CN106104645A - System and method for client's deexcitation of safety element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses the system (100) for activating electronic goods monitoring (" EAS ") element deactivator and method (1100).These methods relate to: obtain the data that client is correlated with at the client of the business organization of the EAS element just attempting at least one article of deexcitation；Obtain when the settlement dealing of client completes and be contained in the transaction data in sent receipt；Data that client is correlated with, transaction data and be used for the unique identifier of EAS element deactivation system and be transferred to remote computing device；Process the confirmation that the data be correlated with of client and transaction data are not yet deactivated with the EAS element obtaining the settlement dealing and article that are successfully completed these article recently about this client；And after confirmation is obtained, activate the EAS element deactivator of EAS element deactivation system.

Description

System and method for client's deexcitation of safety element

Technical field

The present invention relates to the deexcitation of the such as safety element of electronic goods monitoring (" EAS ") element etc.More particularly, The present invention relates to the system and method for activating EAS element deactivator (deactivator) in response to customer activities.

Background technology

Typical retail sales transaction betides by fixing point of sale (" the POS ") website of store sales assistance operations. The payment that store sales assistant (associate) is carried out by being received as article helps client to carry out check-out process.If thing Product are associated with EAS element, and such as, sound magnetic (" A-M ") label, then store sales assistant can deactivate after client is for this pay (deactivate) this EAS element alive.In transaction, store sales assistant has an opportunity visually inspect article and it will be noted that be somebody's turn to do Article whether have price low suspicious price tag.

Article may be corresponding with comparatively cheap article low by being replaced with by former price tag because of client Exchange price tag to price tag fraudulent and there is the abnormal low price tag of price.By noticing inconsistent price Label, store sales assistant has an opportunity to prevent such swindle, and determines the correct price of article.

Although traditional POS station point is favourable, because they allow store sales assistant to supervise settlement dealing, but it is Control cost, many retail commercial cities have been carried out the self-checkout POS station point that client can be allowed to settle accounts voluntarily.Self-checkout Website is not supervised by store sales assistant.In self-checkout is concluded the business, client completes (ring up) article with sound independently Sell.If item associations has EAS element, then store sales assistant understands the EAS element that deexcitation is attached on article.

Patron self-service checkout is allowed to there may be risk.Such as, client may want to buy expensive article, but may not Want to pay full price.Price tag on big ticket item may be exchanged the price tag for considerably cheaper by client.Client is then Self-checkout POS station point can be used to pay the bill.After payment completes, store sales assistant can use EAS element deexcitation Device instrument carrys out the EAS element of deexcitation and item associations.Once EAS element is deactivated, and client will not prop up for article Shop is left in the case of paying full price.

Similarly, if retail shop does not provide self-checkout POS station point, then client can use traditional POS station point Buy article.Store sales assistant in traditional POS station point supervision transaction may collude with client, and the valency exchanged Case marker label can be had a mind to ignore by store sales assistant, i.e. sweet heart steals (sweethearting).Store sales assistant's deexcitation EAS element, and client can leave shop not paying in the case of full price for article.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to implement for the system and method activating EAS element deactivator.These methods relate to passing through EAS Element deactivation system obtains (1) client from the business organization of the EAS element just attempting at least one article of deexcitation The data be correlated with of client, and/or (2) be contained in the transaction data in the receipt sent when the settlement dealing of client completes. Then the unique identifier of data, transaction data and/or EAS element deactivation system that client is correlated with is transferred to remote computation Equipment.In remote computing device, data and/or transaction data that client is correlated with are processed to have obtained about this client the most The confirmation that the EAS element of the settlement dealing and article that are successfully completed these article is not yet deactivated.After confirmation is obtained, EAS element deactivator is activated.

In some cases, the data that client is correlated with via junction service (such as, NFC communication or magnetic stripe read) from portable The specific medium of formula client (such as, member card) obtains.In addition or as select, the data that client is correlated with include distribution Give the unique identifier of the mobile communication equipment arranged by client.Transaction data can include can uniquely identifying the one of purchase-transaction The transaction code that secondary property uses.The data that disposable transaction code can be correlated with according to the data that client is correlated with, business Or the data of time correlation, and/or generate according to pseudo random number or random number generating algorithm.

In these or other cases, these methods further relate to perform the following step when confirming obtained: by remotely counting Calculation equipment provides for specifying approval by the first article mark number of the article of client's deexcitation to EAS element deactivation system According to；The second item identification data is obtained from the article arranged by client；And determine whether the first item identification data mates Second mark data.If first and second mark data are mutually matched, then EAS element deactivator is activated.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Embodiment will describe with reference to drawings below, and the most identical reference represents in all accompanying drawings identical , and in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the block diagram for understanding the useful exemplary EAS element deactivation system of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the block diagram for understanding the useful exemplary camera of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is the block diagram for understanding the useful illustrative computer of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is the block diagram for understanding the useful exemplary items data base of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is the block diagram for understanding the useful exemplary purchase receipt of the present invention.

Fig. 6 be for understand the present invention useful for using product data to activate the one of EAS element deactivator The flow chart of example process.

Fig. 7 shows the exemplary items useful for understanding the present invention.

Fig. 8 is for understanding that the useful image for using article of the present invention is to activate the another of EAS element deactivator A kind of flow chart of example process.

Fig. 9 is for understanding that the useful weight for using article of the present invention is to activate the another of EAS element deactivator A kind of flow chart of example process.

Figure 10 be for understand the present invention useful for using the image of article followed the tracks of to deactivate to activate EAS element The flow chart of the another kind of example process of device alive.

Figure 11 is the another kind of example process for activate EAS element deactivator useful for understanding the present invention Flow chart.

Detailed description of the invention

It should be readily understood that herein general that describe and shown in the drawings embodiment component can according to various with The different configurations of poplar come layout and design.Thus, below with reference to the more detailed description not purport of various embodiments shown in the drawings Limiting the scope of the disclosure, and be only about the expression of various embodiment.Although embodiment shown in the drawings Various aspects, but accompanying drawing necessarily scaling relative to, unless otherwise indicated.

In the case of without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the present invention, the present invention can come according to other specific form Implement.Described embodiment is seen merely as being illustrative and not restrictive in all fields.Therefore, the model of the present invention Enclose and pointed out by appended claims rather than this detailed description part.Belong to the meaning and the scope of the equivalent of claims Within all changes all should be contained in the scope of the present invention within.

The language that feature, advantage are quoted or are similar to by this specification in the whole text is not meant as can be with present invention realization In all feature and advantage any single embodiment all in (or should be at) present invention.On the contrary, to these features and excellent The language that point carries out quoting is understood to imply, and special characteristic, advantage or the characteristic being described in conjunction with the embodiments is both contained in this In at least one embodiment of invention.Thus, this specification is in the whole text about discussion and the similar language of these feature and advantage Say permissible, but might not, refer to same embodiment.

And, described feature, advantage and the characteristic of the present invention can be incorporated into one in any suitable fashion Or in various embodiments.It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, according to description herein, the present invention can not have specific reality Implement in the case of executing one or more special characteristics of example or advantage.In other example, it is likely not to have and comes across the present invention All embodiments in other feature and advantage can be the most identified.

" a kind of embodiment ", " embodiment " are quoted by the present invention in the whole text or similar language is it is meant that shown by Jie Heing Special characteristic, structure or characteristic that embodiment describes are contained at least one embodiment of the present invention.Thus, this specification Phrase " in one embodiment ", " in an embodiment " and similar language in the whole text are permissible, but might not, all refer to It it is same embodiment.

As used herein, singulative " (a) ", " one (an) " and " being somebody's turn to do (the) " include plural form, remove Non-context clearly indicates otherwise.Unless otherwise defined, all technology used herein and scientific terminology all have this The same implication that skilled person is generally understood.As used herein, term " includes (comprising) " and means " comprise (including), but be not limited to ".

As used herein, relational terms, such as, " first " and " second ", " top " and " bottom " etc. can be only It is used to distinguish an entity or key element with another entity or key element, and is not necessarily to or infers at this type of entity There is any physics between key element or relation in logic or order.

In the retail shop carrying out marked product with safety equipment, when article are the most purchased, client typically depends on Sales assistant carrys out deexcitation EAS element.Deactivation process betides the POS terminal of entity.Retailer is ready to provide mobile checkout Option shortens the queue coming the client at POS terminal.At commercial facility (such as, mobile checkout option will allow client Retail shop or library) passageway buy product and/or for article checkout.For providing Mobile self-service checkout smart mobile phone to answer Retailer, client can use their smart mobile phone scan and buy product/for product settle accounts.Retailer equally may be used With in desktop personal computer (" PC ") upper offer hand-held mobile solution.Client can use this option to scan and buy Product/settle accounts for product.Business organization need to provide client can in mobile check-out process the solution party of deexcitation EAS element Case.It is also desirable to prevent client and other people of being not yet authorized to use from equipment carrying out the strategy of undelegated use.

