Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an appliance for holding electronically tagged products and for recording an association between the tagged products and the appliance, and system and methods for use thereof. In one implementation, the appliance may include a housing defining a cavity for retaining the electronically tagged products. The appliance may also include an exciter integrated with the housing and configured to trigger tags of the products to cause the tag of each product to transmit a unique tag ID. The appliance may also include a receiver for receiving transmission of each unique tag ID. The appliance may also include a communicator for outputting indications of identities of electronically tagged products retained in the cavity.

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.

In an aspect, the present disclosure includes a system for detecting metal foil using millimeter wave (mmWave) for retail applications. The system comprises one or more pedestals positioned to define an exit portal leading to a point of exit, one or more security tag readers, fixedly positioned with the one or more pedestals, configured to read data from a security tag passing through the exit portal and one or more mmWave receivers, fixedly positioned near the point of exit, configured to receive one or more reflected mmWave beams from metal foil, wherein the detection of metal foil results in an alert message.

A charging apparatus for vending-related devices is provided, comprising a charging compartment, which is adapted to house a plurality of vending-related devices in an unsorted manner; an inlet opening for inserting vending-related devices into the charging apparatus; and a wireless charging unit which is adapted to wirelessly transmit power to vending-related devices currently housed in the at least one charging compartment during charging operation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for charging vending-related devices, comprising such a charging apparatus and a vending-related device. Also, a method for charging the vending-related device of such a system is provided.

A theft deterring system includes a power tool with a motor connectable to a power source, a switch connected to the motor, a controller controlling to the switch for controlling an amount of power provided to the motor, and a state circuit having a memory for storing a state value. The controller activates the switch to provide power to the motor when the state value stored in the memory equals a desired value. The system may also include a tag programmer for changing the stored value.

Embodiments disclosed generally relate to a wireless identification tag with a response time that varies as a function of incoming signal frequency and system and methods for use thereof. In one implementation, the tag may include at least one antenna tuned to receive energy transmitted at a first frequency and at a second frequency. The tag may also include at least one transmitter. The tag may also include at least one circuit configured to detect whether energy is received in the first frequency or the second frequency, and to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit an immediate response when the second frequency is detected and to transmit a delayed response when the first frequency is detected.

A monitoring area setting device includes a storage unit storing information of one area and card reader information of a card reader corresponding to the area, an input unit receiving an administrator operation, and a processor generating, based on the administrator operation, an access control rule including information of a monitoring area to be monitored by a camera in the area and person information of a person that allows access to the monitoring area. When the card reader information corresponding to the monitoring area is input, the processor generates the access control rule further including the card reader information. When the card reader information corresponding to the monitoring area is not input, card reader information of a virtual reader designated by the administrator operation for access to the monitoring area is generated, and the access control rule further including generated card reader information of the virtual reader is generated.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a wireless identification tag with varying identity, and system and methods for use thereof. In one implementation, the tag may include at least one transmitter configured to transmit a tag ID. The tag may also include at least one circuit. The at least one circuit may be configured to receive a first trigger at a first time and generate in a quasi-random manner a first decipherable ID uniquely identifying the tag, and cause the at least one transmitter to transmit the first decipherable ID. The at least one circuit may also be configured to receive a second trigger at a second time and generate in a quasi-random manner a second decipherable ID different from the first decipherable ID and uniquely identifying the tag, and cause the at least one transmitter to transmit the second decipherable ID.

The anti-theft device for securing an electronic gadget against theft. A security sensor is attached to a rear surface of the electronic gadget. The security sensor is electrically coupled to the electronic gadget via a cable. A security software application is deployed on the electronic gadget. The security sensor is configured to transmit predefined security signal to the electronic gadget. The security application is configured to detect the predefined security signal. Responsive to detecting a security event, the security sensor stops transmitting the security signal. The security application is configured to transition the electronic gadget into an alarm state if the security application fails to receive the security signal.

Systems and methods for providing a tag. The tag comprising a flexible elongate structure comprising a cord or a cable; an electronic thread device integrated into the cord or cable that is operative to wirelessly communicate with external devices for inventory management or security purposes; and/or an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) component integrated into the cord or cable.