Patent Publication Number: US-2018040219-A1

Title: Tag detection using waveform radiating devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/371,038, filed Aug. 4, 2016. The contents of the above application are incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This document relates generally to security tags used in Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) systems. More particularly, this document relates to security tags and methods for detecting the security tags using waveform radiating devices (e.g., audio speakers and/or piezo components). 
     BACKGROUND 
     A typical EAS system in a retail setting may comprise a monitoring system and at least one security tag or marker attached to an article to be protected from unauthorized removal. The monitoring system establishes a surveillance zone in which the presence of security tags and/or markers can be detected. The surveillance zone is usually established at an access point for the controlled area (e.g., adjacent to a retail store entrance and/or exit). If an article enters the surveillance zone with an active security tag and/or marker, then an alarm may be triggered to indicate possible unauthorized removal thereof from the controlled area. In contrast, if an article is authorized for removal from the controlled area, then the security tag and/or marker thereof can be detached therefrom. Consequently, the article can be carried through the surveillance zone without being detected by the monitoring system and/or without triggering the alarm. 
     Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) systems may also be used in a retail setting for inventory management and related security applications. In an RFID system, a reader transmits a Radio Frequency (“RF”) carrier signal to an RFID device. The RFID device responds to the carrier signal with a data signal encoded with information stored by the RFID device. Increasingly, passive RFID labels are used in combination with EAS labels in retail applications. 
     As is known in the art, security tags for security and/or inventory systems can be constructed in any number of configurations. The desired configuration of the security tag is often dictated by the nature of the article to be protected. For example, EAS and/or RFID labels may be enclosed in a rigid tag housing, which can be secured to the monitored object (e.g., a piece of clothing in a retail store). The rigid housing typically includes a removable pin which is inserted through the fabric and secured in place on the opposite side by a mechanism disposed within the rigid housing. The housing cannot be removed from the clothing without destroying the housing except by using a dedicated removal device. 
     A typical retail sales transaction occurs at a fixed Point Of Sale (“POS”) station manned by a store sales associate. The store sales associate assists a customer with the checkout process by receiving payment for an item. If the item is associated with an EAS/RFID element, the store sales associate uses the dedicated removal device to remove the security tag from the purchased item. 
     A retail sales transaction can alternatively be performed using a mobile POS unit. In this case, the security tag may be removed from the purchased item via: the use of a mobile detacher unit in addition to a mobile POS unit; the use of a fixed detacher unit located within the retail store which reduces the mobility of the mobile POS unit; or the use of a fixed detacher unit located at an exit of a retail store. 
     SUMMARY 
     This document concerns systems and methods for detecting a security tag. The security tag: may comprise an EAS element that is inoperative; or may be absent of an operative EAS element. As such, the methods provide a way for an EAS monitoring system to detect the EAS security tag other than through the use of the EAS element. In this regard, the methods comprise: detecting motion of the security tag while in use to protect an article from unauthorized removal from a protected area; and emitting a first waveform from a radiating device of the security tag in response to the motion&#39;s detection. The first waveform detectable by an EAS monitoring system. The radiating device comprises a device other than an EAS element, a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) device and a Near Field Communication (“NFC”) enabled device. For example, the radiating device comprises an audio speaker, a piezo, an antenna, magnetic loop, or metallic housing. 
     In some scenarios, the methods further comprise: performing operations by the security tag to determine if the security tag is still coupled to the article despite having authorization for the security tag&#39;s decoupling from the article; selecting a second waveform from a plurality of waveforms when a determination is made that the security tag is still coupled to the article despite having the authorization; and emitting the second waveform from the radiating device. The second waveform is different from the first waveform, indicates that the security tag is still coupled to the article, and is detectable by the EAS monitoring system. 