Some key elements are also existed for this problem.First, some clients may decide that and not yet attached by EAS element Deexcitation instrument is used to carry out deexcitation EAS element in the case of pay.Secondly, protection deexcitation instrument makes it to be subject to The method of unauthorized access may make instrument become the most advantageously and in time for authorizing client to access.3rd, client couple Using of deexcitation hardware needs to associate with the sale/settlement dealing of movement.

Other trial solving the problems referred to above is minimum level.Deexcitation to anti-theft tag or label the most always exists Common (or fixing) POS station point of deexcitation instrument and its physical connection is carried out.And, deexcitation hardware is by store clerk Or sales assistant exclusively with.Portable equipment is used to deexcitation EAS element sometimes, but these equipment are typically no to be subject to To protection (in addition to they being latched the simple motion got up in the not used time).Portable equipment is typically still positioned at fixing POS station point, and can not be carried around and/or be awarded client in whole commercial facility to be used by.

So far, the importances and value mobile deexcitation equipment being created advanced authorization and access control method is not yet recognized Knowledge is arrived, especially when it authorizes access right with the client giving participation mobile MPOS transaction.Some retailer provides self-service knot Account passage, these passages allow client scan Product labelling and the most independently submit (tender) transaction to.But it does not have by turning round and look at The label deactivation of visitor's execution or label peeling.

Now with reference to Fig. 1-11B, embodiments of the invention are described.Usually, the present invention is provided to activate EAS unit The system and method for part deactivator.These methods relate to: set up EAS element deexcitation session for specific client；In EAS unit The product data including the physical attribute of article is received at part deactivation system；Determine product data whether corresponding to The bought article bought in receipt of this specific consumers association；And determine product data and bought article to the time in of corresponding Activate EAS element deactivator.

Example system for client's deexcitation of EAS element

Referring now to Fig. 1, provide the schematic diagram for understanding the useful example system 100 of the present invention in the figure. System 100 comprises the computer communicated via communication network 106 with item database 132 and EAS element deactivation system 104 102.In some cases, computer 102 can be as a part for EAS element deactivation system 104, and/or in turn.By This, computer 102 may be located remotely from EAS element deactivation system 104 or is located together with it.

EAS element deactivation system 104 is usually arranged to deexcitation and is attached at for establishment's (such as, retail Shop or library) sell or check the EAS unit of (check out) and/or the article 120 bought by the client 126 of establishment Part 134.A bit unit that EAS element 134 can include, but not limited to remotely to read, checkpoint, RFID element, NFC unit Part or be attached at other elements of article.In this, EAS element deactivation system 104 can include, but not limited to Deexcitation station booth (kiosk) in retail shop, the rack locked and/or special self-checkout position.In all cases, EAS element deactivation system 104 can comprise photographic head (camera) 108, scanning device 110, quantifier (scale) 112, EAS Element deactivator 114 and/or display 116.Component 108 and/or 110 can be used to from price tag 118, article 120, Obtaining data in the mobile device (such as, mobile phone) of electronic receipt and/or client, these data can deactivate at EAS element Used during work.In the situation of electronic receipt, scanning device 110 includes optical scanner.Optical scanner is in this technology Field is known, and therefore will not be in described herein.Scanning device 110 can also comprise magnetic strip reader and/or Other type of communication equipment (such as, RFID reader and/or RF transceiver).

Therefore, each price tag 118 be respectively provided with directly print on thereon, via label (such as, bar coded sticker) It is affixed in data that are thereon and/or that be stored in it storage the number of tags of (during such as, the data at short range communication device store) According to 122.Being similar to, each article 120 can be provided with directly printing on thereon, via label (such as, bar coded sticker) It is affixed in data that are thereon and/or that be stored in it storage the manufacturer of (during such as, the data at short range communication device store) The data that code 124 and/or other article are correlated with.Electronic receipt can have comprise in the inner for transaction data is carried out The bar code of coding.The mobile device of client can have associated with it can be in order to the unique identifier (example of identified customer As, medium access control (" MAC ") address).Obtain from the mobile device of price tag 118,120, electronic receipt and/or client The data obtained can be transferred to computer 102 by EAS element deactivation system 104, to carry out processing and/or be stored in article number According in storehouse 132.

In addition or as select, EAS element deactivation system 104 can point out user via touch screen displays 116 Or other input equipment (such as, display and keyboard) inputs the client's authentication information that can be used to be authenticated client (such as, user name, password and/or biological characteristic (biometric) data).Such client's authentication information equally via User's input of the mobile device of client rather than user's input of EAS element deactivation system 104 obtain at client.Turn round and look at Then visitor's authentication information data can be sent to computer 102 by EAS element deactivation system 104, to process and/or to deposit It is stored in item database 132.If user is by computer 102 certification, then computer 102 can give EAS element deexcitation system System 104 transmission is pointed out that client is the most certified and is obtained the message of license of the EAS element stopping one or more article. In order to determine that the mode of such license will be described in more detail below.It is to be further understood that such license can based on from The data obtained in the mobile device of price tag 118,120, electronic receipt and/or client determine.

Article 120 can be used POS terminal 128 to buy by client.During operation, POS terminal 128 is via communication network Network 106 communicates to submit purchase-transaction to computer 102 and EAS element deactivation system 104.POS terminal 128 can be wrapped Include, but be not limited to, there is the self-checkout POS terminal of input equipment 130.Self-checkout POS terminal can be fixing self-service The self-checkout POS terminal (such as, running the wireless mobile apparatus of retailer's application) of checkout POS terminal or movement.POS terminal 128 can be owned by retail shop, retail shop rent from the opposing party, and/or had by client.In all cases, POS Equipment 128 can include, but not limited to run the mobile communication equipment of retailer's software application, smart phone, panel computer And/or personal digital assistant.Retailer's software application can be arranged to promote that the scanning of price tag 118 is to obtain from which Fetch data, and/or promote and data communication between item database 132 and/or computer 102.Retailer's software application also may be used To promote that user software is mutual, for inputting payment details and the submission of purchase-transaction of one or more article 120.At this On point, retailer's software application can be with the back-end software communication of retailer.The back-end software of retailer can confirm that purchase is handed over Easily complete, and send the signal completed of instruction purchase-transaction to subsequently EAS element deactivator 104.

Communication network 106 can comprise cellular communications networks, public switched telephone network (" PSTN "), Internet protocol (" IP ") network, wide area network (" WAN ") and/or LAN (" LAN ") (such as, ethernet local area network).Communication network 106 can be Wireless network, such as, Wi-Fi, satellite, infrared ray, bluetooth (Bluetooth), ultra broadband (" UWB "), ZigBee, Wireless Personal Network (" WPAN ") or other communication network.Computer 106 and EAS element deactivation system 104 can via communication network 106 even Receive other computer, such as, the computer that associates with materials supply business, the computer of storage item database 132, or position At retail shop place or (can not shown by other third party any of other positions of some of the Internet or world wide web access Go out).

Price tag 118 can associate with article 120 with EAS element 134, such as, by being pasted on or removably It is pasted on article 120.EAS element 134 can be independent hardware or be integrated in hardware (such as, electronic price label 118) in, i.e. EAS element 134 can be integrated as a part for price tag 118.EAS element 134 is usually fixed to Article or books, such as, article 120.When (checkout) is correctly bought or checked out to article 120, EAS element 134 by Store sales assistant removes or deexcitation.In the exit of retail shop, when detection system senses is to being not yet properly deactivated Movable EAS element 134 time, detecting system sounds the alarm or otherwise warns shop-assistant.

The sound magnetic cell that EAS element 134 can be made up of bonding jumper.The detection of EAS element 134 is by sensing by EAS Harmonic wave and signal that magnetic response when element 134 is exposed to magnetic field generates realize.EAS element 134 can be unmagnetized so that It can no longer produce harmonic signal.In radio system, EAS element 134 can comprise the electricity with capacitor and inducer Road.This circuit can have formant.Want deexcitation EAS element 134, EAS element 134 can be exposed to strong electromagnetic field In, this electromagnetic field can generate the voltage of the voltage exceeding capacitor, thus destroys capacitor.EAS element 134 can imprint Code, such as, bar code.

Price tag 118 equally with the object in retail shop and/or fixing utensil (such as, shelf or display) Association.In addition to other type of label, price tag 118 can be to comprise the RFID being arranged in response to received Request signal and send the price tag of radio frequency identifiers (" the RFID ") label of RFID signal.Price tag 118 can comprise Transmitter (such as, near-field communication (" NFC ") transmitter), receptor (such as, NFC receptor) and be used for storing label data The memorizer of 122.As selection, label data 122 can print in price tag 118.

Label data 122 can include that optical readable fetches data alternatively, such as, stock-keeping unit (" SKU "), quickly responds (" QR ") code, Universial Product Code (" UPC ") and other optical readable replace code.Such as, label data 122 can include energy One-dimensional or the two-dimensional bar of the enough optics scanned by scanning device 110 and input equipment 130, this scanning device 110 can be such as Bar code scanning application or bar code scanning device (such as, optical scanner).Label data 122 can include numeral, letter, Symbol, these combination, or any other type of code.

