Abstract: Systems and methods for detaching a security tag from an article. The methods comprising: integrating a mobile communication device with a mobile tag detacher; receiving a tag body of the security tag in an insert space of the mobile tag detacher; mechanically coupling the tag body of the security tag to the mobile tag detacher if at least one of the mobile communication device and the mobile tag detacher verified that removal of the security tag from the article is permitted; performing operations by the mobile tag detacher to facilitate the detachment of the security tag from the article; and decoupling the tag body from the mobile tag reader such that the tag body is removable from the insert space.

Abstract: An EAS pedestal system includes a video display device and a video camera supported on an EAS pedestal housing. The video camera is oriented to facilitate capture of video images. The video images include facial images associated with a plurality of human faces under conditions where the human faces are positioned to observe the video display device. The system applies an analytical process to determine when an imaged human face is looking toward the video display device. The system then determines one or more human demographic traits based on the facial images and adaptively selects advertising content to be displayed based on information derived from the analytical process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods involve: establishing an electrical connection between the security tag and an external Power Removal Station (“PRS”); performing operations by the security tag to authenticate a detach command sent from the external PRS; allowing power to be supplied from the external PRS to an electro-mechanical component of the security tag when the detach command is authenticated; and actuating the electro-mechanical component so that a pin of the security tag transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to the security tag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a Security Tag (“ST”). The methods comprise: capturing a first Tack End (“TE”) of a Tack Assembly (“TA”) by a first Securement Mechanism (“SM”) disposed in the ST's body; removing a Tack Head (“TH”) from TA so as to expose a second TE that is opposed to the first TE; placing TH on the second TE; and capturing the second TE by a second SM disposed in TH. Alternatively/additionally, the methods comprise: retracting a tack into a TH of TA; depressing TH so as to cause telescoping concentric parts to slide into each other; causing a free end of the tack to travel out of TH while the telescoping concentric parts are being slid into each other; inserting the free end of the tack into ST's body; and capturing the free end of the tack by SM disposed in ST's body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detaching a security tag from an article. The methods comprising: integrating a mobile communication device with a mobile tag detacher; receiving a tag body of the security tag in an insert space of the mobile tag detacher; mechanically coupling the tag body of the security tag to the mobile tag detacher if at least one of the mobile communication device and the mobile tag detacher verified that removal of the security tag from the article is permitted; performing operations by the mobile tag detacher to facilitate the detachment of the security tag from the article; and decoupling the tag body from the mobile tag reader such that the tag body is removable from the insert space.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag. The methods comprise: actuating a telescoping actuator of the tag to transition a pin from an unengaged position in which the pin is retracted into a first portion of the tag's housing to an engaged position in which the pin extends through an insert space and into a second portion of the tag's housing; and mechanically securing the pin in the engaged position using a securement mechanism disposed in the second portion of the tag's housing. The pin is securely coupled to a movable component of the telescoping actuator so as to be integrated into the tag's body, and the first and second portions of the tag's housing are coupled to each other so as to form a unitary piece.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods involve: establishing an electrical connection between the security tag and an external Power Removal Station (“PRS”); performing operations by the security tag to authenticate a detach command sent from the external PRS; allowing power to be supplied from the external PRS to an electro-mechanical component of the security tag when the detach command is authenticated; and actuating the electro-mechanical component so that a pin of the security tag transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to the security tag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods involve: establishing an electrical connection between the security tag and an external Power Removal Station (“PRS”); performing operations by the security tag to authenticate a detach command sent from the external PRS; allowing power to be supplied from the external PRS to an electro-mechanical component of the security tag when the detach command is authenticated; and actuating the electro-mechanical component so that a pin of the security tag transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to the security tag.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (800) for operating a pin tag. The methods comprise: moving a first structure with a flange in a first direction; and sliding a chamfered surface of the flange against a chamfered surface of a second structure so as to move the second structure in a second direction away from the first structure. The second direction is angled relative to (e.g., perpendicular to) the first direction. Thereafter, the second structure is resiliently biased towards the first structure when the first structure has moved a certain distance in the first direction to a first position. The first structure is retained at the first position through an engagement of the second structure with the flange which is resiliently biased towards to the second structure in a third direction opposed from the first direction.

Abstract: Adaptive system for communicating with a customer in a retail store environment includes a sensor disposed at a sensor location in a retail environment. The sensor location is selected so that the sensor captures information that facilitates identification of at least one trait associated with a customer located proximate to the sensor location. A processing system is configured to use the information to determine the at least one trait. Thereafter, in response to such determination, the processing system selectively determines a message or content selection to be displayed to the customer based at least in part on the at least one trait that has been identified.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods involve: establishing an electrical connection between the security tag and an external Power Removal Station (“PRS”); performing operations by the security tag to authenticate a detach command sent from the external PRS; allowing power to be supplied from the external PRS to an electro-mechanical component of the security tag when the detach command is authenticated; and actuating the electro-mechanical component so that a pin of the security tag transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to the security tag.

Abstract: A size-adjustable apparatus for a securing a product in order to prevent theft of that product. The apparatus includes an adjustable housing, the housing having a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm. The first arm is adapted to move in a first direction and a second direction with respect to the third arm and the second arm is adapted to move in a third direction and a fourth direction with respect to the third arm, where the first direction is opposite the second direction and the third direction is opposite the fourth direction. The apparatus also includes a lock to retain the adjustable housing in a desired position. The result is a housing that can dynamically change its dimensions by movement of the first arm in a first and second direction and by movement of the second arm in a third and fourth direction.

Abstract: A security system includes a security device and a spacer. The security device defines a first opening having a first diameter. The spacer is removably positionable in the first opening to create a center opening having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The security device includes a magnetically actuable locking mechanism and a housing having the magnetically actuable locking mechanism disposed therein. The locking mechanism includes a magnetically actuable latch, a belt configured to provide a latch mating element for the latch, and a flexible element to bias the magnetically actuable latch and the belt into a locked position. The housing includes a passageway which defines a belt pathway configured to slidingly receive the belt therein.

Abstract: A swing ticket holder for securing a swing ticket to an item using a lock and a pin includes a rigid housing arranged to retain the swing ticket. The pin extends outwardly from the rigid housing. The pin is insertable into the lock to secure the swing ticket holder to the item. The lock can be part of a security system hard tag and include at least one of an electronic article surveillance element and a radio frequency identification element. The rigid housing can also be arranged to retain at least one of an electronic article surveillance element and a radio frequency identification element.

Abstract: A product protection apparatus and method are provided. The product protection apparatus has an arm assembly, a first collar and a second collar. The arm assembly has a plane and is extendable in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The arm assembly has a first connection point and a second connection point. The first collar is rotatably coupled to the first connection point and is adapted to rotate about a first axis of the first connection point that is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the arm assembly. The second collar is rotatably coupled to the second connector and is adapted to rotate about a second axis of the second connection point that is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the arm assembly. The first and second collars are arranged to retain a product.