System for security processing of retailed articles

(54) (56) (57)

CheckRobot Inc. Deerfield Beach Fla

DR Humble, DL Gentzler, SJ Tilidetzke, Deerfield Beac h, Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek Fla

AWAPATENT AB

Device for processing items selected for purchase and having distinct identification codes and ways of using the device

CALLED PUBLICATIONS: - SUMMARY:

REPRESENTATIVE NAME

US

A system for processing items selected for purchase, having distinguishable identification codes, comprises in one embodiment a code reader (10) for generating an output signal representing the item identification code; a conveyor (12, 13) for receiving and transporting the article; an inlet guard means (23) for defining an inlet to a protected area extending along a portion of the conveyor; a sensor (43, 108) for sensing a measurable feature of an article and for generating an output signal representing it; and a control means for selectively moving the conveyor in the direction of approval of the article and non-approval of the article. The control means is operable in several respects, namely for storing each of a plurality of such articles by a signal, which represents a predetermined value for the measurable article feature, which value is learned by the article identification code, for response of the reader's output to compare the stored with the output of the transducer (43, 108) and for selective operation of the transporter (12, 13) in response to the results of the comparison.

In other embodiments, the system utilizes other measures for processing the article, including a second reading in the protected area (23) of the article identification code and comparing it with the previously read code, comparison of the stored weight and electronic (EAS testing) in conjunction with in

EAS information regarding labeled items, forms of use, the system uses components to compile the information stored in memory (140).

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ALLF 138 8 122 AA measured the weight with the item monitoring test memory (140) stored

In other embodiments,

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The numbers in brackets indicate international identification code INID code Letter mom pin indicates international ookcmentkoo

460 314

The present invention relates generally to security systems and methods for processing sold items and relates more particularly to devices and methods for protecting operator-unmanned check-out of purchased goods in supermarkets and the like against customer fraud.

One type of prior art operator unmanned check-out device is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,919,851. In order to provide some protection against customer fraud in this device, each item is assigned a distinct machine-readable code as well as a machine-readable indication of the weight of such item within a given tolerance range. . The code and weight indication is read for the goods selected for purchase and the weight of the goods is summed with the tolerances. The customer is required to place the shopping bag with all the selected goods in a limited area, which has a wave that produces electrical output signals of the measured weight. If the measured weight signal matches the total weight derived from the code and the machine-readable weight indication, this device does not oppose the transaction. However, when the required compliance does not exist, the device advises the customer to consult the store manager, who then inspects the details of the transaction. Another object of this device is to provide machine-readable price quotations for each item and to provide a printed list of the details of the transaction with a price calculation.

A second type of prior art device is disclosed in both US Patent Specifications US 3,681,570 and US 3,681,571. Such a '570/571 device generally refers to the type described above, i.e. it approves or does not approve a transaction of

460 314 is based on a comparison between a measured value for a product property and a value assigned to it in advance, which is correlated with a product identification code. The goods are examined in the * 570/571 device on a per-item basis and approved goods are transported on a carrier to a closed container, which is inaccessible to the customer until payment has been made, ie there is no human intervention, such as the packaging of individual goods. approved goods, until all selected goods have been found to be acceptable and payment has been made. Goods that are rejected in the * 570/571 device are shipped to a second carrier for unauthorized goods and returned to the customer.

The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved device and method for operator-monitored sales of consumer goods.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide several grounds for non-approval of goods which customers through fraud attempt to impugn themselves at such operator-unattended purchasing facilities.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved device and method for implementing a layer of information useful in operating an operator-unmanned commodity handling facility.

The object of the invention is achieved by means of a device for processing goods selected for purchase and carrying distinct identification codes, which device comprises a code reader for generating an output signal which indicates the goods identification code; a carrier for receiving and transporting the goods; an inlet guard for defining an inlet to a protected area, which extends along a portion of the conveyor, and for generating an output signal indicating the entry of the product into the protected area; and control means for selectively moving the conveyor in the direction of approved goods and non-approved goods respectively. The control means are operable in several respects, namely for storage for

460 3U each of a plurality of such items of a signal indicating a predetermined value for the measurable item property, which value is correlated with the item identification code, for response to the code reader's output for comparison of the stored signal with the input guard's output and for selective operation of the conveyor in response to the results of the comparison.

In a first embodiment of the device, the inlet guard may comprise a light curtain which, in addition to generating the signal that makes the entry, provides an output signal regarding the shape of the product. In this case, the controller memory will include a compilation of the shape of the goods correlated with the UPC (Universal Product Code) of the goods.

The first embodiment of the device may further comprise an additional code reader in the protected area for generating an output signal indicating the code, the control means being arranged to compare the output of the first mentioned code reader with the output of the additional code reader and to selectively drive the conveyor in response to the code. this comparison.

A further variant of the first embodiment of the device includes an EAS detection unit, where EAS = Elektronic Artide Surveillance, ie electronic product surveillance, to determine whether or not an EAS-tagged item in the protected area is present, the control means being arranged. storing a declaration for each of a plurality of goods whether or not the goods must be EAS-labeled and selectively driving the carrier in response to the stored declaration and determination.

