KR20160131000A - Systems and methods for customer deactivation of security elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to systems 100 and methods 1100 for activating an "Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) " element deactivation. These methods include: obtaining customer-related data from a customer of a business organization attempting to deactivate the EAS element of at least one item; Obtaining transaction data included in a receipt issued upon completion of a check-out transaction with a customer; Communicating customer-related data, transaction data and unique identifiers to the remote computing device for the EAS element deactivation system; Processing customer-related data and transaction data to obtain confirmation that the customer has recently successfully completed a checkout transaction for the item and that the EAS element of the item has not yet been deactivated; And activating an EAS element deactivation of the EAS element deactivation system after the confirmation is obtained.

Description

[0001] SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CUSTOMER DEACTIVATION OF SECURITY ELEMENTS [0002]

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to deactivation of security elements such as, for example, electronic article surveillance ("EAS") elements. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems and methods for activating an EAS element deactivation in response to customer activities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A typical retail sales transaction occurs at a stationary "POS (Point Of Sale)" station that is manned by a store sales associate. The store salesperson assists the customer through a checkout process by receiving payment for the item. If the item is associated with an EAS element such as an "Acousto-Magnetic" tag, the store salesperson deactivates the EAS element after the customer pays for the item. During the transaction, the store salesperson has the opportunity to visually inspect the item and notify whether the item has a suspiciously low price tag.

An item may have a price tag with a rarely low price because the customer has the price tag changed fraudulently by replacing the original price tag with a low price tag corresponding to a less expensive item . By notifying inconsistent price tags, the store salesperson has the opportunity to prevent fraud and determine the exact price of the item.

[0004] Conventional POS stations offer a self-checkout POS, which allows a number of retailers to self-check out customers, while allowing them to control their check- Stations. Self-checkout stations are not monitored by store salespeople. In a self-checkout transaction, the customer independently enters sales of the item (ring up). If an item is associated with an EAS element, the store salesperson deactivates the EAS element attached to the item.

[0005] It may be dangerous to allow the customer to self-checkout. For example, a customer may wish to purchase expensive items but may not want to pay full price. The customer may turn the price tag into an expensive item with a much less expensive price tag. Thus, the customer may use it to pay for the self-check-out POS station. After payment is completed, the store salesperson may use the EAS element deactivator tool to deactivate the EAS element associated with the item. When the EAS element is deactivated, the customer leaves the store without paying the full amount for the item.

 [0006] Similarly, if the retail store does not provide a self-check-out POS station, the customer may use a conventional POS station to purchase the item. A store salesperson monitoring a transaction at a typical POS station may collapse with the customer, and the changed price tag will be intentionally overlooked, ie, sweethearted, by the store salesperson. The store salesperson deactivates the EAS element and the customer leaves the store without paying the full amount for the item.

[0007] The present invention is directed to implementing systems and methods for activating an EAS element deactivation. These methods may include (1) customer-related data from a customer of a business organization attempting to deactivate the EAS element of at least one item, and / or (2) check-out And acquiring transaction data included in the receipt issued at the completion of the transaction. Thus, the unique identifier for the customer-related data, transaction data and / or EAS element deactivation system is communicated to the remote computing device. In a remote computing device, the customer-related data and / or transaction data is processed to obtain confirmation that the customer has recently successfully completed a checkout transaction for the item and that the EAS element of the item has not yet been deactivated. After the time the confirmation is obtained, the EAS element deactivation is activated.

[0008] In some scenarios, customer-related data is obtained from a portable customer-specific medium (e.g., a loyalty card) via short-range communication (e.g., NFC communication or magnetic stripe read). Additionally or alternatively, the customer-related data includes a unique identifier assigned to the mobile communication device owned by the customer. The transaction data may include a single-use transaction code that uniquely identifies the purchase transaction. The disposable transaction code may be generated as a function of customer-related data, enterprise-related data, or time-related data, and / or through a pseudo-random or chaotic number generation algorithm.

[0009] In these or other scenarios, the method includes the following steps when an acknowledgment is obtained: first item identification data identifying items approved for deactivation by the customer from the remote computing device to the EAS element deactivation system ; Obtaining second item identification data from an item owned by the customer; And determining whether the first item identification data matches the second item identification data. If the first item identification data and the second item identification data match each other, the EAS element deactivation is activated.

[0010] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like numerals denote like items throughout the drawings.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary EAS element deactivation system useful for understanding the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary camera useful for understanding the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer useful in understanding the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary item database useful for understanding the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary purchase receipt useful in understanding the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for activating an EAS element deactivation using item data, useful for understanding the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary items useful for understanding the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another exemplary process for activating an EAS element deactivation using an image of an item useful for understanding the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of another exemplary process for activating an EAS element deactivation using the weight of an item useful for understanding the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of another exemplary process for activating an EAS element deactivation using an image of an item tracked, which is useful for understanding the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of another exemplary process for activating an EAS element deactivator useful for understanding the present invention.

[0022] It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as illustrated in the drawings generally set forth and described herein, may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Accordingly, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, such as those set forth in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but merely illustrates various embodiments. While various aspects of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, the drawings are not necessarily to scale unless specifically indicated.

[0023] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

[0024] Reference to features, advantages, or similar language, throughout this specification, should be taken as any single feature of the invention and all of the features and advantages that may be realized through the present invention, But does not imply a single embodiment. Rather, language referring to features and advantages is understood to mean that a particular feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the features and advantages and similar language discussions throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

[0025] Moreover, the described features, advantages, and features of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of the specific embodiments, in light of the detailed description herein. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in some embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the present invention.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," " an embodiment, "or similar language, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment shown is at least one embodiment Which is included in the example. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", and similar language throughout this specification may refer to the same embodiment but are not necessarily so.

[0027] As used in this document, a singular representation includes a plurality of references, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used in this document, the term " comprising " means, but is not limited to, " including ".

As used herein, correlative terms such as "first" and "second", "upper" and "lower" refer to any physical or logical relationship or sequence between entities or elements But may be used only to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element, without requiring or implying.

[0029] In retail stores where secure devices have tagged products, customers typically rely on the salesperson to deactivate the EAS element when the item is purchased. The deactivation process occurs at the physical POS terminal. Retailers will want to provide a mobile checkout option to reduce queues of customer queues at POS terminals. The mobile checkout option will allow customers to purchase products and / or check out items at the corridors of a business facility (e.g., retail store or library). For retailers providing mobile self-checkout smartphone applications, customers may also use their smartphones to scan and buy / check out products. Retailers may also provide mobile handheld solutions on a table "Personal Computer" (PC). Customers can use these options to scan and purchase / check out products. The enterprise organization needs to provide a solution in which the customer may deactivate the EAS element during mobile checkout. At the same time, strategies are needed to prevent unauthorized use of equipment by unauthorized customers and others.

[0030] There are several elements for this problem. First, some customers may decide to use deactivation tools to deactivate the EAS element without paying for the attached items. Second, the method for protecting the deactivation tool from unauthorized access may make it no longer accessible to the authorized client in a convenient and timely manner. Third, customers' use of deactivated hardware needs to be correlated with mobile sales / checkout transactions.

Attempts by others for solving the above problems have been minimal. The deactivation of anti-theft tags and labels is almost always performed at a normal (or stationary) POS station where the deactivation tool is physically tied. In addition, the deactivated hardware is used exclusively by in-store employees and salespeople. While handheld devices are often used to deactivate EAS elements, such devices are generally unsecured (beyond simple operation of locking them when they are not used). Handheld devices are still typically located in stationary POS stations, but are not carried over to the business premises and / or provided to customers for their use.

[0032] In order to date, the importance or value of generating advanced authorization and access control methods for mobile deactivation equipment has not been recognized, particularly as it is in granting access to customers involved in mobile MPOS transactions . Some retailers provide self-checkout lanes that allow the customer to scan the product labels and then tender the transaction on their own. However, no tag deactivation or de-tagging is performed by the customer.

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11B. Generally, the present invention provides systems and methods for activating an EAS element deactivation. The method comprises: establishing an EAS element deactivation session for a particular customer; In an EAS element deactivation system, receiving item data including physical attributes of an item; Determining whether the item data corresponds to a purchased item in a purchase receipt associated with a particular customer; And activating the EAS element deactivation when it is determined that the item data corresponds to the purchased item.

Exemplary systems for customer deactivation of EAS elements

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic illustration of an exemplary system 100 useful for understanding the present invention is provided. The system 100 includes a computer 102 that communicates with an item database 132 and an EAS element deactivation system 104 via a communication network 106. The computer 102 may also be referred to as an & In some scenarios, the computer 102 may be part of the EAS element deactivation system 104 and / or vice versa. As such, the computer 102 may be remote from the EAS element deactivation system 104 or reside therewith.

[0035] The EAS element deactivation system 104 generally includes items that are proposed for sale or checkout by an enterprise organization (eg, a retail store or library) and / or purchased by a customer 126 of a corporate organization To deactivate the EAS elements 134 attached to the base station 120. EAS elements 134 may include, but are not limited to, one bit element, checkpoint, RFID element, NFC element or other element attached to the remotely read item. In this regard, the EAS element deactivation system 104 may include, but is not limited to, an inactive kiosk, a locked cabinet and / or a dedicated self-checkout location within the retail store. In all cases, the EAS element deactivation system 104 may include a camera 108, a scanner 110, a scale 112, an EAS element deactivation 114 and / or a display 116. The components 108 and / or 110 may include price tags 118 that may be utilized during the EAS element deactivation process, items 120, e-receipts, and / or customer mobile devices (e.g., , And in the e-receipt scenarios the scanner 110 includes an optical scanner. Optical scanners are well known in the art and will not be described herein. The scanner 110 may also include a magnetic strip reader and / or other type of communication device (e.g., an RFID reader and / or an RF transceiver).

[0036] Thus, each price tag 118 may be attached to and / or attached to a data store (eg, a data store of a short-range communication device) via a label (eg, a bar code label) printed directly thereon, And stored tag data 122. Similarly, each item 120 may be printed directly on and / or attached to the manufacturer code 124, and / or attached to it via a label (e.g., a bar code label) and / Other data related to the item stored in the data store of the device). The e-receipts may include barcodes in which transaction data is encoded. The customer's mobile device may have an associated unique identifier (e.g., Media Access Control (MAC) address), which may be identified by the customer. Data obtained from the price tags 118, 120, e-receipts and / or the customer's mobile device is transferred from the EAS element deactivation system 104 to the computer 102 for processing and / or storage in the item database 132 Lt; / RTI >

[0037] Additionally or alternatively, the EAS element deactivation system 104 may be configured to allow the user to authenticate the user via the touch screen display 116 or other input means (e.g., display and keypad) (E.g., user name, password, and / or biological data) to enter customer authentication information. Such customer authentication information may also be obtained from the customer via the user input of the customer's mobile device instead of the user input of the EAS element deactivation system 104. [ The customer authentication information data may then be transferred from the EAS element deactivation system 104 to the computer 102 for processing and / or storage in the item database 132. When the user is authenticated by the computer 102, the computer 102 sends a message to the EAS element deactivation system 104 indicating that the customer has been authenticated and has permission to deactivate the EAS elements of one or more items. As shown in FIG. The manner in which such permissions are determined will be described in detail below. It should also be appreciated that such authorization may be determined based on the price tags 118, 120, e-receipts, and / or data obtained from the customer's mobile device.

[0038] Item 120 may be purchased by a customer using POS device 128. During operation, the POS device 128 communicates with the computer 102 and the EAS element deactivation system 104 via the communications network 106 to submit a purchase transaction, and the POS device 128 receives the input device 130 But not limited to, a self-checkout POS device having a self-checkout POS device. The self-checkout POS device may be a fixed self-checkout POS device or a mobile self-checkout POS device (such as a wireless mobile device that drives a retail business application). The POS device 128 may be owned by a retail store, leased from a retail store by others, and / or owned by a customer. In all scenarios, the POS device 128 may include, but is not limited to, a mobile communication device, a smartphone, a tablet, and / or a personal digital assistant that drives a retail software application. The retail software application may be configured to facilitate scanning of the price tag 118 to obtain data therefrom and / or communication of the item database 132 and / or data to and from the computer 102 . The retail software application may also facilitate the submission of user-software interactions for entering payment details and purchase transactions for one or more items 120. [ In this regard, the retail software application may communicate with the backend software of the retailer. The retailer's backend software may verify that the purchase transaction has been completed and then issue a signal to the EAS element deactivation 104 indicating the completion of the purchase transaction.

The communication network 106 may be a cellular communication network, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), an Internet Protocol (IP) network, a wide area network (WAN), and / or a LAN (Local Area Network) . The communication network 106 may be a wireless network, e.g., Wi-Fi, satellite, infrared, Bluetooth, Ultra Wide Band, Zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) The computer 106 and the EAS element deactivation system 104 may communicate with other computers via the communication network 106, for example, computers associated with an article supplier, a computer 132 storing item databases, But may be connected to any other third party (not shown) located at some other location accessible via the Internet or World-Wide-Web.

[0040] Price tag 118 and EAS element 134 may be associated with item 120, such as attached to or remotely attached to item 120. The EAS element 134 may be stand-alone or integrated in hardware, such as an electronic price tag 118, i.e., the EAS element 134 may be integrated as part of the price tag 118. The EAS element 134 is always fixed to an item or books, such as the item 120. The EAS element 134 is deactivated or removed by the store salesperson when the item 120 is properly purchased or checked out. At the outlet of the retail store, when the detection system senses an active EAS element 134 that is not properly deactivated, the detection system alerts the alarm or otherwise warns the retailer.

[0041] The EAS element 134 may be an acousto-magnetic element made of a strip of metal. Detection of the EAS element 134 is accomplished by sensing harmonics and signals generated by the magnetic response of the EAS element 134 when exposed to a magnetic field. The EAS element 134 may be demagnetized such that it may no longer generate harmonic signals. In wireless-frequency systems, the EAS element 134 may include a circuit with a capacitor and an inductor. The circuit may have a resonance peak. To deactivate the EAS element 134, the EAS element 134 may be exposed to a strong electromagnetic field that induces a voltage that exceeds the voltage of the capacitor and destroys the capacitor for that reason. The EAS element 134 may be imprinted with a code such as a bar code.

[0042] The price tag 118 may also be associated with objects and / or furnishings (s) in a retail store, such as a shelf or display. The price tag 118 may be a price tag, among other types of tags, including an RFID that has been confirmed to transmit an RFID signal in response to a received Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) interrogation signal. The price tag 118 may include a transmitter, e.g., a Near Field Communication (NFC) transmitter, a receiver (e.g., an NFC receiver), and a memory for storing the tag data 122. Alternatively, the tag data 122 may be printed on the price tag 118.

Tag data 122 may include optically readable data, such as Stock-Keeping Unit (SKU), Quick Response (QR) code, Universal Product Code (UPC), and other optically readable codes . For example, the tag data 122 may be an optical one-dimensional or three-dimensional image that may be scanned by the scanner 110 and the input device 130, which may be, for example, a barcode scanning application or a barcode scanning device (e.g., an optical scanner) Dimensional bar code. The tag data 122 may include numbers, characters, symbols, combinations thereof, or any other type of code.

[0044] The price tag 118 may be configurable and / or programmable. In particular, the price tag 118 may be wirelessly programmed by the computer 102 using wireless sensor protocols or other tag programming methods known in the art. Because the price tag 118 may receive and transmit signals, the in-store communication network 106 may communicate with the price tag 118 to update the tag data 122.

[0045] The tag data 122 may include any data associated with the item 120. For example, the tag data 122 may include data stored in the item database 132. A more detailed schematic example of item database 132 is provided in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, various data may be stored in item database 132 as one or more item information records 402. Each item information record 402 includes an item name 404a, an item detail 404b, an item shape 404c, an item price 404d, an item specification 404e, an item color 404f, an item dimension 404g Item size 404h, item brand 404i, item identification 404k, item weight 404p, item tag information 404r, and item tag SKUs 404s, It is not limited. Additionally or alternatively, item information records 402 may include item tag data 404q, item bar code data 404t (e.g., item bar code data from bar code 124), and / or other item data 404o . ≪ / RTI >

[0046] In some scenarios, the purchased item is validated using the computer 102. For example, the computer 102 may use the size, shape, dimensions, or image of the item to match product details with the scanned price of the item. The price tag 118 may include a price that can be scanned using the POS device 128. Additionally, the price tag 118 may include data that includes the product details of the item, or data that can be used by the computer 102 to obtain product details of the item. Additionally or alternatively, the computer 102 may validate the purchased item using the photo image. The EAS element deactivation system 104 may be equipped with a low-cost video camera 108. The customer 126 may present the item to deactivate the item. As a result, the camera 108 captures an image of the item. Images may be matched in the store inventory database. The computer 102 makes a determination as to whether the item corresponds to an image in the database and to a purchased item 142 in the purchase receipt 140. [

[0047] According to another aspect, a method for activating the EAS element deactivation 114 includes receiving an item's weight from the scale 112. The item is associated with the item weight stored in the computer 102 (item weight may be stored in the database). The weight of the item received from the scale 112 is compared to the weight of the item stored in the computer 102. The computer 102 makes a determination as to whether the weight corresponds to an item submitted for deactivation based at least on a comparison of the item product identification or tag data 122 and weight. Based on at least the analysis of the tag data 122 and the weight of the item, if the price tag 118 is determined to correspond to an item submitted for deactivation, the EAS element deactivation 114 is activated for use. The scale 112 may be a solenoid type weight scale.

[0048] The building of the retail store may also be equipped with video surveillance devices such as video cameras. The video camera identifies an item that is pulled by the customer 126 from the shelf in the retail store, based at least in part on the location of the item within the retail store and within the shelf. The computer 102 may store a database that can be used to recognize products based on the location of the product. As the customer 126 (e.g., shopper) scans the price tag 118 corresponding to the item, the price and image of the item are validated.

[0049] The customer 126 may use the self-checkout POS device 128 to pay for the item. The customer 126 may use the input device 130 (e.g., a scanner) to scan the price tag 118 associated with the item 120 (e.g., a television). The customer 126 may use the POS device 128 to enter payment information. POS device 128 may receive tag data 122 and payment information. The tag data 122 and payment information may be transmitted to the computer 102 by the POS device. In response to receiving the tag data 122 and the payment information, the computer 102 may send a confirmation to the POS device 128 that the item has been purchased. The payment confirmation may include a purchase receipt 140, which may be a paper receipt or an e-receipt. The e-receipt may be displayed on the display screen of the POS device 128. Purchase receipt 140 includes a list of identifiers that identify one or more purchased items 142. [ In this example, since the item 120 has the correct price tag 118, the purchased item 142 is an item 120. However, if the item 120 has an incorrect price tag (e.g., a tag corresponding to a baseball), the purchased item 142 may be another item (e.g., a baseball ball) rather than an item 120.

[0050] The customer 126 accesses the EAS element deactivation system 104 to deactivate the EAS element 134 associated with the item 120. The camera 108 captures the image 144 of the item 120 when the customer 126 submits the item 120 containing the EAS element 134 for deactivation. The EAS element deactivation system 104 sends an image 144 to the computer 102 for analysis to determine whether the purchased item 142 is an item 120. [ The computer 102 analyzes the image 144 using a visual recognition technique to determine whether the image 144 corresponds to a purchased item 142 of the purchase receipt 140. [ The computer 102 determines whether the purchase receipt 140 includes the tag data 122 to determine whether the purchased item 142 is indicative of the item 120 in the image 144. [ . The computer 102 verifies that the item 120 shown in the image 144 matches the purchased item 142 in the purchase receipt 140. [

[0051] If the computer 102 determines that the image 144 corresponds to the purchased item 142 shown in the purchase receipt 140, the computer 102 activates the EAS element deactivation 114. The customer 126 may then use the EAS element deactivation 114 to deactivate the EAS element 134. Otherwise, if the computer 102 determines that the image 144 does not correspond to the purchased item 142 in the purchase receipt 140, the computer 102 may use the communication network 106 to send the message to a store sales person It can also be sent to the employee. The item 120 may indicate that the customer has attempted to deactivate the secure EAS element 134 associated with the item 120 but the item 120 does not match the purchased item 142 identified in the purchase receipt 140 Or does not apply.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary architecture for the camera 108 of FIG. The camera 108 of the EAS element deactivation system 104 may be a low cost video camera configured to capture the shape, size, dimensions, and any other physical characteristics of the item 120. The camera 108 may include a camera receiver 204, a camera transmitter 206, a camera processor 210, a camera imager 208 and a camera memory 212. The enumerated components 204-212 can communicate with each other directly. The camera transmitter 206 also communicates with the communication infrastructure 202. It is understood that the interconnection of the components is not limited to the arrangement shown in Fig. For example, more than one component may be interconnected to the communication infrastructure 202 and communicated through the communication infrastructure 202. The camera imager 208 is configured to capture an image 144 of the item 120. The camera receiver 204 is configured to receive the image 120. The image 120 is stored in the camera memory 212. The camera transmitter 206 is configured to transmit the image 120 to the computer 102 for visual image analysis.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary architecture for the computer 102 of FIG. The computer 102 may be located at a retail store or at a remote location. The computer 102 includes one or more processors 302 that are programmed to perform the functions described herein. Processor 302 is operably coupled to communication infrastructure 332. The communication infrastructure 332 may include, but is not limited to, a communication bus, a cross-bar interconnect, and / or a network. The processor 302 may execute computer programs stored on disk storage for execution via the auxiliary memory 312. [ Processor 302 may be configured to perform image analysis to extract important information from an image (e.g., image 144 or photo of item 120). The processor 302 may analyze the image using image processing techniques. For example, the processor 302 may be used to perform a variety of image processing techniques such as pattern recognition, digital geometry, 2D / 3D object recognition, image segmentation, motion detection, particle tracking, video tracking, optical flow, signal processing, and / Techniques may be used to identify the item 120 in the image 144.

[0054] Additionally, the processor 302 may extract quantitative information from the image 144 using the geometric shape. The processor 302 may process the image 144 to extract image data that includes the physical characteristics of the item 120. The extracted image data may be used to identify, describe, understand, and evaluate image 144. The processor 302 may analyze the image 144 to obtain useful information and image data from the image 144. The processor 302 may be configured to recognize shapes within the image 144 and use algorithms to measure the size of the shapes, for example, and to determine the shapes of the items 120 and the morphology of the general structure . The processor 302 may also determine physical properties (e.g., length, height, width, color, size, shape, texture, and / or dimensions) of the image 144 of the item 120. The image data obtained from the image 144 may be exported and stored in the item database 132. Likewise, the image 144 may be stored in the item database 132.

The computer 102 may optionally include a display interface 308 for forwarding graphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure 332 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on the display unit 310 Or may be shared. The display unit 310 may be a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, a light-emitting diode (LED) display or a touch screen display among other types of displays.

[0056] The computer 102 also includes a main memory 304 and an auxiliary memory 312. The main memory 304 may include, but is not limited to, RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary memory 312 may include, but is not limited to, a hard disk drive 314 and / or a removable storage drive 316 (e.g., a removable hard disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, and / . The removable storage drive 316 is read from and / or written to the removable storage medium 318 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The removable storage medium 318 may include a computer usable storage medium (s), such as: a floppy disk; External hard disk; Magnetic tape; And / or optical disks. The removable storage medium 318 has computer software and / or data stored thereon.

[0057] In alternative embodiments, the auxiliary memory 312 may include other similar devices for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into a computer system and for storing data. Such devices may include, for example, a removable storage unit 322 and an interface 320. These examples include a program cartridge and a cartridge interface that allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 322 to other devices (e.g., found in video game devices), a flash memory, a removable memory chip , EPROM, EEPROM or PROM) and associated sockets, and other removable storage units 322 and interfaces 320.

[0058] The computer 102 may also include a communication interface 324. The communication interface 324 allows software and data to be transferred to external devices. Examples of communication interface 324 may include, but are not limited to, a modem, a network interface (e.g., Ethernet card), a communication port, a PCMCIA slot and card, and / or a wireless transceiver / antenna. The communication interface 324 may include a transmitter 328 and a receiver 330. The software and data transferred via communication interface / module 324 may be, for example, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals that may be received by communication interface 324. [ These signals are provided to the communication interface 324 via a communication link (i.e., channel) Communications link 326 may be implemented using wires or cables, optical fibers, telephone lines, cellular phone links, RF links, and / or other communication channels, carrying signals.

It is understood that the computer 102 may have more than one communication interface 324 and a set of communication links 326. For example, the computer 102 may include a communication interface 324 / communication link 326 pair for establishing a commumcation zone for wireless communication, a second communication interface 324 / A pair of third communication interface 324 / communication link 326 for communicating with low speed wireless networks and a fourth communication interface 324 / communication link 326 pair for other communication .

[0060] Computer programs (also referred to as computer control logic) are stored in main memory 304 and / or auxiliary memory 312. For example, computer programs are stored in auxiliary memory 312 (e.g., disk storage) for execution by processor 302 via main memory 304 (e.g., RAM). The computer programs may also be received via communication interface 324. [ Such computer programs, when executed, enable the method and system to perform the features of the invention as discussed herein. In particular, computer programs, when executed, enable the processor 302 to perform the methods and features of the system. Accordingly, these computer programs represent controllers of the device.

[0061] Although a single computer 102 is mentioned, the present invention is not limited to this. It is contemplated that more than one computer 102 may be implemented. Thus, the functionality of computer 102 may be performed by a single computer or may be distributed among a plurality of computers or computing devices. For example, the functionality of the computer 102 may be performed by an in-store or off-site computer 102. Alternatively, the functionality of the computer 102 may be performed by some computing devices that may be located in the same general location or at different locations (e.g., via cloud computing). That is, each computing device may perform one or more specific sub-processes of computer 102. As such, the computer 102 may be a system of components that collectively function to receive, process, and analyze the image 144.

[0062] Various software embodiments are described in connection with such an exemplary computer system. It is understood that computer systems and / or computer architectures other than those specifically described herein can be used to implement the present invention. It is also understood that the capacities and quantities of the components of the architecture described above may vary depending on the device as well as the intended interaction with the device as well as the amount of supported devices. For example, the configuration and management of the computer 102 may be designed to occur remotely by a web browser. In such a case, inclusion of display interface 308 and display unit 310 may not be required. Although the computer 102 is described herein as including hardware devices, the computer 102 may be implemented in software executed in a cloud server infrastructure.

[0063] The computer 102 may include or communicate with the item database 132. The item database 132 may be stored in an external storage device, which is the main memory 304, or may be stored in another computer in communication with the computer 102 (not shown). Item database 132 may include data related to determining whether item data (e.g., weight or image 144) corresponds to item 142 purchased. Significantly, although the item data is described as being stored in the database, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other data structures may be used to store the data. For example, the data may be stored in a text file or a hash table.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary item database 132. Item database 132 may be a corporate or store inventory database that stores information in items for sale and / or checkouts therefrom. Item database 132 may include a plurality of item information records 402a, ..., 402c. Each item information record 402a, ..., 402c corresponds to an item for sale. For example, the item information record 402a stores information related to the first item 120. [ Item information record 402b stores information about the second item. Item information record 402c stores information about the third item. Only three item information records 402a, ..., 402c are shown in Figure 4, but the invention is not so limited. Item database 132 may store any number of item information records. Each item information record 402a, ..., 402c stored in the item database 132 is stored in an item information record 402a, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > and / or < / RTI >

[0065] Item information record 402a may store any type of information related to item 120. For example, the item information record 402a includes an item name 404a, an item detail 404b, an item shape 404c, an item price 404d, an item specification 404e, an item color 404f, an item dimension 404g Item size 404h, item brand 404i, item image 404j, item identification 404k, item length 404l, item width 404m, item position 404n, other item data 404o, Item weight 404p, item tag data 404q, item tag information 404r, item tag SKU 404s, and item barcode data 404t. Item information record 402a may also include images of items 120 available for sale and / or checkout, measurements (e.g., image 120), sizes of packing boxes associated with items 120 , ≪ / RTI > and / or other item related data. Additionally, item database 132 may include item models and other item physical properties. Item database 132 may be associated with a vendor and may be stored in a vendor computer that communicates with computer 102 via communications network 106. [

[0066] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary purchase receipt 140. The purchase receipt 140 may include, but is not limited to, an e-receipt sent to the POS device 128 by the computer 102. Purchase receipt 140 may include purchased item 142 and purchase date 94. [ The purchased item 142 includes the tag data 122, the item name 404a, the item details 404b, the item identification 404k, the item tag data 404q, the item tag information 404r, 404s, and / or item bar code data 404t. For example, the purchase receipt 140 of FIG. 5 may include "TELEVISION" as purchased item 142.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the retailer may use EAS element deactivation tools (e.g., the EAS element deactivation system of Figure 1) to prevent unauthorized use of deactivating the EAS element (e.g., EAS element 134 of Figure 1) (S) 104). The customer (e.g., customer 126 of FIG. 1) may pay for an item (e.g., item 120 of FIG. 1) using a mobile or stationary POS device (e.g., POS device 128 of FIG. 1) have. The customer may use a self-checkout POS device to scan the price tag associated with the item (e.g., the price tag 118 of FIG. 1). As a result, the POS device receives the tag data 122, which may include a purchase price. The POS device then sends the tag data to a computer (e.g., computer 102 of FIG. 1) for processing and / or storage in a database (e.g., database 132 of FIG. 1).

[0068] A customer may choose to pay for an item using any purchase means (eg, a credit card). The POS device 128 receives the payment information and transmits it to the computer 102. In response, the computer 102 may verify the tag data 122 and payment information. The computer 102 may send the purchase receipt 140 to the POS device 128 as proof of purchase. The purchased item 142 may be identified in the purchase receipt 140. When the customer pays for the item, the customer approaches the EAS element deactivation system 104 to deactivate the EAS element 134 associated with the item 120.

[0069] The EAS element deactivation system 104 is used to validate the item 120 before deactivating the EAS element 134 associated with the item 120. The EAS element deactivation system 104 may be configured to deactivate the EAS element 134 by acquiring item data including the physical attributes of the purchased item 142 prior to activating the EAS element deactivation 114 to allow deactivation of the EAS element 134. [ 120). ≪ / RTI > The item data may include, among other things, the image 144 of the item 120 and the weight of the item 120.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, the item data includes an image 144 of the item 120. The camera 108 captures the image 144 and transfers the image to the computer 102 for visual analysis. The computer 102 receives the item data and analyzes the image 144 to determine what items are visible within it. The computer 102 may also determine image data of the image 144, e.g., the physical characteristics of the item as seen in the image. Physical properties may include, but are not limited to, length, height, width, color, size, shape, texture, and / or geometric dimensions. In addition, the computer 102 may analyze the image data to determine which items are being viewed therein.

Item data (e.g., image 144 and / or image data obtained therefrom) may correspond to items associated with item information records 402a, ..., 402c in item database 132. [0071] The computer 102 may use a visual analysis to match item information stored in the item database 132 with items shown in the image 144. [ By way of example, the computer 102 may determine that the item matching image 144 is an item 120 (e.g., a television) associated with the item information record 402a.

[0072] Thus, the computer 102 checks the purchase receipt 140 to determine that the purchased item 142 is a television. If the purchased item 142 matches the determined item 120, the computer 102 sends an activation signal to the EAS element deactivation 114. Next, the customer 126 may use the EAS element deactivation 114 to deactivate the EAS element 134. [ Otherwise the computer 102 may send a message to the store salesperson indicating that the purchased item 142 does not match the item in the image 120 because the customer 126 has received the item 120 Because the purchase receipt 140 does not indicate that the payment has been made.

Exemplary methods for activating the EAS element deactivation

Referring now to FIG. 6, a flowchart of an exemplary method 600 for activating an EAS element deactivation 114 using item data (eg, item data 404a, ..., 404r) Method 600 begins at step 602 and continues with step 604 where the item data is received. The item data may include an image of the item (e.g., item 120 of FIG. 1) At step 606. If the item identified by the item data is not a purchased item identified in the purchase receipt (e.g., purchase receipt 140 of Figures 1 and 5) (E.g., purchased item 142 of Figures 1 and 5.) If the item identified by the item data matches the purchased item [606: YES], the process proceeds to step 608 As shown, the EAS element deactivation is activated. , The message mentioning that the purchased item does not match the item identified by the item data is sent to at least the store clerk or security personnel as indicated by step 610. Subsequently, Step 612 where method 600 ends is performed or other processing is performed.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the specific method (600). Additionally or alternatively, the method 600 may include determining whether the item corresponding to the item data matches an item specified by the data stored in the item database (e.g., item database 132 of FIG. 1) Step. In such a case, the computer (e.g., computer 102 of FIG. 1) may query the item database using item data and / or image data. For example, an item information record (e.g., record 404a in FIG. 4) corresponding to an item (e.g., item 120 in FIG. 1) may include an item image 404j. The item image 404j may be an image of the item (e.g., a television). As such, the item image 404j is an image of the same item shown in the image of the image data.

[0075] Using visual analysis, the computer 102 may determine that the item identified in the image matches the item identified in the item image 404j. Because the item image 404j corresponds to an item information record 404a of the item 120 (e.g., a television), the computer 102 determines whether the purchased item 140 is identical to the item 120 (e.g., a television) Type. ≪ / RTI > If the computer 102 determines that the purchased item 142 in the purchase receipt 140 is an item 120, the computer 102 activates the EAS element deactivation 114.

[0076] Additionally or alternatively, the computer 102 may use visual analysis to determine the size, measurements, length, width, and / or color of the identified item in the image. For example, the computer 102 may determine that the determined size of the item to be viewed in the image matches the item size 404h and / or the determined dimensions of the item match the item dimensions 404g. Because the determined sizes and dimensions match the item size 404h and item dimensions 404g corresponding to the item information record 402a associated with the item 120, (120).

[0077] In some cases, the item data is consistent with any item information record stored in the item database 132. For example, the computer 102 may compare the item data with any information in the item information record 402a. If the computer 102 determines that the item data matches the information in the item information record 402a of the item 120, the computer 102 determines whether the item information in the item information record 402a Information may also be used. This comparison allows the computer 102 to determine whether the purchase receipt 140 indicates that the determined item has already been paid.

For example, the computer 102 may compare the item name 404a (or any information in the item information record 402a) with the purchased item 142 information included in the purchase receipt 140 . The computer 102 may examine the purchase receipt 140 to determine whether the purchased item 142 is the same as the item determined to match the image 144. [ The purchased item 142 may include a name of the item (e.g., item name 404a). The computer 102 may compare the item name 404a of the purchased item 142 with the item name 404a of the item information record 402a. If the determined item name (e.g., item name 404a) matches the name of the purchased item 140, the computer 102 sends an activation signal to activate the EAS element deactivation 114 to the EAS element deactivation system 104 ).

The purchased item 142 identified in the purchase receipt 140 includes an item name 404a, an item detail 404b, an item shape 404c, an item price 404d, an item specification 404e, The item size 404i, the item size 404h, the item brand 404i, the item image 404j, the item identification 404k, the item length 404l, the item width 404m, the item position 404m, But are not limited to, items 404n, other item data 404o, item weight 404p, item tag data 404q, item tag information 404r, item tag SKU 404s and item barcode data 404t. , And may correspond to or correspond to any information in item information record 402a.

[0080] For example, the purchased item 142 identified in the purchase receipt 140 may include item identification such as item identification 404k. The computer 102 may determine that the item data corresponds to the item 120 associated with the item information record 402a. The computer 102 verifies that the purchase receipt 140 indicates that the customer has paid for the item in the image. The computer 102 compares the item identification 404k of the item information record 402a with the item identification 404k in the purchased receipt 140 since the purchased item 142 includes the item identification 404k It is possible. If the computer 102 determines that the purchased item 142 matches the item identification 404k corresponding to the item 120, the computer 102 sends an activation signal to the EAS element deactivation 114.

[0081] On the other hand, the computer 102 may determine that the purchased item 142 does not match the item data. If the computer 102 determines that the purchased item 142 does not match the image 144, then the computer 102 denies deactivation of the EAS element 134. The computer 102 may also send a message for display on the display 116 of the EAS element deactivation system 104. The message may inform the customer that the store salesperson is coming to support the transaction. The computer 102 may also send a support request message to the store salesperson. The message may notify the store salesperson if there is discrepancy between the purchased item 142 and the item data and if the store salesperson should help the customer to deactivate the EAS element 134. [

[0082] Referring now to FIG. 7, a schematic illustration of an exemplary article that may constitute an item 700 associated with an EAS element 702, a price tag 704, and a manufacturer bar code 706 is provided . The price tag 704 may include tag data 708. In some scenarios, the customer may replace the price tag 118 of the item 120 with the price tag 704 of the other item 700. For example, a customer may wish to purchase item 120 (e.g., a high resolution flat screen television) with a relatively high price (e.g., $ 1,000.00). The customer determines that item 120 is too expensive. Accordingly, the customer finds another item 700 (e.g., a baseball ball) with a relatively low price (e.g., $ 10.00). The tag data 708 may include the price of the item 700 that is less than the price of the item 120. The customer then replaces price tag 118 with price tag 704. After replacing the price tag 118 with the price tag 704, the customer may pay using the self-checkout station (e.g., the POS device 128 of Figure 1). In this regard, the price tag data 708 Checkout station is used to scan the item 120. In fact the customer pays only the amount indicated by the price tag data 708 instead of paying the full amount of the item 120. Thus, A purchase receipt 140 is generated that includes information identifying the item 142. The purchase receipt 140 indicates that an item 700 that is not an item 120 has been purchased. , And may indicate that the customer has paid a relatively low price (e.g., $ 10.00) for the purchased item.

[0083] Next, at the completion of the purchase transaction, the customer may approve the EAS element deactivation system 104 to the item 120 and attempt to deactivate the EAS element 134 attached to the item 120 You may. The camera 108 of the EAS element deactivation system 104 may take a picture / image 144 of the item 120 and transmit the image 144 to the computer 102 for visual analysis. In response to receiving the image 144, the computer 102 processes the image 144 to determine the type of item shown in the image 144. Next, the computer 102 determines whether the purchase receipt 140 indicates that the customer has paid for the item shown in the image 144. If the customer 102 determines that the purchase receipt 140 indicates that the customer has paid for an item other than the item shown in the image 144, then the computer 102 denies activation of the EAS element deactivation 114. The computer 102 may also send a message to the store salesperson that states that the purchased item identified on the purchase receipt 140 does not match the item shown in the image 144. [

[0084] Additionally or alternatively, the computer 102 may perform a visual analysis of the image 144 to determine image data that includes the physical attributes of the illustrated item. For example, the computer 102 may determine that the image 144 illustrates an item 120 that is a large squared item. In addition, the computer 102 checks the purchase receipt 140 for a matching item (e.g., an item that is a large rectangular item). To do so, the computer 102 may search the item database 132 for item record information corresponding to the purchased item 142 (e.g., baseball ball). When the computer 102 finds an item information record corresponding to the purchased item, the computer 102 determines the size and / or shape of the item identified in the purchase receipt 140 (e.g., the item is a small circular item) The item information record may be analyzed. Next, the computer 102 generates a "small circular item" detail in the item information record corresponding to the item (e.g., item 700) identified in the purchase receipt 140 and a "large rectangular item" detail . The computer 102 determines that the item identified in the purchase receipt 140 (e.g., item 700) does not match the item shown in image 144, because the item details do not match. Accordingly, the computer 102 determines that the item shown in the image 144 has not been paid. Because the computer 102 determines that there is a mismatch between the item shown in the image 144 and the item identified in the purchase receipt 140 (e.g., item 700), the computer 102 may deactivate the EAS element And does not activate the device 114. Instead, the computer 102 sends a message to the store salesperson (e.g., a support request message or a warning message) indicating that the customer is attempting to deactivate the item that was not paid. The message may also specify that the purchase receipt 140 indicates that the customer has paid for an item (e.g., item 700) that is different from the one depicted in image 144.

[0085] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of another exemplary method 800 for determining whether to activate EAS element deactivation 114 based on an analysis of image 144. The method 800 begins with step 802 and continues through step 804. [ At step 804, the customer (e.g., customer 126 of FIG. 1) receives the EAS element (e.g., EAS element 124 of FIG. 1) in an EAS element deactivation system (e.g., system 104 of FIG. 1) (E.g., item 120 of FIG. 1) for deactivation. Next, at step 806, the camera (e.g., camera 108 of FIG. 1) captures an image of the item. The image is used by the computer (e.g., computer 102 of FIG. 1) in decision step 808. Decision step 808 includes: querying the item database (e.g., item database 132 of Figure 1) to determine which item is shown in the image; And determining whether the item shown in the image matches an item identified in the purchase receipt (e.g., purchase receipt 140 in FIG. 1). If the item shown in the image matches an item identified in the purchase receipt, the EAS element deactivator (e.g., the EAS element deactivator of FIG. 1) is activated in step 812. Otherwise [808: NO], a message is sent to summon customer support at step 810. Thereafter, step 814 where the method 800 terminates is performed, or other processing is performed.

