Abstract: A method and system for activating an EAS element deactivator is provided. At a computer, item data including a physical attribute of an item is received. A determination is made as to whether the item data corresponds to a purchased item in a purchase receipt. When it is determined that the item data corresponds to the purchased item, EAS element deactivator is activated for use.

Abstract: A method and computer for responding to an assistance request message. An assistance request message from a requester mobile device associated with a requester is received at a response computer. The assistance request message includes at least one input parameter. A responder is determined, from multiple potential responders, to respond to the assistance request message. The responder is associated with responder data corresponding to the at least one input parameter. An availability inquiry message to a responder device associated with the responder is transmitted. A response to the availability inquiry message is received from the responder device. When the response to the availability inquiry message indicates that the responder is available to respond to the assistance request message, the requester mobile device is notified that the responder is available.

Abstract: A portable deactivator having a corresponding identifier is provided. Identification data associated with a user is captured by the portable deactivator. A determination is made whether to activate a deactivation element in the portable deactivator based at least in part on the captured user identification data. The deactivation element is configured to disable at least one electronic article surveillance, EAS, tag when the deactivation element is activated. The deactivation element remains disabled when the determination is made the user associated with the captured identification data is unauthorized to use the deactivator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for purchasing an article having a security tag attached thereto. The methods involve: obtaining, by a mobile communication device, article information and payment information for purchasing the article; communicating the article information and payment information from the mobile communication device to a remote system via a network connection for completing a purchase transaction; and communicating a detachment key from the mobile communication device to the security tag via a first short-range communication. Notably, the detachment key is communicated to the security tag exclusively if the article was successfully purchased during the purchase transaction. The detachment key is configured to cause an actuation of a detachment mechanism of the security tag.

Abstract: A product information system including a server having an item database that stores at least one item identifier and corresponding item data for at least one item. Also, the item database is associated with a predetermined vendor. The server also includes a receiver that receives a message including tag data captured from a tag by a portable wireless device. The tag data includes an item identifier. Also, the server includes a processor that operates, in response to the received message, to select item data from the item database that corresponds to the received item identifier. The server also includes a transmitter that transmits the selected item data to the portable wireless device.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for inhibiting electronic article surveillance, EAS, system alarming are provided. A receiver is configured to receive captured identification data after a transaction. A processor is configured to determine whether the captured identification data is associated with the transaction. The processor is further configured to determine whether to inhibit EAS system alarming based at least in part on the determination whether the captured identification data is associated with the transaction. The determination whether to inhibit EAS system alarming is made without regard to whether an active EAS tag is detected. A transmitter configured to transmit an authorization message. The authorization message indicates whether to inhibit EAS system alarming.

Abstract: A portable deactivator having a corresponding identifier is provided. Identification data associated with a user is captured by the portable deactivator. A determination is made whether to activate a deactivation element in the portable deactivator based at least in part on the captured user identification data. The deactivation element is configured to disable at least one electronic article surveillance, EAS, tag when the deactivation element is activated. The deactivation element remains disabled when the determination is made the user associated with the captured identification data is unauthorized to use the deactivator.

Abstract: A method and system for activating an EAS element deactivator is provided. At a computer, item data including a physical attribute of an item is received. A determination is made as to whether the item data corresponds to a purchased item in a purchase receipt. When it is determined that the item data corresponds to the purchased item, EAS element deactivator is activated for use.

Abstract: Systems and methods for purchasing an article having a security tag attached thereto. The methods involve: obtaining, by a mobile communication device, article information and payment information for purchasing the article; communicating the article information and payment information from the mobile communication device to a remote system via a network connection for completing a purchase transaction; and communicating a detachment key from the mobile communication device to the security tag via a first short-range communication. Notably, the detachment key is communicated to the security tag exclusively if the article was successfully purchased during the purchase transaction. The detachment key is configured to cause an actuation of a detachment mechanism of the security tag.

Abstract: A method and computer for responding to an assistance request message. An assistance request message from a requester mobile device associated with a requester is received at a response computer. The assistance request message includes at least one input parameter. A responder is determined, from multiple potential responders, to respond to the assistance request message. The responder is associated with responder data corresponding to the at least one input parameter. An availability inquiry message to a responder device associated with the responder is transmitted. A response to the availability inquiry message is received from the responder device. When the response to the availability inquiry message indicates that the responder is available to respond to the assistance request message, the requester mobile device is notified that the responder is available.

Abstract: A product information system including a server having an item database that stores at least one item identifier and corresponding item data for at least one item. Also, the item database is associated with a predetermined vendor. The server also includes a receiver that receives a message including tag data captured from a tag by a portable wireless device. The tag data includes an item identifier. Also, the server includes a processor that operates, in response to the received message, to select item data from the item database that corresponds to the received item identifier. The server also includes a transmitter that transmits the selected item data to the portable wireless device.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader includes a hardware platform having a transceiver, an input/output interface, a controller, and a memory. The transceiver receives communication signals from at least one RFID tag. The controller is communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the input/output interface and controls the operation of the RFID reader. The memory is communicatively coupled to the controller and contains a software development framework for developing a software application. The framework includes a plurality of predefined encapsulated functional components that interact with at least one of the transceiver and the input/output interface, to allow the software application to operate in a manner that is independent of a specific embodiment of the RFID reader hardware platform.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader includes a hardware platform having a transceiver, an input/output interface, a controller, and a memory. The transceiver receives communication signals from at least one RFID tag. The controller is communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the input/output interface and controls the operation of the RFID reader. The memory is communicatively coupled to the controller and contains a software development framework for developing a software application. The framework includes a plurality of predefined encapsulated functional components that interact with at least one of the transceiver and the input/output interface, to allow the software application to operate in a manner that is independent of a specific embodiment of the RFID reader hardware platform.