EP1297509A1

EP1297509A1 - Method and device for monitoring and managing passages in a shop

Info

Publication number: EP1297509A1
Application number: EP01951772A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Marc Boutonnet-Tranier
Original assignee: Sidep
Current assignee: Sidep
Priority date: 2000-07-04
Filing date: 2001-07-04
Publication date: 2003-04-02
Also published as: FR2811455A1; WO2002003345A1; FR2811455B1; AU2001272625A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a surveillance method for a shop using at least a terminal (2) equipped with a theft detector (3) capable of interacting with antitheft tags and of triggering a visual and/or audio alarm, said detector (3) comprising an antenna (4) having a theft detecting zone Z4. The invention is characterised in that the triggering of the visual and/or audio alarm is subject to detection, by at least one passage detector (5) having a passage detecting zone Z5, of a presence proximate to said theft detector (3). The invention also concerns a device for implementing the method, and a terminal (2).

Description

Method and device for monitoring and managing passages for a store.

The present invention relates to the field of methods and equipment for monitoring and managing passages in a store.

The present invention relates more specifically to a method and a device for monitoring a store using at least one terminal equipped with a theft detector capable of interacting with anti-theft tags and causing the implementation of a visual and / or audible alarm, said detector comprising an antenna having a theft detection zone.

It is known to place a terminal comprising a detector at a crossing point of a store that triggers an alert in the event of an article passing through with an anti-theft label not deactivated.

A major drawback of these terminals is that they can cause the theft detection alarm to be implemented in circumstances where this is not required, and in particular when no one is crossing the detection zone. This can be the case, for example, when the cashier lets out of her hands an item with an anti-theft tag that is not deactivated or simply a tag that is not deactivated and the label falls within the detection range of the security detector. flight.

The object of the present invention is to provide improved equipment making it possible to remedy these drawbacks.

To do this, the method according to the present invention relates, in its broadest sense, to the method according to claim 1.

The implementation of a visual and / or audible alarm is thus subject to detection, by at least one passage detector having a passage detection zone, of a presence near said theft detector.

The passage detection zone is preferably included in the theft detection zone.

It is also possible to operate, using at least one surveillance camera, a video recording of an image capture zone near said theft detector, during detection, by at least one presence detection detector near said theft detector.

The surveillance zone is preferably included in the theft detection zone.

It is also possible to count the passages in the passage detection zone using the passage detector.

The present invention also relates to a device for monitoring a store allowing the implementation of the method according to the invention.

The present invention also relates to a terminal for monitoring a store equipped with a theft detector capable of interacting with anti-theft tags and causing the implementation of a visual and / or audible alarm, said detector comprising a antenna having a theft detection zone, remarkable in that it comprises at least one passage detector having a passage detection zone.

This terminal also preferably includes at least one surveillance camera having an image capture area.

The passage detector is also preferably a passage counter. The terminal may also include a means of controlling the ambient temperature.

Advantageously, the method according to the invention makes it possible to condition the implementation of the anti-theft alarm to the presence of an object marked against theft in the detection area of the theft detector and to the presence of a person in the detection zone of the passage detector, in order to avoid any untimely implementation of the alarm.

Advantageously, the method according to the invention also makes it possible to condition the recording of images in the image capture zone of the surveillance camera to the presence of an object marked against theft in the detection zone of the detector. theft and the presence of a person in the detection zone of the pass detector, in order to avoid any unnecessary recording of an image.

Advantageously, the passage detector, when it forms a passage counter makes it possible to count customers when they enter the sales area or in a particular area and that they leave it.

Advantageously, the integrated temperature sensor measures the temperature at the level of the boxes and thus makes it possible to control the comfort of the customers and / or to detect any anomaly, such as, for example, a fire.

The present invention thus makes it possible to monitor and manage any type of passage in the stores.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description given below purely explanatory, of an embodiment of the invention, with reference to the appended figures:

"Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a terminal according to the invention;

"FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a terminal according to the invention; and

"Figure 3 illustrates the block diagram of the provision of information collected by the device according to the invention.

The method according to the invention is a method for monitoring a store using at least one terminal (2), illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, equipped with a theft detector (3) capable of interacting with anti-theft labels and trigger the implementation of a visual and / or audible alarm. The detector (3) comprises an antenna (4) having a theft detection zone Z4 illustrated in short dotted lines which corresponds to the space in which theft detection by the antenna (4) is possible.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that the implementation of the visual and / or audible alarm is subject to detection, by at least one passage detector (5) having a passage detection zone Z5, d 'a presence near said theft detector (3).

The passage detection zone Z5, which corresponds to the space illustrated in alternating long-short dotted lines in which the detection of the presence of a person is possible is substantially included in the flight detection zone Z4. Due to the capabilities of the passage detector (5), the passage detection zone Z5 has a smaller dimension than the theft detection zone Z4, but these zones may not correspond exactly and that in particular the passage zone Z5 extends beyond the theft detection zone Z4.

The method according to the invention also allows, using at least one surveillance camera (6, 6 '), video recording of an image capture zone Z6, Z6', near said detector. theft (3), upon detection, by at least one passage detector (4) of a presence near said theft detector (3). The image capture area Z6, Z6 ', which corresponds respectively to the space illustrated in long dotted lines in which image capture by the surveillance camera (6, 6') is possible, is included in the area Z4 flight detection system. Due to the capabilities of the surveillance camera (6, 6 '), the image capture zone Z6, Z6' has a smaller dimension than the theft detection zone Z4, but it is possible that these zones do not correspond exactly and in particular that the image capture zone Z6, Z6 ′ projects beyond the theft detection zone Z4, in particular when the surveillance camera (6, 6 ′) is orientable from a distance.

The recording of the captured images can thus be subject to the detection, by the passage detector (5) of a presence near said theft detector (3), in the theft detection zone Z4. This makes it possible in particular to limit the quantity of images to be recorded and archived.

The visual and / or audible alarm may consist of an alarm light, positioned at the top of the flight detector antenna (3) and / or a general or local siren, integrated into the terminal (2 ). This alarm is not shown for reasons of clarity. The device (1) according to the invention, allowing the implementation of the invention and illustrated in FIG. 3, is a device for monitoring a store, comprising at least one terminal (2) equipped with a theft detector (3) able to interact with anti-theft tags and trigger the implementation of a visual and / or audible alarm.

The terminal (2) comprises at least one passage detector (5). This device (1) may include several terminals (2) each equipped with a theft detector (3) and a passage detector (5). It is capable of managing the information coming from all the terminals (2) and of ensuring the transmission of this information.

The passage detector (5), also called a "presence detector", which can act as a passage counter, is fully integrated into the terminal (2).

A surveillance web camera (6) is placed in the terminal (2), to give the possibility of monitoring the entrances to the store, the checkouts and the checkouts. A temperature control means (7), such as a temperature probe, is installed on the terminals (2) and informs of the ambient temperature of the store.

To centralize the information collected by the terminals (2) and provide precise analyzes, the data coming from the terminals are exploited by software which makes it possible to manage the sales activity and to consult remotely, thanks to an interface (8), via a network such as the Internet (9), all of this information. The passage counter allows customers to be counted when they enter and leave the sales area; Coupled with the processing software, the counter makes it possible to count the customers present at a given moment in the store and provides precise analyzes of the different attendance rates. It works with a low voltage power supply. The counter is reset with a key. In the event of a power failure, the data is saved.

The integrated temperature sensor (s) measure the temperature at the level of the boxes and thus make it possible to control the comfort of the customers (verification of the proper functioning of the air conditioning and heating). They can also be installed inside the store, in all areas that deserve special surveillance (refrigerated shelves, freezers, etc.). Signals are sent if the thresholds are exceeded.

The surveillance camera (6, 6 ') integrated into the terminals (2) allows viewing of the passage at the checkout. The operating software allows recording with freeze frame when an alarm is triggered, in pre- and post-alarm viewing mode or recording only when the alarm is triggered after detection of a presence at the passage detector (4).

Two surveillance web cameras (6, 6 ') can be installed, one (6) at the top of the flight detector antenna (4), at the level of the alarm light to monitor the passage between the antennas, and the other (6 ') in the trolley protection, protecting the theft detector (3), to monitor the goods passing by on the cash register and the post checkout. This second camera is orientable and adjustable in height, possibly remotely.

The operating software centralizes the data collected at the level of theft detection of articles, passage counters, surveillance cameras (6, 6 ') and temperature control means (7). It transmits information such as:

• theft rate of items: it compares the alarm rates per case and identifies the cases most sensitive to theft. It archives alarms.

• Passage rate: it gives permanent control of the frequentation of the store and transmits a signal if a threshold is exceeded. It provides a precise analysis of the different rates of return for the store per case. It compares the passage rates by case and by period.

"flight image management: it allows viewing the images in real time, archiving them if necessary. It also allows viewing the alarm images and recording them.

• temperature rate: it provides information on the store's ambient temperature.

Via a secure website (10), an operator can log into the store and perform remote checks.

All the information (counting, analyzes, rates, web images, etc.) can be consulted at any time on the Internet (9), using an access code, on any appropriate means equipped with an Internet connection: portable telephone (11), fixed microcomputer (12), portable microcomputer (13). Information can be transferred to all strategic points of supervision. Thanks to this device, we have real means of control at each cash desk and you can control all security from a distance.

The bimonthly monitoring report provided by the operator shows the equipment of the shelves in anti-theft protection and the functioning of all the devices. It may also be available on the Internet. It is archived in a database specific to each store or chain of stores. It is possible to provide a connection of any other management software (refrigeration, lighting, etc.), so as to centralize all the technical management of the store on the same highly secure website.

The invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variants of the invention without going beyond the scope of the patent.

Claims

1. Method for monitoring a store using at least one terminal (2) equipped with a theft detector (3) capable of interacting with anti-theft labels and causing the implementation of an alarm visual and / or audible, said detector (3) comprising an antenna (4) having a theft detection zone Z4, characterized in that the implementation of the visual and / or audible alarm is subject to detection, by at least one passage detector (5) having a passage detection zone Z5, of a presence near said theft detector (3).

2. Method for monitoring a store according to claim 1, characterized in that the passage detection zone Z5 is included in the theft detection zone Z4.

3. A method for monitoring a store according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that one further operates, using at least one surveillance camera (6, 6 '), a video recording of an image capture zone Z6, Z6 ′, close to said theft detector (3), upon detection, by at least one passage detector (4) of a presence close to said detection detector flight (3).

4. Method for monitoring a store according to claim 3, characterized in that the surveillance zone Z6, Z6 'is included in the theft detection zone Z4.

5. Method for monitoring a store according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that one operates a counting of the passages in the passage detection zone Z5 thanks to the passage detector (5).

6. Device (1) for monitoring a store allowing the implementation of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. Terminal (2) for monitoring a store equipped with a theft detector (3) capable of interacting with anti-theft tags and causing the implementation of a visual and / or audible alarm, said detector (3 ) comprising an antenna (4) having a theft detection zone Z4, characterized in that it comprises at least one passage detector (5) having a passage detection zone Z5.

8. Terminal (2) for monitoring a store according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises at least one surveillance camera (6, 6 ') having an image capture area Z6, Z6 '.

9. Terminal (2) for monitoring a store according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that the passage detector (5) is also a passage counter.

10. Terminal (2) for monitoring a store according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a control means (7) of the ambient temperature.