DE2360108A1 - SYSTEM AND PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING UNAUTHORIZED REMOVAL OF GOODS FROM PROTECTED PROPERTY - Google Patents

Description

Dr.-lng. E. BERKENFELD · Dipl.-Ing. H. BERKENFELD, patent attorneys, Cologne

l ⁿ Xbev _Om November 30, 1973 my // 2ΓΓα1 CHECK MATE SYSTEMS, INC,

System and method for indicating the unauthorized removal w of goods from a protected property.

Various systems have been proposed which use electrical and magnetic devices to prevent the unauthorized Notice removal of goods from a protected property, such as a retail store, as part of an effort reduce serious financial losses as a result of theft. In certain systems there is a magnet on the goods mounted in the shop and a magnetic scanner is placed at the exit of the shop to detect the presence of the magnet to display on the goods. An alarm is therefore triggered if someone tries to get goods on or around them hide them and remove them through the exit while the magnet is still attached to the goods. If one approved Removal of goods (e.g. after a purchase) the magnet is usually removed as part of the purchase process and the goods can be removed from the body without causing an alarm to be triggered at the exit.

Such systems and electrically triggerable, containing a magnet Staples that are attached to the goods are in U.S. Patent Application No. 112,355 dated February 3, 1971 and in American patent application no. ..... dated. "." October 1972 described, "In such systems there is a joint brace that has a contains permanent magnets, attached to the goods in a locked state. The bracket contains a bimetal 1ic element, which can be operated to open the clamp only by an electrified key provided on the pay table and which is brought into action by the cashier on the bracket. A corresponding one, adjacent to the shop exit arranged magnetometer or similar device indicates the distance of unsold goods on which the one containing the magnet Bracket is still attached and which set off the alarm that indicated theft

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One difficulty that can arise with such systems is in that the cashier may overlook the removal of a clip, leaving an innocent buyer of the goods purchased by the Output leads to the triggering of an alarm. This then only requires that the goods be brought back to the payment table be to remove the bracket, but what also for the customer is embarrassing. Failure to remove the clip can result from negligence on the part of the cashier, who forgets to look for the bracket on every piece of the goods purchased, or it may arise in situations in which not all Goods are always put in brackets so that the cashier believes that a particular piece of the goods is of some kind is not enclosed in a bracket and therefore does not look for the bracket.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and useful system and method which prevent false indications of unauthorized removal of objects from the protected property.

Another task is to develop such a method and a device which displays the unauthorized removal of objects from the protected property by triggering enable a corresponding alarm, but which prevent the triggering of such an alarm if the goods with permission removed, for example after a purchase.

One task is also to develop a method and a system of the type el which is within the protected area Property magnetic devices attached to the objects and their removal through an exit of the property is indicated by scanning the presence of the magnetic device, so that the security is given that the magnetic device of has been removed from the purchased goods before they are removed through the exit.

Another task is the arrangement of a practical ₃ inconspicuous magnetic detector on the payment table. which the motion of a magnet associated with the goods in the vicinity of the same

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scans and produces an indication of the presence of the magnet.

Another object is the arrangement of such a magnet displaying device, which for the magnet on the Were sensitive, but to the effects of the usual magnetic Stray fields is insensitive.

Another task is the arrangement of such a magnetic detector, which is simple, safe, economical and reliable and that does not interfere with the usual handling processes.

The invention provides a method and a system according to which a device displaying a magnet along the path of authorized removal of goods from the protected property is arranged at a location which is in front of the magnetic scanning device, which is used to indicate the unauthorized removal of Goods from the property is used. The first-mentioned device displaying a magnet is preferably at the dispatch point arranged for the goods purchased and designed in such a way that if any goods are associated with the same Have magnets, are moved in the vicinity of the device displaying the magnet, an indication is generated to warn that the magnetic device should be found and removed before it finds a false one as it passes through the exit Alarm causes «The device indicating a magnet at the check-in point is preferably in the form of a mat Structure which lies horizontally along the pay table where the movement of goods by the cashier is adjacent to the magnetic detector provides the cashier with indications when a magnet is still on the goods. The magnetic detector is preferably made of at least two separate conductive loops which are arranged and shaped in such a way that they act on the movement of a magnet cause a mains current in the vicinity thereof, but little or no mains currents in the case of changes in the magnetic stray fields produce. In a preferred embodiment, the at least two separate windings have a similar or the same one Shaping on, but are shifted from one another in the horizontal direction, preferably in an overlapping, but not congruent Position.

