CN100590670C - Self-check system and method for protecting digital media - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for renting or purchasing products, preferably digital media. The system comprises a self-check station and unique locking apparatus for the media. The method includes a procedureto both rent and return the media without the aid of borrowing facility personnel.

Description

The self-check system and the method for protection Digital Media

Technical field

The present invention relates to stock arrangement and alarm system for guarding against theft.The present invention has improved mechanism, and to lease in the place be safe to product in this mechanism.More specifically, the present invention has eliminated necessity that the salesman removes the safety equipment on the product, so this product can be sold, rent or use.

The present invention relates generally to identification label, and relate in particular to electronic article surveillance (EAS) label and 13.56MHz ISO15693 radio-frequency (RF) identification (RFID) label of 8.2MHz.

Background technology

At present, have a lot of known safety equipment, described safety equipment can be surveyed the theft of leasing the article in the place.Safety label plays theft or " minimizing " of main do in order to help prevent the stock in stock's control (inventory control).The basic security label that as the patent No. is the U.S. Patent Publication of 3,696,379 (Minasy) has proposed a kind of passive label, and in label was brought into the scope of antenna, described passive label provided energy by electromagnetic field.Antenna is set at the exit position of leasing the place usually.In case active label is brought in the antenna area, then antenna starts an incident, for example lights flashlamp, ring alarm or operation special article recognizer.Usually, label is set on the packing of medium.Because packing is not worth, so that this technology has in the use of Digital Media is restricted.Medium itself can be pulled away and can not start alarm.Electronic article surveillance tag is a type of label, and it has two states, opens or closes.Usually the eas tag of operation is for opening.Therefore, in label was brought into the scope of antenna, label was activated and returns to antenna one signal by antenna.There are two kinds of methods of closing label: physically destroy label (EMP (electromagnetic pulse), magnetic energy etc.) or utilize and detune material prevention label, so label can not be activated.

Known two kinds of products in industry, described two kinds of product helps protection is leased the place and is avoided occurring these problems.Described two kinds of products are commonly called " safety box ".A version is with name SAFER ^TM(Checkpoint System company sells by match sieve Fil, New Jersey) sells, and a version is sold with name " Clear Vu " (Clear-Vu by New York this Berli of prestige sells).These safety boxes are locked in article (for example, Digital Media for example CD (CD), ROM (ROM (read-only memory)), DVD (digital image and sound optical disk) etc.) in the box substantially and need release mechanism to remove article in box.When this technology and internal security tag combination, set up effective theft deterrent system.Box can not be opened removing medium, and if box be brought in the antenna range, will start alarm.Usually, this technology is used to eas tag, and at this, the safety box of tape label was with near the antenna so that medium are offered client.The article of virtually any size can be stored in the box, but common most of article take quite a few of internal capacity of box.

The safety label and the safety box of combination have several known shortcomings.Because the article in the safety box are not easy in sight to determine the article in the safety box, therefore lease the list of articles that the place obtains in the safety box and have any problem.In addition, because personnel need write down which medium is leased or be purchased, system still needs personnel to remove the manual examination (check) medium, and personnel must be put into medium near the antenna or are placed on the demodulated equipment of label.Cause like this leasing a residing long queuing, and need more personnel to check registration work.If safety label is positioned on the packing of product, the employee must remove safety box and the material of lending is put near the antenna or will detunes material and be placed on the label.

Leasing another problem that the people of Digital Media may run into is the increase of overdue fine, although they determine media disc to have been returned to before giving back the time limit to lease the place.This situation can be attributed to that in fact the employee has taken the Digital Media given back away and themselves is being watched, and after the time limit input medium time of giving back.Go to prove these without any method, client does not have right of recourse, can only pay overdue fine.

Therefore, be starved of a kind of system of automatic check-out/in, the medium that it leases tracking, the time that can carry out the safety inquiry of article and can provide the client of conclusive evidence to return Digital Media.

Being used as whole merging at this reference of quoting comes in.

