EP1915749A1

EP1915749A1 - Method and device for protecting articles

Info

Publication number: EP1915749A1
Application number: EP06776889A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erfindernennung liegt noch nicht vor Die
Original assignee: Checkpoint Systems International GmbH
Current assignee: Meto International GmbH
Priority date: 2005-08-17
Filing date: 2006-08-16
Publication date: 2008-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-16
Also published as: US20140022078A1; JP2009505253A; US8542120B2; AU2006281559A1; US20090051535A1; US8212672B2; US8890690B2; CA2619016A1; WO2007020071A1; EP1915749B1; CN101297342B; CN101297342A; JP4885959B2; US20120268275A1; DE102005038811A1; AU2006281559B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for protecting articles (2), especially displayed goods, from theft. Said device comprises a sensor, connected to a control and alarm device (4) for triggering an alarm when the sensor (3) responds, and to be secured to the article (2) to be protected. The device (1) also comprises a device for detecting if a person gets closer to the displayed article (2) or when the article (2) is removed but not taken. For this purpose, a sensor (7) responds when a person gets closer or when the article (2) is removed and is control-connected to the control and alarm device (4). The control and alarm device (4) is connected to a product information device (13) for presenting the displayed article (2).

Description

Method and device for securing objects

The invention relates to a method for securing objects, in particular issued goods, wherein an alarm is triggered in case of theft of the object. In addition, the invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method, wherein for securing objects, in particular of exhibited goods against theft, there is provided a sensor attachable to the object to be secured, which sensor is connected to a control and alarm device , for triggering an alarm when the sensor responds.

It is already known to freely monitor objects via a sensor, which are connected via an electrical line with a control and alarm device to monitor against theft. If the line or the safety system is tampered with or the sensor is removed, an audible and visual alarm is triggered on the control and alarm device.

Furthermore, systems for sales support measures are known, for example through endless audiovisual advertising. The disadvantage here is that so that no time-accurate, product-specific, controlled to the information needs advertising is possible and accordingly high wastage losses are present.

Object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus of the type mentioned above, whereby a targeted, product-related advertising is possible, but at the same time a secure monitoring of the exhibited object and in particular the equipment cost and the installation costs are relatively low.

To solve this problem, it is proposed with respect to the method according to the invention that in addition to an alarm in case of theft of a registration on approaching a person to the object or removal of the object without entrainment that at least one action is triggered with the registration, at least in a product information about the exhibited item exists. With regard to the device is proposed that it has a device for registration when approaching a person to the exhibited object or removal of the object without entrainment, that for this purpose a sensor is provided which responds when approaching a person or when removing the object counter and is in control connection with the control and alarm device and that with the control and alarm device, a product information device for the presentation of the exhibited object is connected.

By registering with an additional registration sensor when approaching a person or when removing the object which is connected to the control and alarm device already provided for the theft protection, the interest of a Kaufmteressen- ten / viewer can be aroused in a simple manner by the exhibition object is presented to it for example m function. Since essential components of the usually existing anti-theft device can also be used, a simple and cost-effective expansion with the additional function of the product information is possible.

Preferably, an audiovisual product information about the exhibited object is made, because it provides a particularly intensive, fast and effective comprehensive information. formation is possible. The audiovisual product information can preferably be output by means of a product information device which has a video database with a particularly digital playback device and a monitor connected to the visual and possibly loudspeakers and / or headphones for acoustic reproduction.

Mostly there are several objects in a free presentation. If as an additional action an event count and / or a storage of date and / or time is made, the detections can be saved with date and time and thus used later for statistical analysis, in order to gain information about the attractiveness of the exhibited item , The control and alarm device has for this purpose a memory for storing the event count and / or the date and / or time of the event.

If there is no current event detection, then no product-related advertising is shown, but it can be shown during this time a general advertising. These may be manufacturer advertisements of the exhibited item or market advertisements. These advertising times, as well as the aforementioned statistics data obtained, can be evaluated and / or, for example, resold to the manufacturers.

