Shopping cart control method and system, and shopping cart and commodity Anti-theft method and system

Abstract

Disclosed are a shopping cart control method and system, a commodity anti-theft method and system, a shopping cart checkout determination method based on printed information, and a commodity and shopping cart anti-theft method and system. A shopping cart (001) sends a report signal comprising a shopping cart ID; a base station (003) receives the report signal, and determines, on the basis of an RSSI value of the report signal, whether a condition for locking the shopping cart is satisfied; and when said condition is satisfied, the base station sends a cart locking instruction to the shopping cart to lock the shopping cart. The control method can effectively reduce the workload of a shopping cart end, and is beneficial to reducing the energy consumption of functional modules of the shopping cart end, without the need for additional reporting of the shopping cart. The base station can directly know which carts have entered a control range of the base station, and know which shopping carts have satisfied said condition.

Description

Shopping cart control methods and systems, shopping cart and merchandise anti-theft methods and systems Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of supermarket anti-theft and shopping cart anti-theft technology, and in particular refers to the technology of preventing theft of goods by using shopping carts and preventing shopping carts from being pushed out of the supermarket by controlling the pushing of shopping carts. Background Technology

[0002] Preventing shopping cart loss and preventing merchandise theft are two important tasks for supermarkets to reduce losses.

[0003] Currently, supermarkets commonly use Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems to prevent theft. This method has two drawbacks: firstly, it requires attaching anti-theft tags to each item, which is relatively costly; secondly, EAS systems can only trigger alarms for theft and cannot directly prevent it, requiring human intervention.

[0004] Shopping cart theft or abandonment outside the supermarket is a major cause of shopping cart loss. US Patent No. 5598144 discloses a shopping cart anti-theft method. This method involves installing at least one locking wheel on the shopping cart and installing a buried cable along the boundary of the area accessible to the shopping cart outside the supermarket. The buried cable is connected to a signal generator, which radiates a signal generated by the signal generator at close range. The wheel contains a locking mechanism for locking wheel rotation, a controller for controlling the locking mechanism, and a signal receiver for receiving the radiated signal from the buried cable. When the shopping cart attempts to cross the boundary from the inside out, and the wheel passes over the buried cable, the signal receiver receives the radiated signal from the buried cable. Based on the signal received from the buried cable, the controller activates the locking mechanism to lock the wheel.

[0005] The disadvantages of this method are: 1. Buried cables are expensive. 2. The ground needs to be dug up for cable installation, which is inconvenient and costly.

[0006] US Patent No. 8463540, based on the aforementioned shopping cart anti-theft method, uses a directional antenna instead of buried cables. A base station (AP) is installed at the boundary where the shopping cart is prohibited from passing. The base station sends a locking command to the signal coverage area of ​​the directional antenna, forming a locked zone. The signal coverage area of ​​the directional antenna covers the width of the prohibited boundary. When the shopping cart attempts to cross the prohibited boundary, the wheels enter the locked zone. The wheel's signal receiver receives the locking command from the directional antenna, and the controller, based on the locking command received from the base station, activates the locking mechanism to lock the wheels.

[0007] The disadvantages of this method are: 1. Even narrow-beam directional antennas have blade-shaped lobes, making it difficult to form a very narrow line of radiation. This requires a relatively wide area and is unsuitable for placement along boundaries. Therefore, the preferred solution proposed in this patent is to enclose the boundary with a fence, leaving a sufficiently wide entrance / exit for vehicles, and then placing a base station at the entrance / exit. 2. Due to the wide radiation range of directional antennas, shopping carts moving normally near the boundary (pushing parallel to the boundary) can easily be mistakenly locked. Although the patent provides a solution based on RSSI threshold filtering, RSSI fluctuates. If the threshold is set too high, a locking area loophole may appear on the side closer to the directional antenna. If the threshold is set too low, the locking area will be wider.

[0008] 3. The base station sends a signal, and the wheel terminal calculates the RSSI value upon receiving the signal, making a locking decision based on the calculation result. On one hand, the internal circuitry of the wheel is battery-powered, and the energy consumption of this circuitry directly determines the wheel's lifespan (the wheel is ultrasonically welded and waterproofed, making it impossible to open for battery replacement). Having the wheel terminal calculate the RSSI value upon receiving the command increases the workload of the control chip and increases energy consumption. On the other hand, the base station and the central processing unit are unaware of the wheel terminal's RSSI calculation result; the base station needs feedback from the wheel terminal to obtain the calculation result.

[0009] Regarding anti-theft measures, US Patent No. 8463540 discloses a method for preventing theft by locking shopping carts when theft is detected. This method monitors shopping cart checkout activity by installing base stations at the checkout counters and detects cart entry and exit at supermarket entrances and exits. Each base station communicates with a central controller.

[0010] When a shopping cart passes the checkout counter, the cart's wheels receive signals from the checkout counter's base station antenna. After calculating the RSSI value, if it meets a threshold, the cart sends a feedback to the checkout base station. Upon receiving the feedback, the base station at the checkout counter reports it to the central processing unit (CPU). The CPU records the event of the shopping cart passing the checkout counter (which can be used as a basis for determining whether the shopping cart has been checked out) as the checkout record for that shopping cart (optionally deleted after the shopping cart leaves the supermarket entrance).

[0011] When a shopping cart passes through the supermarket entrance / exit and prepares to leave (the method for determining whether to leave or enter is not detailed here), the cart's wheels receive signals from the entrance / exit base station antenna. After calculating the RSSI value, if it meets the threshold, the cart sends feedback to the entrance / exit base station. The base station at the entrance / exit reports to the central controller that the cart is about to leave through the entrance / exit. The central controller checks the cart's checkout record (the event record of passing through the checkout counter). If no checkout record is found, the central controller instructs the entrance / exit base station to issue a locking command to the cart. The shopping cart is then locked.

[0012] The most obvious advantage of this anti-theft method compared to the EAS system is that it can effectively prevent theft by locking the shopping cart, at least preventing thieves from stealing a full cart of goods.

[0013] However, the technical solution disclosed in this patent has drawbacks: the anti-theft measures for goods rely on a central controller, and the control process involves numerous steps. Furthermore, locking and unlocking the shopping cart are based on non-targeted broadcast commands from base stations. As long as the data format of the unlock command is known, a signal transmitting device can be created and used to send the unlock command next to the shopping cart to unlock it. If an engineer providing technical support to thieves can determine the data format of the unlock command through signal reception and data analysis, and then create an unlocking device for the thief, the thief can still easily steal the shopping cart using this device. Summary of the Invention

[0014] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing shopping cart and merchandise anti-theft methods, which rely on base stations transmitting signals and the wheels calculating RSSI values ​​upon receiving the signals to make locking decisions. The proposed method involves equipping the shopping cart with a braking mechanism to restrict its movement and providing wireless signal transceiver functionality. Base stations are deployed where cart control is needed. When the shopping cart is in use (vibration or wheel rotation is detected), it repeatedly sends a report signal containing the cart ID (and further wheel status information). Upon receiving this report signal, the base station determines whether locking the cart is achieved based on the RSSI value (either solely on the value itself or in combination with other criteria). If the conditions are met, the base station sends a locking command to the cart, which activates the braking mechanism to lock the cart.

[0015] Preferably, the braking mechanism and the wireless signal transceiver function of the shopping cart are configured on the wheels of the shopping cart.

[0016] Preferably, after receiving the shopping cart report signal, the base station sends a feedback signal to the shopping cart. When the shopping cart is in use, it operates in a normal state when it cannot receive the base station feedback signal, and in a standby state when it can receive the base station feedback signal. In the standby state, the frequency of sending the report signal is higher than in the normal state. This allows the shopping cart to complete more effective communications with the base station when it passes through the limited signal coverage area of ​​the base station, thereby reducing the occurrence of missed locks.

[0017] Preferably, the signal reception range of the base station should cover as little area outside the target control area as possible while still covering the target control area, so as to minimize the possibility of the shopping cart being mistakenly controlled by the base station outside the target control area.

[0018] The locking conditions need to be set according to the control objective. For example, if the base station's control objective is to unconditionally prohibit shopping carts from passing through the control area (such as supermarket entrances, entrances / exits of enclosed parking lots, and boundaries of open parking lots), then the locking condition can be directly set based on an RSSI value greater than a set threshold. If the base station's control objective is to conditionally prohibit shopping carts from passing through the control area (such as prohibiting unchecked shopping carts from passing through supermarket entrances), then the locking condition needs to be set based on additional conditions (such as unchecked shopping carts) combined with an RSSI value greater than a set threshold.

[0019] Based on the aforementioned shopping cart control method, this invention further proposes a shopping cart control system, including a shopping cart as the controlled object and a base station for controlling the shopping cart. The shopping cart is equipped with a braking mechanism to limit its movement, and a transceiver (including an antenna and signal processing module) for sending report signals and receiving control commands. The base station is located at locations where shopping cart control is needed, such as supermarket entrances / exits, checkout lanes, parking lot entrances / exits, parking lot boundaries, and shopping cart storage points. The base station includes a transceiver (including an antenna and signal processing module) for receiving report signals and issuing control commands, and a controller for judging and generating control commands. When the shopping cart is in use (vibration or wheel rotation is detected), especially after entering the control range of the base station, the shopping cart transceiver repeatedly sends a report signal, which includes a unique ID configured for the vehicle. After receiving the report signal from the shopping cart, the base station controller determines whether a preset condition for locking the shopping cart has been met based on the RSSI value of the signal. For example, an RSSI threshold is set; when the RSSI reaches the set threshold, the condition for locking the shopping cart is considered met. When the locking conditions are met, the base station controller sends a locking command to the shopping cart via a transceiver. Upon receiving the locking command, the shopping cart transceiver sends it to the shopping cart controller, which then activates the braking mechanism to lock the cart. For example, the base station is located at a parking lot entrance / exit, and its purpose is to prevent shopping carts from being pushed out of the parking lot. When a shopping cart attempts to push out of the parking lot through the entrance / exit, as it approaches the base station, the RSSI value of the report signal received by the base station from the shopping cart gradually increases. When the RSSI value received by the base station reaches a set threshold, the base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart. Upon receiving this command, the shopping cart controller activates the braking mechanism to lock the wheels.

[0020] Unlike existing technologies where a base station transmits signals, the shopping cart (wheels) receives the signals, calculates the RSSi value, and makes a judgment, the control method of this invention involves the shopping cart (wheels) transmitting signals, the base station receiving the signals, performing calculations and judgments, and then the base station issuing control commands to the shopping cart (wheels). This signal transmission and processing method of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0021] 1. In the control method of this invention, the shopping cart does not perform RSSI value calculation and judgment, which can effectively reduce the workload of the controller at the shopping cart (wheel) end, which is beneficial to reducing the energy consumption of the shopping cart end functional modules. Especially in some application scenarios, the effect of reducing the workload of the shopping cart is very obvious. For example, the task of the base station is to unconditionally prevent the shopping cart from passing through the control area, such as the entrance and exit of a parking lot or the boundary of a parking lot without a fence. From the time the shopping cart enters the signal coverage range of the base station, the wheels communicate with the base station once every 200 milliseconds, and the RSSI value is calculated and judged once for each communication. Assuming that the RSSI value reaches the threshold 2 seconds after the shopping cart enters the signal coverage range of the base station, according to the existing method, the base station sends a total of 10 signals, the wheels receive a total of 10 signals, and performs 10 RSSI calculations and judgments. According to the method of this invention, the wheels send a total of 10 signals and receive 1 lock command, and the base station receives a total of 10 report signals. The comparison shows that although the method of this invention increases the signal reception by one, it reduces the workload of 10 RSSI calculations and judgments.

[0022] 2. In existing technologies, if shopping carts do not report to the base station separately, the base station cannot know whether any vehicles have entered its control range, nor can it know whether any vehicles have met the locking conditions and been locked. The control method of this invention eliminates the need for separate reports from shopping carts; the base station can directly know which vehicles have entered its control range and which shopping carts have met the locking conditions. The management backend, connected to the base station, can easily monitor the status of shopping carts near the base station, such as whether there is congestion of shopping carts in the area where the base station is located, whether any shopping carts are locked and need to be addressed, and can easily perform shopping cart usage statistics.

[0023] Based on the aforementioned shopping cart control method, this invention further proposes a first method for preventing theft of goods. This method involves equipping the shopping cart with a braking mechanism to restrict its movement, and simultaneously equipping it with wireless signal transceiver functionality. A goods anti-theft base station is installed at the supermarket entrance to control vehicles that have not yet been checked out. At the checkout counter, a checkout base station or other device or equipment (e.g., an EAS antenna, a geomagnetic coil, or a cash register directly connected to the central processing unit, or an intermediate device connected to the central processing unit and communicating with the cash register) is installed to acquire or generate information indicating whether the shopping cart has been checked out. When the shopping cart is in use, it repeatedly sends a report signal containing the shopping cart ID. Upon receiving the report signal, the goods anti-theft base station determines whether the shopping cart is passing through the supermarket entrance based on the RSSI value of the report signal, and whether the vehicle passing through the supermarket entrance has already checked out based on the information indicating whether the shopping cart has been checked out. The goods anti-theft base station then issues a locking command to the shopping cart that is passing through the supermarket entrance without having checked out. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command, activating the braking mechanism to lock the cart.

[0024] Determining whether a shopping cart is passing through the supermarket entrance is essentially about locating the shopping cart: that is, determining the relative position between the shopping cart and the supermarket entrance. Therefore, this invention refers to a single antenna or a combination of multiple antennas configured for the base station to receive shopping cart report signals as a positioning antenna.

[0025] This invention provides the following methods for locating shopping carts:

[0026] First, the location method based on RSSI thresholds (referred to as the threshold method):

[0027] Configure an omnidirectional or directional antenna as the positioning antenna for the anti-theft base station. Set an RSSI threshold so that the area (as small as possible) where the RSSI value of the received report signal reaches this threshold covers the supermarket entrance. When the RSSI value of the report signal received by the base station reaches the RSSI threshold, it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the entrance.

[0028] Second, the location method based on RSSI value comparison (referred to as the comparison method):

[0029] As a first option for the positioning method based on RSSI value comparison, a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetrical structure is configured for the anti-theft base station. The positioning antenna includes at least one pair of directional antennas arranged together along a symmetrical vertical plane. The two positioning antennas in each pair of directional antennas are identical and symmetrical to each other along the symmetrical vertical plane. The effective horizontal coverage areas of the two directional antennas in at least one pair of directional antennas partially overlap.

[0030] The effective coverage area here refers to the signal coverage range within which the antenna can effectively transmit data to the communication target. Structurally, "set together" means that two directional antennas are mounted on the same carrier, even if the carrier is detachable; at least in operation, the carrier is a single unit. Effectively, it means that for the target object communicating with the positioning antenna, the two directional antennas can be considered to be communicating with the target object from the same point; it also means that compared to the distance between the positioning antenna and the target object when they are operating, the distance between the two directional antennas is negligible. The above explanation of the effective coverage area and "set together" applies to every instance of "effective coverage area and set together" mentioned below.

[0031] A boundary line is selected at the supermarket entrance to prevent shopping carts from being pushed out (a shopping cart passing through this boundary line is considered to have passed through the entrance, such as the center line of the threshold, or a straight line that is close to (e.g., 30 cm away) and parallel to the threshold). The positioning antenna is set along the boundary line to prevent shopping carts from being pushed out, and the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna is located on the boundary line to prevent shopping carts from being pushed out.

[0032] By comparing the RSSI values ​​of the report signals emitted by the shopping cart received by the directional antennas on both sides of the symmetrical vertical plane, it is determined which side of the symmetrical vertical plane the shopping cart is located on. If the shopping cart is located outside the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, or if, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from inside to outside the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, then it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the doorway.

[0033] The following section lists several typical methods for comparing RSSI values ​​for different configurations of directional antennas in positioning antennas.

[0034] The first method involves symmetrically setting up a pair of directional antennas along a symmetrical vertical plane.

[0035] The positioning method compares the RSSI values ​​of the same signal emitted by the object being located, received by two directional antennas, to determine which side of the symmetrical vertical plane the object is located on. The side of the directional antenna with the larger RSSI value is the side where the object is currently located.

[0036] The second method involves symmetrically setting at least two pairs of positioning antennas along a symmetrical vertical plane.

[0037] By comparing the sum of the RSSI values ​​of the same signal emitted by the target object received by directional antennas on both sides of a symmetrical vertical plane, it can be determined which side of the symmetrical vertical plane the target object is located on. The side of the directional antenna with the larger sum of RSSI values ​​is the side where the target object is currently located.

[0038] The third method involves symmetrically setting at least two pairs of positioning antennas along a symmetrical vertical plane.

[0039] The RSSI values ​​of the same signal emitted by the target object and received by the two directional antennas in each pair of directional antennas are compared. The comparison result that is completely consistent or that is the majority is taken as the final comparison result, which determines which side of the symmetrical vertical plane the target object is located on. The side of the directional antenna with the larger RSSI value in the final comparison result is the side where the target object is currently located.

[0040] As a second option for the RSSI value comparison-based positioning method, the anti-theft base station is configured with two positioning antennas based on a dual-vertical-plane symmetric structure, including multiple directional antennas arranged together. There are at least four directional antennas, which form a centrally symmetric structure with the intersection of two mutually perpendicular vertical planes as the central axis. Any two directional antennas that form a symmetrical relationship along the vertical planes (vertical projection forms axial symmetry) are identical. At least one pair of directional antennas symmetrical along the first vertical plane has partially overlapping horizontal effective coverage areas, and at least one pair of directional antennas symmetrical along the second vertical plane has partially overlapping horizontal effective coverage areas.

[0041] Two positioning antennas are respectively placed at both ends of the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, so that the first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out.

[0042] Compare the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the two positioning antennas to determine if the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary preventing cart ejection. Compare the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first or second positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary preventing cart ejection is located on. Alternatively, compare the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first and second positioning antennas respectively, and determine which side of the boundary preventing cart ejection is located on based on the same comparison result (if the results are different, the positioning is considered a failure). If the shopping cart is positioned outside the width of the boundary preventing cart ejection, or if, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width of the boundary preventing cart ejection, then it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the doorway.

