JPH05238517A - Article removal controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To recognize the number of articles present inside a sensing area in a device for which an EAS device and an AIC device are connected. CONSTITUTION: This controller is provided with a plurality of sensors, an electromagnetic field formation means 500 for forming an electromagnetic field suited to send out energy for detection by one or a plurality of sensors inside the sensing area relating to the respective sensors and operate one or a plurality of sensitized markers arranged inside the sensing area and a processing means 400 connected to the respective sensors so as to supply a detection pattern corresponding to the detection of responded energy from the one or a plurality of sensors which is the detection pattern processed so as to decide whether the marker is absent inside the sensing area or one or two or more are present.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the removal of specially identified items from a facility by specifically authorized users.
emoval) control device, in particular Australian patent 607,642, which is heretofore referenced and incorporated herein by reference.
It discloses a modification to the device disclosed in the publication.

[0002]

2. Description of Related Art Item inventory control (AIC) devices are generally accepted and technically pre-existing, and allow certain users to control the removal of certain items within a facility. To do. As an example, there is a device for controlling the number of books for renting books. In this case, the user has an I / O containing magnetically or optically detectable data (eg a bar code).
The person is confirmed by the D card. Books and other items stored in the library are typically labeled with similar identification labels. Usually, a computerized user database contains identification data for all registered users of the library, and a similar article database contains identification data for all books in the library. When someone wants to borrow a book from the library, the book lending controller first tells that the person is known to the library, that is, the person takes out a book or a special category of books. ) Is confirmed. The device then verifies that the special book is lendable from the library, eg, not "reserved". If both the user and the book are recognized by the device, the book is brought out (rented out) by the user. Such recognition is often provided to library staff as a visual or audible signal. In addition, the device may maintain data relating to special users and special books, and may issue late charge postings, usage reports, and the like, without request.

Electronic article surveillance (EAS) devices can also be used to prevent unauthorized removal of articles by facility users. An electronic article surveillance device is defined as a device comprising: (1) Able to ask questions remotely attached to certain items (inter
rogatable marker, (2) means for sensing the marker in an interrogation area and thereby determining the presence of the article, and (3) means for preventing the facility user from removing the article.

For purposes of the present invention, "remova
The term `` l) '' means that the user may approach the article, move the article from one location to another within the facility, bring the article into the facility, or remove the article from the facility. Contains. The last is the common use of EAS devices. However, an EAS device as defined above can, for example, control shipping decisions for items from one location to another location on a factory assembly line.

Many EAS devices are magnetically activatable (a) attached to an article with special markers, interrogation and detection devices placed at one or more locations within the facility.
ctivatable) "marker" is used. Typically, taking items out has a lockable exit gate,
This is hindered by restricting the movement of goods within or out of the facility. The gate is locked in response to an alarm signal when a marker is detected in the interrogation area located immediately in front of the exit. For the library used as an example as described above, the marker may comprise a piece of magnetic material suitable for being inserted into the spine of a book or to be mounted inside a book cover. ..

[0006] Typically, EAS devices use markers that are either invariant or reversibly deactivatable and combinations thereof. Such markers are
Also known as a "dual state" marker. Permanently deactivatable markers are preferred in certain situations where the article is suitable for passing through the interrogation area without impeding removal. For example, in a retail store, if a product was purchased in a particular department, the marker could be inactive at that location, so a query area in another department would not activate the marker. Will not. Reactivating markers are preferred, for example, in a library where users who have borrowed a book for an extended period of time can visit the library with the book for that period of time. in this case,
The device does not prevent subsequent removal of the book until the book is returned, the marker is reactivated, and the book can be re-rented.

The deactivating / reactivating device is typically designed to operate on signals from a single sensitized article of maximum size. However, the device works equally well with multiple sensitized articles whose combined size is equal to the maximum dimension. The deactivating / reactivating device cannot distinguish between sensitized articles, one large or a plurality of smaller ones.

It is known in the art to integrate the functions of the two devices described above into one device. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,449 (Elder et al.) At column 15, lines 62-67, it is generally suggested that an automatic book lending device may be combined with an EAS device. More relevant to the present invention, U.S. Pat.No. 4,141,078 (Bridge Jr., et al.) Identifies a user via a card reader, identifies a book via an optical reader, Disclosed is an automated book lending control device that includes modifications and inquiries, an electromagnetic device for magnetizing and demagnetizing the magnetic stripe in each book, and other functions. US Patent 4,
The disclosure of 141,078 (Bridge Jr., et al.) Is incorporated herein by reference.

The application of such integrated devices is difficult, especially in libraries where one or both of the individual devices are in flow operation. For example, some existing EAS devices are unable to distinguish individual markers, only the presence or absence of sensitized markers. Thus a library may use the same markers in a collection, even for different types of books. Therefore, the marker can no longer include coded inventory data that can identify the type of article to which the marker is attached. A library with EAS devices in place but no computerized library control would have to add its own library control marker to each book.

While many libraries are already available with coded library marking devices, there are no industry standards for the type, coding, construction or placement of their markers, so the markers are Various proposals can be made regarding the solution and whether it is provided on the front surface, the back surface, or the inside of the cover.

