Patent Application
20170178479
This document relates generally to security tag detachment systems. More particularly, this document relates to systems and methods for determining if a tack has been removed from a security tag while in a detacher nest.
Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) systems are often used by retail stores in order to minimize loss due to theft. One common way to minimize retail theft is to attach a security tag to an article such that an unauthorized removal of the article can be detected. In some scenarios, a visual or audible alarm is generated based on such detection. For example, a security tag with an EAS element (e.g., an acousto-magnetic element) can be attached to an article offered for sale by a retail store. An EAS interrogation signal is transmitted at the entrance and/or exit of the retail store. The EAS interrogation signal causes the EAS element of the security tag to produce a detectable response if an attempt is made to remove the article without first detaching the security tag therefrom. The security tag must be detached from the article upon purchase thereof in order to prevent the visual or audible alarm from being generated.
One type of EAS security tag can include a tag body which engages a tack. The tack usually includes a tack head and a sharpened pin extending from the tack head. In use, the pin is inserted through the article to be protected. The shank or lower part of the pin is then locked within a cooperating aperture formed through the housing of the tag body. In some scenarios, the tag body may contain a Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) element or label. The RFID element can be interrogated by an RFID reader to obtain RFID data therefrom.
The EAS security tag may be removed or detached from the article using a detaching unit. Examples of such detaching units are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0208559 (“the '559 patent application) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,391,327 (“the '327 patent”). The detaching units disclosed in the listed patents are designed to operate upon a two-part hard EAS security tag. Such an EAS security tag comprises a pin and a molded plastic enclosure housing EAS marker elements. During operation, the pin is inserted through an article to be protected (e.g., a piece of clothing) and into an aperture formed through at least one sidewall of the molded plastic enclosure. The pin is securely coupled to the molded plastic enclosure via a clamp disposed therein. The pin is released by a detaching unit via application of a magnetic field by a magnet or mechanical probe inserted through an aperture in the hard tag. The magnet or mechanical probe is normally in a non-detach position within the detaching unit. When the RFID enabled hard tag is inserted into the RFID detacher nest, a first magnetic field or mechanical clamp is applied to hold the tag in place while the POS transaction is verified. Once the transaction and payment have been verified, the second magnet or the mechanical probe is caused to travel from the non-detach position to a detach position so as to release the tag's locking mechanism (e.g., a clamp). The pin can now be removed from the tag. Once the pin is removed and the article is released, the security tag will be ejected or unclamped from the detacher nest.
While EAS security tags help reduce retail theft, improper use of the detaching unit is an ever growing problem that is inhibiting the effectiveness of the security tags. For example, an unscrupulous store employee may conspire to allow customers to steal merchandise by a practice known as “sweethearting”. “Sweethearting” involves collusion between the store employee and a customer. Typically, a cashier scans an inexpensive item for the customer to ring a sale and apparently complete the transaction. But then the cashier uses a detaching unit to remove the EAS security tag from a much more expensive item which was not scanned. The customer is then free to leave the premises with the expensive item without having paid therefore. In effect, “sweethearting” can cost businesses a relatively large amount of dollars each year.
There are various methods which attempt to prevent “sweethearting”. For example, a first method involves using a smart detaching unit. The smart detaching unit is communicatively coupled to a Point Of Sale (“POS”) terminal and configured to read RFID data from the RFID element of the EAS security tag. In this case, a detachment process is completed only if purchase of the item can be verified through the POS data (e.g., by determining if an identifier read from the RFID element matches an identifier stored in a database). The verification is facilitated by a controlled Radio Frequency (“RF”) field produced around the smart detaching unit. The RFID data can only be read when the EAS security tag is placed into the smart detaching unit. This approach is efficient and practical for mechanical detaching of the security tag from the item. However, the smart detaching unit does not allow the required amount of control for the antenna of the RFID reader thereof. Therefore, the RFID data of an EAS security tag, which is merely in proximity to the smart detaching unit rather than actually in the smart detacher unit, may be erroneously read by the RFID reader of the smart detaching unit.
A second method which attempts to prevent “sweethearting” requires a store employee to manually verify that the item having the EAS security tag detached therefrom is really being purchased. As should be understood, such manual verification may be unreliable if the store employee is unscrupulous.
A third method which attempts to prevent “sweethearting” does not involve verifying that the pin has been removed from the EAS security tag, i.e., actually detached from the article being purchased. Instead, the third method involves determining that the EAS security tag is in a certain area of the retail store.
The present invention concerns implementing systems and methods for detaching a tag from an article. The tag may comprise an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) tag. The methods comprise detecting when the tag is in proximity to a detaching unit. The detaching unit may comprise a magnetic or power detacher. Thereafter, it is verified that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased using information received from the tag. Such verification can involve obtaining an article identifier or a unique tag identifier from the tag via an Radio Frequency (“RF”) communication. A tag body is mechanically coupled to the detaching unit when it has been verified that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchase.
Next, the detaching unit detects when a pin of the tag is no longer in proximity thereto. In some scenarios, this detection is made when: a signal is no longer being generated by a non-linear electrical circuit disposed within or coupled directly to the pin; and/or a signal generated by an electrical circuit disposed within or coupled directly to the pin stops being received by the detaching unit. The non-linear electrical circuit may comprise a frequency mixer. The tag body is mechanically detached from the detaching unit when the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit.
In those or other scenarios, the method further involves: supplying power to a field source of the detaching unit subsequent to when the tag body is mechanically coupled to the detaching unit; and discontinuing the supply of power to the field source when a detection is made that the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit and prior to when the tag body is mechanically decoupled from the detaching unit. Additionally, the detaching unit may concurrently performing the following operations: producing at least one signal when the tag is in proximity to the detaching unit whereby an electrical circuit disposed within or coupled directly to the pin is caused to generate a response signal; and applying a magnetic field to the tag whereby the pin is released from a locking mechanism disposed within the tag body.
Embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawing figures, in which like numerals represent like items throughout the figures, and in which:
It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described herein and illustrated in the appended figures could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by this detailed description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicated embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
As used in this document, the singular form “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”.
The present solution will now be described with respect to
Referring now to
In this regard, EAS security tags 108 are securely coupled to articles (e.g., clothing, toys, and other merchandise) offered for sale by the retail store. Exemplary embodiments of the EAS security tags 108 will be described below in relation to
In some scenarios, the detection equipment 114 comprises antenna pedestals 112, 116 and an electronic unit 118. The antenna pedestals 112, 116 are configured to create a surveillance zone at the exit or checkout lane of the retail store by transmitting an EAS interrogation signal. The EAS interrogation signal causes an active EAS security tag 108 to produce a detectable response if an attempt is made to remove the article from the retail store. For example, the EAS security tag 108 can cause perturbations in the interrogation signal, as will be described in detail below.
The antenna pedestals 112, 116 may also be configured to act as RFID readers. In these scenarios, the antenna pedestals 112, 116 transmit an RFID interrogation signal for purposes of obtaining RFID data from the active EAS security tag 108. The RFID data can include, but is not limited to, a unique identifier for the active EAS security tag 108. In other scenarios, these RFID functions are provided by devices separate and apart from the antenna pedestals.
The EAS security tag 108 can be deactivated and detached from the article using a detaching unit 106. Typically, the EAS security tag 108 is removed or detached from the articles by store employees when the corresponding article has been purchased or has been otherwise authorized for removal from the retail store. The detaching unit 106 is located at a checkout counter 110 of the retail store and communicatively coupled to a POS terminal 102 via a wired link 104. In general, the POS terminal 102 facilitates the purchase of articles from the retail store.
Detaching units and POS terminals are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. The POS terminal 102 can include any known or to be known POS terminal with or without any modifications thereto. However, the detaching unit 106 includes any known or to be known detaching unit selected in accordance with a particular application which has some hardware and/or software modifications made thereto so as to facilitate the implementation of the present invention (which will become more evident below).