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If the cashier fails to remove a magnet from the goods, the movement of the goods over the mat-like magnetic detector Put a warning message on the pay table to remind him of the failure to remove the magnet. In this way ensures that the customer is not caused by a false alarm at the exit is embarrassed, which is triggered by the presence of a magnet on legally purchased goods will.

The invention therefore relates to an improvement in systems in which a clip containing a magnet is attached to goods in one Drawers is attached and in which a magnetic scanning device placed at an exit from the store to trigger an alarm if someone tries to remove goods through the exit, on which the bracket containing the magnet is still attached. In the case of an approved removal of the goods, for example after a purchase, the goods are attached to the same Flame brought to a pay table where the cashier gave the The clamp and the magnet are removed so that the goods can be removed through the exit without triggering the alarm. The improvement consists of a mat-like arrangement of the loops of conductor windings, which in the vicinity of the cashier along a Surface of the payment table are arranged flat, the goods being moved by the cashier over this arrangement in the course of the check-in process. If a bracket containing a magnet »/ still is attached to the goods, the movement of the magnet will induce currents in the windings, which will operate an indicator, who informs the cashier of this fact. If the cashier failed to find a bracket and the same from the This notification will be used to accept goods during the clearance process warn the cashier. Then, paying attention to the display, the cashier will find the clip and the magnet and the same decrease. This eliminates the possibility of the innocent bug being embarrassed by setting off an alarm when he tries to remove his purchases through the store exit. The winding arrangement preferably consists of at least two separate conductor loops of a similar shape, which overlap, but in a horizontal plane

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borrowed are shifted so that the moving magnet currents in induced the loops. The effects of simultaneous similar Changes in the magnetic flux through the two windings, for example due to changes in magnetic stray fields can be generated but are canceled and do not operate the indicator.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to FIG Drawings in which shows:

Figure 1: a floor plan of the protected property, as well as the use of the device and the system according to the Invention,

Figure 2: a perspective view of a mat-like, one Magnet-indicating winding arrangement according to the invention,

Figure 3: a perspective view of the electronics unit for the Magnetic detector, including the ■ indicator for the same, and

4 shows an electrical schematic diagram for the Magnetdetektorvor- ri direction in accordance with the invention.

In Figure 1, a protected property is shown within the building walls 10, which has a customer entrance 12 and a customer exit 14. The entrance 12 leads to a goods storage area 16 for the sale or display of goods. On each side of the path leading to the exit magnetometer devices or the like are arranged which sense the presence of a magnet adjacent to them and trigger an alarm, preferably an audible alarm. The merchandise for sale in the store has fastened to it brackets 24 containing a magnet which may be of any of the types described in the patent applications identified above. Each such bracket contains a magnet, generally a permanent magnet, and the bracket is locked onto the merchandise in a locked manner state fixed "the bracket is provided with joint shoes _s which can be opened only when the staple is supplied to an electric current of -this released electrified wall 26th The release wall 26 is in this case

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game at the dispatch points 28 arranged. These are longitudinal arranged along the path that customers take when they go to exit 14. There is an additional one at each clearance point to the release wall 26 usually a cashier 30 and a cash register 32.

When a customer tries to leave the property through exit 14 with goods, of which the clip containing the magnet is not removed, the magnet indicating system 20 will trigger an alarm indicating theft. In the course of a normal purchase, the customer or the cashier will bring the goods to one of the check-in points, the clip is by means of the electrified wall removed, the one associated with the purchase financial transaction is terminated and the goods without- the bracket are removed by customers through the exit without triggering an alarm.

However, an innocent buyer should be displaying a magnet Device 20 bring goods to which a clip containing a magnet is still attached, a false alarm is set triggered, which causes considerable embarrassment on both sides.

According to the invention, in this embodiment the failure to remove a clip containing a magnet during the purchase process at the check-in point is detected and displayed to the cashier by means of a mat-like magnetic detector 40, which is arranged adjacent to the check-in point and in this example flat on the top of the Severance payment table 41 is located. The mat-like detector 40 is conductively connected to an associated electronics unit 42, which can be arranged in the same housing as the electronics for the release wall. The electronic unit can be on the top, are arranged beneath or in any zweckmässi i gen position relative to the check number ti sch.

When goods on which a clip containing a magnet is attached is »brought to the clearance section and is adjacent to it. When the detector 40 is moved, the currents induced by that movement produce an indication of the presence of the magnet

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on the electronics unit 42. This display is a warning to the cashier that the clip containing the magnet is still in place so that he can remove it using the electrified wall. De _e r detector is preferably disposed within easy reach of the cashier, so that the above-mentioned movement of the magnet relative to the detector during the usual course of the purchase and the packaging is carried out, or the cashier can the goods intentionally either before or after packaging through the area Move above the mat-like detector to ensure that the clips have been removed correctly. If an indication is obtained in this process, the cashier will of course look for the clips on the goods and remove them with the aid of the wall until the movement of the goods in the vicinity of the detector no longer gives an indication of the presence of a magnet. This ensures that all of the brackets containing a magnet have been removed before the innocent one. Buyer removes the goods through the exit 14 and accordingly false alarms by the magnetic detector device 20 are prevented.

The detector 40 includes at least one electrical conductor and preferably a plurality of separate conductor windings, of which each consists of one or more ships. Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the m.attenarti gene detector. A flat rectangular base plate 48, suitably made of hard Plastic material, is machined to create the various grooves 50 in the top of the base plate. The grooves are sufficient deep to accommodate the two multi-turn windings 52 and 54 which overlap and substantially lie in the same plane. One with a printed Circuit provided terminal strip 56 is on the bottom one Cemented recess in the base plate 48 and the four leads from the two windings are with four corresponding lugs of the terminal strip connected. The terminal strip connects these four lines with three output lines of the winding arrangement, as shown in FIG. 2 and in the circuit diagram of FIG.

Each winding can, for example, take the form of a generally

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rectangular loop, which are about 30 cm long and 20 cm is wide. Each loop covers the other approximately to the center line of the other loop. The loops are also in the longitudinal direction something shifted from each other. A cover 57 made of a plastic material similar to the base plate 48 can be placed on the upper end cemented to the base plate to seal the windings in place and protect them from damage or Protect destruction. The complete detector unit can be about 45 cm long and 35 cm wide and about 2.5 cm high.

Figure 3 illustrates an example embodiment of the Electronic unit for the detector, with which the three lines of the mat-like detector are connected by the cable 59. . On its front facing the cashier there is a fuse 60, a power switch operated by a key 62 and a signal lamp 64 are arranged. An alarm buzzer indicating the presence of a magnet near the detector supplies, is located inside the housing of the electronics unit. Mains power to operate the unit is supplied through the Line 65 supplied.

Figure 4 shows the electronic circuit of the magnetic detector device. The two lines 66 and 67 from the left sides of the two windings 54 and 52 are connected to one another and grounded together. The line 70 from the right / side of the coil 54 is connected through a resistor 72 to the non-inverting input terminal 3 of the differential amplifier 74, while line 75 from the right side of winding 52 through resistor 76 to inverting input terminal 2 of the differential amplifier connected is.