Each book typically contains an identification of multiple copies of a title and must be uniquely identified, some of which are generally rentable and some of which are bookable. is there.

Further, current EAS devices generally
It is not designed to receive an eject enable signal from an AIC device that was added later. In this way, in such a facility, for complete article take-out control, it is necessary to separate the article inventory control and the article monitoring device, and usually to connect the above two by manpower integration. In the library, such connecting work involves physically passing a book through the marker deactivation device of the EAS device by a lending clerical worker who is looking at the blinking light on the AIC device that indicates the removal permission of the book. Done in. Another possibility is for the clerk of the lending office to manually circumvent the removal prevention means, for example by passing the book around the questioning device or carrying it to the user on the other side of the lockable gate. is there.
Since the user passes through the question area without the identified book, the gate remains unlocked, allowing the user to leave the library.

[0013]

As a concept of the present invention,
Delivering energy to a plurality of sensors and a sensing area associated with each of the sensors for detection by the one or more sensors to actuate one or more sensitized markers located within the sensing area. Means adapted to form an electromagnetic field and responsive to the response energy from one or more of the sensors to determine whether the marker is absent or one or more are in the sensing area. Processing means connected to each said sensor for supplying a detection pattern to be processed in this way.

[0014]

1 to 3 show the major components of a preferred embodiment of a user self-inspection (PSC) device located in one location of the facility, generally designated 100.

Within the facility, there is at least one article 110 with an article identification code 220 and an electronic article surveillance (EAS) marker 310 attached. The code 220 may be a label similar to a unified product code (UPC) label.

The PSC controller 200, the electronic article monitoring device 300, and the main inspection unit 500 are conventionally installed in the facility 100, or at least one PSC.
It can be installed together with the server terminal device 400.

Connected to the PSC server 400 is one of a plurality of user ID cards 210. Generally, each user (not shown) in the facility 100 can be identified via a user ID card, and each item 110 can be identified via a corresponding item identification code 220. The item identification code 220 is typically permanently attached to the item itself and is embedded or engraved on the item,
Alternatively, it is attached to a tag attached to the article.

The PSC server 400 is also a sensitizer.
It includes a pattern generator 253 that detects the pattern of the tuned marker 310. The server 400
Also detects the presence of an article 110 provided within the desensitizing area. It also allows the user to activate the PS by user activating device 263.
It contains a user activated indication that the C server 400 is requesting service.

The PSC controller 200 is provided with a PSC contact 201 so that information from the PSC server 400 regarding user ID and article ID is received on lines 232 and 242, respectively. This information is used to confirm that the transaction can proceed.
Is sent to the customer database (not shown).

PSC controller 200 also receives information from PSC server 400 about the sensitized marker pattern being detected by pattern generator 253. This pattern is received on line 252 and PS
The pattern received by the PSC controller 200 via the C-contact 201 determines whether there are more than one sensitized marker within the desensitized area.

The PSC controller 200 also includes a PSC
The article 110 is transferred to the main inspection unit 50 via the contact 201.
Information indicating that the user is in the desensitized area of 0 and that the user has requested treatment due to activation of the user activation device 263 are received from the PSC server 400 via lines 272 and 292, respectively. To do.

The PSC controller 200 receives, via the PSC contact 201, confirmation from the customer database that the lending procedure can proceed on the line 233, and only the article 110 is within the desensitized area of the pattern generator 253. It makes a decision from the pattern generator 253 that it is present. This determination causes the PSC controller 200 to activate the line 270 to the PSC server 400 via the PSC contact 201 to the article removal permission function 710 state.

The EAS device 300 makes an inquiry to the EAS marker 310 by using the inquiry signal 322, and the inspection extraction response 3
The reception of 24 allows the user to take out the article 110 from the facility 100.

In this method, a separate device 200,
Communication between 300 and 500 is established. As a result, the EAS device 300 only allows certain items to be taken out of the facility by certain authorized users,
Ensure that only one item per transaction is authorized for retrieval.

The preferred embodiment is the presence of the PSC controller's signal in the integration of the PSC and EAS functions without the need for some modifications to the EAS device or some hard wiring between the two devices of the PSC and EAS. To use. To clarify this, PS
A description of the additional information of the C and EAS devices helps.

FIG. 2 shows the PSC controller 2 shown in FIG.
A conventional typical inventory control device 20 that can be exchanged with 00
It is a block diagram of 00. As mentioned above, the inputs to this device are the transmitted user identification signal 232 and the transmitted article identification signal 242. The output from the above device is an article removal permission signal 270. The transmitted user identification signal 232 is evaluated by a user identifier 2300 (eg, a database is searched) to determine if the user is known to the device. If so, the inspection user identification signal 2340 is sent to the article eject enabler 2500. Similarly, the transmitted item identification signal 242 is evaluated by the item identifier 2400 (eg, another database is searched) to determine if the item is known to the device. If recognized, the item identification signal 2440 indicates that the item removal permitter 2
Sent to 500. The article eject enabler 2500 uses both the evaluated identification signals 2340 and 2440 to determine if the user is authorized to take the article out of the facility (not shown, but additional Consideration may include the date and time, the number of explicit fetch requests by certain users per day, and the like.). If authorized, an article removal authorization signal 270 is generated. If some of the above assessments, such as a decision, indicate unauthorized users and / or unauthorized items, the item removal authorization signal 270 is not generated.

