Abstract: A security tag includes a tag body and a cooperating tack assembly having a tack head and an elongated pin extending from the tack head, with the pin being insertable into the tag body to secure an article therebetween. One or more electronic components and associated electrical circuits, including wireless communications modules and various types of sensors, are disposed in both the tack head and tag body. The tack head includes a battery and an energy harvesting circuit. The tack head pin has one or more discrete conductive segments which, when the pin is inserted into the tag body, electrically couple with electrical circuits disposed in the tag body, thus allowing the components in the tag body to be powered at least in part by the battery and/or the energy harvesting circuit disposed in the tack head. Methods for operating the tag to perform security functions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A security tag includes a tag body and a cooperating tack assembly having a tack head and an elongated pin extending from the tack head, with the pin being insertable into the tag body to secure an article therebetween. One or more electronic components and associated electrical circuits, including wireless communications modules and various types of sensors, are disposed in both the tack head and tag body. The tack head includes a battery and an energy harvesting circuit. The tack head pin has one or more discrete conductive segments which, when the pin is inserted into the tag body, electrically couple with electrical circuits disposed in the tag body, thus allowing the components in the tag body to be powered at least in part by the battery and/or the energy harvesting circuit disposed in the tack head. Methods for operating the tag to perform security functions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A security tag includes a tag body and a cooperating tack assembly having a tack head and an elongated pin extending from the tack head, with the pin being insertable into the tag body to secure an article therebetween. One or more electronic components and associated electrical circuits, including wireless communications modules and various types of sensors, are disposed in both the tack head and tag body. The tack head includes a battery and an energy harvesting circuit. The tack head pin has one or more discrete conductive segments which, when the pin is inserted into the tag body, electrically couple with electrical circuits disposed in the tag body, thus allowing the components in the tag body to be powered at least in part by the battery and/or the energy harvesting circuit disposed in the tack head. Methods for operating the tag to perform security functions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods for determining a location of a tag (310). The methods involve: receiving, at each detector of a plurality of detectors (202-216, 306, 308), a device transmission periodically transmitted from the tag; determining, by the detectors, Received Signal Strength Indictors (“RSSIs”) for the device transmission received thereat; determining, by a computing device (218), a probable location of the tag within the passage, first demarcated area or second demarcated area using the RSSIs and relationships between the RSSIs; determining a first likelihood value indicating the likelihood that the probable location is correct; and determining an estimated location of the tag within the passage, first demarcated area or second demarcated area based on the probable location when the first likelihood value meets a first criteria.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods for determining a location of a tag (310). The methods involve: receiving, at each detector of a plurality of detectors (202-216, 306, 308), a device transmission periodically transmitted from the tag; determining, by the detectors, Received Signal Strength Indictors (“RSSIs”) for the device transmission received thereat; determining, by a computing device (218), a probable location of the tag within the passage, first demarcated area or second demarcated area using the RSSIs and relationships between the RSSIs; determining a first likelihood value indicating the likelihood that the probable location is correct; and determining an estimated location of the tag within the passage, first demarcated area or second demarcated area based on the probable location when the first likelihood value meets a first criteria.

Abstract: A security tag includes a tag body and a cooperating tack assembly having a tack head and an elongated pin extending from the tack head, with the pin being insertable into the tag body to secure an article therebetween. One or more electronic components and associated electrical circuits, including wireless communications modules and various types of sensors, are disposed in both the tack head and tag body. The tack head includes a battery and an energy harvesting circuit. The tack head pin has one or more discrete conductive segments which, when the pin is inserted into the tag body, electrically couple with electrical circuits disposed in the tag body, thus allowing the components in the tag body to be powered at least in part by the battery and/or the energy harvesting circuit disposed in the tack head. Methods for operating the tag to perform security functions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods for determining a location of a tag (310). The methods involve: receiving, at each detector of a plurality of detectors (202-216, 306, 308), a device transmission periodically transmitted from the tag; determining, by the detectors, Received Signal Strength Indictors (“RSSIs”) for the device transmission received thereat; determining, by a computing device (218), a probable location of the tag within the passage, first demarcated area or second demarcated area using the RSSIs and relationships between the RSSIs; determining a first likelihood value indicating the likelihood that the probable location is correct; and determining an estimated location of the tag within the passage, first demarcated area or second demarcated area based on the probable location when the first likelihood value meets a first criteria.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (800) for operating a security tag. The methods involve: coupling the security tag to an article by at least partially inserting an attachment assembly into a tag body; performing core security tag functions by a first electronic circuit disposed within the tag body of the security tag to protect the article from an unauthorized removal of the article from an area; and performing at least one first peripheral security tag function by a second electronic circuit disposed within the attachment assembly of the security tag.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (200) for operating a sensor system. The methods comprise: performing first operations by a Wireless Sensor Network (102) to (a) configure operations of WSN end nodes (104, 134-138) and (b) control Bluetooth Low Energy (“BLE”) link activity within a BLE network; and performing second operations by the BLE network to (a) find people or objects (156) within a specified area and (b) provide services to users of mobile communication devices which are BLE enabled (152) and reside within the specified area.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods for determining a location of a tag (310). The methods involve: receiving, at each detector of a plurality of detectors (202-216, 306, 308), a device transmission periodically transmitted from the tag; determining, by the detectors, Received Signal Strength Indictors (“RSSIs”) for the device transmission received thereat; determining, by a computing device (218), a probable location of the tag within the passage, first demarcated area or second demarcated area using the RSSIs and relationships between the RSSIs; determining a first likelihood value indicating the likelihood that the probable location is correct; and determining an estimated location of the tag within the passage, first demarcated area or second demarcated area based on the probable location when the first likelihood value meets a first criteria.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (800) for operating a security tag. The methods involve: coupling the security tag to an article by at least partially inserting an attachment assembly into a tag body; performing core security tag functions by a first electronic circuit disposed within the tag body of the security tag to protect the article from an unauthorized removal of the article from an area; and performing at least one first peripheral security tag function by a second electronic circuit disposed within the attachment assembly of the security tag.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (200) for operating a sensor system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a sensor system. The methods comprise: performing first operations by a Wireless Sensor Network to (a) configure operations of WSN end nodes and (b) control Bluetooth Low Energy (“BLE”) link activity within a BLE network; and performing second operations by the BLE network to (a) find people or objects within a specified area and (b) provide services to users of mobile communication devices which are BLE enabled and reside within the specified area.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (200) for operating a sensor system.

