SECURITY TAG AND METHOD OF USING SAME TO FACILITATE AUTHORIZED REMOVAL OF INVENTORY ITEMS FROM CONTROLLED AREAS

摘要

Security tag and method of using same facilitates authorized removal of items from a controlled area where the items have been marked with an item identification code. The method involves providing a transaction software application to facilitate use of a personal mobile communication device/PMCD (118) to obtain the item identification code and participate in a wireless communication session with a transaction server to receive an authorization for release of the item from the controlled area. The application uses the PMCD to access from the security tag (106) certain security tag information available from the security tag. The security tag information is used at the PMCD to determine an unlock code for the security tag. The PMCD is then used to wirelessly communicate the unlock code to the security tag after the authorization for release has been received.