In a further variant of the first embodiment of the device, the control means are arranged to compile a layer for each of a plurality of such goods by a signal indicating a predetermined value for a characteristic of the product, which value is correlated with the item identification code, by processing of the code reader and input guard outputs.

In a second embodiment of the device, the commodity comparison according to the first embodiment can be

460

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the device is omitted and replaced with the aforementioned variant, that is, the additional code reader and comparison of codes read outside and inside the protected area.

In a third embodiment of the device, the commodity comparison according to the first embodiment can be replaced using the EAS detection unit and the measurements discussed above.

Weight measurement and comparison measures can be used in any embodiment of the device.

A fourth embodiment of the device comprises measuring product characteristics and comparing with predetermined product property values ​​which have been stored by the control means by processing the output signals of a product property sensor and the code reader.

A composite embodiment of the device may comprise all the foregoing aspects of the various aforementioned embodiments of the device.

The various permutations and combinations of the various aspects of the invention and methods will therefore be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings, in which the same reference numerals refer to the same parts and components throughout.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a typical check-out area in a supermarket in accordance with the invention seen from the customer's exit. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the check-out stations or boxes used in the embodiment of Fig. 1, seen from the customer's entrance. Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the cashier station which forms part of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the device components in the form of a combined flow and block diagram of the embodiment of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a similar perspective view to that of Figure 1, but showing a modification of the invention, wherein dual passages belong to a single check-out unit . Fig. 6

460 314 is a perspective view of one of the boxes in the embodiment of FIG. 5 seen from its input end. Figure 7 is a block diagram of components interconnected to provide a composite system in accordance with the invention. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a subsystem of the inlet light curtain in accordance with the invention. Fig. 9 is a block diagram of a moving UPC reader useful in practicing the invention. Figs. 10 to 16 are flowcharts showing methods of various embodiments of the device according to the invention.

A checkout area in a supermarket, as shown in Fig. 1, includes checkouts and intermediate passages. Each box 20 has a laser UPC reader 10, a sign screen 11 for interactive customer communication, an input or inlet conveyor 12, an output or outlet conveyor 13, a packaging area 14, a tunnel or protected area 15, a receiving unit 16 (Fig. 2). , access control gates 17 and an assistance signal lamp 18.

For each group of checkout boxes, there may be an evil cashier 21, which is provided with a main monitoring screen 22, a keyboard 23 with a cash register 2.4, a strip printer 25 for the final sale and a display visible to the customer 26 (figure 3).

When using a checkout box 20, a customer arrives there with the goods selected for purchase, which are usually transported to this point in a conventional shopping cart. If the cash register is available for use, there will be messages on the sign screen 11 as shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1

Hei. This is a touch enabled character screen.

To make your choice, you just need to touch the screen to the right of the desired message.

1st I'm ready to start the scan. (Touch)

2nd I need to look at instructions before

460

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I begin. (Touch)

3rd Help! I need assistance. (Touch)

As indicated in the introductory message, the character screen 11 is sensitive to touch or touch activated by contact with a human finger at any of a number of predetermined locations. In this particular example, there would be three such places. Putting a finger on one of the sites is equivalent to activating a switch or pushing down a signal button or the like and transmitting to the device an observant answer to the associated question shown on screen 11. For this initial discussion on the use of the device, it will be assumed that the customer is experienced and will touch the site next to message 1 in Table 1.

The customer is now each one individually with the UPC code downwards over the reader 10 and places the item on the inlet conveyor 12. The prices and item identifiers can appear on the sign screen 11 when the goods are transported by the conveyors out of reach of the customer through the protected area 15 to the packaging area 14.

When all of these goods have been scanned by reader 10 and placed on the inlet conveyor 12, the customer can again communicate with another message on screen 11 to initiate the delivery of a printed receipt to the customer from the receipt unit 16. The customer now takes the receipt and the cart and goes through the control gates 17 to the packaging area 14 to unpack the items, place the loaded bags in the shopping cart and then proceed to the cashier 21. Each cash register will have a separate identifier, number, letter, combination or the like, by which it can be identified for the cashier. Such an identifier will appear on the printed receipt handed to the cashier and will also appear on the main monitor 22 along with the sub-sum corresponding to the

460 314 is printed by the receipt unit 16 and stored by the system.

Through the keyboard 23, the cashier can insert deductions for handed over coupons and add items for items that cannot be handled automatically by the cashier 20, such as large items or articles without UPC marking. When the cashier inserts entries via the keyboard 23, this is visually confirmed to the customer via the display 26. A final receipt is printed and delivered by the printer 25 and the payment is made in a conventional manner.

In order for a self-service, operator-unmanned system to be effective, it must include various safeguards for the handling of mistakes by inattentive customers and for protection against attempts to either bypass the system or into fraud. Various such measures are included in the systems of the present invention.

Each box 20 has, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and

4, an inlet guard member 33 in the form of an electronic curtain at the inlet to its protected area 15. The curtain is established by means of a field 31 of LED elements (LEDs) or of other light sources mounted along one side of the protected area 15, and cooperating with a corresponding field 32 of photocells, photosensitive diodes or the like, mounted along the opposite side of the protected area 15.

