U.S. patent application number 12/619538 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-17 for integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (eas) system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Datalogic Scanning, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gerardo Aguirre, Garrett J. Barnum, Douglas A. Drew, Ronald B. Easter, Matthew J. Friend, David J. Newman.
Application Number | 20100148967 12/619538 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37009730 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100148967 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friend; Matthew J. ; et
al. |
June 17, 2010 |
INTEGRATED DATA READER AND ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE (EAS)
SYSTEM
Abstract
An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance
(EAS) system, and methods of operation. Several configurations are
also disclosed for alternate deactivation coil designs and mounting
schemes.
Inventors: |
Friend; Matthew J.; (Boynton
Beach, FL) ; Drew; Douglas A.; (Boca Raton, FL)
; Easter; Ronald B.; (Parkland, FL) ; Aguirre;
Gerardo; (Pompano Beach, FL) ; Barnum; Garrett
J.; (Eugene, OR) ; Newman; David J.;
(Springfield, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DATALOGIC - STOEL RIVES LLP;C/O STOEL RIVES LLP
900 SW 5TH AVENUE, SUITE 2600
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Assignee: |
Datalogic Scanning, Inc.
Eugene
OR
Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
Boca Raton
FL
|
Family ID: |
37009730 |
Appl. No.: |
12/619538 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11351310 |
Feb 8, 2006 |
7619527 |
|
|
12619538 |
|
|
|
|
60651058 |
Feb 8, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/572.3 ;
235/470; 29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 7/10554 20130101;
G06K 7/0008 20130101; G08B 13/2402 20130101; Y10T 29/49826
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/572.3 ;
235/470; 29/428 |
International
Class: |
G08B 13/14 20060101
G08B013/14; G06K 7/10 20060101 G06K007/10; B23P 11/00 20060101
B23P011/00 |
Claims
1-2. (canceled)
3. A combined data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS)
deactivation system, comprising an optical data reader for reading
optical tags being passed through a read volume; a deactivator for
deactivating electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags, said
deactivator having at least one magnetic deactivation coil unit
arranged to proximate the data reader to project a magnetic field
into the read volume, wherein the deactivation coil unit is mounted
with a pivoting mount for allowing the deactivation coil unit to be
pivoted outwardly away from the data reader.
4. A system according to claim 3 wherein the deactivation coil unit
being pivoted outwardly away from the data reader for allowing
access to internal components.
5. A system according to claim 3 wherein the pivoting mount
comprises a mounting bracket and a hinge.
6. A system according to claim 3 wherein the pivoting mount
comprises a pair of hinged mounting brackets.
7. A system according to claim 6 wherein the magnetic deactivation
unit is pivoted via the hinged mounting brackets between a first
position proximate the data reader and a second position away from
the data reader.
8. A system according to claim 3 wherein the optical data reader
comprises an L-shaped two-plane optical scanner.
9. A combined data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS)
deactivation system, comprising a housing; an optical data reader
disposed in the housing and having at least a first window through
which the optical data reader reads optical tags being passed
through a read volume; a deactivator for deactivating electronic
article surveillance (EAS) tags, said deactivator having at least a
first magnetic deactivation coil unit disposed in the housing
proximate the first window, wherein the first deactivation coil
unit is pivotally mounted.
10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the magnetic deactivation
coil unit comprises a plurality of windings disposed around a
central opening, wherein the data reader reads through the first
window and then through the central opening and into the read
volume.
11. A system according to claim 10 wherein the magnetic
deactivation coil unit is configured in a generally rectangular
configuration arranged around the central opening.
12. A system according to claim 9 further comprising a hinged
mounting bracket, wherein the magnetic deactivation coil unit is
pivotally mounted via the hinged mounting bracket between a first
position proximate the first window and a second position away from
the window.
13. A system according to claim 9 wherein the deactivation coil
unit is pivotable outwardly away from the data reader for allowing
access to internal components of the system.
14. A system according to claim 9 wherein the data reader comprises
an L-shaped two-plane optical scanner.
