Security system

Details Security system Security system

1996-02-20

1998-01-20

Swann, Glen

Communications: electrical

Condition responsive indicating system

Specific condition

340551, 3408253, 34082534, G08B 13187

Patent

active

057105405

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a security system to detect unauthorised removal of articles from a restricted area, such as a retail store.
2. State of the Art
Various systems have been adopted in retail outlets to combat fraud. In one type of system, a tag is attached to each article of clothing or other merchandise, and must be removed before the article is taken out of the store, otherwise a detector at the exit door senses the tag and sets off a general audible alarm. However, another form of fraud which is developing consists of the fraudster removing an article from one part of the store, then taking it to the "returns" desk and claiming a cash refund.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have now devised a security system of improved effectiveness and which is able to counter the above-described form of fraud.
In accordance with this invention, there is provided a security system to detect unauthorised removal of articles from a restricted area such as a retail store, in which each article carries a read/write tag, the security system comprising at least one-point-of-sale or point-of-authorisation apparatus arranged to write specific data into (or erase specific data from) the tag to indicate that the article has been paid for or its removal has otherwise been authorised, and a detector apparatus for the or each exit of said restricted area, said detector apparatus being arranged to read each tag to determine if said specific data has been written into (or erased from) the tag and otherwise to initiate an alarm.
The security system preferably further comprises a refunds/returns detector apparatus arranged to read the tag of each article presented to it and to determine if said specific data has been written into (or erased from) the tag, and to erase (or write in) said data so that the article can be returned to stock.
For example the point-of-sale apparatus may write into the tag data representing the date of sale and the actual price paid for the article. Then the refunds/returns detector erases the data and price-paid data.
Preferably the security system also includes detector equipment for installing internally of the store (for example at passageways between departments or at stairways or escalators between floors), this detector equipment being arranged to read the tags of articles passing them to determine whether any of those articles has not yet been paid for: preferably each such detector equipment is arranged to initiate a low level or discrete alarm, which is available to staff but not to customers. Such a detector may also be arranged as a personal detector to be worn or carried by a member of staff, e.g. providing a discrete audible alarm to an ear piece worn by that member of staff.
Preferably also the detector equipment at each exit location, or at each internal fixed location, comprises at least one ferrite core aerial used in scanning mode. For example, a plurality of such ferrite core aerials may be spaced apart along one transverse dimension of the exit or other passageway (e.g. across its width) and directed generally perpendicular to that dimension (e.g. vertically). The aerials are then switched on one-by-one in succession to scan across the exit or other passageway. Alternatively, a ferrite core aerial may be mounted to a drive apparatus which moves the aerial to scan back-and-forth across the exit or other passageway.
Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the individual elements of a security system in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of an exit doorway from a retail store, showing diagrammatically a scanning-mode detector aerial array;
FIG. 3 is a similar view of an exit doorway, showing diagrammatically an alternative form of scanning mode detector aerial array; and
FIG. 4 is a similar view of an exit doorway, showing diagrammati

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patent: 5372386 (1994-12-01), Mills

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