Systems (100, 1300) and methods (1700, 1800) for detaching a tag (1304) from an article. The methods comprise: detecting when the tag is in proximity to a detaching unit (1302); verifying that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased using information received from the tag; mechanically coupling a tag body to the detaching unit when it has been verified that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased; detecting when a pin (1306) of the tag is no longer in proximity of the detaching unit; and mechanically decoupling the tag body from the detaching unit when the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit.

A merchandise security device is provided. The merchandise security device may include a lock mechanism operably engaged with a shape memory material configured to receive electrical power for locking and unlocking the lock mechanism. The shape memory material may be configured to change in shape in response to receiving electrical power to thereby lock or unlock the lock mechanism.

The invention relates to an anti-theft device configured to be attached to merchandise to be protected, preferably to cardboard boxes, the anti-theft device comprising a housing, which comprises a winding apparatus rotatably mounted therein, at least one securing-loop arrangement, the securing-loop arrangement being designed to loop around the merchandise to be protected such that the anti-theft device can be securely connected to the merchandise to be protected, and a winding apparatus locking mechanism configured to prevent the rotational unwinding movement of the winding apparatus in the housing, if the winding apparatus locking mechanism is engaged with the winding apparatus.

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.

A merchandise security device is provided. The merchandise security device may include a lock mechanism operably engaged with a shape memory material configured to receive electrical power for locking and unlocking the lock mechanism. The shape memory material may be configured to change in shape in response to receiving electrical power to thereby lock or unlock the lock mechanism.

A merchandise security system for protecting an item of merchandise from theft. The merchandise security system comprises a smart device and an electronic key coupled to the smart device. The electronic key is configured to communicate with a merchandise security device for operating a merchandise security device.

The invention relates to an anti-theft device (100) configured for being attached to merchandise to be protected, in particular textile products, wherein the anti-theft device (100) comprises a housing (102) and a locking mechanism (130), which has a needle (106), wherein the needle (106) is adjustable between a locking position, in which it engages with the merchandise to be protected, and a release position, in which detachment and removal of the anti-theft device (100) from the merchandise to be protected are permitted, wherein the needle (106) has a curved, preferably arcuate shape and is accommodated in the housing (102) when in the release position.

Systems (100, 1300) and methods (1700, 1800) for detaching a tag (1304) from an article. The methods comprise: detecting when the tag is in proximity to a detaching unit (1302); verifying that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased using information received from the tag; mechanically coupling a tag body to the detaching unit when it has been verified that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased; detecting when a pin (1306) of the tag is no longer in proximity of the detaching unit; and mechanically decoupling the tag body from the detaching unit when the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit.

A merchandise security system for protecting an item of merchandise from theft. The merchandise security system comprises a smart device and an electronic key coupled to the smart device. The electronic key is configured to communicate with a merchandise security device for operating a merchandise security device.