[0001] The invention relates to a high-frequency type shoplifting detection system. In the
prior art shoplifting detection systems a transmitting coil ("transmitting antenna
pillar") generates a magnetic alternating field having a varying frequency. This frequency
generally lies within the range of from 1 to 10 MHz.
[0002] Attached to the goods to be secured are so-called detection labels. These labels,
also called wafers, contain a resonance circuit consisting of a coil tuned with a
capacitor. They can be designed, e.g., as a flat plastic box containing an air-core
coil or as an adhesive label built up with a flat printed coil and a foil ca- pacitororas
a circuit having divided capacity and self- induction or in some other way.
[0003] When such a label is brought into the magnetic alternating field of the transmitting
coil, at the moments the frequency of the alternating field equals the resonance frequency
of the resonance circuit in the detection label, that circuit will absorb energy and
co-resonate. This co-resonating causes a field disturbance which can be detected by
a receiver circuit which is either connected with the transmitting antenna in a so-called
absorption system or coupled with a second (receiving) antenna in a so-called transmission
system. These shoplifting detection systems are known, inter alia from applicants'
Dutch patent applications 82 02951 and 89 00658. Such detectable field disturbances
can be generated by means of magnetic responders, e.g. as described in US patent 4118
693.
[0004] The transmitting/receiving antennas of a complete shoplifting detection system are
realized, e.g., in a row of upright or self-supporting antenna coil structures, also
called pillars. The transmitting and/or receiving electronics are mostly located somewhere
in the pillar, preferably in the foot. These pillars have hitherto been used especially
in shops, such as clothes shops, in which the rowof pillars is placed just in front
of the exit. In such surroundings the pillars are mounted directly to the floor, the
direct surroundings of each pillar being free of obstacles. The pillars provided with
transmitting antennas generate on both sides a magnetic alternating field. Similarly,
the pillars provided with receiving antennas have a sensitivity range extending on
both sides of the pillar. In order to make it possible upon detection of a label to
find out in the best possible mannerwho has the detected label on him, a visual signalling
device is desirable for each passageway. In a transmission system a label can pass
to the left or right of a receiver pi iiar. The label signal in the receiver is identical
in both cases. It makes no difference whether the label is irradiated by the left
or by the right transmitter. In order yet to make it possible to distinguish between
the left or right passage of a receiver pillar, the two transmitters to the left and
right of this pillar, i.e. the even and odd numbered transmitters in the row, are
alternately switched on and off: multiplexed.
[0005] From the phase of the multiplex signal at the moment of detection of a label, i.e.
the signal alternately switching on the even and odd transmitters, it is derived in
the receiver whether the label is to the left or right of the antenna. With this information
the signalling device belonging to the passageway is controlled. Multiplexing has
to take place at a frequency high enough not to adversely affect the reaction velocity
of the system. In practice, the lower limit is 2 Hz and the upper limit the half sweep
frequency (multiplexes per complete sweep period).
[0006] Another use of high-frequency type shoplifting detection systems relates to the use
in shops designed as supermarkets, in which payment for the goods bought takes place
at so-called cash blocks. Cash blocks are mostly constructed by means of metal beams,
metal or wooden faces provided with a conveyor belt, a (computer) cash register and
sometimes a bar code scanner and/or a pair of scales. In such a cash block a cashier
is sitting. The customers will pass in front of the block and put the goods to be
paid for on the beginning of the conveyor belt. The belt conveys the goods to the
cashier who feeds them into the cash register, optionally with the aid of the bar
code scanner, after which payment takes place. In the meantime, the goods have moved
further to a place on the cash block behind the cashier, in the direction of the exit
of the supermarket. Consequently, a separation takes place between the stream of goods
to be paid for and the associated customers. In a typical supermarket situation a
series of these cash bloks is lined up in a row. The customers pass between the cash
blocks in the direction of the exit. A medium-sized supermarket easily contains more
than ten cash blocks. This arrangement is also designated by the term "check-out system".
In order to check whether customers passing the cash block take along goods not placed
on the belt and therefore not paid for, detection fields are generated in the gangways
between the cash blocks. This may be done, e.g., by means of two pillars: a first
pillar comprising receiver electronics and a second pillar comprising transmitter
electronics. A detection system in this use is preferably built with shielded antennas.
