Patent Publication Number: US-2016239796-A1

Title: System and method for monitoring merchandise in a retail environment

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/884,098, filed on Sep. 29, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entity. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to merchandise security, including systems and methods for monitoring merchandise in a retail environment. 
     It is common practice for retailers to provide demonstration models of consumer electronics products, such as handheld devices, tablets, and laptop computers, so that a potential purchaser may examine the product more closely and test the operation of its features. A working demonstration model, however, increases the possibility that the demonstration model will be stolen or removed from the display area by an unauthorized person. As a result, demonstration models of consumer electronics products are typically protected by a security device that permits a potential purchaser to examine and operate the product, while reducing the likelihood that the demonstration model or a removable component of the product will be stolen or removed from the display area. Some security devices are cumbersome and limit the ability of the consumer to fully appreciate the features of the product. 
     Moreover, many boxed items of merchandise are secured with alarming wraps or cables, or are enclosed in locked cabinets that may hinder a customer&#39;s ability to fully appreciate the product. 
     In addition, most retailers focus predominantly on security rather than using its sales associates to facilitate merchandise sales. Oftentimes, security takes away from the customer experience and does not encourage engagement of the sales associate to facilitate a sale. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for monitoring items of merchandise. In one embodiment, a method comprises attaching a plurality of tags to a plurality of items of merchandise, wherein at least one of the tags is attached to each of the items of merchandise. Each of the tags is configured to communicate wirelessly with a network and a plurality of remote devices. The method further includes positioning each of the items of merchandise within one of a plurality of detection zones, wherein each detection zone defines a location for communicating with a plurality of tags. The method also includes receiving notification at one or more of the remote devices for each tagged item of merchandise positioned within a detection zone, as well as registering each of the tagged items of merchandise positioned within a detection zone with one of the remote devices so as to associate each tagged item of merchandise with the tag. In addition, the method includes receiving notification at one or more of the remote devices when a customer interacts with a registered, tagged item of merchandise. 
     In another embodiment, a method includes notifying a plurality of remote devices when each of a plurality of tagged items of merchandise is positioned in a detection zone, wherein the proximity of each of the tagged items of merchandise is configured to be wirelessly monitored within the detection zone. The method also includes notifying one or more of the remote devices when a customer interacts with one of the tagged items of merchandise. 
     According to another embodiment, a method includes receiving notification over a network that at least one item of merchandise is located within a detection zone, wherein the at least one item of merchandise comprises at least one tag attached thereto. The method also includes registering the tagged item of merchandise located within the detection zone so as to associate the item of merchandise with the tag and receiving notification over the network when a customer interacts with the registered item of merchandise. 
     In another embodiment, a system includes a plurality of tags, wherein one or more tags are configured to be attached to a respective one of a plurality of items of merchandise. The system further includes a plurality of zone managers configured to communicate wirelessly with each of the tags and a network, wherein each of the zone managers is configured to detect the proximity of at least one of the tags relative thereto. Moreover, the system includes a plurality of remote devices configured to communicate wirelessly with each of the tags and the network, wherein each of the remote devices is configured to receive notifications from the network regarding each of the tags. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description of the invention provided below may be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, which depict one or more embodiments of methods and systems for monitoring and securing items of merchandise from theft. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a system for monitoring and securing items of merchandise from theft according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a method for monitoring and securing items of merchandise from theft according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a method for securing items of merchandise from theft according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic of a tag configured to be attached to an item of merchandise according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows an example of a detection zone according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows an example of an item of merchandise in communication with a tag according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows an example of a tag disengaged from a carrier according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows an example of a zone manager within a detection zone according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate locking hooks according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the accompanying figures wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views, the illustrated embodiments of methods and systems according to the present invention are capable of not only protecting an item of merchandise against theft or unauthorized removal, but also for monitoring merchandise in a retail environment. The item of merchandise  12  may be any item, including any number of consumer electronics products (e.g. hand-held device, cellular phone, smart phone, tablet, laptop computer, etc.). In addition, the items of merchandise  12  may be packaged (or boxed) or non-packaged items. The system, indicated generally at  10 , is operable for monitoring items of merchandise  12  and permitting a potential purchaser to examine an item of merchandise. Although described in relation for use in a retail environment, the system  10  shown and described herein is suitable for monitoring and securing an item of merchandise  12  in other settings, such as for example, a residential or commercial environment, and furthermore, is not intended to be limited to use only as a system for protecting against theft and/or unauthorized removal. 