[0043] Third, the positioning method based on RSSI value vector operations (referred to as the vector method):

[0044] Two positioning antennas based on a four-quadrant distribution structure are configured for the anti-theft base station of goods. The antennas include multiple identical directional antennas. The directional antennas are circumferentially distributed at the same horizontal height with the intersection of two mutually perpendicular vertical planes as the central axis. The radiation direction of each directional antenna is radially outward with the central axis as the center. The vertical projection of the two vertical planes divides the horizontal plane into four quadrants, and each quadrant has at least one directional antenna.

[0045] Two positioning antennas are respectively placed at both ends of the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, so that the first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out.

[0046] A coordinate system is established using the two parallel planes of the directional antenna as the X and Y axes. The RSSI value of the directional antenna is used as the magnitude of the vector, and the angle of the directional antenna is used as the direction of the vector. A detection vector for the directional antenna is generated. The detection vectors of all directional antennas for a given positioning antenna are added together to obtain the positioning vector for that antenna. Combining the directions of the positioning vectors from the two positioning antennas, it is determined whether the shopping cart is within the width of the "no cart pushing" boundary, and on which side of the boundary it is located. If the shopping cart is positioned outside the "no cart pushing" boundary, or, based on positioning results from different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the "no cart pushing" boundary, then the shopping cart is considered to be passing through a doorway.

[0047] Compared to the threshold method, the comparison method and the vector method can determine the direction of movement of a shopping cart passing through the supermarket entrance by using positioning results at different times, making them more suitable for application scenarios with unidirectional control requirements.

[0048] Furthermore, an entrance base station is set up at the entrance of the shopping area. The entrance base station determines the direction of movement of the shopping cart at the entrance of the shopping area based on the report signals received from the same shopping cart at different times. When the shopping cart is moving against the flow of traffic at the entrance of the shopping area, a locking command is sent to the wheel. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0049] The entry base station preferably uses the aforementioned comparison method or vector method to locate the shopping cart, and determines whether the shopping cart is moving in reverse (from the inside to the outside of the boundary where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out) based on the location results at different times.

[0050] Alternatively, a threshold method can be used to determine the direction of the shopping cart's movement. However, this requires setting up two positioning antennas at the entrance of the shopping area, one in front and one behind, along the direction of traffic. When the RSSI value of the report signal received by the forward positioning antenna increases and the RSSI value of the report signal received by the forward positioning antenna decreases, it indicates that the shopping cart is moving forward between the two positioning antennas. Conversely, it is moving in the opposite direction between the two positioning antennas.

[0051] The information that indicates whether the shopping cart has been checked out can be any one or more related to the checkout process.

[0052] For example, information indicating that the shopping cart has passed the checkout counter, information indicating that the shopping cart has passed the checkout counter and stopped, information indicating that the cash register has entered working mode when the shopping cart passes the checkout counter, information indicating that the checkout counter emits a beeping sound when the shopping cart passes the checkout counter, and so on.

[0053] The simplest of the aforementioned behaviors or events is the information about the shopping cart passing the checkout counter; that is, using whether the shopping cart has passed the checkout counter as the basis for determining whether the shopping cart has been paid for. While this method of determining whether the shopping cart has been paid for cannot prevent thieves from pushing items out of the checkout lane without paying, it can effectively prevent thieves from pushing items out of the shopping area entrance. Generally speaking, based on the fear of being discovered, thieves are less likely to steal items by passing the checkout counter, so this method still has a certain degree of anti-theft effect.

[0054] Optionally, a checkout base station can be installed at the checkout counter. The checkout base station can determine whether a shopping cart has passed the checkout counter based on whether it receives a report signal from the shopping cart (the signal coverage of the checkout base station should be appropriate, ideally just covering one checkout lane). The checkout base station can also use the aforementioned threshold method, comparison method, vector method, or other positioning methods to locate the shopping cart and determine whether it has passed the checkout counter. The checkout base station communicates unidirectionally or mutually with the anti-theft base station located at the supermarket entrance. The checkout base station sends information about the shopping cart passing the checkout counter to the anti-theft base station. Alternatively, the checkout base station and the anti-theft base station can be networked together, each communicating separately with the central controller. The checkout base station reports the information about the cart passing the checkout counter to the central controller, which then sends the information to the anti-theft base station or saves it as a checked-out status. When the anti-theft base station detects the cart passing through the supermarket entrance (the cart has entered its control range), it queries the anti-theft base station, and the central controller returns the checked-out status to the anti-theft base station.

[0055] Ideally, rather than indirectly determining whether a shopping cart has been checked out through behavior or events, the most effective way to indicate whether a purchase has been completed is through direct checkout information retrieved from the cash register. However, even with cash registers linked to anti-theft systems, linking the checkout information from the cash register to the corresponding shopping cart remains a problem to be solved.

[0056] In response, this invention proposes a shopping cart checkout determination method based on printed information. The shopping cart ID is entered into the product catalog of the POS system as a product code. During checkout, the shopping cart is scanned as a zero-priced item along with other items. When the POS machine prints the product list, the shopping cart ID is read from the print information output from the POS machine to the printer (POS base station), thereby confirming that the shopping cart corresponding to that ID has been checked out.

[0057] The biggest advantage of this method is that it does not require modification of the POS system. You only need to enter each shopping cart into the POS system as one item, and then read the shopping cart ID from the communication line between the cash register and the printer.

[0058] The limitation of the above-mentioned anti-theft methods is that the checkout base station or other device or equipment used to obtain or generate information about shopping cart checkout needs to be connected or networked with the anti-theft base station set up at the supermarket entrance.

[0059] To address this limitation, this invention proposes a solution for preventing theft of goods when the checkout base station and the anti-theft base station at the entrance are independent: A second anti-theft method involves equipping the shopping cart with a braking mechanism to restrict its movement, and also providing the cart with wireless signal transmission and reception capabilities. A shopping area entrance base station is set up at the entrance to send a report signal and an opening command. A checkout base station is set up at the checkout counter to send a report signal and a closing command to the shopping carts at checkout. An anti-theft base station is set up at the supermarket entrance to prevent unchecked shopping carts from being pushed out.

[0060] When using the shopping cart, the signal receiving function is enabled. When passing the entrance of the shopping area, the system receives a report signal and sends an enable command, which enables the report signal sending function and starts to repeatedly send report signals. When passing the checkout counter, the system receives a report signal and sends a disable command, which disables the report signal sending function and stops sending report signals.

[0061] The anti-theft base station at the supermarket entrance receives a report signal from the shopping cart. Based on the RSSI value of the report signal, it determines whether the shopping cart is passing through the entrance. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the supermarket entrance, the anti-theft base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command, activating the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0062] In the aforementioned anti-theft method, the anti-theft base station controls the shopping cart based on the cart sending a report signal. Once the checkout cart's report signal transmission is stopped by the checkout base station, it can freely pass through the supermarket entrance. Unchecked carts, however, will be locked by the anti-theft base station due to sending a report signal. This anti-theft method uses the simplest control logic to achieve its anti-theft function. The anti-theft base station does not need to consider whether the shopping cart has been checked out; it only needs to determine if the cart is passing through the entrance. The base stations do not need to be interconnected; each executes its own task based on independent conditions, and no central controller is required. The entire system is very simple in structure.

[0063] However, the reporting signal needs to be activated before the shopping cart enters the shopping area again. Therefore, an entrance base station is set up at the entrance of the shopping area. The entrance base station repeatedly sends an activation command indiscriminately. When a shopping cart in the off state passes through the entrance base station, it receives the activation command and starts sending a reporting signal.

[0064] In this method, when the anti-theft base station determines whether the shopping cart is passing by the supermarket entrance, it also applies the shopping cart positioning method mentioned in the first anti-theft method.

[0065] The determination of whether a shopping cart has been checked out by the POS base station also applies to the various determination methods mentioned in the first anti-theft method. Preferably, passing through the checkout counter is used as the basis for determining whether the shopping cart has been checked out. The POS base station's signal range covers the checkout lane, and the POS base station (without a specific target) repeatedly broadcasts a report signal to send a shutdown command. A more preferred method is the shopping cart checkout determination method based on printed information. When the POS base station reads the shopping cart ID from the printed information output by the cash register, it sends a report signal to the shopping cart corresponding to that ID, sending a shutdown command.

[0066] Furthermore, the entry base station determines the direction of movement of the shopping cart based on the report signals received from the same shopping cart at different times. When the shopping cart is moving in the opposite direction, it sends a locking command to the wheel. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0067] Similar to the first method of preventing product theft, the entry base station can use a comparison method or a vector method to locate the shopping cart and determine whether the cart is moving in the wrong direction based on the location results at different times. Alternatively, a threshold method can be used to locate the shopping cart and determine its direction of movement, thus identifying whether it is moving in the wrong direction.

[0068] Typically, supermarkets need to implement both merchandise theft prevention (prohibiting unchecked shopping carts from passing through the supermarket entrance) and shopping cart theft prevention (prohibiting shopping carts from crossing the parking lot boundary). However, based on the aforementioned merchandise theft prevention principles, the transmission of reporting signals after shopping cart checkout is disabled, making it impossible to further prevent shopping cart theft by installing anti-theft base stations in the parking lot.

[0069] To this end, the present invention further proposes a product and shopping cart anti-theft method based on dual communication frequencies: the shopping cart is equipped with two communication frequencies to send a report signal containing the shopping cart ID. The first communication frequency is used to communicate with the shopping cart anti-theft base station set up in the parking lot, and this communication frequency is normally not turned off. The second communication frequency is used to communicate with the product anti-theft base station set up at the supermarket entrance, and this communication frequency is turned off after the shopping cart is checked out. The entrance base station at the shopping area entrance can choose one of the communication frequencies or a third communication frequency to communicate with the shopping cart, preferably the first frequency that is normally not turned off.

[0070] Specifically, the shopping cart is equipped with a braking mechanism to restrict its movement, and also with wireless signal transmission and reception capabilities. When the shopping cart is in use, the signal reception function is activated, and by default, it repeatedly sends report signals via a first communication frequency.

[0071] An entrance base station is set up at the entrance of the shopping area to send an opening command by transmitting a second communication frequency report signal (preferably at the first communication frequency). After the shopping cart receives the second communication frequency report signal and sends the opening command, it starts to repeatedly transmit the report signal at the second communication frequency while continuing to repeatedly transmit the report signal at the first communication frequency (either by using two communication modules to transmit the report signal at the first communication frequency and the second communication frequency respectively, or by using one communication module to alternately transmit the report signal at the first communication frequency and the second communication frequency).

[0072] A checkout base station is set up at the checkout counter to send a shutdown command to the shopping cart via a second communication frequency report signal. After receiving the shutdown command via the second communication frequency report signal, the shopping cart stops repeatedly sending the report signal via the second communication frequency (but continues to repeatedly send the report signal via the first communication frequency).

[0073] Anti-theft base stations are set up at the entrance of supermarkets. They receive report signals through a second communication frequency and then determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the entrance based on the RSSI value of the report signal. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the supermarket entrance, the anti-theft base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0074] Anti-theft base stations for shopping carts are set up at the entrances or boundaries of parking lots. They receive report signals via a first communication frequency and then determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the entrance or boundary of the parking lot based on the RSSI value. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the entrance or boundary of the parking lot, the anti-theft base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command by activating the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0075] The above method configures two communication frequencies for the shopping cart. The first communication frequency is used to implement shopping cart anti-theft, and the second communication frequency is used to implement product anti-theft. When the second communication frequency used to implement product anti-theft is turned off, the shopping cart anti-theft function based on the first communication frequency is maintained.

[0076] In this method, when the anti-theft base station determines whether the shopping cart is passing through the supermarket entrance and whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance or boundary, the shopping cart positioning method mentioned in the first anti-theft method is also applied.

[0077] The determination of whether a shopping cart has been checked out by the POS base station also applies to the various determination methods mentioned in the first anti-theft method. Preferably, passing through the checkout counter is used as the basis for determining whether the shopping cart has been checked out. The POS base station's signal range covers the checkout lane, and the POS base station (without a specific target) repeatedly broadcasts a second communication frequency report signal to send a shutdown command. A more preferred method is the shopping cart checkout determination method based on printed information. When the POS base station reads the shopping cart ID from the printed information output by the cash register, it sends a second communication frequency report signal to the shopping cart corresponding to that ID to send a shutdown command.

[0078] The signal reception, transmission of the first communication frequency report signal, and transmission of the second communication frequency report signal for the shopping cart can be accomplished separately by setting up different communication modules. For example, the first communication module can be set to operate at the first communication frequency for transmitting the first communication frequency report signal, and the second communication module can be set to operate at the second communication frequency for transmitting the second communication frequency report signal. A third communication module can be set up for signal reception, and the third communication module can operate at the first communication frequency, the second communication frequency, or an additionally set third communication frequency as needed. Alternatively, a single communication module can be set up to perform these tasks alternately. For example, the communication module can sequentially execute the transmission and reception of the report signal at the first communication frequency, followed by the transmission of the report signal at the second communication frequency. The communication module first operates at the first communication frequency to transmit the first communication frequency report signal, and then, while receiving the signal, it remains operating at the first communication frequency. After receiving the signal, the communication module switches to the second communication frequency to transmit the second communication frequency report signal. Alternatively, the communication module can sequentially execute the transmission and reception of the report signal at the first communication frequency, followed by the transmission and reception of the report signal at the second communication frequency. The communication module first operates at the first communication frequency and sends a first communication frequency report signal. Then, the communication module continues to operate at the first communication frequency and receives signals. After receiving the signals, the communication module switches to the second communication frequency and sends a second communication frequency report signal. Then, the communication module continues to operate at the second communication frequency and receives signals. After receiving the signals, the communication module switches back to the first communication frequency, and the cycle repeats.

[0079] Preferably, the shopping cart alternates between a first communication frequency and a second communication frequency. Each time it operates on the first communication frequency, it performs at least one report signal transmission and one signal reception (on the first communication frequency). Each time it operates on the second communication frequency, it performs at least one report signal transmission and one signal reception (on the second communication frequency). The entry base station sends an open command to the shopping cart via the second communication frequency report signal using the first communication frequency. The shopping cart receives the open command while operating on the first communication frequency. The checkout base station sends a close command to the shopping cart via the second communication frequency report signal using the first communication frequency. The shopping cart receives the close command while operating on the first communication frequency. The anti-theft base station sends a lock command to the shopping cart via the second communication frequency. The shopping cart receives the lock command from the anti-theft base station while operating on the second communication frequency. The anti-theft base station sends a lock command to the shopping cart via the first communication frequency. The shopping cart receives the lock command from the anti-theft base station while operating on the first communication frequency.

[0080] Furthermore, the entrance base station is also equipped with a shopping cart reverse movement control function. Specifically, the entrance base station receives a report signal and then determines whether the shopping cart is moving in reverse at the entrance of the shopping area based on the RSSI values ​​of the report signals received at different times. When the shopping cart is moving in reverse at the entrance of the shopping area, a locking command is sent to the shopping cart. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0081] Preferably, the entrance base station receives a report signal emitted by the shopping cart when it is operating at the first communication frequency, and then determines whether the shopping cart is moving in the wrong direction at the entrance of the shopping area based on the RSSI value of the report signal at the first communication frequency. When the shopping cart is moving in the wrong direction at the entrance of the shopping area, the entrance base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart through the first communication frequency. The shopping cart, when operating at the first communication frequency, receives and responds to the locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0082] Furthermore, the entry base station uses the shopping cart entering the shopping area as a condition for sending the second communication frequency report signal to send an activation command. Specifically, the entry base station receives the first communication frequency report signal sent by the shopping cart through the first communication frequency, and then determines whether the shopping cart has entered the shopping area based on the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal. When the shopping cart enters the shopping area, the entry base station sends the second communication frequency report signal to the shopping cart through the first communication frequency to send an activation command.

[0083] Furthermore, the report signal includes status information indicating whether the transmission of the second communication frequency report signal is enabled. The entry base station confirms that the second communication frequency report signal transmission is not enabled in the shopping cart based on the status information before sending an enable command to the shopping cart for the second communication frequency report signal transmission.

[0084] Optionally, the entrance base station will send a locking command to the shopping cart only when it determines that the shopping cart is traveling in the wrong direction through the shopping area entrance and the shopping cart's second communication frequency report signal is enabled.

[0085] Combining the two functions of the entry base station (sending a second communication frequency report signal to send an activation command and shopping reversal control function), preferably: the entry base station receives a first communication frequency report signal sent by the shopping cart through a first communication frequency, and then determines whether the shopping cart has entered the shopping area and whether the shopping cart is reversing at the entrance of the shopping area based on the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal. When the shopping cart enters (is located) in the shopping area and the second communication frequency report signal is not activated, the entry base station sends a second communication frequency report signal to the shopping cart through the first communication frequency to send an activation command. When the shopping cart is reversing at the entrance of the shopping area, the entry base station sends a lock command to the shopping cart through the first communication frequency.

[0086] Regarding the determination of whether a shopping cart enters the shopping area or moves in the wrong direction at the shopping area entrance, a boundary line can be selected at the shopping area entrance to prevent the cart from being pushed out. When the entrance base station locates the shopping cart inside this boundary line, it is determined that the cart has entered the shopping area. If the entrance base station previously located the cart inside the boundary line, but now locates it outside, it is determined that the cart is moving in the wrong direction at the shopping area entrance. Alternatively, if the entrance base station previously located the cart inside the boundary line, but now locates it outside, and the cart has activated its second communication frequency reporting signal, it is determined that the cart is moving in the wrong direction at the shopping area entrance.

[0087] It's conceivable that, given the typical supermarket layout, shopping carts can only leave the shopping area via the checkout lanes and the shopping area entrance. When using the passage of a shopping cart past the checkout as the basis for determining whether it's ready for checkout, the actual anti-theft effect is preventing the cart from being pushed out the wrong way from the shopping area entrance. Therefore, simply prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out of the shopping area entrance and not installing anti-theft stations at the supermarket entrance can achieve essentially the same anti-theft effect.

