Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080278320 | Method and system for reduction of electronic article surveillance system false alarms - A method and system for generating alarms in a security system that include establishing a detection region, detecting a first event where the first event is one of (a) detecting a tag in the detection region and (b) detecting a person in the detection region, starting a timer upon detecting the first event, detecting a second event where the second event is the other one of (a) detecting a tag in the detection region and (b) detecting a person in the detection region and enabling an alarm output when the second event is detected prior to expiration of the timer. The method and system for generating alarms in a security system can further include setting a first event flag upon detecting the first event where the first event flag corresponds to the first event and setting a second event flag upon detecting the second event where the second event flag corresponds to the second event. | 11-13-2008 |
20080284593 | Method and system for power management of electronic article surveillance systems - A method, system and apparatus for managing power use in security systems, which include establishing a detection region, triggering a person detection event, the person detection event based on the detection of a person in the detection region, starting a timer upon triggering the person detection event, and transmitting a tag interrogation signal until the expiration of the timer. The method, system and apparatus can further include determining a relative direction of movement of the person. | 11-20-2008 |
20090174544 | ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM NEURAL NETWORK MINIMIZING FALSE ALARMS AND FAILURES TO DEACTIVATE - A method, system and computer program product for managing false alarms in a security system. A detection zone is established. An alarm event is triggered based on the detection of a tag in the detection zone using an initial alarm trigger sensitivity. The initial alarm trigger sensitivity is based on an initial set of one or more detection criteria. The set of detection criteria is modified to adjust the alarm trigger sensitivity of the security system. | 07-09-2009 |
20090289770 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO NEGATE INTERFERENCE FROM ADJACENT TRANSMITTERS IN AN ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM - A method and electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) system reduce interference. The EAS system includes a detection zone. At least one reference pattern of transmission windows for an interfering EAS system is provided. The reference pattern indicates a sequence of time slots for which the interfering EAS system is transmitting. A sample pattern of signals is received. Each signal has a corresponding amplitude. The received sample pattern is compared to the at least one reference pattern. Responsive to determining that the received sample pattern matches the at least one reference pattern, the at least one reference pattern is used to trim samples received during receive windows corresponding to the time slots for which the interfering EAS system is transmitting. | 11-26-2009 |
20110109455 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING CART ALARMS AND INCREASING SENSITIVITY IN AN EAS SYSTEM WITH METAL SHIELDING DETECTION - A system for detecting electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) marker shielding includes an EAS subsystem a metal detector, a cart detection subsystem and a processor. The EAS subsystem is operable to detect an EAS marker in an interrogation zone. The metal detector is operable to detect a metal object in the interrogation zone. The cart detection subsystem includes a sensor array. The cart detection subsystem is operable to differentiate between a wheeled device and a human passing through the interrogation zone based on the sensor array. The processor is electrically coupled to the EAS subsystem, the metal detector and the cart detection subsystem. The processor is programmed to receive information outputted from the cart detection system and information outputted from the metal detector to determine whether to generate an alarm signal based on the presence of EAS marker shielding. | 05-12-2011 |
20110109456 | SYSTEM AND METHOD USING PROXIMITY DETECTION FOR REDUCING CART ALARMS AND INCREASING SENSITIVITY IN AN EAS SYSTEM WITH METAL SHIELDING DETECTION - A system for detecting electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) marker shielding includes an EAS subsystem, a metal detector, an object detector, a timer, a cart detection subsystem and a processor. The EAS subsystem is operable to detect an EAS marker in an interrogation zone. The metal detector is operable to detect a metal object in the interrogation zone. The object detector is operable to detect objects located proximate to an entry point of the EAS subsystem. The timer is programmed to start a countdown sequence upon receiving a signal generated by the object detector. The cart detection subsystem includes a sensor array. The cart detection subsystem is operable to differentiate between a wheeled device and a human passing through the interrogation zone based on an output of the sensor array. The processor is electrically coupled to the EAS subsystem, the metal detector, the object detector, the timer and the cart detection subsystem. The processor is programmed to receive a signal from the object detector and the timer to initiate gathering information outputted from the cart detection subsystem and information outputted from the metal detector to determine whether to generate an alarm signal based on the presence of EAS marker shielding. | 05-12-2011 |
