Abstract: A method of transferring ownership of item(s) includes securely identifying the item(s) by attaching a security tag to the item(s). The security tag has a monitoring system for monitoring a tag status, the tag status indicating whether the security tag and/or the item(s) have been tampered with. The method includes detecting remotely a condition of the monitoring system and causing a remote host to register a change in ownership of the item(s) when the monitoring system does not indicate a tampered condition.

Abstract: A security tag for securely identifying items comprises a housing (1); a securing mechanism (6) for securing the housing to the item; a monitoring system (20, 24) for monitoring a tag status, the tag status indicating at least whether the housing (1) and the securing mechanism (6) have been tampered with; a store (22) for storing item data identifying the item; and a communication system (21) for communicating tag status and item data to a remote host.

Abstract: Sheet counting apparatus includes a set of rotatably mounted suction spindles mounted for movement past a stack of sheets to be counted. A vacuum is connected to the spindles. As a suction spindle passes the stack, the vacuum is supplied to the spindle so that the topmost sheet is deflected from its initial position. A monitor monitors the number of deflected sheets by monitoring the degree of vacuum within the suction spindle passing the stack. The monitor increments a count on each occasion when the monitored vacuum exceeds a predetermined level threshold for a predetermined time.