Especially with electronic products of information technology and consumer electronics are usually very many items m a free presentation. In a theft alarm, it is therefore difficult to quickly identify the exact theft.

It may therefore be useful if in case of alarm in case of theft an audible alarm and each case at the object to be secured at least a visual alarm on the for the audiovisual product information.

In case of an alarm can thus on the monitor associated with the gestoh ^¬ lenen object, a related product alarm message is output, so that a rapid localization of the alarm location possible.

Thus, with the same infrastructure, the freely presented objects can be monitored on the one hand against theft, with a fast, product-accurate alarm visualization is possible and on the other hand, the items can be advertised, which means a significant cost reductions in investment and in the acquisition / sale of statistics data. It should also be mentioned that other sales-supporting measures can be triggered by the registration sensor, for example measures which also address the other sensory organs, such as odors, wind and the like.

The sensor of the registration device may be a motion sensor. Thus, the product information is started when a prospective customer approaches or is in front of the issued product. Additional actions are not necessary in this case.

However, there is also the possibility that the sensor of the registration device is a removal sensor. In this case, the product information is only started when the interested party takes the product in hand and thus shows an actual interest in the product. False triggering, for example, by passing customers are thus avoided. In both cases, the activation of the product information takes place within a certain radius of action of the buyer in the area of the exhibited product.

The sensor can also be used as a special proximity sensor for Stand measurement can be used. This distance sensor is placed in the vicinity of the object to be secured, and the distance between it and an object to be secured or an approaching person is detected. The distance measurement can be evaluated, inter alia, for signaling, if appropriate with activation of product-specific information and / or an advance warning and a theft warning. If the product is removed and the removal area is within 2 m, for example, a registration signal may be output, for example an orange LED light may be activated to indicate to the user that his action is registered. If he removes himself with the product more than two meters from the distance sensor, for example, this is considered a theft and an alarm is triggered. When approaching a person to the issued item, the product information is started, possibly together with the warning. The proximity sensor may also be configured to respond to contact of the displayed item. The triggering of an action can thus take place by approach, removal or touch of the exhibited object.

The sensor of the registration device may also be a switch, in particular a mechanical or capacitive or inductive or optoelectronic or magnetic switch.

It is particularly advantageous if the sensor of the registration device is part of the sensor arrangement for theft prevention, because even existing devices are used multiple times. According to a preferred embodiment, the anti-theft sensor arrangement may have a sensor attached to the object to be secured, which sensor is connected to the control and alarm device via a cable rolled up on a cable reel. xst, wherein the sensor of the registration device for detecting the extraction of the rolled-up cable is formed by the cable reel. The cable reel will give you a "tidy" presentation. The sensor may be formed as a magnetic switch with a reed contact attached to the cable reel housing and a magnet attached to the extendable cable. Zeckmäßigerweise forms the attached to the cable magnet as a cable stopper a stop element and is about m rolled state of the cable to a counter-stop.

One such sensor arrangement has the advantage that it can be easily retrofitted.

The device according to the invention and the associated method can be used, in particular, for securing sales objects, but can also be used, for example, in exhibition areas, galleries, to provide explanations / information to the viewer, but also, for example, to the items exhibited Secure pictures against theft. The theft sensor may be preferably attached to the picture frame or the like, while the registration sensor is preferably a motion sensor that detects the presence of a viewer and starts outputting information.

The invention with its essential details of two embodiments will be described in more detail below. It shows something schematized:

1 shows a system for theft prevention and for the automatic output of product information and

2 shows a system similar to Figure 1, but here with a distance sensor. A device 1 shown in FIG. 1 also serves for theft prevention of goods or items 2 exhibited and for registration when approaching a person to the object 2 or when removing the object without taking. Upon registration, at least one action, namely product information about the issued item is triggered.