[0088] In view of this, the present invention proposes a second method for preventing theft of goods and shopping carts. The shopping cart is equipped with a braking mechanism to restrict its movement, and also with wireless signal transceiver functionality. An entrance base station is set up at the entrance of the shopping area to prevent the shopping cart from being pushed out in reverse. Anti-theft base stations are set up at the parking lot entrances / exits or boundaries to prevent the shopping cart from leaving the supermarket area. When the shopping cart is in use, it repeatedly sends a report signal containing the shopping cart or wheel ID (and further wheel status information). When the entrance base station receives the report signal from the wheel, it determines whether the shopping cart is moving in reverse based on the RSSI value of the report signal. If it determines that the shopping cart is moving in reverse, the entrance base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command, activating the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart. When the anti-theft base station receives the report signal from the wheel, it determines whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary based on the RSSI value of the report signal. If it determines that the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary, the anti-theft base station sends a locking command to the wheel. The wheel receives and responds to the locking command, activating the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0089] Compared to the previous anti-theft methods for goods and shopping carts based on dual communication frequencies, this method can greatly simplify system settings, while still effectively preventing shopping carts from being pushed out of the supermarket and preventing theft of goods from shopping carts pushed out of the shopping area entrance.

[0090] In the second method of preventing theft of goods and shopping carts, the shopping cart anti-theft base station uses the same method of locating the shopping cart as mentioned in the first method of preventing theft of goods when determining whether the shopping cart is passing through the entrance or boundary of the parking lot, and when the entrance base station determines whether the shopping cart is going against the flow at the entrance of the shopping area.

[0091] The existing technology that uses directional antennas to cover entrances, exits, or boundaries to form a locked zone has a significant drawback: it offers wide coverage without clearly defined boundaries. This easily leads to situations where shopping carts are accidentally locked even if the customer hasn't reached the designated restricted area, or even if they have, they haven't attempted to pass through. For example, a customer might leave the checkout lane and then remember they haven't paid and are about to return; or a customer might park their car near the edge of a parking lot and, after shopping, be pushing the cart parallel to the boundary towards their car. Furthermore, the technology cannot determine the direction the shopping cart is being pushed, making it impossible to detect reverse movement at the shopping area entrance.

[0092] The technical solution provided by this invention, based on a comparison method and a vector method for positioning, can not only form a control interface with a vertical projection as a line (the measured line width can be controlled within 0.5m), but also directly distinguish the direction of vehicle movement from the inside to the outside or from the outside to the inside.

[0093] Furthermore, since the two or more directional antennas being compared receive the same wireless signal from the same source at the same time, external influences on signal transmission exist simultaneously. This means that the RSSI of both antennas increases or decreases simultaneously under environmental influences, and this simultaneous increase or decrease is eliminated when calculating the difference. Therefore, this effectively solves the problem of environmental influences in existing technologies.

[0094] As a preferred embodiment, the braking and signal transceiver functions of the shopping cart are configured within the wheels. This allows existing shopping carts to be adapted for use with the products and anti-theft methods of this invention simply by replacing the wheels. To reduce wheel power consumption, the wheel controller and transceiver module can enter a deep sleep state when the shopping cart is not in use, saving energy. The wake-up method can be achieved using sensors capable of detecting wheel movement or rotation, such as vibration sensors, rotation sensors, and direction sensors.

[0095] If a shopping cart is equipped with two or more brakeable wheels, each wheel can work independently, or one of them can be set as the master wheel and the others as slave wheels. The master wheel can communicate with devices or apparatuses outside the shopping cart, such as base stations or remote controls, and the slave wheels can lock or unlock the cart synchronously with the master wheel according to the master wheel's instructions.

[0096] Furthermore, in this invention, the prerequisite for implementing various controls over the shopping cart is that the shopping cart emits a report signal containing its ID, and the base station sends unlock commands specifically to shopping carts with that ID. Although engineers can understand the data format of the unlock commands through signal interception and data analysis, they cannot provide a universal unlocking device that broadcasts unlock commands to thieves. To complete the theft, a professional engineer would need to intercept the locking command signal on-site for each shopping cart, parse the shopping cart ID, create an unlocking device specific to that cart, and then hand it over to the thief to return to the scene to unlock and steal the cart. This would result in the cost of the theft exceeding the value of the shopping cart itself. Attached Figure Description

[0097] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the first type of anti-theft system for goods according to the present invention.

[0098] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the shopping cart wheel function module equipped with signal transmission and reception functions and braking functions.

[0099] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of one possible solution for a cash register base station.

[0100] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another optional solution for the cash register base station.

[0101] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another optional solution for the cashier base station.

[0102] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the basic principle of the anti-theft base station for goods.

[0103] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the principle of a commodity anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetric structure.

[0104] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an example of a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetry structure.

[0105] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the setup method when the positioning antenna shown in Figure 8 is used as a commodity anti-theft base station.

[0106] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the principle of a commodity anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical symmetric structure.

[0107] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of an example of a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical symmetric structure.

[0108] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the setup method when the positioning antenna shown in Figure 11 is used as a commodity anti-theft base station.

[0109] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the main base station principle of a commodity anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical symmetric structure.

[0110] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the auxiliary base station principle of a commodity anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical symmetric structure.

[0111] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the principle of a commodity anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure.

[0112] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of an example of a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure.

[0113] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the setup method when the positioning antenna shown in Figure 16 is used as a commodity anti-theft base station.

[0114] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the main base station principle of a commodity anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure.

[0115] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of the auxiliary base station principle of a commodity anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure.

[0116] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of the second type of anti-theft system for goods according to the present invention.

[0117] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of an optional scheme for the ingress base station.

[0118] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of another possible scheme for the ingress base station.

[0119] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of another optional solution for the cash register base station.

[0120] Figure 24 is a schematic diagram of another optional solution for the cash register base station.

[0121] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of the anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts based on dual communication frequencies according to the present invention.

[0122] Figure 26 is a schematic diagram of a basic principle of an entry base station.

[0123] Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of the principle of the entry base station using a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetric structure.

[0124] Figure 28 is a schematic diagram of the setup method when the positioning antenna shown in Figure 8 is used for the entrance base station.

[0125] Figure 29 is a schematic diagram of the principle of the entry base station using a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical symmetric structure.

[0126] Figure 30 is a schematic diagram of the setup method when the positioning antenna shown in Figure 11 is used for the entrance base station.

[0127] Figure 31 is a schematic diagram of the principle of the main base station of the entry base station using a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical symmetric structure.

[0128] Figure 32 is a schematic diagram of the principle of the auxiliary base station of the entrance base station using a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical symmetric structure.

[0129] Figure 33 is a schematic diagram of the principle of the entry base station using a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure.

[0130] Figure 34 is a schematic diagram of the setup method when the positioning antenna shown in Figure 16 is used for the entrance base station.

[0131] Figure 35 is a schematic diagram of the principle of the main base station of the entry base station using a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure.

[0132] Figure 36 is a schematic diagram of the principle of the auxiliary base station of the entrance base station using a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure.

[0133] Figure 37 is a schematic diagram of the basic principle of the shopping cart anti-theft base station.

[0134] Figure 38 is a schematic diagram of the principle of a shopping cart anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetric structure.

[0135] Figure 39 is a schematic diagram of the setup method when the positioning antenna shown in Figure 8 is used as a shopping cart anti-theft base station.

[0136] Figure 40 is a schematic diagram of the principle of a shopping cart anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical symmetric structure.

[0137] Figure 41 is a schematic diagram of the setup method when the positioning antenna shown in Figure 11 is used as a shopping cart anti-theft base station.

[0138] Figure 42 is a schematic diagram of the main base station principle of a shopping cart anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical symmetric structure.

[0139] Figure 43 is a schematic diagram of the auxiliary base station principle of the shopping cart anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical symmetrical structure.

[0140] Figure 44 is a schematic diagram of the principle of a shopping cart anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure.

[0141] Figure 45 is a schematic diagram of the setup method when the positioning antenna shown in Figure 16 is used for the entrance base station.

[0142] Figure 46 is a schematic diagram of the main base station principle of a shopping cart anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure.

[0143] Figure 47 is a schematic diagram of the auxiliary base station principle of the shopping cart anti-theft base station using a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure.

[0144] Figure 48 is a schematic diagram of the second type of anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation Example

[0145] Referring to Figure 1, the figure shows a first type of anti-theft system constructed based on the first anti-theft method of the present invention, including a shopping cart 001 equipped with braking function and signal transmission and reception function, a checkout confirmation device or equipment set at the cashier 2 for determining whether the shopping cart has been checked out, and an anti-theft base station 003 set at the supermarket entrance 3.

[0146] The shopping cart is configured to repeatedly send a report signal containing the shopping cart ID during use, activate the braking function to lock the shopping cart upon receiving a lock command, and unlock the shopping cart upon receiving an unlock command.

[0147] The anti-theft base station 003 communicates with the checkout confirmation device or equipment to obtain the checkout information of the shopping cart. The anti-theft base station is configured to: determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the supermarket entrance based on the RSSI value of the report signal sent by the shopping cart it receives, and issue a lock control command to the shopping cart that is passing through the supermarket entrance but has not obtained the checkout information.

[0148] Further, referring to Figure 2, the shopping cart is equipped with a braking mechanism 103 for restricting vehicle movement, a signal transceiver (including an antenna and signal processing module) 101 for sending report signals and receiving control commands, a controller 102 for controlling the braking mechanism to lock or unlock the shopping cart, and a power supply 104 for supplying power to the braking mechanism, the shopping cart signal transceiver, and the shopping cart controller. The braking mechanism can be located inside or outside the wheel 100, preferably inside the wheel. The shopping cart controller and signal transceiver can be located inside or outside the wheel together with the braking mechanism, or the braking mechanism can be located inside the wheel, and the shopping cart controller and signal transceiver can be located outside the wheel (e.g., on the frame), with the controller connected to a driver (e.g., a motor, electromagnetic driver, etc.) in the braking mechanism.

[0149] The signal processing module and controller 102 of the shopping cart signal transceiver 101 can be integrated on a single chip, such as the CH592 Bluetooth chip or the CH571 Bluetooth chip. This chip is an MCU with an integrated Bluetooth communication module. The processor implements the shopping cart controller function through programming, and the Bluetooth communication module works under the control of the processor as the signal processing module of the shopping cart signal transceiver.

[0150] The power source 104 can be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The shopping cart can also be equipped with a generator, which generates electricity when the wheels rotate to charge the rechargeable battery or directly power the braking mechanism, signal transceiver, and controller.

[0151] Furthermore, the checkout confirmation device or equipment can be a cashier base station 002.

[0152] Alternatively, the checkout base station is equipped with a signal receiver 201 and a controller 202. The signal receiver receives the shopping cart's report signal and transmits it to the controller. After successfully receiving the shopping cart's report signal (the checkout is determined by the shopping cart passing through the checkout counter, and the shopping cart passing through the checkout counter is indicated by the checkout base station successfully receiving the shopping cart's report signal), the checkout base station controller generates shopping cart checkout information and transmits it to the anti-theft base station 003 via wired or wireless means (directly or indirectly), as shown in Figure 3.

[0153] As an improvement, after receiving the shopping cart report signal, the signal receiver 201 calculates the RSSI value of the report signal and transmits it to the controller. The cashier base station controller compares the RSSI value with a set threshold. When the RSSI value reaches the set threshold, the cashier base station controller generates shopping cart checkout information and transmits it to the anti-theft base station 003 via wired or wireless means (directly or indirectly).

[0154] Alternatively, the POS base station 002 is connected to the POS machine 008. After the POS machine completes a transaction, it sends a transaction completion signal to the POS base station. The POS base station is equipped with a signal receiver 201 and a controller 202. After receiving the shopping cart report signal, the signal receiver 201 calculates the RSSI value. When the RSSI value reaches a preset condition, the POS base station controller 202 starts waiting for the transaction completion signal from the POS machine. After receiving the transaction completion signal from the POS machine, the POS base station controller 202 generates shopping cart checkout information and transmits it to the anti-theft base station 003 via wired or wireless means (directly or indirectly), as shown in Figure 4.

[0155] As a third option, and as an application of the aforementioned shopping cart checkout determination method based on printed information, the shopping cart is equipped with a coded graphic (barcode or QR code) that can identify the shopping cart as a single item. When the cashier checks out, the shopping cart is scanned as a zero-priced item. The checkout base station is equipped with a controller 202, which is connected to the print output port of the cash register 008. The cash register base station controller reads the printed information output by the cash register and identifies the shopping cart ID contained in the printed information. When the cash register base station controller 202 identifies that the printed information contains a shopping cart ID, it transmits the checkout information of the shopping cart corresponding to that ID (directly or indirectly) to the anti-theft base station, as shown in Figure 5.

[0156] Further, referring to Figure 6, the anti-theft base station is configured with a positioning antenna 301 for receiving report signals, a signal processing module 302 connected to the positioning antenna, and a controller 303 for determining locking conditions and generating control commands. Optionally, the base station is also configured with a transmitting antenna 304 for sending control commands and a signal processing module 302 for connecting the transmitting antenna to the controller.

[0157] The anti-theft base station signal processing module 302 and controller 303 can be integrated on a single chip, such as the CH592 Bluetooth chip mentioned earlier, or the CH571 Bluetooth chip.

[0158] After the anti-theft base station positioning antenna 301 receives the report signal from the shopping cart, the signal processing module 302 calculates the RSSI value of the report signal and outputs it to the controller 303. The anti-theft base station controller 303 determines whether the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance based on the RSSI value. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance and no checkout information has been received for the shopping cart, the anti-theft base station controller 303 generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart through the positioning antenna 301 or the transmitting antenna 304 (if set) via the signal processing module 302.

[0159] The anti-theft base station can communicate with the POS base station via a LoRa communication module or via a wired connection.

[0160] As the first option, the anti-theft base station uses an RSSI threshold-based positioning method to determine whether a shopping cart is passing by the supermarket entrance: the anti-theft base station positioning antenna 301 selects an omnidirectional or directional antenna, which is connected to the signal processing module, which is connected to the controller. The anti-theft base station controller has a preset RSSI threshold. After the positioning antenna receives the report signal from the shopping cart, it is transmitted to the anti-theft base station signal processing module. The anti-theft base station signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the report signal and outputs it to the controller. The anti-theft base station controller compares the RSSI value of the report signal with the RSSI threshold. When the RSSI value of the report signal is greater than (or greater than or equal to) the RSSI threshold, it is determined that the shopping cart is passing by the supermarket entrance.

[0161] As a second option, the anti-theft base station uses a positioning method based on RSSI value comparison to determine whether a shopping cart is passing by the supermarket entrance. Referring to Figure 7, the positioning antenna 301 of the anti-theft base station 003 is a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetrical structure. This positioning antenna includes at least one pair of directional antennas a02 arranged together along a symmetrical vertical plane a01. The two directional antennas a02 in each pair are identical and symmetrical to each other along the symmetrical vertical plane a01. The effective horizontal coverage areas a03 of at least two directional antennas in one pair partially overlap. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the positioning antenna composed of two directional antennas.

[0162] Referring to Figure 9, the positioning antenna 301 is set along the boundary 5 preventing shopping carts from being pushed out of the supermarket entrance, and the symmetrical vertical plane a01 of the positioning antenna is located on the boundary 5. The anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules 302 in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. Each directional antenna a02 in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module 302, and each signal processing module 302 is connected to a controller 303. Each signal processing module 302 calculates the RSSI value of the report signal received by the connected directional antenna a02 and outputs it to the controller 303. The controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the report signals from the shopping cart received by the directional antennas on both sides of the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary preventing shopping carts from being pushed out of the supermarket. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary preventing shopping carts from being pushed out of the supermarket, or based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary preventing shopping carts from being pushed out of the supermarket, and it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the supermarket entrance.

[0163] As an alternative to the second option: Referring to Figure 10, the anti-theft base station positioning antenna uses a positioning antenna based on a dual-vertical-plane symmetrical structure. This positioning antenna includes multiple directional antennas a02 arranged together, with at least four directional antennas forming a centrally symmetrical structure with the intersection of two mutually perpendicular vertical planes as the central axis. Any two directional antennas that form a symmetrical relationship along any vertical plane (vertical projection forms axial symmetry) are identical. At least one pair of directional antennas symmetrical along the first vertical plane a011 has partially overlapping horizontal effective coverage areas, and at least one pair of directional antennas symmetrical along the second vertical plane a012 has partially overlapping horizontal effective coverage areas. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of this positioning antenna composed of four directional antennas.

[0164] The anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules 302 in the same number as the directional antennas a02 in the positioning antenna. Referring to Figure 12, the positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna 3011 and a second positioning antenna 3012 respectively set at both ends of the boundary line preventing shopping carts from being pushed out at the supermarket entrance. The first vertical planes a011 of the first positioning antenna 3011 and the second positioning antenna 3012 overlap and are located on the boundary line preventing shopping carts from being pushed out.

[0165] Each directional antenna a02 in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module 302, and each signal processing module 302 is connected to a controller 303. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the reported signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller 303 compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane a012 of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width D of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out. It also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first or second positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out. Alternatively, it compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first and second positioning antennas and determines which side of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out based on the same comparison result. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the width of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out, or based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out, indicating that the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance.

[0166] Optionally, referring to Figures 13-14, the anti-theft base station includes a main base station 0031 and an auxiliary base station 0032. The main base station 0031 includes a first positioning antenna 3011, signal processing modules 302 (the same number as the directional antennas in the first positioning antenna), and a first controller 3031. Optionally, it also includes a transmitting antenna 304 and a signal processing module 302 for connecting the transmitting antenna to the controller. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0167] The auxiliary base station 0032 includes a second positioning antenna 3012, a signal processing module 302 having the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller 3032. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0168] The secondary base station communicates with the primary base station (via wired or additional communication modules and antennas).

[0169] The second controller 3032 compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the second positioning antenna 3012 and sends the comparison result to the first controller 3031. Optionally, the second controller also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. The first controller 3031 compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the first positioning antenna 3011 and, in conjunction with the comparison result of the second controller for the second vertical plane, determines whether the shopping cart is located within the width range of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, based on the comparison result, determines which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, or optionally, determines which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, based on the same comparison result as the second controller for the first vertical plane. When the shopping cart is located outside the width range of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width range of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, it is determined that the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance.