15. A method of mounting a magnetic deactivation coil unit within a
housing of a combined data reader and electronic article
surveillance (EAS) deactivation system, comprising the steps of
installing a mounting bracket within the housing; pivotally
mounting the magnetic deactivation coil unit to the mounting
bracket.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
11/351,310 filed Feb. 8, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,619,527 which
claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/651,058
filed Feb. 8, 2005, hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The field of the present invention relates to data reading
systems and electronic article security (EAS) systems. In
particular, various systems and methods are described herein for
integrating an EAS system into a data reading system such as a
barcode scanner.
[0003] In both retail checkout and inventory control environments,
items are typically provided with readable tags or labels such as
bar codes or RFID tags. Data reading devices such as barcode
scanners and RFID readers are provided at the checkout station to
read the codes or tags and obtain the data contained therein. The
data may be used to identify the article, its price, and other
characteristics or information related to checkout or inventory
control. These data readers automate the information retrieval to
facilitate and speed the checkout process. Thus data readers such
as bar code scanners are pervasive at retail checkout.
[0004] Scanners generally come in three types: (a) handheld, such
as the PowerScan.TM. scanner, (b) fixed and installed in the
countertop such as the Magellan.RTM. scanner, or (c) a hybrid
scanner such as the Duet.RTM. scanner usable in either a handheld
or fixed mode. Each of these scanners is manufactured by PSC Inc.
of Eugene, Oreg. In a typical operation, retail clerk uses either a
handheld scanner to read the barcode symbols on the articles one at
a time or passes the articles through the scan field of the fixed
scanner one at a time. The clerk then places the articles into a
shopping bag or other suitable container.
[0005] Though barcodes provide for rapid and accurate item
identification at checkout, the bar codes do not provide for item
security against theft. Electronic article surveillance (EAS)
systems have employed either reusable EAS tags or disposable EAS
tags to monitor articles to prevent shoplifting and unauthorized
removal of articles from store. Reusable EAS tags are normally
removed from the articles before the customer exits the store.
Disposable EAS tags are generally attached to the packaging by
adhesives or are disposed inside item packaging. These tags remain
with the articles and must be deactivated before they are removed
from the store by the customer.
[0006] There are several types of deactivation systems including
magnetic, radio frequency (RF), and microwave. These systems have
different structural designs and different operational
characteristic. By way of example, magnetic deactivation devices
use coils which are energized to generate a magnetic field of
sufficient magnitude to render the EAS tag inactive. In another
example, an RF system uses a wire loop antenna to generate an RF
signal whereby an RF-based security tag receives the signal and
deactivates in response thereto.
[0007] In any of the EAS systems, once deactivated, the tags are no
longer responsive to the detection systems, the detection system
typically being located at the store exits, so that an alarm is not
triggered.
[0008] Some retail establishments having high volumes find it
desirable to expedite and facilitate the checkout process including
the scanning of the bar code data and the deactivation of the EAS
tags. In the typical point of sale (POS) location such as the
checkout counter of a retail checkout station, counter space is
limited. In one RF-based system, an EAS deactivation wire loop is
disposed around the horizontal scan window of a two-window "L"
shaped scanner such as the Magellan.RTM. scanner. In such a system,
barcode scanning and EAS tag deactivation presumably are
accomplished over the same scan volume. Another system is disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,072 which discloses, among other things,
various embodiments of a magnetic-based EAS deactivation system
integrated into a two-window "L" shaped scanner.
SUMMARY
[0009] Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to
integrated data reader and EAS systems, methods of operation,
deactivation coil designs, and arrangements and mounting schemes.
In a preferred configuration, a data reader such as a barcode
scanner is equipped with one or more EAS deactivation modules
disposed behind the scanner surface and arranged to generate a
deactivation field of a desired orientation to deactivate EAS tags
on items as they are passed through the scan field defined by the
scanner window(s) of the data reader.
