Systems and methods for operating a Unified Security Device (USD). The methods comprise: receiving an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) interrogation signal with an antenna of the USD; processing the EAS interrogation signal using a processor unit of the USD; using the processor unit to generate an EAS response signal that emulates a response signal produced by an Acousto-Magnetic (AM) type of EAS security tag, in response to the EAS interrogation signal; and communicating the EAS response signal from the USD.

The system performs communication between two systems, a master system, that creates an alternating magnetic field by means of which it dialogues with one or more slave systems, which respond at frequencies other than those generated by the master by a non-linear magnetic core generating harmonics of higher order than those of the magnetic field created by the master. The generation of harmonics is controlled by the slave by a short-circuit coil which enables the data transmission from the slave to the master. The slave system can have its own power supply or it can be powered by the short-circuit coil. This allows microcontrollers in the slaves to be powered and give them intelligence and a large storage capacity, making them ideal for control security and monitoring processes. The excitation frequency can be varied because the functionality of the slaves does not depend on the frequency of the exciter field.

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.

Systems and methods for operating a marker. The method comprising: receiving, by a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) element of the marker, an RFID deactivation signal transmitted from an external device; and responsive to the RFID deactivation signal, supplying power from the RFID element to a detuner element so that the detuner element switches from a first state to a second state. The marker's resonant frequency is changed to a first value that falls outside of an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems operating frequency range when the detuner element switches from the first state to the second state.

A security tag including: a housing and circuitry which detects a locked state, the circuitry configured to execute a signal transfer function responsive to interchanging a pin and a lanyard in the circuitry, and/or the housing including a replaceable battery compartment locked by inserting either the pin or the lanyard into a lock mechanism which differently secures the pin and the lanyard; and an alarm, in communication with the circuitry, triggered by an undisarmed breach of the locked state.

Systems and methods for operating a marker. The methods comprise: storing energy collected by an energy harvesting element of the marker; using the stored energy to enable operations of the marker's communications element; receiving, by the marker's communications element, a marker deactivation signal transmitted from an external device; and causing either a resonator to be prevented from receiving transmit bursts emitted from an EAS system, a bias element's magnetic field to be normalized, or a resonator to be physically prevented from vibrating, in response to the marker deactivation signal's reception.

An asset protection system and method may include detecting that a first item includes a first security device coupled to the first item, in response to the first item being scanned by the user, instructing the user to deactivate the first security device and then place the first item into a bagging area, wherein a deactivator is located at the point of sale computer terminal to deactivate the first security device, directing a detection source to scan the bagging area after the first item and other items have been placed into the bagging area, and determining based on the scanning by the detection source, that a second security device coupled to the at least one item other than the first item in the bagging area has been deactivated, but the at least one item has not been scanned by the user at the point of sale computer terminal.

Systems and methods for operating a marker. The method comprising: receiving, by a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) element of the marker, an RFID deactivation signal transmitted from an external device; and responsive to the RFID deactivation signal, supplying power from the RFID element to a detuner element so that the detuner element switches from a first state to a second state. The marker's resonant frequency is changed to a first value that falls outside of an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems operating frequency range when the detuner element switches from the first state to the second state.

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.

Systems and methods for operating a marker. The method comprising: receiving, by a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) element of the marker, an RFID deactivation signal transmitted from an external device; and responsive to the RFID deactivation signal, supplying power from the RFID element to a detuner element so that the detuner element switches from a first state to a second state. The marker's resonant frequency is changed to a first value that falls outside of an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems operating frequency range when the detuner element switches from the first state to the second state.