Integrated Product Monitoring System Using EAS Antenna

Abstract

In this specification, an EAS monitoring system is illustrated and described. The EAS monitoring system includes a ferrite EAS antenna disposed adjacent to a support surface of a monitoring area. The EAS antenna is disposed in a substantially horizontal orientation with respect to the ground. The EAS antenna can be surrounded or covered by a shroud for hiding the EAS antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 348,048, filed on June 2, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a merchandise monitoring system using an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) antenna integrated into a physical structure of a monitoring area. In particular, the present invention provides a system that utilizes an EAS antenna that enables a reduced installation area of the antenna and / or an antenna that is imperceptible or substantially invisible to consumers (purchasers).

Background Art

[0003] EAS antennas are known and used in various applications related to the electronic monitoring of merchandise within a given environment. For example, an EAS antenna may be placed at a checkout counter (e.g., at a Point of Sale (POS) location) or near an exit of a facility, such as near the exit of a facility like a retail store. Examples of such EAS antennas include EAS pedestal antennas placed near the exit of a facility.

[0004] In addition, retailers are also interested in using EAS antennas at the checkout counter or near the checkout counter. One option is to use EAS pedestals in the checkout lane or at the checkout desk. These are typically placed downstream of the checkout desk, generally near the end of the checkout station (see Figure 1). EAS pedestals are often large structures, and their placement at the end of the checkout station (or even near the checkout station) can interfere with customers during the checkout process and reduce the ease of access to the collection area for bagging or gathering the customer's items after purchase. EAS pedestals cannot be placed against a metal counter. This is because the metal counter blocks the field generated by the EAS pedestal and reduces the functionality of the EAS pedestal for accurately detecting active tags. Further, the checkout station cannot be moved or repositioned within the facility without the need to move the EAS pedestals.

[0005] Other attempts have been made to integrate smaller-profile EAS antennas at the checkout station. For example, planar panel EAS antennas have been incorporated into the checkout system (cash register system). Although smaller than an EAS pedestal, the planar EAS antenna still has a relatively large surface area and can occupy a significant amount of space within the checkout station. This can make it more difficult to conceal the planar EAS antenna. Also, using these planar EAS antennas may require customizing the checkout station to be able to accommodate the panel. Furthermore, these types of antennas cannot be used with metal checkout stations. The antenna can be concealed within the checkout station, but detection with the planar EAS antenna is generally limited by the height of the antenna. Many checkout stations have a height of approximately 80 cm to 110 cm, and the planar EAS antenna is typically placed under the counter. As a result, the detection area when using such a planar panel is limited to approximately waist height and below, and as a result, items with active tags placed above that height are not detected.

[0006] Another conventional solution was to utilize tall vertical EAS antennas at the ends of the checkout station. These vertical EAS antennas have a thinner profile than pedestal antennas. They occupy less space in the checkout station than an EAS pedestal, but they can still provide some interference to customers in the bagging or pickup area of the checkout station. Additionally, using these vertical EAS antennas requires drilling holes in the checkout station to accommodate the EAS antenna. Also, metal checkout stations impose limitations on detection sensitivity when using these vertical antennas.

[0007] Summary The following provides an overview of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of some aspects. This overview is not intended to identify key or essential elements or to define any limitations of the embodiments or claims. Further, this overview may provide a simplified general view of some aspects that may be described in more detail elsewhere in the present disclosure.

[0008] A system for monitoring items within a given area is provided. The system utilizes an EAS antenna selected from ferrite antennas disposed adjacent to the surface of the monitoring area, and the EAS antenna is disposed substantially horizontally with respect to the ground. In one embodiment, the surface of the monitoring area includes a shroud disposed on the surface of the monitoring area, and the EAS antenna is disposed within the shroud.

[0009] Using a ferrite antenna disposed horizontally with respect to the ground on the surface of the monitoring area has been found to provide excellent detection capabilities. The use of a ferrite antenna disposed in this manner provides a detection area that extends vertically such that the field can detect from near the ground up to approximately shoulder height of a customer (e.g., a detection zone from about 140 cm to about 180 cm from the lower end to the upper end of the detection zone).

[0010] Furthermore, the system provides good detection even when the surface of the monitoring area is formed of or includes a metallic material.

[0011] The system enables the EAS antenna to be hidden by a shroud, such as a bumper, plastic cover, hollow mold, etc. Thus, the detection system can be used in various locations where monitoring may be desirable, and such various locations include, but are not limited to, checkout stations, exit areas, and areas such as corridors including walls in break rooms, restrooms, etc.

[0012] The following description and drawings disclose various exemplary aspects. While some improvements and novel aspects may be specifically identified, others may become apparent from the description and drawings.

