GB2040055A - Security systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A security system which is particularly, though not exclusively, applicable to the prevention of theft in supermarkets and stores employs apparatus at the entrance and exit for weighing customers entering and leaving the store, comparing the entry and exit weights of each individual customer and either releasing an exit barrier or operating an alarm dependent upon whether or not the compared weights tally within preset tolerances.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to security systems This invention relates to security systems and although it is particularly concerned with the prevention of petty pilfering in supermarkets and stores it is equally useful in restricting or detecting the unauthorised removal or introduction of goods from or to any premises to which members of the public have regular or occasional access as employees or visitors, such premises being hereinafter referred to as "a building or a section thereof".

According to the invention, there is provided a security system for restricting or detecting the unauthorised removal or introduction of goods from or to a building or a section thereof (as hereinbefore defined), such system having entry and exit control apparatus for installation at the entrance and exit respectively of the building or section, said entry control apparatus comprising a normally closed entry turnstile or barrier, a weighing platform or weighbirdge in front of said barrier and means operable in response to a person stepping onto said platform or weigh bridge to record that person's weight and release said turnstile or barrier to permit entry to the building or section, and said exit control apparatus comprising a normally closed exit turnstile or barrier, a second weighing platform or weighbridge in front of said turnstile or barrier and means operable in response to a person stepping onto said platform or weighbridge to record the weight of that person, compare it with that person's weight on entry to the building or section and either release said exit turnstile or barrier or operate an alarm dependent upon whether or not the two weights tally within preset tolerances.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying di agrammaticdrawing of a system in accordance with the invention.

As will be seen from the drawing, weighing platforms or bridges 1 and 2 are installed at floor level in the path of customers entering or leaving a store or a department of a store. The weighing platform 1 is mounted above a weight transducer (not shown) which is electrically connected through a line 3 to a device 4 which displays to the customer a coded multi-digit number representing the customer's weight, as measured by the weight transducer, multiplied by a factor which can be changed daily or at other suitable intervals. The display device 4 is electrically connected through a line 5 to a machine 6 which, upon receipt of a signal from the transducer prints and issues a ticket 7 bearing the displayed number and additional information if required, such as date, time of entry and the store or department.Upon issue of a ticket 7 the machine 6 transmits an electrical signal through a line 8 to unlock an entry turnstile or barrier 9 to admit the customer to the store or department. Children accompanying a customer may either be weighed with the customer or weighed separately and collect separate tickets which are retained until the customer is ready to leave. Baskets, trolleys etc. are not collected until a customer has passed the barrier 9.

When a customer is ready to leave, any goods acquired in the store or department are presented at a check-out counter 10 after which, the customer crosses the weighing platform 2 and hands the ticket 7 to the check-out operator who operates a keyboard 11 to record the digits printed on the ticket. The keyboard 11 is provided with a display unit 12 on which the operator checks the digits recorded and a transfer button (not shown) which the operator presses to transmit a signal corresponding to the number concerned through a line 13 to an electronic comparator unit 14 which also receives a signal corresponding to the weight measured by the transducer beneath the weighing platform 2 multiplied by the same factor as on entry, and transmitted through a line 15, a visual display unit 16 not visible to the customer, and a line 17.The comparator compares the figures representing the customer's weight on entry and exit and if they tally within a preset weight tolerance, generates a signal which is transmitted through a line 18 to unlock an exit turnstile or barrier 19. If the figures do not tally within said preset tolerance a visual or audible alarm 20 in the supervisor's office 21 is energised through a line 22 and the exit barrier 19 remains locked in the closed position to pevent the customer from leaving. The locking mechanism for the exit battier 19 may be released by pressing an over-ride button (not shown) in the supervisor's office 21.

Instead of employing the keyboard the ticket itself may be inserted in the comparator which is provided with means for automatically reading the digits printed on the ticket.

The machine 6 may be replaced by a machine which provides the ticket with a punched indication of the weight of the person and the keyboard 11 and comparator 14 may be replaced by a machine provided with locating spigots, arranged in accordance with the weight measured by the platform 2, for engaging the perforations in the ticket inserted therein and operating the alarm 20 if the weights compared do nottallywithin acceptable limits.

When the entry weight is recorded by punching the ticket the exit weight may be recorded in a similar manner and when the two weights correspond the two sets of punched holes are aligned in the machine to allow a beam of light to pass therethrough onto a light-sensitive cell which operates a relay to close an operating circuit through the alarm 20 and the actuating mechanism of the barrier 19.

Alternatively, the punched data on the ticket may be decoded in the exit machine and compared with the weight information emanating from the platform 2.

Instead of a ticket, each customer may be issued, at the entrance, with a re-usable, numbered plastic disc or card showing the store/premises/department identity. At the same time, the customer's weight on entry is recorded and held in a memory store of a computer or similar electronic device. On presentation of the disc at the check-out or exit the disc number is fed by means of a keyboard, similar to the keyboard 11, into the computer, where the exit weight is compared electronically with the entry weight and any difference indicated on a digital display panel which may replace or be provided in addition to the alarm 20.

In the interest of efficient operation it is preferable to locate toilet facilities, restaurants and anything else which might cause a perceptible change in a customer's weight, outside the area bounded by the entry and exit barriers.

Claims (9)

1. Asecurity system for restricting or detecting the unauthorised removal or introduction of goods from or to a building or a section thereof (as hereinbefore defined), said system having entry and exit control apparatus for instailation at the entrance and exit respectively of the building or section, said entry control apparatus comprising a normally closed entry turnstile or barrier, a weighing platform or weigbridge in front of said barrier and means operable in response to a person stepping onto said platform or weighbridge to record that person's weight and release said turnstile or barrier to permit entry to the building or section, and said exit control apparatus comprising a normally closed exit turnstile or barrier, a second weighing platform or weighbridge in front of said exit turnstile or barrier and means operable in response to a person stepping onto said second platform or weigh bridge, to record the weight of that person, compare it with that person's weight on entry to the building or section and either release said exit turnstile or barrier or operate an alarm dependent upon whether or not the two weights tally within the preset tolerances.

2. A security system according to Claim 1, wheren said means for recording a person's weight on entry is also arranged to issue a ticket bearing a representation of said weight for retention by that person until reaching the exit.

3. A security system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein each weighing platform is operatively connected to a transducer which generates an electrical signal representating the measured weight multiplied buy a preset factor.

4. A security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, provided with visual display devices connected to said first and second weighing platforms respectively and operable to provide a visual representation of the weights measured by said platforms multiplied by a preset factor.

5. A security system according to Claim 4, wheren said visual display device connected to said first weighing platform is visible to a person on said platform whilst said visual display device connected to said second weighing platform is hidden from a person on said platform.

6. A security system according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein said exit control apparatus includes a manually operable keyboard for recording the weight value on said ticket and feeding it to a comparator.

7. A security system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said exit control apparatus includes a comparator adapted to receive said ticket and read the weight value thereon.

8. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein said alarm is a lamp situated in the supervisor's office.

9. A security system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.