Patent Publication Number: US-2009224875-A1

Title: System for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Priority is claimed on Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/068,355, filed Mar. 6, 2008. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to anti-theft systems and more particularly to a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure such as a merchandise display case, stockroom or warehouse. 
     2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     A recent survey of top domestic retailers concerning chain wide item shrinkage revealed losses exceeding $46 billion. One major retailer alone cited locked showcase product losses in excess of $2 billion. These numbers are steadily increasing and are believed to be mainly attributable to employee theft. 
     There is a great need for a security detection and loss prevention system which can automatically identify individuals removing articles from enclosed areas such as display cases, stock rooms or warehouses, tracking the removed articles to determine if they are sold to customers and providing security alerts if unsold articles are not replaced in the enclosed area within a predetermined time period. The present invention is such a system. 
     In its preferred form, the system of the present invention combines biometrics, Wi-Fi, and RFID technology to provide keyless solutions that involve metrics, asset management, asset security and forensic tools to prevent such losses. The system extends beyond the sales floor and displays into the warehouse and stock room. It reduces or eliminates both employee and consumer theft. 
     It is a prime object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that utilizes biometrics to identify individuals authorized to access the enclosure. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that records the identity of individuals accessing an enclosure, the articles removed from the enclosure and the times each article is removed. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that generates a security alarm if a removed article is not sold or returned to the enclosure within a predetermined time period. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that interfaces with closed circuit camera systems which record images of the area proximate the enclosure as well as time and date the images are recorded to permit security personnel to ascertain the identity of individuals responsible for the theft and for purposes of prosecuting the responsible individuals. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that may be is retrofitted to existing enclosures, such as display cases with drawers or sliding doors, and stock rooms or warehouses with hinged or sliding doors. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that utilizes a locking system that cannot easily be defeated. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that utilizes a keyless entry with requires positive identification of individuals accessing the enclosure. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that generates a time and date stamp each time the enclosure is accessed. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that creates a history for each article in the enclosure that includes information as to each time the article is removed from or returned to the case, and if the article is sold. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that utilizes a RFID system to record and track enclosure inventory. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that interfaces with a POS/inventory control system to record the sale of an article. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that can provide marketing data on product activity, such as consumer interest and purchasing. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure in which the system electronics can reside in the kick base area of a display enclosure so as not to reduce the interior space of the display enclosure. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that is capable of wirelessly transmitting a security alert to a remote location when an article is stolen. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above objects are achieved by the system of the present invention, which includes apparatus for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure of the type having a lockable access opening. The apparatus includes means for sensing the presence of each of the articles within the enclosure; means for controlling access to the enclosure; means for identifying an individual attempting to access the enclosure; means for determining whether the identified individual is authorized to access the enclosure; means for recording the identity of the authorized individual, the identity of an article removed from the enclosure, and the time that the article was removed; means for recording the sale of the removed article, if the removed article is sold; and means for generating a security alert signal if the removed article is not sold or returned to the enclosure within a given time period after the article was removed from the enclosure. 
     The apparatus further includes video means for recording images of the area proximate the enclosure; and means for activating the video means to store the images recorded by the video means. 
     The article sensing means includes a RFID tag associated with each article to be monitored, means for identifying each article present in the enclosure by reading the RFID tag associated with the article and means for recoding the identity of an article removed from the enclosure and the time that the article was removed. 
     The controlling means includes means for locking the enclosure, and means for deactivating the locking means upon determining that the individual attempting to access the enclosure is authorized to access the enclosure. The locking means automatically relocks the enclosure after the removal of an article. 
     The identifying means preferably includes biometric means. The biometric means preferably includes a fingerprint reader. 
     The means for recording the sale of the removed article includes means for identifying the article being sold. 
     The security alert signal generating means includes timing means for monitoring the time an article has been absent from the enclosure. 
     The apparatus further includes means for transmitting the security alert signal to a remote location. Preferably, the transmitting means transmits the security alarm signal wirelessly. 
     The recording means also includes means for recording indicia associated with an article returned to the enclosure and the time that the article was returned to the enclosure. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure of the type having a lockable access opening. The method includes the following steps:
         sensing the presence of each of the articles within the enclosure;   controlling access to the enclosure;   identifying an individual attempting to access the enclosure;   determining whether the identified individual is authorized to access the enclosure;   recording the identity of the authorized individual, the identity of an article removed from the enclosure, and the time that the article was removed from the enclosure;   recording the sale of the removed article, if the removed article is sold; and   generating a security alert signal if the removed article is not sold or returned to the enclosure within a given time period after the article was removed from the enclosure.       

     The method further includes the steps of:
         recording images of the area proximate the enclosure; and   storing the images recorded.       

     The step of sensing the presence of the articles comprises the steps of: associating a RFID tag with each article within the enclosure; identifying each article present in the enclosure by reading the RFID tag associated with the article; and recoding the identity of an article removed from the enclosure and the time that the article was removed. 
     The step of controlling access to the enclosure includes the steps of: permitting access to the enclosure upon determining that the individual attempting to access the enclosure is authorized to access the enclosure. 
     The method further includes the step of relocking the enclosure after the removal of an article from the enclosure. 
     The step of identifying an individual includes the step of identifying the individual using biometrics. 
     The step of using biometrics includes reading the fingerprint of the individual. 
     The step of recording the sale of the removed article includes the step of identifying a removed article that is sold. 
     The step of generating a security alert signal includes the step of monitoring the time from the removal of the article from the enclosure. 
     The method further includes the step of transmitting the security alert signal to a remote location. Preferably, the signal is transmitted wirelessly. 
     The step of recording further includes the step of recording indicia associated with an article returned to the enclosure and the time that the article was returned to the enclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS 
       To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appears, the present invention relates to a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environments view of a display case in a retail store with the security system of the present invention installed; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of a bracelet with an RFID tag as it would appear inside the drawer of the display; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial view of a necklace with an RFID tag as it would appear outside the display case; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the main components of the security system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrated the use of the security system of the present invention with a conventional computerized POS/inventory control system and a conventional closed circuit security video camera system and how the security system of the present invention interfaces with those systems; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  showing the security system generating a security alarm; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating the method of operation of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following is a description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention as it might be implemented to protect two jewelry articles in an enclosed display case of a retail store. The description is intended to describe the operation of the system of the present invention in its simplest form and should not be considered as a limitation on the invention, which can take many other forms and be used in different environments. 
     For example, enclosures other than merchandise display cases can be protected by the system, such as show rooms and warehouses to which access is controlled. Many more articles than two can be protected at the same time. The system can interface with various types of computerized point of sale (POS)/inventory control systems. Further, the system can include a closed circuit television system or interface with a preexisting closed circuit television system. 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , the security system of the present invention includes a central electronic control unit  10  and an RFID transducer control unit  12 . The central control unit  10  and the RFID transducer control unit  12  are preferably situated within a box  14  placed in a hidden and secure location, such as the kick base  16  of a display case  18 . 
     The system includes means, generally designated A, for identifying an individual seeking access to an enclosure (in this example, a drawer  20  in display case  18 ) which contains one or more articles to be monitored, such as a bracelet  22  and a necklace  24 . 
     The system also includes a means, generally designated B, for controlling access to drawer  20 . In this example, means B takes the form of an electronically controlled locking device including a solenoid  26 . When solenoid  26  is activated, an authorized individual can access the enclosure by sliding drawer  20  out of the display case  18  to remove or replace a monitored article. 