An outlet guard member 34 in the form of a second electronic curtain, consisting of an LED field 35 and a field 36 of photocells or photosensitive diodes, is located in the transition area between the inlet conveyor 12 and the outlet conveyor 13 and is mounted in the protected area in a similar manner. as the guard member 33. Unlike the screens of the guard members 33 and 34, which are vertically oriented in the protected area, an additional curtain 37 may be arranged horizontally in the packing area 14, its LED field 38 being located on one side and its photosensitive diode field 39 is located on the opposite side. Further, a light beam assembly, comprising a light source, may

460 314 and a detector 41 provide a detection beam

42, which is located in the intersection of the outlet conveyor 13 and the packing area 14.

In Fig. 4 they are shown schematically in a device according to:

Fig. 1 includes various components. Under each inlet conveyor 12 there is a weight sensitive scale 43 which responds to any change in the weight of the conveyor caused by articles being placed thereon or removed therefrom. The scale 43 may have a conventional construction which allows for the generation of an analog electronic output signal, which is fed to a processor 44 which is connected via a suitable circuit (not shown) to a centralized central computer, which in its memory contains the entire store in the form of product identification, weight and price.

Another link not shown links the processor 44 to the cashier's main monitoring screen 22 and keyboard 23 to be fed there in the aforementioned sub-sum information. The store's central computer may be the same as those currently used in connection with officials and / or cashiers operated laser cash register wave scales.

As further shown in Fig. 4, a laser 10 is electrically connected to the processor 44, which is connected I to and controls the transporters 12 and 13, both of which | are arranged for both forward and reverse operation. In the same way, each of the electronic displays emits the radiation sensors 33, 34, 37 and 42 to the processor 44. A switchable monitoring device 45 is connected to the gate 17 through which the customer passes on the way to the cash register 46 and then to the Exit.

The cash register 46 comprises the components 23-26 shown in Fig. 3.

If the monitoring device 45 is used, it may be constructed in the manner shown in the US

See Patent No. 4,394,645 entitled Electrical Monitoring Device with Movable Antenna Elements with the Same Applicant as for the Present Application. As described.

460 314 of this patent, suitable antenna coils are concealed in the swing gates, here the gates 17, which coils are sensitive to magnetically permeable washers, which are attached to the various articles. The device is not sensitive to trays passing past the gates via tunnels 15, but will give an alarm or activate an indicator if any item with such a tag is carried through the gates either in the shopping cart or by the customer. Of course, a suitable sensing element must be attached to each item to be monitored in the store.

If a faulty reading is made or the device detects a discrepancy when the customer scans the items with the laser and places them on the conveyor 12, this will stop and the messages shown in Table III appear on the sign screen 11. The customer can either follow the instructions or for assistance is required to touch an excellent spot on the screen, whereby the signal lamp 18 is lit to alert a suitable assistant.

The laser 10 is connected to two signal lamps 48 and 49, one of which, for example, 48, may be green while the other, 49, is red. As the customer approaches a free cash register, he or she is greeted, as mentioned above, with the messages shown in Table I on the sign screen

11th After the customer has touched an excellent spot on the screen, he starts moving articles over the laser 10. If the scanning is done correctly, ie if the laser has read the UPC mark, the green lamp 48 lights up to inform the customer that the article can is placed on the conveyor 12. If any error occurs during the scan, the red lamp 49 is lit. The signal lamps 48 and 49 on the cash register can of course be replaced with suitable signals on the sign screen 11 or in connection therewith.

Upon satisfactory scanning of an article, a description of it and its price is displayed on screen 11 in the manner shown in Table II.

460

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<td></td><td>10 TABLE II</td>

<td>Be</td><td>Award</td>

<td>Mamat Rice</td><td> .55</td>

<td>Garl Dress</td><td> . 41 «</td>

<td>Green Bean</td><td> . 34</td>

<td>Ken-L-Ratn</td><td> 6.95</td>

<td>10 Ib Hara</td><td> 11.75</td>

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

If you have finished scanning your goods (Touch), otherwise continue the scan.

The processor 44 simultaneously receives information from the central computer (not shown) regarding the normal weight of the scanned item. This weight is compared with that determined by wave 43 and if there is compliance, transporters 12 and 13 transport the article to the packing area 14. If a difference exists, the device returns the article to the customer for repetition of the scan operation.

When each item has been scanned and processed, the customer's receipt is printed. Any deviation from the processing routine, whether intentional or accidental, will cause the device to stop and inform the customer that a mistake has been made and that the item should be scanned again. When the scanning of the articles is completed, the customer touches the place listed in Table II, which means that the sub-sum is printed on the receipt and that the receipt is delivered by the unit 16 to the customer. The customer then proceeds to the cashier 21, as previously described, whereby the receipt from the unit 16 constitutes a means to determine, together with the final receipt from the cashier, that the customer has the right to remove the displayed items from the store, ie from the distribution area.

