Inventory management system

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/269,766, filed Oct. 11, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/328,193, filed Oct. 11, 2001, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to an apparatus and system for securing and managing inventory, such as an article security tag and security tag release device, and point of sale terminal.

[0003] Various types of containers are known for holding products such as in a retail store. Numerous security and inventory management systems have been developed such as theft detection tags, physical objects to be removed by the sales clerk, and bar codes. One exemplary product to be managed is information storage media, such as compact discs (CD's) and digital video discs (DVD's). An exemplary state of the art container for storage media is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,068 and WO97/41563, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0004] An exemplary problem with prior art containers for storage media is the theft of the storage media, e.g. the CD or DVD, from the container inside the retail store. Conventionally, containers are provided with an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tag that triggers an alarm if the container is taken out of the store without the EAS tag either being removed or rendered inactive by the store sales staff. One way to counter an EAS tag is simply to remove the storage media from the container. One method of countering this theft technique is to wrap the container in a clear plastic wrapper. The wrapper must be at least partially removed before the container can be opened. However, thieves have been known to slit the wrapper along an edge of the container and removed the storage media by manipulating the container. Moreover, thieves have developed additional techniques to include removing the EAS tag from the container or product.

[0005] U.K. Patent Application No. 00275537 ('537) describes an improved security tag that secures storage media inside the container. The security tag described in this application secures the storage media in the container and prevents the container from opening while the security tag is in place. However one potential problem with the '537 application is that an employee or thief with access to a security tag removal system can circumvent this feature.

[0006] What is needed is an improved inventory management and theft deterrent system whereby a security tag, such as described in the '537 application cannot be removed unless a sales transaction has occurred.

[0007] The invention provides an improved inventory management system whereby by a security tag is placed on an article for sale. The security tag is affixed to the article so that a packaging cannot be opened with the security tag in place. A device to remove the security tag is controlled by the point of sale terminal. The tag removal device will not operate unless a sales transaction takes place.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the security tag is affixed to the article so that the tag cannot be removed from the article without the use of a special removal device or tool. The removal device or tool is controlled by the point of sale terminal, and will not operate unless a sales transaction takes place.

[0009] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the security tag is affixed to the article so that the tag will activate a security alarm unless the tag is deactivated prior to an attempt to remove the article from the retail establishment. The tag deactivation device is controlled by the point of sale terminal, and will not operate unless a sales transaction takes place.

[0010] The above and other features of the present invention which will become more apparent in the description below and can be understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying FIGURE. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inventory management system according to the invention.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inventory management system 100. An exemplary inventory item 70 is shown. In an exemplary embodiment, item 70 is a storage media container (not shown) with an information storage media, such as a CD or DVD located inside the container. The storage media is secured inside the container by a security tag 72 such as described in the '537 application that uses a RFID tags for preventing theft. In an exemplary embodiment, the security tag 72 has a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) attached to it. It is to be understood that the invention covers a wide range of security tags 72 and is not limited to the security tag described in the referenced '537 application.

[0012] The inventory system 100 consists of at least a storage database 10, a cash register or sales terminal 30, an inventory item 70, a security tag 72 secured to the inventory item 70 or a container for the item 70, a security tag reader 40, and an unlocking system 60. FIG. 1, also shows an optional remote database 20 and an alarm system 50, such as an audible alarm located near the exits of a facility.

[0013] The inventory system 100 is designed so that security tag 72 is only released from an item 70 after a cash register 30 has recorded the sale of the item 70. In an exemplary system, the security tag 72 contains at least a serial number or some identification information that can be read by an optical or other type of scanner. Additional information could be stored on the tag, such as item type, item identification number, tag number, item description, item cost, date of manufacture, shipping date and reorder information. A serial number allows each item 70 and security tag 72 to be uniquely identified by the cash register or computer system 30. The security tag 72 is exemplary placed in the item 70 at the factory or by the retailer, distributor, or owner, preferably prior to arrival at the store or in a secure location. An optional remote database 20 could be used to cross-reference the information stored on the tag 72.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, during a sales transaction, the cash register 30 or other suitable reading device will read the security tag 72 identification information. In an exemplary system a handheld or stationary security tag reader 40, such as an electronic or optical scanner is used to read the security tag 72. The tag reader 40 transfers the information to the cash register 30. The cash register 30 then communicates with a storage database 10. The storage base 10 transmits to the cash register 30 information on the item 70, such as product cost and other information desired. In addition, a remote product database 20 may be desirable to prevent an employee or thieve from altering the store database 10.

[0015] After the security tag 72 information is read by the tag reader 40, the cash register 30 will authorize the removal of or disarming of the security tag 72. A sales clerk can then use an exemplary tag unlocking system 60 to remove the security tag 72 from the item 70. The tag unlocking system 60 is controlled by the cash register 30. In an exemplary embodiment the tag unlocking system 60 comprises a security tag reader 62, a microprocessor 64, and an unlocking device 66.

[0016] The unlocking system tag reader 62 reads the security tag 72. The tag's identification number is transferred via a microprocessor 64 to the cash register 30 to confirm or verify the sale. If a sale is confirmed, the unlocking device 66 is made operational and the sales clerk can proceed with disarming and removing the security tag 72. If a sale is not confirmed then the unlocking device 66 will not operate. In an exemplary embodiment, an attempt to unlock a security tag 72 when a sale is not recorded would result in an exemplary alarm system 50 activating.

[0017] Thus employees as well as thieves could not remove the security tag 72 from the item 70 without a sales transaction. It is to be understood that the unlocking device 66 can be configured and controlled in many different ways, including electromagnetic controls or other suitable electromechanical means.