     According to one embodiment, the system  10  generally comprises a plurality of tags  14  configured to be coupled to one or more items of merchandise  12 . The system  10  also includes a plurality of zone managers  16  that are configured to communicate with one or more tags  14 . Each of the zone managers  16  defines a detection zone  18  that corresponds to a predetermined proximity to the zone manager. The zone managers  16  are configured to detect the proximity of one or more tags  14  thereto as explained in further detail below. The system  10  further includes a plurality of remote devices  20  configured to communicate with each of the zone managers  16 . The remote devices  20  may be used by, for example, a sales associate in a retail environment. The system  10  may also include at least one door guard  22  that is configured to communicate with the tags  14  and remote devices  20 . The door guard  22  could be positioned near an exit of a retail store in one embodiment. The tags  14 , zone managers  16 , remote devices  20 , and/or door guards  22  may be in communication with one another and over a network  24 . In one example, the communication is entirely wireless, and the network  14  could be a cloud-based network. As also explained in further detail below, customers  26  may interact within the system  10 , such as by interacting with a tagged item of merchandise and/or by communicating with a tag  14  via a mobile device  28  (e.g., a cellular phone or smartphone). 
     As will become more apparent below, embodiments of the present invention may provide several benefits. For example, the system  10  provides an emphasis on engaging the sales associate to effectuate a sale as well as provide security benefits. In particular, by providing the sales associate with various notifications, the sales associate is motivated to assist a customer  26  and is kept abreast of customer interaction with items of merchandise  12 . In a way, the increased interaction between the sales associate and the customer  26  also provides security since the sales associate will be notified when various events affecting the item of merchandise  12  occur. In fact, studies have shown, such as by the LPRC (Loss Prevention Research Council), that the “engagement level” of associates is a major contributing factor in the effectiveness of theft deterrence. As such, the awareness of the sales associate will be increased thereby prompting the associate to be more alert as to various customer  26  interactions and actions. 
     In one embodiment,  FIG. 1  shows that one tag  14  is attached to a respective item of merchandise  12 , although more than one tag can be attached to an item of merchandise if desired. The tags  14  may be coupled to items of merchandise  12  using any suitable technique, such as with an adhesive, cables, and the like. For example,  FIG. 7  shows that a tag  14  may be attached to a carrier  15  that is secured to an item of merchandise  12 . Thus, the tag  14  may be removable and reusable. The carrier  15  may be attached to the item of merchandise  12  and may or may not be removed after a purchase of the item of merchandise is made. 
     In addition,  FIG. 4  shows that a tag  14  may include a variety of components. For example, a tag  14  may include a near field communication (“NFC”) tag  30  configured to communicate with a remote device or a customer&#39;s mobile device  28 . In addition, a tag  14  may include a communication system  32  for communicating with a zone manager  18 , a remote device  20 , a door guard  22 , a customer mobile device  28 , and/or the network  24 . For instance, the communication system  32  may be configured for wireless communication using any desired communications protocol, such as Bluetooth communication, Bluetooth low energy communication, WiFi, cellular, received signal strength indicator (“RSSI”), and/or ambient backscatter. In some embodiments, the tags  14  may be configured to communicate with one another via respective communication systems  32 . For example, the tags  14  may communicate with one another to transmit or relay signals to a zone manager  18  and/or the network  24 . In some cases, communication between one tag  14  and a remote device  20  may be relayed to a zone manager  18 , another remote device  20 , and/or the network via one or more other tags. Thus, the tags  14  may be configured to communicate with one another and other components within the system  10 . In one instance, the number of zone managers  18  may be reduced where tags  14  are capable of communicating with one another since a signal that may not otherwise reach the zone manager may be relayed to the zone manager via one or more additional tags. 
