Abstract: Systems and methods for self-checkout using an RFID tag. The methods comprise: 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 managing a tag. The methods comprise: placing the tag in a first operational mode in which an internal component (“IC”) necessary to facilitate communication between the tag and a tag reader (“TR”) are intentionally disabled; storing in the tag's data store a schedule specifying a scheduled time during which the tag is permitted to communicate with TR; selectively enabling IC at the scheduled time to permit the tag to communicate with TR; performing monitoring operations at the tag to determine when a predetermined condition has been detected; and causing the tag to autonomously perform an alerting function when the predetermined condition has been detected. The alerting function comprises (a) enabling a receiver of the tag to communicate with TR at an unscheduled time, and/or (b) activating an alert by enabling a hardware alerting component provided on the tag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods involve: receiving, by the security tag, an authorization code comprising a security tag identifier signed using a cryptographic key of a plurality of cryptographic keys that are respectively assigned to a plurality of security tags; performing operations by the security tag to verify a signature of the authorization code; and performing detach operations or deactivation operations by the security tag, responsive to the signature's verification. The detach operations cause a mechanical detachment of the security tag from an item. The deactivation operations cause a disablement of a response by the security tag to an interrogation signal from a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) system or an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system.

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 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 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 machine learning inventory management. The methods comprise: capturing images by a plurality of image capture devices of different types (e.g., visual camera, 3D camera and/or thermal camera); reading item identification codes for items represented in the images; and using at least a first portion of the images and known physical appearances of a plurality of items by a machine learning algorithm to learn relationships between the items represented in the images and the item identification codes. At least a second portion of the images are used to learn various types of information that is useful for inventory management (e.g., changes in inventory amounts for display equipment, changes in equipment cleanliness, changes in inventory packaging, item misplacements, etc.).

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an Unmanned Mobile Machine (“UMM”). The methods comprise: detecting, by a Loss Prevention System (“LPS”), an unusual activity by at least one individual in a facility; communicating a signal from the loss prevention system to the UMM, in response to the detection of the unusual activity; transitioning an operational state of the UMM from a first state in which at least mitigation operations are disabled to a second state in which the mitigation operations are enabled, in response to the signal's reception at the UMM; and performing the mitigation operations by the UMM to visibly follow an individual associated with the unusual activity.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for determining a Handheld Reader's (“HR”) location within a facility. The methods involve: performing first operations by HR to read RFID tags having locations within the facility that are unknown to the handheld reader; performing second operations by HR to receive signals from RF Enabled Devices (“RFED”) located at known locations within the facility; and determining HR's location/orientation using RSSI levels or TOF values of signals received from RFEDs, known locations of RFEDs, sensor data, known antenna patterns of RFEDs, a known antenna pattern of HR, and/or (9) information indicating which RFID tags were read by HR and at least one RFED. The first and second operations are performed while HR is being carried by a person throughout the facility.

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 (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a data mapping to be used in a subsequent inventorying process to locate objects within an area. The methods comprise: identifying, by a robot, at least one first marker disposed within the area which should be re-programed; autonomously transforming, by the robot, a first programmed state of the at least one first marker to a second programmed state; and autonomously creating, by the robot, the data mapping specifying a current physical location of the at least one first marker which was re-programed and current physical locations of second markers also disposed within the area.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an RFID tag. The methods comprise: inducing current through a magnetic loop or solenoid disposed within the RFID tag that is caused by a inductive field, a magnetic field or an RF field being generated within a surrounding environment; using the current which is induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid to charge a capacitor disposed within the RFID tag; decreasing the amount of current induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid; receiving a detaching signal at the RFID tag; electrically connecting the capacitor to a detaching unit disposed within the RFID tag in response to the detaching signal; and activating the detaching unit by supplying current from the capacitor to the detaching unit, whereby the RFID tag can be detached from an article.

Abstract: Antenna system includes a fixture having a first portion and a second portion joined along an alignment axis. A first planar antenna element having a first polarization direction is aligned with a first plane, and secured to the first portion of the antenna fixture. A second planar antenna element has a second polarization direction aligned with a second plane. The second planar antenna element is secured to the second portion of the antenna fixture so that the second plane is transverse to the first plane and the first and second planes intersect along a line parallel to the alignment axis. At least one tuned element mitigates near-field interference as between the first planar antenna element and the second planar antenna element. Signals applied to the antenna feed port will result in three-polarization radiation.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for location identification and tracking of a person, object and/or vehicle. The methods involve: obtaining, by a computing system, a video of a surrounding environment which was captured by a portable camera coupled to the person, object or vehicle; comparing, by the computing system, first images of the video to pre-stored second images to identify geographic locations where the first images were captured by the portable camera; analyzing, by the computing system, the identified geographic locations to verify that the person, object or vehicle is (1) traveling along a correct path, (2) traveling towards a facility for which the person, object or vehicle has authorization to enter, or (3) traveling towards a zone or secured area internal or external to the facility for which the person, object or vehicle has authorization to enter; and transmitting a notification from the computing system indicating the results of the analyzing.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (900) for reading Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) tags. The methods comprise: coupling a wearable RFID tag reader directly to a person's hand or forearm; transmitting a first interrogation signal from a first antenna of the wearable RFID tag reader being worn on a person's hand or forearm; receiving, by the wearable RFID reader, a first response signal generated by and transmitted from a first RFID tag in response to the first interrogation signal; and processing the first response signal to identify, locate or track a first object of interest.