[0007] By using antennas shielded on the back with a shield, undesirable electromagnetic
coupling between receiving and transmitting antennas and the electric conductors in,
on or at the cash block is prevented. Multipad propagation effects and parasitic resonances
in constructional parts and cabling in the cash blocks could otherwise give rise to
a decreased detection sensitivity and false alarms.
[0008] Such shielded antennas are described, e.g., in applicants' international patent application
WO 91/17533. These antennas also have the advantage that no label detection takes
place on the back where goods the labels of which have not yet been deactivated pass
on the conveyor belt so that no undesirable alarm can be caused. Only at the front
of the antenna, in the area where the customers pass, is a magnetic alternating field
generated. Because in this configuration each gangway has a separate detection system
of its own, the associated receiver can only receive in this configuration a label
signal generated by the field of the associated transmitter. The detection of labels
is therefore inherently selective for each passageway, and multiplexing is not necessary.
[0009] Now a situation has arisen with alternate passage - non-passage (blocking) in which
the customers pass through the passageway and the cash blocks form the non-passage
or blocking. In the non-passage detection of labels is undesirable.
[0010] It has been found that the effect of the shield in a shielded pillar is not perfect.
There is always left, through the shield, a remaining coupling of the detection field
with conductors present in the cash blocks.
[0011] A further drawback of the prior art detection system is that for each cash block
separate electronic units are necessary to activate the different antennas of the
detection system, which makes the prior art device relatively complicated and expensive.
[0012] The object of the invention is to remove the above drawbacks and generally to provide
an improved, efficient and reliably operating shoplifting detection system which is
particularly suitable for use in shops designed as supermarkets.
[0013] According to the invention a shoplifting detection system, in particular suitable
for use in shops designed as supermarkets, which detection system is designed to generate
in a plurality of passageways separated from each other by obstacles a magnetic detection
field by means of suitable transmitting antennas so as to enable by means of suitable
receiving antennas detection of a responder located in the detection field and disturbing
the detection field, transmitting and receiving units being provided which are connected
with the transmitting and receiving antennas, characterized in that on both sides
of each obstacle placed between two passageways antennas of the same type are provided
and that the type of antenna of two juxtaposed obstacles separated by a passageway
is always different.
[0014] In the following paragraphs the invention will be described in more detail with reference
to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a check-out system of a supermarket provided
with a shoplifting detection system according to the prior art;
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic top plan view of an example of a first embodiment of a check-out
system provided with a shoplifting detection system according to the invention;
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of an example of a further elaboration of
the inventive concept; and
Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of another example of a further elaboration
on the inventive concept.
[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an example of a check-out system as often
used in shops designed as supermarkets, e.g. food shops. The check-out system shown
comprises a plurality of juxtaposed cash blocks la through 1d. Located between each
pair of juxtaposed cash blocks is a gangway 9a through 9d, via which the customers
can go to the exit, after having paid for the selected goods at the cash desk. The
cash blocks may be constructed in different ways. In the example shown the cash blocks
comprise a conveyor belt 2, a (computer) cash register, a bar code scanner and/or
a pair of scales 5 and a seat 4 for the cash personnel. In operation, there is generated
in the gangway between two cash blocks a detection field capable of detecting electronic
or magnetic responders attached to the shop goods when the shop goods are conveyed
through the gangway instead of via the conveyor belt past the cash personnel.
[0016] In the example shown the detection field is generated by means of antennas 6 arranged
on both sides of each gangway. The antennas are mostly accommodated in an antenna
pillar disposed against a cash block or (partly) put into a recess in a cash block.
The antennas are preferably shielded from the associated cash block. The figure shows
on both sides of each cash block a receiving antenna 7 and a transmitting antenna
8. In the foot of the antenna pillar or in the cash block there are further disposed
a transmitting unit and a receiving unit connected with respectively the receiving
antenna and the transmitting antenna.
[0017] As a result of this configuration there are also disposed on both sides of each gangway
a transmitting antenna 8 and a receiving antenna 7 as shown in Fig. 1. Since each
receiving antenna is connected with a separate associated receiver not connected with
other receiving antennas, it is always certain upon detection of a label in which
passageway detection took place.
[0018] Some sensitivity to false alarm, however, may continue to exist, even when shielded
antennas are used as described in WO 91/17533.
