US4881061A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article removal control system
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1988-12-05
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Granted: 1989-11-14
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Expires: 2008-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling removal of articles from a facility by authorized users transmits data to, and receives data from, an article inventory control system and an electronic article surveillance system, either or both of which may be pre-existing. The inventive system comprises a terminal which identifies the user and article, transmits the user and article identification data to the article inventory control system, receives article removal authorization data from the article inventory control system, verifies the identity and number of articles to be removed, and enables the user to remove the article through the electronic article surveillance system. The preferred embodiment is adapted for a library, and is designed to provide library patrons with the ability to check books out of the library without staff assistance.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. Chambers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0022; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087; G06Q10/0877; G06Q10/08778; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G07G1/0045; G07G1/0054; G07G3/00; G07G3/003; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2405; G08B13/2414; G08B13/2417; G08B13/2451; G08B13/2462; G08B13/2465; G08B13/2468; G08B13/2471; G08B13/2474
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An article removal control system for enabling removal of a given article only by a given authorized user from a facility which has: (a) an article inventory control system which responds to inputs including user identification data and article identification data to issue an article removal authorization signal, and (b) an electronic article surveillance system which controls removal of the article by detecting within an interrogation zone a sensitized electronically detectable marker secured to the article; the article removal control system comprising: (c) an article removal authorization signal receiver and (d) means responsive to the article removal authorization signal for initiating removal of the given article, comprising (1) a measurer of a characteristic of the given article, (2) a receiver of a coded input signal representing the measured characteristic, (3) a comparer of the measured characteristic and the coded input signal, which produces a verification signal if they are substantially equal, and (4) an enabler which upon receipt of the verification signal enables the initiation of the removal of the given article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
An article removal control system for enabling removal of a given article only by a given authorized user from a facility which has: (a) an article inventory control system which responds to inputs including user identification data and article identification data to issue an article removal authorization signal, and (b) an electronic article surveillance system which controls removal of the article by detecting within an interrogation zone a sensitized electronically detectable marker secured to the article; the article removal control system comprising: (c) an article removal authorization signal receiver and (d) means responsive to the article removal authorization signal for initiating removal of the given article, comprising (1) a measurer of a characteristic of the given article, (2) a receiver of a coded input signal representing the measured characteristic, (3) a comparer of the measured characteristic and the coded input signal, which produces a verification signal if they are substantially equal, and (4) an enabler which upon receipt of the verification signal enables the initiation of the removal of the given article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal comprising user and article identification data receivers, and transmitters of both data as inputs to the article inventory control system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 2, in which the the article authorization removal signal receiver is remote from and coupled to the terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 2, in which the coded input signal receiver is responsive to user input.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 4, in which the coded input signal receiver comprises a keypad.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 2, in which the terminal further comprises a marker interrogator and sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2, in which the terminal further comprises a marker deactivator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 7, in which the terminal further comprises a marker reactivator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 in which at least one user and article identification data transmitter is remote from and coupled to the terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 9, in which at least one remote transmitter provides user identification data in a form suitable for reading by bar code scanners of the article inventory control system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 9, in which at least one remote transmitter provides article identification data in a form suitable for reading by bar code scanners of the article inventory control system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, in which the characteristic measured is the thickness of the article.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 12, in which the characteristic measurer comprises an ultrasonic ranger.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, in which the article removal authorization signal is a sound-encoded signal of the article inventory control system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-13 | 1993-05-15 | 1993-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-13 | 1997-05-15 | 1997-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-13 | 2001-05-15 | 2001-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |