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.

A networked system for managing a physical intrusion detection/alarm includes an upper tier of server devices, comprising: processor devices and memory in communication with the processor devices, a middle tier of gateway devices that are in communication with upper tier servers, and a lower level tier of devices that comprise fully functional nodes with at least some of the functional nodes including an application layer that execute routines to provide node functions, and a device to manage the lower tier of devices, the device instantiating a program manager that executes a state machine to control the application layer in each of the at least some of the functional nodes.

A portable container for one or more articles each tagged with a respective Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder, the container comprising a detector device for detecting removal and/or placement of RFID-tagged articles in the container; a power supply for supplying electrical power to the detector device; an activation means operable to cause the detector device to detect a reference list of RFID-tagged articles located in the container; a verification means operable by movement of the container to cause the detector device to detect RFID-tagged articles located in the container and to signal deviation from the reference list; and a signal means for transmitting signals from the detector device to a user. The detector device may transmit an article absent signal and/or an unknown article signal. The detector device may comprise an external antenna configured to detect RFID-tagged articles outside the container.

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.

Systems (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Systems and methods for managing inventory. The methods comprise: generating sensor data by an Electronic Smart Tag (EST); processing, by the EST or a computing device remote from the EST, the sensor data to transform the same into information specifying at least one of a first person's intention with regard to an item to which the EST is coupled and the first person's interest in the item; generating a notification or a recommendation relating to inventory management, based on at least one of the first person's intention with regard to the item and the first person's interest in the item; and providing the notification or recommendation to a second person.

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.

Systems (100) and methods (300) for selective device responsiveness using a plurality of control tags (132) affixed to a plurality of objects (102). The methods involve: receiving, by a plurality of control tags, a reporting command signal sent from an interrogation device via a communications link; and communicating a response to the reporting command signal from only those of the plurality of control tags which are (1) currently being moved, (2) have been moved within a first specified period of time, and/or (3) have a surrounding environment with at least one characteristic that has recently changed.

Systems (100) and methods (1800) for determining where an object or person is located in an EAS detection zone. The methods involve: simultaneously emitting a first signal from a first emitter and a second signal from a second emitter; concurrently detecting the first and second signals during a first period of time by each of a first detector and a second detector; and determining where the object or person is within the EAS detection zone based on a pattern of a signal output from at least one of the first and second detectors which reflects that at least one of the first and second signals is blocked by the object or person during at least one of a second period of time and a third period of time in which the object or person is traveling through the EAS detection zone.

A thermal scale radio frequency label which includes a top layer of thermal paper of 20-60 lb weight with an RF antenna mounted on the thermal paper. The RF antenna includes a single turn inductor coil having a width of not less than 5 mm and not more than 13 mm. The inductor coil has a thickness in the range of 30-60 um and covers an area of at least 5549 mm. A capacitative layer is provided having a thickness in the range of 30-60 um. A dielectric layer is positioned between the capacitative layer and the inductor coil. A plurality of electrical connections are provided between the capacitative layer and the inductor coil. The electrical connections are capable of being deactivated by RF energy.