FIG. 3 is a typical block diagram of the electronic article monitoring device 300 and the main inspection unit 500. EAS
The device is typically located, for example, at the exit of a library or retail store and sends an interrogation signal 322 to an EAS marker 310 and receives its detection signal 324 from the EAS marker 310. Interrogation signal 322 typically results in an alternating magnetic field of known strength and frequency in the interrogation region.
The detection signal 324 induces alternating magnetization in the marker 310 in response to the interrogation signal 322 and comprises multiple harmonics of the interrogation signal. Activated EAS
When the marker 310 is interrogated and sensed by the interrogator / sensor 320, an activation status signal 330 is generated. This signal is used by a tamper proof 350, such as a lockable gate, to determine whether an article with an activated marker attached is removed from the facility.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is suitable for use with permanently inactivatable markers. Therefore, the EAS device 300 further includes the main inspection unit 5
00 and comprises a deactivator 540 for receiving the evaluated article removal permission signal 710 from the terminal device 400. Further, receiving signal 710 activates deactivator 540, which in turn emits deactivation signal 542 to marker 310. Deactivation signal 5 typically
42 is a high intensity non-alternating magnetic field. Once marker 310
If is permanently deactivated, the sense signal 324 is not generated for subsequent interrogations, and the activation signal 330 is generated as if no marker was sensed. Therefore, the ejection preventer 350 does not prevent the user from ejecting the article.

Generally, the enable signal 7 is sent to the deactivator 540.
When 10 is not supplied, the deactivator 540 outputs a low energy alternating magnetic field.

Another embodiment similar to the one described above is
Suitable for EAS devices that use re-activatable markers. In this case, there are at least two signals received by the EAS device from the terminal device. The first signal is the evaluated article removal authorization signal 710, which is used, for example, to allow a library user to "check out" to borrow a book from the library. When this signal is received, the device operates as described above, except that the marker is temporarily deactivated. The second signal (not shown) makes use of a re-activator (not shown), which emits an appropriate signal to restore the temporarily deactivated marker to its activated state. To do. For example, library users can "check in"
Used to authorize a library to return books to the library.

Regardless of the marker type selection, the decision to allow the user to remove an item by the inventory control device is accomplished by requiring a subsequent activation status signal 330, as described above. To be done.

FIG. 4 illustrates an inventory control (AIC) device controller 4 including a device for ultrasonic width measurement 432 of an article.
000 for a typical prior art. This width measurement may either be attached to the article, included in the expanded article property code label 442, or a record maintained in a database that is retrieved as part of the authorized article retrieval operation. Compared with the record of the width of the possible articles.

Indispensable for the continuous operation of this technique is the need for labeling each item contained within the facility. This operation can be added to the identification function already performed where the customer obtains the existing quantity of the articles already identified by the article identifier 442. Optionally, the continuous operation of this technique involves creating a database containing measurements of the width of the article and associating those measurements with the article. This can be added to a database already created by the customer to include other details of the item.

The terminal device controller 4000 receives the user identification data 412, the article identification data 422, the article characteristic measurement value 432, the coded article characteristic measurement value 442, and the article removal permission signal 270. The terminal device 4000
Sends out the user identification signal 232, the article identification signal 242, and the evaluation article removal permission signal 710. The user of the facility who wishes to take out the article from the facility inputs his / her user identification data to the terminal device. This is done by typing in the identification number on the alphanumeric keyboard.

Similarly, the item identification data is input to the terminal device 4000 by using, for example, an optical scanner to read the bar code attached to the item. User identification receiver 4100 receives user identification data 412 and sends an internal user identification signal 4140 to user identification transmitter 5100. Similarly, the article identification receiver 4200
Receives the article identification data 422 and receives the internal article identification signal 4
240 is sent to the article identification transmitter 5200. Either or both of the above processes may include converting the input signals 412 and 422 to different signed formats, such as ASCII to BCD.

The user identification transmitter 5100 receives the internal user identification signal 4140 and sends it to the A in FIG.
The transmitted user identification signal 232 is sent to the user identification device 320 of the IC device 2000. Similarly, the article identification transmitter 5200 receives the internal article identification signal 4240 and also sends the transmitted article identification signal 242 to the article identifier 2400 in FIG. Either or both of the above processes may include converting the internal signals 4140 and 4240 to different signed formats, such as ASCII to BCD. User and article identification signals 232, 242 are coded (eg ASCII)
A compatible to receive the signal
It is essential that the IC device be shaped into the signal for which it is designed (eg, acoustic tone, varying voltage levels, etc.).

The article characteristic measurement value is obtained by the article characteristic measuring device 430.
0, and the article property measurer 4300 produces a measured article property signal 434. Coded article property receiver 4400 receives coded article property measurements 442 representing the same property, but the latter is coded in a form that need not be understandable to the user. For example, with a keypad as described above, the user can enter alphanumeric or other code printed on a label attached to the item. Alternatively, if the code is in the form of a bar code or the like, the code is automatically entered. The code gives a property value as measured before the item was effectively taken out of the facility. In response, the terminal device 4000 generates a coded article property signal 4440 and the measurement property evaluator 4500 evaluates that only the active article 110 is actually present at the terminal device, not just a tag containing the article identification code 220, for example. To do this, compare the measured and coded signals 4340 and 4440. This comparison produces a characterization signal 4520, which is a picker 70.
One input to 00. Use of the evaluated measurement characteristics of article 110 is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,141,078 (Bridge, et al.)
It is preferred for accuracy over non-measurement based devices such as those shown in columns, lines 6-14.

Another input of the article extractable device 7000 is the internal article removal permission signal 6140. This signal is generated by the article take-out permission receiver 6100, and the article take-out permission receiver 6100 receives the article take-out permission signal 270 from the article take-out permitter 2500 of the AIC device 2000 shown in FIG. User and article identification transmitter 5100, 520
Like 0, the article take-out permission receiver 6100 converts the article take-out permission signal 270 into a different signed format, such as ASCII to BCD. The article take-out permission receiver 6100 is emitted by the AIC device 2000, encoded (eg ASCII) and formed (flashing light, RS-232C, 2;
It is a further requirement that it be able to receive and understand the article removal authorization signal 270 designed to include a 0 mA current loop, etc.).

The article eject enabler 7000 performs the "AND" logic function to signal 4 before sending the article eject enable signal 710 to the deactivator 540 of the EAS device 500 shown in FIG.
Both 520 and 6240 need to be present. As described above, the signal 710 is distributed to the EAS device 500 by (1) the user is permitted to take out the article 110 according to the article take-out permission signal 270, and (2) the article is taken as a terminal device according to the measurement characteristic evaluation signal 4520. Identifies that it actually exists in.

In some uses, the user identification transmitter 51
00 and / or the article identification transmitter 5200 to the terminal device 40.
00, and either or both AIC
It is convenient to physically place it near device 2000. Similarly, the article permission receiver 6100 is used by the terminal device 40.
00, and can be placed near the EAS device 500. However, it is preferable that the deactivating and / or reactivating function is directly incorporated in or overlapped with the terminal device 4000. In this case, the article permission receiver 610
0 is not taken out from the terminal device 4000, and the article take-out permission signal 710 is completely present in the terminal device 4000. However, the ejection preventer 350 is still located independently,
It includes a dual interrogator / sensor 320 that operates as described above.

FIG. 5 shows the P used in the preferred embodiment.
3 is a block diagram of an SC server terminal device 400. FIG. The terminal device 400 includes the user identification data 412, the article identification data 422, the present state 245, the user activation request 243,
The sensed article response 233 and the article take-out permission signal 270 are received. The PSC server terminal device 400 uses the decrypted user identification signal 232 and the decrypted article identification signal 24.
2, recognition pattern 252 for sensitized article detection, book present state 2
72, user activity request state 292, and evaluated article removal enable signal 710.

Reference numerals 412 and 422, in some cases,
It is combinable and can be captured and used for both user ID and article ID records. As a result, in such a case, the user identification receiver 410 connected to the line 412 and the article identification receiver 420 connected to the line 422 can have their functions combined into one device. Similarly, the transmitted data 23
2 and 242 can also be combined.

Optional keyboard 296 or touch screen monitor and receipt printer 298
It can also be provided for entering a user password and receiving an article permission record.

The user of the facility 100 who wants to use the facility inserts his or her ID card into the defined reading area. The user activation device 243 detects the presence of the user ID, and the PSC controller 200 (FIG. 6) is detected on the line 292.
To send a signal to.

PSC controller 200 responds to line 270 with a command to turn on optical scanner 299. The scanned user ID 412 was received and 4
Decrypted at 10. The data is PS on line 232
It is transmitted to the C controller 200.

The PSC controller 200 inquires the password entered on the keyboard 296 or the touch screen monitor. Keyboard data is track 2
At 32, it is transmitted to the PSC controller 200.

Items 110 to be permitted to take out
Are located in the desensitization area 850 shown in FIG. Book present detectors 807, 808 (FIG. 7) provide signal 245 detected by book present detector 265. This operation is track 2
At 72, a signal is communicated to the PSC controller 200.

The PSC controller 200 sends a signal to the optical scanner 299 via line 270 to activate the optical scanner 299 and the scanned data is on line 4.
Device 410 or 4 received at 12 or 422
Each is decrypted at 20. The decoded data is sent to the PSC controller on the line 232 or 242, respectively.

The internal processing within the PSC controller 200, interaction with the database via line 233, determines the ratings that are allowed to be passed to the user of this article 110.