     Further, the system includes a means, generally designated C, for detecting the presence of a monitor article within the drawer. Means C is preferably a RFID tracking system that includes a RFID transducer  28  controlled by transducer control unit  12 . Transducer  28  is preferably mounted immediately beneath the bottom surface of drawer  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the articles to be monitored are provided with RFID tags  30  attached thereto by an anti-theft attachment commonly used to prevent tag switching. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , the security system of the present invention may be situated in a display case  18  which includes an opaque base cabinet with a lower compartment  32  and an upper compartment  34  within which drawer  20  is situated. The top surface of case  18  is transparent so as to form display area in which a customer, such as the women trying on necklace  24 , may view the article within drawer  20  without having access to them. 
     The display area within the drawer is completely enclosed while drawer  20  remains closed, as shown in  FIG. 5 . When drawer  20  is in its open position, as seen in  FIG. 1 , the salesperson, shown behind the display case, may access the contents of the drawer and remove articles from the drawer or place article into the drawer. 
     Movement of drawer  20  from the closed position to the open position is controlled by lock means B, which is retrofitted into the case. 
     The lock means includes an electrically controlled solenoid  26  with a moveable plunger  36 . The solenoid is situated within lower cabinet  32 , under drawer  20 , such that plunger  36  interferes with the movement of the door when it is in its extended position, thereby preventing the opening of the drawer and hence access to the enclosed area. Solenoid  26  is responsive to command signals from the control unit  10 . 
     Preferably, plunger  36  of solenoid  26  is normally in its extended (“locked”) position. The solenoid has an internal spring (not shown) that urges the plunger towards its locked position. Absent the appropriate signal from control unit  10 , the extended plunger  36  prevents the drawer from being moved to the open position to permit access to the display area. 
     Upon receipt of the appropriate command signal from control unit  10 , solenoid  26  is energized to move plunger  36  against the internal spring to a withdrawn position (“unlocked”) remote from drawer  20  such that the drawer can be moved to the open position and the display area  14  can be accessed. Once the command signal from control unit  10  ceases and the drawer is returned to the closed position, plunger  36  is moved back to its “lock” position by the internal spring, such that the drawer cannot be reopened until another command signal is received, that is, the display area is relocked. 
     Also connected to control unit  10  is a fingerprint reader  38 . Fingerprint reader  36  is preferably located on the back or side of the display case, as seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  5  and  6  so that it can be easily accessed by an employee. In order to activate solenoid  26  to allow entry into the display area by moving drawer  20  to the open position, an individual wishing to gain access must place his or her finger onto pad  40  of fingerprint reader  38 . Reader  38  reads the fingerprint of the individual and compares same to the fingerprints of authorized individuals, previously stored in the fingerprint reader. 
     If there is a match, meaning that the individual seeking access to the display case is authorized to do so, reader  38  generates a signal to control unit  10  which, in turn, causes control unit  10  to generate a command signal to solenoid  26  that causes plunger  36  to withdraw from the plane of the drawer, such that the drawer can be moved to the open position and the interior of the display case can be accessed. If there is no match, no command signal will be generated and the solenoid plunger will continue to prevent the drawer from being moved to the open position. The drawer of the display case cannot be opened until the fingerprint of an authorized individual is read. 
     RFID transponder  28  is connected to control unit  12  and includes an antenna  42  located immediately below drawer  20 . Each of the articles  22 ,  24  is provided with a RFID tag  32  affixed thereto. When the system is initiated, and periodically thereafter, unit  12  causes transponder  28  to scan the drawer and interrogates the RFID tag  32  associated with each article in the drawer to be monitored. The transponder identifies each article in the drawer associated with a tag and stores same in an electronic memory within control unit  10 , for example by recording its SKU, as well as the time and date that the scan took place, so as to form and maintain an inventory of each article in the drawer through time. 
     When fingerprint reader  38  reads the fingerprint of an individual authorized to access the display case, the identity of that individual is also recorded in the memory within control unit  10  and the control unit generates a command signal to solenoid  26  to withdraw plunger  36  such that drawer  20  may be moved to the open position by the authorized individual. When an article (for example, necklace  24 ) is removed from the now accessible display area, the absence of the removed article is sensed by transponder  28  during the next scan and the time and date of same is recorded in the control unit memory, and associated with the identity of the individual authorized to access the display case. 