Any number of checkout boxes 20, alternatively referred to as checkout stations, can be coupled to a single cash register 46, as shown schematically *

460 314 in Fig. 4.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the laser 10 and the sign screen 11 for a given box 20 are rendered inactive and unusable for a subsequent customer as long as the packaging area 14 at this box is occupied by articles belonging to a previous customer. Therefore, in this embodiment, the expensive laser units and character screens cannot be utilized to the maximum. However, a significant increase in efficiency can be achieved by using the modified system shown in Figures 5 and 6. In this embodiment, two sets of conveyors, tunnels and packing areas are served by a single laser and a single sign screen. In the cases where the same components appear in Figs. 5 and 6 and Figs. 1 and 2, these are denoted by the same reference numerals, or by primed reference numerals to indicate the duplicate. For the sake of simplicity, the double cash register is generally designated by the reference number 50. It is to be understood that a separate wave 43 is placed under each of the conveyors 12 and 12 'in Figures 5 and 6, although this is not particularly illustrated.

However, a single processor 44 can serve both conveyor lines and the common laser and screen.

As can be seen from Fig. 5, the customer may scan goods standing on one or the other side of the laser 10. For this reason it may be desirable to duplicate the lamps 48 and 4g as 48 'and 49' as best shown in Fig. 6. Furthermore, the sign screen 11 is preferably rotatably mounted in such a way that it can be rotated by the customer so that the screen and the customer are opposite each other.

There is a further deviation in the embodiment of Figs. 5 and 6. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, a customer may unpack items from, for example, the unpacking area 14 ', while a second customer utilizes the common laser 10, while he does, however. feeds articles to the alternative conveyor line, which consists of conveyors 12 and 13. In order to

460 314 to guide the customer, an additional message is inserted into what is first displayed on screen 11, which message instructs the customer to use the vacant side of the checkout. This instruction is only inserted for reasons of convenience, as the conveyor 12 'will be kept inoperative and the conveyor 12 will start when the first item is scanned, if the packaging area 14 * is to be protected from the involvement of articles by a subsequent customer. Of course, when the packing area 14 is occupied, the conveyor 12 'is operated while the conveyor 12 is kept inactive.

For a more detailed understanding of the operation of the system, refer to the following CONDITION TABLE. For reading the table, it is announced that the first curtain is either curtain 33 or 33 ', while the second curtain ^ 5 is either curtain 34 or 34'. Each state occurs on its own line, which is denoted by one or two letters from the alphabet. The description of the condition is made only in abbreviated form and can only be understood when it is read as part of a review of the condition of the device.

Line A represents the initial state. Both conveyors 12 and 13 are switched off or stationary. The scanner 10 is activated and ready to read every item carried above the UPC mark. The wave 43 is locked and the first screen message (Table I) is displayed on screen 11.

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460 314

Various operations, either performed by the device or by the customer, are listed under INPUT CONDITIONS. Only those for which a letter appears in the corresponding box under the heading are valid input signals for the state of that row. Thus, for the initial state, either a scan may occur or an unauthorized breaking or interruption in the curtain 33 may occur.

Such a breach of the curtain can occur if the customer tries to place something downstream on the transporters without scanning the UP mark. Thus, on line A during the breaking of the first curtain, C occurs, which indicates a change of state to row C, which state is identified as an unauthorized operation.

If a first unauthorized operation is followed, it can be observed that a state of unauthorized operation is accompanied by reverse operation of the input conveyor 12. This is abbreviated as reversed entry in the state table. At the same time, the output conveyor remains

13 function unchanged. Since it has never been commissioned in this case, it remains stationary. The scanner 10 is locked, the wave 43 is blocked and the screen 11 will display the message of goods removal in Table III.

TABLE III

Please remove the last item from the conveyor belt.

It has not been scanned and / cllcr registered correctly and must be scanned again.

Furthermore, Quran time measurement of a five-second time interval to begin. If no action is taken within 5 seconds, the device will proceed to the state of row F, in which state the conveyor 12 is stopped, which is called stopped input, the conveyor 13 operates in the forward direction (output forward), the scanner 10 is activated, while the wave 43 is

460 314 blocked, the message in Table III remains on screen 11 and time measurement of a new five-second interval begins. If nothing happens within the next 5 seconds, the device will return to state A, the initial state, as this was a change of the initial state before any item was processed or printed.

Using the implicit principles contained in the procedure just described, it is possible to follow each sequence of events through the state table. For further explanation, a series of permitted operations should be considered.

Suppose, as before, a customer approaches when the device is in state A "and scans the first item, which is then placed on the conveyor 12. In Figure 4, this operation is represented by the movement of the item from position A to position B on the conveyor 12 in front of the curtain. 33rd The state table indicates on line B that a commodity has been scanned, that both conveyors are moving forward, that the scanner is now locked, but that the scale is activated and that a five-second time interval has been set to elapse. If the weight is not approved or the curtain 33 is not broken within five seconds, this operation, as mentioned above, is treated as an invalid operation. However, suppose the item is moved from position B to position C on the conveyor 12 (see Fig. 4), which causes interruption in the curtain 33. The device then proceeds to state D. The conveyors move forward, the scanner is locked and the wave is activated. With valid operation, the next event should either be moving the item to position D for resetting the drawer 33 or determining a valid weight. If the curtain 33 is first reset, the device proceeds to state I, in which both conveyors 12 and 13 operate in the forward direction, the scanner is locked and the wave is activated.

Verification of proper weight at this stage entails

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<img file="SE460314B_D0023.tif" />

<img file="SE460314B_D0024.tif" />

<img file="SE460314B_D0025.tif" />

that the device moves to state L. Both conveyors 12 and 13 operate in the forward direction and now the scanner is activated. When the article reaches position E, it is transferred from the conveyor 12 to the conveyor 13 and breaks the curtain 34, causing a change to state P. At this point, the conveyors 12 and 13 move forward and both the laser 10 and the wave 43 are blocked.

The next valid operation will be a reset of the curtain 34, when the article has been moved to the conveyor 13, as represented by position F. The location of the boxed lines consists of significance only insofar as it refers to a position before, in or after a given curtain. Now that the curtain 34 has been restored, a progress is made to the state DD, in which the receipt is printed. This is accompanied by a five-second interval. If another item is not scanned during this interval, a transition is made to state G, in which the output conveyor 13 continues to operate in the forward direction, the conveyor 12 is stationary, the scanner is activated, the wave is blocked, and the screen 11 is shown in Table II.

If the customer now touches on the place belonging to Table II indicating that the customer is completed, a progress to the state EE, in which the screen 11 shows Table III, the partial sum is printed, only the output conveyor 13 continues to be active and time measurement of a fifteen second interval is started. When this time has expired, the device returns to state A. However, if the article is too large to be transferred from the conveyor 13 to the packing area 14 or if the packing area is so overcrowded that the photooptic beam 42 is broken, the output conveyor 13 will continue to operate until the beam 42 is reset. As long as this condition prevails, the process 44 will prevent the operation of the laser 10 and

460 314 conveyor 13, that is, delay state A. As long as curtain 37 is broken by one or more items in the packing area 14, state A will also be delayed.

A further example will be considered, after which it should be possible to follow each sequence of operations by referring to the state table.

Beginning with state A, an article is scanned again and moved from position A to position B on conveyor 12, as shown in Fig. 4. The resulting state is that which occurs in row B. The article will probably be advanced from position B to position C , in which the screen 33 is broken, and then via state D, screen 33 will be reset as the sequence proceeds to state I. The scanner is still locked. At this time and with the item in position D, the weight should have been approved, resulting in a transition to state L, in which the scanner is activated. Assuming that a second item is scanned before the curtain 34 is broken, the device switches to state N with two goods on the input conveyor 12, one of which is in area B and the other in area Ω. Depending on the relative positions of the two articles now on the conveyor 12, either the first or second curtain 33 or 34 will be broken at this stage. If the curtain 33 is broken, the device continues to the state O. Assuming that the second article continues beyond the first curtain 33 so that it is reset, the device will proceed to the state T. Hereby it is assumed that the next event will be a repeated approval of the weight. . Due to the fact that two goods are on the conveyor 12, the measured weight must be equal to the total weight of the goods. If a valid weight is confirmed in state T, the next condition will be X, after which the first item must break the curtain 34, causing a transition to state AA,

460

<img file="SE460314B_D0026.tif" />

<img file="SE460314B_D0027.tif" />

<img file="SE460314B_D0028.tif" />

which is followed by a reset of curtain 34 when the first item is transferred to the conveyor 13. The device is now in state CC. At this point, data for the item that has just passed through the curtain 34 will be printed and the device will be changed to state I. In this state, approval of the weight of the other item will be required, which will cause the device to change to state L. If no further goods are searched and the item currently in position D of the conveyor switches to position E, the curtain 34 will be broken and the device will change to the condition “P. Thereafter, the curtain 34 will be reset, which transfers the device to state DD where, if no further scanning occurs, the device after five seconds elapses will switch to state G, where screen 11 will display the operation operation question set out in Table II. is complete. When the customer touches the place associated with Table II on the screen, the device will switch to state EE, in which the final display of Table IV below will be on screen 11. When the preset fifteen second time interval has expired, the device will now return to it. original row-Ä-ti11 state, in which a new customer is expected.

TABLE iv

Thank you for your shopping.

Please take your receipt and proceed to the cashier, who will take care of your coupons. Don't forget to take your trolley.

With reference to the functional sequence just described, it is important that in state T, a valid weight is required to avoid the device assuming that an unauthorized operation has been performed. Namely, the weight of the first item is initially approved in condition D. When a second item is placed on the conveyor 12 before the first item has come out, the device requires

460 314 nevertheless the weights are again approved. It then requires the first item to come out, after which the weight of the second item is verified separately. This operation has been designed in this way to prevent the device from being used improperly. For example, if the first item is in position D, when the second item is legitimately in position C, in which it causes a break in curtain 33, the apparatus would not be able to detect if the customer simultaneously put a hand through the curtain 33 and placed a third be on the conveyor 12 in position D next to the first item unless the weight was then rechecked. Therefore, each time the curtain 33 is broken, the weight must be approved again before the goods can pass the curtain 34.

