of the building is provided. The method includes detecting, by one or more processors, an occupant within a building space, and transmitting, by the one or more processors, a notification message to an occupant device associated with the occupant. The notification message includes a request to provide occupant feedback. The method includes receiving, by the one or more processors, an occupant feedback message from the occupant device. The occupant feedback message includes one or more quality ratings associated with one or more building conditions. The method includes assigning, by the one or more processors, a weighting factor to the occupant feedback message and performing an action to modify at least one of the building conditions responsive to the weighted occupant feedback message.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, apparatus, and systems for configuring a security camera including establishing a first connection between the dongle and the security camera through a communication port of the dongle, establishing a second connection with a mobile device, transmitting a request to the mobile device via the second connection, receiving, in response to the request, a configuration credential from the mobile device via the second connection, wherein the configuration credential is provided by the mobile device without disclosing the configuration credential to an operator of the mobile device, transmitting, via the first connection, the configuration credential to the security camera, receiving, in response to providing the configuration credential, a video stream from the security camera via the first connection, and transmitting, via the second connection, the video stream to the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a marker. The methods comprise: storing energy collected by an energy harvesting element of the marker; using the stored energy to enable operations of the marker's communications element; receiving, by the marker's communications element, a marker deactivation signal transmitted from an external device; and causing either a resonator to be prevented from receiving transmit bursts emitted from an EAS system, a bias element's magnetic field to be normalized, or a resonator to be physically prevented from vibrating, in response to the marker deactivation signal's reception.

Abstract: A security tag includes a tag body member, a connecting member releasably engageable with the tag body member, and a locking member having a locked position in a first thermal state configured to lock the connecting member to the tag body member, and having an unlocked position in a second thermal state configured to unlock the connecting member from the tag body member. The locking member includes a locking body comprising a shape memory alloy, and a clamping member connected to the shape memory alloy. A transition of the shape memory alloy element from the first thermal state to the second thermal state moves the clamping member from the locked position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the connecting member to be detached from the tag body member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system. The methods comprise: detecting movement of a plurality of security tags in a facility using Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”); identifying which security tags of the plurality of security tags are moving towards an exit of the facility or are in a surveillance zone; determining a number of the identified security tags that are coupled to unsold objects; comparing the number to a threshold value; and causing the EAS system to issue an alarm when the number is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an Electronic Smart Tag (“EST”). The methods comprise: harvesting, by an energy harvesting circuit of the EST, energy from an external energy source; using the energy to power at least a receiver and a display device of the EST; performing signal reception operations by the receiver to receive an original information bearing signal modulated in the external energy source; processing the original information bearing signal to obtain item related information therefrom; and causing the item related information to be displayed on the display device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag reader. The methods comprise: performing tag read operations by the tag reader to read tags; processing first information received from the read tags to identify which tags are newly detected tags; adding entries for the newly detected tags in a local list stored in a local memory of the tag reader; communicating second information at least identifying the newly detected tags from the tag reader to a remote computing device; receiving, by the tag reader, feedback information generated by the remote computing device which specifies at least a count of entries added to a remote list stored in a remote datastore based on the second information; and selectively outputting a notification from the tag reader based on the value of the count.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, apparatus, and systems for deactivating an AM tag including receiving a deactivation signal via a first inductive coil, storing electrical charges generated from the deactivation signal in a capacitor, and discharging the electrical charges through a second inductive coil, wherein: a first bias strip in the demagnetized state and a second bias strip cause a resonator to vibrate at a first resonant frequency corresponding to an activated state of the AM tag, the discharging magnetizes the first bias strip from a demagnetized state to a magnetized state, and the first bias strip in the magnetized state and the second bias strip cause the resonator to vibrate at a second resonant frequency different than the first resonant frequency, wherein the resonator vibrating at the second resonant frequency corresponds to a deactivated state of the AM tag.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring sensors via surveillance cameras is disclosed. In the system, surveillance cameras generating image data of scenes, where the sensors are included in the scenes. The sensors detect information concerning the scenes and encode the information so that it can be derived from the image data. Preferably, the sensors encode the information concerning the scenes by modulating a visible light source, the signals of which are captured within the image data by the cameras. An analytics system then analyzes the image data and decodes the information from the sensors encoded within the image data. Preferably, an integrated analytics system of the cameras executes the analysis. Exemplary sensors include sensors for detecting temperature, moisture, audio/voice, and product selection in a retail premises.