The differential amplifier 74 generates 6 at its output terminal an increased version of the difference between the signals fed to its inverting and non-inverting input terminals will. The resistors 76, 82 and 84 form the gain factor determining resistors for the inverting input terminal 2, while resistors 72, 86 and 88 partially

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determine the gain factor for signals fed to the non-inverting input terminal 3. Resistors 72, 86 and 88 preferably have the same value as resistors 76, 82 and 84. In addition, the connection from node 89 between resistors 82 and 84 to node 90 between resistors 86 and 88 via variable resistor 92 provides additional feedback in order to increase the gain of the amplifier. Resistor 92 is usually adjusted to produce the maximum feedback and gain possible without rendering the amplifier inoperative by causing it to be held in one of its extreme conduction states. A conventional bandwidth control circuit consisting of a capacitor 94 and a resistor 96 is, the bandwidth limits of the amplifier to a few cycles per second _s thereby reducing the sensitivity to high frequency noise or interference, including 60 Peri oden-Streufel the, also forms the connection of the resistor 98 with ground across the variable resistor 99 a common offset node setting ₅ to compensate the amplifier so that it generates an output signal 0 when the signals at its inverting and non-inverting input terminals are exactly the same. The output terminal 6 of the amplifier is connected to the rest of the circuit through the AC coupling capacitor 100 to avoid drift problems "that sometimes occur when DC coupling is used"

Light passing through the condenser 100 signal is applied to input terminals 3 and 2 of Verstärkungskomparatoren and 102 supplied may be that normal solid state devices _o Each of these devices has the property that its output 0 only begins to exceed in the positive direction when the on their Eingangskl . Terminal 3 applied voltage first exceeds the voltage applied to its input terminal 2, The. Output terminals 6 or comparators 101 and 102 are through the diode rectifier 104 and the resistor 106 and through the diode rectifier, respectively. 108 and the resistor 110 to the base 112 of an NPN tran-

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sistors 114 connected. The polarity of the B connection of the two diode rectifiers 104 and 108 is such that each of them passes a positive signal to base 112 to turn transistor 114 on only when the output of its corresponding comparator is positive.

The input terminal 2 of comparator 101 is positively biased by the voltage which is supplied to the same, by the fixed resistor 115 and the variable parts 115A _a the input terminal 3 of the comparator 102 is negatively biased by the voltage which is the same, by the fixed resistor 116 and the Divider 116A is supplied. Accordingly, when the signal passing through the capacitor 100 is 0 or weak, no comparator will produce a positive output signal. If the signal passing through the capacitor 100 becomes more positive than a value determined by the position of the pickup on the divider 115A, the comparator 101 produces a positive output signal. If the signal passing through capacitor 100 becomes more negative than a value determined by the position of the pickup on divider 116A, comparator 102 produces a positive output signal. Weak signals are therefore prevented from turning on transistor 114 due to noise or interference.

The emitter of transistor 114 is grounded and its collector is through a relay winding 118 and a resistor 120 with a positive potential supply connected. A common one, the transfer suppressing diode rectifier 122 is to the relay winding connected in parallel. The relay winding 118 acts on theirs associated contact arms 124 and 126 and cause them to move from the normal positions shown in the drawing to their opposite positions when a current passes through the Relay winding passes through. If there is no signal from the Comparators 101, 102, the base of transistor 114 is open Circuit and the transistor is essentially on, so that no current flows through the relay winding 118 and the Contact arms 124,126 remain in the positions shown,

In the normal position shown, the contact arm 126 scolds one

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Resistor 130 to a switched capacitor 132 in parallel. The opposite upper end of resistor 130 is connected to a positive potential supply. Resistor 130 then serves to keep capacitor 132 usually in a discharged state. However, when the contact arm 126 is moved to the opposite position, the same connects the capacitor 132 in series between the positive potential supply and the base 112 of the transistor 114 via the series resistor 136. This causes a positive voltage to be applied to the base 112 of the transistor An action occurs which keeps the transistor in the conductive state until the capacitor 132 is charged by the positive potential supply. Therefore, if one of the comparators 101 and 102 only supplies a brief positive voltage to the transistor 114, so that it is only switched on during a brief interval is, the task of the contact arm 126 and the capacitor 132 is _s the transistor 114 during a predetermined interval * for example of a few seconds, to keep in a conducting state, even if the positive signal has already disappeared from the comparator "even a momentary output signal from a the comparators cause there that transistor 114 remains on for at least a few seconds. When current flows through the relay coil 118, the contact arm 124 is also moved to the opposite position and an alarm buzzer 140 is placed on the circuit of the source of an alternating current supplied via lines 144 and 146. Therefore, as soon as a positive signal is applied to the base 112 of the transistor 114, the buzzer is triggered and the alarm continues for the time it takes for the capacitor 132 to charge.