Another interesting condition concerns the handling of long goods. Such goods break the curtain 33 and arrive at the curtain 34 and break it before the curtain 33 is restored. This must be treated as being valid with the assumption that the weight is approved before the breaking of the curtain 34. An example could follow the state sequence A, B, D, H, JJ. At this stage, curtain 33 must be reset before curtain 34. A valid continuation of the states would therefore be P, DD followed by either B or G, etc.

In Figure 7, various components are shown in block diagram form for implementing versions of the system shown in Figure 1, which components in this case implement the composite system. Under each conveyor 12 there are article weight transducers 43 which, as indicated above, respond to any change in the weight of the conveyor caused by articles being placed thereon or removed therefrom. The transducer 43 can be of any conventional type and it outputs its output to the central unit (CPU) 44 via a line 100.

The UPC Reader 10 located outside the protected area outputs its output to the CPU 44 via a line 102. The CPU 44 is connected to the unit via a line 104

460 314

106 for approval / non-approval of items, which controls the drive roller DR of selective forward movement (approval) and reverse (non-approval) under the influence of status on line 104.

The article designer 108, which is preferably integrated with the inlet curtain 33 as discussed below in connection with FIG. 8, outputs indicating the height or shape of the measured article on lines 110 which transmit the outputs to the CPU 44. The line 10 112 also feeds this signal to a shape comparator

114th Line 116 feeds the weight of the measured article to the weight comparator 118. When height and weight comparisons are selected as system features, the CPU 44, based on predetermined height and weight values, is available to it from memory, to output outputs relating to the memory stored. the height of a line 120 and the shape comparator 114 will compare the height values ​​of lines 112 and 120 and supply an output signal regarding the result of the comparison via line 122 to the CPU 44. Similarly, CPU 44 will supply an output regarding the weight stored in memory on line 12.6 and weight comparator 118 to compare the weight values ​​on lines 116 and 126 and supply an output signal regarding the result of the comparison via line 128 to the CPU. 44th

The UPC reader 130, which is located in the protected area 15, outputs via a line 132 outputs to

CPU 4 n^d regarding the UPC of the article in the protected area. The EAS tag detector 134, which is also located in the protected area 15, outputs via a line 136 outputs to the CPU 44 as to whether or not an article in the protected area has an EAS tag.

When the inlet light curtain 33, as in Fig. 7, is separate from the article designer 108, it gives an indication via a conduit 138 that it has been broken.

A memory 140 is connected via lines 142 and 144 to the CPU 44 for UPC, weight and shape values, and measured

460 314 weight and shape values ​​must be transmitted in between for storage. A line 146 connects the CPU 44 to the receipt printer 16.

The CPU 44 has, as shown in the figure, various possible inputs including UPC read outside the protected area, UPC read inside the protected area, measured article weight, measured article form, results of comparisons between measured and memory stored weight and height, breaking of the inlet curtain and the presence or absence of EAS markings. A signal indicating breach of the outlet curtain may also be provided on line 147. The CPU 44 operates in accordance with such inputs in two main areas, i.e., for controlling the status of the line 104 and thus the conveyor movement and for compiling, storing the store of predetermined article weight and shape directional values, as will be discussed below. comments on a suitable structure integrating the light curtain 33 and the designer 108 and for the implementation of the internal UPC reader 130.

Broadly speaking, the CPU 44, comparators 114 and 118 (which may be implemented in the CPU), the approval / non-approval unit 106 and memory 140 constitute a controller for the system shown in FIG. transpörtörsrörelsen.

In Fig. 9, an LED multiplexer unit 148 outputs on wires 150a, 150b and 150n to the LEDs A, LED B and LED C. included in the inlet light box 30. The indicated LED between LED B and LED N is intended to indicate that there may be many more LEDs than the three shown in Fig. 9. Counter 152 is a self-resetting counter and it is reset, as indicated, to zero when it has reached n, where n is the number of LEDs in the field 31. The state of the counter 152 is indicated on its outputs 154a, 154b and 154n, and is fed to the multiplexer 148 via solder 156. As the counter 152 counts cyclically, the multiplexer 148 will selectively activate the LEDs in succession, activating one LED at a time.

460 314

The inlet light box PC field 32 is shown as comprising corresponding photocells, PC A, PC B, omitting indicated PCs and PC N, which output their outputs to PC multiplexer unit 158 ​​via lines 160a, 160b, indicated

PC output cables and 160n. Wires 162 feed the state of the counter 152 to the PC multiplexer unit 158, so that it operates in the same sequence and at the same time as the LED multiplexer 148. The inlet curtain is incremented accordingly in vertical steps, and the output of the PC multi10 plexor unit 158 ​​selectively indicates the first vertical LED-PC pairs that are in contact with each other and thus will indicate item height ..

The cycle time of the counter 152 is very short in comparison with the speed of the conveyor 12 movement, so that many readings of article height are made during transport of the article. The effect of ambient light is preferably eliminated by chopped excitation of the LEDs at a given frequency, whereby the energy emitted from the light emitting diodes can be easily separated in the photocells from the ambient light.

In Fig. 8, an embodiment of the internal UPC reader 130 is shown. An alphanumeric recognition unit 166 detects and locates the UPC of the article in the splayed area and outputs on the wires 168 and 170 for vertical and horizontal displacement of the code reader driver 172 which supports the reader 174 176 and 178 for moving to the sensed location to provide an output signal about the UPC of the article.

