Alarm investigation using rfid

The present disclosure relates to radio frequency identification (RFID) and electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems, especially alarm investigations using RFID.

Various EAS systems are well known. In a typical EAS system, an EAS tag designed to interact with an electromagnetic field or "question area" located at the exit of a controlled area is attached to the article to be protected. If the article is legitimately purchased or otherwise authorized to be removed from the protected area, the EAS tag is removed or deactivated, depending on the type of EAS tag. When the EAS tag is brought into the interrogation area without being removed or deactivated, the electromagnetic field produces a response from the EAS tag detected by the EAS system. Upon detection of an activated EAS tag, the EAS system will alert. However, the EAS tag for items that have been legitimately purchased or otherwise authorized to be taken out may not be accidentally deactivated or removed and may sound a "non-theft" alert at the store exit. ..

Therefore, EAS alerts should be investigated to determine if the alert is a non-theft alert or if an unauthorized item is to be taken out. Also, the occurrence of EAS alerts should be recorded and tracked to allow analysis and reporting of such occurrences. In many retail stores, past and present, EAS alerts are investigated and recorded manually by clerk. For example, in an EAS alert investigation, a clerk may physically examine the sales receipt and compare it to the item for which the sales receipt is being taken out. Therefore, in order to record the occurrence of the EAS alarm, the clerk may manually input the data related to the alarm into the handwritten record book. This manual processing of investigations and records is time consuming for the clerk, delays the analysis and reporting of alerts, and, for example, mismatches the item on the receipt with the item being taken out. , It is easy to make mistakes such as data entry error in the handwritten record book and record omission of the occurrence of EAS alarm.

<p> Alarm management unit electronics and their associated systems may be used to improve such manual investigation and reporting to some extent. The alert management unit may provide a user interface, such as a keypad, to allow users such as clerk to enter appropriate data about the occurrence of each EAS alert without using a handwritten register. .. The alert management unit then communicates such data through a communications network to the retailer's local and / or regional offices, enabling authorized personnel to efficiently collect, report and analyze such data. Sometimes.</p><p> Although the alert management unit and ancillary systems improve the processing of manual EAS alert data collection and record keeping, clerk is still required to investigate EAS alerts. For example, a barcode scanner may be connected to the alarm management unit to assist in the alarm investigation process. However, even with a barcode scanner, the clerk's time and resources scan the receipt to gather information about point-of-sale (POS) processing and / or identify each item that is about to be taken out. Required to scan the barcode label attached to each item. Therefore, the clerk may manually collate the item to be taken out with the item specified on the sales receipt. This manual alarm investigation process is time consuming and can cause customer dissatisfaction due to extra delay. This manual alarm investigation process can also be vulnerable to mistakes by clerk. In addition, the impression that customers may have about retail stores is being investigated and the impression is that non-theft alerts will force delays. Rather than investigating each EAS alert, the clerk may falsely assume that the EAS alert is a non-theft alert and not investigate, thus allowing unauthorized removal of goods. ..</p><p> Therefore, there is a demand for an efficient and reliable system for EAS alert investigation.</p>

The features and advantages of embodiments of the subject matter described in the claims will become apparent as the detailed description below progresses and with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, similar reference numbers indicate similar parts.

The detailed description below refers to illustrate embodiments, but many of those alternatives, modifications and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the subject matter described in the claims is widely understood.