To supply operating voltages to the circuit, an AC power source 148 is provided, such as a 110 volt AC outlet. One side of the line from source 148 is connected through fuse 60 and power switch 62. Signal lamp 64 is on behind the fuse and power switch between opposite sides of the AC power line to provide an indication that the switch is closed. The AC voltage is then supplied to a conventional DC current source 160 _s

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whose output supplies the DC voltages required for actuation of the circuit are required. In this example the supplied DC voltages are earth, + 15Vj-IoV, + 30V and -30V.

If no magnet moves in the vicinity of the sensing windings 52,54, there is no input voltage and no output voltage from the differential amplifier when operating the circuit shown 74, the transistor 114 is not conductive, no current flows through the relay winding 118 and the contact arms 124, 126 are located in the normal position shown. Accordingly, the alarm 140 receives no operating voltage and the buzzer is not actuated. If there is a simultaneous change in the magnetic field which affects both sensing windings in the same way, for example as a result of changes in the Earth's magnetic field or as a result of changes in other stray magnetic fields, the same current is induced in both windings, so that there is no difference in the inputs fed to the differential amplifier consists. Accordingly, there is no output from it and again the alarm is not actuated. However, if a a bracket containing a magnet is moved over the sensing windings is, for example, within a distance of about 30cm, the movement of the magnet relative to the conductors in the windings will induce currents in the windings, which in general have uneven strength. For example, if the magnet is moved from left to right over the sensing windings, first If a current pulse of a given polarity occurs in line 70, then a current pulse of the same polarity will occur occur in line 75, then a current pulse of opposite polarity will appear in line 70, and finally a current pulse of opposite polarity will appear on line 75. Each of these pulses represents an unbalanced input to the differential amplifier, which the Transistor 114 will turn on at least momentarily. The switched capacitor 132 will keep the transistor on for at least a few seconds, during which time the alarm will be activated for the cashier is triggered to indicate that it is a bracket containing a magnet is located near the detector. The cashier then looks for the clip and takes it so that the customer can leave with the goods without the

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Trigger an alarm at the exit of the property. Of course the magnet need not be moved from left to right in the B manner described above. Some essential movement the magnet near the windings generally creates an unbalanced signal for the differential amplifier.

Although the shape of the windings shown is preferred, other arrangements thereof can also be used. If so desired More loops (e.g. 4, 6 or 8 loops) can be used with half of them parallel to each other is connected, while the other half is connected separately in parallel to each other. If desired, each winding can itself be shaped in several shifted loops. Although preferably Windings are used which have the same shape but are spatially displaced from one another, it is possible to use two loops »which have different shapes which, however, respond in the same way to changes in uniform fields by selecting the number of Turns of wire in each loop to match the same changes of the field to generate the same output signal. Even the connections to the two windings can be reversed compared to those shown, so that instead of generating the same Output signals corresponding to equal changes in uniform Fields of output signals of the same strength, but of opposite polarity can be generated. In this case, the electronic circuit can be arranged in such a way that it algebrally adds the effects of the currents in the two loops, instead of subtracting the same. The windings can also be from each other be completely separate rather than overlapping, although this requires more space and has been found to be less effective became.