[0010] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a combined data reader and
EAS system according to a first embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of a combined data reader and EAS
system according to a preferred embodiment, shown with the weigh
platter removed.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of the combined data reader and EAS
system of FIG. 2 with the top bonnet removed.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top view of the combined data reader and EAS
system of FIG. 2 illustrating placement and details of the
horizontal coil unit.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the horizontal coil unit
from the combined data reader and EAS system of FIGS. 2-4 removed
from the system.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vertical coil unit from
the combined data reader and EAS system of FIGS. 2-4 removed from
the system.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the vertical coil unit of
FIG. 6 unwrapped with the internal coils exposed.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the vertical coil unit of
FIGS. 6-7 with the wrapped coils coated.
[0019] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an alternate coil unit.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a front plan view of the coil unit of FIG. 9.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the coil unit of FIG.
10 taken along line 11-11.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a detailed view of the windings of the coil unit
of FIG. 11.
[0023] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an alternate coil unit.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a front plan view of the coil unit of FIG.
13.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the coil unit of FIG.
14 taken along line 14-14.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a detailed view of the windings of the coil unit
of FIG. 15.
[0027] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of an alternate coil unit.
[0028] FIG. 18 is a front plan view of the coil unit of FIG.
17.
[0029] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the coil unit of FIG.
18 taken along line 19-19.
[0030] FIG. 20 is a detailed view of the windings of the coil unit
of FIG. 19.
[0031] FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an alternate coil unit.
[0032] FIG. 22 is a front plan view of the coil unit of FIG.
21.
[0033] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the coil unit of FIG.
22 taken along line 23-23.
[0034] FIG. 24 is a detailed view of the windings of the coil unit
of FIG. 23.
[0035] FIG. 25 is a top view of a combined data reader and EAS
system according to an alternate embodiment, shown with the weigh
platter removed.
[0036] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the horizontal coil unit
from the combined data reader and EAS system of FIG. 25 removed
from the system.
[0037] FIG. 27 is a detailed perspective view of a corner of the
horizontal coil unit of FIG. 26 unwrapped with the internal
windings exposed.
[0038] FIG. 28 is a top perspective view of a combined data reader
and EAS system according to another alternate embodiment with the
weigh platter removed.
[0039] FIG. 29 is another perspective view of the combined data
reader and EAS system of FIG. 28 with the horizontal coil unit in
its operating position.
[0040] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the system of FIGS. 28-29
with the horizontal coil unit shown pivoted to a second
position.
[0041] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a combined data reader and
EAS system according to another alternate embodiment with a
vertical deactivation unit disposed in an external position.
[0042] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a combined data reader and
EAS system according to another alternate embodiment with a
vertical deactivation unit mounted to a rear surface of the
removable weigh platter.
[0043] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a combined data reader and
EAS system according to another alternate embodiment with a
horizontal deactivation unit mounted to an underside of the
removable weigh platter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the drawings. To facilitate
description, any reference numeral representing an element in one
figure will represent the same element in any other figure.
[0045] FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a system 5 comprised of
an EAS controller 10 and a combined data reader and EAS
deactivation system 15. The combined data reader and EAS system 15
includes a lower housing section 20 and an upper housing section
40. A horizontal EAS deactivation unit 50 is mounted within the
lower housing section 20 and the upper or vertical EAS deactivation
unit 52 is mounted within the upper housing section 40. Each of the
deactivation coil units 50, 52 is connected to the controller 10
which either may be integrated into the data reader housing or may
comprise a separated component connected via a cable.
[0046] FIGS. 2-8 illustrate details of such a system 5 according to
a first preferred embodiment. System 5 includes an external
controller 10 connected via a cable 11 to a combined EAS and data
reader system 15. System 15 includes an outer housing or frame 12
with a lower housing section 20 containing a horizontal window 22
and an upper housing section 40 containing a vertical window
42.
[0047] The system 15 is illustrated with a scale system disposed
within the lower housing section for supporting a weigh platter.
The weigh platter is not shown in FIGS. 2-4 as it has been removed
to allow internal components of the system 15 to be visible in the
figures. The weigh platter may comprise a single plane, or may
comprise multiple planes as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,708
hereby incorporated by reference where the system comprises a
scanner-scale having a two-plane or vertical plane scanner.