Price tag 118 can be configurable and/or programmable.Especially, price tag 118 can be by computer 102 use wireless senser agreement or use other label programmed method known in the art to carry out wireless programming.By Can receive and send signal in price tag 118, in shop, communication network 106 can communicate with price tag 118 thus updates Label data 122.

Label data 122 can include any data associated with article 120.Such as, label data 122 can include depositing It is stored in the data in item database 132.Provide the more detailed schematic diagram of item database 132 in the diagram.As shown in Figure 4, Various data can be stored in item database 132 as one or more Item Information record 402.Every Item Information note Record 402 can include, but not limited to specify Item Title 404a, article to describe 404b, contoured article 404c, item price 404d, article specification 404e, item color 404f, article dimension (dimensions) 404g, article size 404h, article brand 404i, article mark 404k, Item Weight 404p, article tag information 404r and the data of article tag SKU 404s.Except this Outside or as select, Item Information record 402 can include article tag data 404q, item barcode data 404t (example As, from the item barcode data of bar code 124), and/or other product data 404o.

In some cases, the article bought use computer 102 to verify.Such as, computer 102 can use thing The size of product, shape, dimension or image mate the price scanned and the product description of article.Price tag 118 can wrap Containing price, this price tag 118 can use POS terminal 128 to scan.It addition, price tag 118 can include comprising article The data of product description, or can be used for obtaining the data of the product description of article by computer 102.In addition or make For selecting, computer 102 can use photograph image to verify bought article.EAS element deactivation system 104 can be joined Have the video frequency pick-up head 108 of low cost.Client 126 can provide article to be deactivated.And then, photographic head 108 subject The image of product.This image can mate in store inventory data storehouse.Computer 102 is made about whether article correspond to Image in data base and the determination of the article 142 bought in buying mobile phone 140.

According to another aspect, include receiving from quantifier 112 for activating the method for EAS element deactivator 114 The weight of article.These article associate with the Item Weight being stored in computer 102 that (Item Weight can be stored in data base In).The weight of the article being received from quantifier 112 compares with the Item Weight being stored in computer 102.Computer 102 whether relatively making about this weight corresponding to being at least based on weight and article product mark or label data 122 Deexcitation and the determination of article that is given.If, at least based on the heavily quantitative analysis to label data 122 and article, it is determined that Price tag 118 is corresponding to the article be given for deexcitation, then EAS element deactivator 114 is activated to use.Quantifier 112 can be electromagnetic type weighing batcher.

The building of retailer can be equipped with video surveillance devices, such as, and video frequency pick-up head.Video frequency pick-up head identification by The article that client 126 pulls out from the shelf of retail shop, at least based on article position in retail shop and shelf.Computer 102 can store and can be used to position based on product and identify the data base of product.Client 126 (such as, shopper) When scanning the price tag 118 corresponding with article, price and the image of article are verified.

Client 126 can use self-checkout POS terminal 128 to come for pay.Client 126 can use input equipment 130 (such as, scanning devices) scan the price tag 118 associated with article 120 (such as, television set).Client 126 can use POS terminal 128 inputs payment information.POS terminal 128 can receive label data 122 and payment information.Label data 122 Computer 102 can be sent to by POS terminal 128 with payment information.In response to receiving label data 122 and payment information, meter Calculation machine 102 sends the confirmation the most purchased about article can to POS terminal 128.Payment confirmation can include buying receipt 140, this purchase receipt 140 can be paper receipts or electronic receipt.Electronic receipt can be shown in the display of POS terminal 128 On screen.Buy the list that receipt 140 comprises the identifier for identifying one or more bought article 142.Real at this In example, the article 142 bought are article 120, because article 120 have correct price tag 118.But, if article 120 have incorrect price tag (such as, the label corresponding with baseball), then the article 142 bought will not be article 120, but other article (such as, baseball).

Client 126 close to EAS element deactivation system 104 so that the EAS element 134 that associates with article 120 of deexcitation.When When client 126 presents the article 120 comprising EAS element 134 to be deactivated, photographic head 108 shoots the image 144 of article 120. Determine whether bought article 142 are article 120, and the image of image 144 is sent to by EAS element deactivation system 104 Computer 102 is analyzed.Computer 102 use Visual identification technology to analyze image 144, to determine image 144 is whether Corresponding to buying the bought article 142 in receipt 140.Computer 102 checks buys receipt 140, and this purchase receipt 140 comprises Label data 122, for determining whether purchase receipt 140 indicates that bought article 142 are the article 120 in image 144. Thus, whether the article 120 shown in computer 102 authentication image 144 mate the bought article 142 bought in receipt 140.

If computer 102 determines that image 144 corresponding to being shown in the bought article 142 bought in receipt 142, then calculates Machine 102 can activate EAS element deactivator 114.Then, client 126 can use EAS element deactivator 114 to carry out deexcitation EAS element 134.Otherwise, if computer 102 determines that image 144 does not corresponds to buy the bought article 142 in receipt 140, Then computer 102 can use communication network 106 to send message to store sales assistant.This message may indicate that: client attempts going The safe EAS element 134 that activation associates with article 120, but the bought article that article 120 are identified with purchase receipt 140 142 do not mate or the most corresponding.

Fig. 2 is the block diagram of the example architecture of the photographic head 108 of Fig. 1.The shooting of EAS element deactivation system 104 108 can be that the video frequency pick-up head of low cost is configured to gather the shape of article 120, size, dimension and other thing any Reason characteristic.Photographic head 108 can comprise photographic head receptor 204, photographic head transmitter 206, photographic head processor 210, shooting Head imager 208 and photographic head memorizer 212.Listed component 204-212 can the most directly communicate.Additionally, photographic head Transmitter 206 communicates with the communications infrastructure 202.Should be appreciated that the interconnection of component is not restricted to the layout shown in Fig. 2.Example As, multiple components can come mutual connection and transmission via the communications infrastructure 202.Camera imaging instrument 208 is arranged to shooting The image 144 of article 120.Photographic head receptor 204 is arranged to receive image 120.Image 120 is stored in photographic head and deposits In reservoir 212.Photographic head transmitter 206 is arranged to that image 120 is sent to computer 102 and divides to carry out visual pattern Analysis.

Fig. 3 is the block diagram of the example architecture of the computer 102 of Fig. 1.Computer 102 may be located in retail shop Or it is remotely located.Computer 102 comprises the one or more process being programmed to carry out functionality described herein Device 302.Processor 302 is operationally coupled to the communications infrastructure 332.The communications infrastructure 332 can include, but does not limits In, communication bus, cross-connect and/or network.Processor 302 can perform to be stored in disk via additional storage 312 and deposit With pending computer program in storage.Processor 302 can be arranged to perform graphical analysis, with from image (such as, thing The image 144 of product 120 or photo) the significant information of middle extraction.Processor 302 can use image processing techniques to carry out analysis chart Picture.Such as, processor 302 can use such as pattern recognition, digital geometry figure, 2D/3D Object identifying, image segmentation, fortune Technology and/or other image recognition technology of dynamic detection, Particle tracking, video tracking, light stream, signal processing etc identify figure As the article 120 in 144.

It addition, processor 302 can use geometry to extract quantitative information from image 144.Processor 302 can be located Reason image 144 is to extract the view data including the physical features of article 120.The view data extracted can by with Identify, describe, explain and evaluation image 144.Processor 302 can be useful to obtain from image 144 with analysis chart as 144 Information and view data.Processor 302 can be arranged to identify the shape in image 144, and uses algorithm to survey Measure the size of such as shape, determine the topological sum general structure of the shape of article 120.Processor 302 is it may also be determined that article 120 Image 144 physical characteristic (such as, length, highly, width, color, size, shape, texture and/or dimension).From image The view data obtained in 144 can be exported and be stored in item database 132.Similarly, image 144 can be stored in In item database 132.

Computer 102 can optionally comprise or share display interface 308, this display interface 308 by figure, text and Its data forwards from the communications infrastructure 332 (or from frame buffer, not shown), to show on display unit 310. In addition to other type of display, display unit 310 can also is that cathode ray tube (" CRT ") display, liquid crystal display (" LCD "), plasma scope, light emitting diode (" LED ") display or touch screen displays.

Computer 102 also comprises main storage 304 and additional storage 312.Main storage 304 can include, but does not limits In, random access memory (" RAM ") and/or read only memory (" ROM ").Additional storage 312 can include, but does not limits In, hard disk drive 314 and/or removable memory driver 316 (such as, removable hard disk drive, tape drive and/ Or CD drive).Removable memory driver 316 reads according to mode well-known to those skilled in the art and/or writes Enter movable storage medium 318.Movable storage medium 318 can include, but not limited to following computer can storage be situated between Matter: floppy disk, external hard disc, tape and/or CD.Movable storage medium 318 have the computer software that is stored thereon and/ Or data.

