JPS6324491A - Burglarproofing method and apparatus for goods rack and burglarproof goods rack - Google Patents

Abstract

The anti-theft product rack (10) continuously monitors the weight of the rack including individual product units (12). When a weight deviation is detected (16), it is characterized as either a disturbance or as the removal of one or more product units. An alarm (41) is sounded if the rack is continuously disturbed for a programmable number of continuous weight sensing cycles, or if a programmable number of disturbances occur during a programmable period of time. In addition, an alarm is sounded if the number of product units detected as being removed at one time exceeds a programmable limit. Finally, if the number of detected product units removed exceeds a programmable number during a programmable period of time, an alarm is sounded. The product display rack presents no physical barriers to product removal and requires no intervention of sales personnel for product removal. Thus, the present invention presents an aesthetically pleasing product rack while providing a high degree of protection against shoplifting or employee theft.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to an anti-theft device and method for product racks.

[Problems to be solved by the prior art and the invention] Product display racks installed in retail stores must be designed to make the products look beautiful and make it easy to touch the products in order to attract attention. It is basically necessary. However, in order to minimize the loss of revenue due to shoplifting, racks should also be equipped with some means to indicate that items were stolen rather than purchased.

As one measure to prevent shoplifting from display racks, product display racks have transparent walls (barriers) with holes large enough for people to enter but not to take out the products displayed on the racks. One possibility is to place the products. However, when a consumer selects a product, the consumer must ask the salesperson to unlock the transparent wall so that the product can be removed. The wall has a bad aesthetic impression and may discourage purchasers. Further, for customers, having to ask for help when selecting a product may also cause them to lose their desire to purchase.

Such transparent walls are often provided in display racks that allow one item at a time to be removed from the bottom of a stack of items. Products can only be taken out through holes formed in the transparent wall at the bottom of the stack of products. However, being able to take out only one product at a time is obviously not favorable for selling a wide variety of products.

Another option is to display the merchandise in display racks where the merchandise is kept separate from the customers by slidable protection. If this protection is activated without proper authorization, the electrical circuit is interrupted and an alarm sounds. That is,
In order to legally take out products from this display rack, the alarm system must be turned off, and a salesperson must be present for this purpose.

Such anti-shoplifting product display racks create an intimidating display by surrounding the products with a protective wall (barrier) to prevent shoplifting, or make it easier to legally remove the products. This may require the presence of sales personnel, or may involve both.

Such anti-theft features inevitably have the problem of lowering purchase motivation.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention provides a display rack in which theft can be detected without configuring physical barriers to the merchandise or requiring the presence of sales personnel to legally remove the merchandise. This solves the various problems mentioned above.

According to one feature of the invention, the weight of the display rack is monitored and if the result of the weight detection indicates that more than a programmable number of merchandise units have been removed at one time. In this case, a V warning sound is generated. The audible alarm also occurs if the weight detection results indicate that more than the programmed number of product units have been removed during the programmed time period. The present invention can also detect actions that are intentionally performed on a rack to disable the system, such as replacing an item on the rack with another item.

The alarm will also sound if the rack is disturbed for a programmed period of time or during a programmed jU1 interval.
It can also occur when an event occurs that involves illegal removal of goods.

The number of items removed that triggers instantaneous or periodic alarms can be varied, and the period for periodic removal and rack disorder detection can be varied. be able to. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to both high-volume and relatively low-volume sales simply by changing the programming of alarm thresholds.

According to the present invention, there is no equivalent physical barrier between the product and the customer, so the customer is completely unaware that the rack is capable of setting off an alarm; There is no problem at all in taking out the products. Further, there is no need for sales personnel to be present when taking out the product.

Additionally, in addition to issuing local alarms, remote alarms can be activated wirelessly or by wire when product removal is detected in excess of programmed limits. The present invention also generates a local confirmation tone when fewer items than the alarm limit are removed. This local confirmation tone has the effect of letting customers know that they are being monitored, thereby discouraging them from stealing.

Instead of or in addition to such a confirmation tone, a synthetic voice of an appropriate greeting may be used. It is also possible to use a local alarm or synthesized sound as the main activation, and only activate an alarm in a remote location.

The display rack of the present invention can be used with a key lock switch adapted to disable the anti-theft function during the period when new merchandise is being displayed. A key lock switch can also be used to switch the display rack to a lock-up mode when some abnormality is detected. By doing this,
It is possible to reduce product abandonment caused by employees who remain at the store after the store is closed. This key switch can also be used to switch the display rack into normal mode.

A key lock switch can be replaced or used in conjunction with a switch that can be controlled by a real-time clock.

This real-time clock can control switches to change various programmed alarm limits and can automatically switch the system into lock-up mode depending on business hours.

The invention is also applicable to warehouse shelving, such as pallets loaded with goods. By utilizing the present invention, it is possible to prevent theft of products even on shelves in such warehouses without using expensive anti-theft means such as lockable cages.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a rack for merchandise units that can reduce the loss of income from shoplifting and employee theft without interfering with legitimate purchases by customers.

Another object of the present invention is to monitor the weight of a rack storing products, and to display an alarm or the like to indicate that more than a programmed number of products have been removed from the rack. The goal is to prevent theft of products.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a product rack that indicates, by an audible alarm or the like, that more products than a programmable number have been removed from the rack within a programmed period of time.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an alarm, such as an audible alarm, when the rack has been breached continuously for more than a programmed period of time, or if the rack has been breached more than a programmed number of times within a programmed period. To provide a product rack in which the product cannot be replaced with another product by notifying the user of infringement.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[Operation] The weight of the display (product) rack is monitored, and if more than a predetermined number of products are removed at once, an alarm will sound depending on the detected weight. Also, an alarm sounds if more than a predetermined number of products are removed within a predetermined period.

Furthermore, the alarm also sounds when the display rack is breached continuously within a predetermined period of time, or when there are a number of unstable intrusions other than sales within a predetermined period of time.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows product ranks 10 according to the present invention.

The goods rack 10 has a number of individual compartments 11 each for storing a number of goods, such as cigarette cartons, for example. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, merchandise rack 10 is a display rack for installation in a retail store. However, the present invention is equally applicable to various rack products such as warehouse pallets and the like. Product rack 10
is placed on a platform 13 supported by a plurality of legs as shown in detail in FIG.

FIG. 2, which is a partial sectional view of the heath 13, shows a weight transducer (weighLLransduc) used in the present invention.
er) 16 placement details are shown. Each transformer 1
6 is arranged between the foot 17 and the bracket 18. Bracket 18 is connected to base 13 by suitable attachment means 19 such as screws or rivets.

In practice, multiple weight transducers 16 are placed at multiple locations under the platform, and the total weight of the product rack 10 (FIG. 1) can be accurately sensed by the multiple weight transducers. Third
As shown, each weight transducer is connected by a conductor 21 and a connector 22 to the weight signal processing circuit of the present invention.

The weight transducer 16 is a high precision vibrating steel wire type (v
ibrating wire-type).

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the hardware aspect of the present invention. The central information processing unit H (cpU) 31 used in the present invention performs calculations and performs various input/output controls of the present invention. C
PU31 is, for example, Intel Corporation 1's 8031 type micro-
Computer available.

The CPU 31 has a data bus 32 and an address bus 33.
is connected. Data bus 32 and address bus 33 allow CPU 31 to communicate with various other hardware components of the present invention. CPU 31 communicates with read only memory (ROM) 34 and random access memory (RAM) 36. ROM34
is used to store the control program of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D and FIG.
d memory). Also, ROM
34 can store a synthesized voice that sends confirmation of recognition. Note that the ROM 34 and RAM 36 can also be built in, for example, an 8051 type microcomputer manufactured by Intel Corporation.

Each weight transducer (weight sensor) 16 is connected via a conductor 21 to a respective frequency counter 37 and from there to a data bus 32 and an address bus 33. Each frequency counter 37 counts the frequency of the output voltage of each weight sensor 16 and sends it to the CPU 3 via the address bus 33.
1 generates a 2a language that displays the sensed weight placed on the data bus 32 when required. A typical addition time for counter 37 is 0.25 seconds. At the end of a particular addition period, counter 37 is reset and starts a new count. Although three sets of frequency counters and weight sensors are shown in FIG. 3, any number of sets of counters and sensors can be used with the present invention. As the frequency counter 37, for example, an Intel 8253 frequency counter can be used. .

Further, the input/output controller 3B is connected to a data bus 32 and an address bus 33, for example, an 8155 bus made by Intel Corporation.
You can use type controllers. A group of switches Sl and S2 connected to controller 38 allows the user to program the system for a specific application.

The details of this plumbing possibility will be explained later.

Amplifier 2S39 connected to controller 38 drives alarm speaker 41. The speaker 41 generates both a local recognition sound and a local alarm sound. Alternately, the synthesized speech signal is R
It may be stored in the OM or emitted instead of or in addition to the recognition sound. The loudness of the recognition tone or voice is controlled by potentiometer 42 and the loudness of the local alarm signal is controlled by potentiometer 43.

The tone and duration of the recognition signal and local alarm tone can be adjusted by potentiometers 45-48. Each potentiometer 45-48 has one end connected to the voltage source +■,
The other end is grounded.