Although the system 15 is illustrated as a two-plane scanner with a
horizontal window 22 and a vertical window 42, the system may
alternatively comprise a single window, either a single horizontal
window (such a horizontal scanner) or a single vertical window
(such as a vertical scanner).
[0048] The scanner itself may be of any suitable configuration. As
viewed in the figure, the scanner includes a facet wheel 23
disposed in the lower housing section. The illustrated embodiment
for the scanner may comprise a Magellan 9500 dual plane scanner
available from PSC Inc. of Eugene, Oreg.
[0049] In embodiments where the scanner 15 includes a weigh scale,
the lower magnetic coil unit 50 must not only not interfere with
the scanner optics being passed out from the lower scan section 24
but must also be disposed so as not to interfere with the scale
system. In this embodiment, the scale system includes a spider 90
of a U-shaped construction, with the central portion 92 disposed
over a load cell 91, and a first lateral extension 94 disposed at a
front or checker side of the weigh platter, and a second lateral
extension 96 disposed at the rear of the weigh platter adjacent to
the upper housing section 40. The weigh platter is suspended on top
of the U-shaped spider 90 via positioners such as height adjustment
bolts 95a, 95b, 95c, 95d.
[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates the system 15 with the bonnet of the
upper housing section 40 removed exposing the upper coil 52. The
upper coil 52 is mounted to the frame of the unit 15 via upper coil
mounts 46, which support the upper coil unit 52 in a secure
vertical orientation behind the vertical window 42. Similar to the
lower coil unit 50, the upper coil unit 52 is configured so as to
provide a large enough opening so as not to interfere with the scan
pattern coming out of the upper scan section 44.
[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred configuration for the
horizontal coil unit 50. FIGS. 6-7 illustrate preferred
configuration for the upper coil unit 52. As viewed in the figures,
each of the coil units 50, 52 is an air core magnetic coil assembly
of a generally rectangular shape, the rectangular shape
corresponding to the shape of the windows of the scanner. The coil
units 50, 52 have been optimized to minimize the space required for
the units and to minimize impact on scanner performance, that is to
avoid interference with the scan pattern generation and the volume
of the inner scan housings desired to generate the desired scan
patterns. The shape is also designed to avoid interference with the
scale systems previously described.
[0052] In a preferred configuration, the coil units 50, 52 are
comprised of windings composed of a single wire of on the order of
50 turns as best shown in FIG. 7, which illustrates the vertical
coil unit 52 with the internal coils exposed. The figure also
illustrates the two ends of the single wire that forms the
windings. In one configuration, the vertical coil unit 52 has 50
turns and the horizontal coil unit has 54 turns.
[0053] The controller 10 is connected to both the vertical coil
unit 52 and the horizontal coil unit 50. The vertical coil unit 52
surrounds the vertical scanner window 42 and likewise the
horizontal coil unit 50 surrounds the horizontal scanner window 22.
In order to maximize space constraints for the scanner components
and not interfere with scanner operation, the vertical coil unit 52
may be formed with a beveled profile to allow sufficient coil
volume while not blocking the scan lines exiting through the
vertical window 42 of the scanner. The horizontal coil unit 50 may
also have a beveled profile so as to provide additional room for
scan beams exiting the horizontal window 22.
[0054] The geometry of the coil units may best be explained when
referring to a cross-section. The inner side of the coil unit is
beveled or angled, thus creating a cross-sectional shape rather
than rectangular to better approximate a trapezoid or triangle.
Thus the outermost inner edge of the coil unit is recessed radially
outward so as to better accommodate exiting scan beams passing
through the central portion of the coil unit.
[0055] In operation, each of the coil units provides for both
detection (transmitting the magnetic field to excite the labels and
then receiving a return signal from the label) and deactivation
(sending a deactivation pulse to deactivate the label). In a
preferred control method, the controller 10 may detect which coil
is best suited for deactivation and then only energize the
appropriate coil. For example, if the vertical coil unit 52 is the
one that detects (or best detects with the strongest return
signal), then the controller 10 would determine that the vertical
coil unit 42 is best suited for deactivation and then only
energizes vertical coil unit 52 to deactivate the EAS tag.
