BE902844A

System for security processing of retailed articles

Abstract

A system for processing items bearing distinct identification codes includes: (a) a code reader for producing an output signal indicative of that code, (b) a conveyor, (c) a sentry for defining an entry of a safety zone, (d) a sensor for detecting a measurable characteristic of an article and producing an output signal indicative of that characteristic, and (e) a controller for selectively moving the conveyor.

BE902844A, drawing sheet 1 — Sheet 1 of 15

Term

Term ended

Expired 9 July 2005, 21.2 years ago.

12 claims: 2 independent, 10 dependent

1
CLAIMS REVENDICATIONS 1.- System for processing items selected for purchase and bearing distinct identification codes, comprising:1.- Système pour traiter des articles sélectionnés pour l'achat et portant des codes d'identification distincts, comprenant : (a) a code reader device for producing an output signal indicative of such article identification code, (b) a conveyor device for receiving and transporting such article, (c) a sentry device for defining an entrance to a safety zone extending along part of the conveyor device, (d) a sensing device for sensing a measurable characteristic of such article and for producing an output signal indicative of that article characteristic, and (e) a control device for selective movement of the conveyor device respectively in the sense of acceptance and rejection of the articles, the control device being able to intervene, (a) un dispositif lecteur de code pour produire un signal de sortie indicatif de ce code d'identification d'articles, (b) un dispositif transporteur pour recevoir et transporter un tel article, (c) un dispositif à sentinelle pour définir une entrée à une zone de sécurité s'étendant le long d'une partie du dispositif transporteur, (d) un dispositif détecteur pour détecter une caractéristique mesurable d'un tel article et pour produire un signal de sortie indicatif de cette caractéristique d'article, et (e) un dispositif de commande en vue d'un déplacement sélectif du dispositif transporteur respectivement dans des sens d'acceptation et de rejet des articles, le dispositif de commande pouvant intervenir, 1. for storing, for each of several such articles, a signal indicative of a predetermined value of the characteristic of the article in correlation with this article identification code, 1. pour stocker, pour chacun de plusieurs articles de ce genre, un signal indicatif d'une valeur prédéterminée de la caractéristique de l'article en corrélation avec ce code d'identification d'articles, II. pour réagir au signal de sortie du dispositif lecteur de code en vue de comparer ce signal stocké au signal de sortie du dispositif détecteur, et II. to react to the output signal of the code reader device in order to compare this stored signal with the output signal of the detector device, and III. pour faire fonctionner le dispositif transporteur sélectivement en réaction aux résultats de cette comparaison. III. to operate the conveyor device selectively in response to the results of this comparison.
11
at least one of the following operations is carried out:11. on réalise au moins une des opérations suivantes : A. on discerne à nouveau ce code d'identification pour l'article, et A. this identification code is discerned again for the article, and B. on examine l'article par la technique EAS, et B. the article is examined by the EAS technique, and C. We reject the item from this safe area and return it to the buyer when C. on rejette l'article de cette zone de sécurité et on le renvoie à l'acheteur lorsque I. il y a absence de correspondance entre cette caractéristique mesurée de l'article et une valeur prédéterminée et stockée de cette caractéristique, ou I. there is no correspondence between this measured characteristic of the article and a predetermined and stored value of this characteristic, or II. at least one of the following conditions is present II. au moins une des conditions suivantes est présente A. absence de correspondance de ce second code d'identification discerné pour l'article avec le premier code d'identification discerné pour cet article, et A. no match of that second discerned identification code for the item with the first discerned identification code for that item, and B. le fait que cet article ne réussit pas 1’examen EAS. B. the fact that this article does not pass the EAS test. 11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the characteristic of the article is its shape, step (b) I being practiced during the introduction of the article into its security zone. 11.- Système suivant la revendication 10, dans lequel la caractéristique de l'article est sa forme, le pas (b) I étant mis en pratique au cours de l'introduction de l'article dans sa zone de sécurité. GM.YD.4 GM.YD.4 C4-059 C4-059

Independent claims2

608 paragraphs in 83 sections, as filed

DESCRIPTION MEMORY

FILED IN SUPPORT OF APPLICATION

OF

PATENT

FORMED BY

CHECKROBOT INC.

for

Security system for processing retail items.

United States Patent Applications No. 628913 dated July 9, 1984 and No. 742757 dated June 12, 1985 in favor of DR HUMBLE, DL GENTZLER and SJ TILIDETZKE.

The present invention relates generally to security systems and methods for processing retail items and more particularly relates to systems and methods for

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protect against customer fraud the unattended checkout of items purchased in supermarkets and similar establishments.

A known type of system for clocking in items in supermarkets without the aid of an attendant is described in Otis U.S. Patent No. 2,919,851 issued January 5, 1960. In one aspect of the Otis system intended to provide some protection against customer fraud, a separate machine-readable code is assigned to each item, together with a machine-readable indication of the weight of a such item within a given tolerance range. The code and weight indication are read for items selected for purchase and the weights are totaled with a certain tolerance. The customer must place the shopping bag containing all selected items in a restricted access area which is equipped with a scale providing an electrical signal representing the measured weight. If the signal representing the measured weight matches the total weight obtained from the weight codes and indications that can be read by a machine, the Otis system does not reject the transaction. However, if the required match is not made, the Otis system prompts the customer to consult the store manager who then inspects the details of the transaction. Another aspect of the Otis system is that it provides a machine-readable price indication for each item, as well as a printed record of transaction details with price tabulation.

A second known type of system is described in U.S. Patents Abt No. 3,681,570 and Strohschneider No. 3,681,571, both of which have been assigned to Zellweger Ltd and which have been

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9 4 9 9 9 9 4949 9994

4 9 4 9 4 9 4

44 9494 99 4 4 granted on August 1, 1972. This system '570/571 is essentially of the Otis type, that is to say that a transaction is accepted or rejected on the basis of a comparison of a characteristic measured articles with a value preassigned to these articles, in correlation with an identification code of the articles. In the '570/571 system, items are examined item by item and accepted items are transported by a carrier to a security container which is inaccessible to the customer until after payment, i.e. there is no no human intervention, eg, bagging of individual accepted items, until all selected items have been found acceptable and paid for. Items that are rejected in the '570/571 system are transported to a second (reject) carrier and returned to the customer.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved system and method for the unattended retailing of consumer items.

The invention has for its more particular object to provide several bases for the rejection of articles fraudulently sought by customers in such retail operations carried out without the assistance of an attendant.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved system and method for implementing an information store useful in the operation of an unattended merchandise merchandising system.

To effectively accomplish these and other objects, the invention provides a system for processing items selected for purchase and bearing distinct identification codes, the

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Orth ·

999 · • * · ·

9 A system comprising: (a) a code reader for producing an output signal indicative of such article identification code; (b) a carrier to receive and transport such items; (c) an entry sentry for defining an entry to a security zone which extends along a portion of the conveyor and for producing an exit signal indicating entry of the article into the security zone , and (d) a control device for effecting the selective movement of the conveyor in the direction of acceptance or in the direction of rejection of an article. The control device can be implemented according to various modes, in particular for the recording, for each of several articles, of a signal indicative of a predetermined value of the measurable characteristic of the article in correlation with the code of identification of this article, for reacting to the output signal of the code reader for comparing this recorded signal to the output signal of the sentry and for operating the carrier selectively in response to the results of this comparison.

In a first version of the system, the sentinel may include a light curtain which provides an output signal indicative of the shape of the article and further produces the input indicative signal. The recording mode of the control device comprises, in this case, a compilation of the shape of the article in correlation with its UPC code.

The first version of the system may further comprise an additional code reader in the security zone to produce an output signal indicative of such a code, the control device being able to intervene to also compare the output signal of the first reader of code to the output signal of the additional code reader and to make funGM.YD.4

C4-059 *9 * « ·· «»·· t» «ί « · « « » 9 · C • · 9 · « 9* · · 9 » ··» 9 » » 9 · 9999 ί«·» ' » · 9 <* 9 9 9 ·'· 99 3999 9* 9 * select carrier in response to this other comparison.

Another variant of the first version of the system comprises an EAS detector device for determining whether or not an article located in the security zone carries an EAS tag, the control device being able to store, for each article among a large number of such articles, an indication of whether or not such item should be provided with an EAS tag and to operate the conveyor selectively in response to such stored indication and determination.

In yet another variant of the first version of the system, the control device may itself compile a memory, for each item among a large number of such items, in order to detect a signal indicative of a predetermined value of the characteristic of the article correlating with the article identification code, by processing the output signals from the code reader and the sentry.

In a second version of the system, it is possible to omit the measurement of shape comparison of the articles of the first version of the system and to substitute the use of the variant mentioned first, namely the additional code reader and the comparison of the codes. read outside and inside the security zone.

In a third version of the system, it is possible to substitute for the shape comparison of the articles of the first version, the use of the EAS detector device and the associated measurements described above.

Weight measurements and comparison measurements can be used with all versions of the system.

A fourth version of the system includes the

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99 9 9 9 "·······" · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ······· stored article, with the intervention of the control device itself, by processing the output signals of an article characteristic detector and of the code reader.

A composite version of the system can include all the particularities mentioned above of the various versions.

The various permutations and combinations of separable features of the invention and methods of carrying them out will become apparent from the detailed description of certain preferred embodiments and from the drawings, in which like parts bear the same reference numerals and wherein the Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a typical check-in area of a supermarket according to the invention, seen from the customers' exit point;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the scoring sections or counters used in the embodiment of FIG. 1, view from customer entry point;

Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the cashier station forming part of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the elements of the system in the form of a combination of a block diagram and a flowchart of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1, but showing a variant of the invention, in which duplicate paths are associated with a single pointing device;

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C4-059 Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the counters of the embodiment of FIG. 5, seen from its inlet end;

Fig. 7 is a block diagram formed of the interconnected elements to form a composite system according to the invention;

Fig. 8 is a block diagram of an input light curtain subsystem according to the invention;

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of a mobile UPC code reader that can be used to practice the invention, and Figs. 10 to 16 are flow charts of operations in various versions of systems according to the invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, a check-in area in a supermarket comprises counters and intermediate passages. Each counter 20 includes a UPC laser code reader 10, a display screen 11 for interactive communication with the customer, an infeed or entry conveyor 12, an evacuation or exit conveyor 13, an area bagging station 14, a tunnel or security zone 15, a receipt dispenser 16 (Fig. 2), doors 17 controlling passage and a help request lamp 18.

For each group of check-in counters, a single cashier 21 may be provided having a main monitor screen 22, a keyboard 23 with a cash drawer 24, a final sale receipt printer 25 and a display 26 viewable by the customer (Fig. 3).

To use a checkout counter 20, a customer approaches this counter with the items he has chosen to purchase, which items are usually transported to this location in a shopping cart.

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C4-059 • ·· · ····························································································· · classic shopping. If the counter is available, the display screen 11 displays messages as indicated in Table I below.

TABLE I

Hello. This display device is a touch sensitive device. Simply touch the screen to the right of the desired message to make your choice.

1. I am ready to begin the analysis.

(Touch).

2. I would like to review the manual before starting. (Touch).

3. Help 1 I would like some help.

(Touch).

As specified in the introductory message, display screen 11 is a touch screen which is activated by a human finger touching any one of several predetermined locations. For this particular example, three such slots are provided. If a finger is placed on one of the locations, this is equivalent to activating a switch or pressing a push-button or the equivalent and the affirmative answer to the question displayed on the screen 11 is transmitted to the system. For this initial discussion of system usage, it is assumed that the customer is experienced and touches the location adjacent to message 1 in Table I.

The customer then passes each article, one by one, the UPC code facing downwards, over the reader 10 and deposits the article on the entry conveyor 12. The prices and identifications of the articles can now appear on the screen

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<td></td><td>• yy aaa · • at aa</td><td>• a aa aaaa a aaa aaaa aaaa aaaaaa aaaa aa</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>display</td><td> 11,</td><td>while the</td><td>items</td><td>are trans-</td>

<td>carried by</td><td>the</td><td>carriers to</td><td>through</td><td>the area of</td>

<td>security 15</td><td colspan="2">out of reach of</td><td colspan="2">customer to the area</td>

<td>bagging</td><td> 14.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">When</td><td>all items</td><td>have been</td><td>analyzed by</td>

<td>the reader</td><td colspan="2">10 and were placed</td><td>on the</td><td>transporter</td>

12, the customer can again communicate with a different display on the screen 11 to initiate the presentation of a printed receipt provided by the receipt dispenser 16. The customer now takes the receipt and the shopping trolley, walks through the order gates 17 towards the bagging area 14 to bag the items, places the loaded bags in the shopping trolley, then proceeds to the cashier 21. Each counter has a separate identifier, i.e. a number, letter, combination or the like, by which it can be identified by the cashier. This identifier appears on the printed receipt provided to the cashier and also appears on the main monitor screen along with the subtotal corresponding to that printed by the receipt dispenser 16 and stored by the system.

By means of the keypad 23, the cashier can credit the account for any vouchers presented to her and can add items which could not be processed automatically by the counter 20, for example oversized items or unlabeled items. UPC. As the cashier makes entries through the keypad 23, visual confirmation is provided to the customer by the display device 26. A final receipt is printed and provided by printer 25 and payment is made in the conventional manner.

For a self-service operated system without the assistance of an attendant to be effective, it must comGM.YD.4

C4-059 • G • 4 • 4 • * 4 4 4 Q 4 4 4 fj '4 4 4 take various protections to account for possible customer errors and provide protection against attempts to either thwart the system or defraud it. Various such measures are included in systems according to the invention and will be described below.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, each counter 20 has an entrance sentry 33 in the form of an electronic curtain at the entrance to its security zone 15. The curtain is established by a row 31 of light-emitting diodes LEDs or other light sources mounted along one side of the security zone 15 and cooperating with a corresponding row 22 of photoelectric cells, photosensitive diodes or components. analogs mounted along the opposite side of the security zone 15.

An output sentinel 34 in the form of a second electronic curtain formed of a series of light-emitting diodes 35 and a series of photoelectric cells or photosensitive diodes 36 is arranged at the junction between the input conveyor 12 and the exit transporter 13, mounted in the security zone in the same way as the sentry 33. While the sentry curtains 33 and 34 are oriented vertically in the security zone, another curtain 37 may be disposed horizontally in the bagging zone 14, its row of LEDs 38 being disposed to one side and its row of photosensitive diodes 39 being arranged on the opposite side. Additionally, a light beam device comprising a light source 40 and a detector 41 may be provided as the detector beam 42 at the intersection between the exit conveyor 13 and the bagging area 14.

The various elements of FIG. 1 are illustratedGM.YD.4

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*0 «0 9* ·0 4 < 40 04 44 '44

4 4V 4 0 4

044 0 0 4 4 “·”♦♦ • 400 00 4 4 “0 C · ··”” 00 W * very schematically in FIG. 4. Below each input conveyor 12 is a sensitive scale 43 which responds to any change in the weight of the conveyor produced by articles placed on or removed from that conveyor. The scale 43 may be of conventional construction, capable of producing an analog electronic output signal which is applied to a processor 44 connected via suitable circuitry (not shown) to a central computer for the establishment which contains in its memory all stock inventory by product identification, weight and price. Another link (not shown) couples the processor 44 to the cashier's main monitor 22 and to her keyboard 23 to provide therein the subtotal information mentioned above. The central computer for the establishment may be similar to those presently used with scale, cash register and laser detector clocking stations operated by cashiers.

As further shown in FIG. 4, the laser 10 is electrically connected to the processor 44 which is connected to and controls the conveyors 12 and 13, these two conveyors being designed to be able to operate in forward and reverse direction. Likewise, each of the electronic screens or beam detectors 33, 34, 37 and 42 is connected to the processor 44. A possible monitoring system 45 is connected to the gate 17 that the customer crosses when he goes to the cash register 46, then to the exit. Cash register 46 includes elements 23 to 26, as shown in FIG. 3.

Surveillance system 45, if used, may be constructed as described in Humble et al.'s U.S. Patent No. 4,394,645 for Electrical Surveillance Apparatus.

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C4-059 •··ft································································· with Moveable ANTENNA Elements the Applicant. As described in the Humble et al. patent, suitable antenna coils are concealed within swing gates, in this case gates 17, and responsive to magnetically permeable tags which are attached to the various articles. The system does not react to tags passing through the gates through the tunnels 15, but sounds an alarm or activates an indicator if any item bearing such a tag is routed through the gates either in the shopping trolley or on the customer himself. Adequate sensing element must obviously be attached to each item of the establishment that is to be kept under surveillance.

If, for some reason, when a customer scans items with the laser and places them on the conveyor 12, a faulty reading is obtained or the device, through its scale, detects a difference, the conveyor 12 ceases to operate and the messages shown in FIG. 10 appear on the display screen 11. the customer will comply with the instructions or, if he needs help, he will touch the location 47 of the screen to turn on the signal lamp 18 in order to alert an appropriate attendant.

The laser 10 has two LEDs 48 and 49 which are associated with its operation and one of which, for example the LED 48, is green, while the other, 49, is red. As mentioned above, when the customer approaches an available counter 20, he or she is greeted by the messages of FIG. 7 on the display screens 11. After having touched the location 27 on the screen, the customer begins to analyze the articles by passing over the laser 10. If the analysis is efGM.YD.4

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properly, that is to say if the laser has read the UPC label, the green light 48 lights up to notify the customer that the item can be placed on the conveyor 12. If the analysis is deficient, the red light 49 is on. Of course, the indicators 48 and 49 on the counter could be replaced by appropriate signals on the display screen 11 or associated with it.

Upon satisfactory analysis of an item, its description and price are displayed on screen 11 in the format of Table II.

TABLE II

<td>Item</td><td>Price</td>

<td>mamat rice</td><td> 0.55</td>

<td>Product Garl</td><td> 0.41</td>

<td>green bean</td><td> 0.34</td>

<td>Subtotal</td><td> $20.00</td>

<td>If you are done</td><td>analysis of your</td>

groceries (tap), otherwise, continue the analysis.

At the same time, processor 44 receives information from the central computer (not shown) regarding the normal weight of the item just scanned. This weight is compared to that determined by scale 43 and if there is an adequate correlation, conveyors 12 and 13 transport the item to bagging area 14. If there is a difference, the system returns the item to the customer to repeat the scan operation.

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C4-059 en frfr en fr ······································································································································

As each item is scanned and processed, the customer receipt is printed. Any deviation from the processing program, intentional or accidental, causes the system to stop and warns the customer that an error has been made and that the article must be reanalyzed. At the end of the analysis of the articles, the customer touches the location indicated on the display of table II and this action causes the printing of the subtotal on the receipt and the delivery of the receipt by the distributor 16 to the customer. The customer then goes to the cashier 21, as described above, the receipt from the distributor 16 constituting a means of establishing, at the same time as the final receipt from the cashier, the fact that the customer is entitled to remove the items presented from the supermarket, that is to say from the distribution area.

Any suitable number of check-in counters 20, also referred to as check-in stations, may be coupled to a single cash register 46 as illustrated schematically in FIG. 4.

With the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the laser 10 and the display screen 11 of a given counter 20, are made inactive and unavailable for a following customer as long as the bagging zone 14 of this counter is occupied by articles belonging to a previous customer. This arrangement therefore does not make it possible to make maximum use of the expensive laser detectors and the display screens. However, a considerable increase in efficiency is achieved by the modified structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In this case, two sets of conveyors, tunnels and bagging zones are served by a single laser and a single display screen. Where elements identical to those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 appear in Figs. 5 and 6, they are designated by the same numbers

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C4-059 • 9 99 9999 9 9 9 9 9 9 99 99 “reference or, to indicate the second copy, by the reference number affected by a prime index. For convenience, the double or duplex counter is generally designated by the reference numeral 50. Although not specifically illustrated, it will be understood that a separate scale 43 is disposed below each of the conveyors 12 and 12' in Figs. 5 and 6. A single processor 44 can, however, service both carriers as well as the common laser and screen.

As shown in Fig. 5, the customer scans the items while standing on either side of the laser 10. For this reason, it may be desirable to double the lights 48 and 49 at 48' and 49' in the way clearly indicated in Fig. 6. The display screen 11 is also preferably pivoted so that it can be turned by the customer so that the screen and the customer are positioned opposite each other.

The embodiment of Figs. 5 and 6 has another difference. Indeed, as shown in Fig. 5, a customer can bag items from, for example, bagging area 14', while a second customer uses the common laser 10, but supplies items to the other conveyor device formed by conveyors 12 and 13 . To direct the customer, an additional message is incorporated into the initial display for the screen 11, this message prompting the customer to use the available side of the counter. This directive is only issued as a courtesy, as the conveyor 12' remains idle and the conveyor 12 starts as soon as the first item is detected if the bagging area 14' is to be protected from mixing with items from a next customer. Obviously, when the bagging zone 14 is

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« 4 • 4 4 • · · · ··· 4 · • 4 ·

4444

4 • 4 4 4 • 444« 4 4

4 »

•4944 busy, the operation is transferred to conveyor 12', while conveyor 12 is kept idle.

To better understand how the system works, refer to the following STATUS TABLE. In this table, note that the first curtain is either curtain 33 or curtain 33', while the second curtain is either curtain 34 or curtain 34'. Each state appears on a different line designated by one or two letters of the alphabet. The state description is presented only in abbreviated form and will only be understood when read as part of a progression through the states of the device.

Line A represents the initial state. The two conveyors 12 and 13 are at rest or stationary. The scanning device 10 is energized and ready to read the UPC code tag of any item passed over it. Balance 43 is at rest and the initial display of table I is on screen 11.

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C4-059 *9 * Q B » B S

B» · » · A « · « « · 4 »·*·»*

4 · · * · 4 é ··«« -» ·· * · · 4 4« · 9 «i ···«»·«* «

STATUS TABLE

<td rowspan="10">ENTRY REQUIREMENTS</td><td colspan="2">Arti- key print me</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Entrance Effleu- lately</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Excess of time</td><td></td><td>O</td><td>b</td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">Weight</td><td>Inva- idea</td><td></td><td>υ</td><td></td><td>oh</td>

<td rowspan="2">Second curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">First curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td></td><td>FF</td><td>lt</td>

<td colspan="2">Ana- lysis</td><td> «</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="3">RESULT STATUS</td><td>A. INITIAL STATE ... Carriers stopped, analyzer on, scale off, display BONJOUR! (Fig.7)</td><td>B. 1 ARTICLE ANALYSIS ... Carriers forward, analyzer off, scale on, delay 5 seconds allocated</td><td>C. ILLEGAL OPERATION...Entry in- poured, output no change, analyzer off, scale off, remove item, 5 second delay, display REMOVE (Fig. 10)</td><td>D. 1 ARTICLE, FIRST CURTAIN CUT, NO WEIGHT... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td>