The first embodiment of the invention may have the flow chart shown in Fig. 10. After the CPU 44 has entered this program (IN), step 180 is performed (FOR THE TRANSPORTER CONTINUOUSLY¹), in which the conveyor 12 is advanced in a direction in which the articles are inserted into the protected area 15. In step 182 (STORING THE UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE OF THE ARTICLE (UPC)), the UPC read by the reader 10 is stored for access

460 314 in the system memory of article form and other stored article features.

The CPU now looks at step 184 (GET ARTICLE HEIGHT FROM LIGHT RID) on its input lines 110 and determines the height of the article from the inlet curtain. The predetermined height value of the article is now obtained in step 186 from memory (GET ORIENTED FOR MEMORY ARTICLE FORM FROM SYSTEM MEMORY). Decisions as to whether or not the measured article height corresponds to the article height stored in the memory are made in step 188 (? IS THE UPDATED ARTICLE FORM IN RIGHT MEASUREMENT), with the CPU looking at the status of line 122 in Figure 7 for the latter decision. In accordance with the height of the article, the program flow proceeds to step 190 (GA TO TN). If there is no compliance, the program proceeds to step 192 (REVERSE TRANSPORTER), which is a non-approval of the article.

A second embodiment of the device according to the invention may comprise steps 180 and 182 in Figure 10 and then the steps shown in Figure 11. In step 194 (DOWNLOAD STORED UPC that is read OUT OF THE PROTECTED AREA), the CPU receives the code stored in step 182. At step 196 (STORE UPC READ INSIDE THE PROTECTED AREA), the CPU looks at the input line 132 in Figure 7 and receives the output from the internal reader 130. In step 198 (? CONFIRM INSERT UPC WITH OUTWARD UPC), the CPU performs the required comparison for the second embodiment. If the result of the comparison is affirmative, the program proceeds to step 200 (RETURN), which is intended to mean a return to the start, ie step 180. Otherwise, step 202 (REVERSE TRANSPORT) is performed.

A third embodiment of the device according to the invention may also comprise steps 180 and 182 in Figure 10 and then the steps shown in Figure 12. In step 204 (DOWNLOAD STORED UPC READ OUTSIDE THE PROTECTED AREA), the CPU receives the code read in step 182. Next, the question is asked in step 206 (SHALL ARTICLE HAVE

460

<img file="SE460314B_D0029.tif" />

EAS LABELING). In implementing the discussed device, a feature is the selective EAS labeling of items, ie labeling only more expensive items, which are more likely to be subject to fraud by a customer. For example, in a store that sells expensive wines, a customer who is aware of a device's height and weight measurement capabilities can try to deceive the device by scanning UPC for a cheap wine bottle of the same size and weight as the expensive wine bottle and then placing the expensive bottle on the feed carrier. . If the device in such a store does not include the second UPC reading aspect of Figure 11, the fraud attempt would succeed if the weight and height of the expensive bottle remained within the guideline of the stored values ​​associated with the cheap wine bottle's UPC.

Assuming that the UPC scanned article is determined to be an unlabelled item, such information would be in the device's memory and the answer to the question in step 206 would be negative. Accordingly, the program would proceed to step 208 (? EAS MARKING exists) and its question. In the discussed example, the expensive wine bottle would be labeled and the label would be identified as being present for the CPU on its input line 136. In these circumstances, an affirmative answer to the question in step 208 will result in step 210 being carried out (REVERSE THE TRANSPORT) and the article not being approved. When no fraudulent exchange occurs and the cheap wine bottle is really in the protected area, the question in both steps 206 and 208 will be answered in the negative and step 212 (RF. ^ UR) will be reached.

When the question in step 206 is answered in the affirmative, if desired, steps 206 to 210 will be complemented. Step 206 (? EAS MARKING) will thus be answered in the affirmative and the program will proceed to step 214. In the event that there should be a marking on the article and this is not there, step 215 (REVERSE THE TRANSPORTER) is reached.

460 314 and the article is returned.

In each of the discussed embodiments of the device according to the invention, a light curtain routine according to Fig. 15 can be implemented for detecting the breaking thereof. By asking the question in step 216 (? HAS THE INLIGHT LIGHT RIDER BROKEN), the CPU notifies that an item has entered the protected area. In the absence of affirmative responses, the routine makes a loop through this step. In the affirmative response, which is obtained by the CPU inspecting the input lines 110, the program proceeds to step 218 (? HAS THE OUTLIGHT LIGHT RIDGE BROKEN) and the routine re-makes a loop until a positive response is obtained. This proceeds to step 220 (? HAS BEEN INPUT, JUS RIDGE BREAKS BEFORE BREAKING OUT OUT RIDES), in which the CPU, using its various inputs, solves the problem of whether the inlet light curtain has been interrupted by anything other than the predicted and detected insertion of other items as stated by matching the number of UPC readings and the insertion of other articles, prior to the output of the article considered. If the answer to the question in step 220 is positive, step 222 is performed (REVERSE TRANSPORTER) - Otherwise, the program flow continues to step 224 (Return).

A composite version of the device in accordance with the invention may follow the flow diagrams shown in Figures 13 and 14. After IN, in step 226 (? MEMORY BUILDING MODE), the system is asked if the system should switch to a mode discussed below, in which it itself compiles the system database by processing outputs from its various components and loads the memory therefrom. If the answer is yes, the flow proceeds to step 228 (CONTINUED TO BUILD UP), which is carried out as discussed in connection with Fig. 16 below. If the opposite is assumed, step 230 is reached (FOR THE TRANSPORTER CONTINUOUSLY) and then 232 (STORE THE UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE OF THE ARTICLE (UPC)), both discussed above.

Following is step 234 (PERFORMING THE LIGHT RIDGE), in which the system looks at breaking the light curtains such as

460 314 discussed above. In step 236 (STORE UPDATED ARTICLE FORM), the system operates in the manner previously described. Step 238 (STORE MEASURED ARTICLE WEIGHT) states that the CPU should look at the input signal on its line 100 from the Article5 weight sensor 43 of Figure 7 and store this information. In step 240 (GET MEASUREMENT FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE ARTICLE AND FORM FROM THE SYSTEM MEMORY), the CPU prepares for the comparisons between measured and stored height in step 242 (? IS MEASURED ARTICLE FORM IN MEASUREMENT) and of measured and stored MEASURED MEASURES in 24 IN THE COURSE). If either of these questions is answered in the negative, the program proceeds to the corresponding REVERSE TRANSPORTER instruction in steps 246 and 248.

If both questions in steps 242 and 244 are answered in the affirmative, the program proceeds to step 250 (PERFORMING UPC CONTROL ROUTINE), where the above discussed routine, which includes comparing the externally and internally detected UPCs, is carried out. After the article in step 250 has been approved, the system advances to step 252 (PERFORMING THE EAS CONTROL PROCEDURE), in which the above-discussed routine, which includes detecting and processing the EAS labeling, is carried out. Upon successful EAS examination, the system jumps back through step 256 (CONTINUE IN).

The function of the invention in the build-up node is schematically shown in the flowchart of Fig. 16. As mentioned above, this system mode enables the compilation of an independent layer of data useful in operation according to the various embodiments discussed above, 3 ° whereby the memory becomes independent of the UPC. related database for the store in which the system is to be installed. The store's database can of course be used in the absence of the build-up routine in the previous systems.

When the build-up mode in Fig. 16 starts, step 258 (CONTINUOUS FOR THE TRANSPORTER CONTINUOUS) and step 260 (STORE ARTICLE UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE (UPC)) are as described above. In step 262 (? THERE IS A COMPLETE

460 314

LIST OF THIS UPC) is asked whether a complete list of required information has been compiled through previous execution of the BUILDING for the current UPC. If the answer to this question is yes, the program proceeds to step 270 (ENTER). If the answer is negative, the program flow proceeds to step 264 (MEASURE ARTICLE WEIGHT AND STORAGE LIST), in which the weighting output of the item on the conveyor is stored as benchmark failure. It is desirable that such stored weight be considered as a transitional value only and is not considered as a benchmark or fully determined value for the database until the weight of the same article is again considered in subsequent BUILDING and consistency between it as a transition value stored and the subsequently measured weight. However, for the schematic flow chart of Fig. 16, the first measured weight is considered the determined benchmark weight.

During the course of transporting the article through the inlet light curtain, an article can exhibit as many as three quite different heights. If canned goods are considered can be upright, in which case the light curtain will measure the length of the cylindrical can as its height, or it may lie on the side, in which case the light curtain will measure the diameter of the can. In the case of a box, this can have three possible dimensions, namely length, width and height, each of which can be displayed for the light curtain depending on the location of the box on the conveyor.

The BUILDING RANGE preferably looks at each item for each of the possible acceptable light curtain or item designer dimensions stored in memory. This action is performed point by point each time the article passes through the light curtain in consecutive BUILDING ACCIDENTS in step 26 (5 (MEASURE ARTICLE HEIGHT AND STORAGE LIST AS ONE OF HI, H2 OR H3 IF IT IS Separated FROM PREVIOUS REGISTER). The measured height is typically compared with previously stored height or heights in the article 460 314 list. If the currently measured value does not correspond to a previously stored value and the list is incomplete, the measured value is stored as either of H1, H2 or H3 as the case may be. Redundancy is also desirable in this case, as above for weight, but is omitted for simplicity from the schematic flow chart of Fig. 16.

In step 268 (? HAS BEEN AND ONE OF WEIGHT AND HI, H2

AND H3 STORED IN THE LIST OF THIS UPC) is asked if the list for the item in question is complete. If the answer is negative, enter RETURN in step 270. If it is affirmative, step 272 is performed (STORE THE COMPLETE STATEMENT FOR THIS UPC, RETURN) so that the information is available and RETURN is admitted directly from the question in step 262.

Many variations of the foregoing devices and changes in the methods described can be made within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the preferred embodiments and methods shown are intended for the sake of clarity and are not limiting. The idea and scope of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

460 314