Combined data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system

• US 8,011,579 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2004
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Incorporated (Datalogic S.p.A.), Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Rudeen, Robert W., Salim, Mohamed A., Svetal, Michael P., Bontly, Craig H., Acosta, Jorge L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US10/825,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20040189472A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,701 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.13, 235/462.14, 235/383, 235/375, 235/451, 235/449, 235/454, 235/462.01, 235/462.09, 705/16, 705/17, 340/572.3
• US Class Current: 235/383
• 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, the bar code reader reading a barcode affixed to an item through the aperture in the weigh plate; and

a security label deactivation system between the base portion and the weigh plate which deactivates a security label affixed to the item after the barcode is read by the barcode reader, the security label deactivation system integrated within the scale assembly.

2. The checkout device as recited in claim 1, wherein the barcode reader enables the security label deactivation system following reading of the barcode.

3. The checkout device as recited in claim 1, further comprising an interlock which enables the security label deactivation system following reading of the barcode.

4. The checkout device as recited in claim 1, wherein the scale assembly is installed within a checkstand.

5. The checkout device of claim 1 wherein the security label deactivation system is activated as the item travels along a path which crosses the aperture and continues above the plane of the weigh plate, in response to an enabling signal sent by the barcode reader upon successful read of the barcode affixed to the item, the security label deactivation system operating to deactivate the security label affixed to the item while the item continues traveling along the path.

6. The checkout device of claim 1 further comprising:

an interface for activating the security label deactivation system, as the item travels along a path which crosses the aperture for the barcode reader in response to a successful read of the barcode affixed to the item, the interface activating the security label deactivation system in response to an enable signal transmitted by the barcode reader, the activated security label deactivation system operating to deactivate the security label affixed to the item while the item continues traveling along the path.

7. The checkout device of claim 1 wherein the barcode reader reads the barcode affixed to the item and the security label deactivation system deactivates the security label affixed to the item within the time it takes to pass the item along a path which crosses the aperture and continues above the plane of the weigh plate.

8. 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, the bar code reader reading a barcode affixed to an item through the aperture in the weigh plate; and

a security label deactivation system between the base portion and the weigh plate which deactivates a security label affixed to the item after the barcode is read by the barcode reader, the security label deactivation system integrated within the scale assembly,

wherein the security label deactivation system includes a magnetic coil assembly for sensing and deactivating the security label.

9. The checkout device as recited in claim 8, wherein the barcode reader reads the barcode before the magnetic coil assembly senses and deactivates the security label.

10. A checkout system comprising:

a checkout device including

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, the barcode reader reading a barcode affixed to an item through the aperture in the weigh plate; and

a security label deactivation system between the base portion and the weigh scale which deactivates a security label affixed to the item after the barcode is read by the barcode reader, the security label deactivation system integrated within the scale assembly;

a transaction terminal.

11. A checkout method comprising the steps of:

reading a barcode label on an item moving in a path, which crosses an aperture of a scale weigh plate by a barcode reader between the aperture and a scale base portion;

sending a signal to an interface by the barcode reader;

enabling a security label deactivation system between the scale weigh place and the scale base portion and in a downstream position from the barcode reader relative to the path of the item, the security label deactivation system integrated within the scale weigh plate and the scale base portion;

detecting a security label on the item by the security label deactivation system as the item moves along the path and crosses the security label deactivation system; and

deactivating the security label by the security label deactivation system.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the detecting step comprises the substeps of:

sensing movement of a magnetic material in the security label as it passes near a magnetic coil assembly in the security label deactivation system.

13. A checkout method comprising the steps of:

reading a barcode label on an item moving in a path, which crosses an aperture of a scale weigh plate by a barcode reader between the aperture and a scale base portion;

sending a signal to an interface by the barcode reader;

enabling a security label deactivation system between the scale weigh plate and the scale base portion and in a downstream position from the barcode reader relative to the path of the item, the security label deactivation system integrated within the scale weigh plate and the scale base portion;

detecting a security label on the item by the security label deactivation system as the item moves along the path and crosses the security label deactivation system; and

deactivating the security label by the security label deactivation system, wherein the detecting step comprises the substeps of;

demagnetizing a magnetic material in the security label as it passes near a magnetic coil assembly in the security label deactivation system.