In some cases, the detaching unit 106 is configured to operate as an RFID reader. As such, the detaching unit 106 may transmit an RFID interrogation signal for purposes of obtaining RFID data from an EAS security tag. Upon receipt of the tag's unique identifier and/or an article's identifier, the detaching unit 106 communicates the same to the POS terminal 102. At the POS terminal 102, a determination is made as to whether the received identifier(s) is(are) valid for an EAS security tag of the retail store. If it is determined that the received identifier(s) is(are) valid for an EAS security tag of the retail store, then the POS terminal 102 notifies the detaching unit 106 that the same has been validated, and therefore the EAS security tag 108 can be removed from the article.
Referring now to
Referring now to
As shown in
A magnetostrictive active EAS element 314 and a bias magnet 302 are also disposed within the housing 318. These components 314, 302 may be the same as or similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,489. In some scenarios, the resonant frequency of components 314, 302 is the same as the frequency at which the EAS system (e.g., EAS system 100 of
During operation, antenna pedestals (e.g., antenna pedestals 112, 116 of
A verification element 350 is also provided within the housing 318. The verification element 350 is generally configured to facilitate a determination as to whether the pin 306 is removed from the housing 318 during a POS transaction or other transaction in which removal of the EAS security tag from an article is authorized. In this regard, the verification element 350 is configured to act as a frequency mixer. Therefore, during the transaction, a detaching unit (e.g., detaching unit 106 of
In all scenarios, the RF field produced by the detaching unit is at a first frequency (e.g., 900 MHz). The electrostatic field is at a second frequency (e.g., 100 kHz). The first and second frequencies may be different from each other. For example, the first frequency may fall within the Ultra-high frequency band (e.g., 300 MHz-3 GHz), and the second frequency may fall within a different frequency band, such as the low RF frequency band (e.g., 30 kHz-300 kHz). An antenna structure (not shown in
Notably, the present invention is not limited to the architecture of EAS security tag 300 shown in
Referring now to
The mixing element 504 is generally provided for allowing a detaching unit (e.g., detaching unit 106 of
Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the verification element architecture shown in
As noted above, the EAS security tag may also comprise an RFID element. An exemplary architecture for an EAS security tag 700 with such an RFID element is schematically illustrated in
As shown in
A magnetostrictive active EAS element 714 and a bias magnet 702 are also disposed within the housing 718. These components 714, 702 may be the same as or similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,489. In some scenarios, the resonant frequency of components 714, 702 is the same as the frequency at which the EAS system (e.g., EAS system 100 of
During operation, antenna pedestals (e.g., antenna pedestals 112, 116 of
A hybrid verification element 750 is also provided within the housing 718. The hybrid verification element 750 is generally configured to: (1) validate RFID data stored on the hybrid verification element 750; and (2) facilitate a determination as to whether the pin 706 is removed from the housing 718 during a POS transaction or other transaction in which removal of the EAS security tag from an article is authorized.
With regard to function (1), the hybrid verification element 750 is configured to respond to an RFID interrogation signal. For example, in response to the reception of an RFID interrogation signal, the hybrid verification element 750 transmits the RFID data to the source of the RFID interrogation signal, such as the detaching unit 106 of
With regard to function (2), the hybrid verification element 750 is configured to act as a frequency mixer. In this regard, the hybrid verification element 750 acts similar to or the same as the verification element 350 described above. Accordingly, a non-linear element of the hybrid verification element 750 creates at least one response signal from mixing an RF signal and an electrostatic signal applied thereto. Reception of the response signal by the detaching unit indicates that the pin 706 is still coupled to the housing 718.
Notably, the present invention is not limited to the architecture of EAS security tag 700 shown in
Referring now to
The RFID element 900 is configured to act as a transponder in connection with the article identification aspects of the EAS system (e.g., EAS system 100 of
Referring now to
The RFID element 900 comprises a power store 1204, a transmitter 1206, a control circuit 1208, memory 1210 and a receiver 1212. Notably, components 1204, 1206 and 1212 are coupled to an antenna structure when implemented in the hybrid verification element 750. As such, an antenna structure is shown in
The control circuit 1208 controls the overall operation of the RFID element 900. Connected between the antenna structure and the control circuit 1208 is a receiver 1212. The receiver 1212 captures data signals carried by a carrier signal to which the antenna structure is tuned. In some scenarios, the data signals are generated by on/off keying the carrier signal. The receiver 1212 detects and captures the on/off keyed data signal.
