Merchandise anti-theft device with an electromechanical release mechanism

A method of securing an article of merchandise against theft, comprising:

• installing an anti-theft device comprising:
• a pedestal affixed to a support surface;
• a first arm configured to immobilize the article of merchandise relative to the pedestal, wherein the first arm has a closed position in which the first arm immobilizes the article of merchandise relative to the pedestal and an open position in which the article of merchandise can be removed from the pedestal;
• a motor disposed within the pedestal, wherein actuation of the motor selectively transitions the first arm between the closed position and the open position;
• a first inductive coil disposed within the pedestal, wherein the first inductive coil is configured to wirelessly detect presence of a second inductive coil housed within the article of merchandise;
• and
• a computer processor in electrical communication with the motor and the first inductive coil, wherein the computer processor is configured to actuate the motor responsive to a predefined trigger event;
• actuating the motor to transition the first arm into the open position;
• placing the article of merchandise onto the pedestal while the first arm is in the open position, wherein the first inductive coil disposed within the pedestal is configured to detect presence of the second inductive coil housed within the article of merchandise when the article of merchandise is placed onto the pedestal, causing the first inductive coil to transmit a first electrical signal to the computer processor, wherein receipt of the first electrical signal is the predefined trigger event causing the computer processor to actuate the motor, thereby transitioning the first arm from the open position into the closed position in which the article of merchandise is immobilized relative to the pedestal, wherein the first arm cannot be transitioned into the open position via application of a force or a moment onto the first arm.