In alternative embodiments, additional storage 312 can include other similar equipment, to allow computer journey Sequence or other instruction be loaded into computer system within and store data.Such equipment can include such as may move storage Equipment 322 and interface 320.Such example can include that programming box and cartridge interface (such as, see in video game device That), flash memory, removable memory chip (such as, EPROM, EEPROM or PROM) and relevant socket, and be used for allowing Software and data are transferred to other removable memory module 322 and the interface 320 of miscellaneous equipment from removable memory module 322.

Computer 102 can also comprise communication interface 324.Communication interface 324 allows software and data to be transferred to outside Equipment.The example of communication interface 324 can include, but not limited to modem, network interface (such as, Ethernet card), lead to Letter port, PCMCIA slot and card, and/or wireless transceiver/antenna.Communication interface 324 can comprise transmitter 328 and receive Device 330.The software and the data that send via communication interface/module 324 can be the electricity that such as can be received by communication interface 324 Subsignal, electromagnetic signal, optical signal or other signal.These signals are supplied to communication via communication link (that is, channel) 326 and connect Mouth 324.Communication link 326 carrying signals, and wire or cable, optical fiber, telephone wire, mobile phone link, RF can be used Link and/or other communication port realize.

Should be appreciated that computer 102 can have the communication interface 324 more than a group and communication link 326.Such as, Computer 102 can have for communication interface 324/ communication link 326 setting up the comunication area carrying out radio communication, low speed The second communication interface 324/ communication link 326 to (such as, WLAN, radio communication), for and low-speed wireless network service Third communication interface 324/ communication link 326 is right, and fourth communication interface 324/ communication link 326 for other communication Right.

Computer program (also referred to as computer control logic) is stored in main storage 304 and/or additional storage 312 In.Such as, computer program is stored on additional storage 312 (such as, disk storage), with processor 302 via main memory Reservoir 304 (such as, RAM) performs.Computer program equally receives via communication interface 324.Such computer Program, when executed, can make method and system be able to carry out the feature of present invention discussed herein.Especially, computer Program, when executed, makes processor 302 be able to carry out the feature of corresponding method and system.Therefore, such computer journey Sequence represents the controller of relevant device.

Although single computer 102 is mentioned, but the present invention is not restricted to this.It is contemplated that to be, it is also possible to Realize multiple stage computer 102.Therefore, the function of computer 102 can be performed or be distributed in multiple stage calculating by single computer In the middle of machine or calculating equipment.Such as, the function of computer 102 can be performed by the computer 102 outside in shop or shop. As selection, the function of computer 102 can be by the some calculating equipment that may be located at the position being substantially the same or diverse location Perform (such as, via cloud computing).In other words, each calculating equipment all can perform one or more spies of computer 102 Sub-process.Thus, computer 102 can be to be operated together to receive, process and analyze the system of the component of image 144.

Various software implementation describe according to this exemplary computer system.Should be appreciated that with specifically described herein Those systems or the different computer system of architecture and/or Computer Architecture also be able to be used to realize this Bright.It is also understood that the ability of the component of architecture described above and quantity can be with equipment, equipment to be supported Quantity and the expection with equipment change alternately.Such as, configuration and the management of computer 102 can be designed as passing through Web browser is remotely carried out.In this case, it is possible to need not comprise display interface 308 and display unit 310.Even if Computer 102 is described herein as comprising hardware device, and computer 102 can also be implemented in and set on Cloud Server basis Execute in the software of execution.

Computer 102 can comprise item database 132 or can communicate with.Item database 132 can store In main storage 304, External memory equipment, or in another computer (not shown) communicated with computer 102.Article Data base 132 can comprise and whether correspond to bought article 142 about product data (such as, weight or image 144) Confirm relevant data.Although it should be noted that product data is described as being stored in data base, but the present invention is also It is not restricted to this, and other data structure can be used to store data.Such as, data can be stored in text or Kazakhstan In uncommon table.

Fig. 4 is the block diagram of exemplary items data base 132.Item database 132 could be for storage about treating by it The enterprise of the information of the article sold and/or check out or store inventory data storehouse.Item database 132 can comprise a plurality of article Information record 402a ..., 402c.Every Item Information record 402a ..., 402c both corresponds to article for sale.Such as, The information that Item Information record 402a storage is relevant to the first article 120.Relevant second article of Item Information record 402b storage Information.Item Information record 402c storage is about the information of third article.Although the most only illustrating three Item Information notes Record 402a ..., 402c, but the present invention is not restricted to this.Item database 132 can store any amount of article letter Breath record.Even if additionally, Fig. 4 simply shows exemplary Item Information record 402a according to the form launched, but storing Every Item Information record 402a in item database 132 ..., 402c can comprise and is stored in Item Information record Same or similar information in 402a.

Item Information record 402a can be stored in the relevant any type of information of article 120.Such as, Item Information note Record 402a can include, but not limited to Item Title 404a, article describe 404b, contoured article 404c, item price 404d, Article specification 404e, item color 404f, article dimension 404g, article size 404h, article brand 404i, images of items 404j, article mark 404k, article length 404l, item width 404m, article position 404n, other product data 404o, thing Product weight 404p, article tag data 404q, article tag information 404r, article tag SKU 404s and item barcode data 404t.Item Information record 402a can also store can be from image (such as, the image selling and/or checking out the middle article obtained 120), the size of packing box that associates with article 120 of the measurement result of article 120, and/or data that other article are relevant.Separately Outward, item database 132 can comprise article model and other article physical characteristic.Item database 132 can be with supplier Association, and can be stored in the computer of the supplier communicated with computer 102 via communication network 106.

Fig. 5 is the block diagram of exemplary purchase receipt 140.Buy receipt 140 can include, but not limited to by computer 102 It is sent to the electronic receipt of POS terminal 128.Buy receipt 140 to comprise bought article 142 and buy the date 94. The article 142 bought can be contained in the arbitrary data that bought article are corresponding, includes but not limited to, label data 122, thing The name of an article claims 404a, article to describe 404b, article mark 404k, article tag data 404q, article tag information 404r, article mark Sign SKU 404s and/or item barcode data 404t.Such as, purchase receipt 140 in Figure 5 can include as being bought " television set " of article 142.

In a kind of exemplary embodiment, retailer can wish EAS element deexcitation instrument (such as, the EAS of Fig. 1 Element deactivation system 104) use be controlled, to prevent it by unauthorized for deexcitation EAS element (such as, Fig. 1 EAS element 134).Client (such as, the client 126 of Fig. 1) can use movement or fixing POS terminal (such as, Fig. 1 POS terminal 128) to pay the bill to article (such as, the article 120 of Fig. 1).Client can use self-checkout POS terminal to scan Price tag (such as, the price tag 118 of Fig. 1) with item associations.And then, POS terminal receives can comprise purchasing price Label data 122.Afterwards, label data is sent to computer (such as, the computer 102 of Fig. 1) by POS terminal, to carry out Process and/or be stored in data base (such as, the data base 132 of Fig. 1).

Client can select to use any means of purchase (such as, the credit card) to come for pay.POS terminal 128 receives Payment information also sends it to computer 102.As response, computer 102 can verify label data 122 and payment letter Breath.Computer 102 can be sent to POS terminal 128 by buying receipt 140, as the evidence bought.The article 142 bought Can be identified in purchase receipt 140.Once client has paid money for article, and client is just close to EAS element deactivation system 104 The EAS element 134 associated with article 120 with deexcitation.

EAS element deactivation system 104 was used to before the EAS element 134 that deexcitation associates verify thing with article 120 Product 120.EAS element deactivation system 104 is come by acquisition product data including the physical attribute of bought article 142 Guarantee that article 120 had paid money before activating the EAS element deactivator 114 deexcitation with permission EAS element 134.Remove Outside other side, product data can also include image 144 and the weight of article 120 of article 120.

In a kind of exemplary embodiment, product data includes the image 144 of article 120.Photographic head 108 gathers image 144 and this image is sent to computer 102 to carry out visual analysis.Computer 102 receives product data and analyzes image 144 To determine which part article is shown in wherein.Computer 102 can also determine view data according to image 144, such as, and image institute The physical characteristic of the article shown.Physical characteristic can include, but not limited to length, highly, width, color, size, shape, stricture of vagina Reason, and/or geometry dimension.Additionally, computer 102 can analyze view data to determine which part article is shown in wherein.

Product data (such as, image 144 and/or the view data that obtains from which) can correspond to and item database Item Information record 402a in 132 ..., the article of 402c association.Computer 102 can use visual analysis to store Item Information in item database 132 mates with the article shown in image 144.For example, computer 102 is permissible Determine that the article with image 144 coupling are the article 120 (such as, television set) associated with Item Information record 402a.

Thus, computer 102 checks and buys whether receipt 140 is television set to determine bought article 142.If institute Buy article 142 with determined by article 120 mate, then activation signal is sent to EAS element deactivator by computer 102 114.Then, client 126 can use EAS element deactivator 114 to carry out deexcitation EAS element 134.Otherwise, computer 102 can Will point out that bought article 142 are sent to store sales assistant, because purchasing with the unmatched message of article in image 120 Buy receipt 140 and do not indicate that client 126 is that the article 120 in image 144 paid money.

