WO2018134425A1

WO2018134425A1 - System tester for an electronic anti-theft system

Info

Publication number: WO2018134425A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/051505
Authority: WO
Inventors: Søren SØRENSEN; Fabio BERTON
Original assignee: Loke Retail Technology A/S
Priority date: 2017-01-23
Filing date: 2018-01-23
Publication date: 2018-07-26

Abstract

The invention relates to a system tester for an electronic anti-theft system (EAS) system, said system tester comprising; a test unit box comprising an EAS tag having a trigger mechanism capable of enabling or disabling said EAS tag, said trigger mechanism comprising a contact that can be open or closed to tune or detune the resonating LC circuit and thereby activate the tag such that the EAS system can detect the tag and thereby turns on an alarm. The system furthermore comprises a receiver module situated in said test unit box and connected to said contact, such that the tag can be activated by use of a transmitter module. A transmitter module is in communication with said receiver and thereby being capable of activating or deactivating an alarm in a specifically chosen antenna or gate by activating or deactivating the EAS tag placed on that antenna or gate.

Description

System tester for an electronic anti-theft system

The invention relates to a system tester for an electronic anti-theft system (EAS) system. Several types of anti-theft systems exist on the market. The two biggest- selling systems worldwide are the radio-frequency (RF) anti-theft system with a coil or closed-loop antenna operating between 4 and 8.2 MHz, and the acoustic-magnetic system with an element operating at 58 kHz. Rfid HF : 13.56 MHz and Rfid UHF : 860 MHz - 960 MHz. In many commercially available EAS systems, one or more antennas are placed at the exits and entrances to the retail location. These antennas set up zones, sometimes referred to as interrogation zones, in which an EAS tag (or marker) may be sensed. At least one antenna serves the function of sending out what is called an interrogation signal. The markers on the merchandise are affected by this signal and will respond with a signal of their own. Either the same antenna that sends out the interrogation signal or other additional antennas can sense the signals from the markers. The most effective way to do this is by stopping the broadcast of the interrogation signal to listen for the signals emanating from the markers. The markers/EAS tag devices are passive elements and contain a ferrite core surrounded by an electrical coil and a capacitor. This LC circuit is tuned to emit a signal that can be detected by the EAS antenna receivers/interrogator, usually, for the RF markers 8.2 MHz the resonator is an LC circuit or windings around a ferrite core. Commonly, for the AM markers at 58 kHz the resonator circuit uses a resonating/ vibrating strip (prior art US 8 746 580 B2) or an LC circuit around a ferrite core. Functionality of both these main electronic article surveillance technologies ( EAS) are well known and used in the market.

The functionality of the prior art anti-theft systems can only be checked by use of an ordinary EAS-tag which has to pass the antennas, which are normally situated at the exit of stores, in order to see if the passing tag is triggering an alarm. A prior art system is described in US 5 748 085 A and comprises an electronic device for monitoring and recording events of an EAS system, e.g. alarms and other event activity. The electronic device comprises a CPU, a memory, power supply and an alarm signal transmitter and a receiver.

This is inconvenient and it is an object of the invention to provide a system by which the functionality of an electronic anti-theft system can be tested without the need to pass a tag through or between the antennas.

This is achieved by the system tester comprising: a test unit box comprising an EAS tag having a trigger mechanism capable of enabling or disabling said EAS tag or e.g. an LC resonant circuit integrated in a PCB working at the same frequency than the standard EAS systems (most used 8.2 MHz and 58 kHz), said trigger mechanism comprising a contact to change the LC circuit (EAS tag) status and thereby activate the tag such that the EAS system can detect the tag and thereby turns on its integrated Pedestal/antenna alarm; a receiver module situated in the test unit box and connected through the microprocessor to said contact, such that the tag can be activated by use of a transmitter module; said transmitter module being in communication with said receiver module and thereby being capable of activating or deactivating the alarm in the EAS-system by activating or deactivating said EAS tag/LC circuit.

The system tester can be integrated in a test box which can be situated on or nearby existing antennas or in an electronic (PCB) anti-theft system, and the system can be checked by e.g. the staff by pressing a button on said local transmitter module (Fig.1 ) or by sending a command by remote by using the remote transmitter module controlled by a software (Fig. 2).