     In those or other scenarios, the methods further comprise: performing operations by the security tag to select a third waveform from a plurality of waveforms based on a characteristic (e.g., priority, price, color, size, department, and/or manufacturer) of the article relative to that of other articles; and emitting the third waveform from the radiating device. The third waveform is different from the first waveform and detectable by the EAS monitoring system. 
     In those or other scenarios, the methods further comprise: determining if the security tag is being removed from a protected area without authorization (e.g., while being coupled to the article without the article being successfully purchased or while being decoupled from a successfully purchased article); selecting a fourth waveform from a plurality of waveforms when a determination is made that the security tag is still coupled to the article despite having the authorization; and emitting the fourth waveform from the radiating device. The fourth waveform is different from the first waveform, indicates that the security tag is still coupled to the article, and is detectable by the EAS monitoring system. 
     The radiation element discontinues emitting the first, second, third or fourth waveform when the motion of security tag is no longer detected, a pre-specified period of time has expired, authorization has been obtained to decouple security tag from the article or remove the article from the protected area, and/or the security tag has been decoupled from the article with proper authorization. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawing figures, in which like numerals represent like items throughout the figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary system. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary architecture for a security tag shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  (collectively referred to herein as “ FIG. 3 ”) provide a flow diagram of an exemplary method for detecting the security tags using waveform radiating devices (e.g., audio speakers and/or piezo components). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described herein and illustrated in the appended figures could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by this detailed description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 
     Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, advantages and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicated embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
     As used in this document, the singular form “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. 
     Smart security tags are being developed to enable customer removability based on the payment using an MPOS unit. The smart security tags include additional electronics and clasping mechanisms. These electronics and clasping mechanisms can interfere with the tags&#39; acousto-magnetic components being utilized for EAS purposes. This interference can cause tag detection failures by the EAS system, i.e., active smart security tags may not be detected when present in the surveillance zone. In the case where magnets are used to attach the clasping mechanism to items-to-be-protected, the security tags may be rendered ineffective or inoperable. 
     Accordingly, the present solution addresses this issue by providing an alternative technique to issue an alarm by an EAS system if a smart security tag does not have an EAS component or has an inoperative EAS component. The alternative technique involves emitting a waveform from the smart security tag using a radiating device other than an EAS component, a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) component, and/or Near Field Communication (“NFC”) component. The waveform is emitted when a detection is made that the smart security tag is in motion, the smart security tag has not been decoupled from an article despite having authorization, and/or the smart security tag is being removed from a protected area without authorization while still being coupled to the article. 
     In some scenarios, the present solution uses audio speakers or other radiating devices (e.g., a piezo component) of the smart security tags to emit the waveform. These audio speakers or other radiating devices of the smart security tags are used to emit waveforms having a given pattern or frequency (e.g., 58 kHz). The frequency is selected to be within a range that is not audible to humans and that is detectable by an EAS system. The EAS system will issue an alarm upon its detection of the waveforms with the given pattern or frequency. In some cases, unique tag waveforms may be employed (e.g., to indicate a tag state and/or distinguish the tags from jamming devices). 
     The waveforms are emitted from the smart security tags based on the occurrence of a trigger event. For example, a smart security tag (that is not authorized to be decoupled from an item and/or removed from a protected area) starts to emit the waveform from the audio speaker or other radiating device in response to a sensor&#39;s (e.g., an accelerometers) detection of tag motion and/or an expiration of a period of time from said detection. The smart security tag stops emitting the waveform in response to or shortly after the sensor stops detecting movement thereof. Once the smart security tag has been authorized for detachment from the item or removal from a protected area, the waveform would either not start or would stop or emit a different waveform based on the status of the smart tag until the tag is reactivated. 
