Abstract: An apparatus and method for unlocking a security tag that is connected to an article. The apparatus includes an unlocking device configured to provide an unlock signal or force to a security tag allowing for the security tag to be removed from the article. The apparatus further includes an outer housing having an unlocking surface at least partially disposed above the unlocking device, wherein the unlocking surface includes a continuous surface area defined by a first surface area connected to a second surface area. In one aspect, the second surface area is tactically distinct from the first surface area and the second surface area includes an alignment feature configured to indicate a detachment zone that corresponds with a source of the unlock signal or force.

Abstract: Transmitting a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogation signal into an RFID interrogation zone of an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system. Detecting at least one response signal from a first RFID tag of the EAS system responding to the interrogation signal. Capturing, at one or more times in a window of time around the detection, sensor data within a sensor field, the sensor field and the RFID interrogation zone overlapping to form a zone of interest. Characterizing movement of a non-tag object during the window of time based on the captured sensor data. Determining whether the first RFID tag is associated with the characterized non-tag object based on a comparison of the at least one response signal and the characterized movement of the non-tag object.

Abstract: Example implementations include a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for electronic article surveillance (EAS), comprising transmitting concurrently, an acousto-magnetic (AM) interrogation signal into an AM interrogation zone of an EAS system, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogation signal into an RFID interrogation zone of the EAS system, the AM interrogation zone and the RFID interrogation zone overlapping to form a zone of interest. The implementations further include indicating, by the EAS system, a presence of a first tag of the EAS system in the zone of interest upon a concurrent detection of both an RFID response signal of the first tag in response to the RFID interrogation signal and an AM response signal of the first tag in response to the AM interrogation signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a Unified Security Device (“USD”). The methods comprise: receiving an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) interrogation signal with an antenna of the USD; processing the EAS interrogation signal using a processor unit of the USD; using the processor unit to generate an EAS response signal that emulates a response signal produced by an Acousto-Magnetic (AM) type of EAS security tag, in response to the EAS interrogation signal; and communicating the EAS response signal from the USD.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an inventory. The methods comprise: performing operations by an internal circuit of a light provider to control operations of a light element to produce visible light, where the light provider is coupled to a light fixture installed on a physical structure of a facility; and performing operations by the internal circuit to connect with a network, receive a tag identifier associated with an alert event from at least one external device via the network, read tags, and control the light element to modify at least one characteristic of the visible light produced thereby when information read from one of the tags includes the tag identifier.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media for transmitting at least one incident radar signal, receiving at least one reflected radar signal in response to the at least one incident radar signal reflected from a person associated with the RFID tag, determining a first movement vector of the person based on the reflected radar signal, transmitting at least one incident RFID signal, receiving at least one backscattered RFID signal from the RFID tag, determining a second movement vector of the RFID tag based on at least one phase measurement of the at least one backscattered RFID signal, and determining whether the RFID tag is associated with the person based on the first movement vector and the second movement vector.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media for receiving a magnetic signal from a magnetic signal transmitter, determining a strength of the magnetic signal at the security tag, receiving a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogatory signal from a RFID scanner, and transmitting a RFID response signal, to the RFID scanner, indicating the strength of the magnetic signal.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media for identifying one or more authorized signal characteristic associated with at least one authorized RF signal, receiving at least one incoming RF signal having one or more incoming signal characteristic, identifying the one or more incoming signal characteristic, determining a presence of the unauthorized RF device based on at least one of the one or more authorized signal characteristic or the one or more incoming signal characteristic, and activating an alarm in response to determining the presence of the unauthorized RF device.

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: A system may include a security controller communicatively coupled with pedestals having a first set of antennas and a second set of antennas spaced from the first set of antennas to form an interrogation zone. The security controller may be configured to alternate transmission and reception of interrogation signals between the first set of antennas and the second set of antennas. The security controller may be configured to determine whether a metal object is detected in the interrogation zone in response to the reception of the interrogation signals by the second set of antennas or by the first set of antennas. The security controller may be configured to generate and send an alarm signal in response to the metal object being detected in the interrogation zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for unlocking a security tag that is connected to an article. The apparatus includes an unlocking device configured to provide an unlock signal or force to a security tag allowing for the security tag to be removed from the article. The apparatus further includes an unlocking surface disposed between the unlocking device and the security tag and an alignment feature configured to indicate a detachment zone that corresponds with a source of the unlock signal or force, wherein placing the tag in the detachment allows for the unlocking device to provide an unlock signal or force to the security device to allow the security tag to be removed from the article.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a presence of a person, robot or object in a given area using a hybrid Lighting and Inventory (“LI”) system. The methods comprise: maintaining a data store of identifiers for first tags that are readable by an internal circuit of at least one light provider; tracking (a) changes in which of said first tags are read by the at least one light provider's internal circuit during consecutive tag read processes and (b) changes in power levels of tag read signals received at the at least one light provider during the consecutive tag read processes; and using tracked information (a) and (b) to detect the presence of the person, robot or object in the given area.

Abstract: Deploying at each transition between separate areas of a facility a plurality of RFID reader antennas. Each antenna is deployed at a given transition covering a span of the given transition from a different perspective such that each point in the span is covered by at least two antennas. The antennas of a first transition between a first area and a second area of the separate areas detect, and in combination with an RFID system in communication with the antennas of the first transition, a tag known to have been in the first area. The RFID system identifies an item associated with the detected tag as moving to the second area. The antennas of a particular transition of the second area subsequently detect, in combination with the RFID system in communication therewith, the tag, and identifying the detected item as leaving the second area for an area across the particular transition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods comprise: performing communication operations by the security tag at a communications frequency; using a receive circuit of the security tag to harvest energy emitted from a transmit circuit of an external device at an energy harvesting frequency. The communications frequency is out of band of the energy harvesting frequency.

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: 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 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: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, apparatus, and computer readable medium for managing a removal code of a tag includes providing information associating the tag with a merchandise item, wherein the information includes a removal code for removing the tag from the merchandise item, receiving, from a requesting device, a request for the removal code, authenticating the request, and transmitting, in response to successfully authenticating the request, the removal code to the requesting device, wherein the removal code is configured to be transmitted by the requesting device to the tag to remove the tag from the merchandise item.

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: 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.