Security Tag Detachment Authorization via POS Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems lack authorization for secure detachment or deactivation of security tags by customers using mobile shopping apps or self-checkout solutions, leading to inefficiencies and potential theft through practices like 'sweethearting', where unauthorized removal of tags from unsold items can occur without verification.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where product codes from purchased items are communicated to a remote authorization system to generate an authorization code, allowing only authorized detachment or deactivation of security tags attached to identified purchased articles, using technologies like UPC, EPC, RFID, and NFC for secure and verified tag removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a detaching unit is used to remove security tags from articles, then the security tag can be removed from the article, but unauthorized removal (theft) can occur without detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by requiring verification of purchase status before allowing tag detachment. The detaching unit communicates with the system to receive confirmation that the article has been properly purchased and scanned, creating a feedback loop that prevents unauthorized removal while allowing legitimate tag detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary authorization mechanism between the detaching unit and the security tag. Before detachment can occur, the system acts as an intermediary to verify purchase status and provide authorization, preventing direct unauthorized access between the detaching unit and security tag.
2Reliability
If manual verification of each article is required before tag detachment, then theft can be prevented, but processing time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing customers to autonomously detach security tags after purchase without requiring manual verification by cashiers. The automated verification system checks purchase status and authorizes tag detachment independently, eliminating the need for human intervention in each verification step while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical verification processes with automated electronic verification. Instead of cashiers manually checking each article, the system uses electronic communication between the detaching unit, POS system, and security tag to automatically verify purchase status and authorize detachment, significantly improving processing speed.
3Ease of operation
If traditional EAS security tags are used without authorization verification, then tag detachment is simple, but sweethearting and collusion enable theft
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of purchase status before allowing tag detachment. By checking whether the article has been properly scanned and purchased before authorization is granted, the system prevents sweethearting and collusion from enabling theft, while maintaining simple operation for legitimate customers.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems (100) and methods (200) for security tag detachment or deactivation authorization. The methods involve: communicating at least one first product code for each article of a plurality of purchased articles from a Point-Of-Sale (“POS”) to a remote authorization system; generating by the remote authorization system an authorization code to facilitate authorization of detachment or deactivation of security tags attached only to said plurality of purchased articles, in response to the first product code; using the authorization code to obtain a list of articles identifying first articles of the plurality of purchased articles which have security tags attached thereto; and authorizing the detachment or deactivation of only the security tags that are attached to the articles identified in the list of articles.