Each potentiometer is alternately connected to A/D converter 42 and controller 38 by a wiper.

As the A/D converter 42, for example, an ADCO844 type converter manufactured by National Semiconductor Company can be used.

A three position key lock switch 50 is also connected to controller 38. When switch 50 is switched to the first position, the display rack is in normal mode with all functions activated. In the second position, key lock switch 50 turns off the anti-theft feature of the present invention and
(items) can be replenished. In the third position, switch 50 locks up the rack at night.
p) mode and sounds an alarm when there is a breach in the rack. .

A data output bus 51 connected to the CPU 31 drives a display or printer (not shown), monitors the weight of the device, or monitors whether the device is in infringement or sales activity. Further, a remote alarm 52 can also be connected to the CPU 31 via each link 53. The alarm 52 can also be placed separate from the product display rack to allow remote monitoring of the device. If desired, the local alarm can be removed and the product display racks can be monitored solely by the remote alarm 52. Although two alarm devices are shown in FIG. 3, this is just one embodiment of the present invention, and the number of alarm devices is not limited.

The link 53 may be either a signal &9t (wired link) or a wireless link. For example, the wireless link may use a model D-24A transmitter 54 and a model D-67 receiver manufactured by Carlsbad Linear Electronics of California. The transmitter 54 is preferably powered by an internal battery and preferably outputs a signal when the control contacts are open. Therefore, when power is no longer supplied to the display rack or when the connection between the CPU 31 and the link 53 is lost, an alarm signal is sent to the remote alarm 52 by this transmitter. Also, link 53
It can also operate a video camera to record activity near the rack.

If link 53 is a signal line, element 54 may be a suitable signal line driver, as shown in FIG.

Switches S1 and S2 (described in more detail below) are used by the system operator to manually program various system parameters. The manual setting of switches St and S2 can also be overridden by contacts in switch S3.

Switch S3 is controlled by a real time clock 55. If the clock 55 is connected to the switch S3, the parameters can be automatically programmed with the date and time. In addition, a clock 55 and a switch S
3, for example, when the store is closed, the key lock switch 5
0 into lockup mode automatically.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, each step of the present invention is as follows. When the routine starts, switch S
The states of l and S2 are examined, and the parametric variables (parameters)
KOlKl, 2, K3, and 5 are set as shown in the following table.

1"1 KO: Unstable weight limit 5l-7me (percentage of unit) Closed 30 Open 40 Table 2 Kl: Limit of product removal during VA Product unit 5l-
I 5l-25L-3 Vertical close Close Close
l open closed closed
2 Closed Open Closed
3 open open close
4 Closed Closed Open
5 open close open
6 Close Open Open
7 open
8 Table 3: 2: Unstable penetration limit 5l-8II closed 10 Open 20 Table 4: 3: Periodic removal limit, product unit 5l-45
L-55t-6 Vertical close Close Close
3 open close close
4 Closed Open Closed
5 open open close
6 Closed Closed Open
7 open close open
8 Close Open Open 9 Open Open Open 10 5 in Table 5: Period 52-4 52-5 52-6 11 Dish Bean) Close Close Close
1 open close close
2 Closed Open Closed
3 open open close
4 Open Closed Open
5 open close open
6 Close Open Open
7 open
8 In this embodiment, the parameter 4 is the intra-period unstable insertion limit, which is set to 5. However, this limit can be programmed by adding additional switches.

The remaining switches (S2 1-3) are used to indicate the number of weight transducers in a particular display rack.

As a result, the same type of theft detection hardware can be applied to racks of different sizes with different numbers of weight transducers. The device can also detect when the weight transducer is disconnected.

The effective number of weight variables (＾) is set according to the following table.

Table 6 Effective weight converter Effective weight converter - Jishi 1 Heavy converter closed Close Close Tone test open Close Close l Close
Open Closed 1.2 Open Open
Closed I, 2.3 Closed
Open 1.2.3, -4 Open Closed
Open 1.2.3.4.5 Closed Open
Open 1.2.3.4.5.6 Open
Unconfigurable switch 52-1
．． ．． When 52-2 and 52-3 are all closed, the local alarm sound or voice is ON, and the tone and volume can be set as described above. Switch 5271, 52-
2 and 52-3 are all open, it is ignored as setting is impossible. Therefore, according to this embodiment, fewer (1 to 6) weight converters can be used. However, the present invention is not limited by this number, and if additional switches are installed, weight converters can be used. You can increase the number of vessels.

Next, the operation will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. 4A.

