An RFID loss-prevention system (LPS) may monitor RFID-tagged items in a facility. An RFID reader transmits a first inventory command configured to cause tags in a first state to respond, receive a reply from a first tag, determine that the first tag has a low transition risk, and cause the first tag to switch to a second state. The reader may also receive a reply from a second tag, determine that the second tag has a high transition risk, and cause the second tag to remain in the first state. The reader may then transmit a second inventory command configured to cause tags in the first state to respond, receive a reply from the second tag in response to the second inventory command, determine that the second tag has inappropriately exited the facility, and issue an alert.

Active radio-frequency identification, RFID, tag, and a product surveillance method using active RFID tags. The method includes: transmitting (202), by an active RFID tag, continuously a signal comprising an own identifier according to a predetermined schedule; receiving (204), by the active RFID tag, continuously a plurality of signals comprising a plurality of foreign identifiers transmitted by a plurality of other active RFID tags according to the predetermined schedule; measuring (206), by the active RFID tag, a received signal strength indication, RSSI, of each received signal; storing (208), by the active RFID tag, each foreign identifier of a signal whose RSSI exceeds a predetermined strength threshold; detecting (210), by the active RFID tag, that a signal with a stored foreign identifier is no more received according to the predetermined schedule and marking (212), by the active RFID tag, said stored foreign identifier.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods for displaying and protecting items of merchandise from theft. A merchandise security system and method according to the invention includes at least one tag and a plurality of nodes positioned within a display area. The plurality of nodes are operable for determining a location of the tag. The wireless beacon tracking system further includes a server operably associated with the plurality of nodes for receiving information related to the location of the tag.

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.

Consistent with disclosed embodiments, systems, methods, and computer readable media for electronic security systems for retail establishments may be provided. Embodiments may include an electronic article surveillance (EAS) gate and at least one receiver configured to receive transmissions from wireless tags associated with products offered by a retail establishment. Embodiments may also include at least one processor configured to receive, from a device operated by a prospective purchaser, a tag ID associated with a specific product for prospective purchase; perform a lookup of the tag ID in a data structure to identify the specific product; initiate an electronic purchase transaction to debit an account associated with the prospective purchaser for purchase of the specific product; and disable an ability to initiate an alarm when the at least one receiver receives a transmission from a tag associated with the specific product in proximity to the EAS gate.

Exemplary embodiments include a wireless computing network to automatically provide digital serialization of a plurality of objects, the network including a plurality of wireless nodes located in a physical space, each of the plurality of wireless nodes configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other wireless node in the network in a secure manner and affixed to a physical object in the physical space via any attachment means, utilize data received from a vision-based system to provide a unique digital identity for the physical object upon which it is affixed and transmit information regarding the physical object upon which it is affixed to a portable wireless computing device.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a wireless identification tag for association with a product to enable product self-identification and system and methods for use thereof. In one implementation, the tag may include at least one antenna tuned to receive energy transmitted at one or more frequencies within certain frequency bands. The tag may also include at least one transmitter that may be configured to send at least one identification signal. The tag may also include at least one circuit. The at least one circuit may be configured to detect whether energy is received in a certain frequency band, and to cause the at least one transmitter to operate in a mode corresponding to the certain frequency band.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an appliance for holding electronically tagged products and for recording an association between the tagged products and the appliance, and system and methods for use thereof. In one implementation, the appliance may include a housing defining a cavity for retaining the electronically tagged products. The appliance may also include an exciter integrated with the housing and configured to trigger tags of the products to cause the tag of each product to transmit a unique tag ID. The appliance may also include a receiver for receiving transmission of each unique tag ID. The appliance may also include a communicator for outputting indications of identities of electronically tagged products retained in the cavity.

An RFID loss-prevention system (LPS) may monitor RFID-tagged items in a facility. An RFID reader transmits a first inventory command configured to cause tags in a first state to respond, receive a reply from a first tag, determine that the first tag has a low transition risk, and cause the first tag to switch to a second state. The reader may also receive a reply from a second tag, determine that the second tag has a high transition risk, and cause the second tag to remain in the first state. The reader may then transmit a second inventory command configured to cause tags in the first state to respond, receive a reply from the second tag in response to the second inventory command, determine that the second tag has inappropriately exited the facility, and issue an alert.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods for displaying and protecting items of merchandise from theft. A merchandise security system and method according to the invention includes at least one tag and a plurality of nodes positioned within a display area. The plurality of nodes are operable for determining a location of the tag. The wireless beacon tracking system further includes a server operably associated with the plurality of nodes for receiving information related to the location of the tag.