NL8700737A - POS appts. for combined identification pricing and antitheft label - registers value of article and simultaneously deactivates security device automatically - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine combines the operations of reading an identification code, e.g. a bar-code and of deactivating a protection label, e.g. a magnetically coded strip on the article. Once deactivated, a bona fide purchaser may remove the article without setting off alarms. The combined code and strip label is placed in an exact position on the article. This accuracy of placing means that the operation can be performed automatically by a machine without human intervention. The system is connected to a computer which can also act as an automatic debit machine, paying for the article via the purchaser's account when he keys in a PIN code. The system may also reactivate the protection when returning items to stock.

Description

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Device for combined reading of identification codes and activating and / or deactivating security strips of articles.

The invention relates to an apparatus with which two different functions are performed.

One function is to register an identification code.

The other function is to activate or deactivate a security strip.

The identification and security concerns items that are sold, but also items that are lent and returned, as is customary in libraries, for example.

To date, identification equipment and 10 security equipment have been supplied separately by different companies. At best, both systems do not work against each other; in any case there is no question of cooperation.

The object of the invention is to combine the above functions, thereby achieving a synergistic effect.

An important effect of properly combining both functions is that it becomes possible to have such a device operated by the users themselves, while theft is largely excluded by those users. The establishment ensures that articles are only activated or deactivated if they are registered. The establishment also ensures that articles are only registered if their security label is activated or deactivated.

The invention performs these tasks only if permission is given in some other way. When selling items, approval is obtained when the user has paid in one way or another. This can be via an ATM, or via an account number or the like, or via a payment card.

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A number of conditions must be met in order to realize the above functions.

1) the geographical location of the identification label determines that of the security label, and vice versa. The labels have an exactly defined position on the article. One possibility to meet the first requirement is to combine both labels into one composite label.

2) the penetration depth of the protection equipment is very small (approx. 1 mm).

10 3) the device is linked to a computer and the process is controlled from there.

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When the identification code has been read, the placement of this label is known. In view of what is stated under adl), it is then also known where the security label is located. It is then known where activation or deactivation of the security label must take place.

A composite label has a number of additional advantages.

20 The label is applied in one operation instead of two.

This label makes it more difficult for a malicious user to register a cheap article and to deactivate a more expensive article, which may be possible with two labels that are placed next to and / or above each other. This label therefore means an improvement in theft protection.

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The limited penetration depth is necessary due to two aspects.

a) in this way it is not possible to defeat two or more different articles by placing them on top of each other, while only one is registered.

b) in that case, a number of magnetic articles such as video cassettes can also be treated without damaging the magnetically stored information.

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The computer takes care of registration, administration and checking whether someone can take an article with them; in addition, the computer is responsible for generating messages to the user, which are presented on a screen.

The invention will be elucidated by means of an elaborated example.

It concerns a lending terminal for a library, which is intended for self-service.

The user must put his card in a card reader. The barcode of the pass is then read. In a database connected to the device, the computer checks whether the user is authorized to borrow library articles. Someone 15 may not be entitled to borrow items for a number of reasons: the user may have an excessive fine; the validity period of his pass may have expired; it may be that the user has already borrowed the maximum number of articles; it may be that for some reason his right to borrow 20 has been revoked; the user may not be in the file; etc. If the user is not authorized to borrow, the computer reports this and refers to the library staff. If the user is authorized to borrow, the computer checks in the file what the working language is in which this user should be addressed. When applying for the card, the user has to indicate which working language he prefers, within the possibilities offered by the respective individual library. The user will now be notified, in the chosen language, that he may place his first article 30 at the counter.

The article barcode is now being read. An article file checks whether the article in question may be borrowed and if so, whether there are costs involved and what the loan period is. If the item may not be borrowed, this will be reported to the user. When allowed, the security label is deactivated and becomes. 87 0 0737

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h a ticket printed with the date on which the item must be returned at the latest and information from which it can be determined which item the ticket belongs to. It is then reported that the loan of the item has been completed, and that the 5 user can deposit the next item if he wants to borrow more, or that he must remove his card if he no longer wants to borrow. Any costs are processed by the computer and credited to the database. When returning items, the user must pay if the amount on his account so requires.

All items to be borrowed via this terminal, such as books, magazines, LPs, CDs, video cassettes, music cassettes, etc., have a label at one corner at a certain distance from both edges of the article. This label is a combined 15 barcode / security label.

During borrowing, the inspectors check whether the article in question is not being removed in the meantime.

Removal of the article leads to the conclusion of the procedure and the start of a new procedure, so that the device 20 is ready for a new article.

Removing the card leads to a complete conclusion of the procedure and prepares the device for the next user; this is also the way in which the user must regularly terminate the loan.

8700737

Claims (6)

Device for reading identification codes and deactivating security strips of articles in combination, characterized in that the location of identification code and security strip on the articles is exactly determined. This makes it possible to complete the entire procedure without human intervention. Checking whether an item is permitted is carried out by a computer linked to the system with a data file connected to it. This computer also checks whether the article may be lent to the relevant user, and whether the amount owed by the user is not too high, or whether there are other reasons why an article may not be lent to the user. The protection works with a small penetration depth of approx. 1 mm, making it impossible to lay very flat articles on top of each other and thus deactivate more than one article, while only one article is registered; in addition, this penetration depth makes it possible to deactivate magnetic articles such as video cassettes without damaging magnetically stored information. 2. Device according to claim 1), characterized in that it is suitable for returning articles. The security of the articles must be activated instead of deactivated. Device according to claims 1) and 2), characterized in that it is suitable for lending and returning articles. With this variant, activation and deactivation of security labels is possible. Device according to claim 1), characterized in that it is suitable for the sale of articles. Payment is made via a card in which the credit of the user is processed in one way or another, and of which this credit is reduced by the sale price of the item if this credit is sufficient for this. .8700737 6 4 S Device according to claim A), characterized in that payment is made via an account of the user; with the help of a code that the user enters, for example a PIN code, or by entering a card with a code 5 thereon, it is made known what the user's account is. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is suitable (to be made) for use by personnel. The staff is able to call and use a number of additional functions, for example to search in the data files or to change data in them. 8700737