Combined data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system

• US 7,374,092 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.), Sensormatic Electronics Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Acosta, Jorge L., Rudeen, Robert W., Salim, Mohamed A., Svetal, Michael P., Bontly, Craig H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Thien Minh
• Application Number:
  US11/482,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20070063045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/383, 235/385, 235/451, 235/454, 340/572.3
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10693 for omnidirectional scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1096 the scanner having more than one scanning window, e.g. two substantially orthogonally placed scanning windows for integration into a check-out counter of a super-market
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0018 Constructional details, e.g. of drawer, printing means, input means
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0054 with control of supplementary check-parameters, e.g. weight or number of articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• 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

Abstract

An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. In one configuration, a data reader such as a bar code scanner is equipped with an EAS deactivation module disposed behind the scanner surface preferably downstream and/or upstream of the scanner window. The system may be configured such that the EAS deactivation module is interchangeable from the right side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for left-to-right scanning motion) to the left side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for right-to-left scanning motion). In other configurations, the deactivation module may be disposed in the housing adjacent to the window and oriented longitudinally and parallel to the sweep direction of the item. The EAS deactivation modules have various configurations such as simple planar coils, a magnetically active core with coil windings, or two part L-shape construction.

Claims

1. A checkout device comprising:

a scale assembly including a base portion and a weigh plate over the base portion, wherein the weigh plate includes an aperture;

a barcode reader between the base portion and the weigh plate which reads a barcode through the aperture in the weigh plate;

a security label deactivation system; and

a controller that enables the security label deactivation system only after successful reading of the barcode,

wherein the security label deactivation system comprises a magnetic coil unit disposed between the weigh plate and the base portion, the magnetic coil unit including outer windings disposed around a central core.

2. A system for data reading and electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag deactivation, comprising:

a housing including a window oriented generally horizontally;

a data reader disposed in the housing to read an item through the window as the item is passed through a scan volume defined above the window;

an EAS deactivation unit disposed in the housing and to a lateral side of the window; and

a controller that enables the EAS deactivation unit only after successful reading of the item,

wherein the EAS deactivation unit comprises a magnetic coil unit disposed below a plane of the window, the magnetic coil unit including outer windings disposed around a central core.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the system is an integrated system for bar code reading and EAS tag deactivation wherein the data reader comprises a bar code reader for reading a barcode label on the item.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the item is passed through the scan volume in a direction of item movement from a position upstream of the bar code reader to a position downstream of the bar code reader and wherein said one lateral side of the window is downstream of the window.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the controller for the EAS deactivation unit is enabled upon receipt of a good read signal from the bar code reader, and wherein the EAS deactivation unit is part of an EAS system which operates to detect an EAS tag only if the barcode reader has successfully read the barcode label.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the EAS system comprises an electromagnetic coil packaged in a generally rectangular shape package in which the lengthwise dimension of the electromagnetic coil is oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of item movement.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the electromagnetic coil comprises separate sense and deactivation coils.

8. The system of claim 3 wherein the integrated system further comprises a weigh scale.

9. The system of claim 2 further comprising:

a weigh plate, the window being disposed in the weigh plate;

wherein the EAS deactivation unit is disposed between the weigh plate and the housing.

10. The system of claim 2 further comprising:

a load cell mounted in the housing the load cell supporting the weigh plate.

11. A checkout system for data reading and electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag deactivation, comprising:

a scanner including a scanner housing which fits within a check stand hole and having a window facing a scan volume through which items are passed;

an EAS deactivation unit disposed in the scanner housing laterally to one side of the window and downstream of the scan volume; and

a controller that enables the EAS deactivation unit only upon a successful scan of an item passed through the scan volume,

wherein the EAS deactivation unit comprises a magnetic coil unit disposed below a plane of the window, the magnetic coil unit including outer windings disposed around a central core.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the window of the scanner is oriented horizontally.

13. A checkout system for data reading and electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag deactivation comprising:

a housing including a window facing a scan volume;

a data reader disposed in the housing to read an item through the window as the item is passed through the scan volume;

an EAS deactivation unit disposed in the housing adjacent to and downstream of the window; and

a controller that enables the EAS deactivation unit only upon a successful read of an item passed through the scan volume,

wherein the EAS deactivation unit comprises a magnetic coil unit disposed below a plane of the window, the magnetic coil unit including outer windings disposed around a central core.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a weigh plate; and

a load cell.

15. A checkout device comprising:

a barcode reader including a first portion having a substantially horizontal aperture and a second portion having a substantially vertical aperture;

a weigh platter suspended above the first portion; and

a security label deactivation system between the first portion and the weigh platter, wherein the security label deactivation system comprises a magnetic coil unit including a central portion and outer windings disposed about the central portion, the magnetic coil unit generating a magnetic field for deactivating electronic security tags.

16. A checkout device comprising:

a barcode reader including a first portion having a substantially horizontal aperture and a second portion having a substantially vertical aperture;

a weigh platter suspended above the first portion; and

a security label deactivation system adjacent the first portion and under the weigh platter, wherein the security label deactivation system comprises a magnetic coil unit including a central portion and outer windings disposed about the central portion, the magnetic coil unit generating a magnetic field for deactivating electronic security tags.

17. A checkout device comprising:

a first barcode scanning portion for generating first scan lines that pass through a substantially horizontal aperture;

a second barcode scanning portion for generating second scan lines that pass through a substantially vertical aperture;

a weigh platter suspended above the first barcode scanning portion; and

a security label deactivation system between the first barcode scanning portion and the weigh platter, wherein the security label deactivation system comprises a magnetic coil unit including a central portion and outer windings disposed about the central portion, the magnetic coil unit generating a magnetic field for deactivating electronic security tags.

18. A checkout device comprising:

a barcode reader including a first portion having a substantially horizontal aperture and a second portion having a substantially vertical aperture;

a weigh platter suspended above the first portion; and

a security label deactivation system between the first portion and the weigh platter substantially to one side of the substantially horizontal aperture, wherein the security label deactivation system comprises a magnetic coil unit including a central portion and outer windings disposed about the central portion, the magnetic coil unit generating a magnetic field for deactivating electronic security tags.

19. The checkout device as recited in claim 18, wherein the one side comprises a left side.

20. The checkout device as recited in claim 18, wherein the one side comprises a right side.