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STATUS TABLE (continued)

<td rowspan="10">ENTRY REQUIREMENTS</td><td colspan="2">Arti- key print me</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Entrance Effleu- lately</td><td></td><td></td><td>w ω</td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Excess of time</td><td></td><td>IF AR- TITLE PRINT ME, G, ELSE AT</td><td></td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">Weight</td><td>Inva- idea</td><td>υ</td><td></td><td></td><td>O</td>

<td rowspan="2">Second curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">First curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>J</td>

<td colspan="2">Ana- lysis</td><td> •3</td><td>QC</td><td>QC</td><td></td>

<td colspan="3">RESULT STATUS</td><td>E. 1 ITEM, VALID WEIGHT... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer on, balance on</td><td>F. IT IS ASSUMED THAT THE ARTICLE IS REMOVE ... Stop input, exit forward, analyzer on, scale off, 5 second delay, display REMOVE'' (Fig. 10)</td><td>G COMPLETION INQUIRY ... Stop input, exit forward, analyzer on, scale off, display COMPLETE (Fig. 8)</td><td>H. 1 ARTICLE, IN 1ST CURTAIN, WEIGHT VALID ... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer on, scale on</td>

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STATUS TABLE (continued)

<td rowspan="10">ENTRY REQUIREMENTS</td><td colspan="2">Arti- key print me</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Entrance Flowering effect</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Excess of time</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">Weight</td><td>Inva- idea</td><td>oh</td><td>oh</td><td>a</td><td>oh</td><td>CJ</td>

<td rowspan="2">Second curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">First curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Ana- lysis</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Z</td><td></td>

<td colspan="3">RESULT STATUS</td><td>I. 1 ARTICLE, BEYOND 1ST CURTAIN, NO WEIGHT... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td><td>J. 2 ARTICLES, FRONT 1ST CURTAIN, STEP WEIGHT ... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td><td>K. 2 ARTICLES, 1 IN 1ST CURTAIN, NO OF WEIGHT ... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer on, scale on</td><td>L. 1 ARTICLE, BEYOND 1ST CURTAIN, WEIGHT VALID ... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer on, scale on</td><td>M. 2 ARTICLES, IN FRONT OF 1ST CURTAIN, VALID WEIGHT ... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td>

GM.YD.4

C4-059

Ó (, · to to Ô to · · to* · « · * · · · · · · to μ « ··· «to * · · ···« ««to· »·・・*“・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

STATUS TABLE (continued)

<td></td><td colspan="2">Arti- key print me</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td></td><td colspan="2">Entrance Ef flower- lately</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td rowspan="8">ENTRY REQUIREMENTS</td><td colspan="2">Excess of time</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">Weight</td><td>Inva- idea</td><td>υ</td><td>υ</td><td>in</td><td>υ</td>

<td>Vali- of</td><td>where</td><td></td><td></td><td>s</td>

<td rowspan="2">Second curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td></td><td>DD</td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">First curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td> &</td><td></td><td>H</td>

<td colspan="2">Ana- lysis</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td></td><td colspan="2">RESULT STATUS</td><td>N. 2 ARTICLES, 1 BEYOND THE 1ST RI- WATER, NO WEIGHT.... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td><td>0. 2 ITEMS, 1 IN 1ST CURTAIN, VALID WEIGHT ... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td><td>P. 1 ITEM, VALID WEIGHT, IN 2ND CURTAIN ... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale off</td><td>Q. 2 ITEMS, 1 IN AND 1 BEYOND 1ST CURTAIN, NO WEIGHT... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td>

GM. YD.4

C4-059

4« t-4 9 Z <

9 9 en * F ·· • ·· · · ·· C »

999 9 9 9 · * »»t*

Z 9 9 O en 9 * V »< * «» « «

STATUS TABLE (continued)

<td rowspan="10">ENTRY REQUIREMENTS</td><td colspan="2">Arti- key print me</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Entrance Effleu- lately</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Excess of time</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">Weight</td><td>Inva- idea</td><td>oh</td><td></td><td>oh</td><td>υ</td>

<td rowspan="2">Second curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">First curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>x</td>

<td colspan="2">Ana- lysis</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="3">RESULT STATUS</td><td>R. 2 ARTICLES, 1 BEFORE AND 1 BEYOND FROM THE 1ST CURTAIN, VALID WEIGHT ... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td><td>S. PASS ARTICLE IN SECOND CURTAIN, INVALID WEIGHT OR 1ST CURTAIN CUT... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale off</td><td>T. 2 ARTICLES, BOTH BEYOND THE 1ST CURTAIN, NO WEIGHT... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td><td>U. 2 ITEMS, 1 IN AND 1 BEYOND 1ST CURTAIN, VALID WEIGHT... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td>

GM.YD.4

C4-059 " " • " · · · · * ♦ · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

STATUS TABLE (continued)

<td rowspan="10">ENTRY REQUIREMENTS</td><td colspan="2">Arti- key print me</td><td></td><td>υ</td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Entrance Effleu- lately</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Excess of time</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">Weight</td><td>Inva- idea</td><td>ω</td><td></td><td>a</td><td>in</td>

<td rowspan="2">Second curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td>Cs3</td><td></td><td></td><td>BB</td>

<td rowspan="2">First curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>AA</td>

<td colspan="2">Ana- lysis</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="3">RESULT STATUS</td><td>V. 2 ARTICLES, 1 IN FRONT OF 1ST AND 1 IN 2ND CURTAIN, VALID WEIGHT... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td><td>W. 1 ARTICLE BEYOND THE 2ND CURTAIN, INVALID WEIGHT OR 1ST CURTAIN CUT... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale off, item print</td><td>X. 2 ARTICLES, BOTH BEYOND THE 1ST CURTAIN, VALID WEIGHT... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td><td>Y. 2 ITEMS, 1 IN EACH CURTAIN VALID WEIGHT ... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td>

GM.YD.4

C4-059 • ·· ···············································

STATUS TABLE (continued)

<td rowspan="10">ENTRY REQUIREMENTS</td><td colspan="2">Arti- key print me</td><td> 03</td><td></td><td>oh</td>

<td colspan="2">Entrance Effleu- lately</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Excess of time</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">Weight</td><td>Inva- idea</td><td></td><td>in</td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">Second curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td>CC</td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">1- First 1 curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td></td><td>Ana- lysis</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td colspan="3">RESULT STATUS</td><td>Z. 1 ARTICLE BEYOND THE 2ND AND 1 ARTICLE IN FRONT OF THE FIRST CURTAIN, NO WEIGHT ... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on, print item</td><td>YY. 2 ARTICLES, 1 BEYOND THE 1ST, AND 1 IN THE 2ND CURTAIN, WEIGHT VALID ... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on</td><td>BB. 1 ARTICLE IN THE 1ST AND ONE ARTICLE BEYOND THE 2ND CURTAIN, NOT OF WEIGHT ... Entry forward, exit forward, analyzer off, scale on print item</td>

GM.YD.4

C4-059 • · · · ·········································································································

P5O6

Wω

Q g

ο ce •3 •H

O

CL

STATUS TABLE (continued)

Χφ X OS 'S.

O υ

p 3 •S «

Έa)

S

LLCLw

JJ II ΚΦ X > Ot '&

O

U

I 0) cO this AC < Ή

QC

H

Z <

feet

J

S (Λ ë

φ “fu

4-»

P

CO

VS

O

P co co φ

p o-

<td>Φ</td><td>oh</td><td> ·.</td><td></td><td>drank</td>

<td> •</td><td>P</td><td></td><td>P</td><td>drank</td>

ID

GM.YD.4

C4-059*

• ••a »······· ♦ · μ υυ Ο- 8 ε φ

»φ b

Gω

I

Φ *—1 Μ-Ι UI W m

/φ ο

Xω

ο.

