1. Field of the Disclosure
The present application relates to a decoupling or unlocking device operable to unlock a storage container that is used to store and secure an asset.
2. Related Art
The checkout process in retail stores or other facilities, such as libraries, for example, is often a source of delay. In many stores, self-checkout is becoming increasingly popular to allow customers to buy, or rent, products with minimum waiting times. Self checkout would also be advantageous in other environments, such as libraries, to allow users to checkout other materials, such as CDs and DVDs, for example. In a retail setting, typically, the product is scanned and a payment is made to purchase, or rent, the product in question. However, at the same time, it is important for stores to ensure that products are properly paid for prior to being removed from the store. Similarly, in a library setting, it is important to ensure that users are identified and associated with the material that they are checking out and that only properly checked out items leave the library. Thus, it is common for assets, or products, to be secured in storage containers that are locked to limit access to the asset prior to purchase, or removal from the library. Naturally, these storage containers need to be both secure and quickly and efficiently unlocked at checkout in order to allow a bonafide purchaser, or library user, access to the asset or item of interest.
Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a decoupling device for unlocking a storage container that allows for proper security and also provides for efficient processing of merchandise or other items at checkout.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a decoupling apparatus for unlocking a storage container with a magnetic lock member that allows for the efficient processing of merchandise at checkout and maintaining security and loss protection as well.
A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container using a magnetic lock member in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a body portion, a container portion structured to receive a storage container such that it remains stationary, the container portion extending from the body portion such that a portion of the storage container including the magnetic lock member extends into the body portion and a first magnet mounted in the body portion, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path releases the magnetic lock member.
A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container using a magnetic lock member in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a body portion, a container portion structured to receive a storage container such that the storage container remains stationary, the container portion extending from the body portion such that a portion of the storage container including the magnetic lock member extends into the body portion. The container portion further includes a recess formed in a bottom surface thereof and structured to accommodate the storage container, a first spacer adjustably mounted on a first side of the recess; and a second spacer adjustably mounted on a second side of the recess, such that the first spacer and second spacer automatically adjust position such that the storage container is substantially centered in the recess when placed in container portion. The decoupling device also includes a first magnet mounted in the body portion, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path releases the magnetic lock member.
A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container using a magnetic lock member in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a body portion, a container portion structured to receive a storage container such that the storage container remains stationary, the container portion extending from the body portion such that a portion of the storage container including the magnetic lock member extends into the body portion, a first magnet mounted in the body portion, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path releases the magnetic lock member and a probe mounted in the container and operable to determine whether the magnetic lock member has been released after the first magnet moves in the predetermined path.
A method of unlocking a storage container using a magnetic lock member in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes placing the storage container in a container portion of an uncoupling device such that the storage container remains stationary and a portion of the storage container including the magnetic lock member extends into a base portion of the uncoupling device, and moving a magnet mounted in the base portion of the decoupling device in a predetermined path such that the magnetic lock member is released.
Other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following description of the application which refers to the accompanying drawings.
A decoupling device 10 in accordance with the present application is provided for use in unlocking a storage container used to store and secure various assets. The decoupling, or unlocking, device 10 of the present application is described in further detail with reference to
The container section 10b preferably extends outward from the body section 10a and includes a recess 20 in which the lockable storage container 1 to be unlocked may be placed. The device 10 preferably accommodates containers of various sizes. Thus, the container section 10b preferably includes spacers 22a, 22b which are adjustable to accommodate containers of various sizes, or widths. The spacers 22a, 22b ensure that the container 1 is substantially centered in the recess 20, as can be seen in
In a preferred embodiment, a position switch 89 (see
The storage container 1 is preferably similar to that described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/285,860 entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING ITEMS, filed Nov. 23, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. That is, the storage container 1 preferably includes a first cover and a second cover connected by a hinge. The first and second covers are configured to move between an open position which allows access to the asset stored inside, and a closed position which prevents access to the asset. The container 1 preferably includes a magnetic lock member, opposite the side of the container with the hinge, that is configured to move between an unlocked position in which the first and second covers can move to the open position and a locked position which locks the first and second covers in the closed position. The magnetic lock member preferably includes metallic elements, or other magnetic elements, which can be moved, based on application of a magnetic field, between the locked and unlocked positions. In addition, the magnetic lock member preferably includes a security status indicator that indicates whether the container is locked or not. While the storage container described above is suitable for use with the decoupling device 10 of the present application, the decoupling device is not limited for use with such storage containers.
When the above-mentioned position switch 89 is activated by the properly positioned storage container 1, a light 14 (see
In addition, a controller 80 in the device 10 may also preferably be alerted to the presence of the storage container 1 as well. That is, the controller 80 is also connected to the position switch 89 and preferably controls the light 14. The controller 80 may be a programmable logic controller (PLC) or any other suitable control circuit. The controller 80 is operable to control operation of the decoupling device 10 to ensure that the decoupling device only unlocks the storage container 1 when it is appropriate. That is, when certain conditions are met indicating proper positioning of the container 1.