20110171910 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECEIVER NULLING USING COHERENT TRANSMIT SIGNALS - A method and system are provided for canceling interference signals from a received signal. A ratio module receives as input a ratio of a filtered receiver output signal level and a filtered transmitter output signal level. A product module receives as inputs an output of the ratio module and a transmitter output. The product module calculates a product of the output of the ratio module and the transmitter output. An adjusted receiver signal module receives a difference calculated from the received signal level and the output of the product module. The method and system are suitable for use in a metal detection subsystem with a larger security system. | 07-14-2011 |
20110215928 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING EFFECT OF INTERFERENCE IN INTEGRATED METAL DETECTION/ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS - An integrated electronic article surveillance (“EAS”)/metal detection system. The system includes a transmitter operable to transmit an EAS interrogation signal, where the EAS interrogation signal establishes an interrogation zone and is used to detect EAS markers and metal objects within the interrogation zone. The EAS interrogation signal is transmitted at a first frequency during an EAS detection cycle and at a second frequency during a metal detection cycle. The system includes a receiver operable to detect a signal received from an EAS marker, and a metal detector module operable to detect a metal object in proximity to the integrated EAS/metal detection system, where the metal detector module includes a filter tuned to substantially filter out the first transmission frequency. | 09-08-2011 |
20110260865 | METHOD FOR REDUCING METAL DETECTION SYSTEM FALSE ALARMS - A system and method for reducing the occurrence of false alarms in metal detection systems and combination EAS/metal detection systems. The system includes a motion sensor mounted on or near an antenna housing, such as an EAS pedestal, at the entrance/exit of a given interrogation zone. The motion sensor detects movement or vibration of the antenna housing. The sensor transmits signals to a controller that determines if the antenna housing has moved a predetermined amount. The system includes a metal detection module that determines if metal objects are proximate the pedestal. If metal objects are detected, a metal detection alarm is enabled. However, if it is determined that the antenna housing is moving or vibrating at least a predetermined amount, the controller inhibits generation of the metal detection alarm signal. | 10-27-2011 |
20110273301 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SLIDING DOOR PATTERN CANCELLATION IN METAL DETECTION - A method and system for reducing the signal interference effects of metal doors in a metal detection system. The system includes a transmitter operable to transmit an interrogation signal that is used to detect transitory metal objects within the detection region, a receiver operable to receive instantaneous signals that represent electromagnetic field disturbances during operation of the metal detection system and include electromagnetic field disturbances attributed to the movement of metal doors. The system also includes a metal detection module that determines a resulting waveform representing the difference between the instantaneous signals received during operation of the metal detection system and a recorded pattern of signals representing electromagnetic field disturbances caused by a pattern of movement of the metal doors in the detection region when a transitory metallic object is not present. The record pattern is canceled from the resulting waveform leaving only signals from transitory metal objects. | 11-10-2011 |
20120092166 | SYNCHRONIZATION OF ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS HAVING METAL DETECTION - A method and system are provided for minimizing metal detection signal interference by dividing a standard EAS system metal detection burst timeslot into a plurality of timeslots per burst in order to minimize triggering metal detection false alarm signals between adjacent metal detection systems. The method and system include synchronizing a plurality of metal detection systems by generating a signal having a predefined time duration and segmenting the signal into multiple timeslots per signal. A selected timeslot that is assigned to each of the plurality of metal detection systems is stored and the system performs metal detection using the assigned timeslot. | 04-19-2012 |
20120112918 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADAPTIVE SLIDING DOOR PATTERN CANCELLATION IN METAL DETECTION - A metal detection device, system and method are provided. The device includes a receiver that receives a signal pattern representing electromagnetic field disturbances over time caused by movement of metal doors in a detection region. The device further includes a memory in communication with the receiver. The memory stores a recorded signal pattern of a previously received signal pattern and at least one quality criterion. The device further includes a processor in communication with the memory. The processor determines pattern vitals indicating a quality of the received signal pattern. The processor further determines whether the at least one quality criterion is met based at least in part on the pattern vitals. The processor further updates the recorded signal pattern based at least in part on determining whether the at least one quality criterion is met. | 05-10-2012 |