εφ

I (—I co

ΗΙ Ο &

ζ g«

Γ Μ d co

Η co ί”

Μ Ο Pi

Cu » £ Μ hi £ ζ

ο ζ <

ΗΙ

CO

Α) c ri η

V •b ο

COULD

STATUS TABLE (continued)

TS §

Ο Φ U 13 φ -b CO b

Pb.g

Φ3PbCuΜ

Η ζ

Η rJ

Ζ co

S

Η ί

W \φ a αύ 'S.

§υ

I (0 b

βί'S.

I Φ Φ 03 G < Ή

I Φ Ö \Φ co b Φ § G 33 -b

CO Φ W 'Φ 03 b Pu b < CW b O 3 -b Φ b 03 UC

£73 c

CO CO $-4 b ê g φ φ ε u

Φ 3 bO Φ C

Φ bo ce u

•b <b

<td>S</td><td>at</td><td>Ό</td><td>oh</td><td>CO</td><td>drank</td>

drank

<td>oh</td><td> 3</td><td>VS</td><td>O</td><td>Could</td>

W Pi :=>

Could 33

O _ Ο \φ 03 co b W Φ > c pi lb φ iJ %Q3 C« b < b HCWW Pi •

< b3

Q U3 HI hJ Pi < O ww £ aw -J CM lb

I b

CO

Φb

VS

Φ >

Ο /Φ φ yu ί—ί 03 3 >. C0 Φ »bb ce o » ga co ce φ Φ 13 «uc φ co \φ ce u 03 —I Φ b co co Φ 43 > CM C •b C Φ O 13 Φ fl •bb -bb U « b C ib Ο Ο \Φ 03 MU Ό

Φ bo ce

O uu ce eo o Φ -u rH

O •H ho 4J -HP tx< CO s_z

GM.YD.4

C4-059 • ·· ·· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · z

H

M

STATUS TABLE (continued)

<td colspan="2">Arti- key print me</td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Entrance Effleu- lately</td><td></td>

<td colspan="2">Excess of time</td><td></td>

<td rowspan="2">Weight</td><td>Inva- idea</td><td>υ</td>

<td rowspan="2">Second curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td>you se æ you CE CS</td>

<td rowspan="2">First curtain</td><td>Reta- bliss</td><td>you ></td>

<td></td><td>Ana- lysis</td><td></td>

H

Z <

you co ë

H <

you

CD

X you

CO cd te z

ΚΦ co te OR ex

ΰ Φ < \φ Cd MQ te te C ai cd CN

CJ z > c

Cd Cd O

VS

U c

CO te te ►o te

GM.YD.4

C4-059 • EN »· · ·" EN ····· ···· 9 9 9 99 * 999999

9 9 9 · 9 9 9 enfr «fr ···· 99 · ·

Various actions taken by either the device or the client are listed under ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. Only those in which a letter appears in the corresponding rectangle below the heading are valid entries for the report on that line. Thus, for the initial state, an analysis can be carried out or an illegal cut or interruption of the curtain 33 can occur. Such a curtain cut could occur if the customer tries to place an object downstream on the carriers without having the UPC code tag scanned. Therefore, on line A, under First Curtain Cut appears the letter C indicating a change to the state of line C which is labeled Illegal Operation.

If one follows an initially illegal operation, it should be noted that an illegal operation state is accompanied by a reversal of the direction of the input conveyor 12. This reversal is qualified in short as Reverse input in the table of states. Simultaneously, the operation of the exit conveyor 13 remains unchanged. Under these conditions, since it never started to function, it is stationary. Analyzer 10 is off, scale 43 is off and screen 11 displays the message Remove Item from Table III.

TABLE III

Please remove the last item from the conveyor belt.

It was not scanned and/or recorded properly and needs to be rescanned.

GM.YD.4

C4-059 k* te» 99 ·► · · · · « 9 · fc » » · · • a· · ···»··* • ••te · · · · ···· te··· · •«te ·· · · te» ·· ·»·*te» te ·

In addition, the count of a 5-second delay starts. If no action occurs within 5 seconds, the system enters line state F, in which conveyor 12 is stopped, which is indicated by Stopping input, conveyor 13 is running forward ( forward output), the analyzer 10 is on, while the balance 43 is off, the display of FIG. 10 stays on screen 11 and another 5 seconds delay is counted. If nothing happens within the next 5 seconds, since this was an initial state change before any items were processed or printed, the system returns to state A, state initial.

Using the principles implicit in the procedure just described, it is possible to follow any sequence of events in the state table. For the purposes of a fuller explanation, a series of legitimate operations will be considered.

Assume that a customer approaches, as before, while the system is in state A, and scans the first item which he then places on conveyor 12. In FIG. 4, this operation is represented by the movement of the article from position A to position B on the conveyor 12 in front of the curtain 33. The status table shows, row B, that 1 item has been scanned, both conveyors are moving forward, the scanner is now off, but

<td>the balance</td><td>East</td><td>active</td><td>and</td><td>than an interval</td><td>of</td>

<td>5 seconds</td><td>must</td><td>to be counted.</td><td>Yes</td><td>the weight is not</td><td>not</td>

<td>validated or</td><td>if the</td><td>curtain 33</td><td>East</td><td>interrupted in</td><td>the</td>

seconds, the operation is treated as an illegal operation mentioned above. But it is assumed that artiGM.YD.4

C4-059 £ (* oit “Ö ft ft ft ft” ft ft ft * Λ ft ftftftftftft

999 ft » ft ί» ftftftU b ft ft » ft

9 "ft ft ft ft ft 99 ft" passes from position b to position C on the conveyor 12 (see FIG. 4) causing the curtain 33 to be interrupted. The system passes into state D . The conveyors move forward, the analyzer is turned off and the scale is turned on. With a valid operation, the next event must be either the passage of the article to position D to restore the curtain 33, or a determination of a valid weight. If curtain 33 is restored first, the system enters state I in which both conveyors 12 and 13 run forward, the analyzer is turned off and the scale is turned on.

A check of the appropriate weight at this point brings the system into state L. Conveyors 12 and 13 run forward and the analyzer is now turned on. When the item reaches position E, it passes from conveyor 12 to conveyor 13 and cuts curtain 34, causing it to enter state P. At this junction, conveyors 12 and 13 move forward and laser 10 as well as flip-flop 43 are turned off.

The next valid operation is a reset of curtain 34 when the item has arrived on conveyor 13, which is represented by position F. As expected with all position indications, the location of the dashed rectangle on the Fig. 4 is significant only insofar as it indicates a position located before a given curtain, in this curtain or after this curtain. Now that curtain 34 is restored, the sequence transitions to state DD during which receipt printing occurs. This operation is accompanied by an interval of 5 seconds. If another item is not analyzed during this

GM.YD.4

C4-059 ···· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Interval, the sequence proceeds to state G in which output conveyor 13 continues to run forward, conveyor 12 is stationary, analyzer is turned on, scale is turned off, and display 11 shows the display shown in Table II.

Now touching the location of table II signifying that the customer has finished causes advancement to the EE state during which screen 11 displays table III, the subtotal is printed, only the carrier Output 13 continues to operate and the timing of a 15 second interval begins. At the end of this interval, the system returns to state A. However, if the item is too large to exit conveyor 13 and enter bagging area 14, or if the bagging area is so crowded that photo-optical beam 42 is interrupted, exit conveyor 13 continues to operate until beam 42 is restored. As long as this state prevails, processor 44 prevents laser 10 and conveyor 13 from operating, ie, delays state A”. Moreover, as long as the curtain 37 is interrupted by one or more articles present in the bagging zone 14, the state A is delayed.

