ELECTRONIC SHOPLIFTING PREVENTION SYSTEM

• US 3,665,448 A
• Filed: 08/03/1970
• Issued: 05/23/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ADT Security Services Incorporated (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hugh A. Mcglinchey, Robert L. Nathans
• Inventors: Nathans, Robert L., McGlinchey, Hugh A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wannisky, William M.
• Application Number:
  US05/060,593
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 340/280,258R,258A,258B,258C,258D,307,276,283,224 328/5 325/361
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2414 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details
• 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 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system

Abstract

A system for preventing shoplifting of articles through a first exit area having an article removal detector positioned therein. A small capsule bearing the designation DON'"'"''"'"'T REMOVE ELECTRONIC ALARM is attached to an article to be protected, such as a dress, by means of a safety pin. The capsule includes a wristwatch battery which powers a single-stage, solid state oscillator which generates an RF signal having a frequency F1 when the safety pin is closed. A shoplifter who passes through the exit area with the dress having the capsule fastened thereto will actuate an article removal detector which will in turn actuate a pair of flash cameras which are positioned to effectively photograph the entire exit area. If the shoplifter unfastens the safety pin in the process of discarding the radiating capsule within the store in an attempt to thwart the system, a capsule removal detector will immediately actuate a flash camera or annunciator to indicate unauthorized removal of the capsule. Upon payment of the dress, the cashier removes the capsule and very briefly causes an inhibit signal to be transmitted to the capsule removal detector to prevent activation of the capsule removal alarm devices during authorized removal of the capsule. Another detector may be utilized at the cashier'"'"''"'"'s counter to detect secreted items bearing the capsule.

Claims

1. A method of preventing the unauthorized removal through a first area of articles contained within a second area comprising the steps of:

providing within said first area an article removal detector having an alarm indicator coupled thereto for producing an alarm indication in response to the generation of RF signals within said first area;

attaching RF transmission units to at least some of said articles to be protected, which transmission units generate article removal RF signals within said second area containing said articles which are incapable of triggering said alarm indicator unless said transmission units are positioned within said first area associated with said detector to provide for containment of said articles within said second area without triggering said alarm indication;

producing a radiated transmission unit removal signal, in response to the unauthorized removal of said transmission units from said articles by an unauthorized individual; and

detecting said transmission unit removal signal and producing an alarm indication in response to the detection of said transmission unit removal signal to indicate unauthorized removal of said transmission unit from a protected article.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of producing said alarm indication indicative of unauthorized removal of a transmission unit from a protected article includes taking a picture of the area containing the protected article.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of producing said alarm indication indicative of unauthorized removal of a transmission unit from a protected article includes actuating an annunciator which broadcasts the unauthorized removal.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of producing said transmission unit removal signal comprises altering a characteristic of said article removal RF signal.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said transmission unit removal signal is produced by changing the frequency of said article removal signal.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of detecting said transmission unit removal signal within said second area and in the vicinity of a storage area within which said articles to be protected are stored.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transmission unit removal signal has a particular characteristic indicative of the particular type of articles from which said transmission units were removed to facilitate the location of an unauthorized removal of a transmission unit from a protected article.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of inhibiting the production of a transmission unit removal alarm indication, which would otherwise be produced by detecting said transmission unit removal signal, during a period within which an authorized individual removes a transmission unit from a protected article.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said inhibiting step is performed by generating a radiating inhibit signal having an inhibit characteristic which blocks the generation of said alarm Indication indicating unauthorized transmission unit removal which would otherwise be produced in the absence of the generation of said radiating inhibit signal.

10. The method of claim 1 further including the step of detecting radiant energy produced by a secreted transmission unit located only in the vicinity of a checkout station.

11. A method of preventing unauthorized removal through a first area of articles retained with a second article containing area comprising the steps of:

providing an article removal detector at said first area having an alarm device coupled thereto for producing an alarm indication upon the receipt of a first radiating signal by said detector which exceeds a given threshold level;

attaching radiating transmission units to at least some of said articles to be protected, which transmission units generate said first radiating signal which is insufficient to trigger said alarm indication produced by the alarm device coupled to said article removal detector unless said transmission units are positioned within said first area, so that the presence of said transmission units in areas other than said first area will not trigger the alarm device coupled to said article removal detector;

providing a transmission unit removal detector for detecting the presence of a second radiating signal;

providing an alarm indication in response to the receipt of said second radiating signal by said transmission unit removal detector;

generating a second radiating signal in response to unauthorized removal of a transmission unit from a protected article to trigger the alarm device coupled to said transmission unit removal detector;

generating a third inhibit signal during the period within which an authorized individual removes a transmission unit from an article to be protected; and

inhibiting the production of an alarm indication by the alarm device coupled to said transmission unit removal detector in response to the production of said third signal during the period when authorized removal of a transmission unit from an article occurs.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein the second radiating signal is produced by removing an electrical component from an oscillator positioned within the transmission unit.

