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.

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.

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, 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.

Methods, systems and devices for providing an interrogation signal from a handheld deactivation device for identifying a security tag. Identifying the security tag includes initiating an interrogation signal, wherein the interrogation signal includes plurality of transmission bursts and a plurality of random time periods to wait between transmission bursts such that a unique time period elapses between each of the plurality of transmission bursts. The interrogation signal is then transmitted by transmitting each of the plurality of transmission bursts for a portion of a duty cycle and interrupting transmission between each of the plurality of transmission bursts for one of the plurality of random time periods such that a unique and random time period elapses between each of the plurality of transmission bursts. The period transmission of the interrogation signal provides for improved battery life of a handheld scanning and deactivation device.

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.

This disclosure relates to security tags and in particular to electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags that are applied to items in a retail environment to deter theft of the items. A security tag comprises a main body, a tamper element and circuitry housed in the main body, the main body being connectable to the tamper element such that the tamper element completes a tamper circuit. The circuitry comprises an alarm system configured to be triggered when the tamper circuit is opened, a switch having a first state in which the alarm system is activated and a second state in which the alarm system is deactivated, and a latch element arranged to detect the state of the switch and being configured such that when the state of the switch changes from the first state to the second state the alarm system is permanently disabled.

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.

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 that involve receiving, by a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) element of the marker, an RFID deactivation signal; and responsive to the RFID deactivation signal, supplying power to a detuner element of the marker 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.