Another example will be fully described, after which one will be able to follow any sequence of operation by referring to the state table. Starting again from state A, an item is scanned and transferred from position A to position B on conveyor 12 as shown in FIG. 4. The resulting state is the one appearing on line B. The item probably advances from position B to position C, intersecting curtain 33, then, through state D, curtain 33 is

GM.YD.4

C4-059 • "· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ··········· · 4" 44444444

4444 44 4 4 • · 44 4444 ·4 · 4 restored, the sequence passing at this moment to state I . The analyzer is still off. At this moment, the article being in the position D, the weight will have been validated, which supposes the state L in which the analyzer is put in function. Assuming that a second item is scanned before curtain 34 is interrupted, the system enters state N with two items present on input conveyor 12, one in zone B and the other in the D area. At this point, depending on the relative positions of the two articles now located on the conveyor 12, the first or the second curtain 33 or 34 will be interrupted. If curtain 33 is interrupted, the system progresses to state Q. Now assuming that the second item progresses past the first curtain to restore curtain 33, the system transitions to state T. assumption in this case is that the next event will be a revalidation of the weight. Since two items are on conveyor 12, the measured weight should equal their total weight. If a valid weight is confirmed, .at state T, the next state will be X, after which the first article shall cut curtain 34, moving to state AA, then curtain 34 shall be restored at the time the first article enters the conveyor 13. The system is now in the CC state. At this point, the data concerning the article which has just crossed the curtain 34 is printed and the system goes to state I. At this moment, the second article requires validation of its weight, which causes the system to go to state 1. If no other article is scanned and the article now in position D on the conveyor moves to position E, curtain 34 is interrupted and the system goes to state P. Curtain 34 is then restored, bringing the system into the DD state.

GM.YD.4

C4-059 ··

wherein, if no further analysis occurs, at the end of an interval of 5 seconds the system enters state G wherein screen 11 displays the Table II completion query. The moment the customer touches the location of Table II on the screen, the system enters the EE state during which the final display of Table IV below appears on screen 11. At the end of the preset time interval of 15 seconds, the system returns to the initial state of line A waiting for a new customer.

TABLE IV , Thank you for shopping at this supermarket.

Please take your receipt and present it to the cashier who will give you your tickets.

Don't forget to take your trolley.

With respect to the sequence of operations just described, it is significant that in state T, a valid weight is required to prevent the system from assuming the illegal operation. That is to say, if one recalls the sequence, the weight of the first article was validated initially in the state D. However, when a second article is placed on the conveyor 12 before the first left it, the system requires the revalidation of the weights. The first item must then come out, after which the weight of the second item is independently confirmed. This operation is intended to prevent any fraudulent use of the system. For example, if the first item is in position D, while the

GM.YD.4

C4-059

Q 9 fr w fr fr fr · fr '4 <*. fr V fr fr fr “ fr “ ” 9 * 0 0 fr “fr fr fr fr frfrfrfrfrMfrfrfc “I fr 9 fr fr fr fr (, fr fr fr fr fr fr * '* fr fr second item is rightfully in position C, intersecting curtain 3 3, the device cannot detect if the customer has simultaneously passed a hand through curtain 33 and placed a third item on conveyor 12 at location D next to the first item, unless the weight is now rechecked. However, each time curtain 33 is interrupted, the weight must be revalidated before an item can pass curtain 34.

Another interesting condition involves dealing with long articles. Such articles cut the curtain 33 and arrive at the curtain 34 which they cut before the curtain 33 is restored. This should be considered valid assuming the weight was validated before the curtain 34 was interrupted. An example could be the sequence of states A, B, D, H, JJ. At this point, curtain 33 must be restored before curtain 34. That being so, a continuation of valid states would be P, DD, followed by B or G, and so on.

With regard to Fig. 7, the various elements intended to implement variants of the system of FIG. 1, are shown interconnected in the form of a block diagram, thus constituting the composite variant of the system. Below the entry conveyor 12 is the article weight sensor 43 which, as mentioned above, responds to any variations in the weight of the conveyor which are caused by articles placed on or removed from that conveyor. Detector 43 may be of any conventional structure and provides its output signal to central processor (CPU) 44 via line 100

The UPC 10 code reader, located outside the security zone, provides its signal for

GM.YD.4

C4-059 • " aa aaaaaaaaa aaaa aa a aa aaaaaaa aa output to central processor 44 via line 102. Central processor 44 is connected via line 104 to the acceptor/ article reject 106 which controls the conveyor drive roller DR 12 to selectively operate the conveyor in forward (accept) and reverse (reject) direction, in response to the state of line 104.

Article shape detector 108, which is preferably an integral part of entrance curtain 33 as described above with reference to FIG. 8, provides an output signal indicative of the measured height or shape of the article on lines 110 which apply it to the central processor 44. Line 112 applies this signal also to the shape comparator 114. Line 116 applies the measured weight of the article at the weight comparator 118. When height and weight comparisons are chosen as system features, the central processor 44 provides, based on predetermined height and weight values, presented to it by a memory, an output signal indicative of the stored height on line 120 and shape comparator 114 compares the height values on lines 112 and 120 and provides an output signal indicative of the result of the comparison via line 122 to the central processor 44. Similarly, central processor 44 provides the output signal indicative of the stored weight on line 126 and weight comparator 118 compares the weight values on lines 116 and 126 and provides an output signal indicative of the result of the comparison by via line 128 to central processor 44.

The UPC code reader 130 is placed in the security zone 15, provides the central processor 44, via line 132, with a

GM.YD.4

C4-059 κ ς ô a “*9 “ “9 9 9 “• 9 9 9 O “<* • 999 * 9 99999 9999

9999 99 9 9

9 9 9 9999 99 9 9 output indicating the UPC code of an item in the security zone. EAS tag detector 134, also located in security zone 15, provides central processor 44 via line 136 with an output signal indicative of an item within the security zone. has or does not have an EAS tag.

When separated from the article shape detector 108, as in FIG. 7, input light curtain 33 provides an output indication of its interrupt to central processor 44 via line 138.

Memory 140 is connected to central processor 44 by lines 142 and 144, to provide communication between them of UPC, weight and shape values to be stored and measured weight and shape values to be stored. Line 146 connects central processor 44 to receipt printer 16.

It should be noted that the central processor 44 has various possible inputs, including a UPC code reading outside the security zone, a UPC code reading inside the security zone, the measured weight of an item, the measured shape of an item, results of measured and stored height and weight comparisons, entrance curtain violation, and the presence or absence of EAS tags. A signal may also be provided on line 147 to indicate output curtain violation. The central processor 44 operates in response to these input signals in two main modes of action, i.e. it governs the state of the line 104 and therefore the movement of the conveyor and that 'it compiles by itself the memory of predetermined search values for the weight and shape of the articles, as described later in commenGM.YD.4

C4-059

0 · ·0··»»*

0 0« · · 0 0 · · 0ί »«000 • •00 * · · 0 • 0 0 0 0 9 0 · 0 · 0 · relating to an adequate structure integrating the light curtain 33 and the shape detector 108 and intended to be implemented inside the UPC 130 code reader.

In broad outline, the central processor 44, the comparators 114 and 118 (which may be implemented in the central processor), the article accept/reject device 106 and the memory 140 constitute a system controller. of Fig. 4 which governs the movement of the carrier.

As can be seen in Fig. 8, the LED multiplexer device 148 provides output signals on lines 150a and 150b and 150n to the 31 series LEDs A, B and C of the input light curtain. A light-emitting diode is sketched between diode B and diode N to indicate that the drawing of FIG. 8 includes a much greater number of diodes than the three diodes shown. Counter 152 is an automatic reset counter which, as specified, resets to zero when it reaches the count η, where n is the number of series 31 LEDs. The status of counter 152 is indicated on its lines outputs 154a, 154b and 154n and is presented to multiplexer 148 via lines 156. When the counter 152 completes its cycle, the multiplexer 148 selectively excites the light-emitting diodes one after the other and one at a time.