[0056] In a preferred construction, the coil units are formed by
winding the bare wire the appropriate number of turns (see for
example FIG. 7) with the wound coils formed in the desired
cross-sectional geometry. The coils may then be wrapped with a
suitable insulated tape such as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In a
preferred construction, the coil unit such as in FIG. 7 would be
dip coated such as with a liquid form of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
generally known as plastisol such as the coil illustrated in FIG.
8.
[0057] FIGS. 9-12 illustrate an alternate embodiment for a coil
unit which may be particularly suitable for the vertical plane but
may also be useable in the horizontal plane. As showed by the
details of the cross-section of FIGS. 11 and 12, the coils 112 are
arranged with a trapezoidal cross-section formed with a bevel 114
on one side thereof. The windings or turns of the copper wire are
arranged such that there are five rows on the outward side of the
coil and nine rows of wire turns on the inward side of the coil.
The beveled side 114 permits exit of scan lines out the window (the
scan lines would be passing from right to left as viewed in FIGS.
11-12). In the particular winding configuration, the coil unit is
formed with nine rows on the inside tapering down to five rows on
the outside and with an eight-layer (four over four) width.
[0058] FIGS. 13-16 illustrate another alternative construction for
a coil unit 120 useable in either a vertical or horizontal
application. Coil unit 120 has approximately 56 complete turns and
is shown in the detail of FIG. 16 and has the windings or turns 122
arranged with a beveled side 124 formed of a similar trapezoidal
shape as in the previous embodiment with one side somewhat rounded
by the addition of five additional turns 126. The coil unit 120
thus has nine rows on the upstream side and six rows on the
downstream side and a seven-layer width (3/4 layers or three layers
over four layers).
[0059] Although the non-rectangular, non-squared geometry of the
coil units provides for certain benefits, rectangular units may
provide sufficient geometric qualifications and tend to be more
easily manufactured. FIGS. 17-20 illustrate another embodiment for
a horizontal coil unit 130 (which may also be used as a vertical
coil unit). Coil unit 130 has 54 windings or turns 132 arranged in
13/14 layers (13 layers over 14 layers) as shown in the detailed
cross-section of FIG. 20. The coil unit 130 thus presents a fairly
elongated rectangular shape in cross-section as viewed in FIG. 20
including about 54 complete turns arranged in four rows by 13/14
layers.
[0060] FIGS. 21-24 illustrate another embodiment for a coil unit
140 of a generally rectangular shape as viewed in FIGS. 21-22. As
shown in the detailed cross-sections of FIGS. 23-24, the
cross-sectional shape of the coil unit 140 is closer to square
comprising nine rows by 5/6 layers for a total of approximately 50
turns 142.
[0061] FIGS. 25-27 illustrate another combined EAS and data reading
system 205. The system 205 includes a data reader 215, this
embodiment shown as a dual plane L-shaped barcode scanner, and a
controller 210 connected to the data reader 215 via cable 211. The
data reader 215 is illustrated in the figure as a scanner scale
shown with its two-plane weigh platter 216 removed, a portion of
the platter 216 being visible in the right side of the figure. The
weigh platter 216 is supported by posts 295a, 295b, 295c, 295d. The
posts 295a-c extend to a bottom of the scanner housing 212 and are
attached to a spider (not shown) which in turn is connected to and
supported upon a load cell.
[0062] Disposed with the scanner 215 are a horizontal coil unit 250
surrounding the lower scan window 222 and an upper or vertical coil
unit 252 disposed approximate the upper scan window 242.
[0063] FIG. 26 illustrates details of the lower horizontal coil 250
with the windings wrapped. FIG. 27 illustrates the actual coil
windings before wrapping or coating as would typically be
implemented during manufacture.
