Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an inventory. The methods comprise: placing an RFID tag in a first operational mode in which at least one communication operation or device of the RFID tag is disabled or bypassed; performing first operations by the RFID tag to determine when it is time to begin communications in accordance with the time slotted communications scheme; transitioning an operational mode of the RFID tag from the first operational mode to a second operational mode in which the communication operation(s) or device of the RFID tag is enabled or no longer bypassed, in response to a determination that it is time for the RFID tag to begin communications; and transitioning the operational mode of the RFID tag back into the first operational mode when the RFID tag's communications with a remote tag reader for inventory determination purposes are complete or a time slot has expired.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating tags with items. The methods comprise: turning a reel by an amount that allows a portion of an elongate narrow substrate that includes a first tag of a plurality of tags to be paid out (where each of the plurality of tags comprises at least one antenna formed of a trace or wire disposed on the elongate narrow substrate and a communication enabled device coupled to the elongate narrow substrate so as to have an electrical coupling or connection with the at least one antenna); dynamically tuning the first tag to optimize tag performance in view of dielectric and tuning properties of a first item being fabricated; cutting the elongate narrow substrate so as to cause the first tag to be placed on the first item being fabricated; and coupling the first tag to the item being fabricated.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media for transmitting at least one incident radio frequency identification (RFID) signal to a RFID tag attached to a merchandize item, receiving at least one reflected RFID signal from the RFID tag, determining a frequency response of the RFID tag based on the at least one reflected RFID signal, comparing the frequency response to a plurality of baseline frequency responses, and determining a state of the RFID tag based on the comparing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an inventory. The methods comprise: performing operations by an internal circuit of a light provider to control operations of a light element to produce visible light, where the light provider is coupled to a light fixture installed on a physical structure of a facility; and performing operations by the internal circuit to connect with a network, receive a tag identifier associated with an alert event from at least one external device via the network, read tags, and control the light element to modify at least one characteristic of the visible light produced thereby when information read from one of the tags includes the tag identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a Unified Security Device (“USD”). The methods comprise: receiving an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) interrogation signal with an antenna of the USD; processing the EAS interrogation signal using a processor unit of the USD; using the processor unit to generate an EAS response signal that emulates a response signal produced by an Acousto-Magnetic (AM) type of EAS security tag, in response to the EAS interrogation signal; and communicating the EAS response signal from the USD.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating tags with items. The methods comprise: dynamically determining a length of each metal thread to be incorporated into or trace to be disposed on a item to optimize tag performance in view of dielectric and tuning properties of the item. In the metal thread scenarios, the methods also involve: creating a metal thread having the length that was dynamically determined; and sewing the metal thread into the item being produced to form an antenna for a first tag. In the trace scenarios, the methods also involve forming the trace on the item being produced to form an antenna for a first tag. Next, at least a communications enabled device is attached to the item so as to form an electrical coupling or connection between the communications enabled device and the at least one antenna.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) tag. The methods comprise: monitoring a level of Radio Frequency (“RF”) energy being received by the RFID tag; performing operations by a circuit of the RFID tag to compare the level of RF energy in a given frequency band to a first threshold value; and transitioning an operational mode of the RFID tag from a first operational mode in which a receiver is disabled to a second operational mode in which the receiver is enabled, when the level of RF energy exceeds the first threshold value. The RFID tag is able to communicate with a remote tag reader when the RFID tag is in the second operational mode and not when the RFID tag is in the first operational mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for returning an item. The methods comprise: performing operations by a self-return station to capture an image of a first item that an individual is trying to return to an entity; performing machine learning operations by the self-return station using the image to determine whether the first item is damaged and to determine a degree of item damage; allowing, by the self-return station, a return of the first item to the entity when the first item is not damaged or when the degree of item damage does not exceed a threshold value; and preventing, by the self-return station, the return of the first item to the entity when the first item is damaged and the degree of item damage exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a presence of a person, robot or object in a given area using a hybrid Lighting and Inventory (“LI”) system. The methods comprise: maintaining a data store of identifiers for first tags that are readable by an internal circuit of at least one light provider; tracking (a) changes in which of said first tags are read by the at least one light provider's internal circuit during consecutive tag read processes and (b) changes in power levels of tag read signals received at the at least one light provider during the consecutive tag read processes; and using tracked information (a) and (b) to detect the presence of the person, robot or object in the given area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for finding tags which are unreadable at a particular time. The methods comprise: performing first operations by a first mobile tag reader to read tags at a first time and to determine physical locations of the tags which were read at the first time; and performing second operations by the first mobile tag reader or a second mobile tag reader at a second later time for determining a first geographic area in which a first tag which is unreadable resides. The second operations comprise: analyzing tag read data associated with the first operations to identify second tags which were read along with the first tag on a previous occasion; and selecting the first geographic area to comprise a second geographic area defined by the physical locations of the second tags which were determined during the first operations by the first mobile tag reader.