Systems and methods for optical reading and EAS tag sensing and deactivating at retail checkout

US7170414B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• PSC Scanning, Inc. · US
• Sensormatic Electronics, LLC · US

Inventors

• Harold C. Clifford · Eugene, US
• Douglas A. Drew · Boca Raton, US
• Alan Guess · Eugene, US
• Robert F. Kortt · Eugene, US
• Bruce Paris · Eugene, US
• Nicolas N. Tabet · Eugene, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 11, 2005
• Grant date: Jan 30, 2007
• Expiry date: May 19, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08B13/242
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods of operation of a data reader and security tag deactivation system whereby a data reader such as a barcode scanner is equipped with EAS deactivation coils or modules disposed in the vicinity of the read volume or generally proximate thereto and the system is operable to permit reading of the ID tag (such as the barcode label) on an item, and upon a successful read, the deactivation unit is operable to (1) sense the presence of an EAS tag; (2) if presence of an EAS tag is sensed, energize the deactivation coil/module to deactivate the EAS tag; and (3) sense if the EAS tag is deactivated. If the EAS tag is sensed to have been deactivated, the system signals as such and a next item may be scanned. If the EAS tag is sensed to have not been deactivated, the system proceeds to alternate operational steps to handle the exception. In another function, the system is operable to urge the operator to return the item to the read volume to enhance EAS tag deactivation, one method being by delaying a good read acknowledgment until the system determines that the EAS tag which may have been previously detected has subsequently been deactivated.