[0086] In some scenarios, the computer 102 may initiate a second level security process when the item shown in the image does not match the item identified in the purchase receipt. For example, when a customer brings an item to the EAS element deactivation system for deactivation of that EAS element and the computer denies such deactivation, the computer may send a message to be displayed on the display of the EAS element deactivation system. The message may request the customer to scan a price tag (e.g., price tag 118 of FIG. 1) and a bar code (e.g., bar code 124 of FIG. 1) attached to the item presented for deactivation. In response to the request, the customer performs user-software interactions to scan bar codes and price tags. Next, the EAS element deactivation system sends the scan data to the computer. Upon receipt of the scan data, the customer determines whether the scan barcode data corresponds to or does not match the price tag scan data. If the barcode scan data does not match the price tag scan data, the computer may send a support request message to the store salesperson so that the store salesperson can resolve the inconsistency. The message may specify that the price tag scan data does not correspond to or does not correspond to the bar code scan data.

[0087] If the barcode scan data matches the price tag scan data, the computer transmits a message indicating that the price tag scan data matches the barcode scan data and that the computer has not verified whether the purchase receipt identifies the item 120 It is possible. In addition, if the computer determines that the purchased item identified in the purchase receipt does not match the item identified by the barcode scan data and / or the price tag scan data, then the computer determines whether the item corresponding to the price tag scan data and the barcode scan data May be sent a message indicating that the purchase receipt does not show that it has been paid. Alternatively, the computer may (i) determine when the barcode scan data matches the purchased item identified in the purchase receipt and / or the price tag scan data, or (ii) when the price tag scan data is purchased May be configured to activate the EAS element deactivation system when matched with the item.

[0088] The computer determines whether or not the item identified by the barcode scan data matches the purchased item identified in the purchase receipt by comparing the item identifier information included in the barcode scan data with the item identifier information included in the purchase receipt ; And / or by querying the item database to determine an item information record associated with the purchased item identified in the purchase receipt. The computer may query the item database using the barcode scan data. The computer may determine that the item barcode data (e.g., data 404t in FIG. 4) in the item information record (e.g., record 402t in FIG. 4) matches the barcode scan data. Accordingly, the computer determines that the item information record corresponds to the data associated with the barcode scan data. The computer may proceed to compare any information in the item information record with information associated with the purchased item identified in the purchase receipt. For example, if the information associated with the purchased item includes an item tag SKU, the computer may compare the item tag SKU associated with the purchased item 45 to the item tag SKU included in the item information record. If the item tag SKU associated with the purchased item matches the item tag SKU of the item information record, the computer determines that the barcode scan data corresponds to the purchased item identified in the purchase receipt.

[0089] In some scenarios, the item data received by the computer includes a measured value for the weight of the item presented in the EAS element deactivation system 104 for deactivation of the EAS element. The measured weight value can be obtained using the balance 112 of the EAS element deactivation system 104. The scale 112 may include, but is not limited to, a solenoid type weight scale. The measured weight value may then be transmitted from the EAS element deactivation system 104 to the computer 102. At the computer 102, the purchase receipt 140 is analyzed to determine the weight of the purchased item identified therein. Next, the computer compares the measured weight value with the determined weight of the purchased item identified in the purchase receipt. If the measured weight value is equal to or approximately equal to the determined weight of the purchased item, the computer transmits an activation signal to activate the EAS element deactivation. Otherwise, if the measured weight value is not approximately equal to the determined weight of the purchased item, the computer sends a message to the store salesperson. The message may indicate that the weight of the purchased item is not equal to the measured weight of the item presented for deactivation.

[0090] To determine the weight of the item purchased, the computer may query the item database using the information obtained from the purchase receipt. The computer 102 may determine that the predetermined item information record stored in the item database corresponds to the purchased item. The item information record may include data specifying item weight. The item weight value contained in the item information record may then be compared with the measured weight value obtained by the balance 112. [ If the weight values are a predetermined amount to each other, the computer activates the EAS element deactivator, and conversely, the computer denies deactivation of the EAS element coupled to the item (e.g., item 120) if the weight values are not predetermined amounts to each other . The computer may also send a message to the store salesperson indicating that the weight of the presented item does not match the weight of the item purchased for EAS element deactivation.

[0091] Referring now to FIG. 9, a flowchart of another exemplary method 900 for determining whether to activate an EAS element deactivation based on the weight of an item is provided. The method 900 begins with step 902 and continues through step 904. [ At step 904, the customer places the item on the balance (e.g., scale 112 of FIG. 1) to obtain the weight measurement. Next, at step 906, the balance generates a measured weight value for the item (e.g., item 120 of FIG. 1). Subsequently, the method 900 begins with a decision step 908. Decision step 908 includes: checking a purchase receipt (e.g., receipt 140 in FIG. 1) to determine what item was purchased; Querying the item database for a weight value associated with the purchased item; And determining whether the measured weight value matches a weight value associated with the purchased item. If the weight values are [908: YES], the EAS element deactivation is activated as indicated by step 912. Otherwise [908: NO], the message is sent to summon the customer support, as shown by step 910.

In some scenarios, the computer and the scanner (e.g., the scanner 110 of FIG. 1) may determine whether the item (e.g., item 120 of FIG. 1) The scanner may also be used to scan a manufacturer code associated with the item (e.g., code 124 in Figure 1). The scanner may also use a price tag (E.g., system 122 of FIG. 1) may be used to scan and acquire tag data (e.g., data 122 of FIG. 1) therefrom. The EAS element deactivation system In the computer, it is determined whether the tag data corresponds to or corresponds to the barcode scan data. If the tag data matches the barcode scan data (i.e., they all belong to the same item and correspond), the computer activates the EAS element deactivation The computer may send a message indicating that the tag data is inconsistent with the barcode scan data. Importantly, these operations may be performed when the item identified in the image is identified in the purchase receipt And may be used as a second level security check when it does not match the purchased item.

[0093] In other scenarios, cameras (eg, video cameras of a store's video system) may be positioned throughout the retail store. At least one camera (e.g., camera 108 of FIG. 1) may be used to track customers throughout the retail store. The computer is in communication with the camera and may be configured to control the camera. The camera may also track items within the retail store or may capture pictures / images of items within the retail store. The pictures and images captured by the camera may be stored in an item database (i.e., they may be used to update pictures and images stored in the item database).

[0094] In these or other scenarios, the camera may record which item was selected by the customer. By way of example, a customer may select an item (e.g., item 120 in FIG. 1) from a shelf and place the item in a shopper's basket or shopping cart. The camera may also take an image of an item in the shopper's basket or shopping cart. The image may be transmitted to a computer. At the computer, the customer may be associated with an item shown in the image. The computer may also identify the item depicted in the image by determining the location in the store where the item was selected by the customer. The location may be identified using a planogram of the retail store (e.g., a visual diagram or diagram detailing the display of items in a retail store). The planogram may include the layout of the retail store, and may show in which aisle and on which shelf the item is located. In addition, the item database may include record information corresponding to the position of the item in the item information. As another example, the computer may analyze the image to determine which portion of the store is visible in the image.

[0095] For example, a POS device may be a mobile POS device, such as a wireless mobile device, which may be used by a customer to perform a self-checkout in a passageway at a retail location, It is possible. The POS device may be a handheld with a mobile POS application. The POS device may be provided to the customer by the retail store or may be provided by the customer. The POS device 36 may also be equipped with a retailer mobile POS application. The customer may use the POS device to inform the sales and to scan the price tag. The customer may walk to the deactivation station or the self-checkout station to deactivate the EAS element attached to the item after informing the sales. The computer may also send an authorization to deactivate the EAS element to the EAS element deactivation. The permission to deactivate the EAS element may include data that includes the characteristics of the product associated with the price in the price tag, such as the size, shape, and dimensions of the product that match the scanned price in the price tag. Accordingly, the computer may purchase items in the store's aisle and do not need to go to the self-checkout station to purchase items. The EAS element deactivation system may be an enabling or deactivating station that validates sales made by a customer or sales person using a POS device. The EAS element deactivation system may validate a transaction known by the customer or salesperson, for example, by validating / validating that the item corresponds to received characteristics of the product associated with the price in the price tag.

