Consistent with disclosed embodiments, systems, methods, and computer readable media for electronic security systems for preventing theft of returned goods may be provided. Embodiments may include an electronic article surveillance (EAS) gate in an establishment and at least one receiver configured to receive transmissions from wirelessly transmitting tags. Embodiments may also include at least one processor configured to receive, from a mobile communications device associated with a previous purchaser, a notification of intent to return a previously purchased product to the establishment; identify a unique tag ID of a specific wirelessly transmitting tag associated with the previously purchased product; update a data structure to indicate that the previously purchased product was returned to the establishment; and enable an ability to initiate an alarm when the at least one receiver receives a transmission from the specific tag associated with the previously purchased product in proximity to the EAS gate.

Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods comprise: transitioning a pin head from an extended position to a collapsed position by causing at least one first telescoping segment to slidingly engage a second telescoping segment; locking a shaft, extending out and away from the pin head in the collapsed position, using a securement mechanism disposed inside a housing of the security tag; and preventing a transfer of pin head rotation to the shaft at least when the shaft is locked by the securement mechanism.

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.

An electronic label tag (100) and electronic label tag system (300) wherein electronic label tag (100) comprises machine readable identifier module, communication module for receiving product related information, attachment means for attaching the electronic label tag (100) to product, and display for displaying product related information. The machine readable identifier module of the electronic label tag (100) is configured to activate the communication module and/or display in response to a command received by the machine readable identifier module.

Systems and methods for deactivating an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) tag. The methods comprising: using an AC drive signal to charge an energy storage component of the tag deactivator; selectively actuating a switch so that a closed circuit is formed between the energy storage component and at least one deactivation coil of the tag deactivator; generating a tag deactivation field to deactivate the EAS tag by energizing the at least one deactivation coil with current supplied from the energy storage component; and using a step down transformer, disposed between the energy storage component and the at least one deactivation coil, to decrease a frequency of a decaying coil current waveform representing a current flowing through the at least one deactivation coil.

A system for providing and/or collecting information relating to at least one object is provided. The system comprises a radio-frequency identification, RFID, tag that is provided proximate to the at least one object, the RFID tag being configured to enable detection of a position and/or a movement of the at least one object; a server device configured to receive position and/or movement data about the at least one object; and a mobile device configured to: identify the at least one object; send a request to the server device for object information about the identified at least one object; wherein: the server device is further configured to, in response to the request, provide to the mobile device targeted object information about the identified at least one object, the targeted object information being at least partially based on the position and/or movement data; and the mobile device is further configured to display the targeted object information.

A system, device, and method are disclosed for reducing or eliminating interference between proximate electronic devices. The system, device, and method rely on a switch communicatively disposed between a signal origination device and an antenna. Further, the switch is connected to an electronic device and is operable to receive a signal from the electronic device corresponding to whether the electronic device is in an activated or de-activated state. Additionally, when the electronic device is in an activated state, the switch is operable to open, preventing communication between the signal origination device and the antenna.

A self-tuning RFID device having an input capacitance that is adjustable in response to a detected signal. The self-tuning RFID device preferably comprises a variable capacitance RFID chip coupled to an inductor, and an input circuit driven by the detected signal from the variable capacitance RFID chip. A change in capacitance with the detected signal is delayed by a specific amount of time, thereby allowing the self-tuning RFID device to function as a dual mode EAS and RFID tag. The ESA functionality can be deactivated by a high field at or near its resonance frequency without disabling the RFID functionality. The effect of the high field may change the input capacitance permanently changing its resonance.

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.

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media for receiving a confirmation signal to unlock the security tag being detachably locked to a merchandise, wherein the confirmation signal includes a RFID device identifier associated with a RFID device of the security tag, and the RFID device is associated with a wireless device of the security tag, identifying the wireless device associated with the RFID device based on the RFID device identifier, transmitting a wireless signal to the wireless device 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.