System for detecting unauthorized store exit events
DCFirst Claim
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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.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automated method of detecting an unauthorized exit of a shopping cart from a store, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for detecting unauthorized exits of shopping baskets from a store, the system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification