EP3667000B1 - System and method for managing the unlocking of a device for protecting against the theft of a commercial item, packaged or not - Google Patents

System and method for managing the unlocking of a device for protecting against the theft of a commercial item, packaged or not Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3667000B1
EP3667000B1 EP20152287.7A EP20152287A EP3667000B1 EP 3667000 B1 EP3667000 B1 EP 3667000B1 EP 20152287 A EP20152287 A EP 20152287A EP 3667000 B1 EP3667000 B1 EP 3667000B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
unlocking
identification
identification device
zone
article
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP20152287.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3667000A1 (en
Inventor
Alain Favier
Tamas Lodi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Exaqtworld SA
Original Assignee
Exaqtworld SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Exaqtworld SA filed Critical Exaqtworld SA
Publication of EP3667000A1 publication Critical patent/EP3667000A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3667000B1 publication Critical patent/EP3667000B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B73/00—Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices
    • E05B73/0017—Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
    • E05B73/0047—Unlocking tools; Decouplers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/20—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass
    • G07C9/28—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B73/00—Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices
    • E05B73/0017—Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B73/00—Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices
    • E05B73/0017—Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
    • E05B73/0047—Unlocking tools; Decouplers
    • E05B73/0064—Unlocking tools; Decouplers of the mechanical type
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00—Cash registers
    • G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00—Cash registers
    • G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
    • G07G1/0045—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00—Cash registers
    • G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
    • G07G1/0045—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
    • G07G1/0054—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader with control of supplementary check-parameters, e.g. weight or number of articles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G3/00—Alarm indicators, e.g. bells
    • G07G3/003—Anti-theft control
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
    • G08B13/2405—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting characterised by the tag technology used
    • G08B13/2414—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting characterised by the tag technology used using inductive tags
    • G08B13/2417—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting characterised by the tag technology used using inductive tags having a radio frequency identification chip
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
    • G08B13/2428—Tag details
    • G08B13/2431—Tag circuit details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
    • G08B13/2428—Tag details
    • G08B13/2434—Tag housing and attachment details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
    • G08B13/2451—Specific applications combined with EAS
    • G08B13/246—Check out systems combined with EAS, e.g. price information stored on EAS tag
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
    • Y10T24/50—Readily interlocking, two-part fastener requiring either destructive or tool disengagement
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T70/00—Locks
    • Y10T70/50—Special application
    • Y10T70/5004—For antitheft signaling device on protected article

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a system for managing the unlocking of a device for identifying a commercial item, whether packaged or not, and which is fixed to the item or to its packaging in a locked manner.
  • anti-theft badges are not effective against internal theft because employees have direct access to cash registers and unlocking or disabling systems.
  • the anti-theft badges are made up of two parts, one part of which is a nail, the management of these two unlocked and separated parts proves to be difficult for the staff of the store, in particular at the checkouts where the badges are unlocked.
  • Video surveillance is also not effective enough to combat internal theft due to the relatively small staff monitoring video screens, the large number of people to be monitored in large stores and the blind spots that cameras cannot reach.
  • Security guards are unreliable and can only monitor a limited number of people.
  • the means for preventing the unlocking of the identification device are activated by default in order to control access to the unlocking zone and are only deactivated under certain conditions. The presence of these means makes it impossible to easily unlock an identification device and thus release an article which is fixed in a locked manner to the device.
  • the means for preventing unlocking are deactivated when it is possible to identify in a safe and reliable manner the device which is authorized to be unlocked and therefore the article/physical object with which it is associated.
  • the identification of the association of this device and of the article to which it is fixed makes it possible to uniquely identify the identification device-commercial article pair.
  • the identification of the pair identification device-commercial article is for example carried out thanks to the identification information carried by the device and which are for example read from the device. This information can directly identify the identification device-commercial article association or only the device. It is then sufficient to check in the computer system of the store that the device thus identified is indeed associated with the commercial article in question. Any fraud is thus easily spotted.
  • the checkout staff scans only one of the barcodes and then multiplies on the screen of his checkout the identification of the item scanned by number of items instead of scanning all items one by one.
  • An error when entering the number of items can generate receipt errors and therefore a financial loss for the store.
  • the unlocking prevention means are mechanical means which prevent physical access of the identification device to the unlocking zone of the unlocking device. It is thus possible to prevent or restrict access to at least part of the unlocking device such as the unlocking zone; according to a variant, it is also possible to leave free access to this zone but to prevent the activation (or deactivation) of the unlocking means.
  • the system according to the invention requires, on the contrary, to ascertain beforehand the identity of each identification device-commercial article pair (for example by reading the identification information carried by the identification device) before authorizing access to the unlocking area.
  • the system thus makes it possible to combat internal theft and inventory discrepancies.
  • the decoupler 12 is connected to the POS in order to be able to communicate information/data between them.
  • the POS is linked to a computer system which notably includes a database 16 in which are stored the references of the items offered for sale in the store (EAN codes, etc.), other data which will be defined later, the stock items in one or more stores, the transactions carried out...
  • the decoupler 12 also comprises a system 18 for processing data, supplying electrical energy and communicating information/data, in particular with the payment terminal 14.
  • This system ensures in particular the management of the decoupler and in particular the actuation/ the activation or deactivation of the various constituent mobile parts of the decoupler (blocking devices, etc.) and of the various functional elements (optical sensors, etc.), the management of the various signals, in particular electrical signals, etc. (their production, their transmission, reception, storage, processing, etc.).
  • System 18 (shown in dotted lines on the Figure 1A ) comprises in particular a set of interface connection elements with the exterior of the decoupler and a set of internal connection elements with the various internal components of the decoupler.
  • the system also comprises temporary (buffer-type memory) and permanent data storage means.
  • the aforementioned system 10 applies to a device for identifying a commercial item which may or may not be packaged.
  • This identification device is for example an anti-theft device 20, also called an anti-theft badge, which comprises, in this embodiment, two elements 22, 24 separable from one another. These two elements can be moved or moved relative to each other between two positions, a locked position ( figure 1B ), in which the two elements fixed to each other imprison between them, in a locked manner under the action of locking means, the commercial article 26 or its packaging, and at least one unlocked position ( figure 1C ). In this example, the two elements can be physically separated from each other as shown in the figure 1C . As will be seen later, the two elements 22, 24 can be fixed to each other in one or more other unlocked positions.
  • the device 20 comprises a head 22 (first element) provided with a tip 22a which extends away from the head and which is intended to pass through the physical object 26 (commercial item).
  • the device 20 also comprises a body 24 (second element) provided with an orifice for inserting the tip 22a axially inside the body in a so-called locked position.
  • the body also comprises, in known manner, means for locking the inserted tip in order to prevent its axial withdrawal. Such means are for example ball means which will be described later.
  • the decoupler 12 comprises an unlocking zone which, here, comprises a reception zone 28 intended to receive the device 20 which is fixed in a locked manner to the article 26 ( figure 1D ).
  • a device 29 for reading identification information (identifier) of the device 20 and of its association with the article 26 is arranged next to the reception area accommodating said device 20, for example on the upper surface of the decoupler 12.
  • This reception zone 28 more particularly comprises a part forming a housing 30 which is capable of receiving one of the two elements 22, 24, namely here the body 24 (second element).
  • This housing has a general shape and dimensions which are substantially complementary to those of the element 24 which it receives.
  • the housing 30 is bowl-shaped and has the opposite shape of the general dome shape of the body 24.
  • This housing performs a function of mechanical stabilization of the identification device 20 in the insofar as said housing stabilizes the body 24 in a predetermined geometric orientation at the unlocking surface of the decoupler.
  • the figures 2 to 7 represent the decoupler 12 of the figures 1A and 1D according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the decoupler is mounted on a base 34.
  • the decoupler is shown without its base and without the peripheral components of the decoupler which will be described later.
  • the decoupler 12 comprises at least one permanent magnet 36 enclosed in a casing 38.
  • the decoupler comprises an upper unlocking surface 36a which corresponds to the upper surface of the magnet and on which the bottom of the part forming a housing 30 is open.
  • part forming a housing comprises a mechanical stabilizer 31 which is a body having external walls continuously surrounding a central bowl-shaped housing (it will be noted that other body shapes may be suitable, for example with interrupted walls).
  • the unlocking surface 36a is perpendicular to the axial (vertical) direction of the magnetic field.
  • the mechanical stabilizer 31 orients the identification device received therein in this axial direction. The predetermined geometric orientation thus conferred on the identification device allows the magnetic field generated by said at least one permanent magnet 36 to magnetically unlock the two elements 22, 24 of the device locked together and, thus, to release article trapped between them.
  • Said at least one permanent magnet 36 and the case 38 are fixedly mounted in the decoupler.
  • the peripheral part 40 comprises a horizontal annular upper plate 42 disposed around the stabilizer 31 and, at the periphery of said plate, a vertical skirt 44 which extends around the casing 38 in the direction of the base 34 ( fig 2 ).
  • the upper plate 42 is surmounted by a ring 46 completely bordering the access opening to the housing 30.
  • the skirt extends in an interrupted manner locally around the box 38 so as to form axial (vertical) slots 44a, 44b. .(for example three) in each of which is arranged an elastic means 48a ....
  • This elastic means is mounted in a fixed manner, on the one hand, in the lower part, on a support element 50 connected to the housing 38 and on the other hand, in the upper part, on the peripheral part 40 through openings 52 made on the periphery of the plate 42.
  • the elastic means are for example axial return springs which tend to bring the peripheral part 40 downwards.
  • the decoupler comprises a mechanism for moving the peripheral part 40 which is activated or not depending on the fulfillment or absence of fulfillment of a predetermined condition which will be detailed later.
  • This movement mechanism comprises a first motor 54 provided, on its output shaft, with a thread 56 arranged adjacent to the mobile peripheral part 40.
  • the mechanism also includes a lower part 58 which extends axially around the case 38 and the skirt 44 ( fig 2 ).
  • the lower part 58 (not shown in the picture 3 ) is mounted on a base 33 which is provided at the base of the decoupler ( figs 2 and 3 ) and which protrudes beyond the housing 38.
  • the lower part 58 comprises at its outer periphery a toothed wheel or crown 60 arranged horizontally and which cooperates by meshing with the thread 56 from the engine output shaft ( figure 4 ). The rotation of the output shaft makes it possible to rotate the ring gear 60 around its vertical axis.
  • the lower part 58 comprises a cylindrical wall 62 which extends axially upwards from the ring gear 60 to the side of the lower part of the skirt 44 ( fig 2 ).
  • the lower part 58 comprises an internal flange 64 arranged substantially in the same plane as the ring gear 60 and which extends radially towards the inside of the part away from said ring.
  • the collar has on its upper rim several cam means (for example three) which are for example in the form of ramps 64a, 64b... arranged along the circumference of the collar.
  • the skirt 44 of the peripheral part 40 comprises at its lower part several cam means (in correspondence with the number of cam means of the lower part 58) which also take the form of ramps 44a, 44b...( figures 6 and 7 ). These ramps have shapes complementary to those of the ramps 64a, 64b, etc. in order to be able to cooperate with them during the rotational drive of the toothed crown 60 and to allow the raising or lowering of the peripheral part according to the movement. selected. During the upward or downward movement, the skirt 44 slides inside the annular space provided between the box 38 and the cylindrical wall 62.
  • the shape of the cam means and, in particular, the profile cam may vary.
  • the decoupler 12 also comprises mechanical blocking means which prevent physical access to an identification device, such as the device 20 of the figures 1B to 1D , to the housing part 30 of the decoupler.
  • These mechanical access prevention means comprise one or more movable blocking members 70, 72 which are able to occupy, on the one hand, a deployed position preventing physical access of the identification device to the housing part 30 of the decoupler (blocking of the access opening to the housing) and, on the other hand, a retracted position allowing physical access of the identification device to the part forming the housing of the decoupler (release of the access opening to housing).
  • These movable locking members are for example in the form of two hatches 70, 72 which are mounted diametrically opposite in the ring 46. More particularly, the hatches have a generally planar shape which extends radially with respect to the ring and away therefrom to a respective free end 70a, 72a. The hatches have an opposite end 70b, 72b arranged in the ring and whose height is greater than that of the flat part of the hatches. These thickened opposite ends 70b, 72b (heads) fit into recesses made on the inner edge 46a of the ring 46 so as to reconstitute the complete shape (not hollowed out) of the ring.
  • the hatches are movable by sliding in the directions indicated by the arrows on the figure 4 and 6 .
  • the hatches are in the open or retracted position and are thus retained in their movement by the outer edge 46b of the ring.
  • the hatches can, on activation (command), deploy towards the inside of the ring 46 and thus partially close the opening allowing access to the housing 30.
  • a partial closing reducing the diameter of the opening to a diameter smaller than the dimensions of the element 24 is sufficient to prevent access.
  • the decoupler comprises a mechanism for moving the moving parts 70, 72 which is activated or not depending on the fulfillment or non-fulfilment of a predetermined condition which will be detailed later.
  • This movement mechanism comprises a second motor 74 provided, on its output shaft, with a thread 76.
  • the mechanism also comprises a so-called upper toothed wheel or crown 78, arranged horizontally around the cylindrical wall 62, above the so-called lower toothed crown 60, and which cooperates by meshing with the thread 76 of the output shaft of the motor 74.
  • the rotation of the output shaft makes it possible to rotate the ring gear 78 around its vertical axis.
  • the second motor 74 is arranged at a higher level than that of the first motor and on another side of the decoupler for reasons of space.
  • the profile of the guide slots 81, 83 is a cam profile which makes it possible to cooperate respectively with the cam fingers 84, 86.
  • the rotation of the upper ring gear 78 causes the rotation of the disc 80 and of its slots 81, 83 which , force the respective cam fingers to follow the cam profile of the slots and therefore to move away (closing of the doors 70, 72) or to move closer (opening of the doors) to the outer edge of the disk.
  • the two toothed crowns are independent of each other in their movement insofar as the movement of the peripheral part 40 is independent of the movement (opening and closing) of the locking members 70, 72.
  • the decoupler 12 comprises for example optical sensors (or of another type) 71 which are arranged on the base along the circumference of the lower crown 60 in order to determine the angular displacement of the latter during its rotational movements. This makes it possible to determine the rotation of the motor.
  • the housing part 30 and, more particularly, the stabilizer 31 does not participate in the up and down movement of the peripheral part 40.
  • the stabilizer 31, shown enlarged in the figure 8 is mounted on the unlocking surface 36a by means of an external flange 31a which is engaged in a peripheral groove 38a formed in the upper part of the case 38 which covers the magnet or magnets.
  • This stabilizer has on its lower surface an annular cavity 31b hollowed out in the thickness of the body and which surrounds the hole 31c drilled in the bottom of the stabilizer.
  • Several contact sensors or contactors eg three distributed at 120°
  • Elastic means such as compression springs, for example the spring 92, are mounted in the cavity 31b, for example around the respective sensors, in order to naturally push the body of the stabilizer upwards.
  • the springs 92 push said stabilizer upwards and the latter is held in the high position by its flange which is against the upper edge of the groove 38a.
  • a second element 24 of an anti-theft device 20 is placed in the housing of the stabilizer (on the figure 8 only the second element 24 is represented and it is therefore assumed that the unlocking has taken place and the first element 22 has been removed), this element is close to the unlocking surface and the magnet or magnets of the decoupler attract the said element against the surface.
  • the stabilizer is thus moved downward against the compression force of the springs until the contact sensors 90 come into contact with the upper surface of the decoupler.
  • the stabilizer is capable of moving vertically over a limited stroke defined by the height of the peripheral groove.
  • One or more electrical connections are provided between the contact sensors and the data processing system 18 of the decoupler in order to transmit to the latter the information that the anti-theft device is in the unlocked position.
  • the processing system 18 is not represented on the figures 2 to 8 for the sake of simplification.
  • the blocking members 70, 72 are activated in the blocking position (doors closed) in order to block the second element 24 in the housing.
  • the decoupler comprises a cover 100 which covers the various components described above and of which only the upper part is represented on the figure 2 .
  • a circular cutout 100a has been made in this part in order to leave free an annular space above the ring 46 for its vertical movement around the housing access opening.
  • the figure 9 is an enlarged partial schematic view of an anti-theft device 20 stabilized in the reception area of the decoupler 12.
  • Body 24 of device 20 encloses a central cavity in which the aforementioned ball-locking means or other locking means are arranged.
  • Several balls 24a are placed in a part forming a funnel 24b inside the cavity, in the same plane and form between them a central space to receive the tip 22a.
  • the body also comprises a plate or plate 24c, for example substantially planar, which closes access to the internal portion of the body.
  • a central hole 24d for inserting the tip is formed in the plate 24c.
  • the balls are mounted on a support 24e made of non-magnetic material, which is mounted on elastic means made of non-magnetic material, such as a spring 24f.
  • the elastic means exert on the support 24e and therefore on the balls an axial force (along A1) which tends to push them further into the narrowest part of the funnel 24b.
  • the balls are made of a magnetic material, which thus makes it possible to extract them from the convergent part of the funnel under the action of the external magnetic field generated by the magnet 36 when the axis of alignment of the funnel, the balls and the elastic means coincides with the axis of the magnetic field.
  • the body 24 also comprises on the periphery of the central cavity an annular chamber 24g in which is arranged a member 23, or even several members, for example passive, that is to say that it is capable of receiving waves electromagnetic signals from a source external to the device.
  • a member can for example take the form of an LC type resonant circuit.
  • the body may contain one or more active organs, that is to say which are capable of emitting electromagnetic waves towards the exterior of the device and of receiving them.
  • active or passive components are, for example, coils with ferrite, with or without capacitor, LCR circuits, magnetic filaments, RFID-type circuits equipped with an active or passive memory chip, electronic micro-sensors, etc.
  • This or these organs cooperate, via the transmission of electromagnetic waves, with a detection system, such as a portal or an antenna, placed at an access point of the store where the article to be protected is offered for sale, to trigger an alarm if the device is detected at the access point.
  • this or these members are arranged in the head 22 of the device. The presence of this or these members provides an additional anti-theft function to the identification device. However, this function is only optional for the implementation of the invention.
  • the figures 10A-B illustrate one of the functionalities of the identification device 20 which makes it possible to temporarily assemble/fix together the two separable elements 22, 24 according to a configuration which is offset transversely or laterally with respect to the configuration axial of the figure 9 .
  • This axial configuration is materialized on the figure 10A by the longitudinal axis L (here vertical).
  • L longitudinal axis
  • the two elements 22, 24 are aligned with each other by axial insertion of the tip 22a into the central hole 24d and locked together (locked position).
  • the two elements are fixed to each other in an unlocked position, which allows them to be separated manually at will by a simple gesture, without using a tool such than the decoupler 12.
  • the tip 22a is held sufficiently firmly in the body of the element 24 so that the head 22 (first element) does not fall into the arrangement of the figure 10A , and so that the body 24 does not fall into the reverse arrangement.
  • the figure 10B shows a front view of the plate 24c of the body 24 which carries the central orifice 24d in a first central zone Z1 and which is provided with a second zone Z2 (ex: peripheral) distinct from Z1 and in which a plurality of openings O1, O2, O3, O4, O5 regularly distributed.
  • Each opening O1-O5 is surrounded by a suitable guiding zone which takes for example the form of a concavity or a widening (any converging shape such as a bowl or funnel shape) arranged around the opening in order to guide the tip 22a into the latter. This arrangement facilitates the operation of inserting the tip into one of these unlocked positions.
  • the tip is inserted axially along the insertion axis L1 ( fig.10A ) which is parallel to the axis of insertion L or another axis which is parallel to the axis of insertion L and to the axis L1.
  • the tip 22a is held inside the body 24 by a holding member such as a ring 24h fitted around the central part 24i of the body which houses the central cavity accommodating the ball locking means.
  • a holding member such as a ring 24h fitted around the central part 24i of the body which houses the central cavity accommodating the ball locking means.
  • the point is inserted by force between the central part and the ring, the dimensions of which are adjusted to prevent too easy axial withdrawal (for example by reversing the assembly as illustrated on the figure 10A ).
  • another holding member integral with the body of the second element 24′ takes the form of an elastic tongue 24h′ secured to the plate 24c′ and which is capable of deviating slightly as the tip 22a′ of the first element 22 passes 'And to maintain it against the central part 24i' of the body in order to prevent an untimely axial withdrawal.
  • the tab is for example provided with a thickening at its free end which comes into contact with the tip 22a'.
  • the figure 11 illustrates another embodiment of an anti-theft device 170 which makes it possible to temporarily assemble/fix together the two separable elements 172, 174 of the device according to a configuration which is offset transversely or laterally with respect to the axial locking configuration .
  • the tip 172a of the head 172 is inserted into the central hole 174a located in a first zone of the body 174.
  • a second distinct zone comprises a flexible and elastic material 176 in which the tip 172a can be inserted at leisure in a multitude of possible unlocked axial positions in order to be held there in the assembly/temporary fixing position.
  • Such a material which is elastically deformable can thus accommodate the tip after insertion of the latter into the body of the material and this tip can be removed at will when the temporary assembly is terminated.
  • Such a material is for example an elastomer such as a rubber which can be injection molded in order to adopt the shape chosen to be able to be housed inside the casing of the body 174 in a space of predefined dimensions and shapes.
  • the second zone comprising the material completely surrounds the first zone containing the central orifice 174a.
  • the second zone can be divided into several sub-zones each comprising a hollow portion in the casing and which is filled with the flexible and elastic material.
  • the second zone can thus be discontinuous.
  • the material can thus for example have the consistency of a gum used in stationery or even adopt a more flexible consistency according to the needs.
  • the second zone comprises, delimited by an annular wall 174b internal to the body 174 and surrounding the central part 174c where the locking means are housed, an annular space which is filled with the flexible and elastic material.
  • Body 174 also encloses an annular chamber 178 surrounding the annular space filled with material.
  • This chamber 178 comprises for example one or more organs such as the organ 23 of the figure 9 with shapes adapted to the geometry of the room.
  • the decoupler comprises electromagnetic detection means 110 mounted on the cover 100 and which are capable of detecting an unlocked position of the two elements 22, 24 of the anti-theft device fixed to each other (eg: figures 10A, 10C and 11 ).
  • These electromagnetic detection means 110 comprise means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal and means for receiving said transmitted electromagnetic signal.
  • the transmission means and the reception means are arranged in a peripheral zone of the decoupler 12 surrounding the unlocking zone and therefore the housing 30. More particularly, the transmission means and the reception means comprise several pairs of elements of transmitting and receiving elements. The transmission elements of a pair being arranged opposite the reception elements of the same pair.
  • the figure 12 illustrates a top view of the electromagnetic detection means 110 of the decoupler arranged in a first configuration around the housing 30 of the unlocking zone (the other details of the decoupler have not been shown for the sake of simplification).
  • An anti-theft device 20 has been positioned in the housing 30 of the decoupler.
  • pairs of transmitting elements and receiving elements (112a, 112b), (114a, 114b), (116a, 116b) and (118a, 118b) are arranged around the central housing 30 on the edges of a square or rectangle.
  • the pairs are grouped two by two so that the transmitting elements of two grouped pairs are arranged adjacently, as are the receiving elements. This arrangement makes it possible to prevent the signals or electromagnetic beams emitted on one side of the square or the rectangle from being able to interfere with the signals or electromagnetic beams emitted on the opposite side.
  • the emission elements 112a are arranged next to the emission elements 114a (on the same side of the square or rectangle) and, opposite (on the opposite side), the reception elements 112b are arranged next to the reception 114b.
  • the transmission elements 116a, 118a and the reception elements 116b, 118b of the other two pairs are arranged next to the transmission elements 116a, 118a and the reception elements 116b, 118b of the other two pairs.
  • the transmitting elements and the receiving elements are optical elements and, more particularly, optical cells such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which provide, for some, the function of transmitting a light beam ( ex: infrared) and, for the others, the beam reception function.
  • LEDs light-emitting diodes
  • diodes are used which each ensure both the transmission and reception function.
  • the transmitting elements and the receiving elements are optical sensors each formed of a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a flattened horizontal fiber bundle (in the shape of a fan) encapsulated in a casing.
  • the fibers are joined at the output of the box by a single section of optical fibers which is connected to an amplifier.
  • Each bundle of optical fibers housed in a box can be a transmitter or a receiver.
  • the same amplifier can be used either with a transmitter beam or with a receiver beam and has for this purpose two input/output TX and RX and an input/output for an electrical signal.
  • an amplifier receives as input an electrical signal (generated by unit 18 of the Figure 1A ) which is converted into an outgoing optical signal by the TX output and transmitted to a transmitter beam.
  • a receiver beam receives the emitted optical beam (for example in visible light) and which has been affected by the presence of an identification device 20 in the axial locking position or in the offset position. The beam received is transmitted to an amplifier on its RX input, recomposed and converted into an electrical signal to be sent to the processing means of unit 18.
  • the sensors used are for example marketed by the company Balluff under the commercial reference D25.
  • the wavelength of the emitted radiation is 660 nm and the width of the emitted beam is 27 mm.
  • the figure 13 illustrates the arrangement of the electromagnetic detection means of the figure 12 with the two elements 22, 24 of an anti-theft device fixed to each other in an unlocked position (the device has been unlocked beforehand).
  • the second element 24 is in the housing 30, while the first element is fixed in an offset manner in the second element according to one of the embodiments of the Figures 10A-C and 11 .
  • measurements are carried out beforehand from the locked axial position of the figure 12 for each of the pairs of transmit and receive elements.
  • the electromagnetic signals or beams emitted by the emission elements of each pair are thus received and measured (for example the amplitude is measured) by the reception elements of the same pair.
  • These signals or their amplitude are recorded by the processing system 18 of the decoupler.
  • the transmitting and receiving elements are activated to transmit and receive signals or beams.
  • the propagation of the latter from the transmitting elements of a pair to the receiving elements of the same pair is affected by the presence of the offset device in a different way than for the figure 12 with the unshifted device.
  • the signals or beams received are then compared with those previously recorded (or only their amplitude after measurement) and the comparison makes it possible to determine the presence of an offset configuration of the anti-theft device.
  • measurements are carried out beforehand from the locked axial position of the figure 12 and from all possible offset positions (such as that of the figure 13 ) of the two elements relative to each other.
  • measurements are made, for each offset position, with the first element 22 in different angular orientations (0°, 90°, 180° and 270°).
  • the figure 15 illustrates a top view of the electromagnetic detection means 120 of the decoupler arranged in a second configuration around the housing 30 of the unlocking zone of the decoupler.
  • the electromagnetic detection means 120 are shown mounted on the cover 100 of the decoupler around the opening 100a which reveals the ring 46 and the locking members 70, 72 bordering the opening of the housing 30.
  • the detection means are also arranged in pairs of transmitting elements and receiving elements (122a, 122b), (124a, 124b), (126a, 126b) arranged around the central housing 30 and facing each other. screw each other within the same pair. In this example, there are three pairs, which makes it possible to reduce the cost of all the electromagnetic detection means of the decoupler.
  • the pairs are arranged so that all of the median axes of the electromagnetic signals or beams emitted by the emission elements of the different pairs define a triangular region ( figure 15 ) inside which is inscribed the housing of the unlocking zone.
  • the first two pairs (122a, 122b), (124a, 124b) are arranged in a cross so as to leave, on the same side of the cross, sufficient lateral space between the two elements 122a, 124a of the two pairs to provide a passage P for the supply of an anti-theft device to be unlocked (in the direction indicated by the arrow A). This passage left free facilitates handling and bringing the anti-theft devices into their unlocking housing.
  • the adjacent elements 122b, 124b are on the other hand arranged next to each other for reasons of space, in particular because of the edge 100b of the cover 100 (opposite to the edge 100c by which the devices are introduced/brought into the unlocking area.
  • the pairs of elements (122a, 122b) and (124a, 124b) are inclined by approximately 30° (for example 33°) with respect to the supply direction A or with respect to the opposite edges 100d, 100e of the cover. Their median beams tangent the housing 30 in the lower part on the figure 15 .
  • the third pair (126a, 126b) is offset (up on the figure 15 ) in the direction of the adjacent elements 122a, 124a framing the entry passage P into the unlocking zone.
  • the transmitting and receiving elements of this pair are arranged parallel to the opposite edges 100d, 100e of the cover and its median beam tangent to the housing in the upper part.
  • This arrangement (principle of triangulation) is particularly sensitive and makes it possible to better detect the locked central position of the anti-theft device (like that of the figure 12 ).
  • This arrangement is also more sensitive than the arrangement of figures 12 and 13 to accurately detect one of the unlocked positions of the anti-theft device among a plurality of unlocked positions.
  • drive 29 of the Figure 1A is illustrated in dotted lines in the passage P.
  • This reader can be integrated into the decoupler and arranged flush with the wall or projecting with respect to the cover 100 without this interfering with the movement of bringing into the unlocking zone (following the arrow A ) of a device 20 attached to a commercial article.
  • the identification device 20 is for example equipped with at least one RFID member 25 such as a circuit provided with a memory chip and which has in memory an identifier TID (acronym of "Transponder ID" in English terminology ) part of which is unique and cannot be modified.
  • the RFID member 25 is housed inside the device as shown schematically in the figure 9 , for example in the head 22 (first element) and is therefore inaccessible from the outside. This operation is carried out during the manufacture of the device.
  • an RFID component can be integrated into each of the two elements 22, 24.
  • An RFID component uniquely identifies the device 20. If each element 22, 24 carries an RFID component, the latter uniquely identifies the element concerned, which avoids assembly errors.
  • EAN code European Article Number
  • T3 Green polo shirt size
  • a tag is usually attached to the physical item offered for sale in a store. This label bears the price of the item/physical object and a barcode (one-dimensional optical reading code) which is representative of the EAN code assigned to the item.
  • Another physical object corresponding to the same commercial article (ex: green polo shirt size T3) bears a label with an identical barcode and price.
  • a portable device known per se (for example a Motorola MC 3190 device), which is capable of reading the bar codes of the labels of the articles and of programming the RFID chips of the anti-theft devices is used to read the bar code of the tag carried by the item.
  • This device is connected to the computer system (database/computer server 16 and cash register computer 14), which makes it possible, by reading the bar code, to recover the EAN article code which, in the computer system, represents the commercial item (description, size, brand, color, price).
  • the device is then used to program or encode the memory of the RFID chip 25, i.e. the EAN code identifying the commercial item/physical object to which the anti-theft device is attached is written into the RFID component. where it is associated with the TID code.
  • the aforementioned portable device is also used to read the identifier or TID code written in the memory of the RFID chip 25 and, thus, to associate it with the article code EAN.
  • the (temporary) association between the EAN code and the TID code makes it possible to uniquely identify the pair of anti-theft device-commercial item/physical object, and therefore the physical object itself.
  • the head 22 of the device 20 comprises a transparent protective interface 22b (glass, plastic film, etc.) behind which can be arranged, in a manner readable from outside the device, one or more optically readable codes 22f and possibly information 22e which are carried for example by the same support 22c on the figure 16 (eg: disc or patch printed in paper, plastic, cardboard, etc. or support forming an integral part of the head), for example encapsulated in the device inside the housing 22d.
  • the optical code is on the transparent protection interface itself or inside it (in its thickness), or even at another place on the head 22 (if necessary the head can be modified; for example the surface of the transparent protection interface can be reduced and the optical code is carried by a zone of the head located next to the interface.
  • the optically readable code or codes are carried by the body 24 (second element).This or these optical codes are integrated into the anti-theft device during the manufacture of the latter.Thus, the optical code is associated with the code or identifier TID even before the anti-theft device is locked to a article/physical object and that an EAN commercial article code is associated with the device. This association is recorded in the memory of a computer system which may be the aforementioned computer system ( Figure 1A ) or a different system. It will be noted that the presence of the transparent protection interface is not essential and the optical code can be arranged at any place visible from the outside of the head. Preferably, the optical code is inaccessible from outside the device if it is desired to prevent its possible degradation, modification or deletion.
  • the optical code is representative of information (distinct from information 22e referred to above) uniquely identifying the commercial article to which the identification device is fixed in a locked manner. Thus, the presence of the optical code in the identification device secures the identification of this article.
  • the scanner code is separate from the EAN trade item code.
  • one of the two elements of the device 20 carries an RFID component and the other an optical reading code as described above, which avoids having to manage two RFID components and two different TID identifiers. .
  • the optical reading code is for example a two-dimensional code and, for example, a so-called quick-response QR type code (for "Quick Response” in English terminology), also known as a "flashcode”.
  • QR type code for "Quick Response” in English terminology
  • QR1 quick-response QR type code
  • FIG 16 shows a zone carrying printed information, stuck on the support 22c of the head 22 as well as a two-dimensional optical reading code 22f, subsequently denoted QR1.
  • the optical reading code (intermediate code serving as a client interface) incorporates a string of alphanumeric characters which can be read and decoded by a software application executable on an electronic communication device, for example portable (and therefore mobile) that can be worn by a user, such as a cell phone of the smartphone type.
  • the device can be a touch pad, a webcam...
  • QR code can be used and in particular: version 1-21x21, 6 to 25 alphanumeric characters; 2-25x25 version, 20 to 47 alphanumeric characters,.., 10-57x57 version, 174 to 375 alphanumeric characters, 40-177x177 version, 1253 to 4296 alphanumeric characters.
  • the QR code has a print size of 7.4 mm x 7.4 mm and is a version 1 QR code with a correction or redundancy rate of 25%, which can represent a string of characters alphanumeric (from 0 to 9 and from A to Z).
  • Such a code is correctly readable by a user whose reading device (electronic communication device) is placed approximately thirty centimeters from the code.
  • QR code can be designed in such a way independent of the TID identifier of the anti-theft device.
  • QR1 code can be partially or totally linked to the TID code.
  • the optical code QR1 can be generated from the code TID1, using all or part of this code.
  • the electronic communication device is equipped with an application for reading (and decoding) the optical code (the application can also be downloaded beforehand) and an Internet browser.
  • the user By approaching the communication device thus equipped with the device 20, the user can therefore, after launching the reader application, aim at the optical code 22f with the camera and capture the image of the optical code.
  • the 22f code was designed to represent, for example, the URL address of a website or a web page dedicated to the commercial article.
  • the decoding of the code by the application authorizes directly (eg via an SSL-type connection), automatically and securely the Internet connection with the site or the page hosted on a server and therefore the display of the site or the page concerned on the screen of the device.
  • the user of the device has information about the commercial article as a commercial article (characteristics of the article, sizes and colors available, accessories that can be used with the article, price, information on the brand under which the article is offered for sale%) and also information on the article as a physical object since it is possible to know the number of physical objects in stock by selecting one or more relevant icons.
  • the online purchase of the object/item (captured by the device from the optical code) which is in front of the user is possible through his device.
  • the user can also, if he wishes, go to a payment terminal in the store to make the payment.
  • the optical QR code of the anti-theft device is thus associated/linked (temporarily) to the URL address of the site corresponding to the commercial article/physical object to which the device is fixed in a locked manner.
  • the TID code or identifier is also (temporarily) associated/linked to this URL address.
  • the figure 17 illustrates an example of associations between the different codes and information presented above.
  • a memory zone Z1 of a computer system (for example different from the system of the figure 1 but with which it can communicate) contains an association table T1 in which the TID and QR codes are associated with each other. As soon as the anti-theft device is manufactured, these two codes are associated and recorded in the table T1 but the URL address is not present there since no article is yet associated with the anti-theft device. When the device has subsequently been assigned to a commercial article, the association of the TID and QR codes with the URL address of the site corresponding to the article concerned will be recorded in this table.
  • This table Other information is also recorded in this table, such as the store where the object/article is offered for transaction, information relating to the various readings of the optical codes of the anti-theft devices attached to the physical objects and which are carried out by different users such as the date and the different actions performed by the user in relation to the optical code concerned.
  • the software application connects securely to this memory zone Z1 and interrogates the table T1 from the alphanumeric character string of the optical code.
  • a memory zone Z2 of the computer system of the Figure 1A contains an association table T2 in which the TID and EAN codes are associated with each other and with the URL address of the site corresponding to the article concerned.
  • the TID/URL association which is generally created in the store where the article/object is offered for sale (during the assignment of the anti-theft device to a commercial article) is transferred in a secure manner to the table T1 of the Z1 zone in which it is recorded. This temporarily binds the TID and QR codes to the URL address.
  • the device 20 is placed on the commercial article (physical object) 26 ( fig 1A ) to be identified and possibly to be protected against theft and which bears a label provided with a bar code representative of the commercial article code EAN (for example EAN1) stored in the computer system of the store.
  • EAN commercial article code
  • the TID1 and QR1 codes make it possible to read and therefore identify, using two different reading techniques, the object in a unique, certain and secure way.
  • the figure 18 is an algorithm representing the main steps of a method for managing the unlocking of an article identification device, in particular an anti-theft device 20, according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • This method is implemented when passing a commercial item 26 to a point of sale 14 of a store in order to carry out a commercial transaction ( Figs 1A to 1D ).
  • An anti-theft device 20 has been fixed beforehand to the article in a locked manner as explained above.
  • This algorithm will also be described with reference to other figures. It will be noted that certain portions of this algorithm correspond to portions of software code which may be part of software executed by the decoupler 12 and/or the POS 14.
  • the algorithm includes a first step S0 of waiting for an anti-theft device in the reception area 28 of the decoupler.
  • the second step S1 is a test step aimed at detecting the presence of an anti-theft device near the reception area.
  • the reading device 29 is capable of detecting the presence of one or more devices 20 close to this zone.
  • step S0 is executed again, otherwise the procedure passes to the following steps S2 and S3.
  • the means (70, 72) for preventing access to the reception/unlocking zone of the decoupler are permanently activated (deployed position) in order to obstruct the opening allowing the access to the housing 30, as shown schematically in the figure 19 .
  • the detected device 20 cannot therefore be placed in the reception/unlocking zone without these means having been deactivated beforehand.
  • the mobile peripheral part 40 of the decoupler is in the high blocking position as shown on the figure 2 and 3 .
  • steps S2 and S3 the detection of any other anti-theft devices near the reception area and the reading of which would be likely to disrupt unlocking operations and subsequent operations (subsequent malfunction).
  • This detection is carried out by the reading device 29 which is adapted to read the TID identifiers of the RFID organs (RFID chips) placed in a given solid angle depending on the reading device 29. The angle can be adjusted in order to be the most small as possible and thus to emit radio frequencies in a small space.
  • This detection step offers additional security which makes it possible to ensure that an anti-theft device will not be identified in place of another.
  • the device 29 If the radio frequency field emitted by device 29 excites the antennae of other anti-theft devices located nearby (e.g. devices from previous transactions and not put away by store personnel), as shown in figure 20 , the device 29 detects the presence of several anti-theft devices and the test step S3 leads to the triggering of an audible and/or visual alarm (S4) warning the cashier of the situation.
  • S4 an audible and/or visual alarm
  • the cover 32 of the decoupler may include indicator lights (not shown) which, when they light up, are representative of the triggering of an alarm. Depending on the type of alarm, one or other of the indicators comes on.
  • the device 20 which had been detected initially in step S1) must then be removed from the proximity of the decoupler (in any case from the reading field of the reading device 29) and step S2 is executed again.
  • presence detectors (not shown on the Figure 1A but for example RFID readers) arranged around the decoupler or on the periphery thereof make it possible to detect the presence of one or more other devices near the decoupler 12 and, in particular, its reception zone (while the device reader 29 has detected the presence of the device 20 when approaching the reception area).
  • test step S3 is followed by the step S5 of reading the information of identification of the device 20 placed in front of the reader 29.
  • the reader device 29 performs a first reading of the TID-EAN association recorded in the memory of the RFID chip 25 (the TID identifier can also be read individually).
  • the next step S6 is a step of storing in a buffer memory of the system 18 of the decoupler the identification information read in the previous step (possibly storing other information associated therewith). This read information can be transmitted to the store's computer system.
  • the next step S7 makes it possible to indicate (by a light and/or sound signal) if the operation has been carried out and if no anomaly (resulting for example from the reading step) has been detected, for example based on the information held by the system.
  • the next step S8 is a test step making it possible to determine whether there are anti-theft devices 20 remaining to be read (which is the case if the customer goes to the checkout with several items to which devices 20 are respectively attached).
  • step S8 is followed by step S0 already described.
  • step S8 is followed by start of transaction step S9 (payment of the commercial items whose anti-theft devices 20 have been read).
  • the next step S10 is a test step as to the validation of the payment.
  • step S10 is followed by the test step S11. This test step checks whether the current operation should be canceled or not.
  • step S11 is followed by the waiting step S0.
  • step S11 is followed by steps S9 and S10 already described.
  • step S10 is followed by two respective waiting and testing steps S12 and S13 identical to the waiting and testing steps S0 and S1.
  • step S13 is followed by step S12.
  • step S14 the device 29 proceeds, in the next step S14, to reading the identification information carried by the device 20. This is a second reading, the first reading having already been made in step S5.
  • the information read is compared with the previous information that had been read and stored. If the information matches, this means that it is the same device 20 which is presented once again to the reader 29. During this step, it is checked whether payment for the item to which the device is attached has been validated (steps S9 and S10).
  • Test step S14 is then followed by step S15.
  • step S14 is followed by a step S14' for triggering a visual and/or audible alarm before returning to the test step S13 already described.
  • step S14 decides to authorize the deactivation of the means for preventing access to the unlocking zone 28.
  • the mechanical components (70, 72) at least partially obstructing access to the zone and therefore the housing 30 are deactivated and are thus retracted into their eclipsed storage position.
  • the entrance to housing 30 is then freely accessible as illustrated in the figure 21 .
  • the peripheral part 40 of the decoupler is always in the high position ( figs 2 and 3 ).
  • the anti-theft device 20 (more particularly the body 24) can then be placed in the housing 30 of the decoupler as shown diagrammatically on the figure 1D .
  • the assembly of the stabilizer 31 and the device 20 descends into contact with the unlocking surface 36a.
  • An automatic unlocking of the two elements 22 and 24 relative to each other is performed.
  • the first element 22 (head) is removed and the commercial article 26 is released as schematically illustrated in the figure 22 .
  • the next step S16 is a test step which makes it possible to verify that the second element 24 is positioned in the housing. This test is carried out via the contact sensors 90 of the figure 8 .
  • the locking members 70, 72 are activated in order to lock the second element 24 in the housing even more reliably. These members are then deployed in order to partially close the access opening to the housing above the second element 24, as illustrated in an enlarged manner in the figure 8 .
  • the members 70, 72 thus hold the second element 24 prisoner in the housing 30.
  • the peripheral part 40 of the decoupler is always in the high position.
  • the first element 22 of the device 20 which was removed beforehand is brought back in front of the reading device 29, in the feed direction A (see the figure 15 ), in the direction of the unlocking zone where the second element 24 ( figure 23 ).
  • Step S18 then provides for a third step of reading the identification information carried by the first element 22.
  • the first element 22 is temporarily assembled/fixed (in an unlocked position) with the second element 24 blocked in the reception zone of the decoupler.
  • the figure 24 very schematically illustrates, in top view, the positioning of the first element 22 on the second element 24 in one of the possible offset configurations (unlocked position) superimposed on the arrangement of the electromagnetic detection means 122a-126b of the figure 15 .
  • the members 70, 72 and the ring 46 have not been shown for the sake of simplification. It will be noted that the blocking members 70, 72 are always in the blocking position. However, in a variant, they can be retracted to pass to an unlocking position.
  • step S19 a test is also carried out in order to detect whether the first element 22 brought back is indeed placed on the second element 24 (and fixed to the latter in an unlocked manner) in one of the possible offset configurations.
  • the next step S20 performs a comparison between the information read at step S18 (third reading) and the information read at step S14 (and previously stored at step S6), in order to ensure that the first element 22 is indeed the same as that which was removed when the anti-theft device (S15) was unlocked. This verification makes it possible to improve the management of the two elements of each identification or anti-theft device because it is thus ensured that the same two elements are always paired. If it is not the same first element, an alarm is triggered (S21).
  • the QR optical reading code has not been used for the management of the unlocking of the device 20.
  • the device 20 does not carry a code with optical reading.
  • the device 20 can integrate such an optical reading code.
  • This code even if it is not used for the management of the unlocking of the device 20, could nevertheless be used previously, when the user has decoded this code in order to access information on the article via the URL address associated with the code.
  • the QR optical reading code/TID code is disassociated from the URL link with which it is associated. This dissociation is illustrated in the figure 17 .
  • the next step S23 provides for unlocking the second element 24.
  • the unlocking takes place here, on the one hand, by deactivating the locking members 70, 72 (retraction of the members controlled by rotation of the second motor 74 and corresponding rotation of the disc 80; figs 2 and 4 ) and by controlling the direction of rotation of the first motor 54 so that it lowers the mobile peripheral part 40 into the low unlocking position.
  • the figure 25 shows schematically and partially, in the lower position, the mobile peripheral part 40 carrying the locking members 70, 72.
  • the second element 24 protrudes beyond the mobile peripheral part 40 and its blocking members.
  • the second element 24 can thus be easily removed (in the direction of the vertical arrow) by grasping with the fingers the first element 22 to which the second element is temporarily attached.
  • the next step S24 provides for controlling the movement of the peripheral part 40 in the high locking position and closing the access to the unlocking zone (partial closing of the opening allowing access to the housing 30) by activating again the means for preventing unlocking (blocking members 70, 72 deployed).
  • the next step S25 provides for carrying out a test in order to check whether there are any anti-theft devices 20 remaining to be unlocked. If this is the case, this step is followed by the waiting step S12 and the test step S13 already described.
  • step S26 the algorithm is then terminated by step S26.
  • the identifier TID of the device 20 is read. This read information is then transmitted to the terminal 14 which thus finds in the server or the database 16 the corresponding association TID-EAN uniquely identifying the commercial article/the physical object.
  • the unique commercial item code EPC is used (this code uniquely identifies a physical object as a commercial item and can therefore be used instead of the TID-EAN association for this unique identification) which is written in a volatile memory zone of the anti-theft device (EPC zone) different from the zone where the TID code is written (TID zone).
  • EPC zone volatile memory zone of the anti-theft device
  • TID zone the zone where the TID code is written
  • This information read (by an appropriate device) is then transmitted to the terminal 14 which thus finds in the server/database 16 the corresponding association TID-EPC (or EAN).
  • the QR optical reading code carried by the device 20 and which is read by an appropriate device is used.
  • the identification information thus read is transmitted to the terminal 14 which thus finds in the server/database 16 the corresponding association TID-EAN-QR.
  • a test can be carried out during the execution of the method of the figure 18 in order to determine if the same device has already been read recently, namely for less than a predetermined number of hours (ex: 24h).
  • a predetermined number of hours (ex: 24h).
  • Such a test offers additional security in the management process in order to fight against internal fraud in the store.
  • an alarm is triggered.
  • the blocking members can completely obstruct access to the housing, take other forms and for example form a single blocking member (single hatch like a shutter), or even more than two organs.
  • the movement mechanism of the blocking member(s) may differ from that described with reference to the figure 2 and 4 .
  • the peripheral part 40 surrounding the mechanical stabilizer and its housing 30 can be fixed, while said mechanical stabilizer and its housing are capable of moving between a high unlocking position and a low locking position.
  • the mechanisms for moving the various moving parts may differ from those shown in the figures.
  • the decoupler may comprise, in addition to the means already described, extraction means which facilitate the extraction of the second element from its housing. It may for example be a push member or finger which is arranged in the stabilizer 31 and which is able to deploy on command to push the second element upwards.
  • the free end of the extraction member has a slope or cam shape adapted to the external profile of the body of the second element (eg: spoon shape) in order to come into contact with the latter and to cause it to be lifted out of the housing.
  • such a variant can alternatively replace the displacement of the peripheral part 40 or of the stabilizer 31.
  • the housing is in the lowered position relative to the ring in which the locking members are fitted and only the locking member(s). thrust allow the lifting of the second element, the other parts 40 and 31 being fixed.
  • the decoupler 12 has free access to the devices 20.
  • the article to which a device 20 is attached is paid for by the customer at the payment terminal 14 before or during the unlocking action.
  • the device 20 is thus brought to the decoupler, read by passing in front of the reading device 29 and introduced into the housing of the decoupler.
  • the mobile peripheral part 40 of the decoupler is in the high blocking position.
  • the unlocking of the device 20 occurs automatically and the article is released, but the second element 24 remains blocked inside the housing by the blocking members 70, 72. These members are activated to deploy in the opening of access to the housing and thus prevent any axial withdrawal of the second element, as long as the same first element has not been brought back to the decoupler. It is indeed ensured that it is the same first element which is used to extract the second element.
  • the second element is thus released as for the previous embodiment.
  • the management method comprises several steps S'1, S'2, S'3 and S'4 which are carried out instead of steps S0 to S8 and which register before the payment steps S9 to S11. Then, the steps S12 to S26 already described for the management of the unlocking of the device 20 in order to avoid fraud and to improve the management of the two separable elements constituting the device apply.
  • the user has a mobile or portable communication device 200 ( figure 26 ) such as a smart phone or smartphone.
  • This device is equipped with a screen 202, an Internet browser and a software application for reading optical codes such as the QR optical reading code mentioned above.
  • the application is previously downloaded via the Internet onto the device 200 and launched by the user.
  • step S'1 the user who is in front of the physical object 210 is invited to read (and decode) the optical code QR1 of the anti-theft (or identification 20) device.
  • the optical code QR1 of the anti-theft (or identification 20) device By aiming the optical code with the camera of the device, it digitizes the image of the code and thus decodes it.
  • the application securely connects to the Z1 memory area of the figure 17 and interrogates the table T1 from the character string of the decoded QR1 code, which makes it possible to uniquely and securely identify the physical object/article concerned and the store.
  • the QR1 code is linked to the TID1 code (step S′2). If no item/TID is identified, step S'2 is followed by step S'1 already described.
  • the user is identified from the communication of a user name and a password via his device and he then has access to his user account. Otherwise, he is not identified and a user account must be created by filling in all the appropriate information allowing him to carry out an online commercial transaction (personal details? means of payment, etc.).
  • the next step (S′3) then provides for establishing an Internet connection between the device 200 and one or more URL addresses dedicated to the article or in relation to it (complementary articles), namely here the URL address3.
  • This link with the URL address is made possible because of the association table T1 which links TID1, QR1 and URL3 (Association 1).
  • step S'3 is followed by step S'1 already described.
  • the user can perform various actions from his device 200 (obtaining additional information, storage in a selection list 218 with a view to a deferred action such as a deferred purchase, online or not, placement/ selection of the item identified by the TID1-EAN3 association in a shopping cart 220 with a view to its immediate acquisition.. - ).
  • step S′4 the user selects the article/object that he wishes to purchase and validates this selection with a view to the online payment thereof via his device during subsequent steps S9 to S11.
  • the transaction is carried out in a secure way as on many Internet sites.
  • the user then goes to a decoupler 12 to unlock the device 20 there and release the article/object from said device.
  • the information collected during steps S'1 to S'4 was transmitted to the decoupler (this information, in particular identification information, is also known to the store's computer system which recorded payment for the item/object identified by the association QR code-EAN code).
  • this information in particular identification information, is also known to the store's computer system which recorded payment for the item/object identified by the association QR code-EAN code).
  • a dissociation ( figure 17 ) between the optical code/TID identifier and the URL address/EAN code corresponding to the article/object must be carried out in order to be able to reuse the recently unlocked device with other articles/objects. It should in fact be ensured that a new article/object attached to the device will not be associated with an incorrect URL address.
  • This dissociation is recorded both in the tables T1 and T2 in order, on the one hand, to break the link between the various codes and addresses and, on the other hand, to keep a trace of the dissociations as such with a view to subsequent use such as the billing of services associated with the multiple use of the same device 20.
  • the erasing of the RFID chip of the device 20 is also carried out in order to make the TID-EAN link disappear.
  • this method of managing a transaction reduces collection errors.
  • the figures 27 to 30 illustrate the cooperation between a decoupler or unlocking device 230 and an example of an anti-theft device 250 according to another embodiment ( figure 27 ).
  • the device 250 is in a single piece in which the two elements of the device are clamping members 252, 254 forming clamps to grip the article to be protected. These members are arranged in a clamping head 253.
  • the device comprises, on the one hand, a clamping mechanism implemented under the action of an actuating member 256 (eg: wheel) actuated by a user who exerts a tightening force by turning the actuating member and, on the other hand, an internal locking mechanism (means) to prevent any subsequent tightening from a predetermined tightening torque exerted by the two members on the article .
  • the actuating member 256 is connected to the head 253 and is in the form of a body 256a to which are connected two gripping wings 256b, 256c which deviate from the body.
  • Such a device is for example of the type described in the application for patent FR 2 942 835 .
  • the figure 28 schematically and partially illustrates the upper part of the cover 231 of the decoupler showing the unlocking zone 232 with a housing 233 to receive the anti-theft device 250 therein.
  • the housing 233 comprises a central housing zone 233a, for example cylindrical, and an adjacent zone 233b in the form of a rectilinear trench which is tangent to the central zone.
  • the shape and dimensions of the housing are adapted to those of the device 250.
  • the decoupler 230 comprises locking members 234 and 235 which are retractably mounted in recesses provided inside two bosses 236, 237 which frame the area central housing 233a.
  • the blocking members are activated in the blocking position ( fig. 28 ) to prevent an anti-theft device from being inserted into the unlocking area.
  • the blocking members are deactivated according to the same predetermined condition (steps S14 and S15 of the figure 18 ) in order to bring them into the retracted position, thus allowing the device to enter the housing ( figure 29 ).
  • the body 256a is housed in the central zone 233a and the two wings 256b, 256c are positioned in the trench 233b.
  • the blocking members 234, 235 are activated again after detection of the presence of the device 250 in the housing of the decoupler ( figure 30 ).
  • the deployment of the organs makes it possible to prevent any withdrawal of the device 250.
  • the decoupler 230 operates in a manner adapted to the anti-theft device in order to ensure the unlocking and the release of the commercial article during step S15 of the figure 18 .

