EP0608039B1 - Ladendiebstahldetektierungssystem, insbesondere geeignet für den Gebrauch in Supermärkten, und ein Ladenentwurf mit solchem System - Google Patents

Ladendiebstahldetektierungssystem, insbesondere geeignet für den Gebrauch in Supermärkten, und ein Ladenentwurf mit solchem System Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0608039B1
EP0608039B1 EP19940200142 EP94200142A EP0608039B1 EP 0608039 B1 EP0608039 B1 EP 0608039B1 EP 19940200142 EP19940200142 EP 19940200142 EP 94200142 A EP94200142 A EP 94200142A EP 0608039 B1 EP0608039 B1 EP 0608039B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
antennas
transmitting
receiving
detection system
units
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19940200142
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0608039A1 (de
Inventor
Paulus Johannes Wilhelmus Maria Van Breemen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nederlandsche Apparatenfabriek NEDAP NV
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Nederlandsche Apparatenfabriek NEDAP NV
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Publication of EP0608039B1 publication Critical patent/EP0608039B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
    • G08B13/2405—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting characterised by the tag technology used
    • G08B13/2414—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting characterised by the tag technology used using inductive tags
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
    • G08B13/2465—Aspects related to the EAS system, e.g. system components other than tags
    • G08B13/2468—Antenna in system and the related signal processing
    • G08B13/2474—Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a high-frequency type shoplifting detection system.
  • a transmitting coil (“transmitting antenna pillar") generates a magnetic alternating field having a varying frequency. This frequency generally lies within the range of from 1 to 10 MHz.
  • detection labels Attached to the goods to be secured are so-called detection labels.
  • These labels also called wafers, contain a resonance circuit consisting of a coil tuned with a capacitor. They can be designed, e.g., as a flat plastic box containing an air-core coil or as an adhesive label built up with a flat printed coil and a foil capacitor or as a circuit having divided capacity and self-induction or in some other way.
  • the transmitting/receiving antennas of a complete shoplifting detection system are realized, e.g., in a row of upright or self-supporting antenna coil structures, also called pillars.
  • the transmitting and/or receiving electronics are mostly located somewhere in the pillar, preferably in the foot.
  • These pillars have hitherto been used especially in shops, such as clothes shops, in which the row of pillars is placed just in front of the exit. In such surroundings the pillars are mounted directly to the floor, the direct surroundings of each pillar being free of obstacles.
  • the pillars provided with transmitting antennas generate on both sides a magnetic alternating field.
  • the pillars provided with receiving antennas have a sensitivity range extending on both sides of the pillar.
  • a visual signalling device is desirable for each passageway.
  • a label can pass to the left or right of a receiver pillar.
  • the label signal in the receiver is identical in both cases. It makes no difference whether the label is irradiated by the left or by the right transmitter.
  • the two transmitters to the left and right of this pillar i.e. the even and odd numbered transmitters in the row, are alternately switched on and off: multiplexed.
  • the signalling device belonging to the passageway is controlled. Multiplexing has to take place at a frequency high enough not to adversely affect the reaction speed of the system. In practice, the lower limit is 2 Hz and the upper limit the half sweep frequency (multiplexes per complete sweep period).
  • Cash blocks are mostly constructed by means of metal beams, metal or wooden faces provided with a conveyor belt, a (computer) cash register and sometimes a bar code scanner and/or a pair of scales.
  • a cashier In such a cash block a cashier is sitting. The customers will pass in front of the block and put the goods to be paid for on the beginning of the conveyor belt.
  • the belt conveys the goods to the cashier who feeds them into the cash register, optionally with the aid of the bar code scanner, after which payment takes place.
  • Such shielded antennas are described, e.g., in applicants' international patent application WO 91/17533. These antennas also have the advantage that no label detection takes place at the backside where goods the labels of which have not yet been deactivated pass on the conveyor belt so that no undesirable alarm can be caused. Only at the front of the antenna, in the area where the customers pass, is a magnetic alternating field generated. Because in this configuration each gangway has a separate detection system of its own, the associated receiver can only receive in this configuration a label signal generated by the field of the associated transmitter. The detection of labels if therefore inherently selective for each passageway, and multiplexing is not necessaryy.
  • a further drawback of the prior art detection system is that for each cash block separate electronic units are necessary to activate the different antennas of the detection system, which makes the prior art device relatively complicated and expensive.
  • the objects of the invention is to remove the above drawbacks and generally to provide an improved, efficient and reliably operating shoplifting detection system which is particularly suitable for use in shops designed as supermarkets.
