EP0915439A2 - Method and device for identfying and deactivating a security tag - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves associating a code with each article, reading or entering the code into an input device (6), associating article information with the code indicating whether the article (1) is secured against theft by an electronic security element (3) and switching on a deactivation unit (8) if a corresponding indication is given An Independent claim is also included for an arrangement for carrying out the method

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device to detect and deactivate a deactivable Securing element for electronic article surveillance, that is attached to or on an article.

Increasingly, items are in department stores and Storage with electronically deactivatable security elements fitted. Such security elements are for example from DE 44 36 974 A1, EP 0 412 137 and EP 0 181 327 B1. The deactivation takes place as soon as a customer legally purchases the goods has acquired. Since the deactivation rate is below 100% so-called reminders are arranged in the checkout area show the seller that a fuse element is not has been deactivated. Just like the deactivators however, only a certain success rate for the reminders decided, i.e. both deliver their share cumulatively that the actual deactivation rate is not the Desired 100% deactivation rate.

The invention has for its object a method and propose a device that the deactivation rate increase significantly.

With regard to the method, the object is achieved by that a code is assigned to each article, that the code indicates an input device is read / input that article information is assigned to the code, where this article information contains an indication of whether the article with an electronic security element is secured against theft, and that a Deactivation unit is switched on when a corresponding information is available.

With regard to the device, the object is achieved by that each article is assigned a code, that a Input device is provided on which the code is entered / read in that a processor is provided is one of the code in a storage unit assigns stored article information and based on the Information recognizes whether the item is electronic detectable fuse element is equipped, and that a deactivation unit is provided which is switched on when the processor detects that the item contains an electronically detectable security element is provided.

According to an advantageous development of the invention Device is provided that it Securing element around an electromagnetic strip securing element, a Barkhausen securing element, a Thin film fuse element, a resonance frequency fuse element or an acousto-magnetic Fuse element acts. In principle it is The device according to the invention is therefore capable of all Recognize known types of security elements and to deactivate. In this context, it is necessary that the item information associated with the code is an indication about what type of fuse element the corresponding article is equipped.

Are also - as per an advantageous Design of the device according to the invention several are proposed in the deactivation unit Types of deactivators to deactivate the different types of securing elements provided, the processor selectively switches each required deactivator.

As the item information is available directly at the cash desks today is called up via a barcode advantageously with the code around a barcode. Accordingly, an input device is then used Barcode reader used. Alternatively, it can be with the code for price information and with the Act input device to a cash register.

Fig. 1: eine schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung und

Fig. 2: das Flußdiagramm eines Steuerprogramms für den Prozessor.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. It shows:

Fig. 1: a schematic representation of the device according to the invention and

Fig. 2: the flow diagram of a control program for the processor.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the invention Contraption. The one with a code 2, here one Barcode, provided article 1 is on a conveyor belt 4 to actual checkout counter transported. In the area of Conveyor belt 4 is an input device 6, here an Barcode reader, which reads barcode 2 and passes the barcode information to the processor 5. A memory unit 7 is assigned to the processor 5. In This storage unit 7 is item information for each barcode saved. This information is about among other things for price information and an indication of whether the Article with an electronic security element against Theft is secured. If necessary, in the Storage unit 7 also information regarding the type of the securing element 3 included. As soon as the processor 5 recognizes from the information that Article 1 is electronically secured, it activates the Deactivation unit 8, which in the case shown consists of several for the different types of securing elements 3 suitable deactivators 9.

When using the method according to the invention or device according to the invention consequently becomes the reminder saved. In addition to the cheaper Solution also a significantly higher deactivation rate achieved because the reminder as a factor that the Deactivation rate negatively affected, completely eliminated can be.

2 is the flowchart of a control program for the processor 5 shown. After starting the program at 10 the code 2 is entered under point 11 assigned to Article 1. At 12 the code 2 assigned item information called. Based on Article information is checked whether the article 1 with a Securing element 3 for electronic article surveillance Is provided. If this is not the case, it jumps Program for point 15; the program is ended. Is the Article 3, however, provided with a securing element 3, so at program point 13 the corresponding deactivator 9 the deactivation unit 8 is activated. Then will the program ended at point 15.

Reference list

1

items

2nd

code

3rd

Securing element

4th

Conveyor belt

5

processor

6

Input device

7

Storage unit

8th

Deactivation unit

9

Deactivator

Claims (7)

Method for recognizing and deactivating a deactivatable security element for electronic article surveillance, which is attached in or on an article,
characterized, that each article (1) is assigned a code (2), that the code (2) is read / input on an input device (6), that item information is assigned to code (2),
wherein this item information contains an indication of whether the item (1) is secured against theft with an electronic security element (3), and that a deactivation unit (8) is switched on if there is a corresponding indication. Device for recognizing and deactivating a deactivatable security element for electronic article security, which is attached to an article,
characterized, that each article (1) is assigned a code (2), that an input device (6) is provided, on which the code (2) is input / read, that a processor (5) is provided which associates the code (2) with item information stored in a storage unit (7) and recognizes from the information whether the item (1) is equipped with an electronically detectable security element (3), and that a deactivation unit (8) is provided which is switched on when the processor (5) detects that the article (1) is provided with an electronically detectable security element (3). Device according to claim 2,
characterized, that the securing element (3) is an electromagnetic (strip) securing element, a Barkhausen securing element, a thin-layer securing element, a resonance frequency securing element or an acousto-magnetic securing element. Device according to claim 2 or 3,
characterized, that the article information assigned to the code (2) contains an indication of the type of security element (3) the corresponding article (1) is equipped with. Device according to claim 2, 3 or 4,
characterized, that in the deactivation unit (8) several types of deactivators (9) are provided for deactivating the different types of security elements (3) and that the processor (5) turns on the required deactivator (9). Device according to claim 2,
characterized, that the code (2) is a barcode and the input device (6) is a barcode reader. Device according to claim 2,
characterized, that the code (2) is price information and the input device (6) is a cash desk.

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