[Detailed description] The present disclosure is described herein in connection with various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the features and advantages of the present disclosure are implemented in various forms. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein are presented for illustration purposes rather than limitation. The present disclosure also refers to activated and deactivated EAS and RFID tags. The "activated" or "activated" EAS or RFID tags used herein are passive or battery powered, configured to alert or transmit data. Refers to a tag. The "inactivated" or "inactivated" EAS or RFID tag used herein refers to a passive or battery-powered tag that does not issue an alarm or transmit data.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a controlled area 102, eg, a retail store, having an exit area 103. Multiple articles 104-1, 104-2, ... 104-n are located within the controlled area 102, and each article 104-1, 104-2, ... 104-n is a combined tag. It may have 106-1, 106-2, ... 106-n. The controlled area may also include multiple point-of-sale (POS) stations 108-1, 108-2, ... 108-n, and multiple point-of-sale (POS) stations 108-1, 108-2. At 108-n, the customer may legitimately purchase the goods 104-1, 104-2, ... 104-n. The point-of-sale station may be equipped to modify the state of the tag, for example for purchased items. The exit system 110 is provided near the exit area and / or anywhere else within the controlled area, articles 104-1, 104-2, ... 104-n tags 106-1, 106-2, ... Depending on the presence and condition of 106-n, various functions may be performed, including the restraint of unauthorized removal of those articles from controlled area 102. The exit system 110 may include an EAS system that provides sufficient electromagnetic fields or question areas 112 to detect activated tags and may generate associated alarms.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a 200th embodiment of a system consistent with the system of FIG. 1 in which an EAS alarm can be investigated, and the cause of the alarm is investigated. System 200 may use a combination of RFID system and EAS system. The EAS tag and RFID tag may be separate tags attached to the article, or may be integrated as a composite (combined) EAS-RFID tag such as tags 106a and 106b.

At POS station 108-1, the EAS device 202 may be used to detect and correct the activated state of the EAS portion of tags 106a, 106b attached to the article. The EAS device 202 may deactivate the EAS portion of the tag attached to an article that has been legitimately purchased or otherwise authorized to be taken out. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the EAS portion of tags 106a, 106b may have various configurations. The three common EAS tag configurations are EM (electromagnetic) tags, RF (radio frequency) tags and AM (acoustic magnetic) tags. These three different types only work within their respective detection, activation, and deactivation systems. Various transmitter and receiver systems for detecting the presence of these EAS tags and correcting their activation status are well known and available on the open market. Therefore, the basic method of stimulating and detecting such tags will not be repeated here.

RFID reader 204 may also be located at POS station 108-1. The RFID reader may be separated from the EAS device or combined with the EAS device to form an integrated EAS / RFID system. The RFID reader 204 may scan the RFID portion of the tags 106a, 106b by transmitting a question signal at a known frequency. The RFID portion of the tags 106a, 106b may respond to the question signal with a response signal containing data related to the article or RFID tag ID, for example. The RFID reader 204 may detect the response signal and decode the data or the RFID tag ID. The RFID reader 204 may also be configured to transmit a signal to the RFID portion of the tag that represents the POS processing information, and the RFID portion of the tag 106a or 106b stores information about the POS processing accordingly. May be good. This POS processing information may include, but is not limited to, the POS station, the date and time of purchase, the price including the discount, and information detailing whether the EAS portion of the composite EAS-RFID tag has been deactivated. .. Configurations of various transmitter and receiver systems for RFID reader 204 to detect the presence of RFID tags and correct the condition of those tags are well known and available on the general market.

The POS station 108-1 is capable of bidirectional communication with the POS network 206 and may exchange various data and / or instructions with network nodes such as other POS stations, exit system 110, and the like. The data exchanged via the network may include, for example, data related to POS processing, the latest information on inventory information, price information, and the like. Two-way communication may be constructed using any known communication protocol.

The exit system 110 may include an RFID reader 208 and an EAS system 210. The RFID reader 208 and the EAS system 210 may be separate systems or may be combined into an integrated RFID / EAS system. The RFID reader 208 may be a fixed RFID reader fixed in a physical position. In one example, the physical location is adjacent to the question area. Alternatively, the RFID reader may be a portable RFID reader that can be transported to a desired position, for example, a handheld RFID reader. The RFID reader 208 may scan the RFID portion of the tags 106a, 106b and read the information stored therein, as described in detail above.

EAS system 210 may construct an electromagnetic field or interrogation area located at the exit of controlled area 102. EAS system 210 will detect the presence of activated EAS tags within the question area. If the EAS tag has not been removed or deactivated and is brought into the question area, an electromagnetic field constructed by EAS system 210 will generate a response from the EAS tag. The antenna of the EAS system 210 acting as a receiver may detect the response of the EAS tag and indicate that the activated marker is within question area 112. The combined controller of EAS system 210 may provide an indication of this situation, eg, an audible alarm, to take appropriate action to investigate the alarm.

The RFID reader 208 and the EAS system 210 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with the alarm management unit 212. The alarm management unit 212 may include a user interface 214 to allow the user to enter data into the alarm management unit 212. In one exemplary embodiment, the alarm management unit 212 may be the Ultralink CBC-4020 available on the open market from the assignee of this application. The alert management unit 212 may be configured for bidirectional communication with the POS network 206 and / or the corporate network 216.

During operation, at time t1, the composite EAS-RFID tags 106a, 106b may be attached to the bound article and placed within the controlled area 102. The EAS portion of tags 106a and 106b may be activated at this time, and the RFID portion of tags 106a and 106b may store relevant data about the combined article. The customer wants to purchase the goods bound to such tags 106a, 106b and may transport such goods to POS station 108-1.

During POS processing at time t2, the EAS portion of both tags 106a and 106b should be deactivated by the EAS device 202. However, for various reasons, the EAS portion of tag 106a may not be accidentally deactivated. Also, during POS processing, the RFID reader 204 may transmit POS processed data to the RFID portion of tags 106a and 106b, and the POS processed data may be stored by the RFID portion of the tag. This POS processing data may include, but is not limited to, the POS station, purchase date and time, purchase price, discount, and the like.

At time t3, the customer will approach question area 112 at the exit of controlled area 102. At this time, the exit system EAS system 210 will detect the presence of an activated EAS portion of tag 106a within question area 112. So, is it because the EAS part of tag 106a was not accidentally deactivated at POS station 108-1 for a legitimately purchased item, as in this example, the occurrence of an EAS alert was an attempt to steal? , It is better to conduct an investigation to find out whether it is due to a non-theft alarm.

Preferably, the investigation of the occurrence of the EAS alarm may be carried out automatically without the intervention of a clerk in one example using the RFID reader 208, even if the RFID reader 208 is fixed at a position adjacent to the question area. Good. In this example, after the EAS system 210 detects the presence of an activated EAS portion of tag 106a within question area 112, RFID reader 208 scans the article being removed and composites within question area 112. You will read the RFID part of the EAS-RFID tag. The RFID reader 208 does not require a separate clerk to process each item and can perform such a scan.

Therefore, the RFID reader 208 may elucidate the article itself to be taken out and the POS processing data stored in one or more tags. This data may then be efficiently collated to determine which items are being stolen and which items were not properly processed at the point-of-sale station. Thus, it is not necessary for the clerk to manually compare the customer's receipt with the item being taken out. The RFID reader may be equipped with an EAS device to deactivate EAS tags that were not accidentally deactivated at the POS station. Therefore, customer delays can be minimized. Further, data regarding the occurrence of each EAS alarm may be recorded and stored in the alarm management unit 212. The data is helpful in identifying the source of non-theft alerts and for further storage, analysis, and / or reporting to allow corrections of the POS network 206 and / or the company. It may be transmitted to network 216.

The RFID reader 208 may be a portable RFID reader, such as a handheld RFID reader, so that the clerk can investigate the occurrence of the EAS alarm. In response to the EAS alert, the clerk may use a portable RFID reader to efficiently scan the RFID tags of all goods being taken out by the customer without having to process each item separately. The portable RFID reader may thus efficiently acquire the POS processed data and transmit the data to the alarm management unit 212 via, for example, a wireless connection. The alarm management unit 212 may quickly compare and collate the information detailing the goods to be taken out with the legitimately purchased goods to determine the cause of the EAS alarm. In this way, the clerk does not need to manually compare the customer's receipt with the goods to be taken out. The portable RFID reader may also include an EAS device to deactivate an EAS tag that was not accidentally deactivated at the POS station.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment 300 of a system consistent with the system of FIG. System 300 combines RFID tag 308 with customer sales receipt 310 associated with POS processing. Thus, the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 does not require RFID tags attached to individual articles. RFID tag 308 of customer sales receipt 310 may store information about POS processing. RFID reader 208 of the exit system 110 is used to read data about point-of-sale from RFID tag 308 and alert management configured to identify that data, for example, through a user interface, legitimately purchased items. May be provided to the unit. These items to be taken out may be examined and compared to a list of legitimately purchased items.

