A portable item reporting device automatically learns a use of a portable item which is selected by an authorized user of the portable item, where the device is configured to be attached to and in substantial collocation with the selected portable item, or to be integrated into the portable item. The portable item reporting device monitors item location, item movement, and/or other environmental factors. The portable item reporting device detects and analyzes environmental data during usage of the portable item by the authorized user, or during user-designated storage of the portable item in a storage location. The device further identifies and/or learns, based on the detected enviromental data, one or more repeated patterns and/or context-determined patterns of usage or physical storage of the user's portable item. The device then stores the past, learned pattern(s) of usage data as indicative of expected and/or normal, future use/storage by the authorized user of the portable item.

A system for RFID-based retail management that includes a set of antennas, an RFID transceiver connected to the set of antennas; and a microprocessor-based system manager that controls the RFID transceiver and transforms RFID response data from the RFID transceiver into RFID tag location data according to read probability methods.

Personal portable items are subject to potential loss or misplacement by their owners or authorized users. A system and method is operative with personal portable items which are locally associated with a processor, memory, and sensors (either built-in or via attached sensing device). The memory stores environmental parameters which indicate a potential chance or possibility that an item may be lost, stolen, or misplaced in the near-term, proximate future. The stored parameters are customized to the historical or expected uses of the portable item by a particular user or owner in particular, user-specific contexts. The sensors sense the environment of the portable item in real-time. If the sensed environment or sensed item usage matches the environmental parameters which indicate risk of loss or misplacement, an alert element signals the portable item's user, enabling the user to take anticipatory action to prevent item loss. In an embodiment, at least one first portable item of two or more portable items which are both intended to be substantially on-person of an authorized user, is configured to monitor a status of a second other portable item with which it is paired. If the first portable item detects an anomalous status of the second portable item, the first portable item alerts the authorized user that the second item is at risk of being lost, misplaced, or stolen.

A system for RFID-based retail management that includes a set of antennas, an RFID transceiver connected to the set of antennas; and a microprocessor-based system manager that controls the RFID transceiver and transforms RFID response data from the RFID transceiver into RFID tag location data according to read probability methods.

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 portable item reporting device may be attached to a portable item, embedded within the portable item, or integrated into the portable item. The device is configured for sustained collocation with the portable item, and includes a sensor or sensors to locally monitor portable item environmental factors. The reporting device provides self-monitoring services for its associated portable item. The device can identify usage(s) or behavior(s), environmental context(s), or operational parameter(s) of the portable item. The reporting device is a generalized monitoring device which can be configured for use with and is adaptable to a wide variety of different portable items, for different users with varying intended uses for the portable item. The reporting device can be dynamically configured and adapted to identify and provide alerts for a wide variety of displaced conditions, that is, for problem conditions which are unique for a particular portable item, a particular user, and/or particular context of usage. The device may be configurable for different removable types of sensors.

A method includes providing a power supply package (PSP) that includes a power supply, an RFID tag, and a power switch, where a control terminal of the power switch is coupled to an output terminal of the RFID tag, and load path terminals of the power switch are coupled between an output terminal of the PSP and a first terminal of the power supply, where a control register of the RFID tag is pre-programmed with a first value such that the RFID tag is configured to generate a first control signal that turns off the power switch; receiving, by the RFID tag, a second value for the control register of the RFID tag; and writing, by the RFID tag, the second value to the control register of the RFID tag such that the RFID tag is configured to generate a second control signal that turns on the power switch.

A method includes providing a power supply package (PSP) that includes a power supply, an RFID tag, and a power switch, where a control terminal of the power switch is coupled to an output terminal of the RFID tag, and load path terminals of the power switch are coupled between an output terminal of the PSP and a first terminal of the power supply, where a control register of the RFID tag is pre-programmed with a first value such that the RFID tag is configured to generate a first control signal that turns off the power switch; receiving, by the RFID tag, a second value for the control register of the RFID tag; and writing, by the RFID tag, the second value to the control register of the RFID tag such that the RFID tag is configured to generate a second control signal that turns on the power switch.

Managing foreign RFID tags within a secured area involves use of a first RFID portal system to read tag data from an RFID tag present within a first portal zone. A processing device associated with the first RFID portal system is used to determine whether the RFID tag is entering the secured area. The determination is based on an evaluation of a direction of travel of the RFID tag through the first portal zone. Responsive to determining that the RFID tag is in fact entering the secured area, one or more operations are performed to cause a first tag value corresponding to the tag data to be added into a safe to exit (STE) list.

An RFID antenna structure is disclosed that is designed to operate in proximity to metal surfaces. The RFID antenna structure is placed at 90 degrees to the surface of the metallic object, allowing it to operate with minimal separation from the edge of the RFID antenna structure to the metallic object. In another embodiment, the RFID antenna structure comprises an anti-tamper embodiment wherein a RFID tag device is applied to twist and flip-top cap containers, such that tearing along the perforations on the cap disables the RFID tag device.