[0064] It is noted that the upper coil unit 252 is mounted external
to the upper scan window 242 but would nonetheless be behind the
vertical window 217 in the two-plane weigh platter 216 when the
platter is disposed in position on the scanner 215.
[0065] FIGS. 28-30 illustrate an alternative embodiment for a
combined EAS deactivation system and data reader 315 particularly
showing an alternate mounting scheme for the horizontal coil unit
350. The data reader 315 is an L-shaped two-plane optical scanner
such as the Magellan 9500 and illustrated with the two-plane weigh
platter (known as the ALL-WEIGHS.RTM. platter) removed. The
horizontal coil unit 350 is mounted either around or adjacent the
horizontal window 322 of the lower scan section 320. The horizontal
coil unit 350 is mounted by a pair of hinge mounting brackets 360,
362 which are in turn mounted to the chassis or outer housing 312.
When in position, the coil unit 350 is nested within the U-shaped
spider assembly 390 of the scale. The spider assembly 390 includes
a central section 392 which is in turn mounted onto the load cell
391. Scale arms 394, 396 extend outward from the central section
392 to form a U-shape. In combination, the scale arms 396 and
central section 392 provide support for the weigh platter.
[0066] The hinge mounting bracket 360 includes a hinge section 361
and the hinge mounting bracket 362 includes a hinge section 363
which permits pivoting of the horizontal coil unit 350 from the
horizontal position as in FIGS. 28 and 29 upwardly and outwardly as
illustrated in FIG. 30. Such a pivoting location allows for easy
access for installation and/or repair of internal components. The
pivoting coil unit 350 when in the pivoted condition also provides
access to scale components such as the load cell cover door 397,
the scale calibration button access door 398 and the security
locking tab 399 as well as the surrounding areas which are
preferably readily accessible when the scale is tested for
calibration, locked, and sealed by an authorized weighs and
measures inspector or serviced and recalibrated by a service
technician. It also may be useful to pivot the horizontal
deactivation coil 350 out of position to allow cleaning of
components.
[0067] With the horizontal deactivation coil 350 mounted on the
hinge brackets, the coil 350 may be temporarily and easily
repositioned out of the way of the load cell area without the
removal of mounting hardware or brackets which would otherwise
require removing screws or other fasteners. The hinge brackets 360,
362 provide a simple, repeatable repositioning mechanism that
allows the horizontal coil unit 350 to be placed in the desired
operating position, yet readily moved to allow the desirable
access. This hinged repositioning movement of the horizontal
deactivation coil unit 350 and does not require a service
technician, requiring no tools or removal of any hardware.
[0068] It is noted that the second scale arm 394 visible in FIG. 28
has been removed in FIGS. 29 and 30 to allow components to be more
readily visible in these figures.
[0069] FIG. 31 illustrates another combined EAS deactivation system
and data reader 415 similar to previous embodiments but including
an alternate mounting scheme for the vertical deactivation coil
452. The vertical deactivation coil 452 is mounted external to the
vertical window 442, such as by brackets along the periphery
thereof. The vertical coil unit 452 is mounted in position external
to the upper bonnet 440. The coil unit may either be mounted
directly to the bonnet or to suitable brackets. Alternately, if the
system 415 is equipped with a two-plane cover 417 or if it is a
scanner scale with a two-plane weigh platter, the coil unit 452 may
be mounted to the cover via a suitable attachment mechanism as
described below in another embodiment.
[0070] By mounting the deactivation coil 452 outside of the optical
cavity, it places the coil as close to the scanning area as
possible and thus increasing the performance of the EAS
deactivation. External mounting also allows the geometry of the
coil to be large enough to avoid optical interference of the scan
pattern being passed out through the window and through the central
cavity of the coil unit 452.
[0071] FIG. 32 illustrates another alternate combined EAS
deactivation system and data reader 515. In this system, the data
reader is equipped with a two-plane cover 517 similar to the
ALL-WEIGHS.RTM. platter available from PSC Inc. of Eugene, Oreg.