During operation, the activated tags 301a and 301b may be attached to the combined article and remain activated on such article at time t1. RFID tags may not be attached to or associated with such articles. At time t2, the customer may carry the goods and the EAS tags 301a, 301b attached to the goods for purchase to the POS station 108-1. When the POS process is completed, a receipt 310 may be generated and the RFID device 304 may be operated to record information about the POS process in the RFID tag 308. An RFID tag 308 containing POS processing information may be generated separately from the receipt by, for example, an RFID device and manually attached to the receipt. Alternatively, the sales receipt may be generated together with the embedded RFID tag 308, and the RFID device 304 may be configured to write POS processing information to the RFID tag 308, for example, through a wireless connection.

If the EAS tag 301a of a legitimately purchased good has not been accidentally deactivated, the EAS system 210 will detect this situation. Therefore, the RFID portion 308 of the receipt 310 is read by the RFID reader 208 of the exit system 110, and in this example, the POS processing information that reveals that the article bound to the tag 301a has been legitimately purchased is quickly and Will be recalled efficiently.

<u style="single">privacy</u> Privacy protection is a concern in the retail environment in connection with attaching RFID tags to goods. Depending on the RFID tag, it may be a long-distance readable tag that can be read by an RFID reader at a long distance without the customer's knowledge or consent. For example, if a customer leaves a retail store with an activated long-distance RFID tag, the RFID reader operates to obtain information about the item owned by the customer without the customer's knowledge or consent. Can be done. Therefore, any RFID tag should be permanently disabled at the POS station.

However, if the activated RFID tag can be mistakenly passed through the POS station, an exit system consistent with embodiments of the present invention will be made to detect the activated tag. If an activated RFID tag is detected, corrective action will be taken to prevent the activated RFID tag from being removed from the controlled area. Corrective actions may include removing RFID tags or deactivating / "erasing" RFID tags.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary system 400 that includes RFID tags 402a, 402b attached to the article. The exit system 110a may include a detection system 411a to detect a condition representing an activated RFID tag. The detection system 411a may include any activated RFID tag brought into the interrogation area, eg, RFID reader 208 adapted to detect tag 402a. When the activated RFID tag is detected, the corrective procedure is started. Such corrective action may include sounding an alarm to allow the clerk to take appropriate steps, such as disabling the activated RFID tag of a legitimately purchased item. The RFID tag reader 208 may also be adapted to automatically deactivate the activated RFID tag 402a. The exit system 110a may also be adapted to collect data associated with the occurrence of RFID alerts triggered by the activated RFID tag, thereby identifying and resolving the accidental cause of the activated RFID tag. be able to. That data identifies a particular cash register associated with repeated glitches about RFID tag inactivation, data that identifies a potential source of internal theft / collusion, and / or of a particular RFID reader. It may contain data indicating that the machine is not working properly and therefore maintenance may be required.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary system 500 included in the present invention, an exit system in which the composite EAS-RFID tags 502a, 502b have a detection system 411b capable of detecting conditions representing an activated RFID tag. Used with 110b. Detection system 411b includes RFID reader 208 and EAS system 210. The ability of the most reliable EAS system 210 to accurately detect EAS tags is significantly superior to the ability of RFID reader 208 to accurately detect activated RFID tags. Conveniently, the EAS system 210 can detect an activated EAS tag, such as tag 502a, without the RFID reader 208 detecting the erroneously activated RFID tag. The activated EAS tag 502a may indicate that the RFID portion of the tag 502a is also activated and the corrective procedure may be initiated. Thus, the EAS system 210 slightly overlaps with the RFID reader 208 in determining whether an activated long-range RFID tag is within the question area. The exit system 110b may be adapted to collect data related to the occurrence of RFID alerts triggered by the activated RFID tag, thus the accidental presence of the activated RFID tag within the question area. Can be identified and resolved.