The objects 2, for example mobile phones, are freely accessible in one or more presentation shelves 6 for the interested party. Depending on the design of the device 1, up to 250 exhibits can be monitored and presented audiovisually.

The device 1 has a theft sensor 3, which is attached to the object to be secured 2 and connected to a control and alarm device 4 via a cable 5. When the sensor 3 responds when it is removed from the object 2 or when the cable 5 is severed / tampered with, a theft alarm is triggered. When approaching a person to the issued item 2 or upon removal of the object this is registered by means of a registration and triggered as an action audiovisual product information. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the registration device has a removal sensor 7, which is in control connection with the control and alarm device 4 provided for theft monitoring via a cable 8, so that only one common control and alarm device is required for both functions. The cable 5 connected to the theft sensor 3 is rolled up on a cable reel 9.

The extraction sensor 7 is configured to detect the extraction of the rolled-up cable 5 from the cable reel 9. The sensor 7 is in the illustrated embodiment as magnetic formed switch having a reed contact 11 attached to the cable reel housing 10 and a fixed to the extendable cable 5 magnet 12.

The reed contact is preferably potted plastic and may be mounted on or in the cable reel housing 10. The magnet 12 has in addition to the task of a permanent magnet for switching the reed contact as soon as the magnet leaves the rest position when pulling out the line and the magnetic field on the reed contact breaks off even the function of a cable stopper for strain relief of the cable 5 and attached sensor 3 in rest position. In this case, the attached to the cable 5 magnet 12 forms as a cable stopper a stop element, the m approximately rolled state of the cable 5 abuts a counter stop formed here by the housing 10. It is particularly advantageous in this arrangement that the

Sensor 7 (event sensor) easy to retrofit, very reasonably priced and sturdy and takes up little space.

With the control and alarm device 4 are for the presentation of the exhibited items 2 product information devices 13 m control connection. The product information device 13 includes a function block 14 with a video database and a digital playback device and a monitor 15. Dashed lines indicate that the control and alarm device 4, for example, ten product information device 13 can be connected.

Depending on which removal sensor 7 has been activated, the associated product information is called up from the video database and played back via the monitor 15.

Em product information device 13 may be assigned to one or more, in particular a group similar, Issued objects 2. The number of objects 2 assigned to each product information device 13 depends, inter alia, on their size. For example, each can Twenty-five exhibits 2 a product information device 13 with a video database and a digital playback device and a monitor 15 assigned.

The modular design of the device 1 allows a m divi- duel design m adaptation to the prevailing conditions. Thus, an existing device for theft protection by one or more product information devices 13 and one or more sampling sensors 7 easily and with relatively little effort to expand a system with which then targeted product information can be output. On the other hand, the product information device 13 or several of them with one or more sampling sensors 7 can also be used alone.

FIG. 2 shows, in a further exemplary embodiment, a device 1a in which an approach sensor is designed as a distance sensor 7a.

In the exemplary embodiment, the distance sensor 7a has an antenna 17 or the like detection element, which is connected to a receiver 16 preferably integrated in the control and alarm device 4a. The antenna 17 is arranged behind the object 2 to be secured and / or also behind the presentation shelf 6. The distance sensor 7a serves to detect the distance of a person and / or the object 2 to be secured itself and / or a sensor 3a attached to the object 2 to be secured from the antenna 17 of the distance sensor 7a.

In this case, the connection to the distance sensor 7a may be the control and alarm device 4a for signaling when approaching, touching or when removing the object 2 to be secured within a predefinable removal distance and for a theft alarm when this removal distance is exceeded and / or adjustable , In the exemplary embodiment, a sensor 3a is attached to the object 2 to be secured, which has a transmitter and at least digital / analogue outputs, in particular for microswitches or for a security foil for theft monitoring and battery monitoring of a supply battery.