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)

Description

L'invention est relative à un système de gestion du déverrouillage d'un dispositif d'identification d'un article commercial, emballé ou non, et qui est fixé à l'article ou à son emballage de façon verrouillée.The invention relates to a system for managing the unlocking of a device for identifying a commercial item, whether packaged or not, and which is fixed to the item or to its packaging in a locked manner.

Le secteur de la vente d'articles commerciaux en magasin souffre de plusieurs types de manques à gagner regroupés sous le terme de « Démarque Inconnue » ou DI. La DI se divise en trois parties :

  • le vol externe (clients) qui représente de 30 à 40% de la DI et se caractérise par des clients mal intentionnés quittant le magasin avec des articles non payés ou qui changent les prix ou pourcentages de remise avant le passage en caisse ;
  • le vol interne (employés) qui représente de 30 à 50% de la DI et se caractérise par des employés mal intentionnés qui, soit enlèvent les badges antivols (tels que les « tags » résonnants) des articles car ils ont accès aux systèmes de déverrouillage ou de désactivation soit n'encaissent pas tout ou partie du montant des articles remis à une autre personne de leur connaissance (encaissement frauduleux) ;
  • les erreurs administratives, les erreurs d'encaissement et les écarts d'inventaire qui représentent le reste de la DI.
The sector of the sale of commercial items in stores suffers from several types of shortfalls grouped under the term "Unknown Markdown" or DI. The DI is divided into three parts:
  • external theft (customers) which represents 30 to 40% of DI and is characterized by malicious customers leaving the store with unpaid items or changing prices or discount percentages before checkout;
  • internal theft (employees) which represents 30 to 50% of DI and is characterized by malicious employees who either remove anti-theft badges (such as resonant "tags") from items because they have access to unlocking systems or deactivation either do not collect all or part of the amount of the items given to another person of their knowledge (fraudulent collection);
  • administrative errors, collection errors and inventory discrepancies which represent the rest of the DI.

A ce jour pour lutter contre la DI les magasins utilisent la vidéo surveillance, des vigiles et/ou les badges antivols attachés aux articles qui déclenchent une alarme lors du passage entre les portiques antivol placés aux entrées et sorties des magasins s'ils n'ont pas été préalablement retirés en caisse.To date, to fight against ID, stores use video surveillance, security guards and/or anti-theft badges attached to items that trigger an alarm when passing between the anti-theft gates placed at the entrances and exits of stores if they have not not previously withdrawn at the checkout.

Toutefois, les badges antivol ne sont pas efficaces pour lutter contre le vol interne car les employés ont un accès direct aux caisses et aux systèmes de déverrouillage ou de désactivation.However, anti-theft badges are not effective against internal theft because employees have direct access to cash registers and unlocking or disabling systems.

Par ailleurs, lorsque les badges antivol sont formés de deux parties dont une partie est un clou, la gestion de ces deux parties déverrouillées et séparées s'avère pénible pour le personnel du magasin, notamment aux caisses où les badges sont déverrouillés.Moreover, when the anti-theft badges are made up of two parts, one part of which is a nail, the management of these two unlocked and separated parts proves to be difficult for the staff of the store, in particular at the checkouts where the badges are unlocked.

La vidéo surveillance n'est pas assez efficace non plus pour combattre le vol interne en raison d'un personnel de surveillance des écrans vidéo relativement réduit, d'un grand nombre de personnes à surveiller dans les grands magasins et d'angles morts que les caméras ne peuvent atteindre.Video surveillance is also not effective enough to combat internal theft due to the relatively small staff monitoring video screens, the large number of people to be monitored in large stores and the blind spots that cameras cannot reach.

Les vigiles, quant à eux, ne sont pas fiables et ne peuvent surveiller qu'un nombre limité de personnes.Security guards, on the other hand, are unreliable and can only monitor a limited number of people.

En outre, les systèmes précités ne sont pas efficaces en cas de substitution par une personne mal intentionnée d'une étiquette de prix d'un article avec celle d'un autre article et lorsqu'un employé de caisse scanne un article à bas prix et vend, à une personne de son choix, un ou plusieurs articles à prix plus élevé. On connait de US-5942978 un système selon le préambule de la revendication principale.In addition, the aforementioned systems are not effective when a malicious person substitutes a price tag of one item with that of another item and when a cashier scans a low-priced item and sells, to a person of his choice, one or more items at a higher price. We know of US-5942978 a system according to the preamble of the main claim.