Once the parametric variables have been set by reading the states of switches S1 and S2 in step 56, the control passes to step 57 and reads the first weight WTRDGl, which is applied to the frequency counter 37 from each weight detector 16. (both shown in the third figure) are input and determined by adding up each detected weight. In this way, the total weight of the display rack is detected. Initial weight W i' RD G l
The change in is expressed as a percentage of the product. Therefore, detection! +6
The actual weight detected by 1fA must be multiplied by a predetermined factor and converted into a weight percentage of the product. When reading the first weight WTRDGI, no weight detection signal is sent to the system only from the number of weight converters set by switches 52-1, 52-2 and 52-3 according to Table 6. And an alarm sounds.

Control then moves to step 58 where the variables WTRDG2,
WTRDG3 and PREWT are all the first heavy 1WTR
Set to DG1.

The program then enters the main loop of the routine from step 59. In step 59, similar to the operation in step 57, the initial weight WTRDG1 is detected again, and the switches 52-1, 52-2 and 52-2 are detected as shown in Table 6.
It is determined whether the number of weight converters is smaller than the number displayed by 2-3.

Control then moves to step 61 where the period counter CY
1 is added to CLCNT, and counter ○LDCYCL is set to 5 in CYCLCNT-.

Control then passes to motion detection decision steps 62-64.

The three values WTRDGI, which is equal to the current weight, WTRDG2, which is equal to the last detected weight, and WTRDG3, which is the second to last detected weight, are subtracted from each other and compared with the parametric variable KO. If any one of the detected weights has a weight difference greater than the parameter KO, control moves to step 66 and the flag MOTF LAG 1 is set to "
"l". If not, control passes to step 67 and the flag MOTFLAC is set to "0".

Control then moves to step 68 to detect the state of MOT FLAG 1, as shown in FIG. 4B.

If the flag MOTFLACI is set at step 66, control moves to step 69, where the counter MOTCNT adds "1".

Otherwise, control passes to step 71 and sets counter MOTCNT to "0". That is, the counter MOTCNT stores the number of consecutive periods in which motion is detected.

Control then passes to step 72 where the counter MOTC
Compare the value of NT with 2 as a parametric variable. counter MOT
If CNT is a parameter greater than 2, it means that the number of consecutive unstable insertions is greater than the desired limit.

In this case, control passes to step 73 where the variable ALARM
is set to "2". Control then passes to step 74, where counter MOTCNT is reset. Furthermore, control passes to step 76 where an alarm is sounded (detailed process is shown in FIG. 5).

Control then passes to decision step 77 and begins to detect the number of items removed. As determined in step 77,
If MOTF LAG l is "l" and flag MOTF
TFLAC, :IMI(ro, (7), the process moves to control step 78 and sets the variable P REWT to the last detected weight WTRDG2. That is, in judgment step 77, no movement was detected during the previous cycle. and whether motion was detected during the current cycle.

Control then passes to decision step 79 to determine whether motion was detected during the previous cycle and no motion was detected during the current cycle. These motions are detected in step 79.
This is done using MOTFLAGI and MOTFLAG2.

In step 79, if the determination result is rYES (correct), the control moves to step 81, and the number of removed product units is determined by the formula shown. Using this formula, 0
．． Weights below 49 units are ignored and range from 0.50 to 1.4
A weight of 9 units is counted as 1, and so on.

Control then passes to control step 82 to determine if the item has been removed. If it is determined that it has been removed, control moves to step 86 where a local recognition sound is produced or a memorized synthesized sound is played. Control then proceeds to step 84, where it is determined whether the number of removed items is greater than one as a parameter. That is, in step 84, it is determined whether the number of products removed from the rack is greater than the instantaneous removal limit. Judgment result is “YES”
, the control 1111 moves to step 86 and sets the variable ALA
Set RM to "1". Furthermore, control continues at step 87
, and sound the V alarm. In this way, the instantaneous removal detection portion of the routine is completed.

Next, as shown in the fourth CIIJ, control continues at step 88
Counter N is set to ``0'' at step 88, which begins a routine to determine the number of unstable insertions that occurred during period 5. Then, the control is in step 8
9, a routine for increasing the number in the counter N is started.

Next, in step 91, the motion vector MOTPE
All registered values of R(N) are truncated if greater than the counter 0LDCYCL. Motion vector MOTPER
(N) is a time postmark vector, each registration value of which records the number of detection cycles of an operation that occurs when an integer number of products are not removed.

As a result, only time postmarks newer than K5 are in the vector MO
It is held in TPI::R(N).

The control output is incremented by one in step 93, and this loop is repeated until N becomes IO. Note that although the 10 postmarks are held in the vector MOTPER(N), this is only one example, and the present invention is not limited to the number of postmarks.

