Security

• US 6,911,908 B1
• Filed: 10/04/2000
• Issued: 06/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems (HK) Limited (Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Activerf Limited (Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Beart, Pilgrim
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin
• Application Number:
  US10/110,276
• Time in Patent Office: 1,728 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571, 3405721-5729, 340/568.1, 340/523, 340/568.5, 340/539.1, 340/5.91, 340/5.92, 340/825.49, 235/375, 235/376, 235/380, 235/382, 235/384, 235/385, 235/450, 235/451, 235/435, 235/439, 194/905, 705/10, 705/16, 705/17, 705/18, 705/21, 705/22, 705/23, 705/28, 705/30, 280/33.996, 186/62
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0096 Identification of the cart or merchandise, e.g. by barcodes or radio frequency identification [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0636 in which the trolleys or carts are kept in a restricted zone such as a coral-like enclosure, or are passing a gate before use is possible
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0054 with control of supplementary check-parameters, e.g. weight or number of articles
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 3/003 Anti-theft control theft alarms G08B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/246 Check out systems combined with EAS, e.g. price information stored on EAS tag anti-theft systems in point of sale systems G07G3/003
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 194/905 Shopping cart return

Abstract

A security system for protecting articles (8), the system comprising at least one Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) loop (1) , one Emitting Unit (7) and one Detecting Unit (9) attached to each article (8) to be protected, the Detecting Unit (9) having a detector to detect electromagnetic fields emitted by the EAS loop (4) and the Emitting Unit (7) and to distinguish between them, and an alarm generator for generating an alarm if a predetermined sequence of fields is detected. The system combines existing EAS loops (4) normally present in a retail store with Emitting Units (7) and Detecting Units (9) so as to monitor movement of articles (8), especially supermarket trolleys, around the retail store.

Claims

1. A security system for protecting articles, the system comprising at least one Emitting Unit, and one Detecting Unit attached to each article to be protected, characterized in that there is further provided at least one Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) loop of a type used for detecting the passage of traditional EAS tags, wherein the Detecting Unit has a detector for detecting electromagnetic fields emitted by the EAS loop and the Emitting Unit and distinguishing between them, and an alarm generator for generating an alarm if a predetermined sequence of fields is detected.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Emitting Unit comprises a processor and an electromagnetic field generator, the processor being adapted to control the electromagnetic field generator such that the emitted field is distinct in some characteristic way from that emitted by the EAS loop.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Detecting Unit comprises a power source adapted to power the unit, an electromagnetic field detector, a processor, an alarm generator, and a mechanism for attaching the Detecting Unit to the article to be protected, the processor being adapted to monitor characteristics of any proximal field sensed by the electromagnetic field detector and to cause the alarm generator to generate an alarm when a predetermined sequence of events is satisfied.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the Detecting Unit has a unique identification code or number as part of a memory state of the processor.

5. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the Detecting Unit is in communication with a unit adapted to scan a loyalty card issued to a person, the loyalty card including a unique personal identification number serving to identify the person, and wherein the Detecting Unit is adapted to incorporate the unique personal identification number in a memory state of the processor.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the article to be protected is a supermarket trolley.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the Detecting Unit is formed as an integral part of the supermarket trolley.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the Detecting Unit is formed as part of a handle of the supermarket trolley.

9. A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the Detecting Unit is formed as part 5 of a wheel of the supermarket trolley.

10. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined sequence of fields comprises detection of proximity to the EAS loop more than twice in sequence without an intervening detection of the Emitting Unit.

11. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Detecting Unit is adapted to measure a field strength of a detected field.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Detecting Unit is adapted to 15 measure a time taken from a point when a field is first detected to a point where the field reaches a predetermined field strength.

15. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Detecting Unit keeps an internal log of its usage patterns.

16. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Detecting Unit is adapted to report all or part of an internal memory state by way of modulation of its alarm generator.

17. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Detecting Unit is adapted to report all or part of an internal memory state in response to an interrogation signal from an interrogation unit adapted to issue an interrogation signal and to receive a response signal from the Detecting Unit.

18. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the interrogation unit is an Emitting Unit.

19. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of Emitting Units is provided at predetermined locations, each Emitting Unit emitting a distinguishable electromagnetic field, and wherein the Detecting Unit is adapted to detect when and how often it passes each Emitting Unit and to transmit this information, together with a unique identification code or number serving to identify the Detecting Unit, to a central computer.

20. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of Emitting Units is provided at predetermined locations, each Emitting Unit emitting a distinguishable electromagnetic field, wherein the Detecting Unit is provided with a visual display or sound generator, and wherein the Emitting Units are adapted to transmit information to the Detecting Unit so as to activate the visual display or sound generator to issue a visible or audible signal.

21. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of Emitting Units each provided with a visual display or a sound generator is provided at predetermined locations, wherein the Detecting Unit is provided with a transmitter for transmitting information to the Emitting Units so as to indicate its presence, and wherein the visual display or sound generator is activated to issue a visible or audio signal in response to the presence of the Detecting Unit.

13. A system as claimed in claim l, wherein the Emitting Unit is adapted selectively to emit an electromagnetic radiation pattern chosen from a set of characteristic electromagnetic radiation patterns, the selection being made in response to a switch setting or an external signal.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the Detecting Unit applies a different alarm response for different detected characteristic electromagnetic radiation patterns.

22. A method of providing security for articles, wherein there is provided at least one Emitting Unit, and at least one Detecting Unit attached to each article to be protected, characterized in that there is further provided at least one Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) loop of a type used for detecting the passage of traditional EAS tags, wherein the Detecting Unit detects electromagnetic fields emitted by the EAS loop and the Emitting Unit and distinguishes between them, an alarm being generated if a predetermined sequence of fields is detected.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the alarm is generated when a disallowed sequence of visits to one or more EAS loops or Emitting Units is detected.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the alarm is generated when proximity to an EAS loop is detected more than twice in sequence without an intervening detection of proximity to an Emitting Unit.

25. A method according to claim 22, wherein the article to be protected is a supermarket trolley.

26. A method according to claim 22, wherein the Detecting Unit measures a field strength of a detected field.

27. A method according to claim 22, wherein the Detecting Unit measures a time taken from a point when a field is first detected to a point where the field reaches a predetermined field strength.

28. A method according to claim 22, wherein the Emitting Unit selectively emits an electromagnetic radiation pattern chosen from a set of characteristic electromagnetic radiation patterns, the selection being made in response to a switch setting or an external signal.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the Detecting Unit applies a different alarm response for different detected characteristic electromagnetic radiation patterns.

30. A method according to claim 22, wherein the Detecting Unit keeps an internal log of its usage patterns.

31. A method according to claim 22, wherein the Detecting Unit is uniquely identifiable by way of identification code or number provided as part of an internal memory state.

32. A method according to claim 22, wherein the Detecting Unit is in communication with a unit adapted to scan a loyalty card issued to a person, the loyalty card including a unique personal identification number serving to identify the person, and wherein the Detecting Unit is adapted to incorporate the unique personal identification number in an internal memory state.

33. A method according to claim 22, wherein the Detecting Unit is operable to report all or part of an internal memory state by way of modulation of the alarm.

34. A method according to claim 22, wherein the Detecting Unit is operable to report all or part of an internal memory state in response to an interrogation signal from an interrogation unit adapted to issue an interrogation signal and to receive a response signal from the Detecting Unit.

35. A method according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of Emitting Units is provided at predetermined locations, each Emitting Unit emitting a distinguishable electromagnetic field, and wherein the Detecting Unit detects when and how often it passes each Emitting Unit and transmits this information, together with a unique identification code or number serving to identify the Detecting Unit, to a central computer.

36. A method according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of Emitting Units is provided at predetermined locations, each Emitting Unit emitting a distinguishable electromagnetic field, wherein the Detecting Unit is provided with a visual display or sound generator, and wherein the Emitting Units transmit information to the Detecting Unit so as to activate the visual display or sound generator to issue a visible or audible signal.

37. A method according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of Emitting Units each provided with a visual display or a sound generator is provided at predetermined locations, wherein the Detecting Unit is provided with a transmitter for transmitting information to the Emitting Units so as to indicate its presence, and wherein the visual display or sound generator is activated to issue a visible or audible signal in response to the presence of the Detecting Unit.

38. A security system for protecting articles, the system comprising at least one electronic Article surveillance (EAS) loop, one Emitting Unit and one Detecting Unit attached to each article to be protected, the Detecting Unit having a detector to detect electromagnetic fields emitted by the EAS loop and the Emitting Unit and to distinguish between them, and an alarm generator for generating an alarm if a predetermined sequence of fields is detected.

39. A method of providing security for articles, wherein there is provided at least one Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) loop, at least one Emitting Unit, and at least one Detecting Unit attached to each article to be protected, and wherein the Detecting Unit is adapted to detect electromagnetic fields emitted by the EAS loop and the Emitting Unit and to distinguish between them, an alarm being generated if a predetermined sequence of fields is detected.