The system test unit box (Fig.3), receiver module and transmitter module may be battery operated and it is compatible with known types of EAS- antennas in today's market. Embodiments of the invention are recited in the dependent claims.

In one embodiment, the system tester also comprises a surveillance module provided with a microprocessor (CPU) being capable of storing and processing information about the functionality of the system, said information being, but not limited to, e.g. numbers of testing, numbers of alarm and/or the functionality of the alarm function, the microprocessor can also be

programmed to do specific tasks. Preferably, the surveillance module is connected to - e.g. by wireless connection - a central computer capable of receiving and processing date from several independent surveillance modules e.g. connected to a network interface and via a cloud solution and/or web/software by Ethernet LAN cable, or 3G data communication or GPRS data communication.

Other embodiments relates to a system tester for an electronic anti-theft system according to any of the above aspects, wherein the test unit box further comprises a receiver module, which can detect a transmission signal on 8.2 MHz or 58 kHz and thereby detect if an EAS transmitter antenna or pedestal is operating or not, and a system tester for an electronic anti-theft system according to any of the above aspects, wherein the test unit box further comprises an acoustic microphone, which can detect if the system triggers an alarm by listening for a buzzer volume dB, pattern and frequency.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures where:

fig.1 shows a block diagram of a local radio controller being used in a system tester; fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a remote radio controller controlled by the cloud used in a system tester; fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a system tester; fig. 4 shows antennas used in an electronic anti-theft system and equipped with a system tester box; fig. 5 shows an installation with the test box placed adjacent to an EAS pedestal; fig. 6 shows a common LC resonator circuit normally used for EAS tags; figs. 7, i.e. 7A and 7B show a trigger mechanism that uses a resistor in parallel with the LC circuit; figs. 8, i.e. 8A and 8B show a trigger mechanism that uses a capacitor in parallel with the LC circuit;

figs. 9, i.e. 9A and 9B show a trigger mechanism that opens the LC circuit by using a switch in order to detune the circuit when it is open as in figs. 7- 8; figs.10, i.e. 10A and 10B show a trigger mechanism that creates a short circuit between the two capacitor poles; fig. 11 shows the same trigger mechanism as shown in figs. 9 when it is open; figs. 12, i.e. 12A and 12B show a trigger mechanism that uses two diodes in anti-parallel in parallel with the LC circuit.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a CPU 1 which is capable of controlling the components. The system tester comprises a radio module 2 which transmits by an antenna 3. The CPU may control the data transfer to the computer through a PC-connection 21 . A battery 5 delivers power to the system, and a 12-button keyboard 6 as shown to the right in fig. 1 is used as an interface to the system tester. The system tester also comprises a network controller 13.

Now turning to fig. 4 which shows an already known anti-shop lifting system. These systems normally comprise two antennas 10, 20 and are typically installed next to an entrance or an exit and additionally situated such that customers must pass between the antennas 10, 20 when entering or leaving the store. The antennas are normally adapted such that they are capable of detecting safety tags. It is an objective of the invention to provide a tester for these kinds of systems. The system tester comprises a test unit box 1 1 .

The test unit box 1 1 which is shown in block diagram in fig. 3 is equipped with one or two EAS tags 8, 9. Furthermore, the test box comprises an internal antenna 12, a CPU 1 , a trigger mechanism 7 and two EAS tags/LC circuits 8,9, one being for AM and the other for RF.

Each of these two LC circuits is capable of triggering an alarm in a corresponding (RF or AM) EAS system. The two RF circuits are connected to the trigger mechanism 7. The radio module 2 is adapted and connected with the antenna 12 so that it can create a connection between the CPU 1 and the trigger mechanism 7 and the RF circuits when the antenna receives an activation signal from a remote control as shown in fig. 1 or fig. 2.