The cover 517 may merely be a cover over a scanner or may
alternately comprise the weigh platter for a scanner-scale. The
cover section 517 is positionable onto the main section 520. The
upper coil section 552 is mounted to a backside of the vertical
section 518 of the two-plane cover 517 by a suitable mechanism. For
example, the deactivation coil unit 552 may be mechanically
fastened to the platter 517 via a bracket or bolts or it may be
molded or otherwise formed into the platter structure itself.
[0072] By mounting the deactivation coil unit 552 into the vertical
side of the removable platter 517 it becomes more fully integrated
as part of the scanner. Having the coil unit 552 built into the
platter places the coil in close proximity to the scanning area and
thus increasing performance of EAS deactivation. The mounting
method may insure more safety from electrical shock by enclosing
the high voltage coil in the platter. By mounting the vertical
deactivation coil unit 552 to the platter, more accurate and
repeatable positioning of the coil after the platter has been
removed and then returned to a normal operating position can be
achieved. Mounting to the platter also simplifies the mounting
mechanisms as compared to other mounting schemes. Where the platter
517 is merely a cover in a non-scale scanner, the platter is free
from restriction of adding weigh and electrical wires to the
platter assembly as would be encountered in a scanner scale. Thus,
this mounting scheme may not be preferred for the scanner scale
configuration, but would nonetheless be a feasible option.
[0073] FIG. 33 illustrates another combination EAS deactivation
system and data reader 615. The system includes a two-plane scanner
620 upon which is disposed a two-plane cover or weigh platter 617.
The horizontal coil unit 650 is mounted to an underside of the
horizontal section of the two-plane platter 617. Having the coil
built into the removable platter places the coil in close proximity
to the scanning area thus increasing EAS deactivation performance.
This mounting is similar to the vertical coil mount of the previous
embodiment and may also insure for more safety from electrical
shock by enclosing the high voltage coil in the platter. The
location also ensures accurate and repeatable repositioning of the
horizontal deactivation coil unit 350 after it has been removed and
then returned to normal operating position. Mounting the horizontal
deactivation coil unit 650 to the platter 617 provides for a
simplified assembly. When the coil unit 650 is mounted to a platter
in a non-scale scanner, the platter 617 would be free of the
restriction of adding weigh and electrical wires to the platter
assembly. Further mounting the coil to the platter would take
advantage of the any free space left by the absence of the scale in
the non-scale scanner version.
[0074] Alternately the embodiments of the horizontal coil unit 650
mounted to the underside of the platter 617 may be combined with
the vertical coil unit 552 being mounted to the back of the
vertical section of the platter 518 of the previous embodiment.
These mounting positions also provide for ready access to the coil
units for service and repair.
[0075] The systems disclosed may alternately comprise not only EAS
deactivation units, but also activation units or combined
activation/deactivation units usable with activatable EAS tags. In
addition, the EAS tag deactivators/activators described may include
deactivation or activation of various types of EAS tags such as
magnetoacoustic, magnetomechanical, magnetostrictive, RF (e.g.
RFID), microwave, and harmonic type tags. Moreover, in each of the
above embodiments, the deactivation units may comprise coil units
with or without internal (magnetically active) core. For example,
deactivation coils without internal core are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,917,412 incorporated by reference. The deactivation units of
the above embodiments may be controlled and operated by any
suitable scheme as known by one skilled in the art, including but
not limited to those schemes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,917,412;
6,281,796; 6,169,483; and 5,059,951 hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
[0076] In the various embodiments described above, the data reader
unit has been generally described as a two window L-shaped bar code
scanner, but other types of data readers may be combined with the
EAS deactivation/activation system. The data reader may be for
example a laser bar code scanner, an imaging reader, or other type
of reader for reading optical codes, reading tags, or otherwise
identifying items being passed through a scan/read zone.
[0077] Thus the present invention has been set forth in the form of
its preferred embodiments. It is nevertheless intended that
modifications to the disclosed scanning systems may be made by
those skilled in the art without altering the essential inventive
concepts set forth herein.
[0078] It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that
many changes may be made to the details of the above-described
embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the
invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be
determined only by the following claims.
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