Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media for receiving a confirmation signal to unlock the security tag from being locked to a merchandise, transmitting a RFID signal to the RFID device associated with the security tag to enable a controller to receive a release signal used to unlock the security tag from the merchandise, and transmitting the release signal to the controller to unlock the security tag from the merchandise.

Devices, systems, and methods for removing a security tag from an article are disclosed herein. A device for removing a security tag includes a housing including an opening positioned to receive the tag and at least a portion of the article. A magnet is supported adjacent the opening to retain a tag body and to release a retainer pin therefrom when the tag is inserted into the opening. A pin retractor is positioned in the housing opposite the magnet to capture the retainer pin and retract it from the tag body. The pin retractor is retracted into a collar to strip the pin from the pin retractor. A release frame is positioned proximate the magnet and movable between a first position wherein the magnet retains the tag body, and a second position wherein the tag body is moved away from the magnet, thereby releasing the tag body from the magnet.

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, apparatus, and computer readable medium for managing a removal code of a tag includes providing information associating the tag with a merchandise item, wherein the information includes a removal code for removing the tag from the merchandise item, receiving, from a requesting device, a request for the removal code, authenticating the request, and transmitting, in response to successfully authenticating the request, the removal code to the requesting device, wherein the removal code is configured to be transmitted by the requesting device to the tag to remove the tag from the merchandise item.

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, apparatus, and systems for deactivating an AM tag including receiving a deactivation signal via a first inductive coil, storing electrical charges generated from the deactivation signal in a capacitor, and discharging the electrical charges through a second inductive coil, wherein: a first bias strip in the demagnetized state and a second bias strip cause a resonator to vibrate at a first resonant frequency corresponding to an activated state of the AM tag, the discharging magnetizes the first bias strip from a demagnetized state to a magnetized state, and the first bias strip in the magnetized state and the second bias strip cause the resonator to vibrate at a second resonant frequency different than the first resonant frequency, wherein the resonator vibrating at the second resonant frequency corresponds to a deactivated state of the AM tag.

Systems and methods for providing a tag. The tag comprising a flexible elongate structure comprising a cord or a cable; an electronic thread device integrated into the cord or cable that is operative to wirelessly communicate with external devices for inventory management or security purposes; and/or an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) component integrated into the cord or cable.

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, apparatus, and computer readable medium for managing a removal code of a tag includes providing information associating the tag with a merchandise item, wherein the information includes a removal code for removing the tag from the merchandise item, receiving, from a requesting device, a request for the removal code, authenticating the request, and transmitting, in response to successfully authenticating the request, the removal code to the requesting device, wherein the removal code is configured to be transmitted by the requesting device to the tag to remove the tag from the merchandise item.

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, apparatus, and systems for deactivating an AM tag including receiving a deactivation signal via a first inductive coil, storing electrical charges generated from the deactivation signal in a capacitor, and discharging the electrical charges through a second inductive coil, wherein: a first bias strip in the demagnetized state and a second bias strip cause a resonator to vibrate at a first resonant frequency corresponding to an activated state of the AM tag, the discharging magnetizes the first bias strip from a demagnetized state to a magnetized state, and the first bias strip in the magnetized state and the second bias strip cause the resonator to vibrate at a second resonant frequency different than the first resonant frequency, wherein the resonator vibrating at the second resonant frequency corresponds to a deactivated state of the AM tag.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques to deactivate security tags associated with purchased products via a mobile application by using the Near Field Communications (NFC) protocol or other near field wireless capabilities of the mobile device to communicate with a stand-alone deactivator. In some instances, the mobile device may be configured to deactivate either single tag (single deactivation) or a plurality of tags (bulk deactivation) using an authorization code. Features of the present disclosure provide advantages over conventional systems in terms of convenience for the customer and lower hardware requirements. Specifically, unlike current systems, the stand-alone deactivator of the present disclosure does not need to be part of or connected to the POS network to enable or inhibit the deactivation of security tags. The information needed to enable deactivation may be transferred to the deactivator using the NFC or other near field wireless capabilities of a mobile device.

The present invention describes a tag comprising a magnetic element in the form of a microwire of 80-250 microns with giant magnetoimpedance which, when joined to an object, allows for the wireless detection of same by modulating the reflectivity of the microwire. Detection is performed by using a system that emits an electromagnetic wave that has a frequency between 1 and 20 GHz and a low frequency magnetic field (0.01-50 Hz), and detects the modulation of the reflectivity of the microwire. Thus, objects at distances greater than 1 m can be detected.

Systems and methods for operating a Point Of Sale (POS) system. The methods comprise: performing operations by the POS system to machine learn at least information about a condition of an article to be purchased using at least one of imaging, sensing, and short range communications; determining by the POS system if the article is accepted for purchase based at least on the machine learned information about the condition of the article; and completing a purchase transaction by the POS system if a determination is made that the article is accepted for purchase. The POS system may also perform operations to deactivate a security tag coupled to the article or actuate a detachment mechanism of the security tag, if the article was successfully purchased during the purchase transaction.