Patent Application
20090058644
The present invention pertains generally to anti-theft systems. More particularly, the present invention pertains to anti-theft systems that are used to prevent theft of merchandise displayed at retail establishments. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a system and method for monitoring the removal of merchandise from shelves in retail establishments for the purpose of preventing the theft of such merchandise.
Shoplifting continues to be a major issue for retailers. Annually, more than $13 billion worth of goods are stolen from retailers in the U.S., i.e., more than $25 million worth of goods per day. In order to reduce losses, retailers have taken numerous actions to reduce shoplifting. For instance, magnetic tags are often used on clothing items to prevent removal of the clothing from the store without approval of store personnel. Also, video surveillance systems are frequently used to identify suspicious behavior by customers in stores. While these methods help to combat shoplifting, they are labor-intensive and cost-prohibitive for certain goods, and may be inapplicable for other goods.
In order to maximize the effects of theft deterrence efforts, certain goods may be identified as being particularly attractive for shoplifters. Further, certain shopping behavior may be identified as indicating the occurrence of shoplifting. With this knowledge, profiles can be created for some shoplifting activity. While not all theft can be characterized by a profile, a significant amount can be. For instance, the removal of large amounts of valuable items from store shelves or displays in a short period of time, may indicate a high likelihood of shoplifting. Such theft is a cause of concern among retailers and would be reduced by a system which can monitor and indicate potential occurrences of shoplifting.
In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for monitoring, in real-time, the removal of selected merchandise from shelves in retail establishments. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for immediately informing personnel of the removal of selected merchandise from shelves in order to prevent theft of such merchandise. Another object of the present invention is to provide a theft prevention system that immediately alerts a store manager, or security personnel, that certain retail goods have been removed from a shelf in the retail establishment. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring system that records instances of potential theft for use in store planning and logistics. It is another object of the present invention to provide a merchandise monitoring method and system that is easy to implement, is cost effective and is simple to use.
The present invention is directed to a system for monitoring the removal of merchandise from shelves in retail establishments. More specifically, the system is designed to create an alarm whenever a predetermined amount or weight of merchandise is removed within a short period of time from a shelf.
Structurally, the monitoring system of the present invention includes a pad positioned on a shelf for supporting merchandise. Also, the system includes a weight sensor that is mounted on the pad. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pad is made of an elastomeric material and the weight sensor is embedded in the pad. In more detail, the weight sensor will preferably comprise an array of elements that include piezoelectric crystals. Further, the sensors will be dispersed in a pattern on the pad. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the weight sensor can be structurally incorporated into the shelf.
In the monitoring system of the present invention, a controller is electronically connected to the weight sensor. Thus, the controller can continually assess the weight of the merchandise being supported on the pad and, more specifically, measure weight decrements as merchandise is removed from the pad. Further, an enunciator is connected to the controller. For purposes of the present invention, the enunciator creates an alarm whenever a cumulative weight decrement exceeds a predetermined value within a pre-selected time duration. As a result, the enunciator allows for real-time notification of the removal of goods and for an instantaneous response. While the alarm may be a generally-directed audible siren, in certain embodiments the alarm comprises a summons or silent page to a specific person or group of people. Specifically, the enunciator may include a transmitter for communicating electronically with a mobile corresponder carried by a store manager or other personnel. Preferably, such communication is via radio frequency. Further, the mobile corresponder may be incorporated into another electronic device such as a walkie-talkie or mobile phone.
In order to provide oversight for operation of the system, a monitor is electrically connected to the controller. Further, the monitor, or controller, may allow selective adjustment of a maximum predetermined weight decrement value, and adjustment of the associated pre-selected time duration.
For the operation of the system of the present invention, the pad is installed on a shelf and merchandise is stacked on the pad. After the merchandise has been stacked, the weight sensor measures, and the controller assesses, the weight of goods on the pad. Whenever a cumulative weight decrement is detected, within the pre-selected time duration, and it is beyond the predetermined value, the enunciator creates an alarm. Thus, whenever an inordinate amount of goods have been removed from the shelf, the alarm will indicate that a potential theft is occurring. As envisioned for the present invention, a plurality of pads can be employed at a retail establishment, on a respective number of shelves.
The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
Referring initially to
In
In order to monitor the removal of merchandise objects 18, the objects 18 are positioned on the pads 14 on the shelves 16. Accordingly, the weight sensors 20 assess the weights of the objects 18 on the pads 14. For operation of the system 10, the weights of the objects 18 are continuously communicated from the sensors 20 to the controller 30. As a result, when an object 18 is removed from a shelf 16, the sensors 20 immediately communicate the new weight to the controller 30 and the controller 30 measures the resulting weight decrement. When the weight decrement exceeds a predetermined value within a pre-selected time duration, the controller 30 instructs the enunciator 32 to activate the alarm transmitter 34. As a result, the corresponder 35 notifies the store personnel 37 of the possible attempted theft. At the same time, the monitor 36 may record the weight decrements and instances of alarm, or allow a supervisor to observe the operation of the system 10. In this manner, store personnel 37 will be informed in real-time when a selected amount of merchandise 18 is removed from a shelf 16. Further, the monitor 36 may include or be integrated into a network accessible by store management or outside security advisors to examine each activation of the alarm transmitter 34 to review the occurrences of theft to determine possible patterns or profiles for theft.
As shown in
In practice, the system 10 will be used with merchandise 18 having widely varying weights. For instance, a single unit of baby formula may be significantly heavier than dry goods. In order to allow use of the system 10 with merchandise having different weights, the controller 30 is provided with a data input 38. Specifically, the input 38 may be programmed with a specific predetermined value (e.g., eight ounces, one pound, or two pounds) and specific pre-selected time duration (e.g., less than five seconds, ten seconds, one minute or five minutes) for each sensor 20, for each pad 14, for each shelf 16, or for an entire aisle. In this manner, the predetermined value and pre-selected time duration may be selectively adjusted. In order to minimize labor costs, the controller 30 may be programmed with predetermined values and pre-selected time duration for each type of objects 18 for sale. As a result, an SKU can be quickly entered into the data input 38 for a location, and the appropriate predetermined value and pre-selected time duration can be automatically applied to that location. For instance, for systems 10 incorporating one controller 30 for a large number of pads 14, the identity of the pad 14 can be entered followed by the SKU of the merchandise 18 it holds.
After the system 10 has identified a possible theft based on the removal of a weight of objects 18 above the predetermined value in a period of time less than the pre-selected duration, the system 10 is reset. Specifically, the controller 30 automatically resets the pad 14 and/or sensors 20 that registered the possible theft.
While the particular System and Method for Reducing Inventory Shrink as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.