For activating the illustrative methods of EAS element deactivator

Referring now to Fig. 6, this figure provides for use product data (such as, product data 404a ..., 404r) come Activate the flow chart of the illustrative methods 600 of EAS element deactivator 114.Method 600 from the beginning of step 602, and continue into Row step 604, receives product data in this step 604.Product data can include article (such as, the article 120 of Fig. 1) Image (such as, the image 144 of Fig. 1).In next step 606, make about whether the article identified by product data mate Bought article (such as, the bought thing of Fig. 1 and 5 of mark in buying receipt (such as, the purchase receipt 140 of Fig. 1 and 5) Product 142) determination.If the article identified by product data mate the article [606: be] bought, then EAS element deexcitation Device is activated, as shown by step 608.Otherwise [606: no], the article that statement is bought are with the article identified by product data not The message of coupling is at least sent to store clerk or Security Personnel, as indicated in step 610.Subsequently, perform what method 600 terminated Step 612 or perform other process.

The present invention is not restricted to the details of method 600.In addition or as select, method 600 can also relate to make Go out about whether the article corresponding with product data mate by being stored in item database (such as, the item database 132 of Fig. 1) The determination of the article that interior data are specified.In this case, computer (such as, the computer 102 of Fig. 1) can use article Data and/or image data query item database.Such as, corresponding with article (such as, the article 120 of Fig. 1) Item Information Record (such as, the record 404a of Fig. 4) can comprise images of items 404j.Images of items 404j can be article (such as, TVs Machine) image.Thus, images of items 404j is the image of the same article shown in the image of view data.

Using visual analysis, computer 102 may determine that the article identified in the picture mate in images of items 404j In the article that identify.Owing to images of items 404j is corresponding to the Item Information record 404a of article 120 (such as, television set), Thus whether computer 102 proceeds to determine bought article 140 be and article 120 (such as, television set) same class Type.If computer 102 determines that the bought article 142 bought in receipt 140 are article 120, then computer 102 activates EAS element deactivator 114.

Or as selecting, computer 102 can also use visual analysis to determine and identify in the picture in addition The size of article, measurement result, length, width and/or color.Such as, computer 102 may determine that the article shown in image Determined by size coupling article size 404h and/or article determined by dimension coupling article dimension 404g.Due to really Fixed size mates article size 404h and the article dimension of the Item Information record 402a corresponding to associating with article 120 with dimension Degree 404g, thus computer 102 determines that the article in image 144 are article 120.

In some cases, product data can mate any Item Information record being stored in item database 132. Such as, product data can be compared by computer 102 with any information in Item Information record 402a.If calculated Machine 102 determines product data and the information matches in the Item Information record 402a of article 120, then computer 102 can make It is used in the information in Item Information record 402a to compare with the article 142 bought.This compares can allow computer 102 Determine purchase receipt 140 whether this is indicate that determined by article paid money.

Such as, computer 102 can be by Item Title 404a (or any information in Item Information record 402a) Compare with the information being contained in the bought article 142 bought in receipt 140.Computer 102 can check purchase receipt 140 is the most identical with the article being confirmed as mating image 144 to determine bought article 142.The article 142 bought can To comprise the title (such as, Item Title 404a) of article.Computer 102 can be by the article in Item Information record 402a Title 404a compares with the Item Title 404a in the article 142 bought.Item Title (example determined by if Such as, Item Title 404a) with the name-matches of the article 140 bought, then activation signal is sent to EAS unit by computer 102 Part deactivation system 104 is to activate EAS element deactivator 114.

The bought article 142 identified in buying receipt 140 can match or correspond at Item Information record Any information in 402a, includes but not limited to that Item Title 404a, article describe 404b, contoured article 404c, item price 404d, article specification 404e, item color 404f, article dimension 404g, article size 404h, article brand 404i, article figure As 404j, article mark 404k, article length 404l, item width 404m, article position 404n, other product data 404o, Item Weight 404p, article tag data 404q, article tag information 404r, article tag SKU 404s and item barcode number According to 404t.

Such as, the bought article 142 identified in buying receipt 140 can comprise article mark, such as, article mark Know 404k.Computer 102 may determine that product data corresponds to the article 120 associated with Item Information record 402a.Computer 102 checkings buy whether receipt 140 indicates that client has been that the article in image have paid money.Computer 102 can will purchased The article mark 404k buying article mark 404k and the Item Information record 402a in receipt 140 compares, because being bought Article 142 comprise article mark 404k.If computer 102 determines bought article 142 and the thing corresponding to article 120 Product mark 404k coupling, then activation signal is sent to EAS element deactivator 114 by computer 102.

On the other hand, computer 102 may determine that bought article 142 do not mate with product data.If computer 102 determine that bought article 142 do not mate with image 144, then the deexcitation of EAS element 134 refused by computer 102.Calculate Machine 102 can also send message, to be shown on the display 116 of EAS element deactivation system 104.Message can inform Gu Visitor: store sales assistant is just overtaking and assisting this transaction.Computer 102 can also send auxiliary request to store sales assistant and disappear Breath.Message can inform store sales assistant: there are differences between article 142 and the product data bought, and shop Sales assistant should help client to carry out the deexcitation of EAS element 134.

Referring now to Fig. 7, this figure provides and may be constructed and EAS element 702, price tag 704 and manufacturer's bar code The schematic diagram of the exemplary commodity (article) of the article 700 of 706 associations.Price tag 704 can comprise label data 708. In some cases, the price tag 704 of the price tag 118 of article 120 with another article 700 may be exchanged by client.Example As, client can wish the article 120 (such as, high resolution flat TV) of purchasing price relatively high (such as, $ 1,000.00). Client thinks that article 120 are prohibitively expensive.Thus, client finds another article 700 of price relatively low (such as, $ 10.00) (such as, baseball).Label data 708 can include the price of article 700, and this price is lower than the price of article 120.Client is then Price tag 118 is exchanged with price tag 704.After being exchanged with price tag 704 by price tag 118, client is permissible Self-checkout website (such as, the POS terminal 128 of Fig. 1) is used to pay the bill.In this, self-checkout website is used to scanning Price tag data 708.It practice, the quantity that indicated by price tag data 708 of customer payment rather than pay article The full price of 120.Then the purchase receipt 140 comprising the information for identifying the article 142 bought is generated.Buy receipt 140 Point out that article 700 are purchased rather than article 120.Buy receipt 140 and can further be mentioned that client props up by the article bought Pay relatively low price (such as, $ 10.00).

Then, when completing purchase-transaction, client can with article 120 close to EAS element deactivation system 104, and And trial deexcitation is attached at the EAS element 134 of article 120.The photographic head 108 of EAS element deactivation system 104 can shoot The pictures/images 144 of article 120, and image 144 is transferred to computer 102 to carry out visual analysis.In response to receiving Image 144, computer 102 processes image 144 to determine the type of items (such as, television set) shown in image 144.Then, meter Calculation machine 102 determines that purchase receipt 140 is whether this is indicate that client has paid money for the article shown in image 144.Receive if it is determined that buy Indicate, according to 140, the money that client has paid for the article different from the article shown in image 144, then EAS element refused by computer 102 The activation of deactivator 114.Additionally, computer 102 can transmit the message to store sales assistant, state and buying receipt The bought article identified on 140 do not mate with the article shown in image 144.

Or as selecting, computer 102 can perform visual analysis and include institute herein to determine image 144 in addition The physical attribute of the article stated is in interior view data.Such as, computer 102 may determine that image 144 shows article 120, These article 120 are big square article.Additionally, computer 102 checks buys receipt 140 with coupling article (such as, as big The article of square article).Wanting do so, computer 102 can be searched and the article 142 bought in item database 132 The article record information that (such as, baseball) is corresponding.Once computer 102 finds the Item Information corresponding with the article bought to remember Record, computer 102 just can analyze Item Information record with determine buy in receipt 140 size of the article identified with/ Or shape (such as, article are little Circular article).Then, computer 102 can be by " the big square thing about article 120 Product " describe with corresponding to buying in the Item Information record of article (such as, article 700) that receipt 140 is identified The description of " little Circular article " compares.Do not mate owing to article describe, thus computer 102 determines at purchase receipt The article (such as, article 700) identified in 140 do not mate with the article shown in image 144.Thus, computer 102 determines figure Article as shown in 144 are not yet paid the bill.Marked with buying receipt 140 at the article shown in image 144 owing to computer 102 determines Know and there are differences between the article (such as, article 700), thus computer 102 will not activate EAS element deactivator 114. On the contrary, computer 102 can send message (such as, assistance request message or alert messages), and notice store sales client assistant is just Attempt the unpaid-for article of deexcitation.Message can also state that buying receipt 140 points out that client is described to image 144 The different article (such as, article 700) of article have paid money.