The distance sensor 7a also responds to people approaching the antenna 17, wherein the range may be, for example, two meters. It can be registered by whether a person is approaching this antenna 17 associated with a displayed object 2 and also at what distance. Furthermore, this distance sensor 7a registers via the antenna 17, m at which distance the product 2 provided with the sensor 3a is located with respect to the antenna 17. As a result, it can be determined whether the product has been removed from the shelf 6 and how far away it has been from its storage location. Thus, for example, a registration signal can be issued to inform the user that his action is registered. In particular, when the proximity sensor or the distance sensor 7a responds, product-specific advertising and information for the customer are started. Upon further removal of item 2 from the product storage location, a theft alarm may occur. Optionally, additional measures may be provided, that is to say a tracking of the removed object 2 within the premises with corresponding signaling. When Treckmg the sensor 3a has a function comparable to an otherwise attached to the product transponder chip (RFID).

Furthermore, the distance sensor 7a can register via the antenna 17 whether an approaching person is legitimated to carry out work on the system. Such persons wear one electronic key 18 with him, the corresponding characteristics to the antenna 17 and thus to the receiver 16 and the Kontrollemheit 4 a transmits. Thus, there is a wireless legitimacy test with, in particular, capacitive transmission.

There is also the possibility that the distance sensor 7a has a plurality of antennas 17 at a monitoring point, which are arranged so that inter alia the removal of the object 2 to be secured can be detected. It is also possible for a plurality of antennas to be distributed at specific intervals, for example 5 m within the market or similar premises, so that spatial tracking of the product, in particular for traction purposes, is possible. A plurality of distance sensors 7a can be connected to the control and alarm device 4a, with several antennas also assigned to one receiver 16, each assigned to one monitoring point

17 can be connected.

It should also be mentioned that for the proximity and / or touch sensors, the conductivity of the skin and an electrostatic near field can also be exploited, a transfer of information about the skin and, on the other hand, detection of the change of an electric field by a human being being possible ,

Here, for example, in the electronic key

18 (FIG. 2) of integrated transmitters generate the electrostatic field and couple its signal to the skin of a person, and this also works without direct skin contact. By modulating data onto the signal voltage propagating over the entire skin surface, information can be transmitted, for example for identification. In practice this can be structured as follows: With active data transmission through the skin, small, close-to-the-body emitters generate an electrical field through which coded information can be transmitted directly or capacitively coupled to one or more receivers. The transmitted information can thus identify an object or a person.

However, the reception of such signals is only possible if equipped with transmitters m are close to the body. As a result, switching operations can be triggered immediately. This process can also be reversed. If these items are removed and thus the transmission breaks off, an immediate switching operation can also take place. The change of an electric field can also be detected by an approaching or electrostatic field and thus the presence of a body when approaching is recognized passively and this can be used to trigger an action, for example product information. Unlike the active transmission of signals, however, no identification occurs in the passive detection of the approach of a body.

If, for example, a sensor 3a with a transmitter is attached to the object to be secured 2, a theft of the object 2 which has been inserted by the thief can be detected, because the transmitter attached to the object 2 couples its signal to the human skin surface and thus creating an electrostatic field. This can be received and evaluated by receivers, which can be distributed in different places of a market, so that a tracking of the stolen object is possible.

Thus, when the proximity sensor 7 and / or the sensor 3 attached to the object 2 to be secured are equipped with a transmitter, an electrostatic field can be generated which can be exploited differently. The electrostatic field can, as described above, be coupled to the skin surface of a human and used for example for the transmission of data. On the other hand, an evaluation of the change in the electrostatic field when approaching a person to trigger an action can serve.

/Claims

Claims

claims

1. A method for securing objects (2), in particular of exhibited goods, wherein an alarm in case of theft of the article (2) is triggered, characterized in that in addition to an alarm in case of theft of the article (2) registration on approaching a person the object (2) or removal of the object takes place without entrainment that at least one action is triggered with the registration, which consists at least in a product information about the exhibited item (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that as an action audiovisual product information about the issued item (2) is made.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that as an additional action an event count and / or a storage of date and / or the time is made.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in case of alarm in case of theft an acoustic alarm and in each case at the object to be secured (2) an at least visual alarm via the device provided for the audiovisual product information device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a distance measurement between a m the proximity of the object to be secured (2) arranged distance sensor (7a) and the object to be secured (2) or an approaching person made and the measurement result is evaluated at least for activation of a product-specific information and / or an alert and a theft warning.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a wireless legitimacy test in the subject (2) approaching persons is made.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the case of a theft of the article (2) a detection and tracking of the respective position of the article (2) is made within predeterminable spaces.