While a preferred arrangement for the detector mat is that it lies flat on the top of the pay table, it can be in the top of the pay table or below it be arranged when the top of the counter is made of non-magnetic material, such as wood or Plastic. The detector mat can, for example, also be arranged vertically instead of horizontally along one side of the pay table,

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on which the customer usually carries the goods so that the cashier can move the goods comfortably across the detector mat to determine whether there are still any clips on the goods. While preferably a winding arrangement and the associated Circuitry used which cancels the effects of similar simultaneous currents in the two windings is it also possible to use a single winding or, in theory, even a single straight conductor, although in the first case the The susceptibility to interference and false displays increases and, in the second case, the sensitivity of the system is greatly reduced.

The invention is not based on the illustrated and described example Embodiment restricted, which can undergo various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

PATENT CLAIMS

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Claims (1)

Dr.-lng. E. BERKENFELD · Dipl.-Ing. H. BERKENFELD, patent attorneys, Cologne Attachment file number on the submission of November 30, 1973 Uly // Named. CHECK MATE SYSTEMS, INC. C 110/2 PATENT CLAIMS \ 1./System for displaying the unauthorized removal of objects from a protected property, with a monitoring device adjacent to an exit from the property to indicate the unauthorized removal of objects through the exit, which have magnetic devices combined with the same, and with a handling and magnetic collection point on the property, where the magnetic devices of the objects in the course of the approved Removal of the £ objects from the property are to be removed, characterized in that the improvement is made electrically conductive windings, which ones are adjacent to ?! the dispatch office are arranged to generate currents in the windings corresponding to the movement of one of the magnet devices, which in the dispatch center - of their associated item was not removed, adjacent to the windings, as well as from a display device responsive to the currents, which is a Indication of the presence of the magnetic device adjacent to / the Windings generated. 2o system according to claim 1, characterized in that the windings consist of at least two separate windings, which are at least partially shifted from one another so that they are on the movement of the magnet means adjacent to it is different respond, wherein the two windings have such shapes that they are in a similar manner to simultaneous address the same changes to the magnetic flux through them, and that the system has a device for canceling the effects of currents, which in the windings accordingly induced similar simultaneous changes in magnetic fields while detectable electrical signals are generated in accordance with the movement of the magnet device. 409823/0396 3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the at least two windings is in the form of one or more loops of a conductor, the loops of the two windings are essentially in the same plane. 4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the clearance and magnetic pick-up point consists of a pay table and that the windings consist of a flat array of substantially parallel and adjacent conductive loops, the arrangement being arranged substantially horizontally along the pay table. 5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the windings consist of a mat-like cover, which contains the arrangement of loops and rests on the pay table, 6. Device for indicating the presence of a magnet adjacent to a pay table, characterized by a mat-like one Housing, by at least one electrical conductor within the housing and by a display device, which with at least connected to a conductor to produce indications corresponding to currents drawn in the conductor by the adjacent motion the magnetic device are induced. 7 "Device according to claim 6, characterized in that at least the one conductor consists of at least two spatially displaced windings of conductors, each of the windings of at least consists of a flat conductor loop. 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the both windings have essentially the same shape. 9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the overlap the two windings. 10. Procedure for reporting the unauthorized removal of goods from a protected property, characterized 409823/0396 that an enclosed area is provided on the property that contains goods that are detachably attached to the same I ³ have network facilities, that a customer entrance is provided in the area, that a customer exit from the area is provided, that the goods passing through the exit are monitored, to generate an indication of the presence of a magnetic device attached to the goods, that a dispatch center is provided, which has a payment table has, to which the goods and the magnetic device attached to the same are brought by a customer for the purpose of acceptance the magnetic device from the goods before the approved removal the goods through the exit, that on the pay table. mat-like magnetic detector arranged that contains at least one conductor winding that the goods brought to the dispatch point above and adjacent to be moved to the magnetic detector in order to induce correspondingly this movement in the same currents when the magnetic device has not been accepted by the associated goods, and that a display is generated in accordance with the induced currents to indicate that the magnetic device has not been removed from the associated goods. 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that at least two windings are provided and that the effects of those induced currents which are in the windings are canceled through uniform simultaneous changes in the magnetic flux generated by the windings «, U 0 9 8 2 3 / U 3 9 ti