In a particular illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a retractable safety banner system and method are disclosed having a retractable safety banner, a reel housing and a reel. The reel winds in and contains the wound up safety banner inside of the reel housing. The safety banner is reeled into and out of the reel housing through an organizing guide that is formed in the reel housing. The organizing guide forces the reeled out safety banner's flags and strap into longitudinal alignment on the reel so that the safety banner is restored to its original configuration when wound back into the reel housing after deployment. The safety banner includes but is not limited to longitudinal strap with a plurality of safety flags attached to the strap and so that the flags hang at a substantially perpendicular angle from the strap forming the safety banner when the safety banner is deployed.

In a particular illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a retractable safety banner system and method are disclosed having a retractable safety banner, a reel housing and a reel. The reel winds in and contains the wound up safety banner inside of the reel housing. The safety banner is reeled into and out of the reel housing through an organizing guide that is formed in the reel housing. The organizing guide forces the reeled out safety banner's flags and strap into longitudinal alignment on the reel so that the safety banner is restored to its original configuration when wound back into the reel housing after deployment. The safety banner includes but is not limited to longitudinal strap with a plurality of safety flags attached to the strap and so that the flags hang at a substantially perpendicular angle from the strap forming the safety banner when the safety banner is deployed.

An asset is identified in a predefined area. The type of asset is identified through video or wireless tag identification. A security policy associated with the type of asset is obtained. Entries in an asset log are recorded based on a location of the asset, an individual handling the asset, and/or actions taken by an individual with respect to the asset based on the security policy. A real-time notification is sent when the location, the handling, and/or any of the actions warrant a notification based on the security policy.

A position tracking system for Tags to collect relative proximity to other Tags using received signal strength, with methods to reduce power consumption with controlled degradation in overall system performance such as location accuracy and frequency of location updates. Configurable parameters for control of tag functions facilitate performance tradeoffs against application requirements. System architecture using mobile phone and gateway for uploading data enables efficient upload of tag data without user intervention. Applications of the disclosure include self-quarantine, contact tracing, mother-infant pairing, location history tracking, and personnel-asset usage monitoring.

A position tracking system for Tags to collect relative proximity to other Tags using received signal strength, with methods to reduce power consumption with controlled degradation in overall system performance such as location accuracy and frequency of location updates. Configurable parameters for control of tag functions facilitate performance tradeoffs against application requirements. System architecture using mobile phone and gateway for uploading data enables efficient upload of tag data without user intervention. Applications of the disclosure include self-quarantine, contact tracing, mother-infant pairing, location history tracking, and personnel-asset usage monitoring.

Embodiments pertain to a storage system for securely storing a plurality of garment bags in a publicly accessible area, comprising: at least one frame structure, wherein the at least one frame structure comprises a plurality of item hanging hardware mechanisms for receiving items for storage, and a plurality of garment bags comprising receptacles that are non-removably coupled, in a suspending manner, from the frame structure, and fasteners for opening and closing the respective receptacles, wherein each one of the fasteners operably cooperates with a lock mechanism of the storage system for selectively securing the fastener in a closed position and for unsecuring the fastener for allowing the fastener to be set from the closed into an open position; an alarm system that is operably coupled with the plurality of receptacles and, when armed, provides an output responsive to detecting that the structural integrity of the receptacle is compromised; and an output module to indicate a user located in the publicly accessible area which one of the garment bags have an item stored therein and which not, to indicate to the user which of the plurality of item storage devices is available for storing items therein.

A theft detection device, for coupling to a merchandise product, includes a housing with a first end of a conductive strap attached to the housing. The housing has an opening for a second end of the conductive strap. The conductive strap secures the theft detection device to the product, and activated when the second end of the conductive strap is inserted into the opening. A light sensor, within the housing, senses the amount of light shining on the detection device. A motion sensor, within the housing, senses movement of the detection device. An emitter, within the housing, provides audio signals to a user. A microcontroller, within the housing, is coupled to the light sensor, the motion sensor, and the emitter. The emitter emits an alarm based on data from the light and motion sensors. The emitter emits an alarm when the conductive strap is cut or loosened from the product.

An alarm screen comprises a frame comprising a laser sensor, a processing unit, and a wireless transmitter embedded in a hollow interior. The frame comprises an opening for the laser sensor to project a laser beam outside of the alarm screen. The laser sensor projects the beam through the opening, makes a set of one or more measurements of a distance between the laser sensor and an object in a path of the laser beam, and sends the set of measurements to the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to compare the distance measurements received from the laser sensor with a threshold distance detect, and send one or more signals to the wireless transmitter when at least one of the distance measurements received from the laser sensor exceeds the threshold. The wireless transmitter is configured to receive signals from the processing unit and wirelessly transmit the signals.

A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermined period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations.

A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermined period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations.