EP0921505A2 - Retail security system - Google Patents
Retail security system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0921505A2 EP0921505A2 EP98308419A EP98308419A EP0921505A2 EP 0921505 A2 EP0921505 A2 EP 0921505A2 EP 98308419 A EP98308419 A EP 98308419A EP 98308419 A EP98308419 A EP 98308419A EP 0921505 A2 EP0921505 A2 EP 0921505A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- security system
- tags
- eas
- detector
- goods
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19697—Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G07G3/00—Alarm indicators, e.g. bells
-
- 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
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19639—Details of the system layout
- G08B13/19641—Multiple cameras having overlapping views on a single scene
-
- 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
- G08B13/2465—Aspects related to the EAS system, e.g. system components other than tags
- G08B13/248—EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
Definitions
- This invention relates to systems for providing security in a retail environment. More specifically, the invention is concerned with Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems.
- EAS Electronic Article Surveillance
- tags are either removed or deactivated. If an active tag is passed through an EAS detector at the exit of the store, it will trigger the detector, setting off an alarm to alert the store staff to a possible theft.
- U.S. Patent No. 4728938 describes a radio-frequency tag which can be deactivated by applying high RF power to it.
- CCTV closed-circuit television
- the object of the present invention is to provide an improved security system for such an environment.
- a security system for use in a retail environment, the system comprising:
- Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a retail store employing a security system in accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 2 is a block diagram of the electronic components of the system.
- this shows a retail store, having shelves 10 on which goods are displayed, a number of checkouts 11 at which customers can pay for their selected goods, a number of EAS detectors 12 positioned near the exit 13 of the store, and at least one remote-controlled CCTV camera 14.
- the goods have electronic tags attached to them.
- these may be RF tags as described in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 4728938.
- the checkout When a customer pays for the selected goods, the checkout generates a pulse of high RF power, which causes a fusible link in each tag to be broken, thereby deactivating the tag.
- the EAS detectors 12 are connected by way of a relay data collection device 21 to a control computer 22.
- the computer 22 controls a CCTV switch 23, which interconnects the CCTV cameras to a VCR (video cassette recorder) 24.
- the control computer also sends control signals to the CCTV cameras 14, so as to control each camera independently for tilt, pan and zoom.
- Alert massages may also be generated from other sources. For example a checkout may generate an alert message when a potentially suspicious event, such as "no sale” or a refund occurs, as described in our co-pending European Patent application no. 95306822.8.
- the control computer When the control computer receives an alert message, it first checks the priority level of the event indicated by the message, and compares it with the priorities of other events currently being handled. If the priority level is high enough, the control computer selects one of the CCTV cameras and points it at the origin of the alert. In particular, if the alert message came from an EAS detector, the control computer points one of the CCTV cameras at that detector, so as to capture a picture of the person currently passing that detector. At the same time, the control computer sends a signal to the CCTV switch, causing it to connect the selected CCTV camera to the VCR, and sends the alert message to the VCR. The VCR then records the captured image, with the alert message superimposed on it.
- control computer may also trigger an audible alarm, or a visual indication, to alert store staff.
- tags which can be deactivated
- the tags may simply be removed from the goods by store staff at the checkout.
- Other types of tag may also be used.
- steerable cameras fixed cameras may be used, each pointing at a particular site of interest, such as one of the EAS detectors.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Closed-Circuit Television Systems (AREA)
- Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)
- Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to systems for providing security in a retail environment. More specifically, the invention is concerned with Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems.
- In an EAS system, goods in a retail store are labelled with electronic tags. When the goods have been properly paid for at the checkout, the tags are either removed or deactivated. If an active tag is passed through an EAS detector at the exit of the store, it will trigger the detector, setting off an alarm to alert the store staff to a possible theft.
- For example, U.S. Patent No. 4728938 describes a radio-frequency tag which can be deactivated by applying high RF power to it.
- It is also well known in a retail environment to use CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras and video recording to monitor areas of the store, such as checkouts and shelves.
- The object of the present invention is to provide an improved security system for such an environment.
- According to the invention there is provided a security system for use in a retail environment, the system comprising:
- (a) a number of tags attached to retail goods,
- (b) at least one EAS detector for detecting the passage of active tags,
- (c) an image recording device (e.g. a CCTV camera connected to a video recorder), and
- (d) a control device, triggered by a signal from the EAS detector, for causing the image recording device to capture a picture of the locality of the EAS detector upon detection of an active tag by the EAS detector.
-
- Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a retail store employing a security system in accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 2 is a block diagram of the electronic components of the system.
- One security system in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- Referring to Figure 1, this shows a retail store, having
shelves 10 on which goods are displayed, a number ofcheckouts 11 at which customers can pay for their selected goods, a number ofEAS detectors 12 positioned near theexit 13 of the store, and at least one remote-controlledCCTV camera 14. - The goods have electronic tags attached to them. For example, these may be RF tags as described in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 4728938. At the checkout, when a customer pays for the selected goods, the checkout generates a pulse of high RF power, which causes a fusible link in each tag to be broken, thereby deactivating the tag.
- Referring to Figure 2, the
EAS detectors 12 are connected by way of a relaydata collection device 21 to acontrol computer 22. Thecomputer 22 controls aCCTV switch 23, which interconnects the CCTV cameras to a VCR (video cassette recorder) 24. The control computer also sends control signals to theCCTV cameras 14, so as to control each camera independently for tilt, pan and zoom. - Whenever the EAS detector detects the presence of an active tag, it sends an alert message to the control computer, by way of the
data collection device 21. Alert massages may also be generated from other sources. For example a checkout may generate an alert message when a potentially suspicious event, such as "no sale" or a refund occurs, as described in our co-pending European Patent application no. 95306822.8. - When the control computer receives an alert message, it first checks the priority level of the event indicated by the message, and compares it with the priorities of other events currently being handled. If the priority level is high enough, the control computer selects one of the CCTV cameras and points it at the origin of the alert. In particular, if the alert message came from an EAS detector, the control computer points one of the CCTV cameras at that detector, so as to capture a picture of the person currently passing that detector. At the same time, the control computer sends a signal to the CCTV switch, causing it to connect the selected CCTV camera to the VCR, and sends the alert message to the VCR. The VCR then records the captured image, with the alert message superimposed on it.
- In addition, the control computer may also trigger an audible alarm, or a visual indication, to alert store staff.
- When recording is finished, the VCR and the CCTV switch are returned to their previous states.
- It will be appreciated that many modifications may be made to the system described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of using tags which can be deactivated, the tags may simply be removed from the goods by store staff at the checkout. Other types of tag may also be used. Also, instead of using steerable cameras, fixed cameras may be used, each pointing at a particular site of interest, such as one of the EAS detectors.
Claims (6)
- A security system for use in a retail environment, the system comprising:(a) a plurality of tags attached to retail goods;(b) at least one electronic article surveillance (EAS) detector (12) for detecting passage of active tags; and(c) an image recording device (14,23,24);(d) a control device (22), triggered by a signal from said EAS detector, for causing said image recording device to capture a picture of the locality of said EAS detector upon detection of an active tag by said EAS detector.
- A security system according to Claim 1 wherein said control device is a control computer (22).
- A security system according to Claim 2 wherein said control computer is connected to said EAS detector by way of a relay data collection device (21).
- A security system according to any preceding claim wherein said image recording device comprises a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera (14) linked to a video recorder (24).
- A security system according to Claim 4 wherein said CCTV camera (14) is remotely controlled by said control device (22).
- A security system according to any preceding claim wherein the system includes means (11) for deactivating the tags when the goods to which they are attached have been paid for.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9725577 | 1997-12-04 | ||
GBGB9725577.2A GB9725577D0 (en) | 1997-12-04 | 1997-12-04 | Retail security system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0921505A2 true EP0921505A2 (en) | 1999-06-09 |
EP0921505A3 EP0921505A3 (en) | 1999-12-08 |
Family
ID=10823042
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98308419A Withdrawn EP0921505A3 (en) | 1997-12-04 | 1998-10-15 | Retail security system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0921505A3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9725577D0 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA9810549B (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL1012592C2 (en) * | 1999-07-13 | 2001-01-16 | Dutch A & A Trading Bv | Detection system with video camera. |
FR2811455A1 (en) * | 2000-07-04 | 2002-01-11 | Sidep | INTEGRATED PASSAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM |
US6525663B2 (en) | 2001-03-15 | 2003-02-25 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Automatic system for monitoring persons entering and leaving changing room |
WO2004068420A2 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2004-08-12 | Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik Gmbh | Device for monitoring a passageway for persons |
EP1869616A1 (en) * | 2005-04-07 | 2007-12-26 | Michael Daily | Self checkout kiosk and retail security system |
WO2009063113A1 (en) * | 2007-11-14 | 2009-05-22 | Perez Boils, Juan, Carlos | Improved anti-theft system |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3665448A (en) * | 1970-08-03 | 1972-05-23 | Hugh A Mcglinchey | Electronic shoplifting prevention system |
GB2215568A (en) * | 1988-02-22 | 1989-09-20 | Photo Scan Limited | CCTV/surveillance system |
US5151684A (en) * | 1991-04-12 | 1992-09-29 | Johnsen Edward L | Electronic inventory label and security apparatus |
WO1997000503A1 (en) * | 1995-06-19 | 1997-01-03 | Sensormatic Electronics Corporation | Directional antenna configuration for asset tracking system |
US5745036A (en) * | 1996-09-12 | 1998-04-28 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Electronic article security system for store which uses intelligent security tags and transaction data |
-
1997
- 1997-12-04 GB GBGB9725577.2A patent/GB9725577D0/en not_active Ceased
-
1998
- 1998-10-15 EP EP98308419A patent/EP0921505A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1998-11-18 ZA ZA9810549A patent/ZA9810549B/en unknown
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3665448A (en) * | 1970-08-03 | 1972-05-23 | Hugh A Mcglinchey | Electronic shoplifting prevention system |
GB2215568A (en) * | 1988-02-22 | 1989-09-20 | Photo Scan Limited | CCTV/surveillance system |
US5151684A (en) * | 1991-04-12 | 1992-09-29 | Johnsen Edward L | Electronic inventory label and security apparatus |
WO1997000503A1 (en) * | 1995-06-19 | 1997-01-03 | Sensormatic Electronics Corporation | Directional antenna configuration for asset tracking system |
US5745036A (en) * | 1996-09-12 | 1998-04-28 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Electronic article security system for store which uses intelligent security tags and transaction data |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL1012592C2 (en) * | 1999-07-13 | 2001-01-16 | Dutch A & A Trading Bv | Detection system with video camera. |
WO2001004844A2 (en) * | 1999-07-13 | 2001-01-18 | Dutch A & A Trading B.V. | Detection system with video camera |
WO2001004844A3 (en) * | 1999-07-13 | 2001-05-03 | Dutch A & A Trading Bv | Detection system with video camera |
FR2811455A1 (en) * | 2000-07-04 | 2002-01-11 | Sidep | INTEGRATED PASSAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM |
US6525663B2 (en) | 2001-03-15 | 2003-02-25 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Automatic system for monitoring persons entering and leaving changing room |
WO2004068420A2 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2004-08-12 | Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik Gmbh | Device for monitoring a passageway for persons |
WO2004068420A3 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2004-10-28 | Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik Kg | Device for monitoring a passageway for persons |
EP1869616A1 (en) * | 2005-04-07 | 2007-12-26 | Michael Daily | Self checkout kiosk and retail security system |
EP1869616A4 (en) * | 2005-04-07 | 2012-10-24 | Freedom Shopping Inc | Self checkout kiosk and retail security system |
WO2009063113A1 (en) * | 2007-11-14 | 2009-05-22 | Perez Boils, Juan, Carlos | Improved anti-theft system |
ES2323928A1 (en) * | 2007-11-14 | 2009-07-27 | Jaime Perez Boils | Improved anti-theft system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB9725577D0 (en) | 1998-02-04 |
EP0921505A3 (en) | 1999-12-08 |
ZA9810549B (en) | 1999-05-25 |
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