[0096] For example, to pay for an item, the customer may use the input device (e.g., input device 130 of Figure 1) of the POS device (e.g., POS device 128 of Figure 1) (E.g., data 122 in FIG. 1). The computer may receive the tag data and may determine whether the tag data matches the information derived from the image associated with the customer. For example, the computer may determine whether the price associated with the price tag matches the price of the item identified in the image. Accordingly, the item is validated during the scanning of the price tag (e.g., when the POS device is proceeding with the transaction) by determining whether the price of the scanned item corresponds to the item seen in the image.

[0097] If the price in the price tag corresponds to the price of the item shown in the image, the computer activates the EAS element deactivation. In order to match the price tag with the price of the item shown in the image, the computer may determine an item information record (e.g., item information record 402a) corresponding to the item shown in the image. The computer may compare the information in the item information record with the tag data obtained from the price tag.

[0098] In some scenarios, the customer may "pay out" and pay for the item when the customer selects the item from the store shelf. For example, a price tag may be scanned when a customer selects an item, and a customer may pay for the item at that spot without having to use a checkout register located next to the outlet of the retail store. Next, the customer may proceed to deactivate the EAS element in the EAS element deactivation system, which may be located near the outlet of the retail store.

[0099] Referring now to FIG. 10, a flow diagram of another exemplary method 1000 for activating an EAS element deactivation to deactivate an EAS element coupled to a tracked item is shown. The method 1000 begins with step 1002 and continues through step 1004. At step 1004, the price tag associated with the item (e.g., item 120 of FIG. 1) (e.g., the price tag 118 of FIG. 1) is scanned. The price tag scan data (e.g., tag data 122 in FIG. 1) includes price information. Next, at step 1006, the camera (e.g., camera 108 of FIG. 1) determines whether the image of the item that was selected by the customer (e.g., customer 126 of FIG. 1) 144). Next, the customer proceeds to an EAS element deactivation system (e.g., system 104 of FIG. 1) where a determination is made, as shown by decision step 1008. A determination is made as to whether the information obtained from the captured image matches the price information on the price tag (i.e., whether the item viewed in the image corresponds to the price information shown in the price tag). If the information obtained from the image matches the price information on the price tag (i.e., the price of the item shown in the image is the price shown on the price tag) [1008: YES], the EAS element deactivation Deactivator 114) is activated in step 1012. [ Otherwise [1008: NO], then in step 1010 a message is sent to summon customer support.

[00100] In other scenarios, the shopper may be allowed to use the EAS element deactivation system without supervision from the store salesperson. For example, the retailer may drive a background check for the customer to determine whether the customer is in the state of a trusted shopper (i.e., honest customer). The customer may store a list of trusted shoppers and their images. When the computer identifies the customer as a trusted shopper, the EAS element deactivation system is activated.

[00101] In still other scenarios, the computer keeps track of certain time periods during which each deactivated deactivation event occurs. A camera may be used to capture a customer's facial image at an event where deactivation is denied. The image may be added to a report, which may be a virtual report accessible by a retail loss prevention agent. This report may also contain information about the number of EAS elements that denied the deactivation, the time period during which the denial occurred, and the types of products involved in tag switching. As time elapses, trends and averages regarding methods as to how attempts to deactivate tags are denied may be established.

[00102] A customer's facial image may be analyzed during a scientific investigation of potential retail fraud activity. For confirmed retail fraud events, the facial image may be shared with law enforcement personnel. The facial image may be used as evidence of fraud committed by the customer. The report may be retrieved via a data mining feature. For example, the report may be identified by a report number. Report database storage reports may be queried using a report number. In addition, the report database may be queried for potential fraud activity on a given day or for a range of dates.

[00103] Referring now to FIG. 11, an EAS element deactivator (e.g., an EAS element 134) is coupled to deactivate an EAS element coupled to an item (e.g., item 120 of FIG. 1) , An EAS element deactivation 114 of FIG. 1), is provided. A method 1100 will be described in connection with a purchase transaction for one or more items. The present invention is not limited in this regard. For example, the method 1100 may be modified according to any type of checkout transaction (e.g., a transaction for checking out a book from the library).

[00104] As shown in FIG. 11A, method 1100 begins with step 1102 and continues through optional step 1104. At optional step 1104, a portable customer-specific medium (e.g., a loyalty card) is issued in which customer-related data may be obtained via short-range communication. The customer-related data may include, but is not limited to, a customer identifier, a customer number, and / or customer authentication data (e.g., user name, password and / or biometric information).

[00105] At next step 1106, operations are performed to complete a purchase transaction in which the customer successfully purchases at least one item (e.g., item 120 of FIG. 1). A purchase transaction using a fixed self-service POS device or a mobile POS device (e.g., POS device 128 of FIG. 1) may be achieved. POS operations for completing a purchase transaction are well known in the art and will not be described herein. Any known or future known POS operations may be used herein without limitation.

[00106] Upon completion of the purchase transaction, a disposable transaction code may be generated, as shown by optional step 1108, to be assigned to the purchase transaction to provide an increased level of security to the subsequent EAS element deactivation process. Next, the disposable transaction code is provided to the customer via a printed / electronic receipt. In some scenarios, alternatively or additionally, a disposable transaction code is provided to the customer via an electronic message (e.g., a text message, an e-mail message, or a web page message) communicated to the mobile device do. The disposable transaction code may include, but is not limited to, a disposable N-digit PIN number, where N is an integer. In some scenarios, the disposable transaction code may include a customer's account number, name, user name, address, phone number, password, biometric data, token number (e.g., loyalty card identifier or RFID device identifier), mobile device identifiers, Is generated as a function of device signatures (e.g., signal characteristics), email address, number of visits to a store for a given time period, and / or other customer related data. The transaction code may also include data related to the business (e.g., store identifier, location identifier, agent identifier, etc.), time related data (e.g., date and / (E.g., a product identifier, a result from combining two or more product identifiers through an algorithm, an identifier that identifies the path through which the item is located in the retail store, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, a disposable transaction code is generated according to a pseudo-random or CAT number generation algorithm. Pseudo-random or CAT number generation algorithms are well known in the art and will not be described herein. Any known or later-known pseudo-random or CAT number generation algorithms may be used herein without limitation.

[00107] At next step 1110, the transaction data is stored in a database (e.g., database 132 of Figure 1) to be associated with a particular customer. The transaction data uniquely identifies the completed purchase transaction in the previous step 1106 and identifies the item (s) purchased by the customer during the purchase transaction. In this regard, the transaction data may include one or more transaction codes, an identifier for each purchased item, a purchase price for each purchased item, a date when the purchase transaction is submitted, a store location where each item was purchased, and / (E.g., item name, item details, item shape, item specifications, item color, item size, item image, item brand, etc.) that specify one or more of the properties of the item. Transaction data may be stored in an item information record (e.g., item information record 402a in FIG. 4) and / or customer information record (e.g., customer information record 402a, ..., 402n in FIG. The customer information record may include, but is not limited to, customer identifier, customer account number, customer contact information, and information regarding previous and / or current purchasing activities by the customer.

Thereafter, in optional step 1112, the customer enters into a range of communication devices (e.g., scanner 110 or RF transceiver of Figure 1) of the EAS element deactivation system (e.g., system 104 of Figure 1) (E.g., a loyalty card) and / or a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone or a wearable sensing device such as an earphone or a wristband). As a result, the EAS element deactivation system may obtain customer-related data from the portable customer-specific media, obtain unique identifier data from the customer's mobile device, and / Or acquires authentication data from the customer. The unique identifier may include, but is not limited to, a network address for the customer's mobile device, an electronic identifier associated with the customer, and / or at least one signal characteristic (e.g., frequency) for the device. For example, an IP address, MAC address, and / or port number may be obtained from the customer's mobile device and used to identify the customer for purposes of allowing or denying the deactivation of the EAS element of the item. Such a scenario has the advantage of significantly reducing cost and hardware / software strength compared to systems that employ certain benefits, such as loyalty cards or other physical customer allocation tokens.