If the decision is that the delivery is allowed, then the PSC server terminal 400 sends the transmission line 25
2 to transmit the contents of the pattern generator 253. The pattern generator 253 is a PSC terminal device 400.
It is connected to a multiple strip transponder assembly 803 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that is interconnected to a common bus 405 along with other devices therein (eg, 410, 420, 253). PSC controller 200 further determines how many sensitized articles are present in desensitized area 850. If it is determined that one or none of the above items are present, the PSC controller 200 sends an item removal enable signal on line 270. This operation is instructed to the present inspection unit via the line 710. Some books are EAS
The safety marker 310 cannot be included and therefore there is a register as no marker.

If it is determined that multiple items are present, the instructions are displayed on the PSC controller 200, instructing the user to obtain assistance from the facility staff,
Removal permission is prohibited. Therefore, the user is prevented from taking out a plurality of articles recorded such that only one article is taken out, as in the prior art device.

With reference to FIG. 6, the operation and timing of PSC server 400 is controlled by a program called PSC contact 201, which resides within the processor and PSC controller 200.

The PSC controller 200 includes the decrypted user ID 232, the decrypted article ID 242, the contents 252 of the pattern generator 253, and the present presence detector 265.
Status 272, status 292 of user activation device 263, and P, such as information from the database via line 233.
Receives data from the SC server 400. The PSC controller 200 sends information for activating the article take-out permission signal receiver 490 via the line 270 and information to the database via the line 233.

The PSC contact 201 is composed of hardware and software for interfacing the receiver / transmitter 602 to the communication port 603. The receiver and transmitter receive and hold the data state as determined by PSC contact 201.

The communication port 603 allows connection to the customer body. This port is RS-232, current loop,
It can be one of a variety of communication ports, such as 3270 emulation, but is not limited to the groups mentioned above.

When the PSC contact 201 detects that the state of the line 292 (user activation device 263) has changed,
The PSC contact 201 is a bar code reader 8 shown in FIG.
02 PSC server 40 on line 270 to activate
Send a command to 0.

The information returned from PSC server 400 on line 232 is evaluated by PSC contact 201 to match the user ID format known to facility 100.

Then, the PSC contact 201 confirms that the above information is known to the facility by the line 233, that the user is very useful for the facility, and that the user is permitted to obtain the article from the facility. It is transmitted to the user database to be evaluated. Optionally, the database determines that the user has his or her own revoked borrowing rights.

The PSC contact 201 receives the preliminary permission command from the database, and visually displays the operation procedure to the user. If permission is granted, a visual indication will be displayed to the user to place the article in the desensitization area 850 for removal permission. If the authorization appears to be revoked, the PSC controller 200 directs the user to seek help from the facility staff.

The PSC contact 201 then monitors the line 272 for a change in state and upon detecting this action sends a signal to the PSC server 400 via line 270 to activate the bar code reader 802. .. PSC server 40 on track 232 or 242
The information returned from 0 is the I.O.
PSC contact 20 to support D. format
It is evaluated by 1.

Then, the PSC contact 201 evaluates the above information on the line 233 that the ID of this article is known in the database, and that this article 110 is not prohibited from lending. Transmit to.

Optionally, it is determined that this item 110 cannot be rented out at this time.

If the item is rented for authorized lending, the PSC contact 201 is line 252.
Contents of the pattern generator 253 from the
Determine the number of sensitized articles present at 50.
If this number is 0 or 1, the PSC contact 201
Sends an article take-out permission signal to the line 270, communicates with the database on the line 233 to instruct the take-out permission that is currently being handled, and gives the user a visual indication of the selection of the next action. To do.

Alternatively, if the above determination is for multiple articles
If it exists in the desensitized area of the SC server 400, the article take-out permission signal is not sent, and the PSC controller 200 invalidates the current handling and thus the line 23
Communicate with the database at 3 and instruct the user visually to ask for help from the staff of the facility.

The PSC contact 201 is then replaced by another indication that the user has removed his ID card when the session ends, or that the item has been removed and another item removal authorization delivery will occur. Lines 272 and 292 are monitored for changes in state since the decision to be made is made.

FIG. 7 includes a PSC server 400,
A preferred embodiment of a PSC server terminal chassis 800 with a visual display 801 that is part of a personal computer 604 including the SC controller 200 on top is shown. The remaining functionality of PSC controller 200 can also be incorporated into chassis 800. The embodiment of FIG. 7 includes a preferred form in which the deactivation and multi-article pattern recognition as described above is incorporated into the terminal device. This inspection unit 500 is PS
Surrounded by the C server terminal chassis 800 as a whole,
The desensitized area 850 of the inspection unit 500 is covered with the same shape as the PSC server terminal chassis 800.

Although the bar code optical scanner 802 is shown on the left hand side, it can also be operated from the right hand side.
It depends on the position of the article ID tag 220 provided on either the front surface, the back surface, or the inside of the cover.

The sensitized article transponder 803 is integrated with that constituted by the non-ferrous shield structure 823 covering the casing of the PSC server 800. The same non-ferrous shield structure is also included in detectors 805 and 804 which provide signals to line 245 for user activation device 263 for left and right hand operation, respectively. This non-ferrous shield structure 823 is identical to the present presence detectors 808 and 807 connected to the line 245 for left-hand and right-hand operation, respectively.
Also included.

The article take-out permission device is 806.

