Retail store security apparatus
First Claim
1. A security apparatus for a retail store, the retail store having an exit and an inventory of items for sale, each item having a security tag attached thereto, the security apparatus comprising:
- a database for storing the approximate weight of each item for sale;
register means for retrieving from the database the weight of individual items purchased during a purchase transaction and for calculating a predicted total weight of the items purchased in that transaction;
a security station positioned near the exit of the retail store, the security station comprisinga) a scale for determining the actual total weight of a bag or bags containing the items purchased during a purchase transaction;
b) means for comparing the actual total weight of the bag or bags with the predicted total weight and for generating a notification signal when the actual total weight is not within a predetermined range of the predicted total weight for a transaction; and
c) means for deactivating the security tags of the purchased items during weighing of the bag or bags; and
a security tag detection apparatus positioned between the security station and the exit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A security apparatus for a retail store in which each item for sale has a security tag attached thereto. A computerized database stores the approximate weight of each item for sale. During a purchase transaction, a predicted total weight of the items purchased is calculated and the items are placed in a bag or bags. A security station positioned near the exit of the store includes a scale for determining the actual total weight of a bag or bags containing the items purchased; a computer controller for comparing the actual total weight of the bag or bags with the predicted total weight and for generating a notification signal when the actual total weight is not within a predetermined range of the predicted total weight; and a deactivation pad for deactivating the security tags during weighing of the bag or bags. A security tag detection apparatus is positioned between the security station and the exit. The computer controller may activate the deactivating pad only when the actual total weight is within the predetermined range. An invoice number is preferably placed on the invoice as a bar code and the security station includes a bar code reader for reading the bar code from the invoice. A security method for a retail store is also provided.
144 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A security apparatus for a retail store, the retail store having an exit and an inventory of items for sale, each item having a security tag attached thereto, the security apparatus comprising:
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a database for storing the approximate weight of each item for sale; register means for retrieving from the database the weight of individual items purchased during a purchase transaction and for calculating a predicted total weight of the items purchased in that transaction; a security station positioned near the exit of the retail store, the security station comprising a) a scale for determining the actual total weight of a bag or bags containing the items purchased during a purchase transaction; b) means for comparing the actual total weight of the bag or bags with the predicted total weight and for generating a notification signal when the actual total weight is not within a predetermined range of the predicted total weight for a transaction; and c) means for deactivating the security tags of the purchased items during weighing of the bag or bags; and a security tag detection apparatus positioned between the security station and the exit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A security method for a retail store, the retail store having an exit and an inventory of items for sale, each item having a security tag attached thereto, the security method comprising the steps of:
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storing the approximate weight of each item for sale in the retail store; retrieving the weight of individual items purchased during a purchase transaction and calculating a predicted total weight of the items purchased in that transaction; placing the items purchased during a transaction in a bag or bags; and for each purchase transaction, prior to the bag or bags leaving the retail store, a) determining the actual total weight of the bag or bags containing the items purchased during a purchase transaction; b) comparing the actual total weight of the bag or bags with the predicted total weight and for generating a notification signal when the actual total weight is not within a predetermined range of the predicted total weight for a transaction; and c) deactivating the security tags of the purchased items during weighing of the bag or bags; and d) detecting non-deactivated security tags immediately adjacent to the exit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification