An object identification system includes a guided surface waveguide probe that produces a guided surface wave that has a frequency-dependent illumination area in which one or more object identification tags are powered by the guided surface wave and outside of which other object identification tags are not powered by the guided surface wave; and a receiver at the illumination area, the receiver receiving return signals from the one or more object identification tags located in the illumination area, the return signals emitted by the object identification tags as an automated response to being powered by the guided surface wave.

A device for protecting a commercial article which is a physical object (10, 32), that may or may not be packaged, against theft. 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; 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 including a locking mechanism; and at least one optically readable code (24) uniquely identifying 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 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.

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 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 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.

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 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 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.