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.

A security device is provided that includes an electronic article surveillance tag that may be configured to resonate to provide a wireless response signal to a deactivator to trigger generation of a deactivation field. Further, the security device may include tamper detection circuitry which may include a tamper sensor configured to generate a tamper signal in response to detecting a tamper event, a deactivation sensor configured to generate a deactivation signal in response to detecting the deactivation field, and a sounder. In this regard, the tamper detection circuitry may be configured to deactivate the tamper detection circuitry in response to receiving the deactivation signal from the deactivation sensor such that receipt of the tamper signal after deactivation of the tamper detection circuitry does not trigger the sounder to emit the alarm.

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 tactily 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.

An electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag for an EAS system, comprising an antenna, a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip configured to transmit and/or receive a wireless signal via the antenna; and a magnetically-actuatable switch configured to move between a first position and a second position. The switch is configured to electrically couple the RFID chip to the antenna in the first position. The switch is further configured to electrically decouple the RFID chip from the antenna in the second position.

Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods involve: establishing an electrical connection between the security tag and an external Power Removal Station (PRS); performing operations by the security tag to authenticate a detach command sent from the external PRS; allowing power to be supplied from the external PRS to an electro-mechanical component of the security tag when the detach command is authenticated; and actuating the electro-mechanical component so that a pin of the security tag transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to the security tag.

Wireless presence is used as a theft prevention mechanism for packages. When a package is shipped, the package includes a wireless security device. Before the package is delivered to its final destination shipping address, the wireless security device is activated and programmed with a security credential. The security credential, though, is based on information obtained during an initial purchase. The wireless security device may thus only be deactivated by a recipient participating in the initial purchase.

Wireless presence is used as a theft prevention mechanism for packages. When a package is shipped, the package includes a wireless security device. When the package is delivered to its final destination shipping address, the wireless security device is activated and programmed with a security credential. The security credential, though, is based on information obtained during an initial purchase. The wireless security device may thus only be deactivated by a recipient participating in the initial purchase.

Systems, methods, and computer readable media are disclosed for electronic security systems for an establishment offering in-store pick-up of previously purchased products. Embodiments may include an electronic article surveillance (EAS) gate, a receiver for receiving transmissions from the tags, and a processor. The processor may be configured to access a purchase transaction record of an out-of-store product purchase; receive a unique tag ID of a specific tag associated with a specific product corresponding to the purchased product, and assign the specific product to a record associated with the purchase transaction; receive, from a mobile communications device, a notification that the purchased product is being picked up at the establishment; authorize pick-up of the specific product based on the received information; and following the authorization of pick-up, disable an ability to initiate an alarm when the receiver receives a transmission from the specific tag in proximity to the EAS gate.

A system for managing the unlocking of a device for identifying a commercial item includes at least two elements capable of assuming a locked position in which they enclose the article between them, and an unlocked position. The system includes a device for unlocking the identification device, elements for preventing unlocking, which are activated, and decision elements for deciding whether to deactivate or not deactivate the elements for preventing unlocking. The decision elements are capable of deciding on the basis of the identification or lack of identification of the association of the identification device and the commercial item to which the device is attached.

Systems and methods for determining a tag's position in a given area. The methods comprise: performing, by a tag reader, a standard inventory process to obtain a unique identification code for a first tag in a randomly selected timeslot; assigning, by the tag reader, a local short address to the first tag that is shorter than the unique identification code; wirelessly communicating the local short address from the tag reader to the first tag; performing, by the tag reader, an enhanced inventory process to receive a ping command response signal including the local short address from the first tag in an assigned timeslot; and determining a first position of the first tag in the given area based on the phase of the ping command response signal.