The terminal device 800 shown in FIG. 7 is suitable for use in a library. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7, including the preferred form described above, includes certain questions for the EAS device,
Detection and deactivation functions are additionally incorporated into the terminal device. In this embodiment, the item is a book or other item in the library, the facility user is typically referred to as the library "user," and the EAS device 300 is typically a normally locked gate. A removal prevention device 350 is included. Typically, users with books pass through adjacent question areas before leaving the library or individual departments of the library. If the electronic article surveillance device interrogates and senses an activated marker attached to the book (i.e., that marker is not permanently deactivated as part of the lending procedure), the gate is It remains closed and is therefore prevented from exiting, and also possibly the visible audible alarm is activated.

In the specific example shown in FIG. 7, the terminal device 80
0 detects the user's request by the action of placing the user's own ID 210 on the side surface near the detector 805 or 804 for left-hand or right-hand operation. The identification card 210 in this example has user identification data encoded in the form of a bar code or other optically detectable method. The barcode reader 802 scans the area in the vicinity of the detector 805 and transmits the detected data on the line 243.

The visual instruction is displayed on the visual display device 801 about the procedure of the operation which has just started to the user. The article for permission to carry out is placed in the desensitization area 850 because it is placed on the ID 210 of the user. The presence of an article at this position is sensed by the left hand or right hand operation book presence detectors 808,807. The bar code reader 802 scans the article ID 220 and transmits this data to the PSC server terminal device 400.

The sensitized article transponder 803 determines the presence of the sensitized marker 310 in some of the various detection areas and assigns this pattern to the PSC server terminal 400.
To the internal pattern generator 253.

If the movement permission is determined, the article take-out permission device 806 and the infrared LED are turned off, and the desensitizing operation and the sensitization marker 3 for the inspection unit 500 are performed.
It is possible to move the article through the EAS device 300 without operating the carry-out preventer 350 by causing the operation of desensitizing 10.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a multi-stage strip transponder assembly 803 incorporating an array of # 1-8 sensors 820 covering six horizontal areas and two vertical areas.

Any of the sensors 820 can provide a variety of configurations depending on the type and shape of the article 110 having the marker strip 310. 12A-12C show various arrangements of arrays that can be used in special situations. FIGS. 12A and 12B show a square and circular array, respectively, which is convenient in a sales floor in an environment where the cargo passes through the center of the array. FIG. 12C shows an array of semi-ellipses.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the sensor 8
A waveguide 821 disposed adjacent to 20 provides a sensing focus area of sensor 820 into a detection area 822 that is generally conical in shape. The waveguide 821 is used for the detection sensor 8
It operates in a manner similar to a dish of a radar antenna that concentrates electromagnetic energy on 20. The detection region 822 can be expanded or narrowed by disposing the waveguide 821 in front of or behind the sensor 820. Therefore, the detection area 822 associated with each sensor 820 can have a beam width of between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees. The applicable range of the detection area 822 is set according to the characteristics of the detected unit body.

In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the waveguide 8
21 is shown in the shape of a metal block 832 in which a plurality of holes 832 are formed by drilling, for example. The sensor 820 in the preferred embodiment is formed like an air-core coil of wire, as shown in FIG. 11B, which can be placed near or in the hole 832. Hole 832 acts like a simple, inexpensive tunnel that concentrates the received energy into a narrow beam.

Returning to FIG. 8, the marker 310 is stimulated mainly by an alternating electromagnetic field, which is typically derived from an alternating current supply. The electromagnetic field 830 can be provided in a known manner, but a preferred embodiment is provided as the deactivator 540 of the present inspection unit 500 in the manner described above, which acts to stimulate the sensitizing marker 310, Causes the marker to respond by radiating (transmitting) multiple frequencies from the fundamental frequency of the electromagnetic field 830 (eg 50 or 60 Hz) to the 200 and higher harmonics. Due to the nature of the metal typically used in marker 310,
The harmonics decrease approximately linearly in amplitude, which makes them relatively easy to detect.

The sensor 820 is operative to receive radiant frequency energy transmitted from one or each marker 310 that is active in its respective region 822. The sensor 820 is connected to the pattern generator 253 via the line 233.
Output to.

The method by which the sensor 820 identifies the multi-marker 310 depends on the physical relationship of the detection area 822 and the article 110.
Determined by the worst-case placement of.

With respect to FIG. 10A, each of the sensors 820 typically has a distance between adjacent elements of 5 as shown.
To 20 mm, preferably about 12 mm (measured from the center of each sensor 820). Where the detection area 822 has a beam width of at least 45 degrees, a dead zone as illustrated in FIG. 10A exists between the adjacent sensors 820. Sensitized strips that lie entirely within any one of those dead zones will not be detected. The markers 310 are generally larger than their minimum dimension of 4 mm in the preferred form described above, with a dead zone of 4 mm.
Not wider or deeper than mm.

The size of the dead zone is determined by setting the waveguide 821 for narrowing or widening each of the regions 822 to the sensor 8.
It is adjusted by changing the beam width of the detection area 822 by moving forward and backward of 20.

