초록 ▼

A self-checkout/self-check-in and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is provided. EAS tags and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are connected to articles for use with the invention. A preferred embodiment for self-checkout includes a housing having a cavity for receiving articles

A self-checkout/self-check-in and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is provided. EAS tags and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are connected to articles for use with the invention. A preferred embodiment for self-checkout includes a housing having a cavity for receiving articles for self-checkout. The cavity is disposed within a deactivation zone. The RFID tags are read, and after verification of an authorized transaction, a deactivation antenna is energized to deactivate the EAS tags, and a stored inventory database is updated. Information about the transaction can be displayed. A preferred embodiment for self-check-in includes an elongated housing into which articles are deposited for return. Once deposited, the articles pass through the housing and out the other end. As the articles are deposited, the RFID tags on the articles are read, the inventory database is updated, and an activation antenna is energized to form an activation zone through which the articles pass as they fall through the housing, thus activating the attached EAS tags. The magnetic fields used for activation and deactivation are magnetic media safe for use with articles containing magnetic recording media.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for self-check-in of an article and activation of an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag, comprising:an activatable EAS tag associated with the for theft deterrence;an RFID tag associated with the article for storage and communication of tag data associated

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for self-check-in of an article and activation of an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag, comprising:an activatable EAS tag associated with the for theft deterrence;an RFID tag associated with the article for storage and communication of tag data associated with the article;a housing having an aperture adapted to receive the article in a preselected orientation;means for activation of said EAS tag;an RFID reader adjacent said housing for reading said RFID tag and deriving a signal from said tag data;an inventory database containing inventory data associated with the article;a processor responsive to said signal from said RFID reader for retrieving said inventory data from said inventory database, said processor triggering said means for activaton to activate said EAS tag, and updating said inventory data in said inventory database for check-in of the article; and,means connected to said housing for sensing the articles within said housing, said processor being responsive to said means for sensing to count the number of articles received into said housing.