[0170] As a third option, the anti-theft base station uses a vector-based positioning method to determine whether a shopping cart is passing by the supermarket entrance. Referring to Figure 15, the positioning antenna of the anti-theft base station is a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure, including multiple identical directional antennas a02. The directional antennas are circumferentially distributed at the same horizontal height, with the intersection of two mutually perpendicular vertical planes as the central axis. The radiation direction of each directional antenna is radially outward with the central axis as the center. The vertical projection of the two vertical planes divides the horizontal plane into four quadrants I-IV, and each quadrant has at least one directional antenna a02. Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the positioning antenna composed of four directional antennas.

[0171] The anti-theft base station for goods includes signal processing modules 302, the same number as the number of directional antennas a02 in the positioning antenna. Referring to Figure 17, the positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna 3011 and a second positioning antenna 3012 respectively set at both ends of the boundary line 5 at the supermarket entrance where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out. The first vertical planes a011 of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out.

[0172] Each directional antenna a02 in positioning antennas 3011 and 3012 is connected to a signal processing module 302. Each signal processing module 302 is connected to a controller 303. Each signal processing module 302 calculates the RSSI value of the reported signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller 303. The controller 303 generates a detection vector for a directional antenna by using the RSSI value of the directional antenna as the magnitude of the vector and the angle of the directional antenna as the direction of the vector. The controller 303 adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of a positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of that positioning antenna. The controller 303 combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the width of the boundary that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width of the boundary that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, it is determined that the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance.

[0173] Optionally, the anti-theft base station 003 includes a main base station 0031 and an auxiliary base station 0032. The main base station 0031 includes a first positioning antenna 3011, a signal processing module 302 with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller 3031. Optionally, it also includes a transmitting antenna 304 and a signal processing module 302 for connecting the transmitting antenna to the controller. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna 3011 is connected to a signal processing module 302, and each signal processing module 302 of the main base station is connected to the first controller 3031.

[0174] The auxiliary base station 0032 includes a second positioning antenna 3012, a signal processing module having the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller 3032. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna 3012 is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller 3032.

[0175] The secondary base station (optionally via an additional communication module and antenna) communicates with the primary base station.

[0176] The second controller 3032 adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the second positioning antenna 3012 to obtain the positioning vector of the second positioning antenna, and sends the direction of the positioning vector (an angle value between 0 and 360 degrees) to the first controller 3031. The first controller 3031 adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the first positioning antenna 3011 to obtain the positioning vector of the first positioning antenna. The first controller 3031 combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the first positioning antenna 3011 and the second positioning antenna 3012 to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary it is located on. If the shopping cart is located outside the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, it is determined that the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance. Example

[0177] Referring to Figure 20, which shows a second type of anti-theft system constructed based on the second anti-theft method of the present invention, the system includes a shopping cart 001 equipped with braking and signal transmission / reception functions, an entrance base station 004 located at the entrance of the shopping area 4 for sending a report signal to the shopping cart and sending an opening command, a checkout base station 002 located at the checkout counter 2 for sending a report signal to the checkout shopping cart and sending a closing command, and an anti-theft base station 003 located at the supermarket entrance 3.

[0178] The shopping cart is configured as follows: when in use, the signal receiving function is enabled, and the cart repeatedly receives signals; after receiving a report signal and sending an open command, the cart starts sending a report signal repeatedly; after receiving a report signal and sending a stop command, the cart stops sending a report signal; after receiving a lock command, the cart is locked by activating the braking mechanism; and after receiving an unlock command, the cart is unlocked by activating the braking mechanism.

[0179] The anti-theft base station is configured to determine whether a shopping cart is passing by the supermarket entrance based on the RSSI value of the report signal it receives from the shopping cart, and to issue a lock command to the shopping cart that is passing by the supermarket entrance.

[0180] Further, referring to Figure 2, the shopping cart is equipped with a braking mechanism to limit the movement of the vehicle, a transceiver (including an antenna and signal processing module) for sending report signals and receiving control commands, a controller for controlling the braking mechanism to lock or unlock the shopping cart, and a power supply for supplying power to the braking mechanism, the shopping cart transceiver, and the shopping cart controller. The braking mechanism can be located inside or outside the wheels, preferably inside the wheels. The shopping cart controller and transceiver can be located together with the braking mechanism inside or outside the wheels, or the braking mechanism can be located inside the wheels, while the shopping cart controller and transceiver are located outside the wheels (e.g., on the frame), with the controller connected to a driver (e.g., a motor, electromagnetic driver, etc.) in the braking mechanism.

[0181] The signal processing module and controller of the shopping cart signal transceiver can be integrated on a single chip, such as the CH592 Bluetooth chip or the CH571 Bluetooth chip. This chip is an MCU with an integrated Bluetooth communication module. The processor implements the shopping cart controller function through programming, and the Bluetooth communication module works under the control of the processor as the signal processing module of the shopping cart signal transceiver.

[0182] The power source can be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The shopping cart can also be equipped with a generator, which generates electricity as the wheels rotates to charge the rechargeable battery or directly power the braking mechanism, signal transceiver, and controller.

[0183] Furthermore, as an alternative, the entrance base station includes a signal transmitter 4001 whose signal radiation range covers the entrance to the shopping area. The signal transmitter 4001 (without a target) repeatedly broadcasts a report signal to send an activation command. Any shopping cart passing the checkout counter can receive the report signal to send the activation command. See Figure 21.

[0184] Alternatively, the entrance base station is configured with a transceiver 4002 and a controller 403. The entrance base station transceiver 4002 receives the shopping cart's report signal, and after successfully receiving the shopping cart's report signal (determining that the shopping cart has passed the shopping area entrance), the entrance base station controller 403 generates a report signal and sends an opening command, which is then sent to the shopping cart via the transceiver 4002. See Figure 22.

[0185] As an improvement, after the transceiver receives the report signal from the shopping cart, it calculates the RSSI value and outputs it to the controller. The ingress base station controller determines that the RSSI value of the report signal reaches the set threshold, generates a report signal, sends an enable command, and sends it to the shopping cart through the transceiver.

[0186] Furthermore, as an alternative, the checkout base station includes a signal transmitter whose signal radiation range covers the checkout aisle in width. The signal transmitter (without a target) repeatedly broadcasts a report signal to send a shutdown command, and any shopping cart passing through the checkout counter can receive the report signal to send the shutdown command. Refer to the entrance base station in Figure 21.

[0187] Alternatively, the checkout base station is equipped with a transceiver and a controller. The transceiver receives report signals from the shopping cart, and upon successfully receiving the shopping cart's report signal (the checkout determination is based on the shopping cart passing the checkout counter, and the successful reception of the shopping cart's report signal by the checkout base station indicates that the shopping cart has passed the checkout counter), the checkout base station controller generates a report signal and sends a shutdown command, which is then transmitted to the shopping cart via the transceiver. Refer to the entry base station in Figure 22.

[0188] As an improvement, after the POS base station transceiver receives the report signal from the shopping cart, it calculates the RSSI value and outputs it to the controller. The POS base station controller determines that if the RSSI value of the report signal reaches the set threshold, it generates a report signal and sends a shutdown command, which is then sent to the shopping cart via the transceiver.

[0189] As a third option, the POS base station is connected to the POS machine. After the POS machine completes a transaction, it sends a transaction completion signal to the POS base station. The POS base station 002 is equipped with a transceiver 203 and a controller 202. After receiving the report signal from the shopping cart, the transceiver 203 calculates the RSSI value and outputs it to the controller 202. The POS base station controller 202 determines that the RSSI value of the report signal has reached a set threshold and then waits for the transaction completion signal from the POS machine. When it receives the transaction completion signal from the POS machine, the POS base station controller 202 generates a report signal, sends a shutdown command, and sends it to the shopping cart via the transceiver 203. See Figure 23.

[0190] As a fourth option, and as an application of the aforementioned shopping cart checkout determination method based on printed information, the shopping cart is equipped with a coded graphic (barcode or QR code) that can identify the shopping cart as a single item. When the cashier checks out, the shopping cart is scanned as a zero-priced item. The checkout base station is equipped with a controller 202 and a signal transmitter 204. The checkout base station controller 202 is connected to the print output port of the cash register 008. The checkout base station controller reads the printed information output by the cash register and identifies the shopping cart ID contained in the printed information. When the checkout base station controller 202 identifies a shopping cart ID in the printed information, it generates a report signal and sends a shutdown command, which is then sent to the shopping cart corresponding to that ID via the signal transmitter 204. See Figure 24.

[0191] Further, referring to Figure 6, the anti-theft base station is configured with a positioning antenna 301 for receiving report signals, a signal processing module 302 connected to the positioning antenna, and a controller 303 for judging and generating control commands. Optionally, the base station is also configured with a transmitting antenna 304 for sending control commands and a signal processing module 302 for connecting the transmitting antenna to the controller.

[0192] The anti-theft base station signal processing module and controller can be integrated on a single chip, such as the CH592 Bluetooth chip mentioned earlier, or the CH571 Bluetooth chip.

[0193] After the positioning antenna 301 receives the report signal from the shopping cart, the anti-theft base station signal processing module 302 calculates the RSSI value of the report signal and outputs it to the controller 303. The anti-theft base station controller 303 determines whether the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance based on the RSSI value. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance, the anti-theft base station controller generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart through the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if set) via the signal processing module.

[0194] As the first option, the anti-theft base station uses an RSSI threshold-based positioning method to determine whether a shopping cart is passing by the supermarket entrance: The positioning antenna of the anti-theft base station is an omnidirectional or directional antenna, which is connected to the signal processing module. The signal processing module is connected to the controller. The anti-theft base station controller has a preset RSSI threshold. After the positioning antenna receives the report signal from the shopping cart, it is transmitted to the anti-theft base station signal processing module. The anti-theft base station signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the report signal and outputs it to the controller. The anti-theft base station controller compares the RSSI value of the report signal with the RSSI threshold. When the RSSI value of the report signal is greater than (or greater than or equal to) the RSSI threshold, the anti-theft base station controller generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart through the signal processing module and the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if set).

[0195] As a second option, the anti-theft base station uses an RSSI value comparison-based positioning method to determine whether a shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance: Referring to Figures 7-9, the positioning antenna of the anti-theft base station is a positioning antenna based on a single vertical symmetrical structure as described in Example 1. The positioning antenna is set along the boundary line 5 at the supermarket entrance where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out, and the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna is located on the boundary line where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out. The anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to a controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the reported signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the report signals received from the shopping cart by the directional antennas on both sides of the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command, and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0196] As an alternative to the second option: Referring to Figures 10-14, the anti-theft base station positioning antenna uses the positioning antenna based on a dual-vertical-plane symmetrical structure described in Embodiment 1. The anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively set at both ends of the boundary line prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out at the supermarket entrance. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out.

[0197] Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the reported signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out. Alternatively, it compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first or second positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out is located. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary width of the prohibited shopping cart extension area, or, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the prohibited shopping cart extension area, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the second communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0198] Optionally, the base station includes a main base station and a secondary base station. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller, and optionally also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0199] The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0200] The secondary base station communicates with the primary base station (via wired or additional communication modules and antennas).

[0201] The second controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. Optionally, the second controller also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, in conjunction with the comparison result of the second controller for the second vertical plane, determines whether the shopping cart is located within the width range of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, based on the comparison result, determines which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. Alternatively, it can determine which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out based on the same comparison result as the second controller for the first vertical plane. When the shopping cart is located outside the width range of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width range of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

[0202] As a third option, the anti-theft base station uses a vector-based positioning method to determine whether the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance: Referring to Figures 15-19, the positioning antenna of the anti-theft base station is a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure as described in Practical Example 1. The anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively set at both ends of the boundary line that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out.

[0203] Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the reported signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller generates a detection vector for a directional antenna by using the RSSI value of the directional antenna as the magnitude of the vector and the angle of the directional antenna as the direction of the vector. The controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of a positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of that positioning antenna. The controller combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary it is located on. When the shopping cart is located outside the width of the boundary that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width of the boundary that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out, the base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart. After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0204] Optionally, the base station includes a main base station and a secondary base station. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller, and optionally also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0205] The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0206] The secondary base station (optionally via an additional communication module and antenna) communicates with the primary base station.

[0207] The second controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the second positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the second positioning antenna, and sends the direction of the positioning vector (an angle value between 0 and 360 degrees) to the first controller. The first controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the first positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the first positioning antenna. Combining the directions of the positioning vectors of the first and second positioning antennas, the first controller determines whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary it is located. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart via a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). Example

[0208] Referring to Figure 25, this figure shows a shopping cart anti-theft system based on dual communication frequencies, constructed according to the present invention. The system includes a shopping cart 001 equipped with braking and signal transmission / reception functions; an entrance base station 004 located at the shopping area entrance 4 for sending a second communication frequency report signal to the shopping cart to send an opening command; a checkout base station 002 located at the checkout counter 2 for sending a second communication frequency report signal to the checkout shopping cart to send a closing command; a shopping cart anti-theft base station 003 located at the supermarket entrance 3; and a shopping cart anti-theft base station 006 located at the parking lot entrance / exit 6 or boundary.

[0209] The shopping cart is configured as follows: When in use, the signal receiving function is activated, and the first communication frequency report signal transmission function is activated, repeatedly transmitting report signals through the first communication frequency; upon receiving a second communication frequency report signal transmission activation command, while maintaining the first communication frequency report signal transmission function, the second communication frequency report signal transmission function is activated, and the cart begins to repeatedly transmit report signals (containing the shopping cart ID) through the second communication frequency; upon receiving a second communication frequency report signal transmission deactivation command, the second communication frequency report signal transmission function is deactivated, and the transmission of report signals through the second communication frequency ceases; upon receiving a lock command, the braking mechanism is activated to lock the shopping cart; upon receiving an unlock command, the braking mechanism is activated to unlock the shopping cart.

[0210] The anti-theft base station is configured to determine whether a shopping cart is passing by the supermarket entrance based on the RSSI value of the report signal sent by the shopping cart received by the base station via the second communication frequency, and to issue a lock command to the shopping cart that is passing by the supermarket entrance.

[0211] The shopping cart anti-theft base station is configured to: determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary based on the RSSI value of the report signal sent by the shopping cart received by it through the first communication frequency, and issue a locking command to the shopping cart that is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary.

[0212] Further, referring to Figure 2, the shopping cart is equipped with a braking mechanism to limit the movement of the vehicle, a transceiver (including an antenna and signal processing module) for sending report signals and receiving control commands, a controller for controlling the braking mechanism to lock or unlock the shopping cart, and a power supply for supplying power to the braking mechanism, the shopping cart transceiver, and the shopping cart controller. The braking mechanism can be located inside or outside the wheels, preferably inside the wheels. The shopping cart controller and transceiver can be located together with the braking mechanism inside or outside the wheels, or the braking mechanism can be located inside the wheels, while the shopping cart controller and transceiver are located outside the wheels (e.g., on the frame), with the controller connected to a driver (e.g., a motor, electromagnetic driver, etc.) in the braking mechanism.

[0213] The signal processing module and controller of the shopping cart signal transceiver can be integrated on a single chip, such as the CH592 Bluetooth chip or the CH571 Bluetooth chip. This chip is an MCU with an integrated Bluetooth communication module. The processor implements the shopping cart controller function through programming, and the Bluetooth communication module works under the control of the processor as the signal processing module of the shopping cart signal transceiver.

[0214] The power source can be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The shopping cart can also be equipped with a generator, which generates electricity as the wheels rotates to charge the rechargeable battery or directly power the braking mechanism, signal transceiver, and controller.

[0215] Optionally, the signal transceiver of the shopping cart may include two communication modules: a first communication module that transmits and receives signals via a first communication frequency, and a second communication module that transmits and receives signals via a second communication frequency.

[0216] Furthermore, as an alternative, the entrance base station 004 includes a signal transmitter 4001. The signal radiation range of the signal transmitter 4001 covers the entrance of the shopping area. The signal transmitter 4001 (without a target) repeatedly broadcasts a second communication frequency report signal to send an activation command. Any shopping cart passing through the checkout counter can receive the second communication frequency report signal to send the activation command. See Figure 21.

[0217] Alternatively, the entrance base station 004 is equipped with a transceiver 4002 and a controller 403. The transceiver 4002 receives the shopping cart's report signal via a first communication frequency. After successfully receiving the shopping cart's report signal (determining that the shopping cart has passed the shopping area entrance), the entrance base station controller 403 generates a second communication frequency report signal to send an opening command, which is then transmitted to the shopping cart via the transceiver 4002 (via the first communication frequency). See Figure 22.

[0218] As an improvement, after receiving the shopping cart's report signal via the first communication frequency, the signal transceiver 4002 calculates the RSSI value and outputs it to the controller 403. The entry base station controller 403 determines that the RSSI value of the report signal reaches the set threshold, generates a second communication frequency report signal to send an enable command, and sends it to the shopping cart via the signal transceiver (via the first communication frequency).

[0219] Furthermore, the entry base station is also configured to: determine whether the shopping cart is moving in reverse based on the RSSI value of the report signal sent by the shopping cart (via the first communication frequency or the second communication frequency), and issue a lock command to the shopping cart that is moving in reverse.

[0220] Further, referring to Figure 26, the entry base station is configured with a positioning antenna 401 for receiving a first communication frequency report signal, a signal processing module 402 connected to the positioning antenna, and a controller 403 for judging and generating control commands. Optionally, the base station is also configured with a transmitting antenna 404 for sending control commands and a signal processing module 402 for connecting the transmitting antenna to the controller.

[0221] The input base station signal processing module 402 and the controller 403 can be integrated on a single chip, such as the CH592 Bluetooth chip mentioned earlier, or the CH571 Bluetooth chip.

[0222] After the positioning antenna 401 receives the first communication frequency report signal from the shopping cart, the entry base station signal processing module 402 calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal and outputs it to the controller. The entry base station controller 403 determines whether the shopping cart has entered the shopping area based on the RSSI value. If it determines that the shopping cart has entered the shopping area, the entry base station controller 403 generates a second communication frequency report signal and sends an opening command, which is then sent to the shopping cart via the positioning antenna 401 or the transmitting antenna 404 (if configured) through the signal processing module 402. The entry base station controller determines whether the shopping cart is traveling against the flow of traffic through the shopping area entrance based on the RSSI value. If it determines that the shopping cart is traveling against the flow of traffic through the shopping area entrance, the entry base station controller 403 generates a locking command, which is then sent to the shopping cart via the positioning antenna or the transmitting antenna (if configured) through the signal processing module.

