Systems, devices and methods for monitoring and managing parts, enterprise resources and other assets, and alleviating risks, in a complex collaboration environment are provided. According to some example aspects of the invention, a device with a hardware-and software-based control system creates unique asset-related information for use in a manufacturing, maintenance and/or tracking process. In other example aspects, the system records that asset-specific information (e.g., using secure network(s) and/or a blockchain), providing it for later access and modification by a number of trusted users, to track and control manufacturing-, maintenance-relevant or other factors. In other aspects, an enterprise resource planning system both outputs information to, and receives information from, the control system, reconciling changes in the data in accordance with a ranking algorithm.

An alarm notification system is herein disclosed, which allows to pair a portable alarm device with the pairing software in a smart device such that the portable alarm device is able to turn on the wireless transmission function and connect to a server appliance, and since the alarm central control device is connected to the server appliance, an alarm detection device and an anti-theft device, in case that the alarm detection device detects any abnormal event and generate an alarm notification signal, the generated signal can be transferred to the portable alarm device via the server appliance, and then it is possible to choose to press down a button on the portable alarm device in order to generate a report control signal which can be sent to the alarm central control device by way of the server appliance, thus that the alarm central control device may control the operation of the anti-theft device in accordance with the received report control signal.

Tracking items of items in a facility involves using an RFID portal system to determine when an EAS tag containing an RFID element has exited from a secured area within the facility. The EAS tag is triggered to initiate a wireless beacon signal upon exiting. Thereafter, control logic associated with the EAS tag is used to cause the wireless beacon signal to be communicated at predetermined intervals. The wireless beacon signal includes unique identifier information concerning the EAS tag. When the beacon signal is received at one or more short range communication (SRC) devices outside the secured area, its location is determined.

A device is provided for protecting a commercial article which is a physical object (10, 32), the article being packaged against theft or not. The device (12, 42) includes at least one active or passive member that is capable of emitting electromagnetic waves out from the device or receiving electromagnetic waves from outside the device. The device also includes elements for attaching and locking the device to the physical object or to the packaging of same in a locked position such that a user cannot separate the device from the physical object without an external tool. The locking elements include a locking mechanism. At least one optically readable code (24) uniquely identifies the physical object to which the device is intended to be attached and which is separate from a commercial article code (EAN, EPC, etc.) assigned to the physical object, as a commercial article.

A power tool system and method are provided that includes a power tool device having a body. a terminal interface coupled to the body. and an electronic controller coupled to the body. The system further includes packaging containing the power tool device, and a packaging interface system. The packaging interface system includes a connection port and a power tool device connector. The connection port is exposed external to the packaging and receives a security command, for example. from a reusable adapter in communication with a point of sale device. The power tool device connector selectively engages with the terminal interface and provides a communication path between the connection port and the terminal interface. The electronic controller of the power tool device receives the security command from the packaging interface system via the power tool device connector, and unlocks the power tool device in response to the security command.

An object identification system includes a guided surface waveguide probe that produces a guided surface wave; and an object identification tag having a receive structure and a tag circuit, the tag circuit coupled to the receive structure and electrically powered as a load on the probe by conversion of the guided surface wave to electrical current at the receive structure, the tag circuit configured to emit a return signal containing a tag identifier when electrically powered by presence of the guided surface wave.

An object identification system includes a guided surface waveguide probe that produces a guided surface wave; and an object identification tag having a receive structure and a tag circuit, the tag circuit coupled to the receive structure and electrically powered as a load on the probe by conversion of the guided surface wave to electrical current at the receive structure, the tag circuit configured to emit a return signal containing a tag identifier when electrically powered by presence of the guided surface wave.

An object identification system includes a guided surface waveguide probe that produces a guided surface wave from which object identification tags obtain electrical power to operate, each tag associated with an object; and a plurality of receivers deployed at strategic locations to receive return signals from one or more of the tags as the tags move with the associated objects during a lifecycle of the objects.

A device tag including a housing that includes a first connector structure constructed and arranged to engage with a battery operated device and a second connector structure constructed and arranged to slidingly engage with a battery such that the device tag is provided between the battery operated device and the battery. The device tag also includes an electrical connector carried by the housing and constructed and arranged to provide an electrical connection between the battery operated device and the battery. The device tag further includes an electronic device carried by the housing and constructed and arranged to transmit electrical signals.

A power tool system and method are provided that includes a power tool device having a body, a terminal interface coupled to the body, and an electronic controller coupled to the body. The system further includes packaging containing the power tool device, and a packaging interface system. The packaging interface system includes a connection port and a power tool device connector. The connection port is exposed external to the packaging and receives a security command, for example, from a reusable adapter in communication with a point of sale device. The power tool device connector selectively engages with the terminal interface and provides a communication path between the connection port and the terminal interface. The electronic controller of the power tool device receives the security command from the packaging interface system via the power tool device connector, and unlocks the power tool device in response to the security command.