Also connected between the antenna structure and the control circuit 1208 is the transmitter 1206. The transmitter 1206 operates to transmit a data signal via the antenna structure. In some scenarios, the transmitter 1206 selectively opens or shorts at least one reactive element (e.g., reflectors and/or delay elements) in the antenna structure 602 to provide perturbations in an RFID interrogation signal, such as a specific complex delay pattern and attenuation characteristics. The perturbations in the interrogation signal are detectable by an RFID reader (e.g., the detection equipment 114 of
The control circuit 1208 may store various information in memory 1210. Accordingly, the memory 1210 is connected to and accessible by the control circuit 1208 through electrical connection 1220. The memory 1210 may be a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. For example, memory 1212 can include, but is not limited to, a Radon Access Memory (“RAM”), a Dynamic RAM (“DRAM”), a Read Only Memory (“ROM”) and a flash memory. The memory 1210 may also comprise unsecure memory and/or secure memory. The memory 1210 can be used to store identification data which may be transmitted from the RFID element 900 via an identification signal. The memory 1210 may also store other information received by receiver 1212. The other information can include, but is not limited to, information indicative of the handling or sale of an article.
The power store 1204 is connected to the antenna structure and accumulates power from a signal induced in the antenna structure as a result of the reception of the RFID interrogation signal by the RFID element 900. The power store 1204 is configured to supply power to the transmitter 1206, control circuit 1208, and receiver 1212. The power store 1204 may include, but is not limited to, a storage capacitor.
Referring now to
The detaching unit 1302 comprises a housing having first housing portion 1310a and second housing portion 1310b (collectively referred to as “housing 1310”). Housing 1310 contains elements of the detaching unit 1302 as described in detail with respect to
The detaching unit 1302 further comprises a power connection 1314 to a power source. The power source provides power to the detaching unit 1302. Additionally or alternatively, the detaching unit 1302 may include an internal battery power source.
The EAS security tag 1304 is configured to be releasably attached to an article or item as described above. The EAS security tag 1304 has a magnetic locking mechanism (not shown in
An activation device 1318 is provided for controlling operations of the detaching unit 1302. In this regard, the activation device 1318 comprises a transmitter 1320, a receiver 1322, a processor 1324 in communication with transmitter 1320 and receiver 1322, and a memory 1326 in communication with processor 1324. These components 1320-1326 facilitate communication with detaching unit 1302 and/or other devices.
Memory 1326 may include non-volatile and volatile memory. For example, non-volatile memory may include a hard drive, flash memory, memory stick and the like. The volatile memory may include Random Access Memory (“RAM”) and others known in the art. Memory 1326 may store program instructions for detach module 1328. When executed, such instructions cause processor 1324 to perform a detacher activation process which will be discussed below in detail. Still, it should be understood that in some scenarios the detacher activation process involves activating the detaching unit 1302 by energizing power connection 1314.
An exploded view of the detaching unit 1302 is provided in
The field source 1402 provides a first magnetic field (e.g., magnetic field 1602 shown in
The guide 1404 includes a planar element 1410 that is positioned co-axial with the field source 1402. The planar element 1410 includes a retaining element 1408 that maintains the guide 1404 in a coaxial relationship with the field source 1402 in order to prevent movement of the planar element 1410 in a direction off of an axis (e.g., axis 1504 of
The guide 1404 further includes a conduit 1412 disposed on and perpendicular to the planar element 1410. The conduit 1412 (a) retains the magnet 1406 within the detaching unit 1302 and (b) slidingly directs movement of the magnet 1406 along the axis (e.g., axis 1504 of
Referring now to
Referring now to
Notably, the detaching unit 1302 comprises a field generator 1508. The field generator 1508 is configured to generate an RF field and an electrostatic field to which a verification element (e.g., verification element 350 of
The verification element of the EAS security tag 1304 comprises a mixing element (e.g., mixing element 504 of
During operation, the mixing element responds to the RF field and the electrostatic field generated by the detaching unit 1302. More specifically, the mixing element generates at least one response signal from mixing the RF signal and the electrostatic signal applied thereto. Reception of the response signal by the detaching unit 1302 indicates that a pin (or tack) is still coupled to a housing of an EAS security tag 1304 (or stated differently, that both the housing and pin of the EAS security tag 1304 are still present within the receiving portion 1308).