[0223] Optionally, the report signal sent by the shopping cart includes information on whether the second communication frequency report signal transmission is enabled. When the entrance base station controller determines that the shopping cart is traveling in reverse through the shopping area entrance and the second communication frequency report signal transmission of the shopping cart is enabled, the entrance base station controller generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart through the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if set) via the signal processing module.

[0224] As the first option, the entrance base station uses a positioning method based on RSSI value comparison to determine whether the shopping cart has entered the shopping area and whether it is traveling against the flow of traffic through the shopping area entrance. Referring to Figures 27-28, the entrance base station positioning antenna is a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetrical structure as described in Embodiment 1. The positioning antenna 401 is set along the boundary 5 of the shopping area entrance where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out, and the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna is located on the boundary line where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out. The entrance base station includes signal processing modules 402 in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna 401 is connected to a signal processing module 402, and each signal processing module 402 is connected to a controller 403. Each signal processing module 402 calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller 403. The controller 403 compares the RSSI values ​​of the first communication frequency report signals received by the directional antennas on both sides of the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna to determine which side the shopping cart is located on the boundary preventing cart ejection. If it is determined that the shopping cart is located inside the boundary preventing cart ejection, and optionally, the second communication frequency report signal transmission of the shopping cart is not enabled (if the report signal transmitted by the shopping cart includes information on whether the second communication frequency report signal transmission is enabled), the controller 403 generates a second communication frequency report signal transmission enable command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the second communication frequency report signal transmission enable command and begins transmitting report signals via the second communication frequency. When, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary preventing cart ejection, the controller 403 generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0225] As an alternative to the first option: Referring to Figures 29-32, the entrance base station positioning antenna uses a positioning antenna based on a dual-vertical-plane symmetrical structure as described in Example 1. The entrance base station includes signal processing modules 402 in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna 4011 and a second positioning antenna 4012 respectively disposed at both ends of the boundary line prohibiting the removal of shopping carts at the entrance of the shopping area. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line prohibiting the removal of shopping carts.

[0226] Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna 401 is connected to a signal processing module 402, and each signal processing module 402 is connected to a controller 403. Each signal processing module 402 calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller 403. The controller 403 compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width D of the boundary line that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out. It also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first or second positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary line prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out. Alternatively, it compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first and second positioning antennas and determines which side of the boundary line prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out based on the same comparison result. When it is determined that the shopping cart is inside the boundary preventing cart ejection, and optionally, the second communication frequency reporting signal transmission for the shopping cart is not enabled (if the report signal transmitted by the shopping cart includes information on whether the second communication frequency reporting signal transmission is enabled), the controller 403 generates a second communication frequency reporting signal transmission enable command and sends it to the shopping cart via a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the second communication frequency reporting signal transmission enable command and begins transmitting a report signal via the second communication frequency. When, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary width preventing cart ejection, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart via a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). Upon receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0227] Optionally, the entry base station 004 includes a main base station 0041 and an auxiliary base station 0042. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna 4011, a signal processing module 402 having the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller 4031. Optionally, it also includes a transmitting antenna 404 and a signal processing module 402 for connecting the transmitting antenna to the controller. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0228] The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna 4012, a signal processing module 402 having the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller 4032. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0229] The secondary base station communicates with the primary base station (via wired or additional communication modules and antennas).

[0230] The second controller 4032 compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller 4031. Optionally, the second controller also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. The first controller 4031 compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, in conjunction with the comparison result of the second controller for the second vertical plane, determines whether the shopping cart is located within the width range of the boundary line that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out. The first controller 4031 compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, based on the comparison result, determines which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out is located on, or optionally, determines which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out is located on, based on the same comparison result as the second controller for the first vertical plane. When it is determined that the shopping cart is inside the boundary preventing cart ejection, and optionally, the second communication frequency reporting signal transmission for the shopping cart is not enabled (if the report signal transmitted by the shopping cart includes information on whether the second communication frequency reporting signal transmission is enabled), the first controller 4031 generates a second communication frequency reporting signal transmission enable command and sends it to the shopping cart via a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the second communication frequency reporting signal transmission enable command and begins transmitting a report signal via the second communication frequency. When, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary width preventing cart ejection, the first controller generates a cart locking command and sends it to the shopping cart via a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

[0231] As a third option, the entrance base station uses a vector-based positioning method to determine whether the shopping cart is traveling in the wrong direction through the shopping area entrance: Referring to Figures 33-36, the entrance base station positioning antenna is a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure as described in Embodiment 1. The entrance base station includes signal processing modules 402 in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna 4011 and a second positioning antenna 4012 respectively set at both ends of the boundary line at the shopping area entrance where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out.

[0232] Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna 401 is connected to a signal processing module 402, and each signal processing module 402 is connected to a controller 403. Each signal processing module 402 calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller 403. The controller 403 generates a detection vector for a directional antenna by using the RSSI value of the directional antenna as the magnitude of the vector and the angle of the directional antenna as the direction of the vector. The controller 403 adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of a positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of that positioning antenna. The controller 403 combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary line that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary line it is located on. When it is determined that the shopping cart is inside the boundary preventing cart ejection, and optionally, the second communication frequency reporting signal transmission for the shopping cart is not enabled (if the report signal transmitted by the shopping cart includes information on whether the second communication frequency reporting signal transmission is enabled), the controller 403 generates a second communication frequency reporting signal transmission enable command and sends it to the shopping cart via a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the second communication frequency reporting signal transmission enable command and begins transmitting a report signal via the second communication frequency. When, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary width preventing cart ejection, the controller 403 generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart via a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). Upon receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0233] Optionally, the entry base station 004 includes a main base station 0041 and an auxiliary base station 0042. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna 4011, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller 4031, and optionally also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0234] The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna 4012, a signal processing module having the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller 4032. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0235] The secondary base station (optionally via an additional communication module and antenna) communicates with the primary base station.

[0236] The second controller 4032 adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the second positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the second positioning antenna, and sends the direction of the positioning vector (an angle value between 0 and 360 degrees) to the first controller 4031. The first controller 4031 adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the first positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the first positioning antenna. Combining the directions of the positioning vectors of the first and second positioning antennas, the first controller 4031 determines whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary. If it is determined that the shopping cart is inside the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, and optionally, if the second communication frequency reporting signal transmission of the shopping cart is not enabled (in the case that the report signal transmitted by the shopping cart contains information on whether the second communication frequency reporting signal transmission is enabled), the first controller 4031 generates a second communication frequency reporting signal transmission enable command, and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the second communication frequency reporting signal transmission enable command, and begins to transmit the report signal through the second communication frequency. When the positioning results at different times indicate that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary width where the shopping cart is prohibited from being pushed out, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart via the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

[0237] Furthermore, as an alternative, the checkout base station includes a signal transmitter whose signal radiation range covers the checkout aisle in width. The signal transmitter (without a target) repeatedly broadcasts a second communication frequency report signal to send a shutdown command. Any shopping cart passing through the checkout counter can receive the second communication frequency report signal to send the shutdown command. Refer to the entrance base station in Figure 21.

[0238] Alternatively, the checkout base station is equipped with a transceiver and a controller. The transceiver (via a first or second communication frequency) receives a report signal from the shopping cart. After successfully receiving the shopping cart's report signal (the checkout is determined by the shopping cart passing the checkout counter; successful reception of the shopping cart's report signal by the checkout base station indicates that the shopping cart has passed the checkout counter), the checkout base station controller generates a second communication frequency report signal to send a shutdown command, which is then transmitted to the shopping cart via the transceiver. Refer to the entry base station in Figure 22.

[0239] As an improvement, after the transceiver receives the report signal from the shopping cart, it calculates the RSSI value and outputs it to the controller. The cashier base station controller determines that the RSSI value of the report signal has reached the set threshold, generates a second communication frequency report signal, sends a shutdown command, and sends it to the shopping cart through the transceiver.

[0240] As a third option, the POS base station is connected to the POS machine. After completing a transaction, the POS machine sends a transaction completion signal to the POS base station. The POS base station is equipped with a transceiver and a controller. After receiving the report signal from the shopping cart (via a first or second communication frequency), the transceiver calculates the RSSI value and outputs it to the controller. The POS base station controller determines that the RSSI value of the report signal has reached a set threshold and then waits for the transaction completion signal from the POS machine. Upon receiving the transaction completion signal from the POS machine, the POS base station controller generates a report signal on the second communication frequency, sends a shutdown command, and transmits it to the shopping cart via the transceiver. See Figure 23.

[0241] As a fourth option, and as an application of the aforementioned shopping cart checkout determination method based on printed information, the shopping cart is equipped with a coded graphic (barcode or QR code) that can identify the shopping cart as a single item. When the cashier checks out, the shopping cart is scanned as a zero-priced item. The checkout base station is equipped with a controller and a signal transmitter. The checkout base station controller is connected to the print output port of the cash register. The checkout base station controller reads the printed information output by the cash register and identifies the shopping cart ID contained in the printed information. When the checkout base station controller identifies a shopping cart ID in the printed information, it generates a second communication frequency report signal to send a shutdown command, which is then sent to the shopping cart corresponding to that ID via the signal transmitter. (See Figure 24.)

[0242] Further, referring to Figure 6, the anti-theft base station is configured with a positioning antenna 301 for receiving a second communication frequency report signal, a signal processing module 301 connected to the positioning antenna, and a controller 303 for judging and generating control commands. Optionally, the base station is also configured with a transmitting antenna 304 for sending control commands (control commands can also be sent through the positioning antenna).

[0243] The anti-theft base station signal processing module and controller can be integrated on a single chip, such as the CH592 Bluetooth chip mentioned earlier, or the CH571 Bluetooth chip.

[0244] After the positioning antenna 301 receives the second communication frequency report signal from the shopping cart, the anti-theft base station signal processing module 302 calculates the RSSI value of the second communication frequency report signal and outputs it to the controller 303. The anti-theft base station controller 303 determines whether the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance based on the RSSI value. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance, the anti-theft base station controller generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart via the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if set) through the signal processing module 302 (via the second communication frequency).

[0245] As the first option, the anti-theft base station uses an RSSI threshold-based positioning method to determine whether a shopping cart is passing by the supermarket entrance: The positioning antenna of the anti-theft base station is an omnidirectional or directional antenna, which is connected to the signal processing module. The signal processing module is connected to the controller. The anti-theft base station controller has a preset RSSI threshold for the second communication frequency report signal. After the positioning antenna receives the second communication frequency report signal from the shopping cart, it is transmitted to the anti-theft base station signal processing module. The anti-theft base station signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the second communication frequency report signal and outputs it to the controller. The anti-theft base station controller compares the RSSI value of the second communication frequency report signal with the RSSI threshold. When the RSSI value of the second communication frequency report signal is greater than (or greater than or equal to) the RSSI threshold, the anti-theft base station controller generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart via the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if set) through the signal processing module (via the second communication frequency).

[0246] As a second option, the anti-theft base station uses an RSSI value comparison-based positioning method to determine whether a shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance: Referring to Figures 7-9, the positioning antenna of the anti-theft base station is a positioning antenna based on a single vertical symmetrical structure as described in Example 1. The positioning antenna is set along the boundary line at the supermarket entrance prohibiting the pushing of shopping carts, and the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna corresponds to the boundary line prohibiting the pushing of shopping carts. The anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to a controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the second communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the second communication frequency report signals received by the directional antennas on both sides of the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna from the shopping cart to determine which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the second communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command, activating the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0247] As an alternative to the second option: Referring to Figures 10-14, the anti-theft base station positioning antenna uses the positioning antenna based on a dual-vertical-plane symmetrical structure described in Embodiment 1. The anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively set at both ends of the boundary line prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out at the supermarket entrance. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out.

[0248] Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the second communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. It also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first or second positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. Alternatively, it compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first and second positioning antennas respectively, and determines which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out based on the same comparison result. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary width of the prohibited shopping cart extension area, or, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the prohibited shopping cart extension area, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the second communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0249] Optionally, the anti-theft base station includes a main base station and an auxiliary base station. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller, and optionally also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0250] The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0251] The secondary base station (through an additional communication module and antenna) communicates with the primary base station.

[0252] The second controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. Optionally, the second controller also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, in conjunction with the comparison result of the second controller for the second vertical plane, determines whether the shopping cart is located within the width range of the boundary line that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, based on the comparison result, determines which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out is located. Alternatively, the first controller may determine which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out is located based on the same comparison result as the second controller's comparison result for the first vertical plane. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary width of the prohibited shopping cart ejection area, or, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary width of the prohibited shopping cart ejection area, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the second communication frequency) through a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

[0253] As a third option, the anti-theft base station uses a vector-based positioning method to determine whether the shopping cart is passing by the supermarket entrance: Referring to Figures 15-19, the positioning antenna of the anti-theft base station is a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure as described in Example 1. The anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively set at both ends of the boundary line that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out.

[0254] Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the second communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller uses the RSSI value of the directional antenna as the magnitude of the vector and the angle of the directional antenna as the direction of the vector to generate a detection vector for the directional antenna. The controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of a positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of that positioning antenna. The controller combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the width of the boundary that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width of the boundary that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the second communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0255] Optionally, the anti-theft base station includes a main base station and an auxiliary base station. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller, and optionally also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0256] The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0257] The secondary base station (optionally via an additional communication module and antenna) communicates with the primary base station.

[0258] The second controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the second positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the second positioning antenna, and sends the direction of the positioning vector (an angle value between 0 and 360 degrees) to the first controller. The first controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the first positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the first positioning antenna. The first controller combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the first and second positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary it is located. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the second communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

[0259] Further, referring to Figure 37, the shopping cart anti-theft base station is configured with a positioning antenna 601 for receiving a first communication frequency report signal, a signal processing module 602 connected to the positioning antenna, and a controller 603 for judging and generating control commands. Optionally, the base station is also configured with a transmitting antenna 604 for sending control commands and a signal processing module 602 for connecting the transmitting antenna to the controller.

[0260] The shopping cart anti-theft base station signal processing module 602 and controller 603 can be integrated on a single chip, such as the previously mentioned CH592 Bluetooth chip or CH571 Bluetooth chip.

[0261] After the positioning antenna 601 receives the first communication frequency report signal from the shopping cart, the shopping cart anti-theft base station signal processing module 602 calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal and outputs it to the controller 603. The shopping cart anti-theft base station controller 603 determines whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance or boundary based on the RSSI value. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance or boundary, the shopping cart anti-theft base station controller 603 generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if set) via the signal processing module (through the first communication frequency).

[0262] As the first option, the shopping cart anti-theft base station 006 uses an RSSI threshold-based positioning method to determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary: the positioning antenna of the shopping cart anti-theft base station is an omnidirectional or directional antenna, which is connected to the signal processing module, which is connected to the controller. The shopping cart anti-theft base station controller has a preset RSSI threshold for the first communication frequency report signal. After the positioning antenna receives the first communication frequency report signal from the shopping cart, it is transmitted to the shopping cart anti-theft base station signal processing module. The shopping cart anti-theft base station signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal and outputs it to the controller. The shopping cart anti-theft base station controller compares the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal with the RSSI threshold. When the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal is greater than (or greater than or equal to) the RSSI threshold, the shopping cart anti-theft base station controller generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart via the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if set) through the signal processing module (via the first communication frequency).

[0263] As a second option, the shopping cart anti-theft base station uses a positioning method based on RSSI value comparison to determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary: Referring to Figures 38-39, the positioning antenna 601 of the shopping cart anti-theft base station is a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetrical structure as described in Embodiment 1. The positioning antenna is set along the boundary line 5 of the parking lot entrance / exit where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out, or the parking lot boundary, and the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna is located on the boundary line where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out, or the parking lot boundary. The shopping cart anti-theft base station 006 includes signal processing modules 602 in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to a controller 603. Each signal processing module 602 calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller 603 compares the RSSI values ​​of the first communication frequency report signals received by the directional antennas on both sides of the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna from the shopping cart to determine which side of the boundary or parking lot boundary the shopping cart is located on. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary or parking lot boundary, or based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary or parking lot boundary, the controller 603 generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the first communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command, and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0264] As an alternative to the second option: Referring to Figures 40-43, the positioning antenna of the shopping cart anti-theft base station is a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical symmetrical structure as described in Embodiment 1. The shopping cart anti-theft base station 006 includes signal processing modules 602 in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna 601 includes a first positioning antenna 6011 and a second positioning antenna 6012 respectively set at both ends of the boundary line 5 prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out of the parking lot entrance or a section of the parking lot boundary. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line 5 prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out or the parking lot boundary.

[0265] Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller 603 compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is located within the boundary line of the parking lot entrance / exit or within the width range of a section of the parking lot boundary. It compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first positioning antenna or the second positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary line or section of the parking lot boundary the shopping cart is located on. Alternatively, it compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna, and determines which side of the boundary line or section of the parking lot boundary the shopping cart is located on based on the same comparison result. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary where it is prohibited from being pushed out or within a section of the parking lot boundary width, or, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary where it is prohibited from being pushed out or within a section of the parking lot boundary width, the shopping cart anti-theft base station controller 603 generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the first communication frequency) through a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0266] Optionally, the shopping cart anti-theft base station includes a main base station 0061 and an auxiliary base station 0062. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna 6011, a signal processing module 602 having the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller 6031. Optionally, it also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0267] The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna 6012, a signal processing module 602 having the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller 6032. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0268] The secondary base station communicates with the primary base station (via wired or additional communication modules and antennas).