Fig. 8 is for based on the another kind being analyzed to determine whether to activate EAS element deactivator 114 to image 144 The flow chart of illustrative methods 800.Method 800 starts from step 802 and proceeds step 804.In step 804, turn round and look at Visitor (such as, the client 126 of Fig. 1) provides article (such as, the article 120 of Fig. 1), in EAS element deactivation system (example As, the system 104 of Fig. 1) place's deexcitation EAS element (such as, the EAS element 124 of Fig. 1).The most in step 806, photographic head (such as, the photographic head 108 of Fig. 1) gathers the image of article.Image is used for decision-making by computer (such as, the computer 102 of Fig. 1) In step 808.Steps in decision-making 808 relates to: inquiry item database (such as, the item database 132 of Fig. 1) is to determine at image In show any part article；And determine whether the article shown in image mate purchase receipt (such as, the purchase receipt of Fig. 1 140) article identified.If the article coupling shown in image buys the article [808: be] that receipt is identified, then EAS Element deactivator (such as, the EAS element deactivator 114 of Fig. 1) is activated in step 812.Otherwise [808: no], message Sent to call client to assist in step 810.Afterwards, execution method 800 terminate step 814 or perform at other Reason.

In some cases, when the article that the article shown in image are identified with purchase receipt do not mate, computer 102 can start secondary safety flow process.Such as, as client, article are carried to EAS element deactivation system with its EAS of deexcitation When this deexcitation refused by element and computer, computer can send message to be shown in the aobvious of EAS element deactivation system Show on device.Message can ask this client scanning to be pasted on bar code (such as, the bar of Fig. 1 of the article presented for deexcitation Shape code 124) and price tag (such as, the price tag 118 of Fig. 1).In response to this request, client performs user-software interactive, With scan stripes shape code and price tag.Then, scan data is sent to computer by EAS element deactivation system.Receiving During scan data, computer determines whether scanned bar code data corresponds to or coupling price tag scan data.If Bar code scanning data are not mated with price tag scan data, then assistance request message can be sent to shop pin by computer Sell assistant so that store sales assistant can solve this problem of inconsistency.Message can state price tag scan data with Bar code scanning data are the most corresponding or do not mate.

If bar code scanning Data Matching price tag scan data, then computer can send message, it is indicated that: although Price tag scan data coupling bar code scanning data, but computer cannot verify purchase receipt whether marking articles 120. If additionally, computer determines buys bought article and bar code scanning data and/or the price tag that receipt is identified The article that scan data is identified do not mate, then computer can send message, it is indicated that: buy receipt and do not demonstrate and valency Case marker label scan data article corresponding with bar code scanning data were paid money.As selection, computer can be joined Put and bought, for buy in (i) bar code scanning Data Matching, article and/or the price tag scanning that receipt is identified EAS element is activated during the article that the purchase receipt that data or (ii) price tag scan data coupling are bought is identified Activation system.

By following operation, computer can determine whether the article gone out by bar code scanning Data Identification mate and be purchased That buys buys the article that receipt is identified: the item identifier information being included in bar code scanning data is purchased with being contained in The item identifier information bought in receipt compares；And/or inquiry item database is identified with purchase receipt to determine The Item Information record of bought item associations.Computer can use bar code scanning data to inquire about item database. Computer may determine that item barcode data in Item Information record (such as, the record 402t of Fig. 4) (such as, Fig. 4 Data 404t) coupling bar code scanning data.Thus, computer determines that Item Information record corresponds to and bar code scanning data The article of association.Computer can proceed to be identified any information in Item Information record with purchase receipt The information of bought item associations compare.Such as, if comprising article tag with the information of the item associations bought SKU, then computer can by the article tag SKU associated with the article 45 bought be contained in the intrarecord thing of Item Information Product label SKU compares.If with the article mark that the article tag SKU of the item associations bought mates Item Information record Sign SKU, then computer determines that bar code scanning data are corresponding to buying the bought article that receipt is identified.

In some cases, computer the product data received comprises presents in for its EAS element of deexcitation The measured value of the weight of the article at EAS element deactivation system 104.Measured gravimetric value can use EAS element to deactivate The quantifier 112 of live system 104 obtains.Quantifier 112 can include, but not limited to electromagnetic type weighing batcher.Measured Gravimetric value then can be sent to computer 102 by EAS element deactivation system 104.At computer 102, buy receipt 140 are analyzed to determine the weight of the bought article wherein identified.Then, computer by measured gravimetric value with The determined weight buying the bought article that receipt is identified compares.If measured gravimetric value and bought thing The measurement weight of product is identical or approximately the same, then computer sends activation signal, is used for activating EAS element deactivator.Otherwise, If measured gravimetric value does not has the measurement weight approximately equal with bought article, then computer is sent out to store sales assistant Send message.This message may indicate that the weight of bought article and the measurement weight presenting the article for deexcitation differ.

Determining the weight of bought article, computer can use from buying the information obtained receipt to inquire about article Data base.Computer 102 may determine that what the given Item Information record being stored in item database corresponded to be bought Article.Item Information record can comprise the data specifying Item Weight.The Item Weight value being contained in Item Information record Then can with obtained by quantifier 112 measured by gravimetric value compare.If gravimetric value differs each other and is in that Within this predefined size, then computer activates EAS element deactivator.On the contrary, if gravimetric value differs each other beyond predetermined Size, the then deexcitation of the EAS element that computer refusal couples with article (such as, article 120).Additionally, computer is all right Transmit the message to store sales assistant, it is indicated that presented the weight of the article for EAS element deexcitation and buy article Weight do not mate.

Referring now to Fig. 9, this figure provides and determine whether to activate EAS element deactivator for weight based on article The flow chart of another kind of illustrative methods 900.Method 900 is from the beginning of step 902, and proceeds step 904.In step In 904, article are positioned on quantifier (such as, the quantifier 112 of Fig. 1) to obtain its weight measurement by client.Then, In step 906, quantifier generates the measured gravimetric value of article (such as, the article 120 of Fig. 1).Subsequently, method 900 from Steps in decision-making 908 starts.Steps in decision-making 908 relates to: checks and buys receipt (such as, the receipt 140 of Fig. 1), to determine what thing Product are the most purchased；Item database is inquired about and the gravimetric value of the item associations bought；And determine measured weight Whether value mates and the gravimetric value of the item associations bought.If gravimetric value coupling [908: be], then EAS element deexcitation Device is activated, as shown in step 912.Otherwise [908: no], message is sent to call client to assist, as shown in step 910.

In some cases, computer and scanning device (such as, the scanning device 110 of Fig. 1) can be used to checking article (example As, the article 120 of Fig. 1) whether mate the article identified in price tag (such as, the price tag 118 of Fig. 1).Scanning Device can be used to the manufacturer code (such as, the code 124 of Fig. 1) of scanning and item associations.Scanning device can be utilized to Scanning price tag is to obtain label data (such as, the data 122 of Fig. 1) from which.EAS element deactivation system (such as, figure The system 104 of 1) manufacturer code and label data can be sent to computer.At computer, whether determine label data Correspond to or coupling bar code scanning data.Such as, computer can be by carrying out bar code scanning data with label data Relatively determine whether the description associated with bar code or bar code data mate label data.If label data coupling bar shaped Code scan data (that is, both belong to and corresponding to same article), then computer sends activation signal, is used for activating EAS element Deactivator.Otherwise, computer can send message, it is indicated that: label data does not mates with bar code scanning data.Merit attention , when the article identified in the picture do not mate with the bought article identified in buying receipt, these operations It is used as secondary safety inspection.

In other cases, photographic head (such as, the video frequency pick-up head of the video system in shop) can be positioned as spreading all over Whole retail shop.At least one photographic head (such as, the photographic head 108 of Fig. 1) can be used to be tracked through retail shop Client.Computer and photographic head communication, and can be arranged to control photographic head.Photographic head can also follow the tracks of (tract) Article in retail shop, and the pictures/images of article in retail shop can be shot.By the picture of camera collection and Image can be stored in item database (i.e., it is possible to being used to update the picture being stored in item database and image).

In these or other cases, which part article photographic head can record and picked up by client.For example, client Article (such as, the article 120 of Fig. 1) can be picked up from shelf, and article can be positioned in shopping basket or shopping cart. Photographic head can shoot the image of the article in shopping basket or shopping cart.Image can be sent to computer.At computer Place, client can associate with the image of shown article.Computer can also identify the article being shown in image and be determined by article The position in shop picked up by client.Position can use the planogram of retail shop to identify (such as, for carrying in detail The Visual Chart of the position that confession article are placed in retail shop or drawing).Planogram can comprise the cloth of retail shop Office's figure, and illustrate that article are positioned at which passage and which shelf.It addition, item database can comprise the position with article Corresponding Item Information record information.As another example, computer can be with analysis chart picture to determine which part in shop It is shown in image.