L'invention vise un système de gestion du déverrouillage d'un dispositif d'identification d'un article commercial emballé ou non, caractérisé en ce que le système comprend :

  • un dispositif d'identification d'un article commercial emballé ou non, le dispositif comprenant au moins deux éléments qui sont déplaçables l'un par rapport à l'autre entre deux positions, une position verrouillée, dans laquelle lesdits au moins deux éléments emprisonnent entre eux, de façon verrouillée sous l'action de moyens de verrouillage, l'article ou son emballage, et au moins une position non verrouillée, le dispositif d'identification portant des informations d'identification dudit dispositif et/ou de l'article commercial auquel ledit dispositif est fixé,
  • des moyens d'identification de l'association du dispositif d'identification et de l'article commercial auquel ledit dispositif est fixé,
  • un dispositif de déverrouillage comportant une zone de déverrouillage et des moyens de déverrouillage pour déverrouiller, l'un par rapport à l'autre, lesdits au moins deux éléments du dispositif d'identification et libérer l'article ou son emballage dudit dispositif d'identification,
  • des moyens d'empêchement du déverrouillage du dispositif d'identification qui sont aptes, d'une part, à être activés de manière à empêcher le déverrouillage du dispositif d'identification et, d'autre part, à être désactivés de manière à autoriser le déverrouillage du dispositif d'identification,
  • des moyens de décision de désactivation ou de non désactivation des moyens d'empêchement du déverrouillage du dispositif d'identification en fonction de l'identification ou de l'absence d'identification de l'association du dispositif d'identification et de l'article commercial auquel ledit dispositif est fixé.
The invention relates to a system for managing the unlocking of a device for identifying a commercial article, whether or not it is packaged, characterized in that the system comprises:
  • a device for identifying a commercial article whether or not it is packaged, the device comprising at least two elements which are movable with respect to each other between two positions, a locked position, in which the said at least two elements imprison between them, in a locked manner under the action of locking means, the article or its packaging, and at least one unlocked position, the identification device carrying identification information of said device and/or of the commercial article to which said device is attached,
  • means for identifying the association of the identification device and the commercial article to which said device is attached,
  • an unlocking device comprising an unlocking zone and unlocking means for unlocking, relative to each other, said at least two elements of the identification device and releasing the item or its packaging from said identification device ,
  • means for preventing the unlocking of the identification device which are adapted, on the one hand, to be activated so as to prevent the unlocking of the identification device and, on the other hand, to be deactivated so as to authorize the unlocking the identification device,
  • means for deciding whether or not to deactivate the means for preventing the unlocking of the identification device as a function of the identification or absence of identification of the association of the identification device and the article commercial device to which said device is attached.

Les moyens d'empêchement du déverrouillage du dispositif d'identification sont activés par défaut afin de contrôler l'accès à la zone de déverrouillage et ne sont désactivés que dans certaines conditions. La présence de ces moyens permet de ne pas pouvoir aisément déverrouiller un dispositif d'identification et ainsi libérer un article qui est fixé de manière verrouillée au dispositif.The means for preventing the unlocking of the identification device are activated by default in order to control access to the unlocking zone and are only deactivated under certain conditions. The presence of these means makes it impossible to easily unlock an identification device and thus release an article which is fixed in a locked manner to the device.

Par ailleurs, les moyens d'empêchement du déverrouillage sont désactivés lorsqu'il est possible d'identifier de façon sûre et fiable le dispositif qui est autorisé à être déverrouillé et donc l'article/objet physique auquel il est associé. L'identification de l'association de ce dispositif et de l'article auquel il est fixé permet d'identifier de façon unique le couple dispositif d'identification-article commercial. L'identification du couple dispositif d'identification-article commercial est par exemple effectuée grâce aux informations d'identification portées par le dispositif et qui sont par exemple lues à partir du dispositif. Ces informations peuvent identifier directement l'association dispositif d'identification-article commercial ou seulement le dispositif. Il suffit alors de vérifier dans le système informatique du magasin que le dispositif ainsi identifié est bien associé à l'article commercial en question. Toute fraude est ainsi facilement repérable.Furthermore, the means for preventing unlocking are deactivated when it is possible to identify in a safe and reliable manner the device which is authorized to be unlocked and therefore the article/physical object with which it is associated. The identification of the association of this device and of the article to which it is fixed makes it possible to uniquely identify the identification device-commercial article pair. The identification of the pair identification device-commercial article is for example carried out thanks to the identification information carried by the device and which are for example read from the device. This information can directly identify the identification device-commercial article association or only the device. It is then sufficient to check in the computer system of the store that the device thus identified is indeed associated with the commercial article in question. Any fraud is thus easily spotted.

Avec le principe de lecture du code-barre des étiquettes, lorsque plusieurs articles identiques sont achetés le personnel de caisse scanne uniquement l'un des code-barres et multiplie ensuite sur l'écran de sa caisse l'identification de l'article scanné par le nombre d'articles au lieu de scanner tous les articles un par un. Une erreur lors de la saisie du nombre d'articles peut générer des erreurs d'encaissement et donc une perte financière pour le magasin.With the principle of reading the barcode of the labels, when several identical items are purchased, the checkout staff scans only one of the barcodes and then multiplies on the screen of his checkout the identification of the item scanned by number of items instead of scanning all items one by one. An error when entering the number of items can generate receipt errors and therefore a financial loss for the store.

Selon l'invention les moyens d'empêchement du déverrouillage sont des moyens mécaniques qui empêchent l'accès physique du dispositif d'identification à la zone de déverrouillage du dispositif de déverrouillage. Il est ainsi possible, d'empêcher ou de restreindre l'accès à au moins une partie du dispositif de déverrouillage telle que la zone de déverrouillage ; selon une variante, il est également envisageable de laisser libre l'accès à cette zone mais d'empêcher l'activation (ou de désactiver) des moyens de déverrouillage.According to the invention, the unlocking prevention means are mechanical means which prevent physical access of the identification device to the unlocking zone of the unlocking device. It is thus possible to prevent or restrict access to at least part of the unlocking device such as the unlocking zone; according to a variant, it is also possible to leave free access to this zone but to prevent the activation (or deactivation) of the unlocking means.

Le système selon l'invention oblige au contraire à s'assurer préalablement de l'identité de chaque couple dispositif d'identification-article commercial (par exemple par lecture des informations d'identification portées par le dispositif d'identification) avant d'autoriser l'accès à la zone de déverrouillage.The system according to the invention requires, on the contrary, to ascertain beforehand the identity of each identification device-commercial article pair (for example by reading the identification information carried by the identification device) before authorizing access to the unlocking area.

Ceci permet d'éviter les erreurs de saisie telles que celles mentionnées ci-dessus.This prevents input errors such as those mentioned above.

Le système permet ainsi de lutter contre le vol interne et les écarts d'inventaire.The system thus makes it possible to combat internal theft and inventory discrepancies.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques additionelles prises isolément ou en combinaison l'une avec l'autre :

  • le système comprend des moyens d'activation et de désactivation des moyens d'empêchement du déverrouillage ;ces moyens sont ainsi commandés en fonction de l'identification ou de l'absence d'identification de l'association dispositif d'identification-article commercial ;
  • les moyens mécaniques d'empêchement du déverrouillage comprennent un ou plusieurs organes mobiles de blocage qui sont aptes à occuper, d'une part, une position déployée empêchant l'accès physique du dispositif d'identification à la zone de déverrouillage du dispositif de déverrouillage et, d'autre part, une position rétractée autorisant l'accès physique du dispositif d'identification à la zone de déverrouillage du dispositif de déverrouillage ;
  • le système comprend des moyens de blocage qui sont aptes à bloquer dans une position de blocage, dans la zone de déverrouillage du dispositif de déverrouillage, ledit dispositif d'identification déverrouillé ou l'un desdits au moins deux éléments déverrouillés dudit dispositif d'identification ; lorsque l'article est libéré du dispositif d'identification (ex :badge antivol) après déverrouillage, il reste toujours bloqué dans la zone de déverrouillage (réception) soit un des deux éléments du dispositif lorsque celui-ci est formé de deux éléments séparables et que l'autre élément a été retiré après déverrouillage et libération de l'article, soit le dispositif lui-même lorsqu'il est réalisé d'un seul tenant et que les deux éléments ne sont que des parties mobiles l'une par rapport à l'autre du dispositif (par exemple les deux éléments sont des organes de serrage formant des pinces pour enserrer l'article et le dispositif comporte un mécanisme de serrage mis en œuvre sous l'action d'un organe d'actionnement (ex :molette) et un mécanisme (moyens) de verrouillage pour empêcher tout serrage ultérieur à partir d'un couple de serrage prédéterminé exercé par les deux organes sur l'article ; un tel dispositif est décrit dans la demande de brevet FR 2 942 835 ) ;le blocage, dans la zone de déverrouillage, du dispositif d'identification ou d'un de ses éléments permet de s'assurer que le dispositif ne sera pas libre de quitter le lieu du déverrouillage du simple fait que le déverrouillage est intervenu. Le déblocage peut intervenir après réalisation d'une condition prédéterminée. Par exemple, le déblocage peut intervenir après vérification de l'identification du dispositif. En effet, le dispositif d'identification a été préalablement associé (ex : dans le système informatique du magasin) à l'article auquel il a été fixé. Il est ainsi vérifié si le dispositif ou l'élément bloqué dans le dispositif de déverrouillage (ex :découpleur) correspond à l'article libéré auquel il avait été préalablement affecté. Cette vérification permet de s'assurer qu'il n'y a pas eu de fraude ; ceci permet d'améliorer la gestion des dispositifs d'identification en deux éléments ;
  • le système comporte des moyens d'activation, dans une position de blocage, et de désactivation en fonction d'une condition prédéterminée, dans une position de déblocage, des moyens de blocage du dispositif d'identification ou de l'un desdits au moins deux éléments bloqué dans la zone de déverrouillage ;
  • les moyens de blocage comprennent le ou les organes mobiles de blocage des moyens mécaniques d'empêchement du déverrouillage ;
  • les moyens d'activation et de désactivation du ou des organes mobiles de blocage comprennent un mécanisme de déplacement du ou des organes mobiles de blocage ;
  • le mécanisme de déplacement comprend un moteur coopérant avec une roue dentée pour l'entrainement en rotation de celle-ci, une pièce montée de manière solidaire en rotation avec la roue dentée et comportant une portion de contact, le ou les organes mobiles coopérant par contact avec la portion de contact de ladite pièce par l'intermédiaire d'un moyen de came afin que la rotation de la roue entraine le déplacement du ou des organes mobiles de blocage ;
  • le dispositif de déverrouillage comporte une partie mobile entourant la zone de déverrouillage et qui est apte à occuper deux positions, à savoir une position haute de blocage dans laquelle la partie mobile est située à une hauteur supérieure ou égale à la hauteur du dispositif d'identification ou de l'un desdits au moins deux éléments disposé dans ladite zone de déverrouillage et une position basse de déblocage dans laquelle la partie mobile est située à une hauteur inférieure à la hauteur du dispositif d'identification ou de l'élément disposé dans ladite zone de déverrouillage ;
  • le système comprend un mécanisme de déplacement de la partie mobile qui est apte à être activé en fonction d'une condition prédéterminée ;
  • le mécanisme de déplacement de la partie mobile comprend un moteur coopérant avec une roue dentée pour l'entrainement en rotation de celle-ci, une pièce montée de manière solidaire en rotation avec la roue dentée et comportant un premier moyen de came, la partie mobile comportant un deuxième moyen de came complémentaire du premier moyen de came et coopérant avec ladite pièce par l'intermédiaire des deux moyens de came afin que la rotation de la roue entraine le déplacement vertical de la partie mobile d'une position à l'autre ;
  • le système comprend des moyens de lecture d'informations d'identification portées par ledit dispositif, les moyens de décision de désactivation ou de non désactivation des moyens d'empêchement du déverrouillage du dispositif d'identification étant également aptes à être désactivés ou non désactivés en fonction des informations d'identification lues ; la lecture des informations portées par le dispositif d'identification permet de s'affranchir de la lecture du code-barre de l'étiquette qui est généralement attachée à l'article commercial ; il est relativement aisé de falsifier le prix d'un article sur une étiquette, ce qui n'est pas le cas pour un dispositif d'identification dont les informations d'identification ne sont pas accessibles à un utilisateur depuis l'extérieur du dispositif ; plus particulièrement, le dispositif qui est autorisé à être déverrouillé est un dispositif dont les informations d'identification ont déjà été lues une première fois et pour lequel l'article commercial auquel il est fixé a été réglé par un client au point de vente du magasin ;la deuxième lecture des informations d'identification par les moyens de lecture et leur comparaison avec celles lues lors de la première lecture permet ainsi de vérifier que l'article commercial a bien été vendu (et donc que son prix a été encaissé) avant de décider de désactiver les moyens d'empêchement du déverrouillage de chaque dispositif ;
  • les informations d'identification du dispositif d'identification et/ou de l'article commercial comprennent au moins un code d'identification ;
  • ledit au moins un code d'identification comprend au moins l'un des codes d'identification suivants : identifiant unique TID d'un organe RFID intégré au dispositif d'identification, code d'identification de l'article commercial (EAN, EPC) affecté à l'objet physique en tant qu'article commercial, code à lecture optique identifiant de manière unique l'objet physique auquel ledit dispositif est fixé et qui est distinct du code d'identification de l'article commercial ;
  • les informations d'identification identifient l'association du dispositif d'identification et de l'article commercial auquel ledit dispositif est fixé ;
  • les informations d'identification comprennent l'association d'un code d'identification unique du dispositif d'identification et d'un code d'identification de l'article commercial (EAN) auquel le dispositif est fixé, le dispositif d'identification étant fixé à un objet physique portant ledit code d'identification d'article commercial (EAN) qui est affecté à tous les objets physiques identiques ;
  • le système comporte une association entre les informations d'identification du dispositif d'identification et/ou de l'article commercial auquel ledit dispositif est fixé et une adresse URL d'un site ou d'une page web dédié à l'article commercial ;
  • le dispositif d'identification comprend deux éléments séparables, lesdits deux éléments étant séparés l'un de l'autre (les deux éléments sont éloignés l'un de l'autre) dans une position non verrouillée et fixés l'un à l'autre dans la position verrouillée ;
  • les deux éléments sont aptes à être fixés l'un à l'autre, d'une part, dans la position verrouillée pour laquelle ils sont agencés en vis-à-vis suivant une configuration axiale et, d'autre part, dans au moins une position non verrouillée (autre que celle pour laquelle ils sont éloignés l'un de l'autre) pour laquelle ils sont agencés suivant au moins une configuration décalée transversalement par rapport à la configuration axiale de verrouillage ;
  • un premier des deux éléments comporte une pointe destinée à traverser l'article ou son emballage, le deuxième élément étant pourvu, dans une première zone, d'un orifice pour y insérer axialement, suivant un premier axe d'insertion, la pointe et la maintenir, sous l'action des moyens de verrouillage, dans la position axiale verrouillée afin d'empêcher son retrait, le deuxième élément étant également pourvu d'au moins une deuxième zone de réception de la pointe qui est décalée transversalement par rapport à la première zone et dans laquelle la pointe est apte à être insérée axialement suivant plusieurs axes d'insertion parallèles au premier axe d'insertion, de façon à obtenir plusieurs positions distinctes possibles non verrouillées des deux éléments, chaque position non verrouillée correspondant à une configuration décalée transversalement desdits deux éléments ;
  • le système comporte des moyens de détection qui sont aptes à détecter ladite au moins une position non verrouillée des deux éléments séparables ;
  • les moyens de détection sont des moyens de détection électromagnétique qui comprennent des moyens d'émission d'au moins un signal électromagnétique et des moyens de réception dudit au moins un signal électromagnétique émis, lesdits moyens d'émission et lesdits moyens de réception étant agencés autour de la zone de déverrouillage de manière à ce que la configuration décalée transversalement des deux éléments séparables affecte la propagation dudit au moins un signal électromagnétique émis entre les moyens d'émission et les moyens de réception ;
  • la configuration décalée transversalement des deux éléments séparables affecte la propagation dudit au moins un signal électromagnétique émis entre les moyens d'émission et les moyens de réception de manière différente de la configuration axiale verrouillée ;
  • les moyens d'émission et les moyens de réception comprennent plusieurs paires d'éléments d'émission et de réception, les éléments d'émission de chaque paire étant disposés en vis-à-vis des éléments de réception de la même paire ;
  • les éléments d'émission de tous les couples sont agencés de manière à ce que l'ensemble des signaux électromagnétiques ou faisceaux électromagnétiques moyens émis définissent une région triangulaire délimitant la zone de déverrouillage ;
  • le dispositif de déverrouillage comprend au moins un aimant permanent qui est apte à déverrouiller magnétiquement les deux éléments du dispositif d'identification verrouillés l'un avec l'autre, la zone de déverrouillage comprenant des moyens de stabilisation mécanique du dispositif d'identification ou de l'un desdits au moins deux éléments qui sont destinés à stabiliser ledit dispositif suivant une orientation prédéterminée, ladite orientation prédéterminée permettant au champ magnétique généré par ledit au moins un aimant permanent de déverrouiller magnétiquement les deux éléments du dispositif d'identification;
  • la zone de déverrouillage comprend un logement qui est apte à recevoir le dispositif d'identification ou l'un desdits au moins deux éléments et qui a une forme et des dimensions sensiblement complémentaires de celles dudit dispositif ou de l'élément , permettant ainsi par exemple d'assurer la stabilisation mécanique du dispositif comme exposé ci-dessus (stabilisateur) ; le logement a une profondeur suffisante pour que le dispositif ou l'élément qui y est reçu ne puisse pas être extrait du logement sans aide ;
  • le dispositif d'identification d'un article commercial est un dispositif de protection contre le vol de cet article ;
  • le dispositif de protection contre le vol comprend au moins un organe actif ou passif qui est apte à émettre vers l'extérieur du dispositif ou à recevoir de l'extérieur des ondes Féiectromegnétiques.
According to other additional characteristics taken alone or in combination with each other:
  • the system comprises means for activating and deactivating the means for preventing unlocking; these means are thus controlled according to the identification or absence of identification of the identification device-commercial article association;
  • the mechanical means for preventing unlocking comprise one or more movable locking members which are capable of occupying, on the one hand, a deployed position preventing physical access of the identification device to the unlocking zone of the unlocking device and , on the other hand, a retracted position allowing physical access of the identification device to the unlocking zone of the unlocking device;
  • the system comprises blocking means which are capable of blocking in a blocking position, in the unlocking zone of the unlocking device, said unlocked identification device or one of said at least two unlocked elements of said identification device; when the article is released from the identification device (e.g. anti-theft badge) after unlocking, it always remains blocked in the unlocking zone (receipt) or one of the two elements of the device when the latter is made up of two separable elements and the other element has been removed after unlocking and releasing the article, or the device itself when it is made in one piece and the two elements are only moving parts relative to the other of the device (for example the two elements are clamping members forming clamps for clamping the article and the device comprises a clamping mechanism implemented under the action of an actuating member (eg wheel) and a locking mechanism (means) to prevent any subsequent tightening from a predetermined tightening torque exerted by the two members on the article; such a device is described in the patent application FR 2 942 835 ); the blocking, in the unlocking zone, of the identification device or of one of its elements makes it possible to ensure that the device will not be free to leave the place of unlocking simply because the unlocking has taken place. Unblocking can occur after a predetermined condition has been fulfilled. For example, the unlocking can take place after verification of the identification of the device. Indeed, the identification device has been previously associated (eg in the store's computer system) with the article to which it has been attached. It is thus checked whether the device or the element blocked in the unlocking device (eg: decoupler) corresponds to the released article to which it had been previously assigned. This verification makes it possible to ensure that there has been no fraud; this makes it possible to improve the management of the identification devices in two elements;
  • the system comprises means for activating, in a blocking position, and deactivating according to a predetermined condition, in an unblocking position, means for blocking the identification device or one of said at least two items stuck in the unlock area;
  • the blocking means comprise the movable blocking member(s) of the mechanical means for preventing unlocking;
  • the means for activating and deactivating the movable blocking member(s) comprise a mechanism for moving the movable blocking member(s);
  • the movement mechanism comprises a motor cooperating with a toothed wheel for driving the latter in rotation, a mounted part in a manner integral in rotation with the toothed wheel and comprising a contact portion, the movable member(s) cooperating by contact with the contact portion of said part via a cam means so that the rotation of the wheel causes the displacement of the mobile blocking member(s);
  • the unlocking device comprises a movable part surrounding the unlocking zone and which is capable of occupying two positions, namely a high locking position in which the movable part is located at a height greater than or equal to the height of the identification device or one of said at least two elements disposed in said unlocking zone and a low unlocking position in which the movable part is located at a height lower than the height of the identification device or of the element disposed in said zone unlocking;
  • the system comprises a mechanism for moving the moving part which is capable of being activated according to a predetermined condition;
  • the mechanism for moving the moving part comprises a motor cooperating with a toothed wheel for driving the latter in rotation, a part mounted integrally in rotation with the toothed wheel and comprising a first cam means, the moving part comprising a second cam means complementary to the first cam means and cooperating with said part via the two cam means so that the rotation of the wheel causes the vertical displacement of the movable part from one position to another;
  • the system comprises means for reading identification information carried by said device, the means for deciding whether to deactivate or not to deactivate the means for preventing the unlocking of the identification device also being capable of being deactivated or not deactivated in depending on the credentials read; reading the information carried by the identification device makes it possible to dispense with reading the barcode of the label which is generally attached to the commercial article; it is relatively easy to falsify the price of an item on a label, which is not the case for an identification device whose identification information is not accessible to a user from outside the device; more particularly, the device which is authorized to be unlocked is a device whose identification information has already been read a first time and for which the commercial item to which it is attached has been paid for by a customer at the point of sale of the store the second reading of the identification information by the reading means and their comparison with those read during the first reading thus makes it possible to verify that the commercial article has indeed been sold (and therefore that its price has been collected) before decide to deactivate the means for preventing the unlocking of each device;
  • the identification information of the identification device and/or of the commercial article comprises at least one identification code;
  • said at least one identification code comprises at least one of the following identification codes: unique identifier TID of an RFID device integrated into the identification device, identification code of the commercial item (EAN, EPC) assigned to the physical object as a trade item, the optically readable code uniquely identifying the physical object to which said device is attached and which is distinct from the identification code of the trade item;
  • the identification information identifies the association of the identification device and the commercial item to which said device is attached;
  • the identification information includes a combination of a unique identification code of the identification device and an identification code of the commercial item (EAN) to which the device is attached, the identification device being attached to a physical object bearing said Trade Item Identification (EAN) code which is assigned to all identical physical objects;
  • the system comprises an association between the identification information of the identification device and/or of the commercial article to which said device is fixed and a URL address of a site or of a web page dedicated to the commercial article;
  • the identification device comprises two separable elements, said two elements being separated from each other (the two elements are remote from each other) in an unlocked position and fixed to each other in the locked position;
  • the two elements are capable of being fixed to one another, on the one hand, in the locked position for which they are arranged facing each other in an axial configuration and, on the other hand, in at least an unlocked position (other than that for which they are spaced apart) for which they are arranged in at least one configuration offset transversely with respect to the axial locking configuration;
  • a first of the two elements comprises a point intended to pass through the article or its packaging, the second element being provided, in a first zone, with an orifice for inserting therein axially, along a first axis of insertion, the point and the maintain, under the action of the locking means, in the locked axial position in order to prevent its withdrawal, the second element also being provided with at least a second zone for receiving the tip which is offset transversely with respect to the first zone and in which the tip is capable of being inserted axially along several insertion axes parallel to the first insertion axis, so as to obtain several possible distinct non-locked positions of the two elements, each non-locked position corresponding to a transversely offset configuration of said two elements;
  • the system comprises detection means which are capable of detecting said at least one unlocked position of the two separable elements;
  • the detection means are electromagnetic detection means which comprise means for transmitting at least one electromagnetic signal and means for receiving said at least one transmitted electromagnetic signal, said transmitting means and said receiving means being arranged around the unlocking zone so that the transversely offset configuration of the two separable elements affects the propagation of said at least one electromagnetic signal transmitted between the transmitting means and the receiving means;
  • the transversely offset configuration of the two separable elements affects the propagation of said at least one electromagnetic signal emitted between the transmitting means and the receiving means differently from the locked axial configuration;
  • the transmission means and the reception means comprise several pairs of transmission and reception elements, the transmission elements of each pair being arranged opposite the reception elements of the same pair;
  • the transmission elements of all the pairs are arranged in such a way that the set of electromagnetic signals or average electromagnetic beams emitted define a triangular region delimiting the unlocking zone;
  • the unlocking device comprises at least one permanent magnet which is capable of magnetically unlocking the two elements of the identification device locked together, the unlocking zone comprising means for mechanical stabilization of the identification device or one of said at least two elements which are intended to stabilize said device in a predetermined orientation, said predetermined orientation allowing the magnetic field generated by said at least one permanent magnet to magnetically unlock the two elements of the identification device;
  • the unlocking zone comprises a housing which is capable of receiving the identification device or one of said at least two elements and which has a shape and dimensions substantially complementary to those of said device or of the element, thus allowing for example to ensure the mechanical stabilization of the device as described above (stabilizer); the housing has a sufficient depth so that the device or the element which is received therein cannot be extracted from the housing without assistance;
  • the device for identifying a commercial article is a device for protecting against theft of this article;
  • the theft protection device comprises at least one active or passive member which is capable of transmitting towards the outside of the device or of receiving electromagnetic waves from the outside.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages apparaîtront au cours de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple non limitatif et faite en référence aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels :

  • la Figure 1A est une vue générale schématique d'une architecture d'un système de gestion du déverrouillage de dispositifs d'identification selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • les figures 1B et 1C illustrent respectivement un dispositif d'identification en position verrouillée à un article et en position déverrouillée ;
  • la figure 1D illustre la réception du dispositif d'identification des figures 1B et 1C dans la zone de déverrouillage du découpleur de la figure 1A ;
  • les figures 2 à 7 représentent différents composants d'un découpleur 12 selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention;
  • la figure 8 est une vue agrandie partielle de l'élément 24 du dispositif d'identification 20 des figures 1B et 1C en position bloquée dans le logement du découpleur ;
  • la figure 9 est une vue schématique partielle agrandie du dispositif d'identification 20 stabilisé dans la zone de déverrouillage du découpleur 12 ;
  • les figures 10A-B illustrent un premier mode de réalisation de moyens permettant d'accoupler de façon temporaire deux éléments séparables d'un dispositif d'identification selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 10C est une variante de réalisation des moyens de maintien de la pointe ;
  • la figure 11 illustre un deuxième mode de réalisation de moyens permettant d'accoupler de façon temporaire deux éléments séparables d'un dispositif d'identification selon l'invention ;
  • les figures 12 et 13 illustrent, en vue de dessus, l'agencement de moyens de détection électromagnétique et, respectivement, le positionnement du premier élément 22 sur le deuxième élément 24 dans la configuration axiale de verrouillage (fig. 12) et dans l'une des configurations décalées possibles (fig. 13) ;
  • la figure 14 illustre quatre courbes de signaux reçus par chacun des moyens de réception de chacune des quatre paires d'éléments d'émission et de réception des figures 12 et 13 ;
  • la figure 15 est une vue de dessus d'un autre agencement moyens de détection électromagnétique autour de la zone de déverrouillage d'un découpleur ;
  • la figure 16 est une vue de face de la tête 22 du dispositif d'identification 20 portant un code optique ;
  • la figure 17 est une vue schématique générale illustrant les différentes associations de codes enregistrées dans des zones mémoires de système informatique ;
  • la figure 18 est un algorithme d'un procédé de gestion du déverrouillage d'un dispositif d'identification selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 19 illustre les moyens de blocage activés du découpleur afin d'empêcher l'accès de la zone de déverrouillage au dispositif d'identification 20 des figures 1B et 1C;
  • la figure 20 illustre la mise en situation de la détection de plusieurs dispositifs d'identification à proximité de la zone de réception du découpleur ;
  • la figure 21 illustre les moyens de blocage de la figure 19 désactivés ;
  • la figure 22 illustre la réception du deuxième élément du dispositif d'identification des figures 1B et 1C dans la zone de déverrouillage du découpleur après déverrouillage et libération de l'article ;
  • la figure 23 illustre le deuxième élément du dispositif de la figure 22 en position bloquée et le retour du premier élément ;
  • la figure 24 représente, en vue de dessus, le positionnement du premier élément 22 sur le deuxième élément 24 dans l'une des configurations décalées possibles avec l'agencement des moyens de détection électromagnétique de la figure 15 ;
  • la figure 25 est une vue partielle agrandie des deux éléments de la figure 24 en position décalée avec la partie périphérique mobile 40 du découpleur en position basse de déblocage ;
  • la figure 26 est une vue schématique générale de mise en situation d'un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 27 illustre de façon schématique un dispositif antivol selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • les figures 28 à 30 illustrent différentes vues d'un découpleur selon un autre mode de réalisation et sa coopération avec le dispositif de la figure 27.
Other characteristics and advantages will appear during the description which will follow, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • the Figure 1A is a general schematic view of an architecture of an identification device unlocking management system according to one embodiment of the invention;
  • them figures 1B and 1C respectively illustrate an identification device in the locked position to an article and in the unlocked position;
  • the figure 1D illustrates the reception of the identification device of the figures 1B and 1C in the unlocking area of the decoupler of the Figure 1A ;
  • them figures 2 to 7 represent various components of a decoupler 12 according to one embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 8 is a partial enlarged view of the element 24 of the identification device 20 of the figures 1B and 1C in the locked position in the housing of the decoupler;
  • the figure 9 is an enlarged partial schematic view of the identification device 20 stabilized in the unlocking zone of the decoupler 12;
  • them figures 10A-B illustrate a first embodiment of means for temporarily coupling two separable elements of an identification device according to the invention;
  • the figure 10C is an alternative embodiment of the tip holding means;
  • the figure 11 illustrates a second embodiment of means for temporarily coupling two separable elements of an identification device according to the invention;
  • them figures 12 and 13 illustrate, in top view, the arrangement of electromagnetic detection means and, respectively, the positioning of the first element 22 on the second element 24 in the axial locking configuration ( fig. 12 ) and in one of the possible staggered configurations ( fig. 13 );
  • the figure 14 illustrates four curves of signals received by each of the reception means of each of the four pairs of transmission and reception elements of the figures 12 and 13 ;
  • the figure 15 is a top view of another arrangement of electromagnetic detection means around the unlocking zone of a decoupler;
  • the figure 16 is a front view of the head 22 of the identification device 20 bearing an optical code;
  • the figure 17 is a general schematic view illustrating the various code associations stored in computer system memory areas;
  • the figure 18 is an algorithm of a method for managing the unlocking of an identification device according to one embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 19 illustrates the activated blocking means of the decoupler in order to prevent access to the unlocking zone to the identification device 20 of the figures 1B and 1C ;
  • the figure 20 illustrates the simulation of the detection of several identification devices near the reception zone of the decoupler;
  • the figure 21 illustrates the means of blocking the figure 19 disabled;
  • the figure 22 illustrates the reception of the second element of the identification device of the figures 1B and 1C in the unlocking zone of the decoupler after unlocking and releasing the article;
  • the figure 23 illustrates the second element of the device of the figure 22 in the blocked position and the return of the first element;
  • the figure 24 represents, in top view, the positioning of the first element 22 on the second element 24 in one of the offset configurations possible with the arrangement of the electromagnetic detection means of the figure 15 ;
  • the figure 25 is an enlarged partial view of the two elements of the figure 24 in an offset position with the mobile peripheral part 40 of the decoupler in the lower unlocking position;
  • the figure 26 is a general schematic view of an embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 27 schematically illustrates an anti-theft device according to another embodiment of the invention;
  • them figures 28 to 30 illustrate different views of a decoupler according to another embodiment and its cooperation with the device of the figure 27 .

Comme représenté à la Figure 1A et désigné par la référence générale notée 10, un système de gestion du déverrouillage de dispositifs d'identification selon l'invention (ces dispositifs sont généralement fixés à des articles commerciaux ou à des emballages contenant ces articles) comprend :

  • un dispositif de déverrouillage 12 ou découpleur, par exemple magnétique, pour le déverrouillage d'un dispositif d'identification ;
  • un point de vente (POS) d'un magasin qui comprend une caisse ou terminal de paiement 14 équipé d'un écran.
As depicted at Figure 1A and designated by the general reference denoted 10, a system for managing the unlocking of identification devices according to the invention (these devices are generally attached to commercial articles or to packaging containing these articles) comprises:
  • an unlocking device 12 or decoupler, for example magnetic, for unlocking an identification device;
  • a point of sale (POS) of a store which includes a cash register or payment terminal 14 equipped with a screen.

Le découpleur 12 est relié au POS afin de pouvoir communiquer entre eux des informations/données. Le POS est relié à un système informatique qui comprend notamment une base de données 16 dans laquelle sont stockées les références des articles mis en vente dans le magasin (codes EAN...), d'autres données qui seront définies plus tard, le stock d'articles dans un ou plusieurs magasins, les transactions effectuées...The decoupler 12 is connected to the POS in order to be able to communicate information/data between them. The POS is linked to a computer system which notably includes a database 16 in which are stored the references of the items offered for sale in the store (EAN codes, etc.), other data which will be defined later, the stock items in one or more stores, the transactions carried out...

Le découpleur 12 comprend également un système 18 de traitement de données, de fourniture d'énergie électrique et de communication d'informations/données, notamment avec le terminal de paiement 14.Ce système assure notamment la gestion du découpleur et notamment l'actionnement/l'activation ou la désactivation des différentes parties mobiles constitutives du découpleur (organes de blocage....) et des différents éléments fonctionnels (capteurs optiques...), la gestion des différents signaux notamment électriques....(leur production, leur transmission, leur réception, leur stockage, leur traitement...) . Le système 18 (schématisé en pointillés sur la figure 1A) comprend notamment un ensemble d'éléments de connection d'interface avec l'extérieur du découpleur et un ensemble d'éléments de connection interne avec les différents composants internes au découpleur. Le système comprend par ailleurs des moyens de stockage de données provisoires (mémoire de type tampon) et permanents.The decoupler 12 also comprises a system 18 for processing data, supplying electrical energy and communicating information/data, in particular with the payment terminal 14. This system ensures in particular the management of the decoupler and in particular the actuation/ the activation or deactivation of the various constituent mobile parts of the decoupler (blocking devices, etc.) and of the various functional elements (optical sensors, etc.), the management of the various signals, in particular electrical signals, etc. (their production, their transmission, reception, storage, processing, etc.). System 18 (shown in dotted lines on the Figure 1A ) comprises in particular a set of interface connection elements with the exterior of the decoupler and a set of internal connection elements with the various internal components of the decoupler. The system also comprises temporary (buffer-type memory) and permanent data storage means.

Le système 10 susvisé s'applique à un dispositif d'identification d'un article commercial qui peut être emballé ou non. Ce dispositif d'identification est par exemple un dispositif antivol 20, également appelé badge antivol, qui comprend, dans cet exemple de réalisation, deux éléments 22, 24 séparables l'un de l'autre. Ces deux éléments sont déplaçables ou mobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre entre deux positions, une position verrouillée (figure 1B), dans laquelle les deux éléments fixés l'un à l'autre emprisonnent entre eux, de façon verrouillée sous l'action de moyens de verrouillage, l'article commercial 26 ou son emballage, et au moins une position non verrouillée (figure 1C). Dans cet exemple, les deux éléments peuvent être dissociés physiquement l'un de l'autre comme illustré sur la figure 1C. Comme on le verra par la suite, les deux éléments 22, 24 peuvent être fixés l'un à l'autre dans une ou plusieurs autres positions non verrouillées.The aforementioned system 10 applies to a device for identifying a commercial item which may or may not be packaged. This identification device is for example an anti-theft device 20, also called an anti-theft badge, which comprises, in this embodiment, two elements 22, 24 separable from one another. These two elements can be moved or moved relative to each other between two positions, a locked position ( figure 1B ), in which the two elements fixed to each other imprison between them, in a locked manner under the action of locking means, the commercial article 26 or its packaging, and at least one unlocked position ( figure 1C ). In this example, the two elements can be physically separated from each other as shown in the figure 1C . As will be seen later, the two elements 22, 24 can be fixed to each other in one or more other unlocked positions.

Comme représenté schématiquement sur les figures 1B et 1C, le dispositif 20 comprend une tête 22 (premier élément) munie d'une pointe 22a qui s'étend en éloignement de la tête et qui est destinée à traverser l'objet physique 26 (article commercial). Le dispositif 20 comprend également un corps 24 (deuxième élément) pourvu d'un orifice pour insérer axialement la pointe 22a à l'intérieur du corps dans une position dite verrouillée. Le corps comprend également, de façon connue, des moyens de verrouillage de la pointe insérée afin d'empêcher son retrait axial. De tels moyens sont par exemple des moyens à billes qui seront décrits ultérieurement.As shown schematically in the figures 1B and 1C , the device 20 comprises a head 22 (first element) provided with a tip 22a which extends away from the head and which is intended to pass through the physical object 26 (commercial item). The device 20 also comprises a body 24 (second element) provided with an orifice for inserting the tip 22a axially inside the body in a so-called locked position. The body also comprises, in known manner, means for locking the inserted tip in order to prevent its axial withdrawal. Such means are for example ball means which will be described later.

Le découpleur 12 comporte une zone de déverrouillage qui, ici, comprend une zone de réception 28 destinée à recevoir le dispositif 20 qui est fixé de manière verrouillée à l'article 26 (figure 1D). Un dispositif 29 de lecture d'informations d'identification (identifiant) du dispositif 20 et de son association avec l'article 26 est disposé à côté de la zone de réception accueillant ledit dispositif 20, par exemple sur la surface supérieure du découpleur 12.The decoupler 12 comprises an unlocking zone which, here, comprises a reception zone 28 intended to receive the device 20 which is fixed in a locked manner to the article 26 ( figure 1D ). A device 29 for reading identification information (identifier) of the device 20 and of its association with the article 26 is arranged next to the reception area accommodating said device 20, for example on the upper surface of the decoupler 12.

Cette zone de réception 28 comprend plus particulièrement une partie formant logement 30 qui est apte à recevoir l'un des deux éléments 22, 24, à savoir ici le corps 24 (deuxième élément). Ce logement a une forme générale et des dimensions qui sont sensiblement complémentaires de celles de l'élément 24 qu'il reçoit. Par exemple, le logement 30 est en forme de cuvette et a une forme inverse de la forme générale de dôme du corps 24. Ce logement assure une fonction de stabilisation mécanique du dispositif d'identification 20 dans la mesure où ledit logement stabilise le corps 24 dans une orientation géométrique prédéterminée à la surface de déverrouillage du découpleur.This reception zone 28 more particularly comprises a part forming a housing 30 which is capable of receiving one of the two elements 22, 24, namely here the body 24 (second element). This housing has a general shape and dimensions which are substantially complementary to those of the element 24 which it receives. For example, the housing 30 is bowl-shaped and has the opposite shape of the general dome shape of the body 24. This housing performs a function of mechanical stabilization of the identification device 20 in the insofar as said housing stabilizes the body 24 in a predetermined geometric orientation at the unlocking surface of the decoupler.

Les figures 2 à 7 représentent le découpleur 12 des figures 1A et 1D selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention.The figures 2 to 7 represent the decoupler 12 of the figures 1A and 1D according to one embodiment of the invention.

Comme représenté en coupe axiale sur la figure 2, le découpleur est monté sur une embase 34. Sur la figure 3, le découpleur est représenté sans son embase et sans les composants périphériques du découpleur que l'on décrira par la suite.As shown in axial section on the figure 2 , the decoupler is mounted on a base 34. On the picture 3 , the decoupler is shown without its base and without the peripheral components of the decoupler which will be described later.

Le découpleur 12 comprend au moins un aimant permanent 36 renfermé dans un boitier 38. Le découpleur comporte une surface de déverrouillage supérieure 36a qui correspond à la surface supérieure de l'aimant et sur laquelle est ouvert le fond de la partie formant logement 30. La partie formant logement comporte un stabilisateur mécanique 31 qui est un corps ayant des parois externes entourant de façon continue un logement central en forme de cuvette (on notera que d'autres formes de corps peuvent convenir, par exemple avec des parois interrompues). La surface de déverrouillage 36a est perpendiculaire à la direction axiale (verticale) du champ magnétique. Le stabilisateur mécanique 31 oriente selon cette direction axiale le dispositif d'identification qui y est reçu. L'orientation géométrique prédéterminée ainsi conférée au dispositif d'identification permet au champ magnétique généré par ledit au moins un aimant permanent 36 de déverrouiller magnétiquement les deux éléments 22, 24 du dispositif verrouillés l'un avec l'autre et, ainsi, de libérer l'article emprisonné entre eux.The decoupler 12 comprises at least one permanent magnet 36 enclosed in a casing 38. The decoupler comprises an upper unlocking surface 36a which corresponds to the upper surface of the magnet and on which the bottom of the part forming a housing 30 is open. part forming a housing comprises a mechanical stabilizer 31 which is a body having external walls continuously surrounding a central bowl-shaped housing (it will be noted that other body shapes may be suitable, for example with interrupted walls). The unlocking surface 36a is perpendicular to the axial (vertical) direction of the magnetic field. The mechanical stabilizer 31 orients the identification device received therein in this axial direction. The predetermined geometric orientation thus conferred on the identification device allows the magnetic field generated by said at least one permanent magnet 36 to magnetically unlock the two elements 22, 24 of the device locked together and, thus, to release article trapped between them.

Ledit au moins un aimant permanent 36 et le boitier 38 sont montés de manière fixe dans le découpleur.Said at least one permanent magnet 36 and the case 38 are fixedly mounted in the decoupler.

Le découpleur 12 comprend également une partie périphérique mobile verticalement 40 entourant la partie formant logement 30 et le boitier 38 et qui est apte à coulisser autour de ces pièces afin d'occuper deux positions :

  • une position haute de blocage (illustrée en traits pleins sur les figures 2 et 3), dans laquelle la partie périphérique 40 est située à une hauteur supérieure ou égale à la hauteur du deuxième élément 24 (représenté sur la figure 1D) disposé dans la partie formant logement 30 et
  • une position basse de déblocage (illustrée partiellement en pointillés sur la figure 3) dans laquelle la partie périphérique 40 vient se positionner par coulissement à partir de la position haute. Dans cette position basse, la partie périphérique 40 est située à une hauteur inférieure à la hauteur du deuxième élément 24 qui est disposé dans ladite partie formant logement 30 afin de faciliter son retrait/extraction du logement.
The decoupler 12 also comprises a vertically movable peripheral part 40 surrounding the housing part 30 and the casing 38 and which is able to slide around these parts in order to occupy two positions:
  • a high blocking position (illustrated in solid lines on the figure 2 and 3 ), in which the peripheral part 40 is located at a height greater than or equal to the height of the second element 24 (shown in the figure 1D ) arranged in the part forming a housing 30 and
  • a low release position (illustrated partially in dotted lines on the picture 3 ) in which the peripheral part 40 is positioned by sliding from the high position. In this low position, the peripheral part 40 is located at a height lower than the height of the second element 24 which is arranged in said part forming a housing 30 in order to facilitate its removal/extraction from the housing.

La partie périphérique 40 comporte un plateau supérieur annulaire horizontal 42 disposé autour du stabilisateur 31 et, à la périphérie dudit plateau, une jupe verticale 44 qui s'étend autour du boitier 38 en direction de l'embase 34 (fig 2). Le plateau supérieur 42 est surmonté d'une bague 46 bordant complètement l'ouverture d'accès au logement 30. La jupe s'étend de manière interrompue localement autour du boitier 38 de manière à ménager des fentes axiales (verticales) 44a, 44b..(par exemple trois) dans chacune desquelles est disposé un moyen élastique 48a....Ce moyen élastique est monté de manière fixe, d'une part, en partie basse, sur un élément de support 50 lié au boitier 38 et d'autre part, en partie haute, sur la partie périphérique 40 à travers des ouvertures 52 pratiquées en périphérie du plateau 42. Les moyens élastiques sont par exemples des ressorts de rappel axiaux qui tendent à ramener vers le bas la partie périphérique 40.The peripheral part 40 comprises a horizontal annular upper plate 42 disposed around the stabilizer 31 and, at the periphery of said plate, a vertical skirt 44 which extends around the casing 38 in the direction of the base 34 ( fig 2 ). The upper plate 42 is surmounted by a ring 46 completely bordering the access opening to the housing 30. The skirt extends in an interrupted manner locally around the box 38 so as to form axial (vertical) slots 44a, 44b. .(for example three) in each of which is arranged an elastic means 48a .... This elastic means is mounted in a fixed manner, on the one hand, in the lower part, on a support element 50 connected to the housing 38 and on the other hand, in the upper part, on the peripheral part 40 through openings 52 made on the periphery of the plate 42. The elastic means are for example axial return springs which tend to bring the peripheral part 40 downwards.

Le découpleur comprend un mécanisme de déplacement de la partie périphérique 40 qui est activé ou non en fonction de la réalisation ou de l'absence de réalisation d'une condition prédéterminée qui sera détaillée ultérieurement.The decoupler comprises a mechanism for moving the peripheral part 40 which is activated or not depending on the fulfillment or absence of fulfillment of a predetermined condition which will be detailed later.

Ce mécanisme de déplacement comprend un premier moteur 54 muni, sur son arbre de sortie, d'un filetage 56 disposé de manière adjacente à la partie périphérique mobile 40.This movement mechanism comprises a first motor 54 provided, on its output shaft, with a thread 56 arranged adjacent to the mobile peripheral part 40.

Le mécanisme comprend également une pièce inférieure 58 qui s'étend axialement autour du boitier 38 et de la jupe 44 (fig 2). La pièce inférieure 58 (non représentée sur la figure 3) est montée sur un socle 33 qui est prévu à la base du découpleur (figs 2 et 3) et qui fait saillie au-delà du boitier 38. La pièce inférieure 58 comporte à sa périphérie extérieure une roue ou couronne dentée 60 disposée horizontalement et qui coopère par engrènement avec le filetage 56 de l'arbre de sortie du moteur (figure 4). La rotation de l'arbre de sortie permet de faire tourner la couronne dentée 60 autour de son axe vertical.The mechanism also includes a lower part 58 which extends axially around the case 38 and the skirt 44 ( fig 2 ). The lower part 58 (not shown in the picture 3 ) is mounted on a base 33 which is provided at the base of the decoupler ( figs 2 and 3 ) and which protrudes beyond the housing 38. The lower part 58 comprises at its outer periphery a toothed wheel or crown 60 arranged horizontally and which cooperates by meshing with the thread 56 from the engine output shaft ( figure 4 ). The rotation of the output shaft makes it possible to rotate the ring gear 60 around its vertical axis.

La pièce inférieure 58 comporte une paroi cylindrique 62 qui s'étend axialement vers le haut en partant de la couronne dentée 60 jusqu'à la cote de la partie inférieure de la jupe 44 (fig 2).The lower part 58 comprises a cylindrical wall 62 which extends axially upwards from the ring gear 60 to the side of the lower part of the skirt 44 ( fig 2 ).

Comme représenté sur la figure 5, la pièce inférieure 58 comporte une collerette interne 64 agencée sensiblement dans le même plan que la couronne dentée 60 et qui s'étend radialement vers l'intérieur de la pièce en éloignement de ladite couronne. La collerette comporte sur son rebord supérieur plusieurs moyens de came (par exemple trois) qui se présentent par exemple sous la forme de rampes 64a, 64b... agencées suivant la circonférence de la collerette.As shown on the figure 5 , the lower part 58 comprises an internal flange 64 arranged substantially in the same plane as the ring gear 60 and which extends radially towards the inside of the part away from said ring. The collar has on its upper rim several cam means (for example three) which are for example in the form of ramps 64a, 64b... arranged along the circumference of the collar.

La jupe 44 de la partie périphérique 40 comporte à sa partie inférieure plusieurs moyens de came (en correspondance avec le nombre de moyens de came de la pièce inférieure 58) qui se présentent également sous la forme de rampes 44a, 44b...(figures 6 et 7). Ces rampes ont des formes complémentaires de celles des rampes 64a, 64b... afin de pouvoir coopérer avec celles-ci lors de l'entrainement en rotation de la couronne dentée 60 et permettre la montée ou la descente de la partie périphérique selon le mouvement sélectionné. Lors du mouvement de montée ou de descente, la jupe 44 coulisse à l'intérieur de l'espace annulaire ménagé entre le boitier 38 et la paroi cylindrique 62. Dans une variante non représentée la forme des moyens de came et, notamment, le profil de came peuvent varier.The skirt 44 of the peripheral part 40 comprises at its lower part several cam means (in correspondence with the number of cam means of the lower part 58) which also take the form of ramps 44a, 44b...( figures 6 and 7 ). These ramps have shapes complementary to those of the ramps 64a, 64b, etc. in order to be able to cooperate with them during the rotational drive of the toothed crown 60 and to allow the raising or lowering of the peripheral part according to the movement. selected. During the upward or downward movement, the skirt 44 slides inside the annular space provided between the box 38 and the cylindrical wall 62. In a variant not shown, the shape of the cam means and, in particular, the profile cam may vary.

Le découpleur 12 comprend par ailleurs des moyens de blocage mécaniques qui empêchent l'accès physique d'un dispositif d'identification, tel que le dispositif 20 des figures 1B à 1D, à la partie formant logement 30 du découpleur.The decoupler 12 also comprises mechanical blocking means which prevent physical access to an identification device, such as the device 20 of the figures 1B to 1D , to the housing part 30 of the decoupler.

Ces moyens mécaniques d'empêchement d'accès comprennent un ou plusieurs organes mobiles de blocage 70, 72 qui sont aptes à occuper, d'une part, une position déployée empêchant l'accès physique du dispositif d'identification à la partie formant logement 30 du découpleur (blocage de l'ouverture d'accès au logement) et, d'autre part, une position rétractée autorisant l'accès physique du dispositif d'identification à la partie formant logement du découpleur (dégagement de l'ouverture d'accès au logement).These mechanical access prevention means comprise one or more movable blocking members 70, 72 which are able to occupy, on the one hand, a deployed position preventing physical access of the identification device to the housing part 30 of the decoupler (blocking of the access opening to the housing) and, on the other hand, a retracted position allowing physical access of the identification device to the part forming the housing of the decoupler (release of the access opening to housing).

Ces organes mobiles de blocage se présentent par exemple sous la forme de deux trappes 70, 72 qui sont montées de façon diamétralement opposée dans la bague 46. Plus particulièrement, les trappes ont une forme générale plane qui s'étend radialement par rapport à la bague et en éloignement de celle-ci jusqu'à une extrémité libre respective 70a, 72a. Les trappes présentent une extrémité opposée 70b, 72b aménagée dans la bague et dont la hauteur est supérieure à celle de la partie plane des trappes. Ces extrémités opposées épaissies 70b, 72b (têtes) s'insèrent dans des évidements pratiqués sur le bord intérieur 46a de la bague 46 de manière à reconstituer la forme complète (non évidée) de la bague. Les trappes sont mobiles en coulissement dans les directions indiquées par les flèches sur les figures 4 et 6. Sur ces figures les trappes sont en positon ouverte ou rétractée et sont ainsi retenues dans leur mouvement par le bord extérieur 46b de la bague. Les trappes peuvent, sur activation (commande), se déployer vers l'intérieur de la bague 46 et ainsi fermer partiellement l'ouverture permettant d'accéder au logement 30. Une fermeture partielle réduisant le diamètre de l'ouverture à un diamètre inférieur aux dimensions de l'élément 24 suffit pour empêcher l'accès.These movable locking members are for example in the form of two hatches 70, 72 which are mounted diametrically opposite in the ring 46. More particularly, the hatches have a generally planar shape which extends radially with respect to the ring and away therefrom to a respective free end 70a, 72a. The hatches have an opposite end 70b, 72b arranged in the ring and whose height is greater than that of the flat part of the hatches. These thickened opposite ends 70b, 72b (heads) fit into recesses made on the inner edge 46a of the ring 46 so as to reconstitute the complete shape (not hollowed out) of the ring. The hatches are movable by sliding in the directions indicated by the arrows on the figure 4 and 6 . In these figures the hatches are in the open or retracted position and are thus retained in their movement by the outer edge 46b of the ring. The hatches can, on activation (command), deploy towards the inside of the ring 46 and thus partially close the opening allowing access to the housing 30. A partial closing reducing the diameter of the opening to a diameter smaller than the dimensions of the element 24 is sufficient to prevent access.

Le découpleur comprend un mécanisme de déplacement des organes mobiles 70, 72 qui est activé ou non en fonction de la réalisation ou de la non réalisation d'une condition prédéterminée qui sera détaillée ultérieurement.The decoupler comprises a mechanism for moving the moving parts 70, 72 which is activated or not depending on the fulfillment or non-fulfilment of a predetermined condition which will be detailed later.

Ce mécanisme de déplacement comprend un deuxième moteur 74 muni, sur son arbre de sortie, d'un filetage 76.This movement mechanism comprises a second motor 74 provided, on its output shaft, with a thread 76.

Le mécanisme comprend également une roue ou couronne dentée 78, dite supérieure, disposée horizontalement autour de la paroi cylindrique 62, au dessus de la couronne dentée 60, dite inférieure, et qui coopère par engrènement avec le filetage 76 de l'arbre de sortie du moteur 74. La rotation de l'arbre de sortie permet de faire tourner la couronne dentée 78 autour de son axe vertical. Le deuxième moteur 74 est disposé à une cote supérieure à celle du premier moteur et sur un autre côté du découpleur pour des raisons d'encombrement.The mechanism also comprises a so-called upper toothed wheel or crown 78, arranged horizontally around the cylindrical wall 62, above the so-called lower toothed crown 60, and which cooperates by meshing with the thread 76 of the output shaft of the motor 74. The rotation of the output shaft makes it possible to rotate the ring gear 78 around its vertical axis. The second motor 74 is arranged at a higher level than that of the first motor and on another side of the decoupler for reasons of space.

Le mécanisme de déplacement comprend en outre :

  • un disque annulaire 80 (disque de contrôle) monté à la périphérie du plateau 42 et de la jupe 44, dans le prolongement dudit plateau 42 ;
  • un ensemble de tiges verticales 82 qui solidarisent le disque annulaire 80 à la couronne dentée supérieure 78 ;
  • deux lumières de guidage 81, 83 (fig 4) traversant le disque dans son épaisseur et qui sont disposées de façon diamétralement opposée, chaque lumière s'étendant suivant un même secteur angulaire ; chaque lumière 81, 83 possède une première extrémité (ex : 83a) proche du bord intérieur du disque et s'étend, suivant un secteur angulaire, en travers du disque, en direction du bord extérieur de celui-ci de manière à ce que la deuxième extrémité opposée (ex : 83b) de la lumière soit plus éloignée du bord intérieur que la première extrémité ;
  • deux doigts de came 84, 86 (figs 4 et 6) qui sont fixées respectivement aux extrémités libres 70a, 72a des trappes 70, 72 de manière à s'étendre en direction de l'embase, les doigts étant respectivement introduits à l'intérieur des lumières de guidage 81, 83 (fig 4).
The displacement mechanism further comprises:
  • an annular disc 80 (control disc) mounted on the periphery of plate 42 and skirt 44, in the extension of said plate 42;
  • a set of vertical rods 82 which secure the annular disc 80 to the upper ring gear 78;
  • two guide lights 81, 83 ( fig 4 ) passing through the thickness of the disc and which are arranged diametrically opposite each slot extending along the same angular sector; each slot 81, 83 has a first end (eg: 83a) close to the inner edge of the disc and extends, along an angular sector, across the disc, towards the outer edge of the latter so that the opposite second end (eg 83b) of the light is farther from the inner edge than the first end;
  • two cam fingers 84, 86 ( fig 4 and 6 ) which are fixed respectively to the free ends 70a, 72a of the hatches 70, 72 so as to extend in the direction of the base, the fingers being respectively introduced inside the guide slots 81, 83 ( fig 4 ).

Le profil des lumières de guidage 81, 83 est un profil de came qui permet de coopérer respectivement avec les doigts de came 84, 86. La rotation de la couronne dentée supérieure 78 entraine la rotation du disque 80 et de ses lumières 81, 83 qui, forcent les doigts de came respectifs à suivre le profil de came des lumières et donc à s'écarter (fermeture des trappes 70, 72) ou à se rapprocher (ouverture des trappes) du bord extérieur du disque.The profile of the guide slots 81, 83 is a cam profile which makes it possible to cooperate respectively with the cam fingers 84, 86. The rotation of the upper ring gear 78 causes the rotation of the disc 80 and of its slots 81, 83 which , force the respective cam fingers to follow the cam profile of the slots and therefore to move away (closing of the doors 70, 72) or to move closer (opening of the doors) to the outer edge of the disk.

Les deux couronnes dentées sont indépendantes l'une de l'autre dans leur mouvement dans la mesure où le déplacement de la partie périphérique 40 est indépendant du déplacement (ouverture et fermeture) des organes de blocage 70, 72.The two toothed crowns are independent of each other in their movement insofar as the movement of the peripheral part 40 is independent of the movement (opening and closing) of the locking members 70, 72.

L'ensemble des mécanismes de déplacement de la partie périphérique mobile 40 et des organes mobiles de blocage 70, 72 forme un bloc unique rotatif relativement compact. L'ensemble des différents mouvements est obtenu à partir de la rotation des deux couronnes, ce qui facilite la gestion des mécanismes. Cet ensemble est particulièrement robuste et facilement industrialisable.All of the mechanisms for moving the mobile peripheral part 40 and the mobile blocking members 70, 72 form a single relatively compact rotating block. All of the different movements are obtained from the rotation of the two crowns, which facilitates the management of the mechanisms. This set is particularly robust and easily industrialisable.

Le découpleur 12 comprend par exemple des capteurs optiques (ou d'un autre type) 71 qui sont disposés sur l'embase suivant la circonférence de la couronne inférieure 60 afin de déterminer le déplacement angulaire de celle-ci lors de ses mouvements de rotation. Ceci permet de déterminer la rotation du moteur.The decoupler 12 comprises for example optical sensors (or of another type) 71 which are arranged on the base along the circumference of the lower crown 60 in order to determine the angular displacement of the latter during its rotational movements. This makes it possible to determine the rotation of the motor.

La partie formant logement 30 et, plus particulièrement, le stabilisateur 31 ne participe pas au mouvement de montée et descente de la partie périphérique 40.The housing part 30 and, more particularly, the stabilizer 31 does not participate in the up and down movement of the peripheral part 40.

Le stabilisateur 31, représenté de façon agrandie sur la figure 8, est monté sur la surface de déverrouillage 36a par l'intermédiaire d'une collerette externe 31a qui est engagée dans une gorge périphérique 38a pratiquée à la partie supérieure du boitier 38 qui recouvre le ou les aimants. Ce stabilisateur présente sur sa surface inférieure une cavité annulaire 31b creusée dans l'épaisseur du corps et qui entoure le trou 31c percé dans le fond du stabilisateur. Plusieurs capteurs de contact ou contacteurs (ex : trois répartis à 120°) tels que le capteur 90 sont montés sur le corps à l'intérieur de cette cavité 31b. Des moyens élastiques tels que des ressorts de compression, par exemple le ressort 92, sont montés dans la cavité 31b, par exemple autour des capteurs respectifs, afin de pousser naturellement vers le haut le corps du stabilisateur. En l'absence de deuxième élément 24 d'un dispositif antivol 20 placé dans le logement du stabilisateur, les ressorts 92 poussent vers le haut ledit stabilisateur et celui-ci est maintenu en position haute par sa collerette qui est contre le rebord supérieur de la gorge 38a.The stabilizer 31, shown enlarged in the figure 8 , is mounted on the unlocking surface 36a by means of an external flange 31a which is engaged in a peripheral groove 38a formed in the upper part of the case 38 which covers the magnet or magnets. This stabilizer has on its lower surface an annular cavity 31b hollowed out in the thickness of the body and which surrounds the hole 31c drilled in the bottom of the stabilizer. Several contact sensors or contactors (eg three distributed at 120°) such as sensor 90 are mounted on the body inside this cavity 31b. Elastic means such as compression springs, for example the spring 92, are mounted in the cavity 31b, for example around the respective sensors, in order to naturally push the body of the stabilizer upwards. In the absence of a second element 24 of an anti-theft device 20 placed in the housing of the stabilizer, the springs 92 push said stabilizer upwards and the latter is held in the high position by its flange which is against the upper edge of the groove 38a.

Lorsqu'un deuxième élément 24 d'un dispositif antivol 20 est placé dans le logement du stabilisateur (sur la figure 8 seul le deuxième élément 24 est représenté et l'on suppose donc que le déverrouillage a eu lieu et le premier élément 22 a été retiré), cet élément est proche de la surface de déverrouillage et le ou les aimants du découpleur attirent ledit élément contre la surface. Le stabilisateur est ainsi déplacé vers le bas contre l'effort de compression des ressorts jusqu'à ce que les capteurs de contact 90 entrent en contact avec la surface supérieure du découpleur. Ainsi, le stabilisateur est susceptible de se déplacer verticalement sur une course limitée définie par la hauteur de la gorge périphérique. Une ou plusieurs liaisons électriques (non représentées) sont prévues entre les capteurs de contact et le système de traitement de données 18 du découpleur afin de transmettre à ce dernier l'information selon laquelle le dispositif antivol est en position de déverrouillage. Le système de traitement 18 n'est pas représenté sur les figures 2 à 8 par souci de simplification.When a second element 24 of an anti-theft device 20 is placed in the housing of the stabilizer (on the figure 8 only the second element 24 is represented and it is therefore assumed that the unlocking has taken place and the first element 22 has been removed), this element is close to the unlocking surface and the magnet or magnets of the decoupler attract the said element against the surface. The stabilizer is thus moved downward against the compression force of the springs until the contact sensors 90 come into contact with the upper surface of the decoupler. Thus, the stabilizer is capable of moving vertically over a limited stroke defined by the height of the peripheral groove. One or more electrical connections (not shown) are provided between the contact sensors and the data processing system 18 of the decoupler in order to transmit to the latter the information that the anti-theft device is in the unlocked position. The processing system 18 is not represented on the figures 2 to 8 for the sake of simplification.

On notera que sur la figure 8 les organes de blocage 70, 72 sont activés en position de blocage (trappes fermées) afin de bloquer le deuxième élément 24 dans le logement.Note that on the figure 8 the blocking members 70, 72 are activated in the blocking position (doors closed) in order to block the second element 24 in the housing.

Le découpleur comprend un capot 100 qui recouvre les différents composants décrits ci-dessus et dont seule la partie supérieure est représentée sur la figure 2. Une découpe circulaire 100a a été pratiquée dans cette partie afin de laisser libre un espace annulaire au dessus de la bague 46 pour son mouvement vertical autour de l'ouverture d'accès au logement.The decoupler comprises a cover 100 which covers the various components described above and of which only the upper part is represented on the figure 2 . A circular cutout 100a has been made in this part in order to leave free an annular space above the ring 46 for its vertical movement around the housing access opening.

La figure 9 est une vue schématique partielle agrandie d'un dispositif antivol 20 stabilisé dans la zone de réception du découpleur 12.The figure 9 is an enlarged partial schematic view of an anti-theft device 20 stabilized in the reception area of the decoupler 12.

On va maintenant décrire en référence à cette figure les moyens de verrouillage du dispositif 20.We will now describe with reference to this figure the locking means of the device 20.

Le corps 24 du dispositif 20 renferme une cavité centrale dans laquelle sont disposés les moyens de verrouillage à billes précités ou d'autres moyens de verrouillage. Plusieurs billes 24a sont placées dans une pièce formant entonnoir 24b à l'intérieur de la cavité, dans un même plan et ménagent entre elles un espace central pour recevoir la pointe 22a. Le corps comprend également une plaque ou plateau 24c, par exemple sensiblement plan, qui ferme l'accès à la portion interne du corps. Un orifice central 24d d'insertion de la pointe est pratiqué dans la plaque 24c. Lorsque la pointe est insérée dans cet orifice et dans l'espace central inter-billes, les billes se calent dans la partie convergente de l'entonnoir. Toute tentative de retrait axial de la pointe tend à enfoncer davantage les billes dans la partie convergente de l'entonnoir et donc à verrouiller la pointe (position verrouillée des deux éléments du dispositif emprisonnant entre elles un article commercial). Les billes sont montées sur un support 24e en matériau amagnétique, lequel est monté sur des moyens élastiques en matériau amagnétique, tels qu'un ressort 24f. Les moyens élastiques exercent sur le support 24e et donc sur les billes un effort axial (suivant A1) qui tend à les pousser davantage dans la partie la plus étroite de l'entonnoir 24b. On notera que les billes sont réalisées dans un matériau magnétique, ce qui permet ainsi de les extraire de la partie convergente de l'entonnoir sous l'action du champ magnétique externe généré par l'aimant 36 lorsque l'axe d'alignement de l'entonnoir, des billes et des moyens élastiques est confondu avec l'axe du champ magnétique.Body 24 of device 20 encloses a central cavity in which the aforementioned ball-locking means or other locking means are arranged. Several balls 24a are placed in a part forming a funnel 24b inside the cavity, in the same plane and form between them a central space to receive the tip 22a. The body also comprises a plate or plate 24c, for example substantially planar, which closes access to the internal portion of the body. A central hole 24d for inserting the tip is formed in the plate 24c. When the tip is inserted into this orifice and into the central inter-ball space, the balls wedge into the converging part of the funnel. Any attempt to withdraw the tip axially tends to push the balls further into the converging part of the funnel and therefore to lock the tip (locked position of the two elements of the device trapping a commercial article between them). The balls are mounted on a support 24e made of non-magnetic material, which is mounted on elastic means made of non-magnetic material, such as a spring 24f. The elastic means exert on the support 24e and therefore on the balls an axial force (along A1) which tends to push them further into the narrowest part of the funnel 24b. It will be noted that the balls are made of a magnetic material, which thus makes it possible to extract them from the convergent part of the funnel under the action of the external magnetic field generated by the magnet 36 when the axis of alignment of the funnel, the balls and the elastic means coincides with the axis of the magnetic field.

Sur la figure 9 le dispositif a été déverrouillé et le premier élément 22 est en cours de retrait. Par souci de clarté, l'article commercial emprisonné entre les deux éléments du dispositif antivol n'est pas représenté.On the figure 9 the device has been unlocked and the first element 22 is being removed. For the sake of clarity, the commercial article trapped between the two elements of the anti-theft device is not shown.

Par ailleurs, le corps 24 comporte également en périphérie de la cavité centrale une chambre annulaire 24g dans laquelle est agencé un organe 23, voire plusieurs organes, par exemple passif, c'est-à-dire qu'il est apte à recevoir des ondes électromagnétiques provenant d'une source extérieure au dispositif. Un tel organe peut par exemple prendre la forme d'un circuit résonant de type LC.Furthermore, the body 24 also comprises on the periphery of the central cavity an annular chamber 24g in which is arranged a member 23, or even several members, for example passive, that is to say that it is capable of receiving waves electromagnetic signals from a source external to the device. Such a member can for example take the form of an LC type resonant circuit.

Alternativement, le corps peut renfermer un ou plusieurs organes actifs, c'est-à-dire qui sont susceptibles d'émettre des ondes électromagnétiques vers l'extérieur du dispositif et d'en recevoir. De tels organes actifs ou passifs sont par exemple des bobines avec ferrite, avec ou sans condensateur, des circuits LCR, des filaments magnétiques, des circuits de type RFID dotés d'une puce à mémoire active ou passive, des micro-capteurs électroniques... Ce ou ces organes coopèrent, via la transmission d'ondes électromagnétiques, avec un système de détection, tel qu'un portique ou une antenne, placé à un point d'accès du magasin où est mis en vente l'article à protéger, afin de déclencher une alarme en cas de détection du dispositif au niveau du point d'accès. A titre de variante, ce ou ces organes sont disposés dans la tête 22 du dispositif. La présence de ce ou ces organes procure une fonction additionnelle d'antivol au dispositif d'identification. Toutefois, cette fonction n'est qu'optionnelle pour la mise en œuvre de l'invention.Alternatively, the body may contain one or more active organs, that is to say which are capable of emitting electromagnetic waves towards the exterior of the device and of receiving them. Such active or passive components are, for example, coils with ferrite, with or without capacitor, LCR circuits, magnetic filaments, RFID-type circuits equipped with an active or passive memory chip, electronic micro-sensors, etc. This or these organs cooperate, via the transmission of electromagnetic waves, with a detection system, such as a portal or an antenna, placed at an access point of the store where the article to be protected is offered for sale, to trigger an alarm if the device is detected at the access point. As a variant, this or these members are arranged in the head 22 of the device. The presence of this or these members provides an additional anti-theft function to the identification device. However, this function is only optional for the implementation of the invention.

La description qui suit, faite en référence aux figures 10A-C et 11, expose la manière dont les deux éléments séparables d'un dispositif antivol 20 peuvent être fixés l'un à l'autre dans des positions non verrouillées.The following description, made with reference to figures 10A-C and 11 , discusses how the two separable elements of an anti-theft device 20 can be attached to each other in unlocked positions.

Les figures 10A-B illustrent une des fonctionnalités du dispositif d'identification 20 qui permet d'assembler/fixer entre eux de manière temporaire les deux éléments séparables 22, 24 suivant une configuration qui est décalée transversalement ou latéralement par rapport à la configuration axiale de la figure 9. Cette configuration axiale est matérialisée sur la figure 10A par l'axe longitudinal L (ici vertical). Dans cette configuration axiale (L) les deux éléments 22, 24 sont alignés l'un avec l'autre par insertion axiale de la pointe 22a dans l'orifice central 24d et verrouillés l'un à l'autre (position verrouillée). Dans la configuration décalée (matérialisée sur la figure 10A par l'axe longitudinal d'insertion décalé L1) les deux éléments sont fixés l'un à l'autre dans une position non verrouillée, ce qui permet de les séparer manuellement à loisir par un simple geste, sans faire appel à un outil tel que le découpleur 12. Toutefois, dans cette position décalée non verrouillée, la pointe 22a est maintenue suffisamment fermement dans le corps de l'élément 24 pour que la tête 22 (premier élément) ne tombe pas dans l'agencement de la figure 10A, et pour que le corps 24 ne tombe pas dans l'agencement inverse.The figures 10A-B illustrate one of the functionalities of the identification device 20 which makes it possible to temporarily assemble/fix together the two separable elements 22, 24 according to a configuration which is offset transversely or laterally with respect to the configuration axial of the figure 9 . This axial configuration is materialized on the figure 10A by the longitudinal axis L (here vertical). In this axial configuration (L) the two elements 22, 24 are aligned with each other by axial insertion of the tip 22a into the central hole 24d and locked together (locked position). In the staggered configuration (shown on the figure 10A by the offset longitudinal axis of insertion L1) the two elements are fixed to each other in an unlocked position, which allows them to be separated manually at will by a simple gesture, without using a tool such than the decoupler 12. However, in this unlocked offset position, the tip 22a is held sufficiently firmly in the body of the element 24 so that the head 22 (first element) does not fall into the arrangement of the figure 10A , and so that the body 24 does not fall into the reverse arrangement.

La figure 10B représente une vue frontale de la plaque 24c du corps 24 qui porte l'orifice central 24d dans une première zone centrale Z1 et qui est pourvue d'une deuxième zone Z2 (ex : périphérique) distincte de Z1 et dans laquelle sont pratiquées une pluralité d'ouvertures O1, O2, O3, O4, O5 réparties régulièrement. Chaque ouverture O1-O5 est entourée par une zone de guidage appropriée qui prend par exemple la forme d'une concavité ou d'un évasement (toute forme convergente telle qu'une forme de cuvette ou d'entonnoir) aménagée autour de l'ouverture afin de guider la pointe 22a jusque dans cette dernière. Cet agencement facilite l'opération d'insertion de la pointe dans l'une de ces positions non verrouillées. On notera que pour chacune de ces positions (configuration décalée transversalement des deux éléments 22 et 24) la pointe est insérée axialement suivant l'axe d'insertion L1 (fig.10A) qui est parallèle à l'axe d'insertion L ou un autre axe qui est parallèle à l'axe d'insertion L et à l'axe L1.The figure 10B shows a front view of the plate 24c of the body 24 which carries the central orifice 24d in a first central zone Z1 and which is provided with a second zone Z2 (ex: peripheral) distinct from Z1 and in which a plurality of openings O1, O2, O3, O4, O5 regularly distributed. Each opening O1-O5 is surrounded by a suitable guiding zone which takes for example the form of a concavity or a widening (any converging shape such as a bowl or funnel shape) arranged around the opening in order to guide the tip 22a into the latter. This arrangement facilitates the operation of inserting the tip into one of these unlocked positions. It will be noted that for each of these positions (transversely offset configuration of the two elements 22 and 24) the tip is inserted axially along the insertion axis L1 ( fig.10A ) which is parallel to the axis of insertion L or another axis which is parallel to the axis of insertion L and to the axis L1.

Comme représenté sur la figure 10A, la pointe 22a est maintenue à l'intérieur du corps 24 par un organe de maintien tel qu'une bague 24h emmanchée autour de la partie centrale 24i du corps qui loge la cavité centrale accueillant les moyens de verrouillage à billes. On notera que la pointe est introduite en force entre la partie centrale et la bague dont les dimensions sont ajustées pour empêcher un retrait axial trop aisé (par exemple en renversant l'ensemble comme illustré sur la figure 10A). Alternativement, il pourrait être envisagé de se contenter d'ajuster les dimensions de passage de chaque ouverture O1-O5 afin de maintenir la pointe serrée par la seule paroi entourant l'ouverture.As shown on the figure 10A , the tip 22a is held inside the body 24 by a holding member such as a ring 24h fitted around the central part 24i of the body which houses the central cavity accommodating the ball locking means. It will be noted that the point is inserted by force between the central part and the ring, the dimensions of which are adjusted to prevent too easy axial withdrawal (for example by reversing the assembly as illustrated on the figure 10A ). Alternatively, it could be planned to simply adjust the passage dimensions of each opening O1-O5 in order to keep the tip clamped by the only wall surrounding the opening.

Selon une variante de dispositif antivol 20' illustrée à la figure 10C, un autre organe de maintien solidaire du corps du deuxième élément 24' prend la forme d'une languette élastique 24h' assujettie à la plaque 24c 'et qui est susceptible de s'écarter légèrement au passage de la pointe 22a' du premier élément 22' et de maintenir celle-ci contre la partie centrale 24i' du corps afin d'empêcher un retrait axial intempestif. La languette est par exemple munie d'un épaississement à son extrémité libre qui entre en contact avec la pointe 22a'.According to a variant of anti-theft device 20' illustrated in figure 10C , another holding member integral with the body of the second element 24′ takes the form of an elastic tongue 24h′ secured to the plate 24c′ and which is capable of deviating slightly as the tip 22a′ of the first element 22 passes 'And to maintain it against the central part 24i' of the body in order to prevent an untimely axial withdrawal. The tab is for example provided with a thickening at its free end which comes into contact with the tip 22a'.

La figure 11 illustre un autre mode de réalisation d'un dispositif antivol 170 qui permet d'assembler/fixer entre eux de manière temporaire les deux éléments séparables 172, 174 du dispositif suivant une configuration qui est décalée transversalement ou latéralement par rapport à la configuration axiale de verrouillage. Dans la configuration axiale de verrouillage, la pointe 172a de la tête 172 est insérée dans l'orifice central 174a situé dans une première zone du corps 174. Une deuxième zone distincte comprend un matériau souple et élastique 176 dans lequel la pointe 172a peut être insérée à loisir dans une multitude de positions axiales non verrouillées possibles afin d'y être maintenue en position d'assemblage/fixation temporaire.The figure 11 illustrates another embodiment of an anti-theft device 170 which makes it possible to temporarily assemble/fix together the two separable elements 172, 174 of the device according to a configuration which is offset transversely or laterally with respect to the axial locking configuration . In the axial locking configuration, the tip 172a of the head 172 is inserted into the central hole 174a located in a first zone of the body 174. A second distinct zone comprises a flexible and elastic material 176 in which the tip 172a can be inserted at leisure in a multitude of possible unlocked axial positions in order to be held there in the assembly/temporary fixing position.

Un tel matériau qui est élastiquement déformable peut ainsi accueillir la pointe après insertion de celle-ci dans le corps du matériau et cette pointe peut être retirée tout à loisir lorsqu'il est mis fin à l'assemblage temporaire.Such a material which is elastically deformable can thus accommodate the tip after insertion of the latter into the body of the material and this tip can be removed at will when the temporary assembly is terminated.

Un tel matériau est par exemple un élastomère tel qu'un caoutchouc qui peut être moulé par injection afin d'adopter la forme choisie pour pouvoir être logé à l'intérieur du boîtier du corps 174 dans un espace de dimensions et de formes prédéfinies.Such a material is for example an elastomer such as a rubber which can be injection molded in order to adopt the shape chosen to be able to be housed inside the casing of the body 174 in a space of predefined dimensions and shapes.

Dans l'exemple illustré sur la figure 11, la deuxième zone comprenant le matériau entoure complètement la première zone contenant l'orifice central 174a.In the example shown in the figure 11 , the second zone comprising the material completely surrounds the first zone containing the central orifice 174a.

Toutefois, dans une variante non représentée, la deuxième zone peut être divisée en plusieurs sous-zones comprenant chacune une portion creuse dans le boîtier et qui est remplie du matériau souple et élastique.However, in a variant not shown, the second zone can be divided into several sub-zones each comprising a hollow portion in the casing and which is filled with the flexible and elastic material.

La deuxième zone peut ainsi être discontinue.The second zone can thus be discontinuous.

Le matériau peut ainsi par exemple avoir la consistance d'une gomme utilisée en papeterie voire adopter une consistance plus souple selon les besoins.The material can thus for example have the consistency of a gum used in stationery or even adopt a more flexible consistency according to the needs.

Comme représenté sur la figure 11, la deuxième zone comprend, délimitée par une paroi annulaire 174b interne au corps 174 et entourant la partie centrale 174c où sont logés les moyens de verrouillage, un espace annulaire qui est rempli du matériau souple et élastique. Le corps 174 renferme également une chambre annulaire 178 entourant l'espace annulaire rempli de matériau. Cette chambre 178 comprend par exemple un ou plusieurs organes tels que l'organe 23 de la figure 9 avec des formes adaptées à la géométrie de la chambre.As shown on the figure 11 , the second zone comprises, delimited by an annular wall 174b internal to the body 174 and surrounding the central part 174c where the locking means are housed, an annular space which is filled with the flexible and elastic material. Body 174 also encloses an annular chamber 178 surrounding the annular space filled with material. This chamber 178 comprises for example one or more organs such as the organ 23 of the figure 9 with shapes adapted to the geometry of the room.

Comme représenté sur la figure 2, le découpleur comporte des moyens de détection électromagnétique 110 montés sur le capot 100 et qui sont aptes à détecter une position non verrouillée des deux éléments 22, 24 du dispositif antivol fixés l'un à l'autre (ex : figures 10A, 10C et 11).As shown on the figure 2 , the decoupler comprises electromagnetic detection means 110 mounted on the cover 100 and which are capable of detecting an unlocked position of the two elements 22, 24 of the anti-theft device fixed to each other (eg: figures 10A, 10C and 11 ).

Ces moyens de détection électromagnétique 110 comprennent des moyens d'émission d'un signal électromagnétique et des moyens de réception dudit signal électromagnétique émis. Les moyens d'émission et les moyens de réception sont disposés dans une zone périphérique du découpleur 12 entourant la zone de déverrouillage et donc le logement 30. Plus particulièrement, les moyens d'émission et les moyens de réception comprennent plusieurs paires d'éléments d'émission et d'éléments de réception. Les éléments d'émission d'une paire étant disposés en vis-à-vis des éléments de réception de la même paire.These electromagnetic detection means 110 comprise means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal and means for receiving said transmitted electromagnetic signal. The transmission means and the reception means are arranged in a peripheral zone of the decoupler 12 surrounding the unlocking zone and therefore the housing 30. More particularly, the transmission means and the reception means comprise several pairs of elements of transmitting and receiving elements. The transmission elements of a pair being arranged opposite the reception elements of the same pair.

La figure 12 illustre en vue de dessus des moyens de détection électromagnétique 110 du découpleur agencés dans une première configuration autour du logement 30 de la zone de déverrouillage (les autres détails du découpleur n'ont pas été représentés par souci de simplification). Un dispositif antivol 20 a été positionné dans le logement 30 du découpleur.The figure 12 illustrates a top view of the electromagnetic detection means 110 of the decoupler arranged in a first configuration around the housing 30 of the unlocking zone (the other details of the decoupler have not been shown for the sake of simplification). An anti-theft device 20 has been positioned in the housing 30 of the decoupler.

Quatre paires d'éléments d'émission et d'éléments de réception (112a, 112b), (114a, 114b), (116a, 116b) et (118a, 118b) sont disposées autour du logement central 30 sur les bords d'un carré ou d'un rectangle. Les paires sont groupées deux par deux afin que les éléments d'émission de deux paires groupées soient disposés de manière adjacente, de même que pour les éléments de réception. Cet agencement permet d'éviter que les signaux ou faisceaux électromagnétiques émis d'un côté du carré ou du rectangle ne puissent interférer avec les signaux ou faisceaux électromagnétiques émis du côté opposé. Ainsi, les éléments d'émission 112a sont disposés à côté des éléments d'émission 114a (du même côté du carré ou du rectangle) et, en face (du côté opposé), les éléments de réception 112b sont disposés à côté des éléments de réception 114b. Il en est de même pour les éléments d'émission 116a, 118a et les éléments de réception 116b, 118b des deux autres paires.Four pairs of transmitting elements and receiving elements (112a, 112b), (114a, 114b), (116a, 116b) and (118a, 118b) are arranged around the central housing 30 on the edges of a square or rectangle. The pairs are grouped two by two so that the transmitting elements of two grouped pairs are arranged adjacently, as are the receiving elements. This arrangement makes it possible to prevent the signals or electromagnetic beams emitted on one side of the square or the rectangle from being able to interfere with the signals or electromagnetic beams emitted on the opposite side. Thus, the emission elements 112a are arranged next to the emission elements 114a (on the same side of the square or rectangle) and, opposite (on the opposite side), the reception elements 112b are arranged next to the reception 114b. The same is true for the transmission elements 116a, 118a and the reception elements 116b, 118b of the other two pairs.

Par exemple les éléments d'émission et les éléments de réception sont des éléments optiques et, plus particulièrement, des cellules optiques telles que des diodes électroluminescentes (Led) qui assurent, pour les unes, la fonction d'émission d'un faisceau lumineux (ex : infra-rouge) et, pour les autres, la fonction de réception du faisceau.For example, the transmitting elements and the receiving elements are optical elements and, more particularly, optical cells such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which provide, for some, the function of transmitting a light beam ( ex: infrared) and, for the others, the beam reception function.

A titre de variante on utilise des diodes qui assurent chacune à la fois la fonction d'émission et de réception.As a variant, diodes are used which each ensure both the transmission and reception function.

Par exemple, les éléments d'émission et les éléments de réception sont des capteurs optiques formés chacun d'une pluralité de fibres optiques agencées suivant un faisceau de fibres aplati horizontal (en forme d'éventail) encapsulé dans un boitier. Les fibres se rejoignent en sortie du boitier par un seul tronçon de fibres optiques qui est raccordé à un amplificateur. Chaque faisceau de fibres optiques logé dans un boitier peut être émetteur ou récepteur. Un même amplificateur peut être utilisé soit avec un faisceau émetteur soit avec un faisceau récepteur et dispose à cet effet de deux entrée/sortie TX et RX et d'une entrée/sortie pour un signal électrique.For example, the transmitting elements and the receiving elements are optical sensors each formed of a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a flattened horizontal fiber bundle (in the shape of a fan) encapsulated in a casing. The fibers are joined at the output of the box by a single section of optical fibers which is connected to an amplifier. Each bundle of optical fibers housed in a box can be a transmitter or a receiver. The same amplifier can be used either with a transmitter beam or with a receiver beam and has for this purpose two input/output TX and RX and an input/output for an electrical signal.

Ainsi, un amplificateur reçoit en entrée un signal électrique (généré par l'unité 18 de la figure 1A) qui est converti en un signal optique sortant par la sortie TX et transmis à un faisceau émetteur. Inversement, un faisceau récepteur reçoit le faisceau optique émis (par exemple en lumière visible) et qui a été affecté par la présence d'un dispositif d'identification 20 en position axiale de verrouillage ou en position décalée. Le faisceau reçu est transmis à un amplificateur sur son entrée RX, recomposé et converti en signal électrique pour être envoyé vers des moyens de traitement de l'unité 18.Thus, an amplifier receives as input an electrical signal (generated by unit 18 of the Figure 1A ) which is converted into an outgoing optical signal by the TX output and transmitted to a transmitter beam. Conversely, a receiver beam receives the emitted optical beam (for example in visible light) and which has been affected by the presence of an identification device 20 in the axial locking position or in the offset position. The beam received is transmitted to an amplifier on its RX input, recomposed and converted into an electrical signal to be sent to the processing means of unit 18.

Les capteurs utilisés sont par exemple commercialisés par la société Balluff sous la référence commerciale D25. La longueur d'onde du rayonnement émis est de 660 nm et la largeur du faisceau émis est de 27 mm.The sensors used are for example marketed by the company Balluff under the commercial reference D25. The wavelength of the emitted radiation is 660 nm and the width of the emitted beam is 27 mm.

La figure 13 illustre l'agencement des moyens de détection électromagnétiques de la figure 12 avec les deux éléments 22, 24 d'un dispositif antivol fixés l'un à l'autre dans une position non verrouillée (le dispositif a été préalablement déverrouillé). Le deuxième élément 24 est dans le logement 30, tandis que le premier élément est fixé de manière décalée dans le deuxième élément suivant l'un des modes de réalisation des figures 10A-C et 11.The figure 13 illustrates the arrangement of the electromagnetic detection means of the figure 12 with the two elements 22, 24 of an anti-theft device fixed to each other in an unlocked position (the device has been unlocked beforehand). The second element 24 is in the housing 30, while the first element is fixed in an offset manner in the second element according to one of the embodiments of the Figures 10A-C and 11 .

Pour pouvoir détecter la position non verrouillée de la figure 13 plusieurs méthodes sont possibles.To be able to detect the unlocked position of the figure 13 several methods are possible.

Selon une première méthode, des mesures (calibration) sont préalablement réalisées à partir de la position axiale verrouillée de la figure 12 pour chacune des paires d'éléments d'émission et de réception. Les signaux ou faisceaux électromagnétiques émis par les éléments d'émission de chaque paire sont ainsi reçus et mesurés (par exemple l'amplitude est mesurée) par les éléments de réception d'une même paire. Ces signaux ou leur amplitude sont enregistrés par le système de traitement 18 du découpleur.According to a first method, measurements (calibration) are carried out beforehand from the locked axial position of the figure 12 for each of the pairs of transmit and receive elements. The electromagnetic signals or beams emitted by the emission elements of each pair are thus received and measured (for example the amplitude is measured) by the reception elements of the same pair. These signals or their amplitude are recorded by the processing system 18 of the decoupler.

Lorsque le dispositif antivol est dans la position de la figure 13, les éléments d'émission et de réception sont activés pour émettre et recevoir des signaux ou faisceaux. La propagation de ces derniers des éléments d'émission d'une paire aux éléments de réception de la même paire est affectée par la présence du dispositif décalé de manière différente que pour la figure 12 avec le dispositif non décalé. Les signaux ou faisceaux reçus sont alors comparés à ceux préalablement enregistrés (ou seulement leur amplitude après mesure) et la comparaison permet de déterminer la présence d'une configuration décalée du dispositif antivol.When the anti-theft device is in the position of the figure 13 , the transmitting and receiving elements are activated to transmit and receive signals or beams. The propagation of the latter from the transmitting elements of a pair to the receiving elements of the same pair is affected by the presence of the offset device in a different way than for the figure 12 with the unshifted device. The signals or beams received are then compared with those previously recorded (or only their amplitude after measurement) and the comparison makes it possible to determine the presence of an offset configuration of the anti-theft device.

Selon une autre méthode, des mesures (calibration) sont préalablement réalisées à partir de la position axiale verrouillée de la figure 12 et à partir de toutes les positions décalées possibles (telles que celle de la figure 13) des deux éléments l'un par rapport à l'autre. De plus, des mesures sont faites, pour chaque position décalée, avec le premier élément 22 dans différentes orientations angulaires (0°, 90°, 180° et 270°).According to another method, measurements (calibration) are carried out beforehand from the locked axial position of the figure 12 and from all possible offset positions (such as that of the figure 13 ) of the two elements relative to each other. In addition, measurements are made, for each offset position, with the first element 22 in different angular orientations (0°, 90°, 180° and 270°).

L'ensemble des quatre courbes de valeurs obtenues avec les quatre paires d'éléments d'émission et de réception pour l'ensemble des positions définies ci-dessus sont illustrées sur la figure 14. Chaque courbe est obtenue pour l'uns des quatre paires d'éléments.The set of four curves of values obtained with the four pairs of transmitting and receiving elements for the set of positions defined above are illustrated on the figure 14 . Each curve is obtained for one of the four pairs of elements.

L'ensemble de ces courbes permet, par comparaison avec la ou les valeurs obtenues pour une position non verrouillée d'un dispositif antivol, de détecter cette position et, même, de pouvoir déterminer par exemple dans quelle ouverture (O1 à O5) de la figure 10B est insérée la pointe 22a du premier élément 22.All of these curves make it possible, by comparison with the value or values obtained for an unlocked position of an anti-theft device, to detect this position and, even, to be able to determine, for example, in which opening (O1 to O5) of the figure 10B is inserted the tip 22a of the first element 22.

La figure 15 illustre en vue de dessus des moyens de détection électromagnétique 120 du découpleur agencés dans une deuxième configuration autour du logement 30 de la zone de déverrouillage du découpleur. Les moyens de détection électromagnétique 120 sont représentés montés sur le capot 100 du découpleur autour de l'ouverture 100a qui laisse apparaître la bague 46 et les organes de blocage 70, 72 bordant l'ouverture du logement 30.The figure 15 illustrates a top view of the electromagnetic detection means 120 of the decoupler arranged in a second configuration around the housing 30 of the unlocking zone of the decoupler. The electromagnetic detection means 120 are shown mounted on the cover 100 of the decoupler around the opening 100a which reveals the ring 46 and the locking members 70, 72 bordering the opening of the housing 30.

Aucun dispositif antivol n'a été positionné dans le logement 30.No anti-theft device has been positioned in slot 30.

Les moyens de détection sont également agencés par paires d'éléments d'émission et d'éléments de réception (122a, 122b), (124a, 124b), (126a, 126b) disposées autour du logement central 30 et en vis-à-vis les uns des autres au sein d'une même paire. Dans cet exemple on dénombre trois paires, ce qui permet de réduire le coût de l'ensemble des moyens de détection électromagnétique du découpleur.The detection means are also arranged in pairs of transmitting elements and receiving elements (122a, 122b), (124a, 124b), (126a, 126b) arranged around the central housing 30 and facing each other. screw each other within the same pair. In this example, there are three pairs, which makes it possible to reduce the cost of all the electromagnetic detection means of the decoupler.

Les paires sont agencées de manière à ce que l'ensemble des axes médians des signaux ou faisceaux électromagnétiques émis par les éléments d'émission des différentes paires définissent une région triangulaire (figure 15) à l'intérieur de laquelle est inscrit le logement de la zone de déverrouillage. Les deux premières paires (122a, 122b), (124a, 124b) sont disposées en croix de manière à laisser, d'un même côté de la croix, suffisamment d'espace latéral entre les deux éléments 122a, 124a des deux paires pour ménager un passage P pour l'amenée d'un dispositif antivol à déverrouiller (dans le sens indiqué par la flèche A). Ce passage laissé libre facilite la manipulation et l'amenée des dispositifs antivol dans leur logement de déverrouillage.The pairs are arranged so that all of the median axes of the electromagnetic signals or beams emitted by the emission elements of the different pairs define a triangular region ( figure 15 ) inside which is inscribed the housing of the unlocking zone. The first two pairs (122a, 122b), (124a, 124b) are arranged in a cross so as to leave, on the same side of the cross, sufficient lateral space between the two elements 122a, 124a of the two pairs to provide a passage P for the supply of an anti-theft device to be unlocked (in the direction indicated by the arrow A). This passage left free facilitates handling and bringing the anti-theft devices into their unlocking housing.

Du côté opposé de la croix, les éléments adjacents 122b, 124b sont par contre disposés à côté l'un de l'autre pour des raisons d'encombrement, notamment à cause du bord 100b du capot 100 (opposé au bord 100c par lequel les dispositifs sont introduits/amenés dans la zone de déverrouillage.On the opposite side of the cross, the adjacent elements 122b, 124b are on the other hand arranged next to each other for reasons of space, in particular because of the edge 100b of the cover 100 (opposite to the edge 100c by which the devices are introduced/brought into the unlocking area.

Les paires d'éléments (122a, 122b) et (124a, 124b) sont inclinées d'environ 30° (par exemple 33°) par rapport à la direction d'amenée A ou par rapport aux bords opposés 100d, 100e du capot. Leurs faisceaux médians tangentent le logement 30 en partie basse sur la figure 15.The pairs of elements (122a, 122b) and (124a, 124b) are inclined by approximately 30° (for example 33°) with respect to the supply direction A or with respect to the opposite edges 100d, 100e of the cover. Their median beams tangent the housing 30 in the lower part on the figure 15 .

La troisième paire (126a, 126b) est décalée (vers le haut sur la figure 15) en direction des éléments 122a, 124a adjacents encadrant le passage P d'entrée dans la zone de déverrouillage. Les éléments d'émission et de réception de cette paire sont disposés parallèlement aux bords opposés 100d, 100e du capot et son faisceau médian tangente le logement en partie haute.The third pair (126a, 126b) is offset (up on the figure 15 ) in the direction of the adjacent elements 122a, 124a framing the entry passage P into the unlocking zone. The transmitting and receiving elements of this pair are arranged parallel to the opposite edges 100d, 100e of the cover and its median beam tangent to the housing in the upper part.

Cet agencement (principe de la triangulation) est particulièrement sensible et permet de mieux détecter la position centrale verrouillée du dispositif antivol (comme celle de la figure 12). Cet agencement est également plus sensible que l'agencement des figures 12 et 13 pour détecter de façon précise l'une des positions non verrouillées du dispositif antivol parmi une pluralité de positions non verrouillées.This arrangement (principle of triangulation) is particularly sensitive and makes it possible to better detect the locked central position of the anti-theft device (like that of the figure 12 ). This arrangement is also more sensitive than the arrangement of figures 12 and 13 to accurately detect one of the unlocked positions of the anti-theft device among a plurality of unlocked positions.

On notera que le lecteur 29 de la figure 1A est illustré en pointillés dans le passage P. Ce lecteur peut être intégré dans le découpleur et disposé à fleur de paroi ou saillant par rapport au capot 100 sans que cela ne gêne le mouvement d'amenée dans la zone de déverrouillage (suivant la flèche A) d'un dispositif 20 fixé à un article commercial.Note that drive 29 of the Figure 1A is illustrated in dotted lines in the passage P. This reader can be integrated into the decoupler and arranged flush with the wall or projecting with respect to the cover 100 without this interfering with the movement of bringing into the unlocking zone (following the arrow A ) of a device 20 attached to a commercial article.

Le dispositif d'identification 20 est par exemple équipé d'au moins un organe RFID 25 tel qu'un circuit doté d'une puce à mémoire et qui possède en mémoire un identifiant TID (acronyme de « Transponder ID » en terminologie anglo-saxonne) dont une partie est unique et non modifiable. L'organe RFID 25 est logé à l'intérieur du dispositif comme représenté schématiquement sur la figure 9, par exemple dans la tête 22 (premier élément) et est donc inaccessible de l'extérieur. Cette opération est effectuée lors de la fabrication du dispositif. Alternativement, un organe RFID peut être intégré dans chacun des deux éléments 22, 24. Un organe RFID identifie de façon unique le dispositif 20. Si chaque élément 22, 24 porte un organe RFID, ce dernier identifie de façon unique l'élément concerné, ce qui permet d'éviter les erreurs d'assemblage.The identification device 20 is for example equipped with at least one RFID member 25 such as a circuit provided with a memory chip and which has in memory an identifier TID (acronym of "Transponder ID" in English terminology ) part of which is unique and cannot be modified. The RFID member 25 is housed inside the device as shown schematically in the figure 9 , for example in the head 22 (first element) and is therefore inaccessible from the outside. This operation is carried out during the manufacture of the device. Alternatively, an RFID component can be integrated into each of the two elements 22, 24. An RFID component uniquely identifies the device 20. If each element 22, 24 carries an RFID component, the latter uniquely identifies the element concerned, which avoids assembly errors.

Les articles commerciaux sont généralement identifiés de façon unique par un code d'article commercial dit code EAN (« European Article Number », code généralement à 13 chiffres). Par exemple, un polo vert taille T3 est identifié par un code EAN unique mais pas l'objet physique lui-même. Ainsi, plusieurs exemplaires de cet article commercial qui sont disponibles dans un même magasin porteront tous le même code EAN, ce qui ne permet donc pas d'identifier plusieurs objets physiques distincts qui correspondent au même article commercial identifié par un même code EAN.Commercial articles are generally uniquely identified by a commercial article code known as the EAN code (“European Article Number”, a code generally of 13 digits). For example, a green polo shirt size T3 is identified by a unique EAN code but not the physical object itself. Thus, several copies of this commercial article which are available in the same store will all bear the same EAN code, which therefore does not make it possible to identify several distinct physical objects which correspond to the same commercial article identified by the same EAN code.

Une étiquette est généralement attachée à l'objet physique mis en vente dans un magasin. Cette étiquette porte le prix de l'article/objet physique et un code barre (code à lecture optique à une dimension) qui est représentatif du code EAN affecté à l'article. Un autre objet physique correspondant au même article commercial (ex : polo vert taille T3) porte une étiquette avec un code barre et un prix identiques.A tag is usually attached to the physical item offered for sale in a store. This label bears the price of the item/physical object and a barcode (one-dimensional optical reading code) which is representative of the EAN code assigned to the item. Another physical object corresponding to the same commercial article (ex: green polo shirt size T3) bears a label with an identical barcode and price.

Un appareil portatif, connu en soi (par exemple un appareil Motorola MC 3190), qui est capable de lire les codes barres des étiquettes des articles et de programmer les puces RFID des dispositifs antivol est utilisé pour lire le code barre de l'étiquette portée par l'article. Cet appareil est connecté au système informatique (base de données/serveur informatique 16 et ordinateur de caisse 14), ce qui permet, par la lecture du code barre, de récupérer le code d'article EAN qui, dans le système informatique, représente l'article commercial (description, taille, marque, couleur, prix...).A portable device, known per se (for example a Motorola MC 3190 device), which is capable of reading the bar codes of the labels of the articles and of programming the RFID chips of the anti-theft devices is used to read the bar code of the tag carried by the item. This device is connected to the computer system (database/computer server 16 and cash register computer 14), which makes it possible, by reading the bar code, to recover the EAN article code which, in the computer system, represents the commercial item (description, size, brand, color, price...).

L'appareil est ensuite utilisé pour programmer ou encoder la mémoire de la puce RFID 25, c'est-à-dire que le code EAN identifiant l'article commercial/objet physique auquel le dispositif antivol est fixé est inscrit dans l'organe RFID où il est associé avec le code TID.The device is then used to program or encode the memory of the RFID chip 25, i.e. the EAN code identifying the commercial item/physical object to which the anti-theft device is attached is written into the RFID component. where it is associated with the TID code.

L'appareil portatif précité est également utilisé pour lire l'identifiant ou code TID inscrit dans la mémoire de la puce RFID 25 et, ainsi, l'associer au code d'article EAN. L'association (temporaire) entre le code EAN et le code TID permet d'identifier de façon unique le couple dispositif antivol-article commercial/objet physique, et donc l'objet physique lui même.The aforementioned portable device is also used to read the identifier or TID code written in the memory of the RFID chip 25 and, thus, to associate it with the article code EAN. The (temporary) association between the EAN code and the TID code makes it possible to uniquely identify the pair of anti-theft device-commercial item/physical object, and therefore the physical object itself.

Cette association est enregistrée, via l'appareil portatif, dans le système informatique précité (base de données/serveur informatique 16 et ordinateur de caisse 14).This association is recorded, via the portable device, in the aforementioned computer system (database/computer server 16 and cash register computer 14).

La tête 22 du dispositif 20 comporte une interface de protection transparente 22b (vitre, film plastique...) derrière laquelle peuvent être disposés, de manière lisible depuis l'extérieur du dispositif, un ou plusieurs codes à lecture optique 22f et éventuellement des informations 22e qui sont portées par exemple par un même support 22c sur la figure 16 (ex :disque ou pastille imprimé en papier, plastique, carton... ou support faisant partie intégrante de la tête), par exemple encapsulé dans le dispositif à l'intérieur du logement 22d. Selon une variante, le code optique est sur l'interface de protection transparente elle-même ou à l'intérieur de celle-ci (dans son épaisseur), voire à un autre endroit sur la tête 22 (en cas de nécessité la tête peut être modifiée ; par exemple la surface de l'interface de protection transparente peut être réduite et le code optique est porté par une zone de la tête située à côté de l'interface. Selon une autre variante, le ou les codes à lecture optique sont portés par le corps 24 (deuxième élément). Ce ou ces codes optiques sont intégrés au dispositif antivol lors de la fabrication de ce dernier. Ainsi, le code optique est associé au code ou identifiant TID avant même que le dispositif antivol soit verrouillé à un article/objet physique et qu'un code d'article commercial EAN ne soit associé au dispositif. Cette association est enregistrée en mémoire d'un système informatique qui peut être le système informatique précité (figure 1A) ou un système différent. On notera que la présence de l'interface de protection transparente n'est pas indispensable et le code optique peut être aménagé à tout endroit visible de l'extérieur de la tête. De préférence, le code optique est inaccessible depuis l'extérieur du dispositif si l'on souhaite empêcher son éventuelle dégradation, modification ou suppression.The head 22 of the device 20 comprises a transparent protective interface 22b (glass, plastic film, etc.) behind which can be arranged, in a manner readable from outside the device, one or more optically readable codes 22f and possibly information 22e which are carried for example by the same support 22c on the figure 16 (eg: disc or patch printed in paper, plastic, cardboard, etc. or support forming an integral part of the head), for example encapsulated in the device inside the housing 22d. According to a variant, the optical code is on the transparent protection interface itself or inside it (in its thickness), or even at another place on the head 22 (if necessary the head can be modified; for example the surface of the transparent protection interface can be reduced and the optical code is carried by a zone of the head located next to the interface. According to another variant, the optically readable code or codes are carried by the body 24 (second element).This or these optical codes are integrated into the anti-theft device during the manufacture of the latter.Thus, the optical code is associated with the code or identifier TID even before the anti-theft device is locked to a article/physical object and that an EAN commercial article code is associated with the device. This association is recorded in the memory of a computer system which may be the aforementioned computer system ( Figure 1A ) or a different system. It will be noted that the presence of the transparent protection interface is not essential and the optical code can be arranged at any place visible from the outside of the head. Preferably, the optical code is inaccessible from outside the device if it is desired to prevent its possible degradation, modification or deletion.

Le code optique est représentatif d'informations (distinctes des informations 22e visées ci-dessus) identifiant de manière unique l'article commercial auquel le dispositif d'identification est fixé de manière verrouillée. Ainsi, la présence du code optique dans le dispositif d'identification sécurise l'identification de cet article. Le code à lecture optique est distinct du code d'article commercial EAN.The optical code is representative of information (distinct from information 22e referred to above) uniquely identifying the commercial article to which the identification device is fixed in a locked manner. Thus, the presence of the optical code in the identification device secures the identification of this article. The scanner code is separate from the EAN trade item code.

A titre de variante, l'un des deux éléments du dispositif 20 porte un organe RFID et l'autre un code à lecture optique tel que décrit ci-dessus, ce qui évite d'avoir à gérer deux organes RFID et deux identifiants TID différents.As a variant, one of the two elements of the device 20 carries an RFID component and the other an optical reading code as described above, which avoids having to manage two RFID components and two different TID identifiers. .

Le code à lecture optique est par exemple un code à deux dimensions et, par exemple, un code de type QR dit à réponse rapide (pour « Quick Response » en terminologie anglo-saxonne), également connu sous le nom de « flashcode». Un exemple de réalisation illustré à la figure 16 montre une zone portant des informations imprimées, collées sur le support 22c de la tête 22 ainsi qu'un code à lecture optique à deux dimensions 22f, noté par la suite QR1.The optical reading code is for example a two-dimensional code and, for example, a so-called quick-response QR type code (for "Quick Response" in English terminology), also known as a "flashcode". An example of implementation illustrated in figure 16 shows a zone carrying printed information, stuck on the support 22c of the head 22 as well as a two-dimensional optical reading code 22f, subsequently denoted QR1.

Le code à lecture optique (code intermédiaire servant d'interface client) incorpore une chaîne de caractères alphanumériques qui est apte à être lue et décodée par une application logicielle exécutable sur un appareil de communication électronique par exemple portable (et donc mobile) pouvant être porté par un utilisateur, tel qu'un téléphone portable de type smartphone. Alternativement, l'appareil peut être une tablette tactile, une webcam...The optical reading code (intermediate code serving as a client interface) incorporates a string of alphanumeric characters which can be read and decoded by a software application executable on an electronic communication device, for example portable (and therefore mobile) that can be worn by a user, such as a cell phone of the smartphone type. Alternatively, the device can be a touch pad, a webcam...

Plusieurs versions de code QR peuvent être utilisées et notamment : version 1-21x21, 6 à 25 caractères alphanumériques ; version 2-25x25, 20 à 47 caractères alphanumériques,.., version 10-57x57, 174 à 375 caractères alphanumériques, version 40-177x177, 1253 à 4296 caractères alphanumériques. A titre d'exemple, le code QR possède une taille d'impression de 7,4 mm x 7,4 mm et est un code QR version 1 avec un taux de correction ou de redondance de 25%, pouvant représenter une chaîne de caractères alphanumériques (de 0 à 9 et de A à Z). Un tel code est correctement lisible par un utilisateur dont l'appareil de lecture (appareil de communication électronique) est placé à environ une trentaine de centimètres du code. On notera que d'autres codes à lecture optique à deux dimensions (ex : codes de type Datamatrix et Aztec) peuvent être utilisés alternativement ou en plus d'un code QR. Par souci de simplification, le code QR peut être conçu de façon indépendante de l'identifiant TID du dispositif antivol. Toutefois, le code QR1 peut être partiellement ou totalement lié au code TID. En effet, le code optique QR1 peut être généré à partir du code TID1, en utilisant tout ou partie de ce code.Several versions of QR code can be used and in particular: version 1-21x21, 6 to 25 alphanumeric characters; 2-25x25 version, 20 to 47 alphanumeric characters,.., 10-57x57 version, 174 to 375 alphanumeric characters, 40-177x177 version, 1253 to 4296 alphanumeric characters. As an example, the QR code has a print size of 7.4 mm x 7.4 mm and is a version 1 QR code with a correction or redundancy rate of 25%, which can represent a string of characters alphanumeric (from 0 to 9 and from A to Z). Such a code is correctly readable by a user whose reading device (electronic communication device) is placed approximately thirty centimeters from the code. It will be noted that other two-dimensional optical reading codes (eg Datamatrix and Aztec type codes) can be used alternatively or in addition to a QR code. For the sake of simplicity, the QR code can be designed in such a way independent of the TID identifier of the anti-theft device. However, the QR1 code can be partially or totally linked to the TID code. Indeed, the optical code QR1 can be generated from the code TID1, using all or part of this code.

L'appareil de communication électronique est équipé d'une application de lecture (et décodage) du code optique (l'application peut aussi être préalablement téléchargée) et d'un navigateur Internet. En approchant l'appareil de communication ainsi équipé du dispositif 20, l'utilisateur peut donc, après avoir lancé l'application de lecture, viser le code optique 22f avec la caméra et capturer l'image du code optique. Le code 22f a été conçu pour représenter, par exemple, l'adresse URL d'un site Internet ou d'une page web dédié à l'article commercial. Le décodage du code par l'application autorise directement (ex : via une connexion de type SSL), de façon automatique et sécurisée la connexion Internet avec le site ou la page hébergée sur un serveur et donc l'affichage du site ou de la page concernée sur l'écran de l'appareil. L'utilisateur de l'appareil dispose d'informations sur l'article commercial en tant qu'article commercial (caractéristiques de l'article, tailles et couleurs disponibles, accessoires pouvant être utilisés avec l'article, prix, informations sur la marque sous laquelle l'article est proposé à la vente...) et également d'informations sur l'article en tant qu'objet physique puisque l'on peut connaître le nombre d'objets physiques en stock par sélection d'une ou de plusieurs icônes concernées. L'achat en ligne de l'objet/l'article (capturé par l'appareil à partir du code optique) qui est devant l'utilisateur est possible par l'intermédiaire de son appareil. L'utilisateur peut également, s'il le souhaite, se rendre à un terminal de paiement du magasin pour effectuer le paiement.The electronic communication device is equipped with an application for reading (and decoding) the optical code (the application can also be downloaded beforehand) and an Internet browser. By approaching the communication device thus equipped with the device 20, the user can therefore, after launching the reader application, aim at the optical code 22f with the camera and capture the image of the optical code. The 22f code was designed to represent, for example, the URL address of a website or a web page dedicated to the commercial article. The decoding of the code by the application authorizes directly (eg via an SSL-type connection), automatically and securely the Internet connection with the site or the page hosted on a server and therefore the display of the site or the page concerned on the screen of the device. The user of the device has information about the commercial article as a commercial article (characteristics of the article, sizes and colors available, accessories that can be used with the article, price, information on the brand under which the article is offered for sale...) and also information on the article as a physical object since it is possible to know the number of physical objects in stock by selecting one or more relevant icons. The online purchase of the object/item (captured by the device from the optical code) which is in front of the user is possible through his device. The user can also, if he wishes, go to a payment terminal in the store to make the payment.

Le code optique QR du dispositif antivol est ainsi associé/lié (temporairement) à l'adresse URL du site correspondant à l'article commercial/objet physique auquel le dispositif est fixé de manière verrouillée. De ce fait, le code ou identifiant TID est également associé/lié (temporairement) à cette adresse URL.The optical QR code of the anti-theft device is thus associated/linked (temporarily) to the URL address of the site corresponding to the commercial article/physical object to which the device is fixed in a locked manner. As a result, the TID code or identifier is also (temporarily) associated/linked to this URL address.

La figure 17 illustre un exemple d'associations entre les différents codes et informations présentés ci-dessus.The figure 17 illustrates an example of associations between the different codes and information presented above.

Ainsi, une zone mémoire Z1 d'un système informatique (par exemple différent du système de la figure 1 mais avec lequel il peut communiquer) contient une table d'association T1 dans laquelle les codes TID et QR sont associés entre eux. Dès la fabrication du dispositif antivol, ces deux codes sont associés et enregistrés dans la table T1 mais l'adresse URL n'y est pas présente puisqu'aucun article n'est encore associé au dispositif antivol. Lorsque le dispositif aura été ultérieurement affecté à un article commercial, l'association des codes TID et QR avec l'adresse URL du site correspondant à l'article concerné sera enregistrée dans cette table. D'autres informations sont également enregistrées dans cette table comme par exemple le magasin où l'objet/ l'article est offert à la transaction, des informations relatives aux différentes lectures des codes optiques des dispositifs antivol fixés aux objets physiques et qui sont effectuées par des utilisateurs différents telles que la date et les différentes actions exercées par l'utilisateur en relation avec le code optique concerné. Lorsque l'utilisateur interagit avec le code à lecture optique QR du dispositif antivol, l'application logicielle se connecte de façon sécurisée à cette zone mémoire Z1 et interroge la table T1 à partir de la chaîne de caractères alphanumériques du code optique.Thus, a memory zone Z1 of a computer system (for example different from the system of the figure 1 but with which it can communicate) contains an association table T1 in which the TID and QR codes are associated with each other. As soon as the anti-theft device is manufactured, these two codes are associated and recorded in the table T1 but the URL address is not present there since no article is yet associated with the anti-theft device. When the device has subsequently been assigned to a commercial article, the association of the TID and QR codes with the URL address of the site corresponding to the article concerned will be recorded in this table. Other information is also recorded in this table, such as the store where the object/article is offered for transaction, information relating to the various readings of the optical codes of the anti-theft devices attached to the physical objects and which are carried out by different users such as the date and the different actions performed by the user in relation to the optical code concerned. When the user interacts with the QR optical reading code of the anti-theft device, the software application connects securely to this memory zone Z1 and interrogates the table T1 from the alphanumeric character string of the optical code.

Une zone mémoire Z2 du système informatique de la figure 1A (système informatique du magasin) contient une table d'association T2 dans laquelle les codes TID et EAN sont associés entre eux et avec l'adresse URL du site correspondant à l'article concerné.A memory zone Z2 of the computer system of the Figure 1A (store's computer system) contains an association table T2 in which the TID and EAN codes are associated with each other and with the URL address of the site corresponding to the article concerned.

On notera que l'association TID/URL qui est créée généralement dans le magasin où l'article/objet est mis en vente (lors de l'affectation du dispositif antivol à un article commercial) est transférée de façon sécurisée à la table T1 de la zone Z1 dans laquelle elle est enregistrée. On lie ainsi de façon temporaire les codes TID et QR à l'adresse URL.It will be noted that the TID/URL association which is generally created in the store where the article/object is offered for sale (during the assignment of the anti-theft device to a commercial article) is transferred in a secure manner to the table T1 of the Z1 zone in which it is recorded. This temporarily binds the TID and QR codes to the URL address.

Le dispositif 20 est mis en place sur l'article commercial (objet physique) 26 (fig 1A) à identifier et éventuellement à protéger contre le vol et qui porte une étiquette munie d'un code barre représentatif du code d'article commercial EAN (par exemple EAN1) mémorisé dans le système informatique du magasin.The device 20 is placed on the commercial article (physical object) 26 ( fig 1A ) to be identified and possibly to be protected against theft and which bears a label provided with a bar code representative of the commercial article code EAN (for example EAN1) stored in the computer system of the store.

Les codes TID1 et QR1 permettent de lire et donc d'identifier, selon deux techniques de lecture différentes, de façon unique, certaine et sécurisée l'objet physique 26, indépendamment d'une mauvaise lecture du code barre, ou d'une lecture d'un code barre erroné par suite d'une substitution de l'étiquette, soit par erreur, soit de façon malintentionnée. On limite ainsi fortement le manque à gagner résultant de la DI.The TID1 and QR1 codes make it possible to read and therefore identify, using two different reading techniques, the object in a unique, certain and secure way. physical 26, regardless of a bad reading of the bar code, or a reading of an erroneous bar code following a substitution of the label, either by mistake or maliciously. This greatly limits the shortfall resulting from the DI.

La figure 18 est un algorithme représentant les principales étapes d'un procédé de gestion du déverrouillage d'un dispositif d'identification d'un article, notamment un dispositif antivol 20, selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention. Ce procédé est mis en œuvre lors du passage d'un article commercial 26 à un point de vente 14 d'un magasin en vue d'effectuer une transaction commerciale (figs 1A à 1D). Un dispositif antivol 20 a été préalablement fixé à l'article de façon verrouillée comme expliqué ci-dessus. Cet algorithme va également être décrit en référence à d'autres figures. On notera que certaines portions de cet algorithme correspondent à des portions de code logiciel qui peuvent faire partie d'un logiciel exécuté par le découpleur 12 et/ou le POS 14.The figure 18 is an algorithm representing the main steps of a method for managing the unlocking of an article identification device, in particular an anti-theft device 20, according to a first embodiment of the invention. This method is implemented when passing a commercial item 26 to a point of sale 14 of a store in order to carry out a commercial transaction ( Figs 1A to 1D ). An anti-theft device 20 has been fixed beforehand to the article in a locked manner as explained above. This algorithm will also be described with reference to other figures. It will be noted that certain portions of this algorithm correspond to portions of software code which may be part of software executed by the decoupler 12 and/or the POS 14.

L'algorithme comporte une première étape S0 d'attente d'un dispositif antivol dans la zone de réception 28 du découpleur.The algorithm includes a first step S0 of waiting for an anti-theft device in the reception area 28 of the decoupler.

La deuxième étape S1 est une étape de test visant à détecter la présence d'un dispositif antivol près de la zone de réception. Le dispositif de lecture 29 est apte à détecter la présence d'un ou de plusieurs dispositifs 20 à proximité de cette zone.The second step S1 is a test step aimed at detecting the presence of an anti-theft device near the reception area. The reading device 29 is capable of detecting the presence of one or more devices 20 close to this zone.

En cas de non détection de dispositif, l'étape S0 est à nouveau exécutée, sinon on passe aux étapes suivantes S2 et S3.In the event of non-detection of a device, step S0 is executed again, otherwise the procedure passes to the following steps S2 and S3.

On notera que dans ce premier mode de réalisation les moyens d'empêchement (70, 72) de l'accès à la zone de réception/déverrouillage du découpleur sont activés en permanence (position déployée) afin d'obstruer l'ouverture permettant l'accès au logement 30, comme représenté schématiquement sur la figure 19. Le dispositif détecté 20 ne peut donc être disposé dans la zone de réception/déverrouillage sans que ces moyens n'aient été préalablement désactivés. Dans la position d'attente de la figure 19 la partie périphérique mobile 40 du découpleur est en position haute de blocage telle que représentée sur les figure 2 et 3.It will be noted that in this first embodiment the means (70, 72) for preventing access to the reception/unlocking zone of the decoupler are permanently activated (deployed position) in order to obstruct the opening allowing the access to the housing 30, as shown schematically in the figure 19 . The detected device 20 cannot therefore be placed in the reception/unlocking zone without these means having been deactivated beforehand. In the waiting position of the figure 19 the mobile peripheral part 40 of the decoupler is in the high blocking position as shown on the figure 2 and 3 .

Au cours des étapes S2 et S3 on procède à la détection d'éventuels autres dispositifs antivol à proximité de la zone de réception et dont la lecture serait susceptible de perturber les opérations de déverrouillage et les opérations ultérieures (dysfonctionnement ultérieur). Cette détection est effectuée par le dispositif de lecture 29 qui est adapté à lire les identifiants TID des organes RFID (puces RFID) disposés dans un angle solide donné dépendant du dispositif de lecture 29. L'angle peut être ajusté afin d'être le plus petit possible et ainsi d'émettre des radiofréquences dans un espace réduit. Cette étape de détection offre une sécurité supplémentaire qui permet de s'assurer qu'un dispositif antivol ne sera pas identifié à la place d'un autre.During steps S2 and S3, the detection of any other anti-theft devices near the reception area and the reading of which would be likely to disrupt unlocking operations and subsequent operations (subsequent malfunction). This detection is carried out by the reading device 29 which is adapted to read the TID identifiers of the RFID organs (RFID chips) placed in a given solid angle depending on the reading device 29. The angle can be adjusted in order to be the most small as possible and thus to emit radio frequencies in a small space. This detection step offers additional security which makes it possible to ensure that an anti-theft device will not be identified in place of another.

Si le champ de radiofréquences émis pas le dispositif 29 excite les antennes d'autres dispositifs antivol situés à proximité (par exemple des dispositifs issus de précédentes transactions et non rangés par le personnel du magasin), comme illustré sur la figure 20, le dispositif 29 détecte la présence de plusieurs dispositifs antivol et l'étape de test S3 conduit au déclenchement d'une alarme (S4) sonore et/ou visuelle avertissant le caissier de la situation.If the radio frequency field emitted by device 29 excites the antennae of other anti-theft devices located nearby (e.g. devices from previous transactions and not put away by store personnel), as shown in figure 20 , the device 29 detects the presence of several anti-theft devices and the test step S3 leads to the triggering of an audible and/or visual alarm (S4) warning the cashier of the situation.

Le capot 32 du découpleur peut comporter des témoins lumineux (non représentés) qui, lorsqu'ils s'allument, sont représentatifs du déclenchement d'une alarme. Selon le type d'alarme l'un ou l'autre des témoins s'allume. Le dispositif 20 qui avait été détecté initialement étape S1) doit alors être retiré de la proximité du découpleur (en tout cas du champ de lecture du dispositif de lecture 29) et l'étape S2 est de nouveau exécutée.The cover 32 of the decoupler may include indicator lights (not shown) which, when they light up, are representative of the triggering of an alarm. Depending on the type of alarm, one or other of the indicators comes on. The device 20 which had been detected initially in step S1) must then be removed from the proximity of the decoupler (in any case from the reading field of the reading device 29) and step S2 is executed again.

Alternativement, des détecteurs de présence (non représentés sur la figure 1A mais par exemple des lecteurs RFID) agencés autour du découpleur ou en périphérie de celui-ci permettent de détecter la présence d'un ou de plusieurs autres dispositifs à proximité du découpleur 12 et, notamment, de sa zone de réception (alors que le dispositif de lecture 29 a détecté la présence du dispositif 20 à l'approche de la zone de réception).Alternatively, presence detectors (not shown on the Figure 1A but for example RFID readers) arranged around the decoupler or on the periphery thereof make it possible to detect the presence of one or more other devices near the decoupler 12 and, in particular, its reception zone (while the device reader 29 has detected the presence of the device 20 when approaching the reception area).

Si aucun autre dispositif antivol n'est détecté (que ce soit par le dispositif de lecture 29 ou par les détecteurs de présence mentionnés ci-dessus), l'étape de test S3 est suivie de l'étape S5 de lecture des informations d'identification du dispositif 20 placé devant le lecteur 29. Au cours de cette étape, le dispositif de lecture 29 procède à une première lecture de l'association TID-EAN enregistrée dans la mémoire de la puce RFID 25 (l'identifiant TID peut également être lu de façon individuelle).If no other anti-theft device is detected (whether by the reading device 29 or by the presence detectors mentioned above), the test step S3 is followed by the step S5 of reading the information of identification of the device 20 placed in front of the reader 29. During this step, the reader device 29 performs a first reading of the TID-EAN association recorded in the memory of the RFID chip 25 (the TID identifier can also be read individually).

L'étape suivante S6 est une étape de stockage dans une mémoire tampon du système 18 du découpleur des informations d'identification lues à l'étape précédente (éventuellement stockage d'autres informations qui y sont associées). Ces informations lues peuvent être transmises au système informatique du magasin.The next step S6 is a step of storing in a buffer memory of the system 18 of the decoupler the identification information read in the previous step (possibly storing other information associated therewith). This read information can be transmitted to the store's computer system.

L'étape suivante S7 permet d'indiquer (par un signal lumineux et/ou sonore) si l'opération a bien été effectuée et si aucune anomalie (résultant par exemple de l'étape de lecture) n'a été détectée, par exemple en fonction des informations détenues par le système.The next step S7 makes it possible to indicate (by a light and/or sound signal) if the operation has been carried out and if no anomaly (resulting for example from the reading step) has been detected, for example based on the information held by the system.

L'étape suivante S8 est une étape de test permettant de déterminer s'il reste des dispositifs antivol 20 à lire (ce qui est le cas si le client passe en caisse avec plusieurs articles auxquels sont respectivement fixés des dispositifs 20).The next step S8 is a test step making it possible to determine whether there are anti-theft devices 20 remaining to be read (which is the case if the customer goes to the checkout with several items to which devices 20 are respectively attached).

Si d'autres dispositifs doivent être lus, l'étape S8 est suivie de l'étape S0 déjà décrite.If other devices are to be read, step S8 is followed by step S0 already described.

Sinon, l'étape S8 est suivie de l'étape S9 de début de transaction (paiement des articles commerciaux dont les dispositifs antivol 20 ont été lus).Otherwise, step S8 is followed by start of transaction step S9 (payment of the commercial items whose anti-theft devices 20 have been read).

L'étape suivante S10 est une étape de test quant à la validation du paiement.The next step S10 is a test step as to the validation of the payment.

Si le paiement n'est pas validé (par exemple parce que le client a changé d'avis ou bien parce qu'une autorisation de paiement pas carte de crédit lui est refusée), l'étape S10 est suivie de l'étape de test S11. Cette étape de test vérifie si l'opération en cours doit être annulée ou non.If the payment is not validated (for example because the customer has changed his mind or else because a payment authorization by credit card is refused to him), step S10 is followed by the test step S11. This test step checks whether the current operation should be canceled or not.

Si la transaction est annulée, l'étape S11 est suivie de l'étape d'attente S0.If the transaction is cancelled, step S11 is followed by the waiting step S0.

Sinon, l'étape S11 est suivie des étapes S9 et S10 déjà décrites.Otherwise, step S11 is followed by steps S9 and S10 already described.

Si le paiement est validé, l'étape S10 est suivie de deux étapes S12 et S13 respectives d'attente et de test identiques aux étapes d'attente S0 et de test S1.If the payment is validated, step S10 is followed by two respective waiting and testing steps S12 and S13 identical to the waiting and testing steps S0 and S1.

En cas de non détection de la présence d'un dispositif antivol 20, l'étape S13 est suivie de l'étape S12.If the presence of an anti-theft device 20 is not detected, step S13 is followed by step S12.

En cas de détection de la présence d'un dispositif antivol 20 le dispositif 29 procède, à l'étape suivante S14, à la lecture des informations d'identification portées par le dispositif 20. Il s'agit d'une deuxième lecture, la première lecture ayant déjà été faite à l'étape S5.If the presence of an anti-theft device 20 is detected, the device 29 proceeds, in the next step S14, to reading the identification information carried by the device 20. This is a second reading, the first reading having already been made in step S5.

Lors de cette étape les informations lues sont comparées aux précédentes informations qui avaient été lues et mémorisées. Si les informations correspondent cela signifie qu'il s'agit du même dispositif 20 qui est présenté une nouvelle fois au lecteur 29. Lors de cette étape on vérifie si le paiement de l'article auquel le dispositif est fixé a été validé (étapes S9 et S10).During this step, the information read is compared with the previous information that had been read and stored. If the information matches, this means that it is the same device 20 which is presented once again to the reader 29. During this step, it is checked whether payment for the item to which the device is attached has been validated (steps S9 and S10).

L'étape de test S14 est alors suivie de l'étape S15.Test step S14 is then followed by step S15.

S'il ne s'agit pas du même dispositif ou si l'article n'a pas été payé, l'étape S14 est suivie d'une étape S14' de déclenchement d'une alarme visuelle et/ou sonore avant de revenir à l'étape de test S13 déjà décrite.If it is not the same device or if the item has not been paid for, step S14 is followed by a step S14' for triggering a visual and/or audible alarm before returning to the test step S13 already described.

Le passage de l'étape S14 à l'étape S15 décide d'autoriser la désactivation des moyens d'empêchement de l'accès à la zone de déverrouillage 28. Les organes mécaniques (70, 72) obstruant au moins partiellement l'accès à la zone et donc au logement 30 sont désactivés et sont ainsi rétractés dans leur position éclipsée de rangement. L'entrée du logement 30 est alors libre d'accès comme illustré sur la figure 21. La partie périphérique 40 du découpleur est toujours en position haute (figs 2 et 3).The transition from step S14 to step S15 decides to authorize the deactivation of the means for preventing access to the unlocking zone 28. The mechanical components (70, 72) at least partially obstructing access to the zone and therefore the housing 30 are deactivated and are thus retracted into their eclipsed storage position. The entrance to housing 30 is then freely accessible as illustrated in the figure 21 . The peripheral part 40 of the decoupler is always in the high position ( figs 2 and 3 ).

Le dispositif antivol 20 (plus particulièrement le corps 24) peut alors être placé dans le logement 30 du découpleur tel que représenté schématiquement sur la figure 1D. Comme expliqué en référence à la figure 8, sous l'attraction magnétique l'ensemble du stabilisateur 31 et du dispositif 20 descend au contact de la surface de déverrouillage 36a. Un déverrouillage automatique des deux éléments 22 et 24 l'un par rapport à l'autre est effectué. Le premier élément 22 (tête) est retiré et l'article commercial 26 est libéré comme illustré schématiquement sur la figure 22.The anti-theft device 20 (more particularly the body 24) can then be placed in the housing 30 of the decoupler as shown diagrammatically on the figure 1D . As explained with reference to figure 8 , under the magnetic attraction the assembly of the stabilizer 31 and the device 20 descends into contact with the unlocking surface 36a. An automatic unlocking of the two elements 22 and 24 relative to each other is performed. The first element 22 (head) is removed and the commercial article 26 is released as schematically illustrated in the figure 22 .

On notera qu'après le déverrouillage le deuxième élément 24 reste dans le logement 30 avec la partie périphérique 40 du découpleur toujours en position haute. Ainsi, la surface supérieure du deuxième élément est en retrait par rapport à la surface supérieure de la bague 46 de la partie périphérique 40. Il n'est donc pas aisé de retirer le deuxième élément de son logement dont il épouse les formes.It will be noted that after unlocking the second element 24 remains in the housing 30 with the peripheral part 40 of the decoupler still in the high position. Thus, the upper surface of the second element is recessed with respect to the upper surface of the ring 46 of the peripheral part 40. It is therefore not easy to remove the second element from its housing, the shapes of which it matches.

L'étape suivante S16 est une étape de test qui permet de vérifier que le deuxième élément 24 est positionné dans le logement. Ce test est réalisé par l'intermédiaire des capteurs de contact 90 de la figure 8.The next step S16 is a test step which makes it possible to verify that the second element 24 is positioned in the housing. This test is carried out via the contact sensors 90 of the figure 8 .

La détection de la présence du deuxième élément 24 du dispositif 20 dans la zone de déverrouillage conduit à l'étape suivante S17.The detection of the presence of the second element 24 of the device 20 in the unlocking zone leads to the next step S17.

Au cours de cette étape les organes de blocage 70, 72 sont activés afin de bloquer de manière encore plus fiable le deuxième élément 24 dans le logement. Ces organes sont alors déployés afin de fermer partiellement l'ouverture d'accès au logement au dessus du deuxième élément 24, comme illustré de façon agrandie sur la figure 8. Les organes 70, 72 retiennent ainsi prisonnier le deuxième élément 24 dans le logement 30. La partie périphérique 40 du découpleur est toujours en position haute.During this step the locking members 70, 72 are activated in order to lock the second element 24 in the housing even more reliably. These members are then deployed in order to partially close the access opening to the housing above the second element 24, as illustrated in an enlarged manner in the figure 8 . The members 70, 72 thus hold the second element 24 prisoner in the housing 30. The peripheral part 40 of the decoupler is always in the high position.

Au cours de l'étape suivante S18 on ramène devant le dispositif de lecture 29 le premier élément 22 du dispositif 20 qui a été préalablement retiré, dans le sens d'amenée A (voir la figure 15), en direction de la zone de déverrouillage où est maintenu le deuxième élément 24 (figure 23).During the next step S18, the first element 22 of the device 20 which was removed beforehand is brought back in front of the reading device 29, in the feed direction A (see the figure 15 ), in the direction of the unlocking zone where the second element 24 ( figure 23 ).

L'étape S18 prévoit alors une troisième étape de lecture des informations d'identification portées par le premier élément 22.Step S18 then provides for a third step of reading the identification information carried by the first element 22.

Au cours de l'étape suivante S19, le premier élément 22 est assemblé/fixé temporairement (dans une position non verrouillée) avec le deuxième élément 24 bloqué dans la zone de réception du découpleur. Pour ce faire on utilise l'un des moyens décrits en référence aux figures 10A-C et 11 et qui permettent d'obtenir une configuration décalée transversalement entre les deux éléments par rapport à la configuration axiale de verrouillage des figures 9, 10A (position centrale axiale L), 19 et 21.During the following step S19, the first element 22 is temporarily assembled/fixed (in an unlocked position) with the second element 24 blocked in the reception zone of the decoupler. To do this, one of the means described with reference to the figures 10A-C and 11 and which make it possible to obtain a configuration offset transversely between the two elements with respect to the axial locking configuration of the figure 9 , 10A (axial central position L), 19 and 21.

La figure 24 illustre de façon très schématique, en vue de dessus, le positionnement du premier élément 22 sur le deuxième élément 24 dans l'une des configurations décalées possibles (position non verrouillée) en superposition de l'agencement des moyens de détection électromagnétique 122a-126b de la figure 15. Les organes 70, 72 et la bague 46 n'ont pas été représentés par souci de simplification. On notera que les organes de blocage 70, 72 sont toujours en position de blocage. Toutefois, dans une variante, ils peuvent être rétractés pour passer à une position de déblocage.The figure 24 very schematically illustrates, in top view, the positioning of the first element 22 on the second element 24 in one of the possible offset configurations (unlocked position) superimposed on the arrangement of the electromagnetic detection means 122a-126b of the figure 15 . The members 70, 72 and the ring 46 have not been shown for the sake of simplification. It will be noted that the blocking members 70, 72 are always in the blocking position. However, in a variant, they can be retracted to pass to an unlocking position.

Au cours de l'étape S19 on pratique également un test afin de détecter si le premier élément 22 ramené est bien placé sur le deuxième élément 24 (et fixé à ce dernier de manière non verrouillée) dans l'une des configurations décalées possibles.During step S19, a test is also carried out in order to detect whether the first element 22 brought back is indeed placed on the second element 24 (and fixed to the latter in an unlocked manner) in one of the possible offset configurations.

Pour ce faire les moyens de détection électromagnétique 122a-126b déjà décrits en référence à la figure 15 sont mis en œuvre.To do this, the electromagnetic detection means 122a-126b already described with reference to the figure 15 are implemented.

L'étape suivante S20 effectue une comparaison entre les informations lues à l'étape S18 (troisième lecture) et les informations lues à l'étape S14 (et précédemment stockées à l'étape S6), afin de s'assurer que le premier élément 22 est bien le même que celui qui a été retiré au moment du déverrouillage du dispositif antivol (S15). Cette vérification permet d'améliorer la gestion des deux éléments de chaque dispositif d'identification ou antivol car on s'assure ainsi que les mêmes deux éléments sont toujours appairés. S'il ne s'agit pas du même premier élément, une alarme est déclenchée (S21).The next step S20 performs a comparison between the information read at step S18 (third reading) and the information read at step S14 (and previously stored at step S6), in order to ensure that the first element 22 is indeed the same as that which was removed when the anti-theft device (S15) was unlocked. This verification makes it possible to improve the management of the two elements of each identification or anti-theft device because it is thus ensured that the same two elements are always paired. If it is not the same first element, an alarm is triggered (S21).

S'il s'agit du même premier élément, on procède ensuite (étape S22) aux opérations suivantes :

  • stockage de façon permanente, dans une mémoire permanente du découpleur 12 et/ou dans la base de données 16 du système, des informations lues (association TID-EAN et TID de façon individuellement) et stockées préalablement (étape S6) dans une mémoire tampon ;de cette manière on mémorise de façon durable les informations liées à des articles qui ont fait l'objet d'une transaction commerciale (ce qui n'était pas encore le cas à l'étape S6) ;
  • effacement des informations de l'organe RFID 25 (ex : effacement des données de la zone mémoire de la puce RFID), c'est-à-dire dissociation du code TID et du code EAN afin de pouvoir remettre en circulation dans le magasin le dispositif antivol 20 et l'affecter à un nouvel article (nouveau code d'article EAN).
If it is the same first element, the following operations are then carried out (step S22):
  • permanent storage, in a permanent memory of the decoupler 12 and/or in the database 16 of the system, of the information read (association TID-EAN and TID individually) and previously stored (step S6) in a buffer memory; in this way, the information linked to articles which have been the subject of a commercial transaction (which was not yet the case in step S6) is permanently stored;
  • erasing the information from the RFID unit 25 (e.g. erasing the data from the memory area of the RFID chip), that is to say dissociation of the TID code and the EAN code in order to be able to put the anti-theft device 20 and assign it to a new item (new EAN item code).

Dans le mode de réalisation qui vient d'être décrit le code à lecture optique QR n'a pas été utilisé pour la gestion du déverrouillage du dispositif 20. Pour ce mode il est ainsi par exemple envisageable que le dispositif 20 ne porte pas de code à lecture optique.In the embodiment which has just been described, the QR optical reading code has not been used for the management of the unlocking of the device 20. For this mode it is thus for example possible that the device 20 does not carry a code with optical reading.

Toutefois, dans une variante non représentée, le dispositif 20 peut intégrer un tel code à lecture optique. Ce code, même s'il n'est pas utilisé pour la gestion du déverrouillage du dispositif 20, a pu néanmoins être utilisé préalablement, lorsque l'utilisateur a décodé ce code afin d'accéder à des informations sur l'article via l'adresse URL associée au code. Dans le cadre de cette variante, pour les mêmes raisons que précédemment, on désassocie le code à lecture optique QR/code TID du lien URL auquel il est associé. Cette dissociation est illustrée sur la figure 17.However, in a variant not shown, the device 20 can integrate such an optical reading code. This code, even if it is not used for the management of the unlocking of the device 20, could nevertheless be used previously, when the user has decoded this code in order to access information on the article via the URL address associated with the code. In the context of this variant, for the same reasons as previously, the QR optical reading code/TID code is disassociated from the URL link with which it is associated. This dissociation is illustrated in the figure 17 .

L'étape suivante S23 prévoit de débloquer le deuxième élément 24. Le déblocage intervient ici, d'une part, en désactivant les organes de blocage 70, 72 (rétractation des organes commandée par rotation du deuxième moteur 74 et rotation correspondante du disque 80 ; figs 2 et 4) et en commandant le sens de rotation du premier moteur 54 de manière à ce qu'il fasse descendre en position basse de déblocage la partie périphérique mobile 40.The next step S23 provides for unlocking the second element 24. The unlocking takes place here, on the one hand, by deactivating the locking members 70, 72 (retraction of the members controlled by rotation of the second motor 74 and corresponding rotation of the disc 80; figs 2 and 4 ) and by controlling the direction of rotation of the first motor 54 so that it lowers the mobile peripheral part 40 into the low unlocking position.

La figure 25 représente de façon schématique et partielle, en position basse, la partie périphérique mobile 40 portant les organes de blocage 70, 72.The figure 25 shows schematically and partially, in the lower position, the mobile peripheral part 40 carrying the locking members 70, 72.

Dans cette position le deuxième élément 24 fait saillie au-delà de la partie périphérique mobile 40 et de ses organes de blocage. Le deuxième élément 24 peut ainsi être facilement retiré (dans le sens de la flèche verticale) en saisissant avec les doigts le premier élément 22 auquel est fixé de façon temporaire le deuxième élément.In this position the second element 24 protrudes beyond the mobile peripheral part 40 and its blocking members. The second element 24 can thus be easily removed (in the direction of the vertical arrow) by grasping with the fingers the first element 22 to which the second element is temporarily attached.

L'étape suivante S24 prévoit de commander le déplacement de la partie périphérique 40 en position haute de blocage et de refermer l'accès à la zone de déverrouillage (fermeture partielle de l'ouverture permettant d'accéder au logement 30) en activant de nouveau les moyens d'empêchement du déverrouillage (organes de blocage 70, 72 déployés).The next step S24 provides for controlling the movement of the peripheral part 40 in the high locking position and closing the access to the unlocking zone (partial closing of the opening allowing access to the housing 30) by activating again the means for preventing unlocking (blocking members 70, 72 deployed).

L'étape suivante S25 prévoit d'effectuer un test afin de vérifier s'il reste des dispositifs antivol 20 à déverrouiller. Si c'est le cas, cette étape est suivie de l'étape d'attente S12 et de l'étape de test S13 déjà décrites.The next step S25 provides for carrying out a test in order to check whether there are any anti-theft devices 20 remaining to be unlocked. If this is the case, this step is followed by the waiting step S12 and the test step S13 already described.

Sinon, il est alors mis fin à l'algorithme par l'étape S26.Otherwise, the algorithm is then terminated by step S26.

Selon une première variante non représentée, lors de l'étape de lecture S5 et des autres étapes de lecture seul l'identifiant TID du dispositif 20 est lu. Cette information lue est ensuite transmise au terminal 14 qui retrouve ainsi dans le serveur ou la base de données 16 l'association correspondante TID-EAN identifiant de façon unique l'article commercial/l'objet physique.According to a first variant not shown, during the reading step S5 and the other reading steps only the identifier TID of the device 20 is read. This read information is then transmitted to the terminal 14 which thus finds in the server or the database 16 the corresponding association TID-EAN uniquely identifying the commercial article/the physical object.

Si cette association n'est pas retrouvée dans le système informatique, il s'agit d'une tentative de fraude et une alarme est alors déclenchée.If this association is not found in the computer system, it is a fraud attempt and an alarm is then triggered.

Selon une deuxième variante non représentée, on utilise le code d'article commercial unique EPC (ce code identifie de façon unique un objet physique en tant qu'article commercial et peut donc être utilisé à la place de l'association TID-EAN pour cette indentification unique) que l'on inscrit dans une zone mémoire volatile du dispositif antivol (zone EPC) différente de la zone où est inscrit le code TID (zone TID). La lecture de la zone EPC est plus rapide que celle de la zone TID.According to a second variant not shown, the unique commercial item code EPC is used (this code uniquely identifies a physical object as a commercial item and can therefore be used instead of the TID-EAN association for this unique identification) which is written in a volatile memory zone of the anti-theft device (EPC zone) different from the zone where the TID code is written (TID zone). The reading of the EPC zone is faster than that of the TID zone.

Cette information lue (par un dispositif approprié) est ensuite transmise au terminal 14 qui retrouve ainsi dans le serveur/base de données 16 l'association correspondante TID-EPC (ou EAN).This information read (by an appropriate device) is then transmitted to the terminal 14 which thus finds in the server/database 16 the corresponding association TID-EPC (or EAN).

Selon une troisième variante non représentée, on utilise le code à lecture optique QR porté par le dispositif 20 et qui est lu par un dispositif approprié. L'information d'identification ainsi lue est transmise au terminal 14 qui retrouve ainsi dans le serveur/base de données 16 l'association correspondante TID-EAN-QR.According to a third variant, not shown, the QR optical reading code carried by the device 20 and which is read by an appropriate device is used. The identification information thus read is transmitted to the terminal 14 which thus finds in the server/database 16 the corresponding association TID-EAN-QR.

Selon une quatrième variante non représentée, un test peut être pratiqué lors de l'exécution du procédé de la figure 18 afin de déterminer si le même dispositif a déjà été lu récemment, à savoir depuis moins d'un nombre prédéterminé d'heures (ex :24h). Un tel test offre une sécurité supplémentaire dans le procédé de gestion afin de lutter contre les fraudes internes au magasin. En cas de test positif une alarme est déclenchée.According to a fourth variant not shown, a test can be carried out during the execution of the method of the figure 18 in order to determine if the same device has already been read recently, namely for less than a predetermined number of hours (ex: 24h). Such a test offers additional security in the management process in order to fight against internal fraud in the store. In the event of a positive test, an alarm is triggered.

Selon d'autres variantes non représentées, les organes de blocage peuvent obstruer totalement l'accès au logement, revêtir d'autres formes et par exemple former un seul organe de blocage (trappe unique à la façon d'un volet), voire plus de deux organes. Le mécanisme de déplacement du ou des organes de blocage peut différer de celui exposé en référence aux figures 2 et 4.According to other variants not shown, the blocking members can completely obstruct access to the housing, take other forms and for example form a single blocking member (single hatch like a shutter), or even more than two organs. The movement mechanism of the blocking member(s) may differ from that described with reference to the figure 2 and 4 .

Selon encore une autre variante, la partie périphérique 40 entourant le stabilisateur mécanique et son logement 30 peut être fixe, tandis que ledit stabilisateur mécanique et son logement sont aptes à se déplacer entre une position haute de déblocage et une position basse de blocage.According to yet another variant, the peripheral part 40 surrounding the mechanical stabilizer and its housing 30 can be fixed, while said mechanical stabilizer and its housing are capable of moving between a high unlocking position and a low locking position.

Les mécanismes de déplacement des différentes pièces mobiles peuvent différer de ceux représentés sur les figures.The mechanisms for moving the various moving parts may differ from those shown in the figures.

Selon une variante supplémentaire, le découpleur peut comporter, en plus des moyens déjà décrits, des moyens d'extraction qui facilitent l'extraction du deuxième élément de son logement. Il peut par exemple s'agir d'un organe ou doigt de poussée qui est aménagé dans le stabilisateur 31 et qui est apte à se déployer sur commande pour pousser vers le haut le deuxième élément. Par exemple, l'extrémité libre de l'organe d'extraction a une forme de pente ou de came adaptée au profil extérieur du corps du deuxième élément (ex : forme de cuillère) afin d'entrer en contact avec celui-ci et de provoquer sa levée hors du logement.According to an additional variant, the decoupler may comprise, in addition to the means already described, extraction means which facilitate the extraction of the second element from its housing. It may for example be a push member or finger which is arranged in the stabilizer 31 and which is able to deploy on command to push the second element upwards. For example, the free end of the extraction member has a slope or cam shape adapted to the external profile of the body of the second element (eg: spoon shape) in order to come into contact with the latter and to cause it to be lifted out of the housing.

On notera qu'une telle variante peut alternativement remplacer le déplacement de la partie périphérique 40 ou du stabilisateur 31. Ainsi, le logement est en position abaissée par rapport à la bague dans laquelle sont aménagés les organes de blocage et seul le ou les organes de poussée permettent le soulèvement du deuxième élément, les autres parties 40 et 31 étant fixes.It will be noted that such a variant can alternatively replace the displacement of the peripheral part 40 or of the stabilizer 31. Thus, the housing is in the lowered position relative to the ring in which the locking members are fitted and only the locking member(s). thrust allow the lifting of the second element, the other parts 40 and 31 being fixed.

Selon un deuxième mode de réalisation non représenté, le découpleur 12 est libre d'accès aux dispositifs 20. L'article auquel est fixé un dispositif 20 est réglé par le client au terminal de paiement 14 avant ou pendant l'action de déverrouillage. Le dispositif 20 est ainsi amené au découpleur, lu en passant devant le dispositif de lecture 29 et introduit dans le logement du découpleur. La partie périphérique mobile 40 du découpleur est en position haute de blocage. Le déverrouillage du dispositif 20 intervient de façon automatique et l'article est libéré, mais le deuxième élément 24 reste bloqué à l'intérieur du logement par les organes de blocage 70, 72. Ces organes sont activés pour se déployer dans l'ouverture d'accès au logement et ainsi empêcher tout retrait axial du deuxième élément, tant que le même premier élément n'a pas été ramené au découpleur. On s'assure en effet qu'il s'agit du même premier élément qui est utilisé pour extraire le deuxième élément. Le deuxième élément est ainsi libéré comme pour le mode de réalisation précédent.According to a second embodiment, not shown, the decoupler 12 has free access to the devices 20. The article to which a device 20 is attached is paid for by the customer at the payment terminal 14 before or during the unlocking action. The device 20 is thus brought to the decoupler, read by passing in front of the reading device 29 and introduced into the housing of the decoupler. The mobile peripheral part 40 of the decoupler is in the high blocking position. The unlocking of the device 20 occurs automatically and the article is released, but the second element 24 remains blocked inside the housing by the blocking members 70, 72. These members are activated to deploy in the opening of access to the housing and thus prevent any axial withdrawal of the second element, as long as the same first element has not been brought back to the decoupler. It is indeed ensured that it is the same first element which is used to extract the second element. The second element is thus released as for the previous embodiment.