Abstract: Interference in an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is reduced by transmitting warning pulse at a predetermined time following the EAS marker exciter pulse. The predetermined time and duration of the warning pulse are chosen so that the warning pulse acts upon a noise interference avoidance process in a second non-cooperative EAS unit. More particularly, the warning electromagnetic pulse causes a timing change in a second synchronized electromagnetic exciter pulse produced by the second EAS unit when the second synchronized electromagnetic exciter pulse is concurrent with the first receive interval. This timing change causes the second EAS unit to no longer interfere with the first EAS unit.

Abstract: A mixing inlay (102) is provided which includes a first radiating element (110a), a second radiating element (110b), and a non-linear mixing component (112) connected between adjacent end portions (114a, 114b) of the first and second radiating elements. The mixing inlay is configured to receive a first exciter signal having a first frequency and a second exciter signal having a second frequency, and in response, to radiate a mixing product signal produced by the mixing inlay from the first and second exciter signals. A conductive parasitic element (116) is disposed within a near field of the re-radiating transponder. A distance provided between the conductive parasitic element and the radiating elements is varied over the length of the conductive parasitic element to enhance a sideband signal generated by the mixing inlay.

Abstract: Interference in an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is reduced by transmitting warning pulse at a predetermined time following the EAS marker exciter pulse. The predetermined time and duration of the warning pulse are chosen so that the warning pulse acts upon a noise interference avoidance process in a second non-cooperative EAS unit. More particularly, the warning electromagnetic pulse causes a timing change in a second synchronized electromagnetic exciter pulse produced by the second EAS unit when the second synchronized electromagnetic exciter pulse is concurrent with the first receive interval. This timing change causes the second EAS unit to no longer interfere with the first EAS unit.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the status of wireless node devices in a network. A network controller polls one or more sensor devices for status information. The sensor devices are in communication with at least one wireless node device. More than one sensor device may be associated with a single wireless node device. The wireless node device appends its own status information to the transmission frame of the sensor device's response message, and the transmission frame, containing the address and status information for both the sensor device and the wireless node device, is transmitted to the network controller. The inclusion of the wireless node device address and status information is done without the knowledge of the sensor device.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of an object may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to transmit a plurality of interrogation signals, a response controller that is configured to receive the plurality of interrogation signals and respond by transmitting a plurality of standard response signals, and a mixing element that is configured to generate a mixed signal when in the presence of the plurality of interrogation signals and the standard response signals. The RFID reader outputs an alert signal upon receipt of the mixed signal.

Abstract: A mixing inlay (102) is provided which includes a first radiating element (110a), a second radiating element (110b), and a non-linear mixing component (112) connected between adjacent end portions (114a, 114b) of the first and second radiating elements. The mixing inlay is configured to receive a first exciter signal having a first frequency and a second exciter signal having a second frequency, and in response, to radiate a mixing product signal produced by the mixing inlay from the first and second exciter signals. A conductive parasitic element (116) is disposed within a near field of the re-radiating transponder. A distance provided between the conductive parasitic element and the radiating elements is varied over the length of the conductive parasitic element to enhance a sideband signal generated by the mixing inlay.