[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate various systems, devices, apparatuses, and related methods, and in those drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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[0027] Detailed Description Now, referring to the exemplary embodiments, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made. Furthermore, the features of the various embodiments may be combined or modified. Therefore, the following description is presented for purposes of illustration only and will not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments. In the present disclosure, many specific details are provided to provide a complete understanding of the subject matter of the present disclosure. It should be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced in other embodiments that do not necessarily include all of the aspects described herein.

[0028] As used herein, the words "example" and "exemplary" mean an instance or illustration. The words "example" or "exemplary" do not denote an essential means, or a preferred mode, or an embodiment. The word "or" is intended to be inclusive rather than exclusive unless the context suggests otherwise. As an example, the phrase "A utilizes B or C" includes any inclusive substitution (e.g., A utilizes B; A utilizes C; or A utilizes both B and C). As another matter, the articles "a" and "an" generally mean "one or more" unless the context suggests otherwise.

[0029] A monitoring system is provided for detecting active EAS tags and passive tags that have not been deactivated or removed within a given area. The system utilizes an EAS antenna selected from a ferrite antenna disposed adjacent to the surface of the monitoring area, where the EAS antenna is disposed substantially horizontally with respect to the ground. In one embodiment, the surface of the monitoring area includes a shroud disposed on the surface of the monitoring area, and the EAS antenna is disposed within the shroud.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a monitoring area 100 of a location of a passageway or corridor that includes a wall 110 defining a surface 112 that is substantially perpendicular to the ground. The EAS system includes an EAS antenna 120 selected from a ferrite antenna disposed adjacent to the surface 112 of the wall 110. The EAS antenna 120 is oriented parallel to the ground. The EAS antenna 120 is surrounded by a shroud 130 disposed on the surface 112 of the wall 110. The shroud defines a space in which the EAS antenna 120 can be disposed. The space may be simply an empty space where the EAS antenna simply sits on a part of the shroud and / or the surface. The space within the shroud may include a designated cavity sized and shaped to receive the EAS antenna. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7b and 7c, the space within the shroud includes a molding (mold) cavity for receiving the shroud.

[0031] The shroud can be configured as desired to allow access to the EAS antenna. The shroud may be a multi-piece structure, the multi-piece structure including a section that attaches to the surface of interest and a piece that clips to the attached section to define an internal space and surround the EAS antenna. In another embodiment, the shroud can be a molded structure with a removable section to expose the internal space of the shroud. The removable section can be placed anywhere on the shroud as desired for a particular purpose or intended use. The location-dependent removable section is sized to allow insertion or removal of the EAS antenna from the internal space. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7b and 7c, the removable piece is provided as a removable cap at the end of the shroud.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a surveillance area 200 provided by a door 210 that defines a surface 212. The EAS antenna is disposed adjacent to the surface of the door 210. The EAS antenna is oriented horizontally with respect to the ground. The EAS antenna is surrounded by a shroud 230. In this embodiment, the shroud can be provided in contact with the surface of the door or can be slightly offset from the surface of the door and disposed within the shroud that forms a handle or push bar on the door.

[0033] FIGS. 4-6 show one embodiment of a surveillance area 300 that includes a checkout station. The checkout station includes a checkout desk 310, and the checkout desk 310 includes a merchandise input area 312 where merchandise is inserted for scanning at the register, a merchandise receiving area 314 where the merchandise moves after scanning, and a scanning area 350 where the merchandise is scanned into the system for determining the total amount. The scanning area includes a reading device for reading merchandise coding information that identifies the merchandise and recording articles for sale. Also, the scanning area generally includes a device for removing and deactivating security tags associated with the merchandise being scanned.

[0034] The checkout desk 310 includes a surface 316 adjacent to the upper end of the checkout desk and facing the customer side of the checkout desk. The checkout desk includes a shroud 330 adjacent to the upper end of the checkout desk that provides a cavity in which the EAS antenna 320 is disposed. The system includes an electronic device and power supply 360 for supplying power to the EAS antenna and connecting the antenna to an alarm device (not shown). Security tags that have not been deactivated (and / or removed from the merchandise) are detected by the EAS antenna 320 when a customer carrying such merchandise or merchandise with tags that have not been removed or deactivated moves towards the EAS antenna.

[0035] When the surveillance system is used with a checkout (cash register) system, the EAS antenna is positioned downstream of the scan / read device station to avoid or reduce the generation of active tags from the merchandise input area that are detected earlier than normal before being scanned or deactivated. In one embodiment, the EAS antenna is positioned at least 50 cm away from the scanner to avoid misdetecting active tags that are in or being scanned in the input area. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-6, the system includes a deterrent antenna 370 disposed between the scan area and the EAS antenna 320, and the deterrent antenna 370 blocks signals from the EAS antenna 320 and / or any tag moving toward the scan area to avoid false detection of active tags.

