Distributed point of sale, electronic article surveillance, and product information system, apparatus and method

1. A method for facilitating transactions using a distributed point of sale, electronic article surveillance, and product information system, comprising:

placing an NFC-enabled device and a product having an RFID and EAS tag in proximity to an integrated POS/EAS/information terminal;

initiating an NFC link between the NFC-enabled device and the terminal;

interrogating the RFID and EAS tag by the terminal;

receiving information pertaining to the product from a database;

presenting the customer with a list of options regarding the product;

executing a selected option from the list of options; and

terminating the NFC link.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising modulating a signal between the RFID and EAS tag and the terminal with a signal between the terminal and the NFC-enabled device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected option is a purchase request and wherein executing the selected option comprises:

executing a secure transaction via the NFC-enabled device;

changing the status of the RFID and EAS tag; and

delivering a transaction receipt to the customer.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the state of the EAS tag is changed to paid.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the receipt is delivered by the NFC-enabled device.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected option is a purchase and delivery request and wherein executing the selected option comprises:

presenting the customer with product delivery options;

executing a secure transaction via the NFC-enabled device; and

delivering a transaction receipt to the customer.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected option is an information request and wherein executing the selected option comprises:

presenting the customer with product information options; and

delivering the selected information to the customer.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising initiating a Bluetooth link between the terminal and the NFC-enabled device.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected option is a product video request and wherein executing the selected option comprises:

presenting the customer with product video options;

initiating a Bluetooth link between the terminal and the NFC-enabled device; and

delivering the selected video to the customer.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected option is a product characteristics request and wherein executing the selected option comprises:

inquiring customer preferences for product characteristics;

determining whether a product matching the customer preferences is present in inventory;

presenting product availability details if the product is present in inventory; and

presenting a conciliation offer if the product is not present in inventory.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the customer preferences are pre-entered by the customer into the NFC-enabled device.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the terminal comprises a processor, an NFC transreceiver, a Bluetooth transreceiver, and an antenna.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the processor and the reader are adapted to prioritize UHG signals.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the terminal further comprises a power source.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein a field area of a NFC transmissions is under 20 cm.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the list of options is communicated to a customer by the NFC link.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected option is a “find my size” option and wherein executing the selected option comprises:

querying a store database.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein a customer pre-entered customer preferences into the NFC-enabled device.