Electronically releasable apparatus

A method of securing an object using a portable electronically releasable security apparatus, the method comprising:

• placing a first loop formed by a first cable of the apparatus around a first portion of the object, the first cable having a first end, a second end, and a first portion between the first end and the second end, the first portion received by a first one-way locking mechanism of the apparatus, the first one-way locking mechanism allowing movement of the first portion in a first linear direction through a first opening defined in a housing of the apparatus but preventing movement of the first portion through the first opening cable in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction unless released, wherein movement of the first portion through the first opening in the first linear direction decreases a length of the first cable that forms the first loop;
• receiving, by the apparatus, a wireless electronic signal;
• and
• actuating, upon verifying the wireless electronic signal, a first electromechanical component to release the first one-way locking mechanism to allow movement of the first portion through the first opening in the second linear direction, wherein movement of the first portion through the first opening in the second linear direction increases the length of the first cable forming the first loop.

A portable electronically releasable security apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a first cable having a first end retained by or within the housing, a second end, and a first portion between the first end and the second end, the first portion passing through a first opening defined in the housing, thereby forming a first loop of the first cable external to the housing;
• one of a spool or pulley mounted within the housing and configured to receive the first portion;
• a gear mechanically coupled to the spool or pulley;
• a pawl configured to engage teeth of the gear, the pawl allowing rotation of the pulley in a first rotational direction while preventing rotation of the pulley in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction unless released, the spool or pulley, gear, and pawl forming a one-way locking mechanism configured to allow movement of the first portion in a first linear direction through the first opening but prevent movement of the first portion in a second linear direction through the first opening unless released, and wherein movement of the first portion through the first opening in the first linear direction decreases a length of the first cable that forms the first loop;
• a first electromechanical component configured to actuate the pawl;
• and
• a controller including one or more processors configured to, upon verification of a first wireless electronic signal received by the apparatus, actuate the first electromechanical component to release the pawl to allow movement of the first portion through the first opening in the second linear direction, wherein movement of the first portion in the second linear direction increases the length of the first cable that forms the first loop.