Such as, POS terminal can be mobile POS terminal, for instance, it is possible to be used in any position residing for article by client (such as, the passageway in retail shop) performs the wireless mobile apparatus of self-checkout.POS terminal can be equipped with mobile The hand-held of POS application.POS terminal can be supplied to client by retail shop, or can be provided by client.POS terminal 36 POS application can be moved equipped with retailer.Client can use POS terminal complete (ring up) this sale with sound and sweep Retouch price tag.After completing with sound to sell, client can go to deexcitation website or self-checkout website, in order to deactivates The EAS element being attached on article alive.The mandate of deexcitation EAS element can be sent to EAS element deactivator by computer. The data of the characteristic of the product of the price association that the mandate of deexcitation EAS element can include being contained in price tag, such as The size of product, shape and dimension with the scanned prices match in price tag.Thus, client can be in the passageway in shop Interior purchase article, go to buy article without to self-checkout website.EAS element deactivation system could be for verify by Client or sales assistant use checking and the deexcitation website of the sale that POS terminal completes with sound.EAS element deactivation system Can be verified by the received characteristic of the such as inspection/checking article product corresponding to associating with the price in price tag The transaction completed with sound by client or sales assistant.

Such as, pay to be given, client can use the input equipment of POS terminal (such as, the POS terminal 128 of Fig. 1) (such as, the input equipment 130 of Fig. 1) scans the price tag comprising label data (such as, the data 122 of Fig. 1).Computer Can receive label data, label determines whether label data mates the information drawn from the image associated with client.Such as, Computer may determine that whether the price associated with price tag mates the price of the article identified in the picture.Thus, thing Product are determined by the price of scanned article during the scanning of price tag (when such as, processing transaction during POS) No verify corresponding to the article shown in image.

If the price in price tag is corresponding to the price of article shown in image, then computer activation EAS element goes Activator appliance.Will be by the prices match of price tag with the article shown in image, computer may determine that and the article shown in image Corresponding Item Information record (such as, Item Information record 402a).The label that computer can will obtain from price tag Data compare with the information in Item Information record.

In some cases, client " can settle accounts " to article when client picks up article from shop shelf and pay the bill. Such as, price tag can be scanned when client picks up article, and label client can give pay on the spot, it is not necessary to uses position Checkout registry in the exit of retail shop.Then, client can continue at EAS element deactivation system deexcitation EAS Element, this EAS element deactivation system may be located at the near exit of retail shop.

Referring now to Figure 10, the figure shows and come deexcitation and the article followed the tracks of for activating EAS element deactivator The flow chart of the another kind of illustrative methods 1000 of the EAS element coupled.Method 1000 from the beginning of step 1002, and continue into Row step 1004.In step 1004, price tag (such as, the valency of Fig. 1 associated with article (such as, the article 120 of Fig. 1) Case marker label 118) scanned.Price tag scan data (such as, the label data 122 of Fig. 1) includes pricing information.Then, exist In step 1006, photographic head (such as, the photographic head 108 of Fig. 1) collection has been picked up by client (such as, the client 126 of Fig. 1) The image (such as, the image 144 of Fig. 1) of article.Client then proceeds to EAS element deactivation system (such as, the system of Fig. 1 104), determine within the system and be made, as shown in steps in decision-making 1008.About the information obtained from acquired image it is (that is, whether the article shown in image are corresponding to the price being shown in price tag for no coupling pricing information in price tag Information) determination be made.If the information obtained from image mates (that is, image institute with the pricing information in price tag Show the price that the price of article is illustrated in price tag) [1008: be], then EAS element deactivator (such as, the deactivating of Fig. 1 Device 114 alive) it is activated in step 1012.Otherwise [1008: no], message is sent to call client to assist in step 1010 Help.

In other cases, shopper can be authorized in the case of the supervision without departing from store sales assistant use EAS element deactivation system.Such as, retailer can carry out background inspection to client, to determine whether this client can be awarded Give the status of the shopper (that is, honesty client) of trust.Computer can store the list of the shopper of trust and they Image.If client is identified as the shopper of trust by computer, then EAS element deactivation system is activated.

In yet some other cases, time period when refusal deexcitation event occurs every time is tracked by computer.As Really deexcitation is rejected, and photographic head can be used to gather the face-image of client.Image can be added in report, this report Announcement can be the virtual report that can be accessed by retail loss prevention personnel.This report can also comprise the EAS about being rejected deexcitation Time period that the quantity of element, refusal occur and the information of the type that relates to the product that label is exchanged.Elapse in time, permissible Set up the most unaccepted trend of the trial about deexcitation label with average.

The face-image of client can be analyzed during the court investigation of potential retail fraudulent activities.Confirmed Retail fraud situation in, face-image can with law enfrocement official share.Face-image is used as client and is violated The evidence of swindle.Report can retrieve via data mining capability.Such as, report can be identified by report number. The report database of storage report can use report number to inquire about.Further, it is also possible to inquiry is given in report database Date or the potential fraudulent activities in certain date range.

Referring now to Figure 11, this figure provides for activating EAS element deactivator that (such as, the EAS element of Fig. 1 deactivates Device 114 alive) carry out the EAS element (such as, the EAS element 134 of Fig. 1) that deexcitation couples with article (such as, the article 120 of Fig. 1) The flow chart of another kind of illustrative methods 1100.Method 1100 will be retouched for the purchase-transaction of one or more article State.The present invention is not restricted to this respect.Such as, method 1100 can be according to settlement dealing (such as, for checking out at library The affairs of books) any type revise.

As shown in Figure 11 A, method 1100 is from the beginning of step 1102, and proceeds optional step 1104.Optional Step 1104 in, issue to client that can obtain the portable customer of the data that client is correlated with from which via junction service special Fixed medium (such as, member card).The data that client is correlated with can include, but not limited to customer identifier, customer accounts and/ Or client's authentication data (such as, user name, password and/or biological attribute data).

In next step 1106, operation is executed to accomplish client and successfully have purchased at least one article (such as, figure The article 120 of 1) purchase-transaction.Purchase-transaction can use the POS terminal (example of fixing Self-Service POS terminal or movement As, the POS terminal 128 of Fig. 1) realize.It is known in the art for complete the POS of purchase-transaction operating, and And therefore will not be in described herein.POS operation that is any of or that will be appreciated that can be used for here, not limit System.

The purchase-transaction when completing, disposable transaction code can be generated and be assigned to purchase-transaction, with There is provided the safe class increased, as shown in optional step 1108 just to follow-up EAS element deexcitation flow process.Single use Transaction code then via print/receipt of electronics is supplied to client.In some cases, it is alternatively that or except this with Outward, disposable transaction code is via the electronics of the mobile device (such as, mobile phone or smart phone) being transferred to it Message (such as, text message, email message or web page message) is supplied to client.Disposable transaction code can To include, but not limited to disposable N position PIN code, wherein N is integer.In some cases, disposable friendship Easily code is according to the account of client, name, user name, address, telephone number, password, biological attribute data, token numbering (example As, member card identifier or RFID device identifier), Mobile Equipment Identifier, wearable electronic signature (such as, signal Feature), e-mail address, the number of times accessing shop within the given time period and/or other client data next life of being correlated with Become.Data (such as, shop-identifier, location identifier, the giver identification's symbol that transaction code can also be correlated with according to business Deng ...), the data of time correlation (date that such as, purchase-transaction is submitted and/or time) and/or the relevant data of article (such as, product identifiers, merge the result of two or more product identifiers via algorithm, for marking articles in retail The identifier etc. in passageway residing in shop ...) generate.In addition or as select, disposable transaction code Generate according to pseudo random number or random number generating algorithm.Pseudo random number or random number generating algorithm are known in the art , and therefore will not be in described herein.Any of or the pseudo random number that will be appreciated that or random number generating algorithm are all Can be used in here, do not limit.

In next step 1110, transaction data is stored in data base (such as, the data base 132 of Fig. 1), in order to Associate with specific client.Transaction data can uniquely identify the purchase-transaction completed in previous step 1106, and is buying The article bought by client are identified during transaction.In this, transaction data can include disposable transaction code, every The identifier of the article that part is bought, the purchasing price of every article bought, purchase-transaction submitted date, every thing The store locations that product are purchased, and/or specify every article bought one or more characteristics out of Memory (such as, The description of Item Title, article, contoured article, article specification, item color, article size, images of items, article brand Deng ...).Transaction data can be stored in Item Information record (such as, the Item Information record 402a of Fig. 4) and/or client's letter Breath record (such as, the Customer Information record 402a of Fig. 4 ..., 402n) in.Customer Information record can include, but not limited to Customer identifier, customer accounts, customer contact information, and relevant client before and/or the information of current purchase activity.

Afterwards in optional step 1112, client by specific for its portable customer medium (such as, member card) and/or Mobile device (such as, smart phone or wearable sensor device, such as, earphone or wrist strap) is carried to EAS element deexcitation system In the range of the communication equipment (such as, the scanning device 110 or RF transceiver of Fig. 1) of system (such as, the system 104 of Fig. 1).And then, EAS element deactivation system obtain be correlated with from the client of the specific medium of portable customer data, from the movement of client The unique identification data of equipment and/or the authentication data from client, as shown in optional step 1114.Unique identifier The electronic identifier that the network address of the mobile device that can include, but not limited to client associates with client, and/or equipment At least one characteristics of signals (such as, frequency).Such as, IP address, MAC Address and/or port numbering can be from the movements of client Equipment obtains, and is used to identify client to allow or refuse the purpose of deexcitation of EAS element of article.This Situation has some advantage, such as, can show compared with the system to the token of client's distribution using member card or other entity Write and reduce cost and hardware/software intensity.