Abstract: A system and method for a door is disclosed. The system includes a frame magnetic lock assembly mounted to a door frame, and a door magnetic lock assembly mounted to a door for receiving inductively transferred power from the frame magnetic lock assembly. The door system also includes a door electronics subsystem mounted to the door that includes a power management system that provides power to the door from the inductively transferred power, and charges an energy storage element at the door from the inductively transferred power. The power management system provides power to the door from the energy storage element when the inductively transferred power is not available at the door, such as when the door is open, and resumes providing power to the door from the inductively transferred power once the inductively transferred power is restored. Once restored, some of the inductive power recharges the energy storage element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating tags with items. The methods comprise: dynamically determining a length of each metal thread to be incorporated into or trace to be disposed on a item to optimize tag performance in view of dielectric and tuning properties of the item. In the metal thread scenarios, the methods also involve: creating a metal thread having the length that was dynamically determined; and sewing the metal thread into the item being produced to form an antenna for a first tag. In the trace scenarios, the methods also involve forming the trace on the item being produced to form an antenna for a first tag. Next, at least a communications enabled device is attached to the item so as to form an electrical coupling or connection between the communications enabled device and the at least one antenna.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically changing displayed content of a tag. The methods comprise: performing operations by sensors of the tag to detect when an individual is interacting with a first item to which the tag is coupled; determining a type of interaction between the individual and the first item; selecting at least one first accessory from a plurality of accessories for the first item based on the type of interaction; obtaining information for the selected at least one first accessory that is to be presented to the individual; and dynamically changing the displayed content of the tag to include the obtained information while the individual is still in proximity to the tag or interacting with the first item.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling operation of sensors at a physical premises are described. The techniques process received messages corresponding to a prediction of an impending event and produce commands that modify operation of one or more specific sensors at the physical premises, send the commands that modify the operation of the one or more sensor devices at the physical premises at a period of time prior to a likely occurrence of the predicted insurable event, collect sensor information from the plurality of sensor devices deployed at the premises, and store the sensor information in a remote persistent storage system.

Abstract: A distributed transaction ledger (e.g. blockchain) is used to control access through access points in an access control system. During normal operation, access control devices (e.g. system controllers and door controllers) generate and broadcast transaction information to a validation network. The validation network maintains a distributed transaction ledger for the access control system, for example, by validating and distributing the transaction information across the validation network according to predetermined consensus criteria. The devices perform access control functions based on transaction information retrieved from the transaction ledger. Door controllers receive identification information from user devices (e.g. identification badges, mobile computing devices) and send the identification information to the validation network. A predetermined number of responding nodes generate verification information based on authorization information in the transaction ledger.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deactivating an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) tag. The methods comprising: using an AC drive signal to charge an energy storage component of the tag deactivator; selectively actuating a switch so that a closed circuit is formed between the energy storage component and at least one deactivation coil of the tag deactivator; generating a tag deactivation field to deactivate the EAS tag by energizing the at least one deactivation coil with current supplied from the energy storage component; and using a step down transformer, disposed between the energy storage component and the at least one deactivation coil, to decrease a frequency of a decaying coil current waveform representing a current flowing through the at least one deactivation coil.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods comprise: transitioning a pin head from an extended position to a collapsed position by causing at least one first telescoping segment to slidingly engage a second telescoping segment; locking a shaft, extending out and away from the pin head in the collapsed position, using a securement mechanism disposed inside a housing of the security tag; and preventing a transfer of pin head rotation to the shaft at least when the shaft is locked by the securement mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying a detachment of a security tag from an article. The methods comprise: using a voltage induced in an internal circuit of the security tag by a magnetic field generated by a detaching unit to power a controller of the security tag; receiving, by the security tag, a first signal sent from the detaching unit; selectively supplying power to an electro-mechanical lock mechanism of the security tag for a certain amount of time to cause a pin to be released from a lock, in response to the first signal; and communicating, from the security tag, a second signal indicating whether or not the pin was released. The voltage is no longer induced in the internal circuit by the detaching unit when the second signal indicates that the pin was released.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods comprise: receiving a first wireless signal using a receive circuit of the security tag; inducing a voltage in the receive circuit of the security tag while the first wireless signal is being received; performing operations by a controller to selectively close a switch while the voltage is being induced in the circuit; causing a release of a mechanical component of the security tag by allowing energy to flow from the receive circuit to the mechanical component when the switch is closed; and performing operations by the controller to prevent damage to the mechanical component as a result of the security tag being a certain distance from an external device.