[0019] According to the invention the sensitivity of a check-out system to the remaining
undesirable effects of a multipad propagation caused by, inter alia, coupling of transmitters,
via conductors and apparatuses, with receivers on the other side of a cash block,
and by parasitic resonances of conductors in the cash blocks can be further reduced.
To this end, according to the invention the same pillar type is mounted on both sides
of a cash block: alternately, therefore, two transmitterg pillars or two receiver
pillars for each cash desk. The detection range and the sensitivity to undesirable
coupling via the cash block between two pillars of the same type are much lower than
between a transmitterg and a receiver pillar. Consequently, labelled goods on the
conveyor belt of the cash block give less cause to false alarm.
[0020] An example of a check-out system thus designed is diagrammatically shown in Fig.
2. Cash block 1 a is provided on both sides with receiving antennas, cash block 1
b with transmitting antennas etc.
[0021] According to the present state of the art, each antenna in a check-out system is
connected with the transmitter or receiver electronics belonging to that antenna,
which electronics may or may not be mounted in the antenna pillar.
[0022] It is also possible to connect the shielded antennas with a coaxial cable 11 to the
associated receiving or transmitting unit 17 or 18, which is then accommodated in
a separate box outside the pillars as also shown in Fig. 2. When a check-out system
is thus constructed with alternately two transmitting or two receiving antennas for
each cash block, a cash block therefore contains alternately two transmitter and receiver
electronics units.
[0023] According to a further elaboration on the inventive concept a strong simplification
may be realized by arranging instead of two electronics units of the transmitter or
receiver type for each cash block only one electronics unit which is connected to
the two antennas on both sides of the cash block. The electronics units may be connected
via cables 12. Such a configuration is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 2. Cash blocks
1a and 1c are each provided with a receiving unit connected via coaxial cables 11
with the receiving antennas 7, and cash blocks 1 b and 1 d are each provided with
a transmitting unit 18 connected via coaxial cables 11 with the two transmitting antennas
8 of each cash block. Practical examples are diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3 and
Fig. 4.
[0024] In the simplest embodiment (schematic diagram in Fig. 3) the two antennas 6 with
the shielding 10 of a cash block 1 are parallel connected to the corresponding electronics
unit 17 or 18, e.g. via a coupling transformer, a power splitter/combiner 13 or a
directional coupling. By multiplexing the transmitting units 18a, 18b, i.e. alternately
switching them on by means of suitable control means 20, according to the principle
described for a detached row of pillars, simultaneous detection is realized in the
passageways on both sides of the cash blocks with a transmitting unit, cash blocks
with switched-on and -off transmitters alternating with each other. When the passageways
are consecutively numbered according to the series d1, d2, d3, d4, d5 etc., the detection
is alternately switched on in the passageways d1, d2, d5, d6, d9, d10 etc. or in the
passageways d3, d4, d7, d8, d11, d 12 etc.
[0025] From the phase of the multiplex signal it is derived with suitable phase detection
means in the receivers in which passageway detection takes place. With this information
the signalling device belonging to the passageway is controlled. The detection in
the passageways is therefore alternately switched on two by two.
[0026] This embodiment results in some electric losses caused by the parallel connection
of two antennas via an impedance transformer which becomes evident in a decrease of
detection sensitivity of 2 x 3 dB.
[0027] Multiplexing the transmitters themselves, like in a detached row of pillars, has
the result that they are switched on only half the time. Consequently, the amount
of label information per time unit is not maximal. This results in a slightly decreased
reaction velocity or sensitivity. In practice, this effect is hardly noticeable.
[0028] These losses are avoided in the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows
a schematic diagram. In this variant a preferably electronic switch member 14 or 15
is interposed between two antennas 6 and a transmitting unit 18 or receiving unit
17. The switch member behaves like a rapid relay with a change-over contact and may
be realized , e.g., with PIN diodes or FET as a switch member. At low multiplex frequences
an electromechanical relay is also possible. The switch member takes the place of
the coupling transformer 13 which is used for parallel connection of two antennas.
[0029] Thus it is realized that alternately only those antennas are connected through which
are actively used for detection. This avoids the losses caused by the parallel connected
antenna which at that moment does not participate in the detection. Also, the transmitters
are continuously switched on.
[0030] The performance of a system built up in this manner is comparable to that of a detached
row of pillars in which multiplexing is effected by alternately switching on the even
and odd transmitters. However, the number of electronics units has now been halved.