[0269] The second controller 6032 compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. Optionally, the second controller also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. The first controller 6031 compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, in conjunction with the comparison result of the second controller for the second vertical plane, determines whether the shopping cart is located within the width range of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out or the boundary line of a parking segment. The first controller 6031 compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, based on the comparison result, determines which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out or the boundary line of a parking segment the shopping cart is located on. Alternatively, it can optionally determine which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out or the boundary line of a parking segment the shopping cart is located on based on the same comparison result as the second controller's comparison result for the first vertical plane. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary where it is prohibited from being pushed out or within a section of the parking lot boundary width, or, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary where it is prohibited from being pushed out or within a section of the parking lot boundary width, the first controller 6031 generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the first communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna 604 (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna 6011 (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

[0270] As a third option, the shopping cart anti-theft base station uses a vector-based positioning method to determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary: Referring to Figures 44-47, the shopping cart anti-theft base station positioning antenna 601 is a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure. This positioning antenna includes multiple identical directional antennas. The directional antennas are circumferentially distributed at the same horizontal height with the intersection line of two mutually perpendicular vertical planes a011 and a012 as the central axis. The radiation direction of each directional antenna is radially outward with the central axis as the center. The vertical projection of the two vertical planes divides the horizontal plane into four quadrants I-IV. Each quadrant has at least one directional antenna a02, as shown in Figure 16.

[0271] The shopping cart anti-theft base station 006 includes signal processing modules 602, the same number as the number of directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna 6011 and a second positioning antenna 6012 respectively set at both ends of the boundary line or a section of the parking lot boundary where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out at the parking lot entrance and exit. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna 6011 and the second positioning antenna 6012 overlap and are located on the boundary line or the parking lot boundary where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out.

[0272] Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna 601 is connected to a signal processing module 602, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller. Each signal processing module 602 calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller 603. The shopping cart base station controller 603 uses the RSSI value of the directional antenna as the magnitude of the vector and the angle of the directional antenna as the direction of the vector to generate a detection vector for the directional antenna. The controller 603 adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of a positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of that positioning antenna. The controller 603 combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is located within the width of the boundary line of the no-pull-out boundary or a section of the parking lot boundary, and on which side of the no-pull-out boundary line or parking lot boundary it is located. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary where it is prohibited from being pushed out or within a section of the parking lot boundary width, or, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary where it is prohibited from being pushed out or within a section of the parking lot boundary width, the controller 603 generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the first communication frequency) through a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0273] Optionally, the shopping cart anti-theft base station 006 includes a main base station 0061 and an auxiliary base station 0062. The main base station 0061 includes a first positioning antenna 6011, a signal processing module 602 (the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna), and a first controller 6031. Optionally, it also includes a transmitting antenna 604 and a signal processing module 602 for connecting the transmitting antenna to the controller. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0274] The auxiliary base station 0062 includes a second positioning antenna 6012, a signal processing module 602 having the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller 6032. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0275] The auxiliary base station 0062 (optionally via an additional communication module and antenna) communicates with the main base station 0061.

[0276] The second controller 6032 adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the second positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the second positioning antenna, and sends the direction of the positioning vector (an angle value between 0 and 360 degrees) to the first controller. The first controller 6031 adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the first positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the first positioning antenna. Combining the directions of the positioning vectors of the first and second positioning antennas, the first controller 6031 determines whether the shopping cart is located within the boundary line or a section of the parking lot boundary width that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary line or parking lot boundary it is located. When the shopping cart is located outside the boundary line or parking lot boundary width that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary line or parking lot boundary width that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, the first controller 6031 generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the first communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). Example

[0277] Referring to Figure 48, which shows a second anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts constructed based on the second anti-theft method for goods and shopping carts of the present invention, the system includes a shopping cart 001 equipped with braking function and signal transmission and reception function, an entrance base station 004 set at the entrance 4 of the shopping area, and a shopping cart anti-theft base station 006 set at the entrance 6 or boundary of the parking lot.

[0278] The shopping cart is configured to repeatedly send report signals during use; upon receiving a lock command, activate the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart; and upon receiving an unlock command, activate the braking mechanism to unlock the shopping cart.

[0279] The entry base station is configured to determine whether the shopping cart is moving in reverse based on the RSSI value of the report signal it receives from the shopping cart, and to issue a lock command to the shopping cart that is moving in reverse.

[0280] The shopping cart anti-theft base station is configured to: determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary based on the RSSI value of the report signal sent by the shopping cart through the first communication frequency, and issue a locking command to the shopping cart that is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary.

[0281] Further, referring to Figure 2, the shopping cart is equipped with a braking mechanism 103 for restricting vehicle movement, a transceiver (including an antenna and signal processing module) for sending report signals and receiving control commands, a controller for controlling the braking mechanism to lock or unlock the shopping cart, and a power supply for supplying power to the braking mechanism, the shopping cart transceiver, and the shopping cart controller. The braking mechanism can be located inside or outside the wheels, preferably inside the wheels. The shopping cart controller and transceiver can be located inside or outside the wheels together with the braking mechanism, or the braking mechanism can be located inside the wheels, while the shopping cart controller and transceiver are located outside the wheels (e.g., on the frame), with the controller connected to a driver (e.g., a motor, electromagnetic driver, etc.) in the braking mechanism.

[0282] The signal processing module and controller of the shopping cart signal transceiver can be integrated on a single chip, such as the CH592 Bluetooth chip or the CH571 Bluetooth chip. This chip is an MCU with an integrated Bluetooth communication module. The processor implements the shopping cart controller function through programming, and the Bluetooth communication module works under the control of the processor as the signal processing module of the shopping cart signal transceiver.

[0283] Further, referring to Figure 26, the entry base station is configured with a positioning antenna 401 for receiving report signals, a signal processing module 402 connected to the positioning antenna, and a controller 403 for judging and generating control commands. Optionally, the base station is also configured with a transmitting antenna 404 for sending control commands.

[0284] The entry base station signal processing module and controller can be integrated on a single chip, such as the CH592 Bluetooth chip mentioned earlier, or the CH571 Bluetooth chip.

[0285] After the positioning antenna receives the report signal from the shopping cart, the entrance base station signal processing module 402 calculates the RSSI value of the report signal and outputs it to the controller 403. The entrance base station controller 403 determines whether the shopping cart is traveling in reverse through the shopping area entrance based on the RSSI value. When it is determined that the shopping cart is traveling in reverse through the shopping area entrance, the entrance base station controller generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart through the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna 404 (if set) via the signal processing module.

[0286] As the first option, the entrance base station uses an RSSI value comparison-based positioning method to determine whether the shopping cart is traveling in the wrong direction past the shopping area entrance: Referring to Figures 27-28, the entrance base station positioning antenna is a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetrical structure as described in Example 1. The positioning antenna is set along the boundary line at the shopping area entrance prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, and the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna is located on the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out. The entrance base station includes the same number of signal processing modules as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to a controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the reported signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the report signals received from the shopping cart by the directional antennas on both sides of the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. Based on the positioning results at different times, if it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command, and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0287] As an alternative to the first option: Referring to Figures 29-32, the entrance base station positioning antenna uses a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical plane symmetry structure as described in Embodiment 1. The entrance base station includes signal processing modules in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively disposed at both ends of the boundary line prohibiting the removal of shopping carts at the entrance of the shopping area. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line prohibiting the removal of shopping carts.

[0288] Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the reported signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width range of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. It also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first or second positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. Alternatively, it compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first and second positioning antennas and determines which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out based on the same comparison result. When, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary range preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). Upon receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0289] Optionally, the entry base station includes a main base station and an auxiliary base station. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller, and optionally also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0290] The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0291] The secondary base station (through an additional communication module and antenna) communicates with the primary base station.

[0292] The second controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. Optionally, the second controller also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, in conjunction with the comparison result of the second controller for the second vertical plane, determines whether the shopping cart is within the width range of the boundary line that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, based on the comparison result, determines which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out. Alternatively, it can determine which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out based on the same comparison result as the second controller for the first vertical plane. When, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary line width range prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

[0293] As a third option, the entrance base station uses a vector-based positioning method to determine whether the shopping cart is traveling in the wrong direction past the shopping area entrance: Referring to Figures 33-36, the entrance base station positioning antenna uses a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure as described in Example 1. The entrance base station includes signal processing modules of the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively set at both ends of the boundary line at the shopping area entrance prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out.

[0294] Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the reported signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller uses the RSSI value of the directional antenna as the magnitude of the vector and the angle of the directional antenna as the direction of the vector to generate a detection vector for the directional antenna. The controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of a positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of that positioning antenna. The controller combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary it is located. When, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0295] Optionally, the base station includes a main base station and a secondary base station. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller, and optionally also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0296] The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0297] The secondary base station (optionally via an additional communication module and antenna) communicates with the primary base station.

[0298] The second controller adds the detection vectors from all the directional antennas of the second positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the second positioning antenna, and sends the direction of the positioning vector (an angle value between 0 and 360 degrees) to the first controller. The first controller adds the detection vectors from all the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the first positioning antenna. Combining the directions of the positioning vectors of the first and second positioning antennas, the first controller determines whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary it is located. When, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart via a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

[0299] Further, referring to Figure 37, the shopping cart anti-theft base station 006 is configured with a positioning antenna 601 for receiving report signals, a signal processing module 602 connected to the positioning antenna, and a controller 603 for judging and generating control commands. Optionally, the base station 006 is also configured with a transmitting antenna 604 for sending control commands and a signal processing module 602 for connecting the transmitting antenna to the controller.

[0300] The shopping cart anti-theft base station 006 signal processing module and controller can be integrated on a single chip, such as the CH592 Bluetooth chip mentioned earlier, or the CH571 Bluetooth chip.

[0301] After the positioning antenna 601 receives the report signal from the shopping cart, the shopping cart anti-theft base station signal processing module 602 calculates the RSSI value of the report signal and outputs it to the controller 603. The shopping cart anti-theft base station controller 603 determines whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance or boundary based on the RSSI value. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance or boundary, the shopping cart anti-theft base station controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if set) via the signal processing module.

[0302] As the first option, the shopping cart anti-theft base station uses an RSSI threshold-based positioning method to determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary: The positioning antenna of the shopping cart anti-theft base station is an omnidirectional or directional antenna, which is connected to the signal processing module. The signal processing module is connected to the controller. The shopping cart anti-theft base station controller has a preset RSSI threshold for the report signal. After the positioning antenna receives the report signal from the shopping cart, it is transmitted to the shopping cart anti-theft base station signal processing module. The shopping cart anti-theft base station signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the report signal and outputs it to the controller. The shopping cart anti-theft base station controller compares the RSSI value of the report signal with the RSSI threshold. When the RSSI value of the report signal is greater than (or greater than or equal to) the RSSI threshold, the shopping cart anti-theft base station controller generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart through the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if set) via the signal processing module.

[0303] As a second option, the shopping cart anti-theft base station uses a positioning method based on RSSI value comparison to determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary: Referring to Figures 38-39, the positioning antenna of the shopping cart anti-theft base station is a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetrical structure as described in Embodiment 1. The positioning antenna is set along the boundary line prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out of the parking lot entrance / exit or the parking lot boundary, and the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna is located on the boundary line prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out of the parking lot or the parking lot boundary. The shopping cart anti-theft base station includes a number of signal processing modules equal to the number of directional antennas in the positioning antenna. Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to a controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the reported signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the report signals received from the shopping cart by the directional antennas on both sides of the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary or parking lot boundary the shopping cart is located on. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary or parking lot boundary, or based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary or parking lot boundary. The controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command, and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0304] As an alternative to the second option: Referring to Figures 40-43, the positioning antenna for the shopping cart anti-theft base station is a positioning antenna based on a dual-vertical-plane symmetrical structure as described in Embodiment 1. The shopping cart anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules in the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively installed at both ends of the boundary line prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out of the parking lot entrance or a section of the parking lot boundary. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out or the parking lot boundary.

[0305] Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the reported signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is located within the boundary line of the parking lot entrance / exit or within the width of a section of the parking lot boundary. Alternatively, it compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first or second positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary line or parking lot boundary the shopping cart is located on. When the shopping cart is located outside the boundary line where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out or within a section of the parking lot boundary width, or, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary line where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out or within a section of the parking lot boundary width, the shopping cart anti-theft base station controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0306] Optionally, the shopping cart anti-theft base station 006 includes a main base station and an auxiliary base station. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller, and optionally also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0307] The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0308] The secondary base station communicates with the primary base station (via wired or additional communication modules and antennas).

[0309] The second controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. Optionally, the second controller also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, in conjunction with the comparison result of the second controller for the second vertical plane, determines whether the shopping cart is located within the width range of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out or the boundary line of a parking segment. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, based on the comparison result, determines which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out or the boundary line of a parking segment the shopping cart is located on. Alternatively, it can optionally determine which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out or the boundary line of a parking segment the shopping cart is located on based on the same comparison result as the second controller's comparison result for the first vertical plane. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary where it is prohibited from being pushed out or within a section of the parking lot boundary width, or, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary where it is prohibited from being pushed out or within a section of the parking lot boundary width, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart via a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

[0310] As a third option, the shopping cart anti-theft base station 006 uses a vector-based positioning method to determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary: Referring to Figures 44-47, the positioning antenna of the shopping cart anti-theft base station is a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure as described in Example 1. This positioning antenna includes multiple identical directional antennas. The directional antennas are circumferentially distributed at the same horizontal height with the intersection of two mutually perpendicular vertical planes as the central axis. The radiation direction of each directional antenna is radially outward with the central axis as the center. The vertical projection of the two vertical planes divides the horizontal plane into four quadrants, and each quadrant has at least one directional antenna.

[0311] The shopping cart anti-theft base station includes a number of signal processing modules that are the same as the number of directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively set at both ends of the boundary line or a section of the parking lot boundary at the entrance and exit of the parking lot. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line or the parking lot boundary where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out.

[0312] Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the reported signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The shopping cart base station controller uses the RSSI value of the directional antenna as the magnitude of the vector and the angle of the directional antenna as the direction of the vector to generate a detection vector for the directional antenna. The controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of a positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of that positioning antenna. The controller combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is located within the boundary of the no-pull-out boundary or a section of the parking lot boundary, and on which side of the no-pull-out boundary or parking lot boundary it is located. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary where it is prohibited from being pushed out or within a section of the parking lot boundary width, or, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary where it is prohibited from being pushed out or within a section of the parking lot boundary width, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart via a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

[0313] Optionally, the shopping cart anti-theft base station 006 includes a main base station and an auxiliary base station. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller, and optionally also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller.

[0314] The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller.

[0315] The secondary base station communicates with the primary base station (via wired or additional communication modules and antennas).

[0316] The second controller adds the detection vectors from all the directional antennas of the second positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the second positioning antenna, and sends the direction of the positioning vector (an angle value between 0 and 360 degrees) to the first controller. The first controller adds the detection vectors from all the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the first positioning antenna. Combining the directions of the positioning vectors of the first and second positioning antennas, the first controller determines whether the shopping cart is located within the boundary line or a section of the parking lot boundary width that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary line or parking lot boundary it is located. When the shopping cart is located outside the boundary line or parking lot boundary width that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary line or parking lot boundary width that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

[0317] In the aforementioned embodiments 1-4, the signal processing module employs a Bluetooth communication module. When the base station is additionally configured with a transmitting antenna, a Bluetooth communication module is also configured for the transmitting antenna on the base station that has one Bluetooth communication module configured for each directional antenna in the positioning antenna. When a main base station and a secondary base station are set up, the main base station and the secondary base station can each be configured with a main base station receiving antenna and a corresponding Bluetooth communication module, and a secondary base station transmitting antenna and a corresponding Bluetooth communication module. The entire system can also be additionally configured with a central server. Each base station communicates with the central server, reporting its control over the shopping cart to the central server. In particular, when the shopping cart is locked, the central server is configured with a user terminal to view and manage the information reported by each base station to the central server. For example, it can show the user which base station has a locked shopping cart and prompt the user to go there to handle it. The central server can also issue control instructions to the base stations, such as locking or unlocking certain shopping carts. The communication between each base station and the central server is preferably in LoRa communication mode. Each base station (the main base station if there is one) is configured with a LoRa communication module and a LoRa antenna, and the central server is configured with a LoRa communication module and a LoRa antenna.

Claims

1. A shopping cart control method, comprising configuring a braking mechanism on the shopping cart to restrict its movement, and configuring the shopping cart with wireless signal transceiver function, setting up a base station at the location where the shopping cart needs to be controlled, wherein when the shopping cart is used, the shopping cart repeatedly sends a report signal containing the shopping cart ID, and when the base station receives the report signal sent by the shopping cart, it determines whether the conditions for locking the shopping cart are met based on or in combination with the RSSI value of the received report signal, and when the locking conditions are met, the base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart, and the shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command by activating the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

2. The cart control method of claim 1, wherein, The braking mechanism and the wireless signal transceiver function of the shopping cart are configured on the wheels of the shopping cart.

3. The cart control method of claim 1, wherein, After receiving the shopping cart report signal, the base station sends a feedback signal to the shopping cart. When the shopping cart is in use, it operates in a normal state when it cannot receive the base station feedback signal, and in a standby state when it can receive the base station feedback signal. In the standby state, the frequency of sending report signals is higher than in the normal state.