  • a shoplifting detection system in particular suitable for use in shops arranged as a supermarket, wherein a plurality of passageways (d1-d7) separated from each other by obstacles (1a-1d) are provided, said obstacles including a plurality of cash blocks, and wherein suitable transmitting antennas (8) are arranged for generating in said passageways a magnetic detection field, and receiving antennas (7), for detection of a responder disturbing a detection field, transmitting units (18a,18b) and receiving (17) units being provided which are connected with the transmitting antennas (8) and the receiving antennas (7) is characterized in that each obstacle (1a-1d) placed between two adjacent passageways (d1-d7) either has antennas (7) of the receiving antenna type or antennas (8) of the transmitting antenna type provided at both sides of said obstacle and in that adjacent obstacles (1a-1d) separated by a passageway (d1-d7) have different types (receiving or transmitting) antennas (7,8).
  • EP-A-0 035 660 discloses a shoplifting detection system suitable for operating two adjacent passageways in which an electro-magnetic detection field is generated.
  • this prior art system is only suitable for two directly adjacent pasages for which a single common receiver antenna is placed between said passages and two transmitter antennas are placed opposite said single receiver antenna and driven in a multiplex manner.
  • the present invention does relate to adjacent passageways which are separated by obstacles like for instance check-out desks, a combination of antennas for two different passageways is not possible. Therefore this prior art system is not suitable for use in a situation wherein passageways are separated by obstacles.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an example of a check-out system as often used in shops designed as supermarkets, e.g. food shops.
  • the check-out system shown comprises a plurality of juxtaposed cash blocks 1a through 1d. Located between each pair of juxtaposed cash blocks is a gangway 9a through 9d, via which the customers can go to the exit, after having paid for the selected goods at the cash desk.
  • the cash blocks may be constructed in different ways.
  • the cash blocks comprise a conveyor belt 2, a (computer) cash register 3, a bar code scanner and/or a pair of scales 5 and a seat 4 for the cash personnel.
  • there is generated in the gangway between two cash blocks a detection field capable of detecting electronic or magnetic responders attached to the shop goods when the shop goods are conveyed through the gangway instead of via the conveyor belt past the cash personnel.
  • the detection field is generated by means of antennas 6 arranged on both sides of each gangway.
  • the antennas are mostly accommodated in an antenna pillar disposed against a cash block or (partly) put into a recess in a cash block.
  • the antennas are preferably shielded from the associated cash block.
  • the figure shows on both sides of each cash block a receiving antenna 7 and a transmitting antenna 8.
  • a transmitting unit and a receiving unit connected with respectively the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna.
  • each receiving antenna is connected with a separate associated receiver not connected with other receiving antennas, it is always certain upon detection of a label in which passageway detection took place.
  • the sensitivity of a check-out system to the remaining undesirable effects of a multipath propagation caused by, inter alia, coupling of transmitters, via conductors and apparatuses, with receivers on the other side of a cash block, and by parasitic resonances of conductors in the cash blocks can be further reduced.
  • the same pillar type is mounted on both sides of a cash block: alternately, therefore, two transmitter pillars or two receiver pillars for each cash desk.
  • the detection range and the sensitivity to undesirable coupling via the cash block between two pillars of the same type are much lower than between a transmitter and a receiver pillar. Consequently, labelled goods on the conveyor belt of the cash block give less cause to false alarm.
  • Cash block 1a is provided on both sides with receiving antennas, cash block 1b with transmitting antennas etc.
  • each antenna in a check-out system is connected with the transmitter or receiver electronics belonging to that antenna, which electronics may or may not be mounted in the antenna pillar.
  • a cash block therefore contains alternately two transmitter and receiver electronics units.
  • a strong simplification may be realized by arranging instead of two electronics units of the transmitter or receiver type for each cash block only one electronics unit which is connected to the two antennas on both sides of the cash block.
  • the electronics units may be interconnected via cables 12.
  • Such a configuration is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 2.
  • Cash blocks 1a and 1c are each provided with a receiving unit 17 connected via coaxial cables 11 with the receiving antennas 7, and cash blocks 1b and 1d are each provided with a transmitting unit 18 connected via coaxial cables 11 with the two transmitting antennas 8 of each cash block.
  • Practical examples are diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.
  • the two antennas 6 with the shielding 10 of a cash block 1 are parallel connected to the corresponding electronics unit 17 or 18, e.g. via a coupling transformer, a power splitter/combiner 13 or a directional coupling.