[0109] Steps 1112 and 1114 illustrate how the correct customer can determine the EAS elements of the purchased item (s) associated with a particular purchase transaction and / or purchase receipt (eg, purchase receipt 140 of FIG. 1) May be performed in scenarios in which the customer ' s identity is subsequently verified and / or authorized to ensure that it is attempting to deactivate. In some cases, the customer's identity may include a customer identifier and / or account number obtained from a portable customer-specific medium (e.g., a loyalty card), a device identifier (e.g., MAC address) obtained from the customer's mobile communication device, and / May be verified and / or authenticated using other customer authentication data entered by the customer obtained in step 1116. [

[00110] The customer authentication information obtained in step 1116 may include, but is not limited to, a password and / or biometric data. The customer authentication information may be obtained through user software interactions facilitated by the user interface of the customer's mobile device (e.g., smartphone) and / or the user input of the EAS element deactivation system. Step 1116 may be performed to ensure that the appropriate person owns the portable customer-specific media and / or mobile communication device (e.g., a smartphone).

[00111] In optional step 1118, the receipt information is obtained by the EAS element deactivation system from the printed or electronic receipt. The receipt information may be encoded in a printed or electronic receipt or in a bar code contained therein. A scanner (e.g., scanner 110 of FIG. 1) may read bar codes from printed or electronic receipts. The receipt information may include a transaction code, a customer identifier, a time of the purchase transaction, a location of the purchase transaction, identifiers of the purchased item, and other transaction related information. Additionally or alternatively, the receipt information may be obtained from receipts transmitted to the EAS element deactivation system that are not observed at all by the customer and / or are not provided to the customer at all.

[00112] Subsequently, the method 1100 can be performed by a computing device (e. G., A computer (e. G., A < / RTI > (Step 102). ≪ / RTI > At the computing device, as shown by step 1122 of FIG. 11B, it is determined whether the customer has recently successfully completed the purchase transaction and that the EAS element (s) of the purchased item (s) have not yet been deactivated Operations are performed. This confirmation is accomplished using data received by the computing device from the EAS element deactivation system. For example, the computing device may compare the received data with stored information about the customer and / or purchased item.

[00113] Next, at step 1124, the computing device performs operations to obtain first item identification data stored in a database (eg, database 132 of FIG. 1). The first item identification data identifies one or more items using EAS elements that may be deactivated by the customer. In some scenarios, the first identification data includes a list of item identifiers specifying items approved for deactivation by the customer from the remote computing device to the EAS element deactivation system. In other scenarios, the first identification data includes information indicating one or more physical properties (e.g., size, color, brand, etc.) of images and / or items of items. Next, the first item identification data is communicated from the computing device to the EAS element deactivation system for use during the subsequent EAS element deactivation process. The EAS element deactivation process is performed in steps 1128-1140 of FIG. 11B. In particular, the present invention is not limited to the exact specifications of the EAS deactivation process described in FIG. For example, steps 1128-1140 may be replaced with some or all of the steps of the previously described methods 600, 700, 800, 900, and / or 1000.

[00114] As shown in FIG. 11B, step 1128 involves obtaining second item identification data from items owned by the customer. In some scenarios, the second item identification data includes a string of digits that uniquely identifies the item. Accordingly, the second item identification data may be obtained by scanning a price tag (e.g., price tag 118 of FIG. 1) coupled to a barcode and / or item printed on or attached to the item. Additionally or alternatively, the second item identification data includes information (e.g., size, color, brand, etc.) that represents one or more physical characteristics of the images and / or items of items. In this case, the second item identification data may be obtained via the camera and / or other sensor devices.

[00115] The second item identification data is then used in the decision step 1130 to determine whether it matches all or separate portions of the first item identification data. If the second item identification data does not match all or a portion of the item identification data [1130: NO], a message indicating that the first item identification data and the second item identification data do not match is output to the customer and / Step 1134 is performed. Conversely, if the second item identification data matches all or a portion of the first item identification data [1130: YES], then the EAS element deactivator (e.g., EAS element deactivation 114) is activated (step 1132). If the EAS element is deactivated, step 1136 is performed. Step 1136 involves communicating information from the EAS element deactivation system to the computing device indicating which items purchased by the customer have their EAS elements deactivated. This information is stored in the database as shown by step 1138. Thereafter, step 1140 where the method 1100 ends is performed, or other processing is performed.

[00116] All of the apparatus, methods, and algorithms disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of this disclosure. Although the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be applied to the order of the steps of the apparatus, methods and method without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the present invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain components may be added, combined, or replaced with the components described herein while the same or similar results will be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined.

[00117] The features and functions disclosed above as well as alternatives may be combined into numerous other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unexpected alternatives, modifications, variations, or remedial measures may be made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

Claims (20)

A method for activating an "EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) " element deactivator,
Obtaining customer-related data from a customer of a corporate organization attempting to deactivate an EAS element of at least one item by an EAS element deactivation system;
Obtaining, by the EAS element deactivation system, transaction data directly from a previously issued receipt upon completion of a checkout transaction for the customer;
Communicating the customer-related data, the transaction data, and the unique identifier for the EAS element deactivation system to a remote computing device;
Related data and transaction data to obtain an acknowledgment by the remote computing device that the customer has recently successfully completed the checkout transaction for the item and that the EAS element of the item has not yet been deactivated ; ≪ / RTI > And
Activating the EAS element deactivation of the EAS element deactivation system after a time when the confirmation was obtained.
A method for activating an EAS element deactivation. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the customer-related data is obtained from a portable customer-specific medium via short-
A method for activating an EAS element deactivation. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the customer-related data comprises a unique identifier assigned to the mobile communication device owned by the customer,
A method for activating an EAS element deactivation. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the transaction data includes a disposable transaction code that uniquely identifies the purchase transaction,
A method for activating an EAS element deactivation. 5. The method of claim 4,
The disposable transaction code may be generated as a function of customer-related data, enterprise-related data, time-related data or item data,
A method for activating an EAS element deactivation. 5. The method of claim 4,
The disposable transaction code is generated by a pseudo-random or chaotic number generation algorithm,
A method for activating an EAS element deactivation. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising providing first item identification data from the remote computing device to the EAS element deactivation system that specifies approved items for deactivation by the customer when the confirmation is obtained,
A method for activating an EAS element deactivation. 8. The method of claim 7,
Further comprising, by the EAS element deactivation system, obtaining second item identification data from an item owned by the customer,
A method for activating an EAS element deactivation. 9. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising determining whether the first item identification data matches the second item identification data.
A method for activating an EAS element deactivation. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the EAS element deactivator is activated when the first item identification data and the second item identification data match each other,
A method for activating an EAS element deactivation. As a system,
Obtaining customer-related data from a customer of the enterprise organization attempting to deactivate the EAS element of at least one item,
Obtain transaction data directly from receipts previously issued at the completion of the checkout transaction for the customer, and
Communicating the customer-related data, transaction data and the unique identifier for the EAS element deactivation system to the remote computing device
An EAS element deactivation system,
The remote computing device processes the customer-related data and transaction data to obtain confirmation that the customer has recently successfully completed the checkout transaction for the item and that the EAS element of the item has not yet been deactivated and;
Wherein the EAS element deactivation of the EAS element deactivation system is activated after the time when the confirmation is obtained,
system. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the customer-related data is obtained from a portable customer-specific medium via short-
system. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the customer-related data comprises a unique identifier assigned to the mobile communication device owned by the customer,
system. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the transaction data includes a disposable transaction code that uniquely identifies the purchase transaction,
system. 15. The method of claim 14,
The disposable transaction code is generated as a function of customer-related data, company-related data, time-related data or item-
system. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the disposable transaction code is generated according to a pseudo random or a CAT number generation algorithm,
system. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the remote computing device further provides first item identification data to the EAS element deactivation system that specifies approved items for deactivation by the customer when the confirmation is obtained,
system. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the EAS element deactivation system further obtains second item identification data from an item owned by the customer,
system. 19. The method of claim 18,
Wherein the EAS element deactivation system further determines whether the first item identification data matches the second item identification data,
system. 20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the EAS element deactivator is activated when the first item identification data and the second item identification data match each other,
system.

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