20130015355 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PEOPLE COUNTING USING PASSIVE INFRARED DETECTORSAANM NOONE; David R.AACI Delray BeachAAST FLAACO USAAGP NOONE; David R. Delray Beach FL USAANM BERGMAN; Adam S.AACI Boca RatonAAST FLAACO USAAGP BERGMAN; Adam S. Boca Raton FL USAANM LYNCH; Robert KevinAACI GreenacresAAST FLAACO USAAGP LYNCH; Robert Kevin Greenacres FL US - A method and system for detecting an object transiting an interrogation zone of an electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) system and determining whether the object is a person entering or exiting the facility in order to increment a corresponding counter. A first zone detector detects motion in a first zone. The first zone detector can be a first passive infrared (“PIR”) detector. A second zone detector detects motion in a second zone different from the first zone. The second zone detector can be a second PIR detector. A processor is in communication with the first and second zone detectors in which the processor receives data from the first and second zone detectors to determine whether to increment a count value based at least in part on the received data. | 01-17-2013 |
20140062728 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING MOVEMENT OF A TAGGED ARTICLE - A system for determining motion of a tagged article may include a tag detection sub-system, a traffic pattern determination sub-system, and a monitoring sub-system. The tag detection sub-system is configured to output tag data regarding movement of the tagged article with respect to a tag detector proximate an exit portal of a location. The traffic pattern determination sub-system is configured to output traffic data regarding movement of an individual with respect to the exit portal of the location. The monitoring sub-system may include a correlation module configured to compare the tag data with the traffic data to accurately determine one or both of motion or path of the tagged article. | 03-06-2014 |
20140111338 | METHOD FOR BACKFIELD REDUCTION IN ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE (EAS) SYSTEMS - Method for reducing undesired alarms in an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system involves measuring a tag response at a first and second pedestal to obtain contemporaneous first and second tag responses. The tag responses are compared to evaluate relative signal strength and thereby discern a lesser signal strength tag response. A reduced level exciter drive signal is applied to a selected one of the first and second pedestals associated with the lesser signal strength tag response. A detection zone is then monitored to determine the occurrence of a third tag response resulting from the reduced level exciter signal. The approximate location of the tag in relation to the first and second pedestals is determined based on the first, second, and third tag responses. | 04-24-2014 |
20140240129 | SECURITY TAG DETACHER WITH USER-CONTROLLABLE DWELL TIME AND METHOD THEREFOR - System for detaching an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag includes a detaching element to selectively unlock a locking element of an EAS tag when the EAS tag is placed in a detachment position. A control system is arranged to cause the detaching element to transition from a deactivated state, in which the tag in the detachment position will remain locked, to an activated state in which the tag is unlocked. This transition will result in beginning or starting a dwell time. The control system is maintains the detaching element in the activated state while awaiting receipt from a user interface of a user manually initiated termination signal. The termination signal indicates a user intention to terminate the dwell time. In response to the termination signal, the control system causes the detaching element to transition from the activated state to a deactivated state. | 08-28-2014 |
20140253706 | FACIAL RECOGNITION IN CONTROLLED ACCESS AREAS UTILIZING ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE (EAS) SYSTEM - Method for performing electronic article surveillance includes generating image data using at least one imaging device. The image data is processed in a computer processing device associated with an electronic article surveillance (EAS) pedestal to recognize the presence of a facial image. Based on such processing, data representative of the facial image is selectively communicated to a server at a location remote from the EAS pedestal. Subsequently, a notification is received from the server. The notification is based on an identification analysis involving actions performed at the server to identify a particular person using the facial image data. Thereafter, at least one EAS operation is selectively controlled at the EAS pedestal based on a content of the notification. | 09-11-2014 |
20140254890 | PREDICTIVE THEFT NOTIFICATION FOR THE PREVENTION OF THEFT - Predictive theft notifications are used to coordinate appropriate responses to persons who are likely to commit acts of theft. Image data is generated and processed in a computer processing device to recognize the presence of a facial image comprising a face of a person. An analysis is performed of data representative of the facial image to determine a biometric match relative to one or more biometric models of facial images stored in a database. Based on this analysis, at least one predictive notification is generated with regard to a future potential theft of merchandise from the secured facility. The predictive notification is generated based upon a determination of the biometric match. | 09-11-2014 |