An anti-theft device having an inductive charging coil for wirelessly powering an article of merchandise. A retention member is configured to be attached to the merchandise. A pedestal configured to removably support the retention member. Complementary contacts on the retention member and the pedestal are configured to provide electrical power from the pedestal to the inductive charging coil, when the retention member is at rest on the pedestal. The retention member has an optical transmitter configured to communicate optical signals to an optical sensor. When the article of merchandise requests power increase, the optical transmitter emits a corresponding optical signal, which causes a control unit to increase an output voltage of a power supply supplying power to the electrical contacts of the pedestal. In this manner, an optical communication channel is used to increase the power wirelessly provided from the inductive charging coil to the merchandise.

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.

The protector includes a box-like metal enclosure formed of first and second parts connected for movement between an open position, wherein a seal associated with the vehicle cargo compartment door handle is accessible, and a closed position, in which the seal is surrounded and cannot be accessed. A light-actuated GPS tracking device associated with the enclosure transmits an alarm signal to a remote server when light is detected due to opening of the enclosure parts. The alarm signal includes information as to the time and location of the vehicle when the enclosure was opened.

First position information indicating positions of approaching people nearing merchandise is acquired. Second position information indicating a position of a subject person who has stretched an arm out towards the merchandise among the approaching people, is detected. A movement action performed on the merchandise is detected. An ID of a person corresponding to the subject person who performed the detected movement action is specified based on a positional relationship between the first position information and the second position information.

A signal-emitting retail display device that includes a wire having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion configured to support a label holder, the bottom portion configured to store one or more retail items. The signal-emitting retail display device also has an electronic unit that includes an emitter. The emitter is configured to emit a warning signal, and configured to transmit a wireless signal to an alarm box in response to the warning signal. The wire is electrically coupled to the electronic unit such that the wire functions as an antenna for the transmission of the wireless signal to the alarm box.

Sensor-equipped display management systems and methods that may be used to calculate a number of products removed from a display management system based upon motion of one or more mechanisms within the display management system. Additionally, the systems and methods may be used to detect patterns from the sensor data, which may be indicative of attempted theft of products stored within the display management system. Audible and/or visual alerts can be provided when an attempted theft is detected.

In certain embodiments, condition-based storing and return of an item associated with a user may be facilitated via a locker system. In some embodiments, attribute information indicating attributes of an item placed in the locker system may be obtained, and the attribute information may be processed to determine a categorization of the item. In response to the categorization satisfying one or more categorization conditions, product/service information related to a product or service may be provided for presentation to the user. In response to receiving user acceptance of the product or service, an item return condition may be assigned to the item. In response to the user satisfying the item return condition, access rights to the item may be enabled for the user.

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.

Sensor-equipped display management systems and methods that may be used to calculate a number of products removed from a display management system based upon motion of one or more mechanisms within the display management system. Additionally, the systems and methods may be used to detect patterns from the sensor data, which may be indicative of attempted theft of products stored within the display management system. Audible and visual alerts can be provided when an attempted theft has been detected.

Sensor-equipped display management systems and methods that may be used to calculate a number of products removed from a display management system based upon motion of one or more mechanisms within the display management system. Additionally, the systems and methods may be used to detect patterns from the sensor data, which may be indicative of attempted theft of products stored within the display management system. Audible and/or visual notifications can be provided when an attempted theft is detected.