Control then passes to step 94. If the motion was detected during the current cycle, and the motion was detected during the past cycle, and the number of removed products is "1"
”, the control is applied to step 95,
Set counter N to "0". Next, step 96
In the loop from , the vector MOTPER(N)
The number of counter N is increased until becomes "0" in step 97. First rQ of MOTPER(N).

is detected, control passes to step 98 where MOTPE
Each element of R(N) is set to the current period CYCLCNT and records the time postmark of the detected motion. If a zero element is not found in vector MOTPER(N), or if one end of the vector is not found at decision step 99, then the loop including step 97 is not executed.

Control then passes to step 101 where counters Q and N are set to "0" and a loop from step 102 is entered. In step 102 the number of counter N is increased and in decision step 103 the vector MOTPE
Each registered value of R(N) is examined. If even one of the registered values is greater than or equal to "0", the number of counter Q is increased in step 104. The loop repeats until the end of vector MOTPER(N) is detected at step 106. As a result, the counter Q is set to the number of non-zero entries of the motion vector MOTPER(N).

Control then passes to step 104 where it is determined whether counter Q is greater than the parametric variable 4. If the determination result is "YES", the process moves to control step 10, where the variable AL"ARM is set to r4", and then the process moves to step +09, where an alarm is sounded. That is, when the counter Q indicates that a number of unstable insertions have occurred in the parameter greater than 4 during the period set by K5, the w silver ring will sound. Thus, the periodic unstable insertion detection portion of the routine is completed.

As shown in FIG. 4D, control then moves to step 11, where counter N is set to "0". The routine from step 111 detects the number of items removed during the period set by the parameter 5.

Control passes to step 112 where the number in counter N is incremented and each registered value of counter vector CYNTREM (N) greater than counter 0LDCYCL (determined by decision step 13) is set to ``0'' in step 114. Start a loop. count·
The vector CNTREM (N) is a time stamp similar in format to the motion vector MOTRER, and all registrations of the vector CNTREM (N) are made at decision step 116 where each entry records the number of cycles when each item is removed. The loop repeats until the values have been examined. The total registration value of this loop vector C N T R E M (N) is set to ``0'' if it is equal to the current number 9-OLDCYCL (ie, older than 5 in the period).

Control then passes to step 117, where counter CNTREM determines whether the item has been removed. If the determination result is "NO", control is simply transferred to step 11B without performing any further processing.

If the judgment result is "rYES (correct)", the control moves to step 119, where the counter N is set to "0",
Further, the process moves to step 121, the number of counter N is increased, and the process moves further into the loop.

In step 122 in the loop from step 121, it is determined whether the count, vector CNTREM(N), is zero registration and whether counter CNTREM is greater than D. The former is “0” and the latter is “0”
”, the wholesaler goes to step 12 according to the system.
3, the vector registration value determined to be too many sheep, r□, is set to be the same as the counter C Y C L C N ]',
Increase the value of counter CNTREM by 1. Decision step 124 determines the count vector CNTREM (N
) until it is determined that the last registered value of
The decision loop repeats. As a result, a time postmark equal to the current number of cycle counts is removed and entered into the vector CNTREM(N) for each product unit.

Further, if one or more products are removed during one period, the plurality of registered values in the count vector CNTREM (N) are the same value.

Control then passes to 126 and counters Q and N are reset. Next, in step 127, the number of counter N is incremented and loop processing begins, with decision step 12B incrementing the counter vector CNT
Each registered value of RBM (N) is examined. Vector CN
If the registered value of TREM (N) is not "0", the number of counter Q is increased in step 129.
The loop continues until it is determined at decision step +31 that each element of the vector CNTRM(N) has been examined. As a result, the counter Q is "0" among the registered values of the counter vector CNTREM (N).
Display the quantity of something that is not.

Next, control proceeds to step 132, where the counter Q and the parameter K3 are compared to determine whether the limit number of products removed within the period has been exceeded. If the judgment result is rYEs (correct), step 133
In step 134, the variable ALARM is set to "3" and an alarm is sounded.

Control then moves to step 118 where the flag MOTFLA
G2 is updated when WTRDG3 and WTRDG2 read the weight.

As shown on the left side of FIG. 4A, control proceeds to step 136 with f
If so, the states of switches S1 and 32 are detected in the same way as in step 56. As a result, changes in the state of switches S1 and 32 are detected during operation of switch S3 (FIG. 3).

Steps 137, 139 and 140 detect the position of key lock switch 50 (FIG. 3). Key·
If the lock switch 50 is in the lock-up mode, or if the switch 50 is placed in the lock-up mode by the switch 53, control passes from step 137 to step 138 and reduces the value of the appropriate parameter to Raise the anti-theft anger level to its maximum value. Control is then transferred to step 59 to complete the entire loop.