In this variant multiplexing is effected between even and odd passageways to the left
and right beside each cash desk and not between the passageways two by two as in the
variant without antenna change-over switches. This is not essential to the operation
of a system.
[0031] In principle, it is also possible to multiplex more than two-fold, e.g. 4-fold. This
saves additional transmitters and receivers. In practice, however, this is at the
expense of the reaction velocity and the sensitivity of the system. The requirements
with respect to reaction velocity and sensitivity set a lower limit to the time a
label signal of minimum strength must be present to enable reliable detection. Also,
complicated cabling would be necessary.
[0032] Depending on the width of a passageway and the quality of the labels used, cost price
and system performance may be balanced against each other.
[0033] It is observed that after the foregoing various modifications are obvious to those
skilled in the art. Thus, the invention can also be applied without co-using shielded
antennas. Moreover, the invention is applicable if in the space between two passageways
no detection of responders is desirable or if the space between two passageways is
blocked by a blocking element other than a cash block. For instance, on both sides
of a constructional pillar there can also be mounted and energized two antennas of
the same type as described in the foregoing.
[0034] Similarly, in the embodiment of Fig. 5 the receivers or the transmitters or both
(as shown) can be controlled according to a multiplex system.
[0035] It is also possible to multiplex the receiving units. When, e.g., the system of Fig.
3 is used for two passageways, a transmitting unit like 18a can be used with on both
sides an obstacle having a receiving unit. In that case the transmitting unitcould
be switched on continuously, while the receiving units are switched on and off alternately.
[0036] The shields 10 shown in the figures may comprise panels of metal gauze or other suitable
shielding members.
[0037] These and similar modifications are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.
1. A shoplifting detection system, in particular suitable for use in shops designed
as supermarkets, which detection system is designed to generate in a plurality of
passageways separated from each other by obstacles a magnetic detection field by means
of suitable transmitting antennas so as to enable by means of suitable receiving antennas
detection of a responder located in the detection field and disturbing the detection
field, transmitting and receiving units being provided which are connected with the
transmitting and receiving antennas, characterized in that on both sides of each obstacle
placed between two passageways antennas of the same type are provided, while the type
of antenna of two juxtaposed obstacles separated by a passageway is always different.
2. Ashoplifting detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least
a plurality of obstacles comprises a cash block.
3. Ashoplifting detection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that
at least one set of antennas of the same type belonging to one and the same obstacle
is connected with an electronics unit common to said set of antennas and operating
as a transmitting unit or receiving unit.
4. Ashoplifting detection system according to claim 3, characterized in that a series
of interspaced, juxtaposed obstacles is alternately provided with a common transmitting
unit for the antennas belonging to the obstacle or a common receiving unit for the
antennas belonging to the associated obstacle.
5. Ashoplifting detection system according to claim 3 or4, characterized in that the
common electronics units are connected via a coupling uninterrupted in time with the
associated antennas located on both sides of the associated obstacle.
6. Ashoplifting detection system according to claim 5, characterized in that at least
two successive transmitting units are connected with control means which by means
of a multiplex signal alternately switch on and off successive transmitting units.
7. A shoplifting detection system according to any of claims 3-6, characterized in
that at least two successive receiving units are connected with control means which
by means of a multiplex signal alternately switch on and off successive receiving
units.
8. Ashoplifting detection system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that
of the common electronics units at least the transmitting units or at least the receiving
units or both the transmitting and the receiving units are connected via controllable
change-over switches alternately in time with the antenna placed on one or the other
side of the associated obstacle.
9. Ashoplifting detection system according to claim 8, characterized in that juxtaposed
transmitting and receiving units are alternately connected with the antennas placed
opposite each other in a passageway between two obstacles or with the antennas placed
on the sides of the obstacles facing away from each other.
10. A shoplifting detection system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized
in that at least a plurality of antennas are provided with shielding means which electrically
shield the antennas from the obstacles beside which the antennas are placed.
11. Ashoplifting detection system according to claim 10, characterized in that the
shielding means comprise panels of metal gauze.
12. A shop design, characterized by a shoplifting detection system according to any
of the preceding claims.
13. A cash block for use in a shop design acording to claim 12, characterized by a
single electronics unit designed as a transmitting or receiving unit, and which is
connected with two antennas provided on both sides of the cash block.