     Where the tag  14  includes NFC functionality, it is understood that the NFC tag  30  may be read only or editable. Thus, the tag  14  may include a “bi-directional” NFC tag  30  so as to also have the ability to be updated with new characteristics or instructions by an associate&#39;s remote device  20  so that when a customer&#39;s mobile device  28  interacts with the tag, the tag exhibits a different behavior than before. For example, the associate could use their remote device  20  to “program” the tag  14  to instruct the customer&#39;s mobile device  28  to go to website address “X” if he or she were to touch his or her mobile device near or on the tag. And then the associate at a later time could come back to that tag  14  and reprogram it to instruct the next future customer&#39;s mobile device  28  to go to website address “Y”, etc. 
     Furthermore, a tag  14  may include a motion sensor  34  for detecting motion of the tag and/or a light sensor  36  for detecting a change in light level. Thus, the tag  14  may be configured to detect a change in motion and/or light level which may be indicative of theft of the item of merchandise  12 . The tag  14  may also include a battery  38  or power source for powering any of the aforementioned components, although a battery may not be necessary in some embodiments. For example, the tag  14  may only include passive devices that are configured to be energized by another device. In one embodiment, the tag  14  also includes a proximity mechanism  40  that is configured to detect whether the tag is attached to the item of merchandise  12  or removed from the item of merchandise. For example, the proximity mechanism  40  may be a pressure or plunger switch that is configured to detect when the tag  14  has been removed by an unauthorized person. Should such an unauthorized removal be detected, the tag  14  may be configured to alarm or communicate with the zone manager  16 , door guard  22 , and/or network  24  to take appropriate action. 
     It is understood that the tag  14  may have any desired size and configuration suitable for attachment to an item of merchandise  12 . For example, the tag  14  may include a housing with a low profile that does not take away from the presentation of the item of merchandise  12 . In addition, the tag  14  may be configured to be stackable with other tags for storage when not in use. In some embodiments, the tags  14  are reusable such that the tags may be removed by a sales associate or at a checkout counter and reused on another item of merchandise  12 . In the case where the tag  14  includes a battery  38 , the battery may be rechargeable and could be recharged while the tags are stacked on top of one another (e.g. via contact charging). 
     In some embodiments, each of the zone managers  16  is configured to communicate wirelessly with one or more tags  14  and the network  24 . Thus, the zone manager  16  may include a communication system configured to communicate with the tag&#39;s  14  communication system  34 . In some embodiments, each zone manager  16  may be configured to communicate with the tags  14 , remote devices  20 , door guard  22 , and/or network  24 . As noted above, communications may take place using a variety of techniques, including wirelessly via Bluetooth or Bluetooth low energy communications. In one embodiment, each of the zone managers  16  is configured to detect the proximity of one or more tags  14  thereto. Thus, each of the zone managers  16  may define a detection zone  18 . The detection zone  18  may be a location that is defined based on a particular “home” position of a zone manager  16  and may be defined based on a particular distance, volume, or area relative to the home position. The detection zone  18  may be defined based on a signal strength of the zone manager  16  such that only tags  14  detected by the zone manager or having a minimum signal strength will be considered positioned within the detection zone. For example, where a tag  14  has been attached to item of merchandise  12 , placing the tagged item within the detection zone  18  allows the zone manager  16  to detect the tag and to allow the tag and the zone manager to communicate with one another. There may be any number of zone managers  16  provided in order to accommodate any number of items of merchandise  12  for a desired retail space or product line. For example, each detection zone  18  could be associated with a particular product line (e.g., televisions, speakers, cameras, etc.). 
     The zone manager  16  may be any suitable device that is configured to facilitate communication with a plurality of tags  14 , remote devices  20 , and/or network  24 . For example, a zone manager  16  may be secured to, or positioned at, any desired location to establish a detection zone  18  for items of merchandise  12 .  FIG. 8  shows one example of a zone manager  16  attached to a rear support adjacent to a display shelf. In addition, each zone manager  16  may be secured in, or positioned at, locations that may not otherwise be visible to customers  26  and could be placed, for instance, on the ceiling, walls, and/or behind or below a counter, panel, or cabinet of a retail store. In the example shown in  FIG. 8 , a panel may be positioned in front of the zone manager  16  so that the zone manager is not visible to customers. 
