A system for monitoring at least one tag device has at least one mobile cellular telephone. The mobile cellular telephone is capable of communicating on a WiFi network, wherein the at least one tag device transmits wireless data messages in a non-associating mode.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a location of a first mobile tag, responsive to detecting a second mobile tag crossing a threshold relative to the location of the first mobile tag, determining according to an activity associated with the first mobile tag, the second mobile tag, or both whether there is an association event between the first mobile tag and the second mobile tag, and responsive to determining the activity corresponds to the association event, determining whether to associate the first mobile tag and the second mobile tag. Other embodiments are disclosed.

An apparatus alerts on a distance between items. The apparatus includes a radio for communicating with an internet of things (IoT) tag on an item. A locator module determines a distance between two or more items, and an alertor module alerts a user to a violation of a proximity rule.

A portable item reporting device (200) is configured to be attached to and in substantial collocation with a portable item (100), or to be integrated into a portable item (100). The device (200) includes environmental sensors (210) to monitor item location, movement, ambient light, sounds, temperature, etc. The device (200) is configured to store usage expectation data (600) indicative of historical and/or expected item usage and environments when the item (100) is in normal use/storage associated with an authorized user (AU). The device (200) monitors current environmental conditions (104) surrounding and pertaining to the item. If the current environment (104) is inconsistent with expected conditions (600), the device (200) assesses that the item (100) is displaced (503.0), meaning either that the item (100) is in abnormal use or abnormal storage, or is under the control of an unauthorized user (UU) who is other than the authorized user (AU). Based on the assessment the device initiates a signal (372) or message (374) to an authorized user (AU) of the item (100), indicating that the item (100) usage/storage is displaced (503.0) or otherwise anomalous (503.2).

Tagged receivers, tracking locator alert systems, and methods of transmitting an alert are disclosed. A tagged receiver receives a command over the network interface hardware, executes the received command, send data indicative of the status of an asset to which the tagged receiver is attached over the network interface hardware, determines an alert event has occurred, and activates an alert in response to determining that the alert event has occurred. The command includes arming the tagged receiver, disarming the tagged receiver, emitting an alert from the tagged receiver, sending data indicative of location, or a combination thereof. The alert event includes the motion sensors sensing a movement of the asset, receiving a command to emit an alert over the network interface hardware, the asset leaving a predetermined geo-fenced area, or a combination thereof.

A method for storing information corresponding to a baled crop during a baling process includes providing a harvesting machine including a control unit, a sensor, and a bale tag reader. The method also includes forming the baled crop with a bale tag by the harvesting machine, identifying the baled crop by the control unit with a bale identifier, and sensing a characteristic of the baled crop by the sensor. The method further includes detecting a bale tag identifier associated with the bale tag by the bale tag reader, communicating the characteristic and bale tag identifier to the control unit, corresponding the characteristic, bale tag identifier and bale identifier of the baled crop to one another, and storing the characteristic, bale tag identifier and bale identifier in an electronic storage unit that is in electrical communication with the control unit.

Systems, methods, and techniques for mitigating retail theft include securing items at a receptacle of a retailer via an electronic lock, and providing a transceiver that is proximate to the secured items and that transmits a beacon which may be detected by a personal electronic device (PED) of a customer. Based on a wireless transmission between the PED and the transceiver, a customer's identity may be determined and the customer's risk profile may be accessed. A risk score corresponding to the customer accessing the secured item may be determined based on the customer's risk profile and optionally based upon a profile of the secured item. If the risk score is indicative of an acceptable risk, a trigger to remotely unlock the electronic lock may be sent, thereby remotely and automatically allowing qualified customers to access secured items. An item's removal may be detected and tracked.

Augmented reality apparatus and methods of use are provided with secure persistent digital content linked to a location coordinates. More specifically, the present invention links a physical location with digital content to enable a user interface with augmented reality that combines aspects of the physical area with location specific digital content. According to the present invention, digital content remains persistent with a location even if visual aspects of the location change.

Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of security devices arranged in a wireless network, wherein the plurality of security devices are arranged in a planogram and each configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of security devices configured to wirelessly communicate data with a remote device. The system also includes a plurality of electronic keys arranged in the wireless network and configured to wirelessly communicate data with the plurality of security devices and/or the remote device. Each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to operate the plurality of security devices. The system also includes a gateway configured to receive the data from the plurality of security devices and electronic keys via wireless communication, wherein the gateway is configured to communicate the data to the remote computing device.

A wireless asset location tracking system and related techniques are disclosed. The system may include one or more beacon tags and one or more micro-zone (mZone) transmitters disposed at designated locations. A given mZone transmitter may transmit an mZone signal including data pertaining to its identity, and thus location. A given beacon tag receiving the mZone signal may pull mZone identification data therefrom and relay it in its own beacon signal, along with other data. In this manner, a given mZone transmitter may provide information pertaining to the location within the host space of a given beacon tag within its transmission range. The beacon signal may be received by any gateway or reader device within range, and information therefrom may be delivered through the internet to a server database. The information stored at the server database may be accessed to monitor and track tagged assets and control overall system operation.