     Exemplary Systems for Tag Detection using Radiating Devices 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is provided a schematic illustration of an exemplary system  100 . System  100  comprises a Retail Store Facility (“RSF”)  150  including an EAS system  130 . The EAS system  130  comprises a monitoring system  134  and at least one smart security tag  132 . Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the smart security tag  132  is attached to article  102 , thereby protecting the article  102  from an unauthorized removal from the RSF  150 . The monitoring system  134  establishes a surveillance zone (not shown) within which the presence of the smart security tag  132  can be detected via a primary tag detection process (e.g., via use of a Non-Deactivable Sheet Label (“NDL”)) and via a secondary tag detection process (e.g., via use of a radiating element other than an NDL). The primary tag detection process includes any known conventional EAS tag detection process. The second tag detection process is facilitated via implementation of the present solution. The surveillance zone is established at an access point (not shown) for the RSF  150 . If the smart security tag  132  is carried into the surveillance zone, then an alarm is triggered to indicate (1) the continued tag-article coupling despite having authorization to be decoupled from each other or (2) a possible unauthorized removal of the article  102  from the RSF  150 . 
     In some cases, the smart security tag  132  may not comprise an EAS component facilitating the primary tag detection process or may have an EAS component that is inoperable. As such, the monitoring system  134  is unable to detect the smart security tag  132  when present within the surveillance zone via the primary tag detection process. The present solution provides a means to address this issue via implementation of the secondary tag detection process. The secondary tag detection process will be discussed in detail below. However, prior to discussing the present solution, other operations of system  100  should be understood. 
     During store hours, a customer  140  may desire to purchase the article  102 . The customer  140  can purchase the article  102  without using a traditional fixed POS station (e.g., a checkout counter). Instead, the purchase transaction can be achieved using a Mobile Communication Device (“MCD”)  104 . MCD  104  (e.g., a mobile phone or tablet computer) can be in the possession of the customer  140  or store associate  142  at the time of the purchase transaction. Notably, MCD  104  has a retail transaction application installed thereon that is configured to facilitate the purchase of article  102  and/or an attachment/detachment of the smart security tag  132  to/from article  102 . The retail transaction application can be a pre-installed application, an add-on application or a plug-in application. 
     In order to initiate a purchase transaction, the retail transaction application is launched via a user-software interaction. The retail transaction application facilitates the exchange of data between the article  102 , smart security tag  132 , customer  140 , store associate  142 , and/or Retail Transaction System (“RTS”)  118 . For example, after the retail transaction application is launched, a user  140 ,  142  is prompted to start a retail transaction process for purchasing the article  102 . The retail transaction process can be started simply by performing a user software interaction, such as depressing a key on a keypad of the MCD  104  or touching a button on a touch screen display of the MCD  104 . 
     Subsequently, the user  140 ,  142  may manually input into the retail transaction application article information. Alternatively or additionally, the user  140 ,  142  places the MCD  104  in proximity of article  102 . As a result of this placement, the MCD  104  obtains article information from the article  102 . The article information includes any information that is useful for purchasing the article  102 , such as an article identifier and an article purchase price. In some scenarios, the article information may even include an identifier of the smart security tag  132  attached thereto. The article information can be communicated from the article  102  to the MCD  104  via a Short Range Communication (“SRC”), such as a barcode communication  122  or an NFC  120 . In the barcode scenario, article  102  has a barcode  128  attached to an exposed surface thereof. In the NFC scenarios, article  102  may comprise an NFC enabled device  126 . 
     Thereafter, payment information is input into the retail transaction application of MCD  104  by the user  140 ,  142 . Upon obtaining the payment information, the MCD  104  automatically performs operations for establishing a retail transaction session with the RTS  118 . The retail transaction session can involve: communicating the article information and payment information from MCD  104  to the RTS  118  via an RF communication  124  and public network  106  (e.g., the Internet); completing a purchase transaction by the RTS  118 ; and communicating a response message from the RTS  118  to MCD  104  indicating that the article  102  has been successfully or unsuccessfully purchased. The purchase transaction can involve using an authorized payment system, such as a bank Automatic Clearing House (“ACH”) payment system, a credit/debit card authorization system, or a third party system (e.g., PayPal®, SolidTrust Pay® or ApplePay®). 