8. Device (1,1a) for securing objects (2), in particular of exhibited goods against theft, with an attachable to the object to be secured (2) sensor, which is connected to a control and alarm device (4), for Triggering an alarm when the sensor (3) is triggered, in particular for carrying out the method according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a device for registering when a person approaches the object (2) exhibited or when removing the object (2) without entrainment, that for this purpose a sensor (7,7a) is provided, which responds when approaching a person or when removing the object (2) and with the control and alarm device (4,4a) m control connection and that with the control - And alarm device (4,4a) is connected to a product information device (13) for the presentation of the issued item (2).

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the product information device (13) has a video database with a particular digital playback device and a connected monitor (15) for visual and optionally loudspeakers and / or headphones for acoustic reproduction.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the product information device (13) is assigned to several, in particular a group of similar, exhibited objects (2).

11. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the control and alarm device (4,4a) has a memory for storing an event count and / or the date and / or the time of the event.

12. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, character- ized in that the sensor (7) of the registration device is a movement sensor.

13. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the sensor (7) of the registration device is a removal sensor.

14. Device according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the sensor (7) of the registration device is part of the sensor arrangement for theft prevention.

15. Device according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the sensor arrangement for anti-theft device attached to the object to be secured (2) ange- brought sensor (3) which is connected via a cable (5) rolled up on a cable reel (9) with the control and alarm device (4) and that the sensor (7) of the registration device for detecting the extraction of the rolled-up cable (5) from the cable reel

(9) is formed.

16. Device according to one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the sensor (7) of the Registrierem- direction is a switch, in particular a mechanical or capacitive or inductive or opto-electronic or magnetic switch.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that the magnetic switch on the cable reel housing

(10) mounted reed contact (11) and a to the extendable cable (5) fixed magnet (12).

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that on the cable (5) fixed magnet (12) forms a stopper as a cable stopper and rests in approximately rolled state of the cable to a counter-stop.

19. Device according to one of claims 8 to 18, character- ized in that the approach sensor is a distance sensor (7a), which for detecting the distance of a person and / or on the object to be secured (2) mounted sensor (3a ) and / or the object to be secured (2) is itself formed by the distance sensor (7a).

20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that the distance sensor (7a) has at least one antenna (17) or the like detection element, which is provided with a Preferably, the control and alarm device (4a) integrated receiver (16) is connected.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 or 20, marked thereby, that the distance sensor (7 a) behind the object to be secured (2) is arranged.

22. Device according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that in conjunction with the distance sensor (7a), the control and alarm device (4a) for signaling on removal of the object to be secured (2) within a predetermined removal distance and is designed and / or adjustable for a theft alarm when exceeding this removal distance.

23. Device according to one of claims 8 to 22, characterized in that on the object to be secured (2) mounted sensor (3a) at least one transmitter and optionally digital / analog-Emgänge particular microswitch or for a security film for theft-monitoring and for battery monitoring of a supply battery has.

24. Device according to one of claims 8 to 23, character- ized in that the proximity sensor (7) and / or the

Distance sensor (7a) for receiving legitimization data of an electronic key (18) is formed by operating personnel.

25. Device according to one of claims 8 to 24, characterized in that the proximity sensor (7) and / or attached to the object to be secured (2) sensor (3) has a transmitter, either for generating an electric static field and optionally coupling the electrostatic field to the skin surface of a human or to evaluate the change in the electrostatic field when approaching a person.

/ Summary