Abstract:
A security method for theft prone areas of a retail store which alerts store employees of possible theft situations. The security method includes controlling an RFID label reader adjacent an entrance to a monitored area to determine entry of an item bearing an RFID label into the monitored area and departure of the item from the monitored area, sensing entry of the item into the monitored area, and issuing an alert to store personnel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to security systems for stores and more specifically to a security method for theft prone areas of a retail store. 
   Certain areas of retail stores are particularly prone to shoplifting. These areas include restrooms and fitting rooms. By carrying merchandise into those rooms, shoppers can conceal merchandise with the intent not to pay for it. Many stores post signs indicating that merchandise belonging to the store may not be carried into restrooms. Stores often allow only a restricted number of items to be carried into a fitting room. 
   Current solutions involve assigning employees to monitor fitting rooms. However, the employees are sometimes called away from their stations to wait on other customers. This leaves the fitting rooms unsupervised and vulnerable to shoplifting. 
   Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an alternative security method for theft prone areas of a retail store. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a security method for theft prone areas of a retail store is provided. 
   The security method includes controlling an RFID label reader adjacent an entrance to a monitored area to determine entry of an item bearing an RFID label into the monitored area and departure of the item from the monitored area, sensing entry of the item into the monitored area, and issuing an alert to store personnel. 
   It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a security method for theft prone areas of a retail store. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a security method that automatically identifies items that are taken into and out of theft prone areas by shoppers. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a security system; and 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the security system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , security system  10  includes security computer  12  and RFID reader  14 . 
   Security computer  12  executes security software  20 , which receives RFID label information from RFID labels  32  on items  30 . Security software  20  logs entry of items  30  into monitored areas which are prone to theft identifies items  30 , and alerts store personnel to ensure that items  30  are visible when shoppers exit the monitored areas and to look for concealed items  30 . The alerts identify items  30  that enter the monitored areas. Security software  20  may additionally log exit of items  30  from the monitored areas to provide store personnel with exit alerts. 
   Monitored areas may include areas such as dressing rooms in which items  30  are permitted, or areas such as restrooms where items  30  are not permitted. Security software  20  may determine the location of RFID reader  14  from security database  42  and determine when to issue an alert based upon the type of monitored area. 
   Security computer  12  may send the alerts to a variety of alerting devices  26 . For example, security computer  12  may send the alerts to a point-of-sale terminal near the monitored areas, a security desk, or a personal digital assistant or cell phone carried by a security officer or store manager. Communication between security computer  12  and alerting devices  26  may be wired or wireless. 
   Security computer  12  may also display the alerts on display  24 . Input device provides an operator with control over security software  20 , including the capability to override alerts. 
   Security software  20  may additionally warn shoppers via warning system  28 . Warning system  28  alerts shoppers that store personnel are monitoring movement of items  30  into and possibly out of certain areas of the store. Warning system  28  may include a speaker or display for presenting a visual or aural message to shoppers. The speaker or display may be mounted at the entrance to the monitored areas. 
   Warning system  28  may provide different types of alerts for different store areas. For example, warning system  28  may tell shoppers that items  30  are not permitted in restrooms. 
   For fitting rooms, warning system  28  may tell shoppers that items  30  were detected as they entered the fitting rooms and that trying on items  30  was permissible, but that the shoppers should carry the same items  30  out of the fitting room to avoid a security alert. Displays may be located in the fitting rooms for greater viewing privacy for items  30  the shopper is carrying. 
   RFID readers  14  may be mounted adjacent the entrances to the theft prone areas. 
   RFID labels  32  may be visible or hidden when attached to items  30 . RFID labels  32  may be active or passive RFID labels. RFID reader  14  may either obtain item identification information directly from RFID labels  32 , or from security database. In the latter case, RFID label reader  14  obtains a unique signature from RFID labels  32 , which security software  20  compares to a table of item identifications in security database  42  to identify items  30 . Security database  42  may include or be part of a price look-up database. 
   Server  40  stores security database  42 . Server  40  and security computer  12  may be connected via a store network. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2 , operation of security software  20  is illustrated in detail beginning with Start  50 . 
   In step  52 , security software  20  waits for an indication from RFID reader  14  that item  30  has entered a monitored area. If security software  20  receives RFID label information from RFID label  32 , operation proceeds to step  54 . 
   In step  54 , security software  20  identifies item  30 , either directly from RFID label  32 , or indirectly by looking up item identification information in security database  42 . 
   In step  56 , security software  20  locates item  30  by locating RFID label reader  14  from security database  42 . 
   In step  58 , security software  20  determines whether item  30  is permitted in the determined location. If not, operation proceeds to step  66 . Otherwise, operation continues to step  60 . 
   In step  60 , security software  20  causes warning system  28  to display or sound a warning message directed to the shopper carrying item  30 . 
   In step  62 , security software  20  sets a timer to time a reasonable time period for being in the monitored area. 
   In step  64 , security software  20  waits for an exit signal indicating that item  30  has exited a monitored area. If not, operation proceeds to step  66 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  68 . 
   In step  66 , security software  20  waits for the time period to expire. If so, then operation proceeds to step  68 . The shopper may have left the monitored area and weakened the ability of RFID label  32  to communicate with RFID reader  14 . 
   In step  68 , security software  20  issues an alert to store personnel. 
   In step  70 , security software  20  automatically cancels alerts if items  30  detected entering the monitored area are also detected leaving the monitored area. Alternatively, security software  20  may be configured to allow store personnel to manually cancel the alerts, particularly if store personnel must intervene to stop a possible theft. Operation returns to step  52  to wait for another signal from RFID label reader  14 . 
   Advantageously, security system  10  reduces shrinkage, and makes more efficient use of labor for monitoring theft-prone areas. It offers greater convenience for shoppers who want to use fitting rooms, but who don&#39;t want to wait for a security tag to be issued before they enter a fitting room. Finally, system  10  offers greater privacy and less embarrassment for shoppers. 
   Although the invention has been described with particular reference to certain embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.