     The purchase transaction can be completed by the RTS  118  using the article information and payment information. In this regard, such information may be received by a computing device  108  of the RTS  118  and forwarded thereby to a sub-system of a private network  110  (e.g., an Intranet). For example, the article information and purchase information can also be forwarded to and processed by a purchase sub-system  112  to complete a purchase transaction. When the purchase transaction is completed, a message is generated and sent to the MCD  104  indicating whether the article  102  has been successfully or unsuccessfully purchased. 
     If the article  102  has been successfully purchased, then a security tag detaching process can be started automatically by the RTS  118 , the MCD  104  and/or the PRS  194 . Alternatively, the user  140 ,  142  can start the security tag detaching process by performing a user-software interaction using the MCD  104  and/or the PRS  194 . In all three scenarios, the article information can optionally be forwarded to and processed by a coupler release sub-system  114  to retrieve a detachment key, a detachment code and/or a purchase token that is useful for detaching the smart security tag  132  from the article  102 . The detachment key/code and/or purchase token is(are) then sent from the RTS  118  to the PRS  194  such that the PRS  194  can perform or cause the same to perform tag detachment operations. The tag detachment operations are generally configured to cause actuation of a detaching mechanism (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). In this regard, the PRS  194  supplies power to the smart security tag  132 . The PRS  194  may also generate a detach command and sends a wireless detach signal including the detach command to the security tag  132 . In this case, the smart security tag  132  authenticates the detach command and activates the detaching mechanism (e.g., by actuating a switch so that power is able to be supplied thereto). For example, the detach command causes a pin to be retracted or a clamp/clasp to be opened such that the security tag can be removed from the article  102 . Once the smart security tag  132  has been removed from article  102 , the customer  140  can carry the article  102  through the surveillance zone without setting off the alarm. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is provided a schematic illustration of an exemplary architecture for the smart security tag  132 . Smart security tag  132  can include more or less components than that shown in  FIG. 2 . However, the components shown are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment implementing the present solution. Some or all of the components of the smart security tag  132  can be implemented in hardware, software and/or a combination of hardware and software. The hardware includes, but is not limited to, one or more electronic circuits. The electronic circuit(s) may comprise passive components (e.g., capacitors and resistors) and active components (e.g., processors) arranged and/or programmed to implement the methods disclosed herein. 
     The hardware architecture of  FIG. 2  represents an exemplary representative smart security tag  132  configured to facilitate the prevention of an unauthorized removal of an article (e.g., article  102  of  FIG. 1 ) from an RSF (e.g., RSF  150  of  FIG. 1 ) even when there is no EAS component or there is an inoperative EAS component  254 . In this regard, the smart security tag  132  may have a barcode  138  affixed thereto for allowing data to be exchanged with an external device (e.g., MCD  104  of  FIG. 1 ) via barcode technology. 
     The smart security tag  132  also comprises an antenna  202  and an NFC enabled device  136  for allowing data to be exchanged with the external device via NFC technology. The antenna  202  is configured to receive NFC signals from the external device and transmit NFC signals generated by the NFC enabled device  136 . The NFC enabled device  136  comprises an NFC transceiver  204 . NFC transceivers are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. However, it should be understood that the NFC transceiver  204  processes received NFC signals to extract information therein. This information can include, but is not limited to, a request for certain information (e.g., a unique identifier  210 ), and/or a message including information specifying a detachment key or code  212  for detaching the security tag  132  from an article. The NFC transceiver  204  may pass the extracted information to the controller  206 . 
     If the extracted information includes a request for certain information, then the controller  206  may perform operations to retrieve a unique identifier  210  and/or article information  214  from memory  208 . The article information  214  can include a unique identifier of an article and/or a purchase price of the article. The retrieved information is then sent from the smart security tag  132  to a requesting external device (e.g., MCD  104  of  FIG. 1 ) via an NFC communication. 