     In one embodiment, a plurality of remote devices  20  are configured to communicate wirelessly with each of the tags  14 , zone managers  16 , door guards  22 , and/or the network  24 . The remote device  20  may be any suitable device, such as a tablet, mobile phone, camera phone, smartphone, or the like. As noted above, each remote device  20  could be used by a sales associate, and each sales associate may be assigned a remote device. Thus, the remote device  20  may be a mobile device used as a sales tool to receive notifications from the zone managers  16 , door guard  22 , and/or network  24 . In some embodiments, a remote device  20  may be associated with a particular detection zone  18 . For example, a detection zone  18  may be associated with a remote device  20  that is configured to communicate with tags  14  attached to items of merchandise  12  within the detection zone. The remote device  20  could also be the same item of merchandise  12  that is being offered for sale within the detection zone  18 , or the remote device could be configured to operate with the item of merchandise that is for sale in the detection zone. The remote devices  20  may also store or be able to provide information regarding items of merchandise  12 . In some embodiments, the remote devices  20  are configured to communicate with the tags  14  to exchange information. For instance, a remote device  20  may be configured to provide data regarding an item of merchandise  12  when the remote device communicates with a tag. In addition, the remote device  20  may be configured to communicate with a zone manager  16  to receive notifications when a tagged item of merchandise  12  has been positioned within a detection zone  18 . The remote device  20  could also receive notification from the zone manager  16  and/or network  24  when a customer  26  interacts with a tagged item of merchandise  12 . Further, the remote device  20  may be configured to receive notification from a door guard  22  when a tagged item of merchandise  12  is approaching the door guard or is within a predetermined distance from the door guard. 
     In one embodiment, the door guard  22  may be positioned proximate to an exit of a retail establishment. Any number of door guards  22  may be employed to accommodate any number of exits or locations to protect items of merchandise  12  from theft. Each door guard  22  may include a communication system configured to communicate with the tags  14 , zone managers  16 , remote devices  20 , door guard  22 , and/or network  24 . As discussed above, any desired communications protocol may be used, including any wireless communications protocol. The door guard  22  may be configured to provide notification to the remote devices  20  and/or network  24  when a tagged item of merchandise  12  is proximate thereto. For example, the door guard  22  may be configured to provide notification when a tagged item of merchandise  12  is within a predetermined distance, and should the distance continue to decrease, the door guard may be configured to generate an alarm signal (e.g., a visual and/or audible alarm). The door guard  22  could utilize the signal strength between the tagged item of merchandise  12  and the door guard to determine whether to provide notification and/or an alarm signal. Thus, should the signal strength become too strong or greater than a predetermined signal strength, the door guard  22  may be configured to generate an alarm signal. 
     It is understood that the door guard  22  may be any suitable device that is configured to facilitate communication with a plurality of tags  14 , remote devices  20 , and/or network  24 . For example, a door guard  22  may be secured to, or positioned near, any desired location to prevent theft of items of merchandise. In addition, the door guard  22  may be secured in, or positioned at, locations that may not otherwise be visible to customers  26  and could be placed, for instance, on the ceiling, walls, and/or doorways or exits of a retail store. 
     In some embodiments, items of merchandise  12  may be configured to be displayed on one or more locking hooks  50  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The locking hook  50  may be configured to interact with remote devices  20  and customer&#39;s mobile devices  28 . The locking hook  50  is configured to releasably engage at least one elongate rod, bar, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking hook  50  is configured to engage a pair of rods disposed generally parallel to one another. Items of merchandise  12  may be disposed on the lower rod. The locking hook  50  is configured to move between locked and unlocked configurations through engagement and disengagement with the lower rod with a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism could utilize electrical and/or mechanical functionality to facilitate engagement and disengagement with the rod. The locking hook  50  generally includes a housing that is coupled to the upper rod. The locking hook may include a controller, power source, communications circuitry, and/or at least one NFC tag. 
     The locking hook  50  may include NFC functionality that is configured to communicate with a remote device  20  or mobile device  28  having NFC functionality. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a sales associate may utilize a remote device  20  having NFC functionality to interact with a locking hook  50 .  FIG. 10  shows that the locking hook  50  has been unlocked following communication between the remote device  20  and the NFC tag of the locking hook  50 . An authorized sales associate is then able to remove items of merchandise  12  from the rod. 