Summary of the invention

Automatic checkout system in the place (for example, CD or digital video disk etc.), Digital Media is sold to client or is leased to client in this place.Described system comprises: the content tab (for example, RFID label) that is fixed to the recognition data (for example, title, author, sequence number etc.) that comprises Digital Media in the Digital Media; And safety box, Digital Media is placed in the described safety box, and wherein safety box comprises releasable lock, and described lock prevention touched the Digital Media that is contained in the safety box before releasable lock is unlocked; Detecting the station comprises: at least one is used for obtaining from content tab the label reader of recognition data; Be connected to the computing machine of database, wherein said database is united Digital Media and client's sign; Be connected to the point of sales equipment of computing machine, described point of sales equipment makes client can pay purchase or leases Digital Media that wherein based on described payment, computing machine is revised the status indicator that is stored in the Digital Media in the database; Be connected to the unlocking device (for example, magnet or electromagnet) of computing machine, and wherein encourage unlocking device when computer-chronograph takes place in payment; And pillar, it is positioned at the exit in place and is connected to computing machine to survey existing of content tab; And alarm, it is connected to computing machine, and is detected and status indicator is not modified computer-chronograph excitation alarm when content tab.

Digital Media in a kind of place (for example, CD or digital video disk etc.) automatic checkout system, Digital Media is sold to client or by client and is leased in this place.Described system comprises: content tab (for example, the RFID label), described content tab are fixed in the Digital Media and comprise the recognition data of Digital Media (for example, title, author, sequence number etc.); And safety box, Digital Media is placed in the safety box, and wherein safety box comprises safety label (for example, RFID label) and releasable lock, wherein, releasable lock prevention contact before releasable lock is unlocked is included in the Digital Media in the safety box; Detecting the station comprises: first label reader that is used to obtain the recognition data of content tab; Be connected to the computing machine of database, wherein database is Digital Media and the associating of client's identifier; Be connected to the point of sales equipment of computing machine, described point of sales equipment makes client to pay and buys or lease Digital Media that wherein on the basis of payment, computing machine is revised the status identifier that is stored in the Digital Media in the database; Be connected to the unlocking device (for example, magnet or electromagnet) of computing machine, wherein encourage unlocking device when computer-chronograph takes place in payment; And pillar, described pillar is positioned at the exit in place and is connected to computing machine to survey existing of safety label; And alarm, described alarm is connected to computing machine, when be detected at pillar place safety label and status indicator when not being modified described computing machine encourage this alarm.

A kind of client of making detects the Digital Media that is positioned at the place automatically, and () method for example, CD, digital video disk etc., Digital Media can sell or can lease in described place.Said method comprising the steps of: content tab (RFID label) with the recognition data that is used for comprising therein Digital Media (for example is fixed in the Digital Media, title, author, sequence number etc.), and the exit in the place provides pillar, and described pillar can be surveyed passing through of content tab; Alarm is provided, and described alarm is energized when pillar detects passing through of content tab; Digital Media is placed in the safety box, and described safety box has releasable lock, and described lock prevention contact before releasable lock is unlocked is included in the Digital Media in the safety box; Obtain (for example, RFID reader etc.) recognition data from content tab is wireless by client; Obtain customer identification data and recognition data is associated with customer identification data in the database from client; Receive the payment of leasing or buy Digital Media from client; On the basis of payment, revise the status identifier be stored in the Digital Media of leasing or buying in the database, and on the basis of payment the releasable lock of release; When pillar detects passing through of content tab and when status identifier is modified, do not encourage described alarm, perhaps when pillar is surveyed passing through of content tab and status indicator encourage described alarm when not being modified.