The center point of the marker 310 has two sensors 8
When detected by 20, the correct adjustment has been made. Following that, following the placement of the marker 310 to about 1 mm, one of the sensors 820 no longer detects the marker. Therefore, accurate switching from one sensor 820 to another is provided when the marker 310 moves horizontally in front of the sensor 820.

FIG. 10B shows the maximum density of markers 310 observed when two books with the sensitized marker strips 310 in the spine of the books are stacked on top of each other. Typically, the outer ends of the marker strips 310 are 12 to 14 mm apart. It will be appreciated that the book 110 must have a certain minimum dimension in order for there to be adequate spacing within the marker strip to position the marker strip 310.

FIG. 10C shows two adjacent books 110.
The a and 110b strips show a typical dense array shown by three sensors 820. Book 110a
Strips of book 110b are about to enter the detection area 822 of sensor # 3 shown by sensor # 2.

The presently disclosed sequences have been tested and show at least 80% of the multi-marker strips showing substantial improvement over the detection capability in prior art devices.
Is constantly detected.

However, there is a minimum book size that cannot be transformed. It has, as shown in FIG. 10D, regular publications 110d and 11e, such as magazines and newspapers, having marker strips 310 placed "between the pages", so that these strips are in the detection area. Longitudinally oriented with 822. The high probability of detection is maintained because the strip edge shown in FIG. 10 (D) for marker 310d extends outside the dead zone between sensors # 1 and # 2 and is thereby detectable.

The pattern generator 253 produces the output of each sensor 820 in a similar manner to the 8-bit bus 405.
Output a digital pattern to. In FIG. 8, the internal structure of the pattern generator 253 is shown clearly for sensor # 8 only. Each sensor 820 is first connected to a bandpass filter 841 that rejects the fundamental and lower than the 20th harmonic. The next 40th harmonic passes and the rest is rejected. The pass band can be changed for a specific request. The pass band has a non-ferrous cover plate 82 formed with respective conical detection areas 822.
A device 84 for providing gain adjustment to a circuit 843 which adjusts to extend outwardly between 15 and 40 mm from the surface of 3
It is amplified and rectified at 2. The signal detected by the sensor 820 is digitized by the Schmitt trigger 844 which is output to the corresponding line of the bus 405.

Bus 405 thereby carries a digital signal pattern indicating the presence, absence or presence of one or more active markers 310 sensed in field 830.

The above pattern is the PSC at which the PSC contact 201 produces a pattern that determines whether the number of active markers 310 sensed is none, one or more.
It is transmitted to the controller 200. PSC contact 201
Includes a reference table for matching patterns that can be output from the pattern generator 253. If only sensor 8
If 20 or two adjustment sensors 820 detect the sensitized marker 310, it is determined that only one marker 310 is present. If, in some configurations, two non-adjacent sensors, or more than two sensors detect the sensitized marker strip 310, it is determined that more than one sensitized strip is present. Once the PSC contact 201 determines that there is none, one or more active markers 310, the personal computer 604 issues the above-mentioned command of either removal permission or handling refusal.

Table 1 below shows valid patterns for take-out authorization. Since each pattern corresponds to a certain number, a single subtraction step can be used to evaluate the pattern. If either sensor # 7 or # 8 provides a signal output, it is not used correctly and permission is prohibited as an indication of terminal device 800,
Thereby, the article 110 must be placed hard in both the horizontal and vertical directions of the non-ferrous shield structure 823.

[0093]

[Table 1]

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another specific example of the article take-out permission signal device 910 which is an accessory not included in the EAS main inspection unit 500.

Existing casing 9 of this inspection unit 500
00 includes two devices in which a beam transmitter 902 and a beam detector 901 are arranged.

The beam passes from one side to the other, and when the beam is blocked, the article 110 is in the desensitized area 850 and the inspection unit 500 must perform a sensitization operation. Be instructed to.

In this preferred embodiment, the auxiliary device 9
03 permanently blocks the beam from the transmitter 902 to the detector 901 and replaces the second beam transmitted from the second beam transmitter 904 with the beam at the existing beam detector 901.

The second beam transmitter 904 is controlled by the line 710 from the article removal permission signal circuit 490.
Line 710 is switched to the "bare" state when PSC server 400 is instructed to permit removal of the item.

The above description only describes one specific example of the present invention, and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art can be additionally made within the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components combined with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a conventional inventory control device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the components shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a typical conventional AIC device controller.

5 is a block diagram of the PSC server shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

6 is a block diagram of the PSC controller shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

7 is a view of P shown in FIG. 5 in which the transponder shown in FIG. 8 is combined.
It is a perspective view of an SC server.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a transponder.

9 is a side cross-sectional view of a preferred active unit for the desensitizer shown in FIG.

10 (A) and 10 (D) are diagrams for explaining how various arranged markers detect.

11A is a front view of a part of the waveguide shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 11B is a side view thereof.

12A to 12C are diagrams showing other types of waveguides in various other sensor configurations.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... PSC device, 110 ... Article, 200 ... PSC controller, 201 ... PSC contact, 253 ... Pattern generator, 263 ... User activation device, 300 ... EAS device, 310 ... Marker, 400 ... PSC server, 50
0 ... main inspection unit, 540 ... deactivator, 820 ... sensor.

