The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 02, 2001
Filed:
May. 04, 1999
Touraj Ghaffari, Boca Raton, FL (US);
Gary M. Shafer, Boca Raton, FL (US);
James R. Gruszynski, Margate, FL (US);
Philip J. Parker, Delray Beach, FL (US);
Richard L. Copeland, Boca Raton, FL (US);
Sensormatic Electronics Corporation, Boca Raton, FL (US);
Abstract
A self-checkout/self-check-in and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is provided. EAS tags and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are connected to articles for use with the invention. A preferred embodiment for self-checkout includes a housing having a cavity for receiving articles for self-checkout. The cavity is disposed within a deactivation zone. The RFID tags are read, and after verification of an authorized transaction, a deactivation antenna is energized to deactivate the EAS tags, and a stored inventory database is updated. Information about the transaction can be displayed. A preferred embodiment for self-check-in includes an elongated housing into which articles are deposited for return. Once deposited, the articles pass through the housing and out the other end. As the articles are deposited, the RFID tags on the articles are read, the inventory database is updated, and an activation antenna is energized to form an activation zone through which the articles pass as they fall through the housing, thus activating the attached EAS tags. The magnetic fields used for activation and deactivation are magnetic media safe for use with articles containing magnetic recording media.