JP3269573B2 - Article removal control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for controlling the removal of a particularly identified item from a facility, for example a library, by a particularly authorized user, and more particularly to a device for controlling the removal of such items, which is incorporated herein by reference. Discloses a modification to the device disclosed in Australian Patent No. 607,642.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An AIC device (article inventory control device or item removal control device) is generally recognized and already exists in the art, and is used by a certain user to perform a certain product in a facility. Control removal. One example is a book rental number control device. In this case, the user is confirmed by himself or herself with an ID card containing magnetically or optically detectable data, for example, a barcode.
Articles, such as books stored in libraries, are generally given similar identification labels. Typically, a computerized user database contains identification data for all registered users of the library, and a similar article database contains identification data for all books in the library. When someone wants to borrow a book from the library, the book lending controller first determines that the person is known to the library, i.e., removes a book or a specially classified book (removal ) Is confirmed. The device then verifies that the special book is available for lending from the library, eg, not "reserving". If both the user and the book are recognized by the device, the book is taken out (rented) by the user. Such recognition is often made as a visual or audible signal to library staff. Moreover, without request, the device can maintain data correlating the user with the book, and issue delinquent billing notices, usage reports, and the like.

[0003] Electronic article surveillance (EAS) devices can also be used to prevent unauthorized removal of articles by users of a facility, eg, a library. An electronic article monitoring device is defined as a device comprising: (1) Can be interrogated remotely attached to certain articles (inter
(2) means for sensing the marker in an interrogation area and thereby determining the presence of the article; (3) preventing the facility user from removing the article. Means for.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term “remova (remova
l) '' means that a user can approach an item, move an item from one location to another within a facility, bring an item into a facility, or remove an item from a facility. Contains. The last mentioned item is commonly used in EAS devices. . However, an EAS device as defined above can, for example, control the decision to ship an article from one location on a factory assembly line to another.

[0005] Many EAS devices are magnetically activatable (a) attached to items with special markers, interrogation and detection devices located at one or more locations within the facility.
Use ctivatable "markers". Typically, the removal of goods has a lockable exit gate,
It is hindered by restricting the movement of goods within or from the facility. The gate is locked in response to a warning signal when a marker is detected in the interrogation area located immediately in front of the exit. In the case of a library as an example used as described above, the marker may comprise a piece of magnetic material suitable for being inserted into the back of a book or mounted inside a book cover. .

[0006] Typically, EAS devices are permanently or reversibly deactivatable and use markers that can be detected by the detection devices and devices that activate or deactivate them. Such reversible markers are also known as "dual state" markers. Permanently inactive markers are preferred where the article is suitable to pass through the interrogation area without impeding removal in certain circumstances. For example, in a retail store, if a product was purchased in a particular department, the marker could be inactive at that location, so a query area in another department would not activate the marker. Will not. Reactivated markers are preferred, for example, in libraries where patrons who have borrowed a book for an extended period of time can visit the library with the book for that period of time. In this case, the device does not prevent subsequent removal of the book until the book is returned, the marker is reactivated, and the book can be lent again.

[0007]

[0008] On the other hand, it is known in the art to integrate the functions of the two devices described above into one device. For example,
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,449 (Elder et al.), Column 15, lines 62-67, it is generally suggested that an automatic book lending device can be combined with an EAS device. As more relevant to the present invention, U.S. Pat.No. 4,141,078 (Bridge Junior, et al.) Identifies a user via a card reader, identifies a book via an optical reader, and It discloses an automated book lending control device that performs corrections and queries, includes an electromagnetic device for magnetizing and demagnetizing a magnetic stripe in each book, and has other functions. The disclosure of US Pat. No. 4,141,078 (Bridge Junior, et al.) Is incorporated herein by reference.

[0009] The application of such integrated devices is difficult, especially in libraries where one or both of the individual devices is a flow operation. For example, some existing EAS devices cannot distinguish individual markers, but only distinguish whether or not a sensitized marker is present. Thus, a library may use the same marker in a collection, even if it is a different type of book. Therefore, the marker can no longer include coded inventory data that can identify the type of article to which the marker is attached. Libraries with EAS devices in place, but without computerized library controls, will have to add their own library control markers to each book.

[0010] Many libraries already have coded library marking devices available, but since there is no industry standard for the type, coding, structure or arrangement of those markers, the markers are sized, coded, There are a variety of solutions and whether they are located on the front, back or inside the cover.

[0011]

[0012]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional AIC device (article inventory control device or article removal control device), as described below, the electronic article monitoring marker has "one exists." Or whether there is more than one "is very difficult. When the conventional AIC device and the EAS device (electronic article monitoring device) are integrated, removal of an article, for example, a book, is controlled as follows. It should be noted that the conventional AIC device has substantially one sensor for sensing the marker, or the marker is “a process for determining whether there is no, one, or a plurality of markers”. There is no means. When using the conventional AIC device, first, a take-out applicant corresponding to the above-mentioned user,
An item to be taken out from a facility, for example, a library, that is, a book to be borrowed, is selected, and the item is carried to a place where the AIC device is located. At this time, the number of the articles may be one or two or more. Next, the AIC device checks whether the retrieval applicant is recognized by the library and whether the book can be lent from within the library. Specifically, the check is based on the I
This is performed by recognizing the data of the D card and the identification data included in the book in the form of, for example, a barcode.
Further, the operation of the AIC device is usually performed by a takeout controller such as a clerk of a lending office, which is located near the AIC device. Is operated by the user. Also, the data check or recognition is often transmitted to the retrieval controller via a visual signal such as a blinking lamp provided on the AIC device or an audible signal. At this time, usually, a computerized user database is used. Subsequently, the AIC device deactivates (desensitizes) the marker with a deactivating device provided in the AIC device. Such a deactivation operation itself can be automatically performed in the AIC device. That is, when the book provided with the marker is placed in the detection area of the AIC device, when the sensor provided in the AIC device operates normally and the book is recognized as “present”, the deactivation device is used. If such a switch is set to "ON", such automation is possible. However,
In this case, the takeout controller needs to visually confirm that books are always placed one by one in the detection area and the marker is deactivated for each placed book.
Even when there are a plurality of books to be rented, only one book is set in the AIC device at a time, and the number of books is monitored by the takeout controller. Thus, the conventional AI
In the C apparatus, control of the number of books set in the AIC apparatus is not automatic in order to deactivate the marker. In other words, the conventional AIC device automatically performs a “user self-check (PSC)” to automatically check whether the number of books to deactivate the marker is one or two or more by the user's own operation. ) Device cannot be used. In the interrogation (identification) region formed by the EAS device, the marker (detection device) of the EAS device increases two states, namely, a double state, that is, a multiplex state. The sensed state and the desensitized state are distinguished. Usually, the marker comprises a magnetically active material. The “activated state” of the marker refers to a state in which the EAS device can magnetically sense the marker. Therefore, the two states of the “sensitized” state and the “desensitized” state
Depending on the type of condition, the markers can be activated or perceived to distinguish them. In addition, the marker takes one of an “activated state” and a “deactivated state”, and the EAS device identifies the activated and deactivated states. Can also be facilitated. In this case, the "deactivated state"
Means that the marker is "desensitized" to a state where the EAS device cannot magnetically sense the marker. Therefore, inactivating the marker in this case means desensitizing operation. The desensitizing operation of the marker is performed by the AIC device as described above. For example, in the case of a library, the markers may take the form of a single piece of magnetic strip or tape suitable for being inserted into the back of a book or for being mounted inside a book cover. The book provided with the deactivated marker in the AIC device, that is, the article is handed from the takeout controller to the borrower, that is, the user. When the user goes out of the facility, he passes the question (identification) area formed by the EAS device with the article. Usually, it is configured such that the inquiry (identification) area of the EAS device is provided at all entrances and exits of the facility. At this time, in the interrogation (identification) area located immediately before the exit of the facility, the marker is locked in response to an alarm signal when the inactivated marker is detected (sensed). A lockable gate like the above EA
With the configuration of the S device, it is extremely easy to restrict unauthorized movement of articles in or from the facility. That is, the EAS device detects the marker only when, for example, a book with the marker that is not deactivated, that is, remains sensitized, passes through the interrogation (identification) area of the EAS device. Then, the user holding the book is prohibited from passing through the gate, while only the user who has the book with the deactivated marker, that is, the desensitized marker, can pass through the gate. However, in a conventional AIC device, that is, an AIC device having substantially only one of the sensors, the AIC
It is not possible to distinguish between the number of books set in the apparatus, that is, whether the book has one sensitized marker or a plurality of sensitized markers arranged close to each other. Also, it cannot be distinguished whether the sensitized marker is one large one or a combination of a plurality of small ones. Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional AIC device, it is very difficult to distinguish whether a marker is “single or multiple” in addition to detecting the presence or absence of the marker. As mentioned above, one of the problems facing the library is apparently that the patron places multiple books (or other materials) on a conventional AIC device. The conventional AIC device detects the top book marker and detects all EASs on the book rest.
Deactivate the marker and update the user database to reflect that only the top book was taken out by the user. So the rest of the books are each EAS
Markers may be removed from the library for deactivation and not returned. The cost of losing books can be significant. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a detector assembly capable of determining the presence / absence of the above-mentioned marker and the number of the marker when present, and an article removal control device provided with the detector assembly The purpose is to provide. The above operation of the present invention may be performed as follows:
Whether there is one or more ". If the marker does not exist,
The above assembly is usually inactive since it does not sense the presence of library materials (books). Only when one marker is present, the marker is deactivated, and the user can take out the book. However, if multiple EAS markers are sensed by the assembly of the present invention, none of the markers will be deactivated and no library material will be removed by the patron. These and other features and advantages of the invention are described in further detail below.

[0013]

Means for Solving the Problems As one concept of the present invention,
A detector assembly for detecting an electronic article surveillance marker by applying an electromagnetic field to an electronic article surveillance marker set in a sensitized state that can be sensed by an electronic article surveillance device, wherein the electronic article surveillance device is in the sensitized state. A plurality of sensors each having a detection region for detecting the energy transmitted by the marker by the action of the electromagnetic field, connected to each of the sensors, and detecting one or more of the sensors and the energy that have detected the energy. A process that can determine whether one or a plurality of the electronic article monitoring markers are present in all the detection areas of all the sensors based on a pattern formed from the detection results of the sensors that are not present. Means. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic article including an electronic article monitoring apparatus and a physical item inventory control apparatus, wherein the electronic article monitoring apparatus is set to a sensitized state in which the electronic article monitoring apparatus can sense or a desensitized state in which the electronic article monitoring apparatus cannot. An article removal control device for controlling removal of the article from a facility having a plurality of the articles provided with a monitoring marker on each article, wherein the inventory control device includes a detector assembly of the concept, and Only when it is determined by the processing means provided in the detector assembly that the one electronic article monitoring marker is present, the electronic article monitoring apparatus removes one article with the electronic article monitoring marker from the facility. And a desensitizer for setting the electronic article monitoring marker in the desensitized state so as to permit the electronic device to be monitored. With the configuration described above, the article takeout control device (AIC device)
The detector assembly provided in the IC device includes a plurality of sensors, and the sensors include, in a detection range including an aggregate of detection areas of the respective sensors, “the marker does not exist or one exists. Or a plurality of the electronic article monitoring markers, the number of the electronic article monitoring markers can be distinguished very easily. Note that the AIC device described in the “embodiment” in the specification is also expressed in this specification by the term “user self-check (PSC) device”. That is, the AIC device of the embodiment solves the above-described problem of the conventional AIC device, and the number of books provided with the marker to be deactivated, for example, is one or two by the user's own operation. To automatically check if there are more than
Provide a device that can be used as a “user self-check (PSC) device”. By combining the PSC device of the above embodiment with the EAS device that can cooperate with the PSC device, unauthorized removal, that is, unauthorized removal of articles from the facility can be effectively prevented. Here, the "illegal take-out" means that the article identification code attached to the first article, such as a book, is not recognized by the PSC apparatus or the AIC apparatus. And the article identification code of the second article can be recognized by the PSC or the AIC device, so that the first article can be recognized only by the procedure for recognizing the second article. And the act of obtaining permission to take out the second two articles. When attempting to carry out such illegal removal, the conventional AIC device cannot discriminate "whether there is one or more" with the marker as described above. It is not possible to prevent the above “illegal take-out” only by the operation of recognizing a proper article identification code. However, like the PSC or AIC device of the present embodiment, for example, it is automatically checked whether the number of books provided with a marker to be deactivated is one or two or more, that is, the device is If the judgment can be made automatically, the unloading operation is automatically performed only by the above-mentioned "user self-examination" without the need for the number control of the number of books by the unloading controller, that is, the desensitizing operation of the marker Can be performed. The PSC device, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, together with the detector assembly (803), together with the PSC controller (20)
0), a PSC server (400) and the like. The sensitized marker (310) is in the detection range consisting of the collection of the detection areas (822) of the detector assembly (803), "whether there is no, one, or more than one". The processing means for making the determination includes, for example, a pattern generator (253) incorporated in the PSC server (400) and a PSC controller (2).
00). The calculation means preferably includes a PCS contact (201) of the PSC controller (200), which includes a pattern output from the pattern generator (253), which will be described later.

A reference table corresponding to Table 1 is included.

[0014]

1 to 3 show the main components of a preferred embodiment of a user self-checking (PSC) device located in one location of a facility indicated generally at 100. FIG.

In the facility, there is at least one article 110 to which an article identification code 220 and an electronic article monitoring (EAS) marker 310 are attached. The code 220 can be a label similar to a unified product code (UPC) label.

The PSC controller 200, the electronic article monitoring apparatus 300, and the main inspection unit 500 are conventionally installed in the facility 100 or at least one PSC.
It can be installed together with the server terminal device 400.

Coupled to PSC server 400 is one of a plurality of user ID cards 210. Generally, each user (not shown) in the facility 100 is identifiable via a user ID card, and each article 110 is identifiable via a corresponding article identification code 220. The article identification code 220 is generally permanently attached to the article itself, embedded or engraved on the article,
Alternatively, it is attached to a tag attached to the article.

The PSC server 400 also provides a sensitizer (sensi
A pattern generator 253 for detecting the pattern of the marker 310 that has been tized) is included. Server 400
Also detects the presence of the article 110 provided in the desensitizing region. It also allows the user to activate the PS by a user activating device 263.
It includes a user activated indication that a service is being requested from the C server 400.

PSC controller 200 is provided including PSC contacts 201 so that information from PSC server 400 regarding user ID and article ID is received on lines 232 and 242, respectively. This information is used to confirm that the transaction is ready to proceed
Is sent to a customer database (not shown).

The PSC controller 200 also receives information from the PSC server 400 about the sensitized marker pattern detected by the pattern generator 253. This pattern is received on line 252 and
The pattern received by the PSC controller 200 via the C-contact 201 determines whether there are two or more sensitized markers in the desensitized area.

The PSC controller 200 also has a PSC
Through the contact 201, the article 110 is connected to the main inspection unit 50.
Information that detection is present in the zero desensitization region and information that the user has requested treatment by activation of the user activation device 263 are received from the PSC server 400 via the lines 272 and 292, respectively. I do.

The PSC controller 200 receives, via the PSC contact 201, a confirmation from the customer database that the lending procedure can be performed on the line 233, and only the article 110 is within the desensitized area of the pattern generator 253. A determination is made from pattern generator 253 that it is present. This determination will activate the line 270 to the PSC server 400 via the PSC contact 201 in the PSC controller 200 to the article removal permission function 710 state.

The EAS device 300 makes an inquiry to the EAS marker 310 with an inquiry signal 322, and
The reception of 24 permits the user to take out the article 110 from the facility 100.

In this method, a separate device 200,
Communication between 300 and 500 is established. As a result, the EAS device 300 allows certain articles to be removed from the facility only by certain authorized users,
Ensure that only one item per transaction is allowed for retrieval.

The preferred embodiment provides for the presence of the PSC controller signal in the integration of the PSC and EAS functions without requiring any changes to the EAS device or some hard wiring between the PSC and EAS devices. Use To clarify this, PS
Describing additional information for C and EAS devices will help.

FIG. 2 shows the PSC controller 2 shown in FIG.
00 typical conventional inventory control device 20 interchangeable with 00
It is a block diagram of 00. As mentioned above, the inputs to this device are the transmitted user identification signal 232 and the transmitted article identification signal 242. The output from the device is an article removal permission signal 270. The transmitted user identification signal 232 is evaluated by a user identifier 2300 (eg, a database is searched) to determine whether the user is known to the device. If so, a test user identification signal 2340 is sent to article removal permitter 2500. Similarly, the transmitted item identification signal 242 is evaluated by the item identifier 2400 (eg, another database is searched) to determine whether the item is known to the device. If so, the article identification signal 2440 is sent to the article removal permitter 2
500. The article removal permitter 2500 uses both the evaluated identification signals 2340 and 2440 to determine whether the user is authorized to remove the article from the facility (not shown, but additional Considerations may include the date and time, the number of explicit retrieval requests by a given user per day, and the like). If so, an article removal permission signal 270 is generated. If some of the above evaluations, such as a decision, indicate that the user is an unauthorized user and / or an unauthorized article, the article removal authorization signal 270 is not generated.

FIG. 3 is a typical block diagram of the electronic article monitoring apparatus 300 and the main inspection unit 500. EAS
The device is generally provided, for example, at an exit of a library or a retail store, and sends an interrogation signal 322 to the EAS marker 310 and receives a detection signal 324 from the EAS marker 310. Typically, the interrogation signal 322 results in an alternating magnetic field of known intensity and frequency in the interrogation region.
The detection signal 324 induces alternating magnetization at the marker 310 in response to the interrogation signal 322 and comprises multiple harmonics of the interrogation signal. Activated EAS
When the marker 310 is interrogated and sensed by the interrogator / sensor 320, an activation status signal 330 is generated. This signal is used by an ejection protector 350, such as a lockable gate, that determines whether an article with the activated marker attached is removed from the facility.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is suitable for use with a permanently inactive marker. Therefore, the EAS device 300 further includes the main inspection unit 5
And a deactivator 540 that receives the evaluated article removal permission signal 710 from the terminal device 400 and constitutes a part of the terminal device 400. In addition, receiving signal 710 activates deactivator 540, which in turn emits deactivation signal 542 to marker 310. Typically, the deactivation signal 5
42 is a high intensity non-alternating magnetic field. Once marker 310
Is permanently deactivated, no sensing signal 324 is generated for subsequent interrogations, and an active status signal 330 is generated as if no marker was sensed. Therefore, the removal prevention device 350 does not prevent the user from removing the article.

Generally, enable signal 7 is supplied to deactivator 540.
When 10 is not provided, deactivator 540 outputs a low energy alternating magnetic field.

Another embodiment similar to the embodiment described above is:
Suitable for EAS devices that use re-activatable markers. In this case, there are at least two signals received by the EAS device from the terminal device. The first signal is the evaluated article removal permission signal 710, which is used, for example, to allow library patrons to "check out" to borrow books from the library. When this signal is received, the device performs the operations described above, except that the marker is only temporarily deactivated. The second signal (not shown) makes use of the reactivator (not shown), which emits the appropriate signal to restore the temporarily deactivated marker to the activated state. I do. Such a thing is, for example, the library user "check-in"
Used to authorize books to be returned to the library.

Regardless of the choice of marker type, deciding to allow the user to remove an item by the inventory control is accomplished by requiring a subsequent activation status signal 330 as described above. Is done.

FIG. 4 shows a controller 400 of an inventory control (AIC) device including an apparatus for measuring the ultrasonic width of an article.
FIG. 1 is a diagram relating to a typical prior art of 0; This width measurement may be either a record attached to the article, included on the expanded article property code label 442, or maintained in a database retrieved as part of an authorized article removal operation. It is compared with the record of the width of the possible article.

An integral part of the continuous operation of this technique is that each article contained within the facility must be labeled. This operation can be added to the identification function already performed where the customer obtains the existing quantity of the article already identified by the article identifier 2400. Optionally, the continuous operation of this technique requires the creation of a database containing measurements of the width of the article and linking those measurements to the article. This means
It can be added to a database already created by the customer to include other details of the item.

The terminal controller 4000 receives the user identification data 412, the article identification data 422, the measured article property value 432, the measured coded article property value 442, and the article removal permission signal 270. The above terminal device 4000
Sends out the user identification signal 232, the article identification signal 242, and the evaluation article removal permission signal 710. A user of the facility who wants to take out an article from the facility inputs his / her user identification data to the terminal device. This is done by typing an identification number on an alphanumeric keyboard.

Similarly, the article identification data is input to the terminal device 4000 by using, for example, an optical scanner to read a bar code attached to the article. The user identification receiver 4100 receives the user identification data 412 and sends an internal user identification signal 4140 to the user identification transmitter 5100. Similarly, the article identification receiver 4200
Receives the article identification data 422 and outputs the internal article identification signal 4
240 to the article identification transmitter 5200. Either or both of the above processes may include converting the input signals 412 and 422 to different signed formats, such as from ASCII to BCD.

The user identification transmitter 5100 receives the internal user identification signal 4140, and receives the signal A shown in FIG.
The user identification signal 232 transmitted to the user identification unit 2300 of the IC device 2000 is transmitted. Similarly, the article identification transmitter 5200 receives the internal article identification signal 4240,
Similarly, it transmits the article identification signal 242 transmitted to the article identifier 2400 in FIG. Either or both of the above processes may include converting the internal signals 4140 and 4240 to different signed formats, such as from ASCII to BCD. The user and article identification signals 232, 242 are coded (eg, ASCI
I) is formed into a signal that is compatible with, and for which the AIC device is designed to receive, the signal (eg,
Sound tones, fluctuating voltage levels, etc.) are essential.

The measured value of the article property is measured by the article property measuring device 430.
0, and the article property measurer 4300 generates a measured article property signal 4340. The coded article property receiver 4400 receives coded article property measurements 442 representing the same property, but the latter is coded in a form that need not be understandable to the user. For example,
With a keypad as described above, a user can enter alphanumeric or other codes printed on a label attached to the item. Optionally, if the code is in the form of a bar code or the like, the code is automatically entered. The code gives a property value as measured before the article was valid for removal from the facility. In response, the terminal 4000 generates a coded article property signal 4440, and the measurement property evaluator 4500 evaluates that only the active article 110 is actually present at the terminal, not just a tag including the article identification code 220, for example. To do so, the measured and coded signals 4340 and 4440 are compared. This comparison produces a characterization signal 4520, which is the
One input to 000. The use of the evaluative measurement properties of article 110 is described in US Pat. No. 4,141,078 (Filish, et al.)
Preferred for accuracy over non-measurement based instruments as shown in column, lines 6-14.

Another input of the article removal enabler 7000 is an internal article removal permission signal 6140. This signal is generated by the article removal permission receiver 6100, and the article removal permission receiver 6100 receives the article removal permission signal 270 from the article removal permission apparatus 2500 of the AIC device 2000 shown in FIG. User and article identification transmitters 5100, 520
As in 0, the article removal permission receiver 6100 converts the article removal permission signal 270 from ASCII to a different signed format, such as BCD. The article removal permission receiver 6100 is configured to emit, sign (eg, ASCII) and form (flashing light, RS-232C,
It is further imperative that an item removal permission signal 270 designed to include a 0 mA current loop, etc. be received and understood.

The article take-out enabler 7000 performs an “AND” logic function, and outputs the signal 4 before sending the article take-out permission signal 710 to the deactivator 540 of the EAS device 500 shown in FIG.
Both 520 and 6140 need to be present. As described above, the distribution of the signal 710 to the EAS device 500 includes: (1) the user is permitted to take out the article 110 in accordance with the article take-out permission signal 270; Identify that it actually exists.

In one use, the user identification transmitter 51
00 and / or the article identification transmitter 5200
00, and either or both are AIC
It is convenient to physically place it near the device 2000. Similarly, the article permission receiver 6100 is connected to the terminal device 40.
00 and can be placed near the EAS device 500. However, it is preferred that the deactivation and / or reactivation functions be directly incorporated or duplicated in the terminal 4000. In this case, the article permission receiver 610
0 is not extracted from the terminal device 4000, and the article removal permission signal 710 is completely present in the terminal device 4000. However, the ejection preventer 350 is still located independently,
Includes a dual interrogator / sensor 320 that operates as described above.

FIG. 5 illustrates the P used in the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an SC server terminal device 400. The terminal device 400 includes the user identification data 412, the article identification data 422, the book presence state 245, the user activation request 243,
It receives the sensed article response 233 and the article removal permission signal 270. The PSC server terminal 400 receives the decrypted user identification signal 232 and the decrypted article identification signal 24.
2. Sensitive article detection recognition pattern 252, book presence state 2
72, the user activity request state 292 and the evaluated article removal permission signal 710 are transmitted.

Reference numerals 412 and 422 indicate that, in some cases,
It is combinable and can be captured and used in both user ID and article ID records. Consequently, in such a case, the user identification receiver 410 connected to the line 412 and the item identification receiver 420 connected to the line 422 can have their functions combined into one device. Similarly, the transmitted data 23
2 and 242 can also be combined.

Optional keyboard 296 or touch screen monitor and receipt printer 298
Also, it can be provided for inputting a user password and receiving an article permission record.

The user of the facility 100 who wants to use the facility inserts his or her ID card into the defined reading area. The user activation device 263 senses the presence of the user ID and, on line 292, the PSC controller 200 (FIG. 6).
Send a signal to

The PSC controller 200 responds to the line 270 with a command to turn on the optical scanner 299. The scanned user ID 412 is received and 4
It is decrypted at 10. The data is PS on line 232
It is transmitted to the C controller 200.

The PSC controller 200 inquires of the password input from the keyboard 296 or the touch screen monitor. Keyboard data is track 2
At 32, it is transmitted to the PSC controller 200.

Article 110 to be authorized for removal
Are located in the desensitized area 850 shown in FIG. Book presence detectors 807 and 808 (FIG. 7) provide a signal 245 detected by book presence detector 265. This operation is on track 2
At 72, a signal is communicated to the PSC controller 200 by signal.

The PSC controller 200 sends a signal to the optical scanner 299 via the line 270 to activate the optical scanner 299, and the scanned data is sent to the line 4
Device 410 or 4 received at 12 or 422
At 20, each is decoded. The decrypted data is sent to the PSC controller on lines 232 or 242, respectively.

Interaction with the database via the line 233, an internal process within the PSC controller 200, determines the evaluation that will allow the user to transfer this item 110 to the user.

If the decision is that the handover is permitted, the PSC server terminal 400
2 to transmit the contents of the pattern generator 253. The pattern generator 253 includes the PSC terminal 400
Connected to a multistrip transponder assembly 803 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that is interconnected to a common bus 405 along with other devices (eg, 410, 420, 253). PSC controller 200 further determines how many sensitized articles are present in desensitized region 850. If it is determined that one or none of the items are present, the PSC controller 200 sends an item removal permission signal to the line 270. This operation is instructed to the inspection unit via the line 710. Some books are EAS
The safety marker 310 cannot be included and therefore the register is present as no marker.

If it is determined that more than one item is present, the command is displayed on the PSC controller 200 and instructed by the facility personnel to provide assistance to the user;
Removal permission is prohibited. Therefore, the user is prevented from taking out a plurality of articles recorded such that only one article is taken out as in the prior art device.

Referring to FIG. 6, the operation and timing of PSC server 400 is controlled by a processor and program called PSC contacts 201 residing in PSC controller 200.

The PSC controller 200 includes a decrypted user ID 232, a decrypted article ID 242, the content 252 of the pattern generator 253, and a book presence detector 265.
State 272, state 292 of the user activation device 263, and P such as information from a database via the line 233.
The data from the SC server 400 is received. The PSC controller 200 transmits information for activating the article removal permission signal receiver 490 via the line 270 and information to the database via the line 233.

The PSC contact 201 is composed of hardware and software for interfacing the receiving and transmitting device 602 to the communication port 603. The receiver and transmitter receive and maintain the data state as determined by PSC contact 201.

The communication port 603 allows connection to the customer. This port is RS-232, current loop,
It can be one of a variety of communication ports, such as 3270 emulation, but is not limited to the groups described above.

When the PSC contact 201 detects that the state of the line 292 (user activation device 263) has changed,
The PSC contact 201 is connected to the bar code reader 8 shown in FIG.
02 to activate the PSC server 40 on the track 270
Causes the command to be transmitted to 0.

Information returned from PSC server 400 on line 232 is evaluated by PSC contacts 201 to correspond to the format of the user ID known to facility 100.

Then, the PSC contact 201 transmits the above information on the line 233 to the effect that the user is known to the facility, that the user is very useful for the facility, and that the user is permitted to obtain items from the facility. The data is transmitted to the user database to be evaluated. Optionally, the database determines that the user has his own revoked card-out right.

The PSC contact 201 receives the preliminary permission command from the database and visually displays the operation procedure to the user. If permission is granted, a visual indication is displayed to the user to place the item in desensitized area 850 for removal permission. If permission has been revoked, the PSC controller 200 instructs the user to seek help from facility personnel.

The PSC contact 201 monitors the line 272 to change the state, and sends a signal to the PSC server 400 via the line 270 to activate the bar code reader 802 as soon as this operation is detected. . PSC server 40 on line 232 or 242
The information returned from 0 is the I.I. of known goods at the facility.
PSC contact 20 to support D. format
Evaluated by 1.

The PSC contact 201 transmits the above information to the customer database for evaluating that the ID of the article is known to the database on the line 233 and that the article 110 is not prohibited from being rented. Transmit to

Optionally, it is determined that the article 110 cannot be rented at this time.

If the article has been rented for authorized lending, the PSC contact 201 is
Receives the contents of the pattern generator 253 from the
A determination is made as to the number of sensitized articles present at 50.
If this number is 0 or 1, the PSC contact 201
Sends an article removal permission signal on line 270, communicates with the database on line 233 to indicate removal permission for the current handling, and instructs the user by visually displaying the next action selection. I do.

Optionally, if the determination is that a plurality of articles are P
If it is present in the desensitized area of the SC server 400, the article removal permission signal is not transmitted, and the PSC controller 200 cancels the current handling by the line 23.
It communicates with the database at 3 and instructs the user by visual display to seek help from facility staff.

The PSC contact 201 will then replace the user's removal of his or her ID card if the session ends, or another indication that the item has been removed and another item removal permission will be sent. Monitor lines 272 and 292 for a change in state from the decision to be made.

FIG. 7 includes a PSC server 400,
Shown is a preferred embodiment of a PSC server terminal chassis 800 equipped on top with a visual display 801 that is part of a personal computer 604 including an SC controller 200. The remaining functions of the PSC controller 200 can also be incorporated into the chassis 800. The specific example of FIG. 7 includes a preferred embodiment in which the deactivation and the multiple article pattern recognition described above are incorporated in the terminal device. The main inspection unit 500 is a PS
C server terminal chassis 800,
The desensitized area 850 of the inspection unit 500 is covered with the same shape as the PSC server terminal chassis 800.

Although the barcode optical scanner 802 is shown on the left hand side, it can be operated from the right hand side.
That depends on the arrangement position of the article ID tag 220 provided on the front, back or inside of the cover.

The sensitized article transponder 803 is integrated with a non-ferrous shield structure 823 that covers the casing of the PSC server 800. Identical to this non-ferrous shield structure are also included in detectors 805, 804 that supply signals to line 245 for user activation device 263 for left and right hand operation, respectively. This non-ferrous shield structure 823 is identical to the present detectors 808 and 807 connected to the line 245 for left and right hand operations, respectively.
Also included.

The article removal permission device 806 is provided.

The terminal device 800 shown in FIG. 7 is suitable for use in a library. The example shown in FIG. 7 includes the preferred form described above, and certain questions of the EAS device,
Detection and deactivation functions are additionally incorporated in the terminal. In this embodiment, the article is a book or other storage of the library, the institutional user is typically referred to as the library "user," and the EAS device 300 is typically a normally locked gate. Includes an anti-leave device 350. Typically, patrons with books pass through adjacent query areas before leaving the library or individual departments of the library. If the electronic article surveillance device interrogates and detects an activated marker attached to the book (i.e., the marker is not permanently deactivated as part of the lending procedure), the gate will It remains closed, thus preventing it from exiting, and also possibly activating an audible visual alert.

In the specific example shown in FIG.
0 detects the user's request by the operation of placing the user's own ID 210 on the side near the detector 805 or 804 for left-hand or right-hand operation. The identification card 210 in this embodiment has user identification data encoded in the form of a bar code or other optically detectable method. The barcode reader 802 scans the area near the detector 805 and transmits the detected data via the line 243.

The visual instruction is displayed on the visual display device 801 regarding the procedure of the operation that has just been started for the user. The article for export permission is placed in the desensitization area 850 because it is placed on the top of the user's ID 210. The presence of the article at this position is sensed by the book presence detectors 808 and 807 for left or right hand operation. The barcode reader 802 scans the article ID 220 and transmits this data to the PSC server terminal 400.

The sensitized article transponder 803 determines the presence of the sensitized marker 310 in some of the various detection areas, and converts this pattern to the PSC server terminal 400.
Is transmitted to the pattern generator 253 in the above.

If permission to move is determined, the article removal permitting device 806 and the infrared LED are turned off, and the inspection unit 500 is desensitized and the sensitizing marker 3
The operation of desensitizing 10 can be performed, so that the article can be moved via the EAS device 300 without operating the carry-out prevention device 350.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a multi-strip transponder assembly 803 incorporating an array of # 1 through # 8 sensors 820 covering six horizontal and two vertical regions.

[0076] Any of the sensors 820 can provide various configurations depending on the type and shape of the article 110 having the marker strip 310. FIGS. 12A through 12C show various arrangements of arrays that can be used in special situations. FIGS. 12A and 12B show square and circular arrays, respectively, which are convenient in counters in environments where goods pass through the center of the array. FIG. 12C shows a semi-elliptical array.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the sensor 8
A waveguide 821 disposed adjacent to 20 provides a sensing focal region of the sensor 820 into a detection region 822 that is substantially conical in shape. The waveguide 821 includes the detection sensor 8
It operates in a manner similar to the dish of a radar antenna, which concentrates electromagnetic energy on 20. The detection region 822 can be expanded or narrowed by disposing the waveguide 821 in front of or behind the sensor 820. Thus, the detection area 822 associated with each sensor 820 can have a beam width between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees, preferably approximately 45 degrees. The applicable range of the detection region 822 is set according to the characteristics of the unit to be detected.

In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the waveguide 8
Reference numeral 21 denotes a shape of a metal block 831 in which a plurality of holes 832 are formed by, for example, drilling. The sensor 820 in a preferred embodiment is formed like a wire-core coil, as shown in FIG. 11B, which can be placed near or in the hole 832. Hole 832 acts like a simple and inexpensive tunnel that concentrates the received energy into a narrow beam.

Returning to FIG. 8, the marker 310 is primarily stimulated by an alternating electromagnetic field generally derived from an AC supply. The electromagnetic field 830 can be provided in a known manner, but a preferred embodiment is provided as the deactivator 540 of the test unit 500 in the manner described above and acts to stimulate the sensitizing marker 310, The marker responds by emitting (transmitting) multiple frequencies from the fundamental frequency of the electromagnetic field 830 (eg, 50 or 60 Hz) to the 200th and higher harmonics. Due to the nature of the metal typically used in marker 310,
The harmonics decrease almost linearly in amplitude, so that they can be detected relatively easily.

The sensors 820 operate to receive radiant frequency energy transmitted from one or each marker 310 that is active in a respective region 822. The sensor 820 is connected to the pattern generator 253 via the line 233.
Output to

The method by which the sensor 820 identifies the multiple marker 310 depends on the physical relationship of the detection area 822 and the article 110.
Is determined by the worst case placement of

As shown in FIG. 10A, each of the sensors 820 generally has a distance of 5
-20 to 20 mm, preferably about 12 mm (measured from the center of each sensor 820). Where the detection area 822 has a beam width of at least 45 degrees, a dead zone exists between the adjacent sensors 820 as illustrated in FIG. Sensitized strips lying entirely within any one of those dead zones will not be detected. Markers 310 are generally larger than their minimum dimensions of 4 mm in the preferred form described above, with a dead zone of 4 mm.
Not wider or deeper than mm.

The size of the dead zone is determined by connecting the waveguide 821 for narrowing or widening each of the regions 822 to the sensor 8.
Adjustment is made by changing the beam width of the detection area 822 by moving it forward and backward of 20.

The center point of the marker 310 has two sensors 8
When detected by 20, the correct adjustment has been made. After the marker 310 is next placed to about 1 mm, one of the sensors 820 will no longer detect the marker. Thus, an accurate switch from one sensor 820 to another is only when the marker 310
Provided when moving the front of 20 horizontally.

FIG. 10B shows the maximum density of markers 310 observed when two books with marker strips 310 sensitized on the back of the books are stacked on top of each other. Typically, the outer edges of the marker strip 310 are 12 to 14 mm apart. It will be appreciated that book 110 must have certain minimum dimensions in order for the proper spacing within the marker strip to place the marker strip 310.

FIG. 10C shows two adjacent books 110.
The strips of a and 110b show a typical compact arrangement, indicated by three sensors 820. Book 110a
Are indicated by sensors # 1 and # 2, and the strip in book 110b is indicated by sensor # 2 and is about to enter detection area 822 of sensor # 3.

The currently disclosed sequences have been tested and show at least 80% of multiplex marker strips showing a substantial improvement over detection capabilities in prior art devices.
Is constantly detected.

However, there is a minimum book size that cannot be deformed. That is, as shown in FIG. 10D, periodic publications 110d and 110e, such as magazines and newspapers, have marker strips 310 that are placed "between pages", so that these strips are in the detection area. It is oriented longitudinally with 822. The high probability of detection is maintained because the strip edge shown in FIG. 10D for marker 310d extends outside the dead zone between sensors # 1 and # 2 and is thereby detectable.

The pattern generator 253 produces the output of each sensor 820 in a similar manner, and the 8-bit bus 405
Output digital pattern to In FIG. 8, the internal structure of the pattern generator 253 is clearly shown only for the sensor # 8. Each sensor 820 is first connected to a bandpass filter 841 that rejects those below the fundamental and 20th harmonic. The next 40th harmonic passes and the rest is rejected. The passband can be changed for a specific request. The passband is a non-ferrous cover plate 82 where each cone-shaped detection area 822 is formed.
A device 84 for providing a gain adjustment to a circuit 843 that adjusts to extend outwardly between 15 and 40 mm from the surface of
It is amplified and rectified at 2. The signal detected by the sensor 820 is digitized by a Schmitt trigger 844 that outputs to a corresponding line of the bus 405.

Accordingly, the bus 405 transmits a digital signal pattern indicating that there is no active marker 310 detected in the field 830 and one or more active markers 310 are present.

The above-mentioned pattern is a PSC where the PSC contact 201 generates a pattern for determining whether or not the number of active markers 310 detected is one or more.
It is transmitted to the controller 200. PSC contact 201
Includes a reference table for a matching pattern that can be output from the pattern generator 253. If the only sensor 8
If 20 or two adjacent sensors 820 detect the sensitized marker 310, it is determined that only one marker 310 is present. In some configurations, if two non-adjacent sensors, or three or more sensors, detect a sensitized marker strip 310, it is determined that two or more sensitized strips are present. Once the PSC contact 201 determines that none, one or more active markers 310 are present, the personal computer 604 issues either a take-out permission or handling rejection command as described above.

[0092] Table 1 below shows the valid patterns for take-out permission. Since each pattern matches a particular number, a single subtraction step can be used to evaluate the pattern. If either sensor # 7 or # 8 provided a signal output, it was not used properly and permission as a display on terminal device 800 was prohibited,
Thereby, the article 110 must be placed so as to be hard in both the horizontal and vertical directions of the non-ferrous shield structure 823.

[0093]

[Table 1]

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another specific example of the article removal permission signal device 910 which is an accessory not included in the EAS main inspection unit 500.

The existing casing 9 of the inspection unit 500
00 includes two devices where a beam transmitter 902 and a beam detector 901 are located.

The beam passes from one side to the other, and when the beam is blocked, the inspection unit 500 indicates that the article 110 is in the desensitized area 850 and the inspection unit 500 must perform a sensitization operation. Is instructed.

In this preferred embodiment, the auxiliary device 9
03 permanently blocks the beam from the transmitter 902 to the detector 901 and exchanges the second beam transmitted from the second beam transmitter 904 with the existing beam detector 901.

The second beam transmitter 904 is controlled by a line 710 from the article removal permission signal circuit 490.
The line 710 is switched to a "block" state when the PSC server 400 is instructed to allow removal of the item.

The foregoing describes only one specific embodiment of the present invention, and changes obvious to those skilled in the art may be made in addition thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components combined with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a conventional item inventory control device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the components shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a typical conventional AIC device controller.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a PSC server shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the PSC controller shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a P shown in FIG. 5 obtained by combining the transponder shown in FIG. 8;
It is a perspective view of SC server.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the transponder.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a preferred active unit for the desensitizer shown in FIG.

FIGS. 10A to 10D are diagrams for explaining how various markers arranged are detected. FIG.

FIG. 11A is a front view of a part of the waveguide shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 11B is a side view thereof.

12A to 12C are diagrams showing other types of waveguides in various other sensor configurations.

[Explanation of symbols]

100: PSC device, 110: Article, 200: PSC controller, 201: PSC contact, 253: Pattern generator, 263: User activation device, 300: EAS device, 310: Marker, 400: PSC server, 50
0: this inspection unit, 540: deactivator, 820: sensor.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Rick Lynn Naylor Australia 2760 St. Marys, Dunhived Circuit (No indication of address) Inside 3M Australia (56) References JP-A-2-3011893 (JP, A) Kaisho 63-180263 (JP, U)

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] 1. A detector assembly for detecting an electronic article surveillance marker by applying an electromagnetic field (830) to an electronic article surveillance marker (310) set to a sensitized state that can be sensed by an electronic article surveillance device. A plurality of sensors (820) each having a detection region (822) for detecting energy transmitted by the electronic article monitoring marker in the sensitized state by the action of the electromagnetic field.
And, based on a pattern formed from the detection results of the one or more sensors that have detected the energy and the sensors that have not detected the energy, connected to each of the sensors, Processing means (200, 400) capable of determining whether one or a plurality of said electronic article monitoring markers are present in said detection area. 2. The dead zone in the electromagnetic field (830) and outside the detection area (822) is a marker for the marker (31).
0) smaller than the dimension in the width direction or the dimension in the thickness direction,
The detector assembly according to claim 1. 3. The detector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the arrangement pitch of the sensors arranged adjacent to each other is 5 to 20 mm. 4. The detector assembly according to claim 3, wherein the arrangement pitch of the sensors arranged adjacent to each other is approximately 12 mm. 5. The detector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sensors (820) are arranged such that the detection areas (822) of adjacent sensors (820) overlap. 6. The detector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising focusing means (821) for determining a shape of the detection area (822) of the sensor (820). 7. The detector assembly according to claim 6, wherein said detection area (822) is substantially conical. 8. The focusing means (821) is capable of changing a detection beam width of the detection area (822).
Detector assembly as described. 9. The focusing means (821) comprises a waveguide (821) formed from at least one metal part (831) having a hole (832) corresponding to each of the sensors (820). The detector assembly of claim 6, wherein each of the sensors (820) is located near or within each of the holes (832). 10. The processing means (200, 400)
By analyzing the pattern obtained from the adjacent sensor (820), one or a plurality of the markers (3
2. The detector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detector assembly comprises calculating means (201) for determining whether or not (10) has been detected in the plurality of detection areas (822). 11. The calculation means has a reference table showing a correlation between the pattern and the presence of one or more sensitizing markers in the electromagnetic field (830) and the detection area (822). 11. The detector assembly according to claim 10, wherein it is determined whether the marker (310) is detected in the plurality of detection areas (822) based on the table. 12. An electronic article monitoring marker (310), comprising an electronic article monitoring device and a physical item inventory control device, wherein the electronic article monitoring device is set to a sensitized state that can be detected or a desensitized state that cannot be detected. An article removal control device for controlling the removal of the article from a facility (100) having a plurality of the articles provided on each article (110), wherein the article item list control apparatus includes: Only when it is determined by the processing means provided in the detector assembly that the one electronic article monitoring marker is present, the removal of one article with the electronic article monitoring marker attached from the facility is performed. A desensitizer for setting the electronic article monitoring marker in the desensitized state so that the electronic article monitoring device permits the article removal. Control device.