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Rick Lynn Nayler Australia 2760 St Marys, Dunhived Circuit (no street address) 3M Australia

Claims (28)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of sensors and one or more sensitizers that deliver energy to and are disposed within the sensing areas associated with each of the sensors for detection by the one or more sensors. An electromagnetic field forming means for forming an electromagnetic field adapted to act on the selected marker and a detection pattern corresponding to the detection of response energy from one or more of the sensors, wherein the marker is not in the sensing area. Or a processing means connected to each said sensor to provide a detection pattern that is processed to determine if more than one is present. 2. A dead zone within the electromagnetic field and outside the sensing area is less than a minimum dimension of the marker.
The transponder assembly according to claim 1. 3. The sensor comprises between 5 and 20 between its centers.
The transponder assembly of claim 2 located mm apart. 4. The transponder assembly of claim 3, wherein the sensors are located about 12 mm apart between their centers. 5. The transponder assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensors are arranged such that the sensing areas of adjacent sensors overlap. 6. The transponder assembly of claim 5 including focusing means associated with said sensor for determining the shape of said sensing area. 7. The sensing area is substantially conical in shape.
The transponder assembly of claim 6. 8. The transponder assembly of claim 6, wherein said focusing means is adapted to vary the detection beam width of said sensing area. 9. The transponder assembly of claim 8, wherein the beam width is variable between 20 degrees and 70 degrees. 10. The transponder assembly of claim 9, wherein the beam width is about 45 degrees. 11. The transponder assembly of claim 10, wherein the dead zone within the electromagnetic field and outside the sensing area is less than 4 mm. 12. The focusing means comprises a waveguide formed from at least one metal portion having a plurality of holes corresponding to the sensors, wherein one of the sensors is located near or inside each of the holes. 7. The transponder assembly of claim 6, which is capable. 13. The transponder assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensors are arranged in an array such that the sensing areas are integrated to provide a sensing area of the transponder assembly having a predetermined shape. 14. The predetermined shape is selected from a classification of a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially circular shape, and a substantially semi-elliptical shape.
3. The transponder assembly according to item 3. 15. The transponder assembly of claim 13, wherein some of the sensors are linearly arranged in one direction and other sensors are linearly arranged in another direction. 16. The transponder assembly of claim 15, wherein the directions are substantially perpendicular to each other such that the sensing areas are generally rectangular. 17. The electromagnetic field alternates at a fundamental frequency,
The transponder assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensitized marker delivers energy at the fundamental frequency and at a plurality of harmonic frequencies associated with the fundamental frequency for detection at the sensor. 18. The transponder assembly of claim 17, wherein the sensor detects transmitted energy down to the 200 th harmonic frequency. 19. The set of selected harmonic frequencies comprises:
18. The transponder assembly of claim 17, wherein the transponder assembly is passed by the processing means and digitized to form the pattern. 20. The transponder assembly of claim 19, wherein the selected set includes frequencies from about the 20 th harmonic to the 60 th harmonic. 21. The processing means comprises calculation means for determining whether one or more of the markers is detected in the plurality of sensing areas by analyzing patterns obtained from adjacent sensors. The transponder assembly of claim 1 including. 22. The calculation means is for reference of a predetermined pattern having an interrelation with the pattern to indicate that there is one, two or more sensitized markers in the electromagnetic field and the sensing area. Contains a table of
20. The transponder assembly according to claim 19. 23. Each of the items and each user of the facility is identified to record and process information relating to permission or prohibition of each user from taking out one or more of the items, each item being Desensitized to allow taking out of goods from the facility, provided with a sensitizable marker that can be sensitized when returning to the facility, and with permission from the item inventory control standby device, A desensitizer connected to the inventory control reserve device to desensitize the marker to allow removal of the corresponding item from the facility, and the only sensitized marker detected in the sensing area. A transponder assembly having the construction of claim 1 connected to the inventory control reserve device to issue the desensitizer authorization. Article the draw controller of the selected one or more of the order to enable taking out the facility. 24. The article carry-out control apparatus of claim 23, wherein the desensitizer and transponder assembly is provided in an article inspection unit where the electromagnetic field is provided by the desensitizer. 25. The desensitizer emits a non-alternating electromagnetic field that desensitizes the marker upon receipt of the permit, and emits an alternating electromagnetic field when an article is received by the article inspection unit. Item 24. The article carry-out control device according to item 24. 26. The article carry-out control device according to claim 23, further comprising an electronic article monitoring standby device for preventing unauthorized take-out of articles from the facility. 27. Communicate identification data to the inventory control reserve device to identify a particular user of the facility and a particular item and to determine permission for the particular user to take out the particular item. 24. The article carry-out control apparatus of claim 23, wherein the transponder assembly issues the desensitizer authorization by the article identification standby when the authorization is valid. 28. The desensitizer, the transponder assembly,
28. The article carry-out control device according to claim 27, wherein the user and article identifying means are provided in an article inspection unit to which the electromagnetic field is supplied by the desensitizer.