A register system includes a first code scanner that includes a circuit configured to disable a security tag, a second code scanner that does not include the circuit, a data storage in which a product code is stored in association with a flag, for each product registered for sale, and a processor. The processor is configured to carry out purchase registration of a product based on a product code obtained through the second code scanner or cause a notification to be generated without carrying out the purchase registration of the product based on the product code obtained through the second code scanner, depending on a state of a flag associated with the obtained product code in the data storage.

Sensors may detect a user's locations and interest level of a product. Based on the interest level, messages may be sent to a server in order to obtain information, such as location, about a category of products and further display the obtained information to a mobile device.

Systems and methods for responding to an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) alarm's issuance. The methods involve: receiving, by a mobile device, a short range communication signal from a fixed device located in proximity to EAS equipment issuing the EAS alarm; automatically transitioning an operational mode of the mobile device from a first operational mode in which alarm response functions are disabled to a second operational mode in which alarm response functions are enabled, in response to the short range communication signal's reception; receiving, by the mobile device, a user input for inputting a reason code specifying a reason for the EAS alarm's issuance; and communicating the reason code from the mobile device to an external device for causing a deactivation of the EAS alarm's issuance.

Systems and methods for dynamically changing displayed content of a tag coupled to an item. The methods comprising: detecting when an individual is in proximity to the tag; triggering operations, by a computing device remote from the tag, to obtain customer related information associated with the individual, when a detection is made that the individual is in proximity to the tag; determining, by the computing device, a price discount for the item based on the customer related information which was previously obtained; and dynamically changing the displayed content of the tag to include the price discount while the individual is still in proximity to the tag.

Systems and methods for detecting potential theft and identifying individuals having a history of committing theft are presented. An electromagnetic emission associated with a personal electronic device associated with an individual is received. One or more signal properties of the electromagnetic emission are analyzed to determine an emission signature. Video data and video analytics are utilized to determine whether an individual has taken possession of an item. The video analytics are correlated with the emission signature in an attempt to identify the individual having possession of the item. The emission signature and video data are stored for later use during a checkout procedure. If an emission signature detected at a checkout station matches that of the individual having possession of the item, and the item is not processed through the checkout station, an alert is issued and the individual is flagged as a potential shoplifter.

A system and method for multi-reading RFID codes is disclosed. The system may comprise a portal, a RFID reader, an entrance sensor, an exit sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the RFID code data and the read timestamp for each article, receive the start trigger timestamp and the stop trigger timestamp, determine a read area time range based on the start trigger timestamp and the stop trigger timestamp, determine an active read area timeframe based on the read area time range as adjusted by a pre-read offset and a post-read offset, associate RFID code data with the first group if the read timestamp associated with the RFID code data occurred during the active read area timeframe, and process the RFID code data of the first group and transmit a result of the processing of the first group to an output interface.

An RFID portal of an EAS system first interrogates a first zone extending into a controlled area beyond a threshold distance from an interrogating antenna of the portal. The portal defines an exit from the controlled area, the threshold distance being less than a width of the exit. The portal first detects, in response to the first interrogating, a first response of a particular RFID tag. The portal second interrogate, subsequent to the first detecting, in a second zone extending into the controlled area at least to the threshold distance. The portal second detects, in response to the second interrogating, at least one second response of the particular RFID tag indicating a received signal strength of the second interrogating at the particular RFID tag corresponding to a distance from an interrogating antenna of the portal less than the threshold distance. The EAS system alarms in response to the second detecting.

An apparatus and method for unlocking a security tag that is connected to an article. The apparatus includes an unlocking device configured to provide an unlock signal or force to a security tag allowing for the security tag to be removed from the article. The apparatus further includes an outer housing having an unlocking surface at least partially disposed above the unlocking device, wherein the unlocking surface includes a continuous surface area defined by a first surface area connected to a second surface area. In one aspect, the second surface area is tactically distinct from the first surface area and the second surface area includes an alignment feature configured to indicate a detachment zone that corresponds with a source of the unlock signal or force.

A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object's present position relative to one or more prior positions. In some embodiments, the dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object's heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. Some or all of the components of the navigation system may be disposed within a wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

Transmitting a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogation signal into an RFID interrogation zone of an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system. Detecting at least one response signal from a first RFID tag of the EAS system responding to the interrogation signal. Capturing, at one or more times in a window of time around the detection, sensor data within a sensor field, the sensor field and the RFID interrogation zone overlapping to form a zone of interest. Characterizing movement of a non-tag object during the window of time based on the captured sensor data. Determining whether the first RFID tag is associated with the characterized non-tag object based on a comparison of the at least one response signal and the characterized movement of the non-tag object.