[0036] The EAS antenna used in this system is a ferrite core or magnetic material core with windings disposed around the ferrite core. The windings can include windings for forming a resonant circuit and windings for enabling an electrically insulated output that can be connected to an electronic article surveillance receiver. The shape of the ferrite core is not particularly limited. In embodiments, the outer periphery of the ferrite core can be rectangular, circular, elliptical, etc. The ferrite can be covered with a housing (e.g., a plastic cover) that surrounds and protects the ferrite core.

[0037] The length of the EAS antenna can be selected as desired for a particular purpose or intended use. A longer antenna may provide a larger receivable range along the length of the antenna. The size of the antenna may be limited based on the location where the antenna is used. For example, the size of the antenna may be based on the available area of the location where the antenna is used. When placed on a wall, the size of the antenna may not be as restricted as that used at a checkout station or in the area of a door. In one embodiment, the EAS antenna has a length of 30 cm or more. In one embodiment, the EAS antenna has a length of 30 cm to 100 cm, 40 cm to 90 cm, 50 cm to 80 cm, or 60 cm to 70 cm.

[0038] The use of a ferrite antenna has been found to provide excellent detection when placed adjacent to a vertical surface of a monitoring area. Without being bound by any particular theory, the antenna field is thought to loop around the ferrite core. Thus, the antenna field can reach the "surroundings" of the core. Accordingly, the EAS antenna field is not blocked in the desired direction of detection even if the surface adjacent to the EAS antenna is a metal surface.

[0039] Figures 7a to 7d show an embodiment of providing an EAS antenna to a monitoring system. In Figures 7a to 7d, the EAS antenna is provided to a checkout station system 300 including a shroud 330 in the form of a bumper covering the EAS antenna. The bumper includes a cap 332 which is removed from the end of the bumper 330 to expose a cavity 334 for receiving the EAS antenna. The EAS antenna is inserted into the cavity 334, and then the cap 332 is returned to its position on the bumper 330 to cover the cavity so that the EAS antenna is hidden within the bumper 330.

[0040] A shroud or cover with a detachable end may be desirable to allow for easier removal and replacement of the EAS antenna (when malfunctioning and when it needs to be replaced with a new antenna). As an alternative, the EAS antenna can be part of a pre-formed cover piece that is provided before placing a cover piece on a surface of interest (checkout station, wall, etc.). The shroud can be formed from any material that may be desired for the intended use or application, except that the shroud is generally not a metallic material. The shroud can be formed from polymeric materials, wood, and the like. In one embodiment, the shroud is formed from a plastic material. In one embodiment, the shroud is formed from a rubber material. The hardness or impact resistance of the shroud can be selected as desired for a particular purpose or intended application.

[0041] Example

[0042] They were tested regarding their ability to detect EAS tags when the EAS antennas were placed at different positions on the checkout station. For each configuration, the detection areas of the EAS antennas for three different types of monitoring tags are shown. Three different tags were evaluated. The tags used for the test were an adjustable bottle collar (super, RF) available from Checkpoint Systems, Inc, a needle lock hard tag (bottle tag round LG SPL 8.2GHz) from Checkpoint Systems, Inc, and a 410EP soft tag (soft tag) (label) from Checkpoint Systems, Inc. Figures 8 - 13 show the mixed results of the antenna positions on the checkout (checkout counter) and the pick rates for the three tags. The pick rate (capture rate) represents the system performance and how well the system can detect EAS tags in the detection area. The checkout station used was a station with a metal upper shelf area, including a bumper (extending along the checkout aisle) along the length of the station and a bumper (along the width of the station) at the end of the station. The measured height of the detection area was 180 cm and the length was 110 cm for each of the measured values.

[0043] In Figure 8, the checkout station used was in accordance with the present invention, and the EAS antenna was placed within the bumper as shown in Figures 4 - 7. The EAS antenna was a circular ferrite 35 cm in length. Plot 400 (Figure 8a) shows the detection area by the EAS antenna placed within the bumper. Region 410 shows a capture rate of about 75% or more.

[0044] Figures 9 - 13 evaluate a monitoring area 300' similar to the checkout station 310 in all aspects except that the EAS antenna is not disposed within the bumper 330' or 340'. In Figure 9, a circular EAS antenna 500 with a length of 60 cm is disposed under the shelf and under the bumper at the end of the station along the width of the checkout station. As shown in the detection area 550, a detection level of 75% or more was achieved in area 555. That area is significantly reduced compared to the area of Figure 8 and is insufficient especially above the entire height of the customer's waist. This may be due to interference by the metal of the shelf.

