Patent ID: 7944368

Claim:
A system for inhibiting the ability of a motorized cart to exit a retail store environment via a restricted region, the system comprising: a detector configured to receive spatially distinct first and second electromagnetic signals transmitted at least near the restricted region where cart movement is to be inhibited, the restricted region located within or adjacent a retail store environment, the detector disposed on a motorized cart that is movable on a plurality of driver-selectable paths near the restricted region located within or adjacent the retail store environment, wherein the first signal is transmitted by a first tower and the second signal is transmitted by a second tower, the first and second towers being part of an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system for preventing theft of merchandise that can be purchased from the retail store, the first and second towers being located adjacent the restricted region; and a control unit disposed on the motorized cart and configured to communicate with the detector, determine a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) value for each of the first and second electromagnetic signals received by the detector, and compare the RSSI values of the first and second electromagnetic signals to determine proximity and direction of travel of the detector relative to the restricted region, wherein the control unit is further configured to provide a command to inhibit movement of the motorized cart to at least one of a motor and a brake system of the motorized cart, the command provided in response to the determined proximity and direction of travel of the detector to the restricted region.