     In one embodiment, the looking hook  50  may include an NFC read/writable tag that is embedded in the physical platen that forms a price label holder  52 . An associate can “program” the NFC tag locally with their NFC enabled remote device  20  using an application on the remote device. A customer  26  may then use their own mobile device  28  to obtain product information for the item of merchandise  12  displayed on the locking hook, such as using a mobile device with NFC functionality. In another embodiment, a customer  26  may be able to interact with the locking hook label. For example, the looking hook label may include an integrated screen (e.g., a touch sensitive IPT (intelligent price label)) so that when the associate programs the NFC tag with their remote device  20 , the label enables customers  26  to view the pricing information as the standard screen, but is configured to also provide the option for the customer to swipe or otherwise physically interact with the label screen with his or her finger to obtain additional information about the item of merchandise. After an amount of time of no activity, the label screen may be configured to default back to the standard price label view. 
     Various methods may be employed for monitoring items of merchandise  12  and for providing security from theft according to embodiments of the present invention. With reference to  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of such a method  100  is illustrated. The method according to this example includes attaching a plurality of tags  14  to a respective one of a plurality of items of merchandise  12  (block  102 ). Each of the tags  14  may be configured to communicate wirelessly with a network  24  and a plurality of remote devices  20 . The method may further include positioning each of the tagged items of merchandise  12  in one of a plurality of detection zones  18  (block  104 ). For example, a retail associate may attach a tag  14  to an item of merchandise  12  and then position the tagged item in the detection zone  18 . Or, the retail associate could tag the item of merchandise  12  in the detection zone  18 . Where a tag  14  is positioned within more than one detection zone  18 , the zone manager  16  and/or network  24  may be configured to pick one detection zone for association with the tag (e.g., the zone manager with the stronger signal). When positioned within a detection zone  18 , the tag  14  and associated zone manager  16  may be paired with one another (e.g., via Bluetooth communication). 
     Once positioned in a detection zone  18 , one or more remote devices  20  may be notified via the zone manager  16  and/or network  24  that a tagged item of merchandise  12  has been positioned in a detection zone (block  106 ). In this case, a retail associate may be required to register the tag  14  (block  108 ). However, in some embodiments, the tag  14  may be registered automatically, such as via communication with the item of merchandise  12 , the zone manager  16 , and/or the network  24 . Registration may be used to associate the tag  14  with an item of merchandise  12 . In one example, the first sales associate to respond to the notification may scan his or her remote device  20  proximate to the tag  14  to communicate therewith (e.g., via NFC). By registering the tag  14 , the tag is associated with the item of merchandise  12 , which can in turn be communicated to the zone manager  16  and/or network  24  for tracking. 
     In one embodiment, where the tag  14  includes NFC functionality, the tag may include a unique identifier for identifying the tag. For example, the tag  14  may include an NFC tag, where the tag identifies a unique ID for the tag itself. In one example, the remote device  20  may include a camera, and the item of merchandise  12  may include a bar code. When a sales associate uses his or her remote device&#39;s  20  camera to scan the barcode of the item of merchandise  12 , the barcode is associated with the NFC tag&#39;s ID. The associate could also use the remote device&#39;s  20  camera to take a representative photo of the packaged item of merchandise  12 . All of this information may be combined in a cloud of the network  24  so as to be associated with a record of the item of merchandise  12  for future notification. 
     In one embodiment, the network  24  may be configured to monitor and store information regarding the tag  14  and the item of merchandise  12 . In addition, the network  24  may be configured to monitor various data associated with the item of merchandise  12 , such as for example, a number of pick ups of an item of merchandise  12 , sales trends, related items of merchandise that are likely to be sold together, a stolen or misplaced item of merchandise, etc. 