If it is determined in step 13B that the key lock switch 50 is not in the lockup mode, the controller then proceeds to step 139 to determine whether the key lock switch 50 is in the normal mode. Judgment result is rYEs (correct)
'', the process moves to control step 59 and the above loop is repeated.

If it is determined in step 139 that the key lock switch 50 is not in the normal mode, control passes to step 140, and if the key lock switch 50 is in the replenishment mode, the main loop is not followed and control is passed to step 136.
Move to. If key lock switch 50 is not in replenishment mode, control passes to step 59 and follows the main loop.

Next, the alarm sound routine will be explained with reference to FIG. In step 141, the variable A t-ALM is set to “3”.
” or “4”. If the judgment result is "NO", control proceeds to step 1.
Moving on to 46. If the judgment result is rYES (correct), the control moves to step 142, the counter N is reset, and the loop of steps 143-146 is repeated the necessary number of times, and the vector CNTREM (N) and MOT
Reset all registered values of PER(N). after that,
Control passes to step 146 where an alarm is sounded.

Switches S2-1, 52-2 and 52-3 are configured according to Table 6 to match the number of weight transducers in the rack used.
Set by user. The parameter Kl is the instantaneous removal limit, and as shown in Table 2, the switch 5l-1, 3
Set by setting 1-2 and 5l-3,
It can be changed according to product units from 1 to 8.

Switches 51-4.5l-5 and 51-6 set the number of items removed that is sufficient to sound an alarm, and set the number of items removed that is enough to sound an alarm, and set the period removal limit to 3.
As shown in FIG. 4, it can be set to 3 to 10 products.

5 in period 3 to period removal limit is 32 as shown in Table 5
-4.52-5 and 52-6.

The alarm will sound if the display rack is breached consecutively for a number of periods set by switch 5l-8 (parameter 2) as shown in Table 3.

If five unstable insertions (parameter variable 4) occur within the period set by parameter 5, it is determined that the product in the rack has been replaced by another object.

The removal of the products in the rack is output as a variable local tone or voice that can be recognized up to a volume of zero, except when the number is below the alarm limit. If a local alarm is not required, the volume of the variable audio local alarm can be reduced to zero. The alarm signal is transmitted via a line 13 or wireless link to a remote receiver and can set off a remote alarm. You can also change the volume, tone, and interval of the local alarm.

The various programmable alarm criteria for periodic removal are set such that the alarm does not go off when a product is purchased, and also that peak hour traffic vibrations f)+ do not set off the alarm. The following table shows the results of the computer simulation, based on the following assumptions.

1. 1 piece each for 10 people per hour of traffic during peak hours, 5
A person purchases (removes) 20 items, 2 each.

2. Purchases are made at irregular times.

3. The expected rate of false alarms is the number of false alarms that occur during 200 hours of peak traffic.

Table 7 False alarm forecast alarm limit per 200 hours of traffic peak
5 kl l 2 3 4 per period
5 6 7 86
+ 1 3 5 8101216
9 000012.33 +0 0 0 0 0
It can be seen that setting the alarm limit number for 1 2 3 3 products to an odd number can reduce the probability of false alarms. Even if the period and alarm limits are reduced to a level that does not cause severe false alarms, the anti-shoplifting function is not lost. Note that clever theft of a very small number of products over a long period of time may not be detected, but this is not likely to be a problem as the amount of damage caused is small.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and those skilled in the art may modify them to other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention. do.

[Effect] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent theft without requiring a wall to prevent goods from being taken out and a store clerk who operates the goods to take out the goods.

It is also possible to detect clever tricks such as replacing items in the rack with other items.

The anti-theft function can be changed depending on the sales of the product.

Furthermore, even if a product that is judged to have been stolen is taken out, an alarm can be sounded to discourage theft.

Furthermore, the mode of the product rack can be set for normal time (to prevent theft during sales), for product replenishment, and for unlocking. In particular, the unlock mode is effective against theft when the store is closed.