     In contrast, if the extracted information includes information specifying a one-time-only use key and/or instructions for programming the smart security tag  132  to actuate an optional detachment mechanism  250  of an attachment mechanism  216 , then the controller  206  may perform operations to simply actuate the detachment mechanism  250  using the one-time-only key. Alternatively or additionally, the controller  206  can: parse the information from a received message; retrieve a detachment key/code  212  from memory  208 ; and compare the parsed information to the detachment key/code to determine if a match exists therebetween. If a match exists, then the controller  206  generates and sends a command to the attachment mechanism  216  for actuating the detachment mechanism  250 . An auditory or visual indication can be output by the smart security tag  132  when the detachment mechanism  250  is actuated. If a match does not exist, then the controller  206  may generate a response message indicating that detachment key/code specified in the extracted information does not match the detachment key/code  212  stored in memory  208 . The response message may then be sent from the smart security tag  132  to a requesting external device (e.g., MCD  104  of  FIG. 1 ) via a wireless short-range communication or a wired communication via interface  260 . A message may also be communicated to another external device or network node via interface  260 . 
     In some scenarios, the connections between components  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  216 ,  260  are unsecure connections or secure connections. The phrase “unsecure connection”, as used herein, refers to a connection in which cryptography and/or tamper-proof measures are not employed. The phrase “secure connection”, as used herein, refers to a connection in which cryptography and/or tamper-proof measures are employed. Such tamper-proof measures include enclosing the physical electrical link between two components in a tamper-proof enclosure. 
     Notably, the memory  208  may be a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. For example, the memory  208  can include, but is not limited to, a Random Access Memory (“RAM”), a Dynamic Random Access Memory (“DRAM”), a Static Random Access Memory (“SRAM”), a Read-Only Memory (“ROM”) and a flash memory. The memory  208  may also comprise unsecure memory and/or secure memory. The phrase “unsecure memory”, as used herein, refers to memory configured to store data in a plain text form. The phrase “secure memory”, as used herein, refers to memory configured to store data in an encrypted form and/or memory having or being disposed in a secure or tamper-proof enclosure. 
     The attachment mechanism  216  is generally configured to securely couple or attach the smart security tag  132  to an article. In this regard, the attachment mechanism  216  includes, but is not limited to, a pin, a lanyard, a plunger, a plastic strap, a clamp or a clasp. In the pin scenarios, the pin can be secured within a housing of the smart security tag  132  via a magnetic clamp or clasp. Such attachment mechanisms are well known in the art, and will not be described in detail herein. A security tag with an exemplary pin/magnetic clamp arrangement is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,8477,762 to Ming-Ren et al. In some scenarios, the smart security tag is similar to that described in this patent with additional electronic and/or mechanical components. 
     As noted above, the smart security tag may comprises an optional detachment mechanism  250 . The attachment mechanism  216  is operable to control operations of the detachment mechanism  250 . The detachment mechanism  250  can include at least one permanent magnet configured to be moved into and out of alignment with the magnetic clamp and/or an electromagnetic configured to be turned “On” via the application of power thereto and “Off” via the termination of the applied power. 
     The attachment mechanism  216  is shown in  FIG. 2  as being indirectly coupled to NFC transceiver  204  via controller  206 . The invention is not limited in this regard. The electro-mechanical attachment mechanism  216  can additionally or alternatively be directly coupled to the NFC transceiver  204 . One or more of the components  204 ,  206  can cause the magnet of the detachment mechanism  250  to be transitioned between aligned/unaligned positions and/or On/Off states in accordance with information received from an external device (e.g., PRS  194  of  FIG. 1 ). The components  204 - 208 ,  260  may be collectively referred to herein as the NFC enabled device  136 . 
