Abstract: A method for configuring a sensor tag may include providing a flexible substrate layer comprising a thin film of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU); depositing a sensor inlay on the flexible substrate layer; and applying a protective coating over the sensor inlay encapsulating the sensor inlay between the flexible substrate layer and the protective coating.

Abstract: A method for configuring a sensor tag may include providing a flexible substrate layer comprising a thin film of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU); depositing a sensor inlay on the flexible substrate layer; and applying a protective coating over the sensor inlay encapsulating the sensor inlay between the flexible substrate layer and the protective coating.

Abstract: A method for configuring a sensor tag includes placing the sensor tag in a location on a garment or fabric to be affixed. The method may further include applying a heat source at a temperature to the sensor tag for a time period. The method may further include removing the heat source after the time period has elapsed. The method may further include removing a paper layer between an adhesive layer and the garment of fabric prior to placing the sensor taking in the location. The method may further include removing a top protective layer after removing the heat source.

Abstract: An RFID portal of an EAS system first interrogates a first zone extending into a controlled area beyond a threshold distance from an interrogating antenna of the portal. The portal defines an exit from the controlled area, the threshold distance being less than a width of the exit. The portal first detects, in response to the first interrogating, a first response of a particular RFID tag. The portal second interrogate, subsequent to the first detecting, in a second zone extending into the controlled area at least to the threshold distance. The portal second detects, in response to the second interrogating, at least one second response of the particular RFID tag indicating a received signal strength of the second interrogating at the particular RFID tag corresponding to a distance from an interrogating antenna of the portal less than the threshold distance. The EAS system alarms in response to the second detecting.

Abstract: An RFID portal of an EAS system first interrogates a first zone extending into a controlled area beyond a threshold distance from an interrogating antenna of the portal. The portal defines an exit from the controlled area, the threshold distance being less than a width of the exit. The portal first detects, in response to the first interrogating, a first response of a particular RFID tag. The portal second interrogate, subsequent to the first detecting, in a second zone extending into the controlled area at least to the threshold distance. The portal second detects, in response to the second interrogating, at least one second response of the particular RFID tag indicating a received signal strength of the second interrogating at the particular RFID tag corresponding to a distance from an interrogating antenna of the portal less than the threshold distance. The EAS system alarms in response to the second detecting.

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: A method for configuring a sensor tag includes placing the sensor tag in a location on a garment or fabric to be affixed. The method may further include applying a heat source at a temperature to the sensor tag for a time period. The method may further include removing the heat source after the time period has elapsed. The method may further include removing a paper layer between an adhesive layer and the garment of fabric prior to placing the sensor taking in the location. The method may further include removing a top protective layer after removing the heat source.

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 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: 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: A method for configuring a sensor tag may include providing a flexible substrate layer comprising a thin film of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU); depositing a sensor inlay on the flexible substrate layer; and applying a protective coating over the sensor inlay encapsulating the sensor inlay between the flexible substrate layer and the protective coating.

Abstract: A method for configuring a sensor tag may include providing a flexible substrate layer comprising a thin film of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU); depositing a sensor inlay on the flexible substrate layer; and applying a protective coating over the sensor inlay encapsulating the sensor inlay between the flexible substrate layer and the protective coating.

Abstract: A method for configuring a sensor tag includes printing one or more antennas on a flexible substrate layer using a conductive ink; depositing one or more sensors on the flexible substrate layer, where at least one of the one or more sensors is deposited to make electric contact with at least one of the one or more antennas; and applying a coating layer over the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A method for configuring a sensor tag may include providing a flexible substrate layer comprising a thin film of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU); depositing a sensor inlay on the flexible substrate layer; and applying a protective coating over the sensor inlay encapsulating the sensor inlay between the flexible substrate layer and the protective coating.

Abstract: A method for configuring a sensor tag includes printing one or more antennas on a flexible substrate layer using a conductive ink; depositing one or more sensors on the flexible substrate layer, where at least one of the one or more sensors is deposited to make electric contact with at least one of the one or more antennas; and applying a coating layer over the one or more sensors.

Abstract: An RFID portal of an EAS system first interrogates a first zone extending into a controlled area beyond a threshold distance from an interrogating antenna of the portal. The portal defines an exit from the controlled area, the threshold distance being less than a width of the exit. The portal first detects, in response to the first interrogating, a first response of a particular RFID tag. The portal second interrogate, subsequent to the first detecting, in a second zone extending into the controlled area at least to the threshold distance. The portal second detects, in response to the second interrogating, at least one second response of the particular RFID tag indicating a received signal strength of the second interrogating at the particular RFID tag corresponding to a distance from an interrogating antenna of the portal less than the threshold distance. The EAS system alarms in response to the second detecting.

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 harvesting mechanical energy in a security tag. The methods involve: applying by a tool a pushing force so as to cause a securement mechanism disposed within the security tag to deform; transferring mechanical energy to a spring sleeve when the securement mechanism deforms due to loading applied by the tool; using an energy harvester (e.g., a piezo element or a magnet/solenoid element) to harness the mechanical energy applied by the tool, where the energy harvester is at least partially coupled to the securement mechanism; and converting the mechanical energy to electrical energy. The energy harvester is disposed between the securement mechanism and an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) or Radio Frequency IDentification (“RFID”) component of the security tag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods involve: receiving, by the security tag, an authorization code comprising a security tag identifier signed using a cryptographic key of a plurality of cryptographic keys that are respectively assigned to a plurality of security tags; performing operations by the security tag to verify a signature of the authorization code; and performing detach operations or deactivation operations by the security tag, responsive to the signature's verification. The detach operations cause a mechanical detachment of the security tag from an item. The deactivation operations cause a disablement of a response by the security tag to an interrogation signal from a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) system or an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system.