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a pedestal of an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system. The methods comprise: capturing at least one first image or video by a camera coupled to the pedestal; analyzing the at least one first image or video to detect a person's presence and determine the person's location relative to the camera; determining a first beam pointing direction for the pedestal based on results of the analysis of the at least one first image or video; and steering a read beam of the pedestal in accordance with the first beam pointing direction so that a main lobe of the pedestal's antenna field pattern covers a first area of an interrogation zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag reader. The methods comprise: performing tag read operations by the tag reader to read tags; processing first information received from the read tags to identify which tags are newly detected tags; adding entries for the newly detected tags in a local list stored in a local memory of the tag reader; communicating second information at least identifying the newly detected tags from the tag reader to a remote computing device; receiving, by the tag reader, feedback information generated by the remote computing device which specifies at least a count of entries added to a remote list stored in a remote datastore based on the second information; and selectively outputting a notification from the tag reader based on the value of the count.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating tags with items. The methods comprise: dynamically determining a length of each metal thread to be incorporated into or trace to be disposed on a item to optimize tag performance in view of dielectric and tuning properties of the item. In the metal thread scenarios, the methods also involve: creating a metal thread having the length that was dynamically determined; and sewing the metal thread into the item being produced to form an antenna for a first tag. In the trace scenarios, the methods also involve forming the trace on the item being produced to form an antenna for a first tag. Next, at least a communications enabled device is attached to the item so as to form an electrical coupling or connection between the communications enabled device and the at least one antenna.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating tags with items. The methods comprise: dynamically determining a length of each metal thread to be incorporated into or trace to be disposed on a item to optimize tag performance in view of dielectric and tuning properties of the item. In the metal thread scenarios, the methods also involve: creating a metal thread having the length that was dynamically determined; and sewing the metal thread into the item being produced to form an antenna for a first tag. In the trace scenarios, the methods also involve forming the trace on the item being produced to form an antenna for a first tag. Next, at least a communications enabled device is attached to the item so as to form an electrical coupling or connection between the communications enabled device and the at least one antenna.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag. The method comprising: causing motion of a spherical permanent magnet which is disposed and freely movable in a three dimensional internal space of a non-magnetic hollow sphere located within the tag; using the spherical permanent magnet's motion to cause a change in a magnetic flux in a wire wrapped around at least a portion of the non-magnetic hollow sphere, where the change in the magnetic flux induces a current in the wire; and supplying the current to at least one device of the tag's internal electronic devices that is configured to facilitate at least one of an inventory count and an inventory security.

Abstract: Systems and methods for self-checkout using an RFID tag. The methods include: detecting motion of the RFID tag using a motion sensor local to the RFID tag; enabling at least one communication operation of the RFID tag in response to the detection of the RFID tag's motion; performing operations by the RFID tag to communicate first information to an enterprise system; using the first information by the enterprise system to associate the RFID tag with an individual of a plurality of individuals present in a given facility; and dynamically changing displayed content of a display device to include information about an object to which the RFID tag is coupled, the display device being in proximity to the individual, in the possession of the individual or being worn by the individual.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a physical location of a first Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) tag. The methods involve: analyzing timestamped tag read information acquired during multiple tag reads to determine a first physical location for the first RFID tag read by the mobile reader while moving through a facility; identifying second RFID tags from a plurality of RFID tags read by the mobile reader that are located in proximity to the first RFID tag and that are coupled to objects similar to an object to which the first RFID tag is coupled; selecting an RFID tag from the second RFID tags that has a first location confidence value associated therewith which is greater than second location confidence values associated with other RFID tags of the second RFID tags; and modifying the first physical location based on a second physical location of the RFID tag selected from the second RFID tags.

Abstract: Systems and methods for returning an item. The methods comprise: performing item return operations by a computing device using at least one of machine learned information about a person who purchased the item, machine learned information about a person returning the item, and machined learned information about a condition of the item at the time of sale and at the time of return; and automatively sorting the item using a conveyer system to move the item from a counter to a respective storage area of a plurality of storage areas assigned to different product types.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an EAS detection system. The methods comprise: detecting an Active Security Tag (“AST”) in an EAS detection zone; determining whether AST is coupled to an object identified in a list; and performing operations when a determination is made that AST is coupled to a listed object. The operations involve: accessing sensor data generated by at least one sensor device disposed on/near display equipment associated with the listed object; processing the sensor data to determine whether a person was within a defined distance range of AST during a period of time immediately preceding the detecting; concluding that a false alarm scenario exists when the sensor data indicates that a person was not within the defined distance range of AST during the period of time; and suppressing alarm issuance by the EAS detection system in response to the false alarm scenario conclusion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating tags with items. The methods comprise: turning a reel by an amount that allows a portion of an elongate narrow substrate that includes a first tag of a plurality of tags to be paid out (where each of the plurality of tags comprises at least one antenna formed of a trace or wire disposed on the elongate narrow substrate and a communication enabled device coupled to the elongate narrow substrate so as to have an electrical coupling or connection with the at least one antenna); dynamically tuning the first tag to optimize tag performance in view of dielectric and tuning properties of a first item being fabricated; cutting the elongate narrow substrate so as to cause the first tag to be placed on the first item being fabricated; and coupling the first tag to the item being fabricated.