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another system 600 with composite EAS-RFID tags 502a, 502b and an exit system 110c with a detection system 411c capable of detecting conditions representing activated RFID tags. Detection system 411c may include only EAS system 210 that detects activated EAS tags, assuming that activated EAS tags within the question area also indicate activated RFID tags within the question area. doing.

The exit system 110c allows the use of an EAS system to detect conditions that represent an activated RFID tag. For compound EAS-RFID tags, the exit system 110c assumes that if there is an activated EAS portion of a compound EAS-RFID tag, eg tag 502a, the RFID portion of that tag is also activated. It works under. This assumption may not be proven to be accurate in all cases. However, the exit system 110c provides a low cost system that uses the EAS system resources used to detect the conditions that are supposed to represent the activated RFID tag.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart 700 of a process consistent with one embodiment of the present invention. Step 702 detects the activated EAS tag in the question area. Step 704 reads at least one RFID tag in response to the detection of the activated EAS tag in the question area and investigates the cause of the activated EAS tag in the question area.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 of a process consistent with another embodiment included in the present invention. Step 802 detects a condition that represents an activated RFID tag at the exit of the controlled region. Step 804 performs a corrective procedure to prevent the activated RFID tag from being removed from the controlled area.

In summary, exit systems consistent with many aspects of the invention may include EAS systems and RFID readers. The EAS system may be adapted to construct a question area at the exit of the controlled area and to detect if an activated EAS tag is within the question area. RFID readers are made to read at least one RFID tag depending on the EAS system detecting the activated EAS tag in the question area, causing the activated EAS tag in the question area. May facilitate the investigation of. According to another aspect of the invention, an exit system is provided that includes a detection system adapted to detect a condition representing an activated RFID tag at the exit of a controlled region.

Preferably, the investigation of the cause of the EAS alert can be streamlined by reading at least one RFID tag in response to the detection of the activated EAS tag within the question area. When the RFID reader is fixed in place and the RFID tag is attached to the article, the cause of the EAS alarm may be automatically investigated without human intervention. The RFID reader may scan the article being taken out without having to process the individual articles separately. This enables efficient and accurate investigation of the occurrence of EAS alarms and ensures that all occurrences of EAS alarms are investigated. Exit systems may also be used to ensure efficient reporting and analysis of the occurrence of EAS alerts.

If a portable RFID reader is used, manual intervention may be allowed. However, the portable RFID reader is accurate and efficient between the goods to be taken out and the goods approved to be taken out without having the clerk manually compare the receipt with the goods to be taken out. It may perform a function similar to a fixed RFID reader that allows collation. Privacy issues are addressed by detecting conditions representing activated RFID tags at the exit of the controlled area and then taking corrective action to prevent the activated RFID tags from being removed from the controlled area. Security may be provided to resolve.

The terms and phrases used herein are used as descriptive expressions, and are not limited to any equivalent of any of the features (or parts thereof) displayed and described in the use of the terms and phrases. There is no intention to exclude, and it is recognized that various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Other modifications, modifications and alternatives are also possible. Therefore, the claims are intended to cover all of these equivalents.

<figref num="1">FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a controlled area including a point-of-sale management station and exit system consistent with one embodiment.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of the point-of-sale control station and exit system used within the controlled area of FIG. 1, including RFID tags attached to the article.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 is another more detailed block diagram of the point-of-sale management station and exit system used within the controlled area of FIG. 1, including RFID tags attached to sales receipts.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 4 is an embodiment of one system that detects a condition representing an activated RFID tag at the exit of a controlled region.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is an embodiment of another system that detects a condition representing an activated RFID tag at the exit of a controlled region.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 6 is an embodiment of yet another system that detects a condition representing an activated RFID tag at the exit of a controlled region.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to one embodiment.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to another embodiment.</figref>