System for detecting unauthorized store exit events

• US 9,637,151 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2015
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Hannah, Stephen E., Carter, Scott J., James, Jesse M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Akhter, Sharmin
• Application Number:
  US14/699,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20150325093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 3405391, 34053913, 3405685, 340988, 701408
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/04 for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/08 from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/16 operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/18 operated by wayside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/14 characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys collapsible shopping trolleys B62B3/027
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1404 Means for facilitating stowing or transporting of the trolleys; Antitheft arrangements B62B5/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1412 mounted on the frame
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1424 Electronic display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1492 Wheel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0003 Adaptations for loading in or on a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0423 braking or blocking when leaving a particular area
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0438 hand operated
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/048 Hub brakes; drum brakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/12 executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• 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 13/2474 : Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2477 : Antenna or antenna activator circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 : EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 : Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1846 : structurally associated with wheels or associated parts dynamos arranged in the wheel hub of cycles B62J6/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 : Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Various systems for detecting unauthorized exit events are disclosed. The systems can support a variety of different methods for assessing whether a customer is exiting the store without paying. The particular method or methods used may vary widely based on the types and the locations of the system components included in a given installation. For example, the system may be configured to detect that a cart has passed or is passing through a checkout lane.

Claims

1. An automated method of detecting an unauthorized exit of a shopping cart from a store, the method comprising:

emitting, with a signal emitter, radio frequency signals into a checkout area of the store;

detecting the radio frequency signals with a cart transceiver attached to a shopping cart, the cart transceiver comprising a wireless communication system and a controller;

determining, based on the detected radio frequency signals, that the shopping cart is located in the checkout area; and

automatically determining, based on recent history information of the shopping cart, whether the shopping cart is authorized to exit the store,

wherein the recent history information comprises an amount of time the shopping cart spent in the checkout area and the distance traveled by the shopping cart in the checkout area.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the recent history information comprises the path and speed of the shopping cart.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said automatically determining is performed by a monitoring system in bi-directional communication with the cart transceiver.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said automatically determining is performed by the cart transceiver.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, with the cart transceiver, a received signal strength indication (RSSI) value of the radio frequency signals;

transmitting, with the cart transceiver, a response signal in response to detecting that the RSSI value exceeds a threshold; and

receiving the response signal with a monitoring system that is not attached to the cart.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically activating a brake of a wheel of the shopping cart in response to the shopping cart attempting to exit the store without the shopping cart having been determined to be authorized to exit the store.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether a checkout station in the checkout area was active, and wherein said automatically determining is further based on whether the checkout station was active.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising illuminating an indicator to provide a visual indication of a state of the shopping cart.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the state comprises whether a wheel unit of the shopping cart is locked.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting an exit authorized command in response to the shopping cart being determined to be authorized to exit the store.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a lock command in response to the shopping cart being determined to be unauthorized to exit the store; and

locking a wheel of the shopping cart.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the distance traveled by the shopping cart in the checkout area is determined by measuring the number of rotations of the wheel.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the checkout area is a checkout lane or a checkout station.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining movement of the cart.

15. A system for detecting unauthorized exits of shopping baskets from a store, the system comprising:

a plurality of transceivers, each transceiver attached to a respective shopping basket, each transceiver including a wireless communication unit and a controller;

a plurality of signal emitters, each signal emitter corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of checkout areas of the store, each signal emitter positioned relative to the respective checkout area to enable the transceivers to detect entry of the respective shopping baskets into the checkout area; and

a monitoring unit that communicates bi-directionally with the transceivers;

wherein the transceivers are configured to;

use signals emitted by the signal emitters to detect entry of the corresponding shopping baskets into the checkout areas; and

transmit, to the monitoring unit, information indicative of whether the transceiver has detected entry into one of the checkout areas; and

wherein the system is configured to;

monitor a location history indicating that a particular one of the shopping baskets is in the general vicinity of the checkout area; and

determine, based at least in part on the location history, whether the particular one of the shopping baskets is authorized to exit the store.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the location history comprises the path of the shopping basket over time.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the location history further comprises the speed of the shopping basket.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the location history comprises an amount of time the shopping basket spent in the store since the previous entry.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the location history comprises an amount of time the shopping basket spent in particular areas or departments of the store.

20. The system of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of shopping carts, each of the shopping carts comprising one of the shopping baskets.