     The NFC enabled device  136  can be incorporated into a device which also houses the attachment mechanism  216 , or can be a separate device which is in direct or indirect communication with the attachment mechanism  216 . Notably, the NFC enabled device  136  may or may not be coupled to an internal power source. In the later scenario, an external power source is provided by the PRS  194  of  FIG. 1 . In this regard, NFC enabled device  136  comprises a power connector(s)  220 . Alternatively or additionally, the NFC enabled device  136  is configured as a passive device which derives power from an RF signal inductively coupled thereto. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the smart security tag  132  may comprise an optional EAS component  254  (e.g., an NDL). An EAS interrogation signal is transmitted at the entrance and/or exit of the retail store by the EAS system  130  of  FIG. 1 . The EAS interrogation signal causes the EAS component  254  to produce a detectable response if an attempt is made to remove the article without first detaching the security tag therefrom. The EAS component  254  may include, but is not limited to, an acousto-magnetic element. 
     In some scenarios, the EAS component  254  is rendered inoperable during use of the smart security tag such that it does not produce the detectable response to the interrogation signal. Accordingly, the present solution provides an alternative way to allow the EAS system to detect the smart security tag  132  in this situation despite the fact that the EAS component  254  has been rendered inoperable. 
     In this regard, the smart security tag  132  comprises a radiating device  256 . The radiating device  256  includes, but is not limited to, an audio speaker and/or a piezo element. The radiating device  256  emits a waveform having a select frequency (e.g., 58 kHz) or pattern when (1) the tag is still coupled to the article despite having decoupling authorization (e.g., the item has been successfully purchased), (2) the tag is being removed from the RSF while still attached to the item that is not authorized to leave the RSF, (3) a sensor  252  (e.g., an accelerometer) detects tag motion, and/or (4) a predetermined period of time expires. In some scenarios, the frequency is selected to fall within a range of sound frequencies that are not detectable by humans (e.g., &gt;20 kHz). The waveform is detectable by the EAS system  130  of  FIG. 1  such that the alarm is issued to indicate (1) a continued tag-article coupling despite having authorization for the decoupling thereof or (2) a possible unauthorized removal of the article  102  from the RSF  150  (even when the tag does not have an EAS component  254  or has an inoperable EAS component). The waveform may be a unique waveform assigned to the smart security tag  132 . The signature of the waveform may indicate a tag state and/or distinguish the smart security tag  132  from jamming devices. 
     In some scenarios, the smart security tag  132  is a smart alarming tag employing an audio speaker to emit a loud alarming sound if the tag has been detached from the article without authorization (e.g., the item has not been successfully purchased). This same audio speaker can be used to emit the waveform detectable by the EAS system  130  of  FIG. 1 . Techniques for determining if a tag has been decoupled from an article without authorization are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail herein. Any known or to be known technique for making this determination can be used herein without limitation. 
     The smart security tag architecture is not limited to that shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, the smart security tag  132  may additionally comprise an RFID component and/or a power harvesting circuit (e.g., photovoltaic cells and a super capacitor). RFID components and power harvesting circuits are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. These optional components are not shown in  FIG. 2  simply for drawings simplicity reasons. 
     Exemplary Methods for Tag Detection using an Audio Speaker 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is provided a flow diagram of an exemplary method  300  for detecting the security tags using waveform radiating devices (e.g., audio speakers and/or piezo components). Method  300  begins with  302  and continues to  304  where a smart security tag (e.g., smart security tag  132  of  FIGS. 1-2 ) is coupled to an article (e.g., article  102  of  FIG. 1 ). The smart security tag may or may not comprise an EAS component (e.g., optional EAS component  254  of  FIG. 2 ). In the event that the smart security tag has an EAS component [ 306 :YES], operations are performed to determine if the EAS component is inoperable. These operations can be performed using a transceiver and/or coil placed adjacent to the EAS component. The transceiver and/or coil may be disposed internal or external to the smart security tag&#39;s housing. If the EAS component is operative [ 308 :NO], then primary tag detection operations are performed using the EAS component. The primary tag detection operations include, but are not limited to, known conventional EAS tag detection operations. These known conventional EAS tag detection operations will not be discussed herein. 