During a detaching process, the EAS security tag 1304 is detached from the article by decoupling of the pin (or tack) from the housing thereof. The detaching process is typically performed as part of an article purchase process. The detaching process involves releasing the pin (or tack) via application of a magnetic field 1506 by the magnet 1406. The magnet 1406 is normally in a non-detach position (shown in 15) within the detaching unit 1302. Upon being exposed to a first magnetic field 1602, the magnet 1406 is caused to travel from the non-detach position shown in
When the pin is separated from the housing and removed a certain distance from the detaching unit 1302, the mixing element ceases generating the response signal, thereby indicating that the pin (or tack) has actually been decoupled from housing of the EAS security tag 1304 and verifying the customer's intent to purchase the article. Once the response signal goes away, the purchase of the article can be verified. In response to this verification, the RFID reader communicates RFID data to a POS terminal 102 so that the purchase transaction can be completed.
Referring now to
In step 1706, at least a portion of the EAS security tag is received within a receiving portion (e.g., receiving portion 1308 of
In a next step 1710, operations are performed by the detaching unit to identify the EAS security tag and/or the article to which the EAS security tag is attached. These operations can involve performing RF communications with the EAS security tag to obtain a tag's unique identifier and/or an article identifier therefrom. The tag's unique identifier and/or article identifier is(are) then communicated to a POS terminal 102 in step 1712. The POS terminal 102 uses the identifier(s) to verify that (a) the article was successfully purchased via the completed purchase transaction or (b) the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction. Such verification can be made by: comparing the tag's unique identifier to tag identifiers associated with article to be purchased or have already been purchased; and/or comparing the article identifier with article identifiers of items to be purchase or have already been purchased via the completed purchase transaction. If a match is found, then it is concluded that the article was indeed successfully purchased or was indeed accepted for a purchase transaction.
When such verification is made, step 1716 is performed where the EAS security tag is securely coupled to the detaching unit. The EAS security tag can be securely coupled to the detaching unit by a mechanical coupling mechanism (e.g., mechanical latch 1350 of
Steps 1718-1720 involve: producing by the detaching unit first and second signals; and generating by a non-linear electrical circuit (e.g., mixing element 504 of
Steps 1718-1726 involve: supplying power to a field source (e.g., field source 1402 of
Upon completing step 1730, method 1700 continues with step 1732 of
Next in step 1736, a determination is made that a deactivation criterion is met. The deactivation criterion includes one or more rules that, when met, cause the processor of the activation device to discontinue the supply of power to the field source of the detaching unit. In some scenarios, the deactivation criterion is met when the generation of the third signal by the EAS security tag has stopped. When such a determination is made, the processor of the activation device performs operations to discontinue the supply of power to the field source of the detaching unit.
Once power is no longer supplied to the field source, the tag body of the EAS security tag is decoupled from the detaching unit, as shown by step 1740. This decoupling can involve actuating the mechanical coupling mechanism (e.g., mechanical latch 1350 of
In some scenarios, an optional step 1744 may be performed. For example, if step 1704 simply involves accepting an article for a purchase transaction, then option step 1744 may be performed to complete the purchase transaction. Subsequent to completing step 1742 or 1744, step 1746 is performed where method 1700 ends or other processing is performed.
The above method 1700 can be generalized as shown in
Notably, the present solution has been described in relation to a magnetic detaching unit. The present solution is not limited in this regard. For example, the present solution can also be used with a power detaching unit. An exemplary power detaching unit is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,606.
All of the apparatus, methods, and algorithms disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the apparatus, methods and sequence of steps of the method without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain components may be added to, combined with, or substituted for the components described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined.
The features and functions disclosed above, as well as alternatives, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements may be made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.
