Abstract: A method for operating a sensor includes receiving identification information from one or more electronic identification devices (EIDs) located in a vicinity of the sensor. A number of EIDs located in the vicinity of the sensor is determined based on the received identification information. A determination is made if the number of EIDs located in the vicinity of the sensor exceeds a first predefined threshold. Transmission power to the sensor is selectively adjusted based on the number of EIDs with respect to the first predefined threshold, in response to determining that the number of EIDs located in the vicinity of the sensor exceeds or is less than any number of predefined thresholds.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a marker that involve receiving, by a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) element of the marker, an RFID deactivation signal; and responsive to the RFID deactivation signal, supplying power to a detuner element of the marker 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: An EAS system first transmits a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogation signal into an RFID interrogation zone of an EAS system. The system then first receives at least one RFID response signal from a first RFID tag of the system responding to the interrogation signal. The system second transmits a non-RFID RF signal into a second zone. The second zone and the RFID interrogation zone overlap to form a zone of interest. The system second receives, from the first RFID tag, an indication that the first RFID tag received the second transmission. The system determines, based on receiving both the RFID response signal from a first RFID tag and the indication that the first RFID tag received the second transmission, that the first RFID tag is in the zone of interest.

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.

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: An EAS system first transmits, over a time, a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogation signal into an RFID interrogation zone of an EAS system. The system then first receives at least one RFID response signal from a first RFID tag of the system responding to the interrogation signal. The system second transmits, over a second time overlapping at least in part with the first time, a non-RFID RF signal into a second zone. The second zone and the RFID interrogation zone overlap to form a zone of interest. The system second receives, from the first RFID tag, an indication that the first RFID tag received the second transmission. The system determines, based on receiving both the RFID response signal from a first RFID tag and the indication that the first RFID tag received the second transmission, that the first RFID tag is in the zone of interest.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media for receiving a confirmation signal to unlock the security tag from being locked to a merchandise, transmitting a RFID signal to the RFID device associated with the security tag to enable a controller to receive a release signal used to unlock the security tag from the merchandise, and transmitting the release signal to the controller to unlock the security tag from the merchandise.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system first interrogates, in a first mode, one or more particular target zones of the plurality of target zones including a given target zone. Each particular target zone is interrogated with one of the antennas at a time at a first power for the particular target zone. The RFID system monitors, upon first interrogating, for a trigger condition to occur. In response to the trigger condition not occurring, the RFID system continues the first interrogation in the first mode. In response to the trigger condition occurring, the RFID system second interrogates the given target zone in a second mode at a second power with a plurality of the antennas. The second power for the given target zone is greater in an aggregate across the second interrogating antennas than the first power for the given target zone.

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: In a method for enhancing accuracy and efficiency in automated visual inspection of vessels, a vessel containing a sample is oriented such that a line scan camera has a profile view of an edge of a stopper of the vessel. A plurality of images of the edge of the stopper is captured by the first line scan camera while spinning the vessel, where each image of the plurality of images corresponds to a different rotational position of the vessel. A two-dimensional image of the edge of the stopper is generated based on at least the plurality of images, and pixels of the two-dimensional image are processed, by one or more processors executing an inference model that includes a trained neural network, to generate output data indicative of a likelihood that the sample is defective.

Abstract: The invention is a flexible and configurable inspection system for the inspection of container units that combines and integrates a holding assembly for multiple containers integrating servo-controlled rotation of the units, transport and positioning of the containers that simulate human handling, and camera stations employing automated vision inspection. The system performs horizontal inspection for particulate and any other container defect that promotes particulate to better locate within the inspection area of the cameras. Inspection sequences and product recipes combine the typical manual inspection agitation with automated inspection rotational techniques to optimize detection. The system allows for semi-automatic operation with the operator at the front of the station feeding and out-feeding material manually or fully automated with conveyance system feeding and out-feeding material from the back of the station.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media for receiving a confirmation signal to unlock the security tag being detachably locked to a merchandise, wherein the confirmation signal includes a RFID device identifier associated with a RFID device of the security tag, and the RFID device is associated with a wireless device of the security tag, identifying the wireless device associated with the RFID device based on the RFID device identifier, transmitting a wireless signal to the wireless device to enable a controller to receive a release signal used to unlock the security tag from the merchandise, and transmitting the release signal to the controller to unlock the security tag from the merchandise.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system first interrogates, in a first mode, one or more particular target zones of the plurality of target zones including a given target zone. Each particular target zone is interrogated with one of the antennas at a time at a first power for the particular target zone. The RFID system monitors, upon first interrogating, for a trigger condition to occur. In response to the trigger condition not occurring, the RFID system continues the first interrogation in the first mode. In response to the trigger condition occurring, the RFID system second interrogates the given target zone in a second mode at a second power with a plurality of the antennas.

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: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system first interrogates, in a first mode, one or more particular target zones of the plurality of target zones including a given target zone. Each particular target zone is interrogated with one of the antennas at a time at a first power for the particular target zone. The RFID system monitors, upon first interrogating, for a trigger condition to occur. In response to the trigger condition not occurring, the RFID system continues the first interrogation in the first mode. In response to the trigger condition occurring, the RFID system second interrogates the given target zone in a second mode at a second power with a plurality of the antennas.

Abstract: Electronic Article Surveillance in which a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogation signal is transmitted, over a first window of time, into an RFID interrogation zone of the EAS system. A plurality of response signals are detected from a first RFID tag of the EAS system responding to the interrogation signal. Over a second window of time overlapping at least in part with the first window of time, image data is captured within a field of view. The field of view and the RFID interrogation zone overlap to form a zone of interest. Movement of a non-tag object is characterized during the first window of time based on the image data. Whether the first RFID tag is associated with the characterized non-tag object is determined based on a comparison of the detected plurality of response signals 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 an acousto-magnetic (AM) interrogation signal into an AM interrogation zone of an EAS system. The AM interrogation zone and a wireless communication zone overlapping to form a zone of interest. The wireless communication zone employing a wireless communication technology other than AM. 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 i) a response signal of the first tag via the wireless communication technology and ii) an AM response signal of the first tag in response to the AM interrogation signal.

Abstract: Electronic Article Surveillance in which a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogation signal is transmitted, over a first window of time, into an RFID interrogation zone of the EAS system. A plurality of response signals are detected from a first RFID tag of the EAS system responding to the interrogation signal. Over a second window of time overlapping at least in part with the first window of time, image data is captured within a field of view. The field of view and the RFID interrogation zone overlap to form a zone of interest. Movement of a non-tag object is characterized during the first window of time based on the image data. Whether the first RFID tag is associated with the characterized non-tag object is determined based on a comparison of the detected plurality of response signals 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: 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.