The precise functionality of such circuits in connection with EAS systems is of ordinary knowledge to the skilled person and accordingly it will not be explained in further detail. The system may comprise a Remote control (as shown in fig. 1 ) that sends a signal (normally FREQ. 868 MHz) to the radio module 2 in the test box 1 1 . This signal is converted and used to change a switch status between open or close and thereby disables or enables (tunes or detunes) a resonator LC resonator circuit. Figs 7A-12B show different solutions on how to change the switch status of the trigger mechanism 7.

In fig. 2 an example of the invention is shown wherein the CPU 1 controls the data transfer to Internet by using a LAN Ethernet cable 21 and the device is powered by an additional power supply unit 22 connected to a main socket. The system tester comprises a network controller 13.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a system tester unit box 1 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The CPU 1 controls the trigger mechanism 7. This trigger mechanism 7 in the shown example is connected to two different LC circuits. One preferably being at the frequency 8.2 MHz (8) and the other preferably at the frequency of 58 kHz (9). These two LC circuits can be different for different versions of the test unit box 1 1 .

Fig. 4 shows two antennas 10, 20 used in an electronic anti-theft system and equipped with a system test unit box 1 1 . The system test unit box in the shown embodiment is directly attached on an EAS pedestal to the antenna; however, it can also be installed inside the same box as the EAS system (not shown in the figures).

Fig. 5 shows an installation where the test box is not placed on the EAS pedestal but in the vicinity hereof. The system tester box can be placed in a range of 0-60 or 60-70 cm and up to approximately a meter from the EAS antennas without destroying its capability to trigger the alarm in the EAS system.

In fig. 6 is shown, in block diagram, a common LC resonator circuit normally used for EAS tags. This is composed with an inductor (L) and a capacitor (C). The circuit is tuned at the right frequency by using the correct value of L

(numbers of copper wire) and C. The two standard frequencies known in the market and used for the present invention are 8.2 MHz and 58 kHz.

In figs. 7 are shown, in block diagram, how a switch arrangement can be made in a LC-circuit. This LC-circuit is connected in parallel with a resistor 15, the resonating frequency of such a system depends on whether or not this resistor is a part of the system and this is utilized by use of a switch 14 which can disconnect or connect the resistor 15 so as to be active or passive part of the LC-circuit. The switch is shown in its closed position in fig. 7A and in its open position in fig. 7B. When a LC-circuit having such a switch arrangement is placed in proximity to an EAS system, it does not trigger any alarms in the EAS system as long as the contact 14 is closed because the resonating circuit is not tuned. At the moment when the remote controller sends a signal to trigger the alarm, the switch simply opens and the resistor is no longer in the circuit and the resonator circuit (LC circuit tuned at 8.2 MHz or 58 kHz) is able to trigger the EAS alarm (Fig. 7B). In figs 8A and 8B is shown how a switch 14 can connect or disconnect a capacitor in parallel with the LC circuit and thereby change the resonating frequency.

When a tester unit box 1 1 having a circuit as shown with a closed contact 14 in fig. 8A is placed in proximity to a EAS system it does not trigger any alarms in the EAS system because the resonating circuit is not tuned. At the moment when the remote controller sends a signal to trigger the alarm, the switch 14 opens as shown in fig. 8B and the capacitor is no longer in the circuit and the resonator circuit (LC circuit 8.2 MHz or 58 kHz) is able to trigger the EAS alarm.

Figs. 9 shows a switch mechanism which detunes the circuit when it is open (Fig. 9A) and changes the circuit resonating frequency to the common EAS frequency when the switch 14 is closed (Fig. 9B).

When the tester unit box 1 1 is placed close to or on the EAS system, it does not trigger any alarms in the EAS antennas because the resonating circuit is not tuned. At the moment when the remote controller sends a signal to trigger the alarm, the switch 14 closes and the circuit becomes again an LC tuned circuit (8.2 MHz or 58 kHz) capable of triggering the EAS alarm (Fig. 9B).

Figs. 10 shows a switch arrangement that creates a short circuit between the two capacitor poles in order to modify the LC circuit to change the circuit resonating frequency when the switch 14 is closed (Fig. 10A).