The array of photocells 32 of the input light curtain is shown as comprising corresponding photocells A, B, sketched photocells and photocell N which provide their output signals to the device. photoelectric cell multiplexer 158 via the

GM.YD.4

C4-059 • ·· · ·············· · · · · ····· · · · · ······ · · · · ······ · · · · ······ · · · · ······ sketched and omitted cells and line 160n. Lines 162 provide the status of counter 152 to cell multiplexer device 158 so that it operates in the same sequence and in synchronism with diode multiplexer 148. The input curtain therefore steps vertically and the output lines 110 of the cell multiplexer device 158 selectively indicate the initial vertical diode-cell pair in communication and therefore indicate the height of the cell multiplexer. 'an article.

Counter 152 operates at a high periodic cycle compared to the forward speed of conveyor 12 so that many article height readings are taken while the articles are being transported. Additionally, the effects of ambient light are preferably avoided by chopping the excitation of the LEDs at a given frequency so that the output energy of the LEDs as opposed to light can be easily discerned in the photocells. ambient.

Fig. 9 illustrates a version of the internal UPC 130 code reader. The alphanumeric recognizer 166 is able to detect and locate the UPC code of items within the security area and provides output signals on lines 168 and 170 for the vertical and horizontal movement of the reader driver 172 which supports the reader 174 by links 176 and 178 for movement into the detected location to provide an output indication of the item's UPC code.

The first version of the system in accordance with the invention may correspond to the flowchart indicated

GM.YD.4

C4-059 oo ·· »o ··· · · · tt · » 9 9 · · « • ·· · · · 9 O ···· · · · ······························· · · · · · · · 9 ········ · 9 in FIG. 10. After the entry of the central processor 44 in this program (introduction), the step 180 (PLACE THE

CONVEYOR IN CONTINUOUS ADVANCE MODE) is performed and at this time conveyor 12 is advanced in one direction advancing the items into security area 15. In step 182 (STORE UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE (UPC) OF THE ARTICLE), the UPC code read by the reader 10 is stored for use in accessing the memory of the system to obtain the shape characteristics of the article or other stored characteristics of the article.

In step 184 (GET HEIGHT OF FROM LIGHT CURTAIN), the central processor examines its input lines 110 and determines the height of the item from the input curtain. A predetermined item height value is now obtained from memory in step 186 (GET SHAPE

<td>FROM</td><td>SYSTEM)</td><td>. The</td>

<td>WHERE</td><td>to the</td><td>no-</td>

<td>and</td><td>stored</td><td>of</td>

decision as to the correspondence of the measured heights of the article is taken in step 188 (IS THE MEASURED ARTICLE SHAPE WITHIN THE SEARCHED LIMITS?), the central processor examining the state of the line 122 of Fig. 7 to make this final decision. When matching the height of the item, the program jumps to step 190 (GO TO INPUT). In the event of a mismatch, the program proceeds to step 192 (REVERSE CONVEYOR) which is an item rejection action.

A second version of the system in accordance with the invention may comprise steps 180 and 182 of FIG. 10, then the steps shown in FIG. 11. In step 194 (EXTRACT STORED UPC CODE OUTSIDE SECURITY ZONE), the central processor obtains the code stored in step 182. In step 196

GM.YD.4

C4-059 lU c L* O frfr » O' fr 6 fr frfr fr fr fr i* frfr fr fr frfr fr fr fr fr fr ·.

frfrfrd fr fr frfrtfrfrofrfr«-, <· fr * fr e · frfr »fr ·fr fr· »fr · fr (STORE THE UPC CODE READ INSIDE THE SECURITY AREA), the central processor examines its line d1 INPUT 132 of FIG. 7 and obtains the output of indoor reader 130. In step 198 (DOES INDOOR UPC CODE MATCH OUTDOOR UPC CODE?), the central processor performs the required comparison for the second version of the system. If the comparison is affirmative, the program passes to step 200 (RETURN) which is intended to signify a return to the start, i.e. to step 180. Otherwise, step 202 is executed (REVERSE THE CARRIER'S MARKET).

A third version of the system in accordance with the invention may also include steps 180 and 182 of FIG. 10 and then the steps shown in FIG. 12. In step 204 (EXTRACTING UPC CODE STORED OUTSIDE SECURITY AREA), the central processor receives the code stored in step 182. The next question is now asked in step 206 (THE ITEM DOES IT HAVE AN EAS LABEL?). In the implementation of the system being described, one possibility is to selectively tag items with EAS tags, for example to tag only the most expensive items that are most susceptible to fraud on the part of 'a customer. For example, in an establishment that sells expensive wines, a customer knowing about the height and weight measurement capabilities of a system may attempt to trick the system by having the UPC code of an inexpensive bottle of wine scanned. of the same dimensions and weight as the expensive wine bottle and then placing the expensive bottle on the infeed conveyor. Assuming that the system in such a company is not equipped with the second possibility of reading the UPC code from the

GM.YD.4

C4-059 β ' 4 '*>

Fig. 11, the fraud attempt would succeed if the weight and height of the expensive bottle were within the tolerances of the stored values associated with the UPC code of the inexpensive wine bottle.

If the item being analyzed for UPC is not considered to be an item tagged by designation, this information must be present in the system memory and the response to the query at step 206 must be negative. The program therefore proceeds to step 208 (IS LABEL EAS PRESENT?) and its query. In the example described here, the expensive bottle of wine bears a label and the presence of this label is known to the central processor by its input line 136. An affirmative answer in these circumstances to the interrogation of step 208 gives rise to performing step 210 (reversing carrier) and rejecting the item. When there is no fraudulent substitution and the inexpensive bottle of wine is actually in the safe area, the interrogation of both steps 206 and 208 is answered negatively and the program reaches step 212 (RETURN ).

A complementary implementation of steps 206-210, if desired, is provided when the query in step 206 is answered in the affirmative. Thus, step 206 (IS EAS LABEL PRESENT?) is answered in the affirmative and the program proceeds to step 214. In case a label should be present on the article and it is absent, step 215 (CARRIER DIRECTION REVERSAL) is reached and the item's direction of travel is reversed.

In each of the various described versions of the systems according to the invention, a light curtain routine of the type shown in

GM.YD.4

C4-059 •ft * · <» * · « ·

O “y · · »« · · · c · ft · W « Λ · · · ft ft · ft · · · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · · · · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft · ft o * * »Fig. 13 can be implemented to detect a violation attempt. By the interrogation of step 216 (HAS THE ENTRANCE LIGHT CURTAIN BEEN INTERRUPTED?), the central processor is informed of the entry of an article into the security zone. In the absence of an affirmative answer, the subroutine takes this step. If the answer is yes, obtained by central processor inspection of the input lines 110, the program proceeds to step 218 (HAS THE EXIT LIGHT CURTAIN BEEN INTERRUPTED?) and the routine loops again. its cycle until a positive response is obtained. This results in step 220 (WAS THE ENTRANCE LIGHT CURTAIN AGAIN INTERRUPTED BEFORE THE EXIT LIGHT CURTAIN IS INTERRUPTED?), in which the central processor resolves, using its various inputs, the whether the entrance light curtain has been interrupted other than by anticipated and detected entry of other articles, which is indicated by the correspondence of the number of readings of the UPC code and the entry of other articles, before the issue of the article in question. If the answer to the question in step 220 is yes, step 222 (REVERSE CONVEYOR) is performed. Otherwise, the program goes to step 224 (RETURN).

A composite version of the system according to the invention can follow the flowchart of FIGS. 14 and 15. After the introduction, step 226 (STORAGE OF INSTALLATION MODE?) asks if the system should enter a mode described below in which it compiles its own database by processing signals from output of its various elements and loading the memory by means of these signals. If so, the program proceeds to step 228 (GOTO FACILITY) which is performed as described with reference to FIG. 16 which follows. Assuming otherwise, pitch 230 is

GM.YD.4

C4-059 • ··········· · · ······ · · · · · · Place the carrier in continuous progress), then the step 232 ( STORE UNIVERSAL ITEM PRODUCT CODE (UPC)), both described above.

Step 234 is now reached (LIGHT CURTAIN ROUTINE) in which the system looks for a violation of its light curtains, as described above. In step 236 (STORE MEASURED SHAPE OF ARTICLE), the system operates as explained above. Step 238 (STORE THE MEASUREMENT WEIGHT OF THE ARTICLE), instructs the central processor to examine on its line 100 the input signal from the weight detector 43 of the article of FIG. 7 and to store this indication. In step 240 (GET REQUESTED ITEM WEIGHT AND SHAPE FROM SYSTEM MEMORY), the central processor prepares comparisons of the measured height and the stored height in step 242 (THE MEASURED SHAPE OF ITEM IS IT WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE SEARCHED VALUE?) and the measured weight as well as the weight stored in step 244 (IS THE MEASURED WEIGHT OF THE ARTICLE WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE SEARCHED VALUES?). If either of these queries receives negative answers, the program proceeds to the corresponding operation (REVERSE CONVEYOR DIRECTION) of steps 246 and 248.

If the queries at steps 242 and 244 are answered in the affirmative, the program proceeds to step 250 (RUN UPC VERIFICATION ROUTINE) in which the above-discussed routine which involves comparing the externally detected UPC codes and internally is implemented. After accepting the item in step 250, the system proceeds to step 252 (RUN VERIFY EAS LABEL ROUTINE) in which the routine discussed above involving detecting an EAS tag and processing it is put in

GM.YD.4

C4-059 • 9 9 99 9 9 < 9 99 999999999 « 99 9 9

99 9999 99 9 9 convenient. On a successful EAS scan, the system returns via step 256 (GO TO INTRODUCTION).

The ORGANIZATION mode of operation of the invention is broadly illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 16. As mentioned above, this system mode allows compilation of an independent data memory useful in its operation in the various embodiments described above, which ensures independence of the database in relation to the UPC code of the establishment in which the system can be installed. Obviously, the database of the establishment in place can be used in the absence of ORGANIZATION in the preceding systems.

As shown in Fig. 6, when introducing the organization, step 258 (PLACE CARRIER IN CONTINUOUS ADVANCE) and step 260 (STORE UNIVERSAL ITEM PRODUCT CODE (UPC)) are practiced as described above . In step 262 (IS THERE A COMPLETE RECORD FOR THIS UPC CODE?) the question is whether, due to the prior implementation of the ORGANIZATION mode for the UPC code used, a complete record of the information necessary has been compiled. In the case of an affirmative answer, the program goes to step 270 (RETURN). If the answer is negative, the program proceeds to step 264 (MEASURE THE WEIGHT OF THE ARTICLE AND STORE THIS WEIGHT IN THE RECORD), in which the output signal of the weight detector for the article present on the carrier is stored as the desired weight. It is desirable that this stored weight receives only a transition value and is not considered as a set point value to be sought or as a fully established value for the base of

GM.YD.4

C4-059 ·· ·

I · « · Ô * · · · ·

I · · · ·· -j · fc "* ·· · · · · · ··· · · · · · ·" · "··· V 9 data only when this same article is again examined from the point of view of its weight in the continuation of ORGANIZATION and that a coincidence occurs between the stored weight of transition and the weight subsequently measured. For the general flowchart of FIG. 16, the initial weight measurement is however taken as the established desired weight.

During the transport of articles through the entrance light curtain, an article may have up to three entirely different heights. Considering products in tin cans, these cans can be upright, in which case the light curtain measures the length of the cylindrical can as the height, or they can stand on their side, in which case the light curtain measures the box diameter as height. In the case of a box, three dimensions are possible, namely the length, the width and the height and each of them can be presented to the light curtain according to the arrangement of the box on the carrier.

The ORGANIZE mode preferably monitors the storage of all possible acceptable article shape detectors or light curtain measurements for each article. This operation is performed in series each time the article crosses the light curtain in successive ARRANGE operations in step 266 (MEASURING THE HEIGHT OF THE ARTICLE AND RECORDING AS ONE OF H1, H2 OR H3 IF IT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED HEIGHT). Typically, the height the height or heights in the article record. If the currently measured value does not match a previously stored value and the recording is not complete, the measurement is measured is compared to previously stored

GM.YD.4

C4-059 ft ft ft ft ft * » ft » ft « ft e ft > a · « a* ft ft ft ftftftftft««* W * ft ft ft* -ft » ft ft «ft “ft*“ft* * * adopted as one of H1, H2 or H3 as appropriate. Redundancy may also be the desirable technique in this case, as mentioned above for weight, but it is omitted for convenience from the general flowchart of FIG. 16.

In step 268 (HAVE ALL WEIGHTS AND HEIGHTS H1, H2 AND H3 BEEN RECORDED FOR THIS UPC CODE?) the question is whether the record for the item in question is complete. If the answer is negative, a RETURN is performed in step 270. If yes, step 272 (STORE INDICATE FULL RECORD FOR THIS UPC CODE AND RETURN) is implemented so that information is available to allow RETURN directly upon querying in step 262 mentioned above.

Various modifications to the foregoing systems and various changes to the methods described are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. This being so, it will be understood that the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings and the techniques used are given only by way of non-limiting examples. The actual scope and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.

GM.YD.4

C4-059 •·······

Contents83

24 members in 13 offices

This recordMember, by publication datePriority claim3 more offices are in the list below

Priority claims8

Priority claims
Document	Office	Kind	Date
62891384	United States of America	A	1984-07-09
62891384	United States of America	A	1984-07-09
74275785	United States of America	A	1985-06-12
74275785	United States of America	A	1985-06-12
628913	–	–	–
742757	–	–	–
US19840628913	–	–	–
US19850742757	–	–	–

Members24

Family members, oldest first
Document	Office	Kind
IT8509453D0	Italy	D0	1985-07-05
SE8503386D0	Sweden	D0	1985-07-08
GB8517281D0	United Kingdom	D0	1985-08-14
BE902844AThis record	Belgium	A	1985-11-04
SE8503386L	Sweden	L	1986-01-10
GB2161631A	United Kingdom	A	1986-01-15
NL8501968A	Netherlands (Kingdom of the)	A	1986-02-03
DE3524231A1	Germany	A1	1986-02-06
FR2569024A1	France	A1	1986-02-14
JPS6146591A	Japan	A	1986-03-06
BR8503259A	Brazil	A	1986-04-01
ES544962A0	Spain	A0	1987-03-01
ES8704017A1	Spain	A1	1987-03-01
US4676343A	United States of America	A	1987-06-30
GB2161631B	United Kingdom	B	1987-10-14
CA1247241A	Canada	A	1988-12-20
US4792018A	United States of America	A	1988-12-20
IT1201326B	Italy	B	1989-01-27
IT8509453A0	Italy	A0	1989-01-27
SE460314B	Sweden	B	1989-09-25
DE3524231C2	Germany	C2	1990-04-12
FR2569024B1	France	B1	1990-08-17
AR243035A1	Argentina	A1	1993-06-30
JPH0664645B2	Japan	B2	1994-08-22