4. The cart control method of claim 1, wherein, The report signal includes shopping cart status information.

5. A shopping cart control system, comprising a shopping cart as the controlled object and a base station for controlling the shopping cart, wherein the shopping cart is equipped with a braking mechanism that can limit the movement of the shopping cart, and a transceiver for sending report signals and receiving control commands, the base station being located at the place where the shopping cart needs to be controlled, the base station including a transceiver for receiving report signals and issuing control commands, and a controller for judging and generating control commands, wherein when the shopping cart is in use, the shopping cart transceiver repeatedly sends a report signal, the report signal including a unique ID configured for the vehicle, after the base station transceiver receives the report signal sent by the shopping cart, the base station controller judges whether a preset condition for locking the shopping cart has been met based on the RSSI value of the signal, when the locking condition is met, the base station controller sends a locking command to the shopping cart through the transceiver, the shopping cart transceiver receives the locking command and sends it to the shopping cart controller, the shopping cart controller responds to the locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

6. A method for preventing theft of goods, comprising equipping a shopping cart with a braking mechanism that can restrict the pushing of the shopping cart, equipping the shopping cart with a wireless signal transceiver function, setting up a goods anti-theft base station at the supermarket entrance to control unchecked vehicles passing through the supermarket entrance, and setting up a cashier base station or other device or equipment at the checkout counter to acquire or generate information that indicates whether the shopping cart has been checked out. When a shopping cart is used, it repeatedly sends a report signal containing the shopping cart ID. After receiving the shopping cart report signal, the anti-theft base station determines whether the shopping cart is passing through the supermarket entrance based on the RSSI value of the report signal, and determines whether the cart has already paid based on the information indicating whether the cart has been paid for. The anti-theft base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart that has not been paid for and is passing through the supermarket entrance. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command, activating the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

7. The merchandise security method according to claim 6, wherein A positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetrical structure is configured for a commodity anti-theft base station. The positioning antenna includes at least one pair of directional antennas arranged together along a symmetrical vertical plane. The two positioning antennas in each pair of directional antennas are the same and symmetrical to each other along the symmetrical vertical plane. The effective horizontal coverage areas of the two directional antennas in at least one pair of directional antennas partially overlap. A boundary line is selected at the supermarket entrance to prevent shopping carts from being pushed out. The positioning antenna is set along this boundary line, with its symmetrical vertical plane located on the boundary line. By comparing the RSSI values ​​of the report signals emitted by the shopping cart received by the directional antennas on both sides of the symmetrical vertical plane, it is determined which side of the symmetrical vertical plane the shopping cart is on. If the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary line, or if, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from inside to outside the boundary line, then it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the entrance.

8. The merchandise security method according to claim 6, wherein Two positioning antennas based on a dual vertical plane symmetry structure are configured for the anti-theft base station of goods. The antennas include multiple directional antennas arranged together, with at least four directional antennas. The multiple directional antennas form a centrally symmetric structure with the intersection of two mutually perpendicular vertical planes as the central axis. Any two directional antennas that form a symmetric relationship along the vertical planes are the same. At least one pair of directional antennas symmetrical along the first vertical plane has a partially overlapping horizontal plane effective coverage area, and at least one pair of directional antennas symmetrical along the second vertical plane has a partially overlapping horizontal plane effective coverage area. Two positioning antennas are respectively placed at both ends of the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, so that the first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out. The RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the two positioning antennas are compared to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width range of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out. The RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first or second positioning antenna are compared to determine which side of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out. Alternatively, the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first and second positioning antennas are compared, and the same comparison result is used to determine which side of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out. If the shopping cart is positioned outside the width range of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out, or if the positioning results at different times indicate that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width range of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out, then it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the doorway.

9. The merchandise security method of claim 6, wherein Two positioning antennas based on a four-quadrant distribution structure are configured for the anti-theft base station of goods. The antennas include multiple identical directional antennas. The directional antennas are circumferentially distributed at the same horizontal height with the intersection of two mutually perpendicular vertical planes as the central axis. The radiation direction of each directional antenna is radially outward with the central axis as the center. The vertical projection of the two vertical planes divides the horizontal plane into four quadrants, and each quadrant has at least one directional antenna. Two positioning antennas are respectively placed at both ends of the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, so that the first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out. A coordinate system is formed using the two parallel planes of the directional antenna as the X and Y axes. The RSSI value of the directional antenna is used as the magnitude of the vector, and the angle of the directional antenna is used as the direction of the vector. A detection vector of the directional antenna is generated. The detection vectors of all directional antennas of a positioning antenna are added together to obtain the positioning vector of the positioning antenna. The directions of the positioning vectors of the two positioning antennas are combined to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out. If the shopping cart is positioned outside the width of the boundary that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, or if the positioning results at different times indicate that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width of the boundary that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, then it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the doorway.

10. The merchandise security method according to claim 6, wherein An entrance base station is set up at the entrance of the shopping area. The entrance base station determines the direction of movement of the shopping cart at the entrance of the shopping area based on the report signals received from the same shopping cart at different times. When the shopping cart is moving against the flow of traffic at the entrance of the shopping area, a locking command is sent to the wheel. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

11. The merchandise security method according to claim 6, wherein The checkout base station communicates one-way or with the anti-theft base station set up at the supermarket entrance. The checkout base station sends information about the shopping cart passing through the checkout to the anti-theft base station. Alternatively, the checkout base station and the anti-theft base station can be networked together, each communicating with the central controller. The checkout base station reports the information of a vehicle passing through the checkout to the central controller, which then sends the information to the anti-theft base station or saves it as a paid status. When the anti-theft base station detects a vehicle passing through the supermarket entrance, it should query the central controller, which will then return the paid status to the anti-theft base station.

12. A shopping cart checkout determination method based on print information, wherein the shopping cart ID is entered into the product catalog of the POS system as a product code, and during checkout, the shopping cart is scanned as a zero-priced item along with other items for checkout. When the POS machine prints the product list, the shopping cart ID is read from the print information output by the POS machine to the printer, thereby confirming that the shopping cart corresponding to the ID has been checked out.

13. A method for preventing theft of goods, comprising equipping a shopping cart with a braking mechanism that can restrict the pushing of the shopping cart, equipping the shopping cart with wireless signal transceiver function, setting up a shopping area entrance base station at the entrance of the shopping area to send a report signal and send an opening command, setting up a checkout base station at the checkout counter to send a report signal and send a closing command to the checkout shopping cart, and setting up a goods anti-theft base station at the supermarket entrance to prevent unchecked shopping carts from being pushed out; When using the shopping cart, the signal receiving function is enabled. When passing the entrance of the shopping area, after receiving the report signal and sending the start command, the report signal sending function is enabled and the report signal is repeatedly sent. When passing the checkout counter, after receiving the report signal and sending the stop command, the report signal sending function is stopped and the report signal is no longer sent. The anti-theft base station at the supermarket entrance receives a report signal from the shopping cart. Based on the RSSI value of the report signal, it determines whether the shopping cart is passing through the entrance. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the supermarket entrance, the anti-theft base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command, activating the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

14. The merchandise security method according to claim 13, wherein The entry base station determines the direction of movement of the shopping cart based on the report signals received from the same shopping cart at different times. When the shopping cart is moving in the opposite direction, it sends a locking command to the wheel. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

15. A method for preventing theft of goods and shopping carts based on dual communication frequencies, comprising configuring a braking mechanism on the shopping cart to restrict its movement, and simultaneously configuring the shopping cart with wireless signal transceiver functionality. When the shopping cart is in use, the signal receiving function is activated, and by default, a report signal is repeatedly transmitted via a first communication frequency. An entrance base station is set up at the entrance of the shopping area to send an activation command via a second communication frequency report signal. After the shopping cart receives the activation command via the second communication frequency report signal, it starts to repeatedly send the report signal via the second communication frequency while continuing to repeatedly send the report signal via the first communication frequency. A checkout base station is set up at the checkout counter to send a shutdown command to the shopping cart via a second communication frequency report signal. After receiving the shutdown command via the second communication frequency report signal, the shopping cart stops repeatedly sending the report signal via the second communication frequency. Anti-theft base stations are set up at the entrance of supermarkets. They receive report signals through a second communication frequency and then determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the entrance based on the RSSI value of the report signal. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the supermarket entrance, the anti-theft base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart. Anti-theft base stations for shopping carts are set up at the entrances or boundaries of parking lots. They receive report signals via a first communication frequency and then determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the entrance or boundary of the parking lot based on the RSSI value. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the entrance or boundary of the parking lot, the anti-theft base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command by activating the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

16. The merchandise and cart anti-theft method according to claim 15, wherein, The POS base station determines whether the shopping cart has been checked out based on the shopping cart checkout determination method using printed information. After the POS base station reads the shopping cart ID from the printed information output by the POS machine, it sends a second communication frequency report signal to the shopping cart corresponding to that ID to send a shutdown command.

17. The merchandise and cart anti-theft method of claim 15, wherein, The shopping cart alternates between the first communication frequency and the second communication frequency. Each time it operates on the first communication frequency, it performs at least one report signal transmission and one signal reception. Each time it operates on the second communication frequency, it performs at least one report signal transmission and one signal reception.

18. The merchandise and cart anti-theft method according to claim 17, wherein, The entry base station sends an activation command to the shopping cart via a second communication frequency report signal using a first communication frequency. When the shopping cart is operating at the first communication frequency, it receives the second communication frequency report signal and sends the activation command. The checkout base station sends a shutdown command to the shopping cart via a second communication frequency report signal using a first communication frequency. When the shopping cart is operating at the first communication frequency, it receives the second communication frequency report signal and sends the shutdown command. The anti-theft base station sends a lock command to the shopping cart via a second communication frequency. When the shopping cart is operating at the second communication frequency, it receives the lock command from the anti-theft base station. The anti-theft base station sends a lock command to the shopping cart via a first communication frequency. When the shopping cart is operating at the first communication frequency, it receives the lock command from the anti-theft base station.

19. The merchandise and cart anti-theft method of claim 15, wherein, The entrance base station is also equipped with a shopping cart reverse movement control function. The entrance base station receives the report signal and then determines whether the shopping cart is moving in reverse at the entrance of the shopping area based on the RSSI value of the report signals received at different times. When the shopping cart is moving in reverse at the entrance of the shopping area, a locking command is sent to the shopping cart. The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

20. The merchandise and cart anti-theft method of claim 19, wherein, The entrance base station receives the report signal sent by the shopping cart when it is operating on the first communication frequency. Then, it determines whether the shopping cart is moving in the wrong direction at the entrance of the shopping area based on the RSSI value of the report signal on the first communication frequency. When the shopping cart is moving in the wrong direction at the entrance of the shopping area, the entrance base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart through the first communication frequency. When the shopping cart is operating on the first communication frequency, it receives and responds to the locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

21. The merchandise and cart theft prevention method of claim 15, wherein, The entry base station uses the shopping cart entering the shopping area as a condition for sending the second communication frequency report signal to send an activation command. The entry base station receives the first communication frequency report signal sent by the shopping cart through the first communication frequency, and then determines whether the shopping cart has entered the shopping area based on the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal. When the shopping cart enters the shopping area, the entry base station sends the second communication frequency report signal to the shopping cart through the first communication frequency to send an activation command.

22. The merchandise and cart theft prevention method of claim 15, wherein, The report signal contains status information indicating whether the transmission of the second communication frequency report signal is enabled. The entry base station confirms that the second communication frequency report signal transmission is not enabled in the shopping cart based on the status information before sending an enable command to the shopping cart for the second communication frequency report signal transmission.

23. The merchandise and cart theft prevention method of claim 22, wherein, The entry base station will only issue a lock command to the shopping cart when it determines that the shopping cart is traveling in the wrong direction through the shopping area entrance and the shopping cart's second communication frequency report signal is enabled.

24. The merchandise and cart theft prevention method of claim 15, wherein, The entry base station receives the first communication frequency report signal sent by the shopping cart via the first communication frequency. Then, based on the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal, it determines whether the shopping cart has entered the shopping area and whether the shopping cart is moving in the wrong direction at the entrance of the shopping area. When the shopping cart enters the shopping area and the second communication frequency report signal is not activated, the entry base station sends the second communication frequency report signal to the shopping cart via the first communication frequency to send an activation command. When the shopping cart is moving in the wrong direction at the entrance of the shopping area, the entry base station sends a lock command to the shopping cart via the first communication frequency.

25. The merchandise and cart anti-theft method of claim 24, wherein, A boundary line is selected at the entrance of the shopping area to prevent shopping carts from being pushed out. If the entrance base station locates the shopping cart inside the boundary line, it is determined that the shopping cart has entered the shopping area. If the entrance base station previously located the shopping cart inside the boundary line, but now locates it outside the boundary line, it is determined that the shopping cart is moving in the wrong direction at the entrance of the shopping area. Alternatively, if the entrance base station previously located the shopping cart inside the boundary line, but now locates it outside the boundary line, and the shopping cart has activated the second communication frequency reporting signal, it is determined that the shopping cart is moving in the wrong direction at the entrance of the shopping area.

26. A method for preventing theft of goods and shopping carts, comprising equipping the shopping cart with a braking mechanism to restrict its movement, and equipping the shopping cart with wireless signal transceiver functionality; setting up an entrance base station at the entrance of the shopping area to prevent the shopping cart from being pushed out in reverse, and setting up anti-theft base stations at the entrances or boundaries of the parking lot to prevent the shopping cart from leaving the supermarket area; when the shopping cart is used, it repeatedly sends a report signal, which includes the shopping cart or wheel ID (and further includes shopping cart status information); when the entrance base station receives the report signal from the wheel, it determines whether the shopping cart is moving in reverse based on the RSSI value of the report signal; if it determines that the shopping cart is moving in reverse, the entrance base station sends a locking command to the shopping cart, and the shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command by activating the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart; when the anti-theft base station receives the report signal from the wheel, it determines whether the shopping cart is passing through the entrance or boundary of the parking lot based on the RSSI value of the report signal; if it determines that the shopping cart is passing through the entrance or boundary of the parking lot, the anti-theft base station sends a locking command to the wheel, and the wheel receives and responds to the locking command by activating the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

27. A merchandise anti-theft system, comprising a shopping cart equipped with braking and signal transmission / reception functions, a checkout confirmation device or equipment installed at the checkout counter for determining whether the shopping cart has been purchased, and a merchandise anti-theft base station installed at the supermarket entrance; The shopping cart is configured to repeatedly send a report signal containing the shopping cart ID during use, activate the braking function to lock the shopping cart upon receiving a lock command, and unlock the shopping cart upon receiving an unlock command. The anti-theft base station communicates with the checkout confirmation device or equipment to obtain the checkout information of the shopping cart. The anti-theft base station is configured to: determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the supermarket entrance based on the RSSI value of the report signal sent by the shopping cart it receives, and issue a lock control command to the shopping cart that is passing through the supermarket entrance but has not obtained the checkout information.

28. An article security system according to claim 27, wherein The shopping cart is equipped with a braking mechanism to limit the movement of the vehicle, a transceiver for sending report signals and receiving control commands, a controller for controlling the braking mechanism to lock or unlock the shopping cart, and a power supply for supplying power to the braking mechanism, the shopping cart transceiver, and the shopping cart controller.

29. An article security system according to claim 27, wherein The checkout confirmation device or equipment is a cashier base station.

30. A merchandise anti-theft system, comprising a shopping cart equipped with braking and signal transmission / reception functions, an entrance base station located at the entrance of the shopping area for sending a report signal to the shopping cart and sending an opening command, a checkout base station located at the checkout counter for sending a report signal to the checkout shopping cart and sending a closing command, and a merchandise anti-theft base station located at the supermarket entrance. The shopping cart is configured to: activate the signal receiving function when in use and repeatedly receive signals; activate the report signal sending function and start repeatedly sending report signals after receiving a report signal and sending a stop command; deactivate the report signal sending function and stop sending report signals after receiving a report signal and sending a stop command; activate the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart after receiving a lock command; and activate the braking mechanism to unlock the shopping cart after receiving an unlock command. The anti-theft base station is configured to determine whether a shopping cart is passing by the supermarket entrance based on the RSSI value of the report signal it receives from the shopping cart, and to issue a lock command to the shopping cart that is passing by the supermarket entrance.

31. A dual-communication frequency-based anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts, comprising a shopping cart equipped with braking and signal transmission / reception functions, an entrance base station located at the entrance of the shopping area for sending a second communication frequency report signal to the shopping cart to send an opening command, a checkout base station located at the checkout counter for sending a second communication frequency report signal to the checkout shopping cart to send a closing command, an anti-theft base station for goods located at the supermarket entrance, and an anti-theft base station for shopping carts located at the entrance or boundary of the parking lot; The shopping cart is configured as follows: When in use, it activates the signal receiving function and the first communication frequency report signal transmission function, repeatedly transmitting report signals via the first communication frequency; upon receiving an activation command for the second communication frequency report signal transmission, it activates the second communication frequency report signal transmission function while maintaining the first communication frequency report signal transmission function, and begins repeatedly transmitting report signals via the second communication frequency; upon receiving a deactivation command for the second communication frequency report signal transmission, it deactivates the second communication frequency report signal transmission function, ceasing the transmission of report signals via the second communication frequency; upon receiving a lock command, it activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart; upon receiving an unlock command, it activates the braking mechanism to unlock the shopping cart. The anti-theft base station is configured to: determine whether the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance based on the RSSI value of the report signal sent by the shopping cart received by it through the second communication frequency, and send a lock command to the shopping cart that is passing the supermarket entrance. The shopping cart anti-theft base station is configured to: determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary based on the RSSI value of the report signal sent by the shopping cart received by it through the first communication frequency, and issue a locking command to the shopping cart that is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary.

32. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 31, characterized in that the shopping cart is equipped with a braking mechanism for restricting the movement of the vehicle, a signal transceiver for sending report signals and receiving control commands, a controller for controlling the braking mechanism to lock or unlock the shopping cart, and a power supply for supplying power to the braking mechanism, the shopping cart signal transceiver, and the shopping cart controller.

33. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 31, characterized in that the entry base station is further configured to: determine whether the shopping cart is moving in reverse based on the RSSI value of the report signal emitted by the shopping cart received by it (via a first communication frequency or a second communication frequency), and issue a locking command to the shopping cart that is moving in reverse.

34. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 33, characterized in that the entry base station is configured with a positioning antenna for receiving a first communication frequency report signal, a signal processing module connected to the positioning antenna, and a controller for judging and generating control commands; optionally, the base station is also configured with a transmitting antenna for sending control commands. After the positioning antenna receives the first communication frequency report signal from the shopping cart, the entrance base station signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal and outputs it to the controller. The entrance base station controller determines whether the shopping cart has entered the shopping area based on the RSSI value. If it determines that the shopping cart has entered the shopping area, the entrance base station controller generates a second communication frequency report signal and sends an opening command, which is sent to the shopping cart through the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if configured) via the signal processing module. The entrance base station controller also determines whether the shopping cart is traveling against the flow of traffic through the shopping area entrance based on the RSSI value. If it determines that the shopping cart is traveling against the flow of traffic through the shopping area entrance, the entrance base station controller generates a locking command, which is sent to the shopping cart through the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if configured) via the signal processing module.

35. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 33, characterized in that the report signal sent by the shopping cart includes information on whether the transmission of the second communication frequency report signal is enabled. When the entrance base station controller determines that the shopping cart is passing through the entrance of the shopping area in reverse and the transmission of the second communication frequency report signal of the shopping cart is enabled, the entrance base station controller generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart through the positioning antenna or the transmitting antenna (if set) via the signal processing module.

36. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 34, characterized in that the entrance base station positioning antenna is a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetrical structure, the positioning antenna is set along the boundary line of the shopping area entrance where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out, and the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna is located on the boundary line of the prohibited shopping cart push-out; the entrance base station includes a number of signal processing modules equal to the number of directional antennas in the positioning antenna, each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, each signal processing module is connected to a controller, each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller; the controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the first communication frequency report signal received by the directional antennas on both sides of the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna to determine which boundary line the shopping cart is located on. On one side, when it is determined that the shopping cart is inside the boundary preventing the cart from being pushed out, and optionally the second communication frequency report signal transmission of the shopping cart is not activated, the controller generates a second communication frequency report signal transmission activation command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the second communication frequency report signal transmission activation command and begins to transmit report signals through the second communication frequency. When, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from inside the boundary preventing the cart from being pushed out to the outside, the controller generates a cart locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the cart locking command and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

37. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 34, characterized in that the entrance base station positioning antenna is a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical plane symmetrical structure, the entrance base station includes signal processing modules in the same number as the number of directional antennas in the positioning antenna, and the positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively set at both ends of the boundary line at the entrance of the shopping area where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out, the first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out; Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to a controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. It compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first or second positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out is located. Alternatively, it compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first and second positioning antennas respectively, and determines which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out is located based on the same comparison result. When it is determined that the shopping cart is inside the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, an option can be selected... If the second communication frequency report signal transmission of the shopping cart is not enabled (in the case where the report signal sent by the shopping cart includes information on whether the second communication frequency report signal transmission is enabled), the controller generates a second communication frequency report signal transmission enable command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the second communication frequency report signal transmission enable command and begins to send report signals through the second communication frequency. When, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary width range where the shopping cart is prohibited from being pushed out, the controller generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the lock command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

38. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 37, characterized in that the entry base station includes a main base station 0041 and an auxiliary base station 0042, the main base station includes a first positioning antenna 4011, a signal processing module 402 having the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller 4031, and optionally further includes a transmitting antenna 404, each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller; The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna 4012, a signal processing module 402 having the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller 4032. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller. The secondary base station communicates with the main base station (via wired or additionally configured communication modules and antennas); The second controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. Optionally, the second controller also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, in conjunction with the comparison result of the second controller for the second vertical plane, determines whether the shopping cart is located within the width range of the boundary line that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, based on the comparison result, determines which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, optionally, determines which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, based on the same comparison result as the second controller's comparison result for the first vertical plane. When it is determined that the shopping cart is located within the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, the first controller determines the width range of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out. Inside the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, and optionally when the second communication frequency report signal transmission of the shopping cart is not enabled (in the case where the report signal transmitted by the shopping cart includes information on whether the second communication frequency report signal transmission is enabled), the first controller generates a second communication frequency report signal transmission enable command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the second communication frequency report signal transmission enable command and begins to transmit report signals through the second communication frequency. When, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside within the width range of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, the first controller generates a cart locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

39. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 34, characterized in that the positioning antenna of the entrance base station is a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure, the entrance base station includes signal processing modules in the same number as the number of directional antennas in the positioning antenna, and the positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively set at both ends of the boundary line at the entrance of the shopping area where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out, the first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out; Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller 403. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller uses the RSSI value of the directional antenna as the magnitude of the vector and the angle of the directional antenna as the direction of the vector to generate a detection vector for the directional antenna. The controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of a positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of that positioning antenna. The controller combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary line it is on. If it is determined that the shopping cart is inside the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, optionally, the second communication frequency report of the shopping cart is activated. If signal transmission is not enabled (in cases where the report signal sent by the shopping cart includes information on whether the second communication frequency report signal transmission is enabled), the controller generates a second communication frequency report signal transmission enable command and sends it to the shopping cart via the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the second communication frequency report signal transmission enable command and begins to send report signals via the second communication frequency. When, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary width where the shopping cart is prohibited from being pushed out, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart via the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

40. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 39, characterized in that the entry base station includes a main base station 0041 and an auxiliary base station 0042, the main base station includes a first positioning antenna 4011, a signal processing module having the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, a first controller 4031, and optionally further includes a transmitting antenna, each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller; The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna 4012, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller 4032. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller. The secondary base station (optionally communicating with the primary base station via an additional communication module and antenna) is also a secondary base station. The second controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the second positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the second positioning antenna, and sends the direction of the positioning vector (an angle value between 0 and 360 degrees) to the first controller. The first controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the first positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the first positioning antenna. The first controller combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the first and second positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary line it is located. If it is determined that the shopping cart is inside the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, optionally, and the second communication frequency report signal of the shopping cart is not enabled (in the shopping cart... If the report signal sent by the shopping cart includes information on whether the second communication frequency report signal transmission is enabled, the controller generates a second communication frequency report signal transmission enable command and sends it to the shopping cart via the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the second communication frequency report signal transmission enable command and begins to send report signals via the second communication frequency. When, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary width where the shopping cart is prohibited from being pushed out, the first controller generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart via the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

41. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 31, characterized in that the cashier base station includes a signal transmitter, the signal radiation range of the signal transmitter covers the cashier channel in width, and the signal transmitter repeatedly broadcasts a second communication frequency report signal to send a shutdown command.

42. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 31, characterized in that the cashier base station is equipped with a signal transceiver and a controller, the signal transceiver receives the report signal from the shopping cart, after receiving the report signal from the shopping cart, the signal transceiver calculates the RSSI value and outputs it to the controller, the cashier base station controller determines that the RSSI value of the report signal reaches a set threshold, generates a second communication frequency report signal to send a shutdown command, and sends it to the shopping cart through the signal transceiver.

43. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 31, characterized in that the shopping cart is equipped with a coded graphic that can identify the shopping cart as a single item. When the cashier checks out, the shopping cart is scanned as a zero-priced item. The cashier base station is equipped with a controller and a signal transmitter. The cashier base station controller is connected to the printer output port of the cash register. The cashier base station controller reads the printed information output by the cash register and identifies the shopping cart ID contained in the printed information. When the cashier base station controller identifies that the printed information contains the shopping cart ID, it generates a second communication frequency report signal to send a shutdown command and sends it to the shopping cart corresponding to the ID through the signal transmitter.

44. The anti-theft system for goods and shopping carts according to claim 31, characterized in that the anti-theft base station is configured with a positioning antenna for receiving a second communication frequency report signal, a signal processing module connected to the positioning antenna, and a controller for judging and generating control commands; optionally, the base station is further configured with a transmitting antenna for sending control commands. After the positioning antenna receives the second communication frequency report signal from the shopping cart, the anti-theft base station signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the second communication frequency report signal and outputs it to the controller. The anti-theft base station controller determines whether the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance based on the RSSI value. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing the supermarket entrance, the anti-theft base station controller generates a lock command and sends it to the shopping cart through the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if set) via the signal processing module.

45. The merchandise and cartarrest system of claim 44, wherein, The anti-theft base station positioning antenna is a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetrical structure. The positioning antenna is positioned along the boundary line at the supermarket entrance prohibiting the removal of shopping carts. The symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna corresponds to the boundary line. The anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules of the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to a controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the second communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the two vertical planes of the positioning antenna... The controller uses the RSSI value of the second communication frequency report signal received by the directional antenna on the side of the shopping cart to determine which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the second communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command, and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

46. The merchandise and cartarrest system of claim 44, wherein The anti-theft base station positioning antenna is a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical plane symmetrical structure. The anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules with the same number of directional antennas as the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively set at both ends of the boundary line at the supermarket entrance where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out. Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to a controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the second communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. It also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first or second positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out is located. Alternatively, it compares the RSSI values ​​of the first positioning antennas... The RSSI values ​​of the two directional antennas on the first vertical plane of the line and the second positioning antenna are compared to determine which side of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary width range of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary width range of the boundary preventing the shopping cart from being pushed out, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

47. The merchandise and cartarrest system of claim 46, wherein The anti-theft base station for goods includes a main base station and an auxiliary base station. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller. Optionally, it also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module. Each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller. The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller. The secondary base station communicates with the main base station (via wired or additionally configured communication modules and antennas); The second controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. Optionally, the second controller also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, in conjunction with the comparison result of the second controller for the second vertical plane, determines whether the shopping cart is within the width range of the boundary line that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, based on the comparison result, determines which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, optionally, determines which side of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, based on the same comparison result as the second controller for the first vertical plane. When the shopping cart is located outside the width range of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, determines that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width range of the boundary line prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

48. The merchandise and cartarrest system of claim 44, wherein, The anti-theft base station positioning antenna is a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure. The anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules with the same number of directional antennas as the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively set at both ends of the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out. Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the second communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller uses the RSSI value of the directional antenna as the magnitude of the vector and the angle of the directional antenna as the direction of the vector to generate a detection vector of the directional antenna. The controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of a positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of that positioning antenna. The controller combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the width of the boundary that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width of the boundary that prohibits the shopping cart from being pushed out, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the second communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

49. The merchandise and cartarrest system of claim 48, wherein The anti-theft base station for goods includes a main base station and an auxiliary base station. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller. Optionally, it also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module. Each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller. The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller. The secondary base station communicates with the main base station (via wired or additionally configured communication modules and antennas); The second controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the second positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the second positioning antenna, and sends the direction of the positioning vector of the second positioning antenna to the first controller. The first controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the first positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the first positioning antenna. The first controller combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the first and second positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is within the width of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out. When the shopping cart is located outside the width of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the width of the boundary that prevents the shopping cart from being pushed out, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the second communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

50. The merchandise and shopping cart security system of claim 31, wherein, The shopping cart anti-theft base station is equipped with a positioning antenna for receiving a first communication frequency report signal, a signal processing module connected to the positioning antenna, and a controller for judging and generating control commands. Optionally, the base station is also equipped with a transmitting antenna for sending control commands. After the positioning antenna 601 receives the first communication frequency report signal from the shopping cart, the shopping cart anti-theft base station signal processing module 602 calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal and outputs it to the controller 603. The shopping cart anti-theft base station controller 603 determines whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance or boundary based on the RSSI value. When it is determined that the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance or boundary, the shopping cart anti-theft base station controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart through the positioning antenna or transmitting antenna (if set) via the signal processing module.

51. The merchandise and shopping cart security system of claim 50, wherein, The shopping cart anti-theft base station positioning antenna is a positioning antenna based on a single vertical plane symmetrical structure. The positioning antenna is set along the boundary line prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out of the parking lot or the parking lot boundary. The symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna is located on the boundary line prohibiting shopping carts from being pushed out or the parking lot boundary. The shopping cart anti-theft base station includes signal processing modules of the same number as the directional antennas in the positioning antenna. Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to a controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the two sides of the symmetrical vertical plane of the positioning antenna. The controller uses the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the directional antenna from the shopping cart to determine which side of the boundary or parking lot boundary the shopping cart is located on. When the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary or parking lot boundary, or based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from inside the boundary or parking lot boundary to the outside. The controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the first communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). The shopping cart receives and responds to the locking command, and activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

52. The merchandise and shopping cart security system of claim 50, wherein, The shopping cart anti-theft base station positioning antenna is a positioning antenna based on a dual vertical plane symmetrical structure. The shopping cart anti-theft base station includes a number of signal processing modules that are the same as the number of directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna 6011 and a second positioning antenna 6012 respectively set at both ends of the boundary line or a section of the parking lot boundary where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out at the parking lot entrance and exit. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line or parking lot boundary where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out. Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to a controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is located within the boundary line of the parking lot entrance / exit or within the width range of a section of the parking lot boundary. It compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first or second positioning antenna to determine which side of the boundary line or section of the parking lot boundary the shopping cart is located on, or compares the RSSI values ​​of the first and second positioning antennas respectively. Based on the same comparison result, the RSSI values ​​of the two directional antennas on the first vertical plane determine which side of the boundary or parking lot boundary the shopping cart is located on. When the shopping cart is located outside the boundary or parking lot boundary within the width range of the boundary, or based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary or parking lot boundary. The shopping cart anti-theft base station controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the first communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

53. The merchandise and cartarrest system of claim 52, wherein The shopping cart anti-theft base station includes a main base station 0061 and an auxiliary base station 0062. The main base station includes a first positioning antenna 6011, a signal processing module 602 with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, and a first controller 6031. Optionally, it also includes a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller. The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna 6012, a signal processing module 602 with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller 6032. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller. The secondary base station communicates with the main base station (via wired or additionally configured communication modules and antennas); The second controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. Optionally, the second controller also compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the second positioning antenna and sends the comparison result to the first controller. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the second vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, in conjunction with the comparison result of the second controller for the second vertical plane, determines whether the shopping cart is located within the boundary line of the prohibited shopping cart ejection zone or within the width range of a parking section boundary. The first controller compares the RSSI values ​​of the directional antennas on both sides of the first vertical plane of the first positioning antenna and, based on the comparison result, locates the shopping cart as being located within the boundary line of the prohibited shopping cart ejection zone. The first controller determines which side of the parking lot boundary or parking lot boundary the shopping cart is located on, or alternatively, based on a comparison result identical to that of the second controller for the first vertical plane. When the shopping cart is located outside the width of the parking lot boundary or the no-cart-out boundary, or based on positioning results at different times, it determines that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the parking lot boundary or the no-cart-out boundary. The first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the first communication frequency) through a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

54. The merchandise and cartarrest system of claim 50, wherein, The shopping cart anti-theft base station positioning antenna uses a positioning antenna based on a four-quadrant distribution structure. The positioning antenna includes multiple identical directional antennas. The directional antennas are circumferentially distributed at the same horizontal height with the intersection of two mutually perpendicular vertical planes as the central axis. The radiation direction of each directional antenna is radially outward with the central axis as the center. The vertical projection of the two vertical planes divides the horizontal plane into four quadrants, and each quadrant has at least one directional antenna. The shopping cart anti-theft base station includes a number of signal processing modules that are the same as the number of directional antennas in the positioning antenna. The positioning antenna includes a first positioning antenna and a second positioning antenna respectively set at both ends of the boundary line or a section of the parking lot boundary at the entrance and exit of the parking lot. The first vertical planes of the first positioning antenna and the second positioning antenna overlap and are located on the boundary line or the parking lot boundary where shopping carts are prohibited from being pushed out. Each directional antenna in the positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module is connected to the controller. Each signal processing module calculates the RSSI value of the first communication frequency report signal received by the connected directional antenna and outputs it to the controller. The shopping cart base station controller uses the RSSI value of the directional antenna as the magnitude of the vector and the angle of the directional antenna as the direction of the vector to generate a detection vector for the directional antenna. The controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of a positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of that positioning antenna. The controller combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the two positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is in a location where shopping cart ejection is prohibited. Within the width of the boundary line or a section of the parking lot boundary, and on which side of the boundary line or parking lot boundary prohibiting the shopping cart from being pushed out, when the shopping cart is positioned outside the boundary line or a section of the parking lot boundary where the shopping cart is prohibited from being pushed out, or, based on positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary line or a section of the parking lot boundary where the shopping cart is prohibited from being pushed out, the controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the first communication frequency) through a transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured). After receiving the locking command, the shopping cart activates the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart.

55. The merchandise and shopping cart security system of Claim 54, wherein, The shopping cart anti-theft base station includes a main base station and an auxiliary base station; the main base station includes a first positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the first positioning antenna, a first controller, and optionally a transmitting antenna. Each directional antenna of the first positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the main base station is connected to the first controller. The auxiliary base station includes a second positioning antenna, a signal processing module with the same number of directional antennas as the second positioning antenna, and a second controller. Each directional antenna of the second positioning antenna is connected to a signal processing module, and each signal processing module of the auxiliary base station is connected to the second controller. The secondary base station communicates with the main base station (via wired or additionally configured communication modules and antennas); The second controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the second positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the second positioning antenna, and sends the direction of the positioning vector of the second positioning antenna (an angle value between 0 and 360 degrees) to the first controller. The first controller adds the detection vectors of all directional antennas of the first positioning antenna to obtain the positioning vector of the first positioning antenna. The first controller combines the directions of the positioning vectors of the first and second positioning antennas to determine whether the shopping cart is located within the boundary line or a section of the parking lot boundary width that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, and on which side of the boundary line or parking lot boundary it is located. When the shopping cart is located outside the boundary line or parking lot boundary width that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, or, based on the positioning results at different times, it is determined that the shopping cart has moved from the inside to the outside of the boundary line or parking lot boundary width that prohibits shopping carts from being pushed out, the first controller generates a locking command and sends it to the shopping cart (via the first communication frequency) through the transmitting antenna (if a transmitting antenna is configured) or one of the directional antennas of the first positioning antenna (if no transmitting antenna is configured).

56. A shopping cart anti-theft system, comprising a shopping cart equipped with braking and signal transceiver functions, an entrance base station located at the entrance of a shopping area, and a shopping cart anti-theft base station located at the entrance or boundary of a parking lot; The shopping cart is configured to repeatedly send report signals during use; upon receiving a lock command, activate the braking mechanism to lock the shopping cart; and upon receiving an unlock command, activate the braking mechanism to unlock the shopping cart. The entry base station is configured to determine whether the shopping cart is moving in reverse based on the RSSI value of the report signal it receives from the shopping cart, and to issue a lock command to the shopping cart that is moving in reverse. The shopping cart anti-theft base station is configured to: determine whether the shopping cart is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary based on the RSSI value of the report signal sent by the shopping cart through the first communication frequency, and issue a locking command to the shopping cart that is passing through the parking lot entrance / exit or boundary.

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