When the tester unit box 1 1 is placed close to or on the EAS system, it does not trigger any alarms in the EAS antennas because the resonating circuit is not tuned. At the moment when the remote controller sends a signal to the test unit box to trigger the alarm, the switch 14 opens and the circuit becomes again an LC tuned circuit (8.2 MHz or 58 kHz) capable of triggering the EAS alarm (Fig. 10B).

In fig. 1 1 the same switch arrangement is shown as in figs. 9 that opens the LC circuit by using a switch 14 in order to detune the circuit when it is open and change the circuit resonating frequency to the common EAS frequency when the switch is closed. However, in this case the switch is not controlled by the trigger mechanism and the CPU in the tester unit box 1 1 but is a physical switch connected by cable/wires to the circuit. Figs. 12 shows a switch arrangement that uses two diodes 16, 17, D1 , D2 in anti-parallel in parallel with the LC circuit to change the circuit resonating frequency when the two diodes are connected to the circuit (Fig. 12A) when the switch 14 is closed. When the tester unit box 1 1 is placed close to or on the EAS system it does not trigger any alarms in the EAS antennas because the resonating circuit is not tuned. At the moment when the remote controller sends a signal to the test unit box 1 1 to trigger the alarm, the switch 14 opens and the two diodes are no longer in the circuit and the resonator circuit (LC circuit 8.2 MHz or 58 kHz) is able to trigger the EAS alarm (Fig. 12B).

By the providing of a system tester according to the invention it is thus possible to install a test unit box adjacent to an already established anti-theft system (Figs 4 and 5). Thus it is - not just - possible to test the functionality of the established systems using the components of the system. By the system tester according to the invention a system capable of generating / triggering an alarm if necessary - for other reasons - is also achieved without the need for an additional buzzer.

Claims

1 . System tester for an electronic anti-theft system (EAS) system, said system tester comprising:

• a test unit box (1 1 ) comprising an EAS tag (8, 9) having a trigger

mechanism (7) capable of enabling or disabling said EAS tag, said trigger mechanism comprising a switch/contact to change the LC- circuit resonating frequency (tune and detune) and thereby activate the tag such that the EAS system can detect the tag and thereby turns on a EAS-system alarm;

• a receiver module situated in said test unit box (1 1 ) and connected to said contact, such that the tag (8, 9) can be activated by use of a transmitter module;

• said transmitter module being in communication with said receiver module and thereby being capable of activating or deactivating an alarm by activating or deactivating said EAS tag (8, 9). 2. System tester for an electronic anti-theft system according to claim 1 wherein said EAS tag (8, 9) comprises a ferrite core or a coil circuit resonating when tuned by the switch status changing, at the frequency known of 8.

2 MHz and 58 kHz.

3. System tester for an electronic anti-theft system according to claims 1 or 2 wherein said transmitter module and said trigger mechanism on the test box (1 1 ) are communicating by wire.

4. System tester for an electronic anti-theft system according to any of the claims 1 -3 wherein said transmitter module and said receiver module being in wireless communication preferably Wi-Fi means using standard protocol 802.1 1 .

5. System tester for an electronic anti-theft system according to any of the claims 1 -4 wherein said transmitter module and said receiver module being in wireless communication, preferably at 868 MHz.

6. System tester for an electronic anti-theft system according claims 4 or 5 wherein said signal is converted and used to close or open a switch/contact and change the EAS tags (LC circuit) (8, 9) status from detuned to tuned the two resonating circuits (EAS tag) at 58 kHz or/and 8.2 MHz.

7. System tester for an electronic anti-theft system according to any of the claims 1 -6 wherein said test box comprises one or two EAS tags (8, 9).

8. System tester for an electronic anti-theft system according to any of the claims 4-8 wherein said wireless communication being Bluetooth.

9. System tester for an electronic anti-theft system according to any of the claims 1 -8 wherein said test unit box (1 1 ) further comprises a receiver module which can detect a transmission signal on 8.2 MHz or 58 kHz and thereby detect if an EAS transmitter antenna/pedestal is operating or not.

10. System tester for an electronic anti-theft system according to any of the claims 1 -9 wherein said test unit box (1 1 ) further comprises an acoustic microphone which can detect if the system triggers an alarm by listening for a buzzer volume dB, pattern and frequency.