     Once the tag  14  is registered, the zone manager  16  can monitor for customer  26  interaction with the item of merchandise  12  (block  110 ). For example, the zone manager  16  may be configured to detect when a customer  26  has picked up an item of merchandise  12 . Alternatively, the tag  14  may be configured to detect movement (e.g., via a motion sensor) and notify the remote devices  20 , the zone manager  16 , and/or the network  24  of such customer interaction. Customer interaction may also be indicative of a customer  26  scanning the tag  14  with the customer&#39;s mobile device  28  (e.g., via NFC). When a customer interacts with an item of merchandise  12 , the remote devices  20  may be notified of the same (block  112 ). For example, the zone manager  16  and/or network  24  may provide notification to one or more remote devices  20  of the interaction, which prompts the sales associates to approach the customer  26 . For example, notification may be simultaneously broadcasted to a plurality of sales associates. Once a sales associate responds to the notification, the sales associate may be given a predetermined period of time to engage the customer  26  (e.g., 5-20 seconds) before the notification is again rebroadcast to all sales associates. The sales associate could scan the tag  14  with a remote device  20  to provide information regarding the item of merchandise  12 , as well as similar related items of merchandise. In one embodiment, the act of scanning the tag  14  is also the means that the associate “proves” to the network  24  that he or she followed up on the notification. In other words, scanning the tag  14  may prove physical proximity to the tag that was reported to be on the move based on feedback from its zone manager  16 . In addition, information regarding the item of merchandise  12  may be provided to the customer&#39;s mobile device  28  when the tag  14  is scanned by the customer. In some cases, the sales associate could utilize the remote device  20  to complete a sale. 
     Once a customer  26  has a tagged item of merchandise  12  in hand, such interaction may also be monitored. For example,  FIG. 3  illustrates a method  120  for monitoring customer  26  interaction when a tagged item of merchandise  12  is outside of its detection zone  18 , which may be used to provide security from theft. In this instance, where the customer  26  intends to purchase the item of merchandise  12 , such as at a checkout counter, no additional notifications may occur (blocks  122  and  124 ). However, where the customer  26  is a potential thief, the tag  14  may be configured to detect changes in motion and/or light level, which may be indicative of an attempted theft. For example, where the tag  14  is moving and senses a reduction in light level, the item of merchandise  12  may be secured from view by the potential thief (e.g., placed in a bag). In this example, the tag  14  may be configured to generate an audible and/or visible alarm signal. In addition, the lack of communication (or a sharp decrease in signal strength) between the tag  14  and the zone manager  16  may also be detected, which also causes an alarm signal to be generated by the tag and/or door guard  22 . Moreover, an attempted unauthorized removal of the tag  14  may be detected, which may also result in an alarm signal being generated. If the potential thief approaches a door guard  22 , the door guard may be configured to detect the tag  14  (block  126 ). The door guard  22  may simply provide an initial reminder for the customer  26  to approach a checkout counter (e.g., via generation of an alarm signal by the door guard and/or the tag  14 ). Should the signal strength of the tag  14  continue to increase with respect to the door guard  22 , the door guard may be configured to generate an alarm signal (block  128 ), as well as notify the network  24 . The door guard  22  may be configured to generate an alarm signal that escalates in volume and/or frequency as the tag  14  gets closer to the door guard. Furthermore, each of the remote devices  20  may receive an alert when one of the tagged items of merchandise  12  is detected within a predetermined distance from a door guard  22 . Thus, a sales associate may be alerted of a potential thief, which allows a sales associate to approach the thief to potentially rectify the situation. 
     In some embodiments, the natural mode of detecting tags  14  may be too “strong” or too “omni-directional” and thereby have the tendency to cause false alarms or limit placement of items of merchandise  12  too close to the door guard  22  for fear of false alarm. One example solution is to implement a “directional antennae” and/or an artificial clamping/suppressing of the signal through RF absorptive/reflective material that would thereby focus the direction/plane of detection to a narrower aperture that more closely maps to the opening of the door itself and/or a zone directly in front of the door. 
     The method depicted in  FIG. 2  and described above represents only one method for monitoring and securing items of merchandise from theft. Similarly, the method depicted in  FIG. 3  and described above represents only one method for securing an item of merchandise from theft. In some embodiments, certain ones of the steps described above may be modified or further amplified. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional steps may be included. Modifications, additions, or amplifications to the steps above may be performed in any order and in any combination. The particular methods will depend on the numbers and types of merchandise, the retail environment, the type of communication protocols employed between tags, zone managers, door guards, and/or the network, and/or other considerations. 
     The foregoing has described one or more embodiments of a system and method for monitoring and securing item of merchandises from theft or unauthorized removal. Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is provided for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.