     Further, upon detection of the removal of an article from the display case, a timer within control unit  10  is started so as to track the time from the removal of the article from the display case. If more than one article is removed from the display case, a record of the identity of the individual authorized to access the case, the identity of each article removed and the time and date of removal of each article is recorded. A separate timer monitoring the time from the removal of each article is started to track the period after removal of that article. 
     As is illustrated in the drawings, the security system of the present invention is designed to interface with a computerized Point of Sale (POS)/inventory system. The POS system includes a means of ascertaining the identity of each article sold, such as by recording the SKU of the article. That means could be an electronic cash register  44  with a product code scanner  46  or other sale recording device connected to the inventory control circuitry  50  of the POS system. Upon recording a sale of an article with the SKU of the article removed from the display case, the POS system notifies control unit  10  of the security system of the time and date of the sale. See  FIG. 5 . 
     If the sale of an article with the SKU of the removed article is recorded within a predetermined time period, as monitored by the timer in the control unit  10 , no action is taken by the security system. However, if such a sale is not recorded within the predetermined time period, indicating that the removed article has not been sold, and the article in question has not been returned to the display case by the end of the time period, as determined by the periodic scanning of all RDIF tags within the display area, control unit generates a security alarm signal. See  FIG. 6 . 
     Preferably, the security alarm signal is transmitted wirelessly via an antenna  52 , using Wi-Fi or other conventional technology, to a receiver  54  in a remote location, such as the store security command center so that security personnel are alerted to the theft. The security system of the present invention is designed for use with video surveillance equipment, such as the closed circuit video surveillance camera  56 , which monitors the area proximate the display case. Camera  58  automatically stores a record of the images of the viewed area capture from the time the timer associated with the missing article was started until the alarm signal was generated, stamps the record with the start and end time, and the date&gt; The system may then sends the images to the security control center. The system can also be set up to automatically lock the exit doors, if desired. 
     In the event of a security alert signal being transmitted, indicating that an article has been stolen, the images recorded by the video camera can be reviewed to determine who is responsible for the theft. Those images can later be used to convict a perpetrator in court. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the operation of the security system in flow chart form. After attaching a RFID tag to each article to be monitored, the articles are placed in the enclosed area (e.g. the drawer) and the enclosed area is locked by the solenoid lock. The system is then activated and the RFID transponder scans the drawer and records the identity of each article in the drawer. 
     Upon activating the fingerprint reader by placing a finger on the pad on front of the reader, a decision is made as to whether the individual is authorized to access the enclosed area. If the individual is authorized, a control signal is generated by control unit  10  causing the solenoid to withdraw the plunger to permit the drawer to be opened and one or more articles to be removed from the drawer. The drawer is then closed and automatically relocked. 
     During the next scan, which occurs very few seconds, the identity of the removed article is recorder and associated with the identity of the individual authorized to access the enclosure. A time associated with the removed article is stored. The period of removal, as tracked by the timer, is monitored. 
     Prior to the end of a predetermined time, if the POS/inventory control system has recorded a sale of the article in question or if the article has been returned to the display case, the control unit notes same and causes the system to automatically reset. However, if by the end of the period, the article is neither sold nor returned to the display case, the security alert signal is generated, the images within the security camera for the time period in question are stored, along with the time and date and the exit door may be locked. 
     It will now be appreciated that the present invention relates to a security system for preventing theft of articles from an enclosure that utilizes a biometrically operated replacement lock to control access to the enclosure. It maintains an inventory of articles using RFID technology and interfaces with a conventional computerized POS/inventory control system and a closed circuit video camera system to track articles, alert security personnel of theft and permit the display of images for identification and prosecution of perpetrators. 
     While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.