[0018] As previously mentioned, the system 100 could also have an alarm system 50. An exemplary alarm system 50 would be placed near the store exit or tag unlocking device 661. The alarm 50 would make a noise or flash a light if a thief or employee attempts to remove the item 70 from the store without a sales transaction occurring.

[0019] One potential problem is that an employee could authorize a cash transaction with the cash register 30, without placing the money in the cash register. However, a password system can also be used with the cash register 30 to identify which sales clerk handled a particular transaction.

[0020] The present invention may be used with other security tag and security tag release devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,387, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a security device systems in which a security container is provided to contain the object for which protection is desired, such as recorded media such as tapes or discs. The security container includes a frame forming a storage chamber with an access opening for inserting and removing the object into and from the storage chamber. A lock mechanism is mounted on the frame and movable between locked and unlocked positions. The lock mechanism selectively blocks and unblocks the access opening. The lock mechanism includes at least one mechanically activated locking element and at least one magnetically activated locking element.

[0021] Each of the locking elements includes a cantilevered locking finger that is movable between locked and unlocked positions. The magnetically activated locking finger is movable to the unlocked position through use of a magnet while the mechanically activated locking element is moved to the unlocked position through use of a pin. Each locking finger engages a blocking plate that is disposed on the sliding member of the locked mechanism. The locked mechanism may only be opened when the lock pin and magnet are used simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment of the '387 device, a tool is provided that includes both the pin and the magnet, appropriately positioned to perform the unlocking operation.

[0022] The present invention may be used with the '387 device by enabling the magnet used for moving the magnetically activated locking finger only after a cash register has recorded the sale of the article from the data contained on the article's security tag. For example, the magnet may be an electromagnet, energized under control of the cash register for a limited period of time once the sale has been made. Alternatively, the magnet may be a permanent magnet having its access controlled by the cash register, for example, by a cover that may be opened to expose the magnet only after a sale has been made.

[0023] A similar approach may be used with a security device such as the FORTKNOX™ Safer commercially available from MW Security AB. In this device, a container is provided for the article having a locking closure. The lock operates by way of a spring-loaded bolt that fits into a hole located in the top of the container. A special detacher tool is required to release the closure, accomplished by passing the container closure through a groove in the tool. The movement causes the bolt to be pulled back, and the lock is released. For use with the present invention, the groove may be closed by a cover that is released only upon receipt of a signal from the cash register indicating that a sale of the article has been made. Alternatively, the operative portions of the bolt movement apparatus can be moved into operating position by, for example, an electromagnet that is activated in response to a sale.

[0024] Another device with which the present invention may be used is a clamp-on antitheft tag, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,754,939. Certain embodiments of the '939 device, for example that shown in FIGS. 24-41, use a special mechanism for releasing the clamp, such as by inserting pins into the clamp so as to release it. The release mechanism, or access to this mechanism, may be controlled by the present invention as described above, to enable releasing the clamp only if a corresponding security tag indicates that the article has been purchased.

[0025] Yet another device useable with the present invention is a an antitheft tag attached to merchandise by a lanyard or strap, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,055. A magnet is used to release the lanyard from the tag. For use with the present invention, the releasing magnet may be an electromagnet controlled by the present invention, or a permanent magnet access to which is controlled by the present invention. In either case, the magnet will be operative to release the lanyard only if detection of a security tag indicates that the article has been purchased.

[0026] Another device is an antitheft device attachable to the neck of a bottle, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,557, that requires a special mechanical key to release the device from the bottle. Operation of or access to the mechanical key may be controlled by the present invention, to enable releasing the antitheft device only if a corresponding security tag is detected by the cash register, indicating that the article has been purchased.

[0027] One further device with which the present invention may be used is an antitheft device sold under the trademark SPIDER WRAP™, manufactured by Alpha Security Products. The SPIDER WRAP device uses wires or cables to encircle a package such as a software box, in such a manner that the device cannot be removed from the package, nor the package opened, until the device is detached using a special detaching tool. The operation of or the access to the detaching tool may be controlled by the present invention, to enable releasing the SPIDER WRAP device only if a corresponding security tag is detected, indicating that the article has been purchased.

[0028] A number of other known security devices that either lock a container or otherwise block access to the article, or that must be physically removed from the article, are similarly useable with the present invention.

[0029] In addition to devices that physically lock access to the article, or that must be physically detached from the article, the present invention is useable with security tags that attach to the article or its packaging and are intended to activate an alarm system if a thief attempts to exit the store with unpaid-for merchandise. Examples of such electronic article surveillance (EAS) devices include so-called “soft” tags or disposable tags that may be applied to the article in the form of labels or stickers. Such tags may, for example, be of the acousto-magnetic type such as those offered commercially by Sensormatic Inc., or of the radio frequency type such as those offered commercially by Checkpoint Systems, Inc. The tags are deactivated at the store checkout once the article is purchased, the deactivation system typically operating by subjecting the tag to a magnetic field of sufficient magnitude. When used with the present invention, the deactivator is controlled by the system of the present invention. Where the tag carries identifying information concerning the article (such as in RFID tags), the control system may energize the deactivator only after a sale of the article has been recorded. For tags that do not include product identifying information (such as older types of EAS tags), the control system may energize the deactivator for only a limited period of time after a sale of an (otherwise unidentified) article has been recorded.

[0030] Once given the above disclosure, many other features, modifications or improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such features, modifications or improvements are, therefore, considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.