  • the transmitting units 18a, 18b i.e. alternately switching them on by means of suitable control means, according to the principle described for a detached row of pillars, simultaneous detection is realized in the passageways on both sides of the cash blocks with a transmitting unit, cash blocks with switched-on and -off transmitters alternating with each other.
  • the detection is alternately switched on in the passageways d2, d3, d6, d7, d10 etc. or in the passageways d1, d4, d5, d8, d9, etc.
  • phase detection means in the receivers in which passageway detection takes place. With this information the signalling device belonging to the passageway is controlled. The detection in the passageways is therefore alternately switched on two by two.
  • This embodiment results in some electric losses caused by the parallel connection of two antennas via an impedance transformer which becomes evident in a decrease of detection sensitivity of 2 x 3 dB.
  • Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram.
  • a preferably electronic switch member 14 or 15 is interposed between two antennas 6 and a transmitting unit 18 or receiving unit 17.
  • the switch member behaves like a rapid relay with a change-over contact and may be realized , e.g., with PIN diodes or FET as a switch member. At low multiplex frequences an electromechanical relay is also possible.
  • the switch member takes the place of the coupling transformer 13 which is used for parallel connection of two antennas.
  • reaction speed and sensitivity set a lower limit to the time a label signal of minimum strength must be present to enable reliable detection. Also, complicated cabling would be necessary.
  • cost price and system performance may be balanced against each other.
  • the invention can also be applied without co-using shielded antennas.
  • the invention is applicable if in the space between two passageways no detection of responders is desirable or if the space between two passageways is blocked by a blocking element other than a cash block.
  • a blocking element other than a cash block.
  • the receivers or the transmitters or both can be controlled according to a multiplex system.
  • a transmitting unit like 18a can be used with on both sides an obstacle having a receiving unit. In that case the transmitting unit could be switched on continuously, while the receiving units are switched on and off alternately.
  • the shields 10 shown in the figures may comprise panels of metal gauze or other suitable shielding members.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Ladendiebstahlerkennungssystem, insbesondere geeignet zur Verwendung in Läden, die als Supermarkt aufgebaut sind, wobei mehrere durch Hindernisse (1a-1d) voneinander getrennte Durchgänge (d1-d7) vorgesehen sind, wobei die Hindernisse mehrere Kassenblöcke aufweisen, und wobei geeignete Sendeantennen (8) zum Erzeugen eines magnetischen Detektionsfeldes in den Durchgängen und Empfangsantennen (7) zum Erkennen eines ein Detektionsfeld störenden Responders angeordnet sind, wobei Sendeeinheiten (18a, 18b) und Empfangseinheiten (17) vorgesehen sind, die mit den Sendeantennen (8) und den Empfangsantennen (7) verbunden sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jedes zwischen zwei benachbarten Durchgängen angeordnete Hindernis (1a-1d) entweder Antennen (7) des Empfangsantennentyps oder Antennen (8) des Sendeantennentyps aufweist, die auf beiden Seiten des Hindernisses angeordnet sind, und daß durch einen Durchgang (d1-d7) getrennte, benachbarte Hindernisse (1a-1d) unterschiedliche Arten von Antennen (Empfangs- oder Sendeantennen) (7, 8) aufweisen.
  2. Ladendiebstahlerkennungssystem nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß wenigstens eine Gruppe von Antennen (7, 8) des selben Typs, die zu ein und demselben Hindernis (1a-1d) gehört, mit einer Elektronikeinheit verbunden ist, die der Gruppe von Antennen gemeinsam ist, und die als Sendeeinheit (18) oder Empfangseinheit (17) arbeitet.
  3. Ladendiebstahlerkennungssystem nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine Reihe beabstandeter, benachbarter Hindernisse (1a-1d) abwechselnd mit einer gemeinsamen Sendeeinheit (18) für die zu dem Hindernis gehörenden Antennen (8) oder einer gemeinsamen Empfangseinheit (17) für die zu dem zugeordneten Hindernis gehörenden Antennen (7) versehen ist.
  4. Ladendiebstahlerkennungssystem nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die gemeinsamen Elektronikeinheiten (17, 18) über eine Kopplung (13) zeitlich ununterbrochen mit den zugehörigen Antennen (7, 8) auf beiden Seiten des zugehörigen Hindernisses (1a-1d) verbunden sind.
  5. Ladendiebstahlerkennungssystem nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß wenigstens zwei aufeinanderfolgende Sendeeinheiten (18a, 18b) mit einer Steuereinrichtung verbunden sind, die durch ein Multiplexsignal aufeinanderfolgende Sendeeinheiten (18a, 18b) abwechselnd ein- und ausschaltet.
  6. Ladendiebstahlerkennungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 2-5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß wenigstens zwei aufeinanderfolgende Empfangseinheiten (17) mit einer Steuereinrichtung verbunden sind, die durch ein Multiplexsignal aufeinanderfolgende Empfangseinheiten (17) abwechselnd ein- und ausschaltet.
  7. Ladendiebstahlerkennungssystem, nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß von den gemeinsamen Elektronikeinheiten wenigstens die Sendeeinheiten (18a, 18b) oder wenigstens die Empfangseinheiten (17) oder sowohl die Sende-, als auch die Empfangseinheiten über steuerbare Wechselschalter (154, 15) zeitlich abwechselnd mit der auf der einen oder der anderen Seite des zugeordneten Hindernisses (1a-1d) angeordneten Antenne verbunden sind.
  8. Ladendiebstahlerkennungssystem nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß benachbarte Sende- (18) und Empfangseinheiten (17) abwechselnd mit den einander in einem Durchgang (d1-d7) zwischen zwei Hindernissen (1a-1d) gegenüberliegenden Antennen oder mit den Antennen auf den voneinander abgewandten Seiten der Hindernisse (1a-1d) verbunden sind.
  9. Ladendiebstahlerkennungssystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß wenigstens mehrere Antennen (6) mit einer Abschirmeinrichtung (10) versehen sind, welche die Antennen (6) gegen die Hindernisse (1a-1d) abschirmt, neben denen sie angeordnet sind.
  10. Ladendiebstahlerkennungssystem nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Abschirmeinrichtung (10) Bahnen aus Metallgaze aufweist.
  11. Ladenanordnung mit mehreren Durchgängen (d1-d7), die voneinander durch Hindernisse (1a-1d) getrennt sind, welche mehrere Kassenblöcke aufweisen, und gekennzeichnet durch ein Ladendiebstahlerkennungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1-10, mit Sendeantennen (8), die in den Durchgängen ein magnetisches Detektionsfeld für mit im Laden zum Verkauf stehenden Artikeln verbundene Responder erzeugen, und Empfangsantennen (7) zum Erkennen von Respondern in den Durchgängen.
  12. Kassenblock zur Verwendung in einer Ladenanordnung nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kassenblock (1a-1d) eine einzige Elektronikeinheit aufweist, die entweder als Sendeeinheit (18) oder Empfangseinheit (17) ausgebildet ist, und die mit entsprechenden Sendeantennen (8) oder Empfangsantennen (7) auf beiden Seiten des Kassenblocks (1a-1d) verbunden ist.
EP19940200142 1993-01-22 1994-01-21 Ladendiebstahldetektierungssystem, insbesondere geeignet für den Gebrauch in Supermärkten, und ein Ladenentwurf mit solchem System Expired - Lifetime EP0608039B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL9300124 1993-01-22
NL9300124A NL9300124A (nl) 1993-01-22 1993-01-22 Verbeterde antenneconfiguratie bij winkeldiefstaldetectiesystemen in supermarkten.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0608039A1 EP0608039A1 (de) 1994-07-27
EP0608039B1 true EP0608039B1 (de) 1998-09-02

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EP19940200142 Expired - Lifetime EP0608039B1 (de) 1993-01-22 1994-01-21 Ladendiebstahldetektierungssystem, insbesondere geeignet für den Gebrauch in Supermärkten, und ein Ladenentwurf mit solchem System

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EP (1) EP0608039B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69412871T2 (de)
NL (1) NL9300124A (de)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7119692B2 (en) 2003-11-10 2006-10-10 3M Innovative Properties Company System for detecting radio-frequency identification tags
US7372364B2 (en) 2003-11-10 2008-05-13 3M Innovative Properties Company Algorithm for RFID security
FR2981547A1 (fr) * 2011-10-24 2013-04-26 Jean Yves Patachek Systeme rapide de simulation de ce que peut donner un nouveau bracelet montre sans avoir besoin de l'essayer comme auparavant

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4274090A (en) * 1980-02-19 1981-06-16 Knogo Corporation Detection of articles in adjacent passageways
NL9001033A (nl) * 1990-05-01 1991-12-02 Nedap Nv Winkeldiefstaldetectiesysteem met gedeeltelijk afgeschermde antennes.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69412871D1 (de) 1998-10-15
EP0608039A1 (de) 1994-07-27
NL9300124A (nl) 1994-08-16
DE69412871T2 (de) 1999-04-08

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