The present invention can also be applied to warehouse racks for pallets and the like, making it possible to eliminate the need for expensive equipment such as iron grates.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a scale diagram showing the product rack of the present invention, and FIG.
The first diagram mechanically shows the weight sensor used in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a step diagram showing an electrical outline of the present invention, and FIGS. 4A-4D are flowcharts showing the calculation process of the anti-theft routine in the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the calculation process of the alarm routine of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Rack, 11... Compartment, 13... Stand, 16... Weight converter, 17... Leg, 18... Bracket, 22... Connector, Sl, , S2, S3 ...Switch, 42.43.45.48 ...Potentiometer, 50...Key lock switch, 53...Line. Figure 1 Figure 3 Figure 4A ♂ --- Figure 4B ■ Figure 4C Figure 4D ■ Figure 5

Claims (67)

[Claims] (1) monitoring the weight of a product rack; detecting a change in the weight; calculating a number of products corresponding to the change in weight; and determining that the number of products is greater than a programmed value. A method for preventing theft of a product rack, comprising: a step of displaying that a product has been taken out when there is a large number of products; and a method for preventing theft of a product rack. (2) The method according to claim 1, wherein the display is an alarm sound. (3) The method according to claim 2, wherein the alarm sound is a local alarm sound that can be heard in the vicinity of the rack. (4) The method according to claim 2, wherein the alarm sound is a remote alarm sound that can be heard at a remote location far away from the rack. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of (5) transmitting the display via a signal line. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of: (6) communicating the indication via a wireless link. (7) The method according to claim 1, comprising at least the steps of locking in a product replenishment mode in which the displaying step is bypassed, and locking in a normal mode in which the displaying step is performed. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of locking in a lock-up mode in which the programmed value is set as a predetermined minimum value. (9) The method according to claim 8, further comprising a selection step for selectively executing or interrupting the locking step. (10) The method according to claim 9, wherein the selection step is performed under manual control. (11) The method according to claim 9, wherein the selection step is automatically controlled using a real-time clock. (12) monitoring the weight of the product rack; detecting the change in weight; calculating the number of products corresponding to the change in weight; and during the period during which the total number of products is programmed. and a step of indicating that the product has been taken out when the value is greater than a value programmed into the product rack. (13) Claim 12, wherein the display is an alarm sound
The method described in section. (14) The method according to claim 13, wherein the alarm sound is a local alarm sound that can be heard in the vicinity of the rack. (15) The method according to claim 13, wherein the alarm sound is a remote alarm sound that can be heard at a remote location separated from the rack. (16) The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of transmitting the display via a signal line. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of transmitting the indication via a wireless link. (18) The method according to claim 12, comprising the steps of locking at least in a product replenishment mode in which the display step is bypassed, and locking in a normal mode in which the display step is executed. 19. The method of claim 12, including the step of being locked in a lock-up mode in which the programmed value is set as a predetermined minimum value. (20) The method according to claim 19, further comprising a selection step for selectively executing or interrupting the locking step. (21) The method according to claim 20, wherein the selection step is performed under manual control. (22) The method according to claim 20, wherein the selection step is automatically controlled using a real-time clock. (23) a step of monitoring the weight of the product rack; a step of detecting the change in the weight; a step of counting the number of times the weight changes less than the weight equivalent to taking out one product; and indicating that the product rack containing the product has been compromised if the product rack containing the product has been compromised if the occurrence is more than a programmed number of times during the specified period of time. Method. (24) Claim 23, wherein the display is an alarm sound
The method described in section. (25) The method according to claim 24, wherein the alarm sound is a local alarm sound heard near the rack. (26) The method according to claim 25, wherein the alarm sound is a remote alarm sound that can be heard at a remote location away from the rack. (27) The method according to claim 26, including the step of transmitting the display via a signal line. 28. The method of claim 26, including the step of communicating the indication via a wireless link. (29) The method according to claim 23, comprising at least the step of locking in a product replenishment mode in which the display step is bypassed, and the step of locking in a normal mode in which the display step is executed. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: locking in a lock-up mode in which the programmed value is set as a predetermined minimum value. (31) The method according to claim 30, further comprising a selection step for selectively executing or interrupting the locking step. (32) The method according to claim 31, wherein the selection step is performed under manual control. (33) The method according to claim 31, wherein the selection step is automatically controlled using a real-time clock. (34) a step of continuously sampling the weight of the product rack; a step of calculating the difference between the continuously sampled weights; and a step of determining the number of consecutive times the difference is greater than a programmed value as a first step. A product theft prevention method for displaying a violation of a rack containing a product, the method comprising: displaying that the rack containing the product has been compromised when the value is larger than a threshold value and smaller than a second threshold value. (35) Claim 34, wherein the display is an alarm sound