13. The method set forth in claim 12 wherein said component is removed by unfastening a fastening device which couples the transmission unit to the article being protected.

14. An RF transmission unit for preventing the unauthorized removal of an article from a given area and which may be readily attached and removed from such an article to be protected comprising:

an RF oscillator for generating an RF signal over a prolonged time period during which said RF transmission unit is attached to said protected article;

a power source for operating said RF oscillator;

a housing for supporting said oscillator and said power source;

a fastening device coupled to said housing for fastening said transmission unit to said article to be protected; and

control means for altering a characteristic of said RF signal radiated by said oscillator upon the actuation of said fastening device.

15. The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein a switch is provided for coupling said power source to said oscillator, together with means for preventing the opening of said switch once said switch is closed.

16. The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein said housing includes a flexible wall portion adjacent said switch to provide for the closure of said switch by applying pressure to said flexible wall portion.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 15 further including an insulating member coacting with said power source for preventing application of power to said oscillator;

and an actuating member connected to said insulating member for enabling removal of said insulating member from said power source upon the actuation of said actuating member.

18. The combination set Forth in claim 17 wherein said oscillator includes a frequency shifting component together with means coupled to said fastener for connecting said frequency shifting component to said oscillator when said fastening device assumes a first state and for decoupling said frequency shifting component from said oscillator when said fastener assumes a second state so that said oscillator shifts in frequency upon the unauthorized removal of said transmission unit from said article to be protected.

19. The combination set forth in claim 18 wherein said fastener is electrically conductive and means are provided for coupling said frequency shifting component to said oscillator when said fastener is closed and for decoupling said frequency shifting component from said oscillator when said fastener is opened.

20. The combination set forth in claim 18 further including an electrical contact member positioned within said housing for coupling said frequency shifting component to said oscillator when said fastener is opened.

21. The combination set forth in claim 18 wherein said fastener is a safety pin.

22. A method of preventing unauthorized removal through a first exit area of articles contained within a second area comprising the steps of:

attaching radiating transmission units to said articles to be protected;

producing an article removal alarm indication in response to radiation produced by the presence of said transmission units in said first area but not in said second area;

producing a transmission unit removal signal upon the unauthorized removal of a transmission unit from a protected article;

detecting said transmission unit removal signal; and

producing a transmission unit removal alarm indication in response to the receipt of said transmission unit removal signal.

23. The method as set forth in claim 22 further including the step of inhibiting the production of said transmission unit removal alarm indication upon the authorized removal of a transmission unit from a protected article.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of inhibiting the production of said transmission unit removal alarm indication includes the transmission of an inhibit signal which inhibits the production of said removal alarm indication.

25. The method of claim 22 further including the additional step of detecting radiant energy produced by a secreted transmission unit located only in the vicinity of a checkout station;

and producing a checkout station alarm indication in response to the detection of said secreted transmission unit.

26. The method of claim 22 further including the step of photographing said first area in response to the production of said article removal alarm indication.

27. The method of claim 22 further including the step of photographing said second area in response to the production of said transmission unit removal alarm indication.

28. A method for preventing unauthorized removal through a first exit area of a plurality of discrete articles contained within a second storage area distinct from said first exit area, which plurality of articles may be moved about within said storage area without producing an alarm indication, said method comprising the steps of:

attaching protective capsules to each of said articles to be protected for enabling said protective capsules to move with said articles as said articles are moved about within said storage area;

producing an article removal alarm indication in response to the presence of said protective capsules within said first exit area but not within said second storage area due to unauthorized removal of said articles from said second storage area;

producing a protective capsule removal signal upon the unauthorized removal of a protective capsule from a protected article within said second storage area;

detecting said protective capsule removal signal; and

producing a protective capsule removal alarm indication in response to the receipt of saiD protective capsule removal signal.

29. The method as set forth in claim 28 wherein said article removal alarm indication is generated in response to the receipt of a predetermined minimum level of energy produced by the presence of said protective capsules within said exit area but not within said storage area.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein said protective capsule removal signal is produced in response to the opening of a safety pin used to readily attach said capsules to said articles to be protected.