Selon un troisième mode de réalisation illustré sur la figure 18, le procédé de gestion comprend plusieurs étapes S'1, S'2, S'3 et S'4 qui sont effectuées à la place des étapes S0 à S8 et qui s'inscrivent avant les étapes de paiement S9 à S11. Ensuite, les étapes S12 à S26 déjà décrites pour la gestion du déverrouillage du dispositif 20 afin d'éviter des fraudes et d'améliorer la gestion des deux éléments séparables constitutifs du dispositif s'appliquent.According to a third embodiment illustrated in the figure 18 , the management method comprises several steps S'1, S'2, S'3 and S'4 which are carried out instead of steps S0 to S8 and which register before the payment steps S9 to S11. Then, the steps S12 to S26 already described for the management of the unlocking of the device 20 in order to avoid fraud and to improve the management of the two separable elements constituting the device apply.

Dans ce troisième mode, l'utilisateur dispose d'un appareil de communication mobile ou portatif 200 (figure 26) tel qu'un téléphone intelligent ou smartphone. Cet appareil est équipé d'un écran 202, d'un navigateur Internet et d'une application logicielle de lecture des codes optiques tels que le code à lecture optique QR mentionné ci-dessus. L'application est préalablement téléchargée via Internet sur l'appareil 200 et lancée par l'utilisateur.In this third mode, the user has a mobile or portable communication device 200 ( figure 26 ) such as a smart phone or smartphone. This device is equipped with a screen 202, an Internet browser and a software application for reading optical codes such as the QR optical reading code mentioned above. The application is previously downloaded via the Internet onto the device 200 and launched by the user.

Lors de l'étape S'1, l'utilisateur qui est devant l'objet physique 210 est invité à lire (et décoder) le code optique QR1 du dispositif antivol (ou d'identification 20). En visant le code optique avec la caméra de l'appareil il numérise l'image du code et procède ainsi à son décodage.During step S'1, the user who is in front of the physical object 210 is invited to read (and decode) the optical code QR1 of the anti-theft (or identification 20) device. By aiming the optical code with the camera of the device, it digitizes the image of the code and thus decodes it.

L'application se connecte de façon sécurisée à la zone mémoire Z1 de la figure 17 et interroge la table T1 à partir de la chaîne de caractères du code QR1 décodée, ce qui permet d'identifier de manière unique et sécurisée l'objet physique/article concerné et le magasin. Le code QR1 est lié au code TID1 (étape S'2). Si aucun article/TID n'est identifié, l'étape S'2 est suivie de l'étape S'1 déjà décrite.The application securely connects to the Z1 memory area of the figure 17 and interrogates the table T1 from the character string of the decoded QR1 code, which makes it possible to uniquely and securely identify the physical object/article concerned and the store. The QR1 code is linked to the TID1 code (step S′2). If no item/TID is identified, step S'2 is followed by step S'1 already described.

L'utilisateur est identifié à partir de la communication d'un nom d'utilisateur et d'un mot de passe via son appareil et il a alors accès à son compte utilisateur. Sinon, il n'est pas identifié et un compte utilisateur doit être créé en renseignant toutes les informations appropriées permettant d'effectuer une transaction commerciale en ligne (coordonnées personnelles ? moyens de paiement.....).The user is identified from the communication of a user name and a password via his device and he then has access to his user account. Otherwise, he is not identified and a user account must be created by filling in all the appropriate information allowing him to carry out an online commercial transaction (personal details? means of payment, etc.).

L'étape suivante (S'3) prévoit ensuite d'établir une connexion Internet entre l'appareil 200 et une ou plusieurs adresses URL dédiées à l'article ou en relation avec celui-ci (articles complémentaires), à savoir ici l'adresse URL3. Cette liaison avec l'adresse URL est rendue possible en raison de la table d'association T1 qui lie TID1, QR1 et URL3 (Association 1).The next step (S′3) then provides for establishing an Internet connection between the device 200 and one or more URL addresses dedicated to the article or in relation to it (complementary articles), namely here the URL address3. This link with the URL address is made possible because of the association table T1 which links TID1, QR1 and URL3 (Association 1).

L'utilisateur est ainsi ensuite dirigé automatiquement vers cette adresse et il est ainsi connecté avec le site ou la page 212 hébergée sur un serveur 214 qui n'est pas nécessairement le serveur 16 de la figure 1A (on notera que le code optique n'incorpore pas un script qui point directement sur une adresse URL car la connexion avec l'adresse URL n'est permise qu'après l'accomplissement des étapes sus-visées). Cette page fait apparaitre une fenêtre 216 sur laquelle l'article affecté du code d'article EAN3 est visualisé. Le code TID1 est ainsi associé à un article commercial via son code EAN3. Si ce n'est pas le cas, l'étape S'3 est suivie de l'étape S'1 déjà décrite.The user is thus then automatically directed to this address and is thus connected with the site or the page 212 hosted on a server 214 which is not necessarily server 16 of the Figure 1A (it should be noted that the optical code does not incorporate a script which points directly to a URL address because the connection with the URL address is only permitted after the above-mentioned steps have been completed). This page brings up a window 216 on which the article assigned the article code EAN3 is displayed. The TID1 code is thus associated with a commercial item via its EAN3 code. If this is not the case, step S'3 is followed by step S'1 already described.

Ensuite, l'utilisateur peut accomplir différentes actions à partir de son appareil 200 (obtention d'informations complémentaires, mémorisation dans une liste de sélection 218 en vue d'une action différée tel qu'un achat différé, en ligne ou non, placement/sélection de l'article identifié par l'association TID1-EAN3 dans un panier d'achat 220 en vue de son acquisition immédiate..-).Then, the user can perform various actions from his device 200 (obtaining additional information, storage in a selection list 218 with a view to a deferred action such as a deferred purchase, online or not, placement/ selection of the item identified by the TID1-EAN3 association in a shopping cart 220 with a view to its immediate acquisition.. - ).

On notera que toutes les actions de lecture de code par l'appareil et les actions ultérieures sont enregistrées dans ce dernier, de même que dans l'un et/ou l'autre des systèmes informatiques.It will be noted that all the code reading actions by the device and the subsequent actions are recorded in the latter, as well as in one and/or the other of the computer systems.

A l'étape S'4, l'utilisateur sélectionne l'article/objet qu'il souhaite acheter et valide cette sélection en vue du paiement en ligne de celui-ci via son appareil lors des étapes ultérieures S9 à S11.At step S′4, the user selects the article/object that he wishes to purchase and validates this selection with a view to the online payment thereof via his device during subsequent steps S9 to S11.

La transaction est effectuée de façon sécurisée comme sur de nombreux sites Internet.The transaction is carried out in a secure way as on many Internet sites.

Lorsque l'article/objet a été acheté, les étapes suivantes S12 à S26 sont effectuées.When the item/object has been purchased, the following steps S12 to S26 are performed.

L'utilisateur se rend alors à un découpleur 12 pour y déverrouiller le dispositif 20 et libérer l'article/objet dudit dispositif. Les informations recueillies lors des étapes S'1 à S'4 ont été transmises au découpleur (ces informations, notamment d'identification, sont également connues du système informatique du magasin qui a enregistré le paiement de l'article/objet identifié par l'association code QR-code EAN). Comme déjà expliqué ci-dessus, une dissociation (figure 17) entre le code optique/l'identifiant TID et l'adresse URL/code EAN correspondant à l'article/objet doit être effectuée afin de pouvoir réutiliser le dispositif 20 récemment déverrouillé avec d'autres articles/objets. Il convient en effet de s'assurer que qu'un nouvel article/objet fixé au dispositif ne sera pas associé à une adresse URL incorrecte.The user then goes to a decoupler 12 to unlock the device 20 there and release the article/object from said device. The information collected during steps S'1 to S'4 was transmitted to the decoupler (this information, in particular identification information, is also known to the store's computer system which recorded payment for the item/object identified by the association QR code-EAN code). As already explained above, a dissociation ( figure 17 ) between the optical code/TID identifier and the URL address/EAN code corresponding to the article/object must be carried out in order to be able to reuse the recently unlocked device with other articles/objects. It should in fact be ensured that a new article/object attached to the device will not be associated with an incorrect URL address.

Cette dissociation est enregistrée à la fois dans les tables T1 et T2 afin d'une part, de rompre le lien entre les différents codes et adresses et, d'autre part, de conserver une trace des dissociations en tant que telles en vue d'une utilisation ultérieure telle que la facturation de services associés à l'utilisation multiple d'un même dispositif 20.This dissociation is recorded both in the tables T1 and T2 in order, on the one hand, to break the link between the various codes and addresses and, on the other hand, to keep a trace of the dissociations as such with a view to subsequent use such as the billing of services associated with the multiple use of the same device 20.

L'effacement de la puce RFID du dispositif 20 est également effectué afin de faire disparaitre la liaison TID-EAN.The erasing of the RFID chip of the device 20 is also carried out in order to make the TID-EAN link disappear.

On notera que le procédé de gestion d'une transaction et de déverrouillage selon ce troisième mode permet d'éviter les problèmes liés aux files d'attente en caisse puisque l'article/objet n'a plus qu'à être déverrouillé à un découpleur sans avoir à passer en caisse.It will be noted that the process for managing a transaction and unlocking according to this third mode makes it possible to avoid the problems associated with queues at the checkout since the article/object only has to be unlocked at a decoupler without having to checkout.

De plus, ce procédé de gestion d'une transaction réduit les erreurs d'encaissement.In addition, this method of managing a transaction reduces collection errors.

Les figures 27 à 30 illustrent la coopération entre un découpleur ou dispositif de déverrouillage 230 et un exemple de dispositif antivol 250 selon un autre mode de réalisation (figure 27). Dans cet autre mode le dispositif 250 est en une seule pièce dans laquelle les deux éléments du dispositif sont des organes de serrage 252, 254 formant des pinces pour enserrer l'article à protéger. Ces organes sont aménagés dans une tête de serrage 253. Le dispositif comporte, d'une part, un mécanisme de serrage mis en œuvre sous l'action d'un organe d'actionnement 256 (ex :molette) actionné par un utilisateur qui exerce un effort de serrage en tournant l'organe d'actionnement et, d'autre part, un mécanisme interne (moyens) de verrouillage pour empêcher tout serrage ultérieur à partir d'un couple de serrage prédéterminé exercé par les deux organes sur l'article. L'organe d'actionnement 256 est raccordé à la tête 253 et se présente sous la forme d'un corps 256a auquel sont raccordées deux ailes de préhension 256b, 256c qui s'écartent du corps. Un tel dispositif est par exemple du type de celui décrit dans la demande de brevet FR 2 942 835 .The figures 27 to 30 illustrate the cooperation between a decoupler or unlocking device 230 and an example of an anti-theft device 250 according to another embodiment ( figure 27 ). In this other mode, the device 250 is in a single piece in which the two elements of the device are clamping members 252, 254 forming clamps to grip the article to be protected. These members are arranged in a clamping head 253. The device comprises, on the one hand, a clamping mechanism implemented under the action of an actuating member 256 (eg: wheel) actuated by a user who exerts a tightening force by turning the actuating member and, on the other hand, an internal locking mechanism (means) to prevent any subsequent tightening from a predetermined tightening torque exerted by the two members on the article . The actuating member 256 is connected to the head 253 and is in the form of a body 256a to which are connected two gripping wings 256b, 256c which deviate from the body. Such a device is for example of the type described in the application for patent FR 2 942 835 .

La figure 28 illustre de façon schématique et partielle la partie supérieure du capot 231 du découpleur montrant la zone de déverrouillage 232 avec un logement 233 pour y recevoir le dispositif antivol 250.The figure 28 schematically and partially illustrates the upper part of the cover 231 of the decoupler showing the unlocking zone 232 with a housing 233 to receive the anti-theft device 250 therein.

Le logement 233 comprend une zone de logement centrale 233a, par exemple cylindrique, et une zone adjacente 233b en forme de tranchée rectiligne qui tangente la zone centrale. La forme et les dimensions du logement sont adaptées à celles du dispositif 250. Le découpleur 230 comprend des organes de blocage 234 et 235 qui sont montés de manière rétractable dans des évidements aménagés à l'intérieur de deux bossages 236, 237 qui encadrent la zone de logement centrale 233a.The housing 233 comprises a central housing zone 233a, for example cylindrical, and an adjacent zone 233b in the form of a rectilinear trench which is tangent to the central zone. The shape and dimensions of the housing are adapted to those of the device 250. The decoupler 230 comprises locking members 234 and 235 which are retractably mounted in recesses provided inside two bosses 236, 237 which frame the area central housing 233a.

Comme pour le premier mode de réalisation, les organes de blocage sont activés en position de blocage (fig. 28) afin d'empêcher l'introduction d'un dispositif antivol dans la zone de déverrouillage.As for the first embodiment, the blocking members are activated in the blocking position ( fig. 28 ) to prevent an anti-theft device from being inserted into the unlocking area.

Les organes de blocage sont désactivés en fonction de la même condition prédéterminée (étapes S14 et S15 de la figure 18) afin de les amener en position rétractée, permettant ainsi de laisser entrer le dispositif dans le logement (figure 29). Le corps 256a est logé dans la zone centrale 233a et les deux ailes 256b, 256c sont positionnées dans la tranchée 233b.The blocking members are deactivated according to the same predetermined condition (steps S14 and S15 of the figure 18 ) in order to bring them into the retracted position, thus allowing the device to enter the housing ( figure 29 ). The body 256a is housed in the central zone 233a and the two wings 256b, 256c are positioned in the trench 233b.

De façon identique à l'étape S17 de la figure 18, les organes de blocage 234, 235 sont à nouveau activés après détection de la présence du dispositif 250 dans le logement du découpleur (figure 30). Le déploiement des organes permet d'empêcher tout retrait du dispositif 250.Identically to step S17 of the figure 18 , the blocking members 234, 235 are activated again after detection of the presence of the device 250 in the housing of the decoupler ( figure 30 ). The deployment of the organs makes it possible to prevent any withdrawal of the device 250.

On notera que le découpleur 230 fonctionne de manière adaptée au dispositif antivol afin d'assurer le déverrouillage et la libération de l'article commercial lors de l'étape S15 de la figure 18.It will be noted that the decoupler 230 operates in a manner adapted to the anti-theft device in order to ensure the unlocking and the release of the commercial article during step S15 of the figure 18 .

Par contre, la gestion des deux éléments du dispositif antivol n'a pas lieu d'être dans le présent mode de réalisation, et les étapes de la figure 18 qui sont liées à la détection d'une position non verrrouillée ne s'appliquent pas.On the other hand, the management of the two elements of the anti-theft device is not necessary in the present embodiment, and the steps of the figure 18 which are related to the detection of an unlocked position do not apply.

Claims (12)

  1. A system for managing the unlocking of an identification device of a packaged or unpackaged commercial article, characterized in that the system comprises:
    - an identification device of a packaged or unpackaged commercial article, the device comprising at least two elements that are displaceable with respect to one another between two positions, a locked position, in which said at least two elements imprison between them, in a locked manner under the action of a lock, the article or its packaging, and at least one unlocked position, the identification device bearing information identifying said device and/or the commercial article to which said device is fixed,
    - means for identifying the association of the identification device and of the commercial article to which said device is fixed,
    - an unlocking device comprising an unlocking zone and unlocking means for unlocking, with respect to one another, said at least two elements of the identification device and freeing the article or its packaging of said identification device,
    - means for preventing the unlocking of the identification device that are able, on the one hand, to be activated so as to prevent the unlocking of the identification device and, on the other hand, to be deactivated so as to allow the unlocking of the identification device,
    - means for deciding deactivation or non-deactivation of the means for preventing the unlocking of the identification device as a function of the identification or of the absence of identification of the association of the identification device and of the commercial article to which said device is fixed,
    characterized in that the means for preventing unlocking are mechanical means that prevent physical access of the identification device to the unlocking zone of the unlocking device.
  2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the system comprises means for activating and deactivating the means for preventing unlocking.
  3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mechanical means for preventing unlocking comprise one or more mobile blocking members that are able to occupy, on the one hand, a deployed position preventing physical access of the identification device to the unlocking zone of the unlocking device and, on the other hand, a retracted position allowing physical access of the identification device to the unlocking zone of the unlocking device.
  4. The system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the system comprises blocking means that are able to block in a blocking position, in the unlocking zone of the unlocking device, said unlocked identification device or one of said at least two unlocked elements of said identification device.
  5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises means for activating, in a blocking position, and for deactivating as a function of a predetermined condition, in a deblocking position, the means for blocking the identification device or one of said at least two elements blocked in the unlocking zone.
  6. The system according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the blocking means comprise the mobile blocking member(s) of the mechanical means for preventing unlocking.
  7. The system according to claims 2 and 6, characterized in that the means for activating and deactivating the mobile blocking member(s) comprise a mechanism for displacing the mobile blocking member(s).
  8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the displacement mechanism comprises a motor cooperating with a toothed wheel for driving the latter in rotation, a component mounted so as to be secured in rotation with the toothed wheel and comprising a contact portion, the mobile member(s) cooperating by contact with the contact portion of said component by way of a cam so that the rotation of the wheel drives the displacement of the mobile blocking member(s).
  9. The system according to claim 1 to 8, characterized in that the unlocking device comprises a mobile part surrounding the unlocking zone and which is able to occupy two positions, namely a high blocking position in which the mobile part is situated at a height above or equal to the height of the identification device or of one of said at least two elements disposed in said unlocking zone and a low deblocking position in which the mobile part is situated at a height below the height of the identification device or of the element disposed in said unlocking zone.
  10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that the system comprises a mechanism for displacing the mobile part that is able to be activated as a function of a predetermined condition.
  11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the mechanism for displacing the mobile part comprises a motor cooperating with a toothed wheel for driving the latter in rotation, a component mounted so as to be secured in rotation with the toothed wheel and comprising a first cam, the mobile part comprising a second cam complementary to the first cam and cooperating with said component by way of the two cams so that the rotation of the wheel drives the vertical displacement of the mobile part from one position to the other.
  12. The system according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the unlocking zone comprises a housing that is able to receive the identification device or one of said at least two elements and that has a shape and dimensions substantially complementary to those of said device or of the element.
EP20152287.7A 2012-07-12 2013-05-03 System and method for managing the unlocking of a device for protecting against the theft of a commercial item, packaged or not Active EP3667000B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1256750 2012-07-12
EP19159191.6A EP3511495A1 (en) 2012-07-12 2013-05-03 System and method for managing the unlocking of a device for protecting against the theft of a commercial item, packaged or not
EP13728438.6A EP2872715B1 (en) 2012-07-12 2013-05-03 System and method for managing the unlocking of an anti-theft device
PCT/FR2013/051000 WO2014009617A2 (en) 2012-07-12 2013-05-03 System and method for managing the unlocking of an anti-theft device

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19159191.6A Division EP3511495A1 (en) 2012-07-12 2013-05-03 System and method for managing the unlocking of a device for protecting against the theft of a commercial item, packaged or not
EP13728438.6A Division EP2872715B1 (en) 2012-07-12 2013-05-03 System and method for managing the unlocking of an anti-theft device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3667000A1 EP3667000A1 (en) 2020-06-17
EP3667000B1 true EP3667000B1 (en) 2022-09-07

Family

ID=48614038

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20152287.7A Active EP3667000B1 (en) 2012-07-12 2013-05-03 System and method for managing the unlocking of a device for protecting against the theft of a commercial item, packaged or not
EP19159191.6A Withdrawn EP3511495A1 (en) 2012-07-12 2013-05-03 System and method for managing the unlocking of a device for protecting against the theft of a commercial item, packaged or not
EP13728438.6A Active EP2872715B1 (en) 2012-07-12 2013-05-03 System and method for managing the unlocking of an anti-theft device

Family Applications After (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19159191.6A Withdrawn EP3511495A1 (en) 2012-07-12 2013-05-03 System and method for managing the unlocking of a device for protecting against the theft of a commercial item, packaged or not
EP13728438.6A Active EP2872715B1 (en) 2012-07-12 2013-05-03 System and method for managing the unlocking of an anti-theft device

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US10134209B2 (en)
EP (3) EP3667000B1 (en)
CN (1) CN104822889A (en)
AU (1) AU2013288550A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2878411C (en)
MX (1) MX2015000536A (en)
WO (1) WO2014009617A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3038066A1 (en) * 2014-12-22 2016-06-29 Ifinity Sp. z o.o. An electronic article surveillance device and a method for operating thereof
US10068449B2 (en) * 2015-12-18 2018-09-04 Tyco Fire & Security Gmbh RFID proximity tack for RFID detacher
CN106056822A (en) * 2016-07-05 2016-10-26 路普达网络科技（北京）有限公司 Self-service shopping antitheft system and self-service shopping antitheft method
US20180012001A1 (en) * 2016-07-07 2018-01-11 Redfrog Security, LLC Mobile device security systems and methods
CN106650838A (en) * 2016-07-22 2017-05-10 思创医惠科技股份有限公司 One-piece code scanning and decoding method used for commodity antitheft and system thereof
CN107657442B (en) * 2016-07-26 2021-10-29 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 Method and device for controlling and processing magnetic accessories on article
CN107204057A (en) * 2017-05-23 2017-09-26 陈维龙 A kind of unlocking method and system of self-help payment
CN107251775A (en) * 2017-07-14 2017-10-17 刘超 Intelligent plant flowerpot system
CN108182741B (en) * 2017-12-21 2021-05-14 杭州思创汇联科技有限公司 Intelligent commodity management system, method and storage medium
CN109035660B (en) * 2017-12-29 2021-10-08 樊笑伟 Intelligent anti-theft buckle and control method thereof
US10970378B2 (en) * 2019-05-13 2021-04-06 Cyberark Software Ltd. Secure generation and verification of machine-readable visual codes
EP3997290B1 (en) * 2019-07-08 2023-12-13 Sensormatic Electronics, LLC Security tag with perpendicularly releasable 3-ball clutch
US10896190B1 (en) * 2019-07-10 2021-01-19 The Prudential Insurance Company Of America Display tool
CN114261584B (en) * 2021-12-24 2023-08-11 煤科(北京)检测技术有限公司 Bulk material collection system and method based on intelligent transfer robot
US20230417083A1 (en) * 2022-06-23 2023-12-28 Sensormatic Electronics, LLC Magnetic detacher with movable blocker
US20230417084A1 (en) * 2022-06-23 2023-12-28 Sensormatic Electronics, LLC Detaching a security tag from an article with a magnetic detacher having a movable blocker

Family Cites Families (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2087372A (en) * 1937-07-20 Needle anchor
US4527310A (en) * 1983-07-22 1985-07-09 I. D. Engineering, Inc. Secure release apparatus for anti-theft fastening device
US5099228A (en) 1989-02-09 1992-03-24 Marcia Israel Electronic anti-theft merchandise tag having means for activating an alarm in response to an attempt to remove the tag from the merchandise
CN2112180U (en) * 1992-01-23 1992-08-05 上海市群益无线电厂 Safety electronic button
US5942948A (en) * 1996-12-20 1999-08-24 Texas Instruments Incorporated High speed lock detector
US5955951A (en) * 1998-04-24 1999-09-21 Sensormatic Electronics Corporation Combined article surveillance and product identification system
US5942978A (en) 1998-04-24 1999-08-24 Sensormatic Electronics Corporation Wireless transmitter key for EAS tag detacher unit
US6598790B1 (en) 1999-06-22 2003-07-29 Douglas B. Horst Self-service checkout
US6693511B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2004-02-17 Ge Interlogix, Inc. System and method for communicating with dormant radio frequency identification tags
CN2452899Y (en) * 2000-08-29 2001-10-10 上海升阳科技有限公司 Affixing tag apparatus
US6681989B2 (en) 2002-01-15 2004-01-27 International Business Machines Corporation Inventory control and point-of-sale system and method
US7376585B2 (en) * 2002-09-04 2008-05-20 Sap Aktiengesellschaft Real-time sales information architecture
KR20040079625A (en) * 2003-03-08 2004-09-16 주식회사 케이티프리텔 A Method For Providing Internet Contents Using Code Pattern
US7148805B2 (en) * 2003-08-08 2006-12-12 Sensormatic Electronics Corporation Hard security tag and detaching device
DE602005008910D1 (en) * 2004-02-20 2008-09-25 Checkpoint Systems Inc SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE AUTHENTICATED DECOMPOSITION OF PRODUCT LABELS
AU2005302148B2 (en) * 2004-11-02 2010-07-08 Sensormatic Electronics Llc Antenna for a combination EAS/RFID tag with a detacher
US8242910B2 (en) 2004-12-09 2012-08-14 Johan Skjellerup Security system for preventing unauthorized removal of merchandise
WO2008056093A1 (en) * 2006-11-10 2008-05-15 Mmg Magdev Limited Detacher
NL1034134C2 (en) 2006-12-05 2008-06-06 Johannes Arnoldus Maria Hendri Protection of objects.
ZA200906009B (en) * 2007-01-31 2010-04-28 Bell Oak Invest Surveillance device
FR2942835B1 (en) 2009-03-09 2013-04-12 Exaqtworld ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WITH PLACEMENT AND SIMPLIFIED WITHDRAWAL
US20140055249A1 (en) * 2011-01-10 2014-02-27 Glen Walter Garner Rfid security tag based monitoring system and detachers for use therewith

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20150187150A1 (en) 2015-07-02
CA2878411C (en) 2020-03-10
WO2014009617A3 (en) 2014-03-06
WO2014009617A2 (en) 2014-01-16
US10134209B2 (en) 2018-11-20
MX2015000536A (en) 2015-05-11
CA2878411A1 (en) 2014-01-16
EP3667000A1 (en) 2020-06-17
EP2872715B1 (en) 2019-02-27
EP3511495A1 (en) 2019-07-17
AU2013288550A1 (en) 2015-03-05
CN104822889A (en) 2015-08-05
EP2872715A2 (en) 2015-05-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3667000B1 (en) System and method for managing the unlocking of a device for protecting against the theft of a commercial item, packaged or not
CA2873945C (en) Device for protecting a commercial article against theft
EP2002385B1 (en) Method of reading at least one bar code and system for reading a bar code
JP6276637B2 (en) Reading apparatus and merchandise sales data processing apparatus
JP6250464B2 (en) Reading apparatus and program
US8054194B2 (en) System and method for verifying a security status of a lockable container
US20190244451A1 (en) System and method for managing the unlocking of an anti-theft device
FR2954550A1 (en) PROTECTION METHOD IN CONTACTLESS RADIO FREQUENCY COMMUNICATION
JP6254895B2 (en) Reading apparatus and merchandise sales data processing apparatus
WO2007010146A2 (en) D' identification device for optical reading and radio frequency encoding adaptable in identification label printer output
WO2002011078A1 (en) Device for controlling an identity document or the like
AU2005309565A1 (en) Apparatus and method for processing items
FR2998392B1 (en) CHIP CARD SYSTEM, CHIP CARD, DEVICE FOR CONTACTLESS INTERACTION WITH A CHIP CARD SYSTEM OR A CHIP CARD, AND METHOD OF OPERATING, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A CHIP CARD SYSTEM OR A CHIP CARD SYSTEM 'A CHIP CARD
EP2936379B1 (en) Detection of a transactional device
FR2964217A1 (en) Display case for displaying e.g. food products, has unit for protecting display case from propagation of waves through doors so as to prevent communication between reader and chip of one product located at exterior of enclosure
EP2977851A1 (en) Device and method for document authentication
CA2786842A1 (en) Theft-prevention unit for a commercial item
CN108885811A (en) fraud detection
BE1018290A3 (en) Auditor license.
FR2990716A3 (en) ELECTRONIC LOCK WITH OPTICAL DETECTION OF MEDIA FOR ENABLING
EP2824623A2 (en) Payment terminal incorporating cash-register functions
EP2824627B1 (en) Method for securing an electronic payment device
WO2013128119A1 (en) Recording of a transfer of an object
FR2935821A3 (en) Verifier for e.g. validating authenticity of identity card e.g. driving license, of automatic dispenser to distribute e.g. product, has authenticity recognition module installed in printed circuit board to detect anti counterfeiting of card
WO2001009815A1 (en) Identifying system with electronic labels

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 3511495

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

Ref document number: 2872715

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20201215

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20210730

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: LODI, TAMAS

Inventor name: FAVIER, ALAIN

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20220408

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 2872715

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

Ref document number: 3511495

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1517169

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20220915

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602013082497

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

RAP4 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: EXAQTWORLD

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LU

Ref legal event code: HC

Owner name: EXAQTWORLD; FR

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: EXAQTWORLD

Effective date: 20221024

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20220907

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20221207

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1517169

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20220907

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20221208

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230109

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230107

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602013082497

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230419

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230418

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20230602

Year of fee payment: 11

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20230608

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20230503

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20230531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220907

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230503

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230503

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230503

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230503