The method described in section. (36) The method according to claim 35, wherein the alarm sound is a local alarm sound heard near the rack. (37) The method according to claim 35, wherein the alarm sound is a remote alarm sound that can be heard at a remote location separated from the rack. (38) The method according to claim 37, including the step of transmitting the display via a signal line. 39. The method of claim 37, including the step of communicating the indication via a wireless link. (40) The method according to claim 34, comprising at least the step of locking in a product replenishment mode in which the display step is bypassed, and the step of locking in a normal mode in which the display step is performed. 35. The method of claim 34, further comprising: locking in a lock-up mode in which the programmed value is set as a predetermined minimum value. (42) The method according to claim 41, comprising a selection step for selectively executing or interrupting the locking step. (43) The method according to claim 42, wherein the selection step is performed under manual control. (44) The method according to claim 42, wherein the selection step is automatically controlled using a real-time clock. (45) The method according to claim 34, wherein the second threshold is a weight change corresponding to the removal of one product. (46) monitoring the weight of the rack containing the products; detecting the change in weight; calculating the number of removed products corresponding to the change in weight; and the removed products. making a first theft indication if the number of items removed is greater than a first limit; and making a second theft indication if the number of items removed during the first period is greater than a second limit. and providing a third theft indication if the number of consecutive weight changes that do not correspond to removal of the item is greater than a third limit; and displaying a fourth theft indication when the number of weight changes is greater than a fourth limit value, and the product theft prevention method displays that the product has been stolen from the rack. 47. The method of claim 46, including the step of generating an audible recognition signal if the number of removed items is greater than or equal to one and less than the first limit. (48) The method of claim 47, wherein the audible recognition signal is a tone. (49) The method according to claim 47, wherein the audible recognition signal is a synthesized sound. 47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of sounding at least one alarm in response to the first, second, third, or fourth theft indication. (51) The method according to claim 50, wherein at least one of the at least one alarm sound is a remote alarm sound that can be heard at a remote location separated from the rack. (52) The method according to claim 50, wherein at least one of the at least one alarm sound is a local alarm sound that can be heard in the vicinity of the rack. (53) The monitoring/detection/calculation process and the first
, a step of locking in a product replenishment mode in which the second, third, and fourth theft indication steps are not performed; and a step of normally monitoring, detecting, and calculating, and the first, second, third, and fourth theft display steps.
47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of: locking in normal mode to perform the theft indication step of . (54) Claim 1 comprising the step of being locked in a lock-up mode in which at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth limits is set to a predetermined minimum value in the locked mode. The method according to item 46. (55) The method of claim 54, wherein the locking step is manually controlled by a rack operator. (56) The method according to claim 54, wherein the locking step is automatically controlled according to the time of a real-time clock. (57) a weight sensor for detecting the weight of a rack containing products; means for detecting a change in the weight; and means for calculating the number of products removed from the rack from the detected weight change; means for indicating theft if said calculated number is greater than a first limit; means for calculating a total number of said removed items from said series of detected weight changes; and said total for a period of time. and means for indicating theft if the second limit is greater than the second limit. (58) locking the rack in a first mode in which each of the theft indication means is disabled; locking the rack in a second mode in which each of the theft indication means is functional; and adjusting the first and second limits. 57. The rack of claim 57, further comprising means for locking the rack in a third mode that sets at least one of the following: to a predetermined minimum value. (59) The rack according to claim 58, wherein the locking means is a key lock switch. 60. The rack of claim 57, including means for locking the rack in a mode that sets at least one of the first and second limits to a predetermined minimum value. (61) The rack according to claim 60, wherein the locking means is a manual key lock switch. (62) selectively operating the locking means according to time;
59. The rack of claim 58 including a deactivated real time clock. (63) means for detecting the weight of a rack containing products; means for detecting a change in the weight; means for calculating each magnitude of the detected weight; and calculating the weight change according to the magnitude. means for calculating the number of items removed from said rack corresponding to; means for indicating theft if said number of removed items exceeds a first limit; and means corresponding to the weight change during the first period. The total number of products is the second
means for indicating the product as stolen when the limit is exceeded; and means for indicating the product as stolen when the number of weight changes determined to have not been removed exceeds a third limit during the second period. Product theft prevention rack. (64) means for measuring the weight of a group of products; means for detecting a change in said weight; means for calculating the number of products removed from said group from the magnitude of said weight change; means for providing a theft indication when the number of stored items exceeds a programmed limit. (65) means for measuring the weight of a group of products; means for detecting a change in said weight; and means for calculating the number of products removed from said group from the magnitude of said weight change; An anti-theft device for a product rack comprising: means for calculating the total number of said products corresponding to each said weight change that occurred during a period; and means for indicating theft if said total is greater than or equal to a programmed limit. . (66) means for measuring the weight of a group of products; means for detecting a change in said weight; and means for detecting the number of weight changes smaller than a predetermined value corresponding to the removal of one product from said group; . means for indicating that the product has been stolen if said number of times during a programmed period is greater than a programmed value. (67) means for sampling the weights of a group of articles at a substantially constant rate; means for calculating the difference between successive sampled weights; and a means for indicating the theft of a product from a group, and detects that a product has been stolen from the group.