The present technology provides a convenient and secure technology for activating a physical card. For example, a when a physical card is created and send to a user associated with a user account, information pertaining to the physical card, including its activation code can be stored in association with the user account. When the card is received by the user, the user can use a portable computing device to read the card, and the portable computing device can then automatically activate the card using information encoded within the card.

A method of controlling a package storage system may include a storage unit that is loaded in a delivery vehicle and stores one or more packages. The method may include: receiving delivery information of the packages from a scanner; storing slot information of slots in which the packages are stored and the delivery information of the packages, in a matched manner; determining, on the basis of the delivery information and driving information of the delivery vehicle, the package to be withdrawn among the packages; and outputting, on the basis of the delivery information and the slot information, a notification command for providing a notification of the slot in which the package to be withdrawn is stored.

The apparatus comprises: a pair of panel portions; a hinge portion defining an axis from which each of the panel portions extends, the hinge portion being coupled to each of the panel portions and adapted to permit pivotal movement of the panel portions relative to one another about the axis between a closed position wherein the panels overlay one another one another and an open position wherein the panels extend away from one another; a near field communication tag coupled to one of the panel portions; and a shield defined by RF blocking material coupled to the other of the panel portions. The tag and shield are positioned and adapted such that: the tag can be activated by the reader when the panels are in the open position; and the shield isolates the tag from the reader when the panels are in the closed position.

Consistent with disclosed embodiments, systems, methods, and computer readable media for reading wireless merchandise tags and for automatically generating replenishment alerts may be provided. Embodiments may include at least one processor configured to receive wireless signals from a plurality of wirelessly tagged products; perform a look-up of product models associated with IDs of the wirelessly tagged products; determine, based on the look-up, a total number of units of each product model detected in the establishment; access a target threshold of units associated with each product model in the establishment; compare the determined total number of units of each product model with the target threshold to determine when a particular product model falls below an associated threshold; and output a replenishment notification for the particular product model.

Systems, methods, and computer readable media are disclosed for electronic security systems for an establishment offering in-store pick-up of previously purchased products. Embodiments may include an electronic article surveillance (EAS) gate, a receiver for receiving transmissions from the tags, and a processor. The processor may be configured to access a purchase transaction record of an out-of-store product purchase; receive a unique tag ID of a specific tag associated with a specific product corresponding to the purchased product, and assign the specific product to a record associated with the purchase transaction; receive, from a mobile communications device, a notification that the purchased product is being picked up at the establishment; authorize pick-up of the specific product based on the received information; and following the authorization of pick-up, disable an ability to initiate an alarm when the receiver receives a transmission from the specific tag in proximity to the EAS gate.

Consistent with disclosed embodiments, systems, methods, and computer readable media for reading wireless transmitting tags and for automatically generating product distribution planograms may be provided. Embodiments may include at least one processor configured to receive, from a plurality of receivers in an establishment, wireless signals from a plurality of wirelessly tagged products; determine, from the wireless signals, locations in the establishment of each wirelessly tagged product; perform a lookup of an ID of each wirelessly tagged product to determine product classification information associated with each product; and generate a planogram for the establishment using the determined locations of the wirelessly tagged products and the determined product classification information, the planogram indicating on a map of the establishment locations of groups of the wirelessly tagged products sharing common classification information.

Consistent with disclosed embodiments, systems, methods, and computer readable media for conducting wireless transaction communications may be provided. Embodiments may include at least one processor configured to access a data structure containing identities of display areas and identities of products associated with the display areas; receive a request for information related to a particular display area in a vicinity of a mobile communications device; receive location information associated with a locus of the mobile communications device; perform a lookup in the data structure to identify the particular display area; retrieve product-related information associated with products in the particular display area; and transmit the product-related information to the mobile communications device.

Consistent with disclosed embodiments, systems, methods, and computer readable media for electronic security systems for retail establishments may be provided. Embodiments may include an electronic article surveillance (EAS) gate and at least one receiver configured to receive transmissions from wireless tags associated with products offered by a retail establishment. Embodiments may also include at least one processor configured to receive, from a device operated by a prospective purchaser, a tag ID associated with a specific product for prospective purchase; perform a lookup of the tag ID in a data structure to identify the specific product; initiate an electronic purchase transaction to debit an account associated with the prospective purchaser for purchase of the specific product; and disable an ability to initiate an alarm when the at least one receiver receives a transmission from a tag associated with the specific product in proximity to the EAS gate.

Consistent with disclosed embodiments, systems, methods, and computer readable media for electronic security systems for preventing theft of returned goods may be provided. Embodiments may include an electronic article surveillance (EAS) gate in an establishment and at least one receiver configured to receive transmissions from wirelessly transmitting tags. Embodiments may also include at least one processor configured to receive, from a mobile communications device associated with a previous purchaser, a notification of intent to return a previously purchased product to the establishment; identify a unique tag ID of a specific wirelessly transmitting tag associated with the previously purchased product; update a data structure to indicate that the previously purchased product was returned to the establishment; and enable an ability to initiate an alarm when the at least one receiver receives a transmission from the specific tag associated with the previously purchased product in proximity to the EAS gate.

A hand sanitizer dispensing device and method of dispensing sanitizing fluid are disclosed. The device may be mounted to a scooter, a bicycle or other transport devices. The device has an outer shell, an inner pod that holds a bag of sanitizing fluid, and a top cover that secures the inner pod to the outer shell. A pump/nozzle assembly communicates with an actuator to selectively dispense the fluid. The device may be operated manually or by automatic activation. The device may communicate wirelessly with a mobile communication device allowing the user to purchase use of the dispensing device remotely. User interfaces of the communication device guide the user to execute the purchase, to unlock the device for use among other available functions. A purchase transaction for use of the dispensing device can be achieved within a communication network with options as to how the dispensing device is unlocked and operated.