Step 1112 and 1114 can perform in a case where: the identity of client will be examined subsequently and/or verify To guarantee that correct client is try to deexcitation and specific purchase-transaction and/or purchase receipt (such as, the purchase of Fig. 1 Receipt 140) EAS element of bought article that associates.In some cases, the identity of client can use from portable customer The customer identifier and/or the account that obtain in specific medium (such as, member card), obtain from the mobile communication equipment of client Device identifier (such as, MAC Address) and/or in step 1116 obtain other client's authentication data inputted by client Check and/or verify.

The client's authentication information obtained in step 1116 can include, but not limited to password and/or biological characteristic number According to.Client's authentication information can input and/or the mobile device (example of client via by the user of EAS element deactivation system Such as, smart phone) the user software that promotes of user interface obtain alternately.Step 1116 can be performed to ensure that correct People holds the specific medium of portable customer and/or mobile communication equipment (such as, smart phone).

In optional step 1118, receipt information by EAS element deactivation system from print or the receipt of electronics Obtain.Receipt information can be encoded in be contained in printing within the receipt of electronics or on bar code in.Scanning device (such as, the scanning device 110 of Fig. 1) can from print or the receipt of electronics read bar code.Receipt information can include handing over Easily code, customer identifier, the time of purchase-transaction, the position of purchase-transaction, the identifier of bought article and other friendship The most relevant information.In addition or as select, receipt information can be from the receipt being sent to EAS element deactivation system Obtain, do not watched by client and/or be provided to client.

Subsequently, method 1100 proceeds step 1120, in this step 1120, and the client of EAS element deactivation system Relevant information, unique identification data, receipt information, client's authentication information and/or unique identifier is transferred to be positioned at far The calculating equipment (such as, the computer 102 of Fig. 1) at place.At the equipment of calculating, operation is performed to confirm that client has become Merit completes purchase-transaction and the EAS element of article bought not yet is deactivated, as shown in the step 1122 of Figure 11 B. The data that this confirmation use is received from EAS element deactivation system by calculating equipment realize.Such as, calculating equipment can be by institute The data and the same client that receive and/or relevant the stored data of the article bought compare.

Then, in step 1124, calculating equipment performs operation and is stored in data base (such as, the data base of Fig. 1 to obtain 132) the first item identification data in.First item identification data mark has can be by the EAS element of client's deexcitation One or more article.In some cases, the first identification data packet is gone to EAS element by remote computing device containing for appointment Activation system approval by the item descriptors list of the article of client's deexcitation.In other cases, the first identification data packet Image containing article and/or for indicating one or more physical characteristics (such as, size, color, brand etc..) of article Information.First item identification data then by calculate device transmission to EAS element deactivation system, with at follow-up EAS element Deexcitation flow process uses.EAS element deexcitation flow process is performed in step 1128-1140 of Figure 11 B.It should be noted that, this Invention is not restricted to the detail of the EAS deexcitation flow process described in Figure 11 B.Such as, step 1128-1140 is permissible It is replaced by some or institute of method 600,700,800,900 and/or 1000 described above in steps.

As shown in Figure 11 B, step 1128 relates to obtaining the second item identification data from the article that client holds.At some In the case of, the second item identification data includes the numeric string of unique marking articles.Thus, the second item identification data can pass through The bar code on article and/or price tag (such as, the price tag of Fig. 1 coupled with article are beaten and/or are attached in scanning 118) obtain.In addition or as select, the second item identification data includes the image of article and/or for indicating article The information of one or more physical characteristics (such as, size, color, brand etc..).In this case, the second article mark Know data to obtain via photographic head and/or other sensor device.

Second item identification data is then used in steps in decision-making 1130, to determine whether it mates the first article mark All parts of data or appropriate section.If the second item identification data and all parts or of the first item identification data Part is not mated [1130: no], then it is pointed out that the unmatched message of first and second item identification data is exported to client And/or the step 1134 of store personnel is performed.On the contrary, if the second item identification data mates the first article mark number really According to all parts or a part [1130: be], wherein EAS element deactivator (such as, the EAS element deactivator of Fig. 1 114) step 1132 being activated is performed so that the EAS element coupled with corresponding article can be deactivated.Once EAS Element has been deactivated, and step 1136 is just performed.Step 1136 relates to pointing out the EAS of which article bought by client The information that element is deactivated is transferred to calculating equipment from EAS element deactivation system.This information is stored in data base, as Shown in step 1138.Afterwards, execution method 1100 terminate step 1140 or perform other process.

Disclosed herein and statement all devices, method and algorithm can make according to present disclosure and perform, Without too much experience.Although the present invention is described according to preferred embodiment, but those skilled in the art should When clear, can be to the step of these devices, method and method in the case of without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the present invention Order is changed.More particularly, it should be clear that some component can be added on component described herein, with them In conjunction with or replace them, simultaneously can obtain identical or similar result.Those skilled in the art's these type of phases the most all As within substitutions and modifications are considered to be belonging to defined the spirit, scope and concept of the present invention.

Features described above and function, and alternative, can be incorporated into other many different systems Or in application.Various that currently not yet can predict or that not yet can predict mean as replacing that the disclosed embodiments are contained For scheme, revise, change or improve and can be made by those skilled in the art.

Claims (20)

1. for the method activating electronic article monitoring EAS element deactivator, including:

By EAS element deactivation system from the client of the business organization of the EAS element just attempting at least one article of deexcitation Place obtains the data that client is correlated with；

Obtain by the receipt that EAS element deactivation system directly sent when settlement dealing described client before completes Transaction data；

The unique identifier of data, transaction data and the described EAS element deactivation system described client be correlated with is transferred to Remote computing device；

The data being correlated with by the described remote computing device described client of process and transaction data are nearest about described client to obtain The confirmation that the EAS element of the settlement dealing and described article that are successfully completed described article is not yet deactivated；And

After obtaining described confirmation, activate the EAS element deactivator of described EAS element deactivation system.

Method the most according to claim 1, the data that wherein said client is correlated with via junction service from portable customer Specific medium obtains.

Method the most according to claim 1, the data that wherein said client is correlated with include that distributing to described client is had The unique identifier of mobile communication equipment.

Method the most according to claim 1, wherein said transaction data includes can uniquely identifying the one of described purchase-transaction The transaction code that secondary property uses.

Method the most according to claim 4, data that wherein said disposable transaction code is correlated with according to client, Data, the data of time correlation or product data that business is relevant generate.

Method the most according to claim 4, wherein said disposable transaction code is according to pseudo random number or random number Generating algorithm generates.

Method the most according to claim 1, when being additionally included in the described confirmation of acquisition, is given described by described remote computing device EAS element deactivation system provides for specifying approval allow first item identification data of article of described client's deexcitation.

Method the most according to claim 7, also includes being had from by described client by described EAS element deactivation system Article in obtain the second item identification data.

Method the most according to claim 8, also includes determining whether described first item identification data mates described second Mark data.

Method the most according to claim 9, wherein when first and second mark data described are mutually matched, described EAS Element deactivator is activated.

11. 1 kinds of systems, comprise:

EAS element deactivation system, this EAS element deactivation system

The data that client is correlated with are obtained at the client of the business organization of the EAS element just attempting at least one article of deexcitation,

The receipt directly sent when settlement dealing described client before completes obtains transaction data, and

The unique identifier of data, transaction data and the described EAS element deactivation system described client be correlated with is transferred to Remote computing device；And

Described remote computing device processes the data be correlated with of described client and transaction data to have obtained about described client the most The confirmation that the EAS element of settlement dealing and described article through being successfully completed described article is not yet deactivated；

The EAS element deactivator of wherein said EAS element deactivation system is activated after obtaining described confirmation.

12. systems according to claim 11, the data that wherein said client is correlated with via junction service from portable Gu The specific medium of visitor obtains.

13. systems according to claim 11, the data that wherein said client is correlated with include that distributing to described client is gathered around The unique identifier of some mobile communication equipments.

14. systems according to claim 11, wherein said transaction data includes can uniquely identifying described purchase-transaction Disposable transaction code.

15. systems according to claim 14, the number that wherein said disposable transaction code is correlated with according to client The data relevant according to data, the data of time correlation or article that, business is relevant generate.

16. systems according to claim 14, wherein said disposable transaction code is according to pseudo random number or unrest Number generating algorithm generates.

17. systems according to claim 11, wherein said remote computing device is also given described when obtaining described confirmation EAS element deactivation system provides for specifying approval allow first item identification data of article of described client's deexcitation.

18. systems according to claim 17, wherein said EAS element deactivation system is also from being had by described client Article obtain the second item identification data.

19. systems according to claim 18, wherein said EAS element deactivation system also determines that described first article mark Know whether data mate described second mark data.

20. systems according to claim 19, wherein when first and second mark data described are mutually matched, described EAS element deactivator is activated.