A security device for an item of merchandise is provided. The security device includes a non-programmable locking mechanism comprising a mechanical lock and a programmable locking mechanism comprising a monitoring circuit operatively coupled to an alarm. The security device is configured to secure an item of merchandise from theft or removal when the mechanical lock is locked and to be separated from the item of merchandise when the mechanical lock is unlocked. The alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the security device is separated from the item of merchandise while the monitoring circuit is armed.

A power generation system for wheeled objects comprises a generator mechanically coupled to one or more of the object's wheels to convert wheel rotational energy into electrical energy. The power generation system may comprise an electrical storage device configured to store the electrical power produced by the generator. Power from the generator and/or the electrical storage device can be used to provide power to other electrical systems in or on the object. In certain embodiments, the electrical storage device comprises a bank of high-capacity capacitors connected in series. Some embodiments use a control circuit, for example, to regulate the charging and discharging of the capacitor bank and to provide suitable voltages for other systems. The power generation system may be disposed within an object's wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

A method and system of universal, secure attachment with attachment detection mechanism, of a wearable sensor-unit to any article of clothing worn around the body in order to measure vital signals of a person, such as motion, movements and activity levels. The method and system permits: reliable attachment to any article of clothing; an attachment in any position to clothing or fabric worn by a person; and detection for the wearable sensor attachment to an article of clothing to minimize false alarms.

A security tag including a flexible member that can be formed into a loop to attach the security tag to an article. A security tag comprises: a main body comprising a casing that comprises a first aperture proximate a first end wall and a second aperture proximate a second end wall; an elongate flexible member, a first end of the flexible member extending through the first aperture; a releasable locking mechanism in the main body and associated with the second aperture, the locking mechanism configured to retain a second end of the flexible member; and two electronic article surveillance sensors within the casing, the sensors on opposite sides of a plane disposed halfway between the first and second apertures. When the second end of the flexible member is retained in the casing by the locking mechanism, a centre of gravity of the main body lies in the plane.

A combined EAS and RFID circuit includes an HF coil antenna, a UHF tuning loop, and an RFID chip coupled to a strap that includes a first coupling area and a second coupling area. The coil ends of the HF coil antenna are configured to capacitively and/or conductively couple to one or both of the first coupling area or second coupling area of the strap. The HF coil antenna can include a gap between turns for non-interfering placement of the UHF tuning loop. The EAS circuit can be deactivating upon application of a field at the resonant frequency of sufficient intensity to cause the breakdown voltage to be exceeded between a coil end and coupling area. The threshold breakdown voltage between a coil end and a coupling area can be reduced by laser ablation treatment of a conductive surface of one or both of the coil end or coupling area.

This invention relates to security tags for use in a retail environment. In particular, this invention relates to security tags that may be attached to an item and may be used to suspend or hang the item in a retail display. A security tag for attachment to an object comprises a main body including an electronic article surveillance (EAS) sensor and a first aperture; a retainer including a second aperture, the retainer being connected to the main body and being moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the main body; and a securing mechanism comprising a first part provided on the main body and a second part provided on the retainer. In the first position the securing mechanism is not engaged and an object is insertable between the main body and the retainer, and in the second position the securing mechanism is engaged to retain the retainer in the second position and the first aperture is aligned with the second aperture. The EAS sensor is configured to be deactivated.

Disclosed is a two-alarm security device that will alarm if the security device is forcibly removed from an article or item without detachment by a corresponding detachment device, and the security device will cause the pedestals in a store to alarm if the article or item is passed through the pedestals with the device still attached. The two-alarm security device comprises a slider operatively movable along a stop piece and a spring-biased engagement member that is operatively moveable into the housing of the stop piece. As the slider and engagement member move from an open position to a closed position, the security device alarm is actuated. A pressure pad attached to the engagement member assists in gently, but sufficiently securing an article between the slider and engagement member. If the article is improperly removed from the security device or otherwise tampered with, the spring-biased engagement member will cause a micro-switch to alarm.

A dual hard tag assembly comprises radio frequency identification and electronic article surveillance. The dual hard tag is provides a single component able to both track retail merchandise generally and prevent theft by triggering an alarm. The RFID and EAS systems are not coplanar. The dual hard tag system is small and light weight, and may be reprogrammed and reused for the tracking and anti-theft of multiple items.

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 security tag includes a tag body member, a connecting member releasably engageable with the tag body member, and a locking member having a locked position in a first thermal state configured to lock the connecting member to the tag body member, and having an unlocked position in a second thermal state configured to unlock the connecting member from the tag body member. The locking member includes a locking body comprising a shape memory alloy, and a clamping member connected to the shape memory alloy. A transition of the shape memory alloy element from the first thermal state to the second thermal state moves the clamping member from the locked position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the connecting member to be detached from the tag body member.