[0045] In Figure 10, an EAS antenna 600 with a length of 30 cm is used and is disposed under the shelf at the end of the shelf and along the length of the shelf in the checkout aisle (Figure 10b). A plot 650 of the detection area (Figure 10a) shows an area 655 with a pick rate of 75% or more. Although somewhat better than the configuration of Figure 9, the configuration of Figure 10 still shows a reduced pick rate compared to Figure 8. Without being bound by any particular theory, this may be due to interference by the metal shelf.

[0046] Figure 11 utilizes an EAS antenna 700 in an angled configuration consisting of arms 710 and 720. Arms 710 and 720 are 30 cm in length. The EAS antenna 700 is disposed under the shelf such that arm 710 is disposed at the end of the station and extends along the width of the station, and arm 720 extends along the length of the station (Figure 11b). A plot 750 of the detection area (Figure 11a) shows an area 755 with a pick rate greater than 75%. Area 755 is similar to area 655. Again, the reduced detection area may be due to interference of the field by the metal shelf.

[0047] In FIG. 12, the EAS antenna 700 is oriented such that the arm 720 is arranged along the length of the checkout station (similar to FIG. 11), and the arm 710 is directed vertically downward from the shelf (FIG. 12b). The plot 850 of the detection area (FIG. 12a) shows an area 855 where the pick rate is 75% or more. Similar to the configurations of FIGS. 10 and 11, the metal of the shelf may interfere with the field of the EAS antenna above the shelf.

[0048] In FIG. 13, the EAS antenna 700 is arranged on the side of the bumper 330. In this case, the arm 710 is directed vertically upward from the counter, and the arm 720 is arranged along the length of the bumper 330 (FIG. 13b). The plot 900 of the detection area (FIG. 13a) shows an area 955 where the pick rate is 75% or more. The area 955 extends substantially from the floor to the upper end of the detection area (180 cm). In this case, the wider vertical range of detection may indicate that the field of the EAS antenna is not blocked by the metal of the shelf.

[0049] The foregoing includes the examples of this specification. Of course, it is impossible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methods for the purposes of describing this specification, but those skilled in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, this specification is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Further, to the extent that the term "include" is used in the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as interpreted when "comprising" is utilized as the transitional word in the claims.

[0050] The foregoing description identifies various non-limiting embodiments of the EAS monitoring system. Those skilled in the art and those who may practice and use the present invention may conceive of modifications. The disclosed embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention or the content described in the claims.

Claims

1. An EAS monitoring system, comprising an EAS antenna disposed adjacent to a surface oriented perpendicular to the ground, wherein the EAS antenna is selected from a ferrite antenna and is disposed substantially horizontally with respect to the ground, the EAS monitoring system.

2. The EAS monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising a shroud disposed on the surface, the shroud defining an internal space surrounding the EAS antenna.

3. The EAS monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the shroud includes a cavity defined in an internal space for receiving the EAS antenna.

4. The EAS monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the shroud includes a detachable section for providing access to the internal space of the shroud.

5. The EAS monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein the detachable section is a detachable cap disposed at an end of the shroud.

6. The EAS monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vertically oriented surface is a wall.

7. The EAS monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vertically oriented surface is a door.

8. The EAS monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vertically oriented surface is part of a checkout station.

9. A checkout station, having an upper shelf area with a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first customer side, and a second clerk side, an EAS tag deactivation device disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the customer side defines a surface oriented perpendicular to the ground, and an EAS antenna disposed adjacent to the surface on the customer side, wherein the EAS antenna is selected from a ferrite antenna and is disposed horizontally with respect to the ground between the EAS tag deactivation device and the second end, the checkout station.

10. The checkout station according to claim 9, further comprising a shroud surrounding the EAS antenna.

11. The checkout station according to claim 9, wherein the shroud defines an internal space in which the EAS antenna is disposed.

12. The checkout station according to claim 11, wherein the shroud includes a detachable section for providing access to the internal space of the shroud. **Claim 13** The checkout station according to claim 12, wherein the detachable section is a detachable cap disposed at an end of the shroud. **Claim 14** The checkout station according to claim 11, wherein the shroud includes a cavity defined in the internal space for receiving the EAS antenna. **Claim 15** The checkout station according to claim 14, wherein the shroud includes a detachable cap covering the cavity. **Claim 16** The checkout station according to claim 10, wherein the shroud is a bumper rail disposed adjacent to an upper end of the shelf area. **Claim 17** The checkout station according to any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein the EAS antenna is at least 50 cm away from the tag deactivation device.

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