The decoupling device 10 is preferably connected to a central host system 50 (see
After the position of the container 1 in the decoupling device 10 has been confirmed, for example, by the signal provided to the controller 80 of the device 10 when the position switch 89 is activated, the position signal is sent to the host system 50 indicating that the container 1 is positioned for decoupling (or unlocking). The host system 50 may then confirm that the asset in the container 1 has been paid for, or that the container 1 is otherwise clear for unlocking. The host system 50, may then send an enable signal to the decoupling device 10 to allow the decoupling device to unlock the storage container 1. In a preferred embodiment, the controller 80 includes a communication unit 87 that allows it to send and receive information to the host system 50, if. desired. This communication may be via a wire connection, or wireless, if desired. The communication unit 87 may be implemented separate from controller 80, as well, if desired.
More specifically, the enable signal is preferably sent to the controller 80 of the decoupling device 10. The controller 80 then preferably energizes at least one electric motor 30 which moves at least one permanent magnet 32a, 32b in a predetermined path in the decoupling device 10 to move the magnetic lock member of the storage container 1 from the locked position into the unlocked position. In a preferred embodiment, two magnets 32a, 32b are moved in respective predetermined paths to move the magnetic lock member into the unlocked position. Preferably, one of the magnets 32a is on a top portion of the device 10, above the container 1, and a second magnet 32b is positioned below the container 1. The magnets 32a, 32b move relative to the container 1 while the container remains still. In this manner, wear on the container 1 is reduced and the life of the container may be extended.
More specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the electric motor 30 is energized to move the magnets 32a, 32b. A series of gears 34 are preferably provided to aid the motor 30 in moving the magnets. In a preferred embodiment, the magnets 32a, 32b are connected to a first belt 38a and a second belt 38b respectively. The belts 38a, 38b are connected between a first drum 36a and a second drum 36b which are used to drive the belts 38a, 38b. The motor 30 preferably drives the gears 34 such that they, in turn, drive at least one of the drums 36a, 36b. The at least one drum rotates the belts 38a, 38b to move the magnets 32a, 32b along predetermined paths.
The magnets 32a, 32b are preferably permanent magnets, however, they need not be. For example, electromagnets may be used if desired. In a preferred embodiment, the magnets 32a, 32b are moved using the electric motor 30, however, any other means for moving the magnets would also be acceptable provided that the magnets are moved in substantially the same predetermined path to ensure that the lock member of the storage container 1 is accordingly moved in the correct direction to unlock the storage container. For example, a pneumatic actuator may be used, if desired.
The storage container 1 may include an RFID tag or an EAS tag that includes information related the asset or item stored in the storage container. The RFID tag may be active or passive. Preferably, the RFID tag interacts with one or more RFID readers that are also connected to the host system 50 to help monitor the assets in the container 1 and help to identify specific assets which have been paid for to allow for the unlocking of the container or containers 1 including those assets. Similarly, in a library environment, the item in the container 1 may be identified with an RFID tag and the system 50 may confirm that this item may be removed from the library. The user may be asked to provide identity information so that the item they wish to check out may be associated with them or their library card or other account. Unless the unlocking of the container 1 is authorized, the enable signal may be withheld and the decoupling device 10 will not unlock the container. Alternatively, any other suitable means or method to include information related to the asset stored in the storage container may be used, for example, a bar code.
Prior to removing the storage container 1 from the decoupling device 10 after the magnets 32a, 32b have moved to release the magnetic lock member of the container 1, a probe 85 (see
In one alternative embodiment, the probe 85 may be an optical scanner which scans the storage container 1 to determine whether the lock member has been released. For example, the secure container disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/285,860 entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING ITEMS, filed Nov. 23, 2005, as noted above, includes a security status indicator that indicates whether the container is locked or not. In one embodiment, the security status indicator is a tag that exhibits a first reflectivity when in a first position, indicating that the container is locked, and a second reflectivity when in a second position, indicating that the container is unlocked. Thus, as optical scanner may be used to sense the reflectivity of such a security status indicator and provide an unlock signal that indicates that the container 1 has been unlocked. As noted above, this unlock signal is preferably also sent to the host system 50 as well. Reflective tape may alternatively be used to change reflectivity of the security status indicator based on position, if desired.
It is noted that in either embodiment, the probe 85 is preferably positioned in a center of the width of the recess 20 of the container portion 10b . Since the spacers 22a, 22b automatically center the storage container in the recess 20, the opening A, or security status indicator, of the container 1 will be substantially aligned with the probe 85 regardless of the size of the particular container 1.
As noted above, the positioning of the container 1 in the decoupling device 10 is preferably always such that the side of the container that includes the lock member faces the device 10. In addition, it is preferable that a top cover of the container 1 faces up. If this position is not correct, the lock member will preferably not be opened or unlocked by the decoupling device 10.
Thus, the decoupling device 10 of the present application allows for easy use by even an untrained user while providing good security. The container must be properly positioned before unlocking, and the device notifies the user of proper positioning. Once placed in the device 10, the container 1 is not moved at all, which also simplifies operation. The device 10 automatically centers the container 1, and thus, allows for an increase in the range of sizes of containers that can be used with the device 10. In addition, the device 10 confirms unlocking of the container 1, either mechanically, or optically, and alerts a host system that the container has been unlocked so that items can be better tracked and secured.
Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.
The present application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/884,791 entitled FIXED CASE AUTOMATED UNLOCKING MECHANISM filed Jan. 12, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/285,860 entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING ITEMS, filed Nov. 23, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
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