     In the event the smart security tag does not have an EAS component [ 306 :NO] or has an inoperable EAS component [ 308 :YES],  310  is performed where secondary tag detection operations of the smart security tag are enabled. The secondary tag detection operations are now described in relation to  312 - 340  of  FIG. 3 . In  312 , at least one sensor (e.g., sensor(s)  252  of  FIG. 2 ) performs operations to detect motion of the smart security tag. If motion is not detected [ 314 :NO], then method  300  optionally waits a period of time as shown by  316  and/or returns to  312 . In contrast, if motion is detected [ 314 :YES], then a first waveform is emitted from a radiating device (e.g., radiating device  256  of  FIG. 2 ) of the smart security tag. The first waveform is emitted once, periodically or continuously from the radiating device. The radiating device is a device other than an EAS component (e.g., optional EAS component  254  of  FIG. 2 ), an RFID component and/or an NFC component (e.g., NFC enabled device  136  of  FIGS. 1-2 ) of the smart security tag. Upon completing  318 , method  300  continues with optional  320  of  FIG. 3B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B, 320  involves optionally determining if the smart security tag (1) is still coupled to the article despite having decoupling authorization, (2) is being removed from a protected area (e.g., RSF  150  of  FIG. 1 ) without authorization, or (3) has a priority different than that indicated by the first waveform. The first determination (1) can be made by the security tag based on information stored in the security tag&#39;s memory (e.g., memory  208  of  FIG. 2 ) (such as a recently received authorization confirmation code or detachment code) and a current state of an attachment mechanism (e.g., attachment mechanism  216  of  FIG. 1 ). The second determination (2) can be made by the security tag based on sensor information (e.g., if tag motion is still being detected after expiration of a given period of time (e.g., the time it takes to make a successful purchase) than a determination is made that the tag is being removed from the protected area without authorization). The third determination (3) can be made based on article information stored in the tag&#39;s memory (e.g., a cost of the article and/or a relative priority of the article). If the answer to one or more of these questions are no [ 322 :NO;  326 :NO;  328 ;NO], then method  300  ends or other processing is performed as shown by  330 . The other processing can include, but is not limited to, stop emitting the waveform and/or return to  312 . 
     In contrast, if the smart security tag has a priority different than that indicated by the first waveform [ 322 :YES], then a second waveform is selected from a plurality of waveforms indicating the results of the determination made in  322 , as shown by  324 . If the smart security tag is still coupled to the article despite having decoupling authorization [ 326 :YES], then a third waveform is selected from the plurality of waveforms indicating the results of the determination made in  326 , as shown by  332 . If the smart security tag is being removed from the protected area without authorization (e.g., while being coupled to the article without the article being successfully purchased or while being decoupled from a successfully purchased article) [ 328 :YES], then a fourth waveform is selected from the plurality of waveforms indicating the results of the determination made in  328 , as shown by  334 . 
     Subsequent to selecting the second, third or fourth waveform,  336  is performed. In  336 , the selected second, third or fourth waveform is emitted from the radiating device of the smart security tag. The waveform is emitted once, periodically or continuously. The radiating device discontinues emitting the first, second, third or fourth waveform in  338  when the motion is no longer detected by the sensor, a specified period of time has expired, and/or authorization has been obtained to decouple the smart security tag from the article and/or to remove the same from the protected area. Thereafter,  340  is performed where method  300  returns to  312 . By returning to  312 , the smart security tag is prevented from being stolen after it was decoupled from an article with authorization. 
     All of the apparatus, methods, and algorithms disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the apparatus, methods and sequence of steps of the method without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain components may be added to, combined with, or substituted for the components described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined. 
     The features and functions disclosed above, as well as alternatives, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements may be made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.