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.

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.

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 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.

Systems and methods for operating an RFID tag. The methods comprise: inducing current through a magnetic loop or solenoid disposed within the RFID tag that is caused by a inductive field, a magnetic field or an RF field being generated within a surrounding environment; using the current which is induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid to charge a capacitor disposed within the RFID tag; decreasing the amount of current induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid; receiving a detaching signal at the RFID tag; electrically connecting the capacitor to a detaching unit disposed within the RFID tag in response to the detaching signal; and activating the detaching unit by supplying current from the capacitor to the detaching unit, whereby the RFID tag can be detached from an article.

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.

A security system for deployment within a retail environment is shown. First tags (108 to 112) are concealed within an item of merchandise. Each of these first tags is configured to transmit a first signal modulated to specify a unique first tag code in response to being energised at an exit gate. Second tags (113 to 117) are each independently attached to the merchandise and are configured to communication with mobile devices to facilitate the purchase of the items. A data communication apparatus (119) communicates with mobile devices and controls responses of an exit gate when detecting output signals from the first tags. User selected tags transmit second output signals to a mobile device in response to respective user interactions, with each for the second output signals being modulated by a unique second code. The mobile devices relay received second codes to the communication system. The communication system returns product data for selected second tags, including a graphical representation of each selected item. Mobile devices are configured to dynamically display graphical representations of selected items. In addition, they are configured to dynamically position the graphical representations in response to positional data identifying a relative position of each of the selected items and further communicate with the communication system to initiate a sale of a preferred item chosen from the displayed selected items. The data communication apparatus controls exit gates so as not to raise an alarm in response to detecting a respective first tag concealed within a purchased item.

Systems and methods for operating a security tag (132, 300). The methods comprise: wirelessly receiving at the security tag a signal sent from a remote device (104, 190); and preventing alarm issuance when first and second Magnetic Attracting (“MA”) halves (302, 312, 702, 704) of the security tag are pulled apart by deactivating alarm circuitry (264, 340) internal to the security tag in response to the security tag's reception of the signal.

A register system includes a first code scanner that includes a circuit configured to disable a security tag, a second code scanner that does not include the circuit, a data storage in which a product code is stored in association with a flag, for each product registered for sale, and a processor. The processor is configured to carry out purchase registration of a product based on a product code obtained through the second code scanner or cause a notification to be generated without carrying out the purchase registration of the product based on the product code obtained through the second code scanner, depending on a state of a flag associated with the obtained product code in the data storage.