A kind of client of making detects the method for the Digital Media in the place automatically, and Digital Media is sold or leased in the place.Said method comprising the steps of: content tab (for example, the RFID label) is fixed to the recognition data (for example, title, author, sequence number etc.) to be used for comprising therein Digital Media in the Digital Media, and provides pillar in the exit in place; Digital Media is placed in the safety box with releasable lock, and described lock stops the Digital Media in the touch-safe box before releasable lock is unlocked, and wherein safety box also comprises safety label (for example, RFID label); Provide alarm, excitation alarm when pillar detects passing through of safety label; By client from the wireless acquisition of content tab (for example, RFID reader etc.) identification data; Obtain client's identification data and identification data is associated with customer identification data in the database from client; Receive the payment of leasing or buy Digital Media from client; Revise the status indicator of leasing or buy Digital Media be stored in the database based on payment, and on the basis of payment the releasable lock of release; When pillar detects passing through of safety label and when status indicator is modified, do not encourage alarm, perhaps when pillar detects passing through of safety label and when status indicator is not modified, encourage described alarm.

Description of drawings

To do description to the present invention in conjunction with following accompanying drawing, in described accompanying drawing, identical Reference numeral refers to components identical, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the functional diagram of system of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the vertical view of the safety box opened, and described safety box uses releasable locking mechanism and safety label, and in the described safety box Digital Media is arranged, for example CD ROM or DVD, and described Digital Media itself comprises the RFID label;

Fig. 3 is the exploded view that is used for the exemplary annular RFID of Digital Media;

Fig. 4 A is the enlarged drawing of the exemplary releasable locking mechanism of safety box shown in Figure 2, and shows the releasable locking mechanism at lock-out state;

Fig. 4 B is the enlarged drawing of the exemplary releasable locking mechanism of safety box shown in Figure 2, and shows the releasable locking mechanism in release conditions;

Fig. 5 A is that the axle that waits of the safety box of replacement is surveyed a view, described safety box also uses releasable locking mechanism and the safety label on it, and described safety box also comprises Digital Media, for example CD ROM or DVD, described Digital Media itself comprises the RFID label, and wherein shows interchangeable safety box at lock-out state;

Fig. 5 B is that the axle that waits of the interchangeable safety box shown in Fig. 5 A is surveyed a view, and it shows the releasable locking mechanism in release conditions, and described safety box has from its removable Digital Media, for example CD ROM or DVD;

Fig. 6 A is the cross-sectional view of the amplification of the releasable locking mechanism done at the line 6A-6A along Fig. 5 A shown in the latched position;

Fig. 6 B is and view like Fig. 6 category-A, but shows the releasable locking mechanism in unlocked position, has the slipper that is moved to the left side;

Fig. 7 A is the cross-sectional view along the releasable locking mechanism of the line 7A-7A of Fig. 6 A;

Fig. 7 B is the cross-sectional view along the releasable locking mechanism of the line 7B-7B of Fig. 6 B; And showing the application of essential electromagnetic field and the interaction of releasable locking mechanism slides to allow slipper;

Fig. 7 C is the cross-sectional view of the releasable locking mechanism done of the line 7C-7C along Fig. 6 B, and the nail that shows at slipper removed from tongue, makes lid center on hinge through;

Fig. 7 D is and the similar cross-sectional view of Fig. 7 C, shows around the lid of hinge through with the content that can contact interchangeable safety box;

Fig. 8 is the big synoptic diagram such as grade of slipper, shows the drive part on top and the nail frame of bottom (peg rack) part;

Fig. 9 is on the safety box that is used to system of the present invention/in the vertical view of amplification of exemplary safety label;

Figure 10 is the axonometric drawing that waits shown in the part of another kind of safety box, and described safety box is applied to unlocking device, and its mesopore is exposed to allow the interaction of essential electromagnetic field and releasable locking mechanism;

Figure 11 is the axonometric drawing that waits shown in the part of another kind of safety box, and described safety box is applied to another kind of unlocking device, and wherein electromagnet is energized, to generate the interaction of essential magnetic field and releasable locking mechanism;

Figure 12 is the exemplary record of the database on the system database, and described system database is used to store the state of each Digital Media and relevant information, utilizes Digital Media of the present invention to be sold or permit;

Figure 13 is the exemplary system that checks in, and it can be used to combine with checkout system;

Figure 14 is the process flow diagram of the process that detects of system of the present invention, and wherein the safety label of digital media content label and safety box is utilized;

Figure 15 is the process flow diagram of the process that detects of system of the present invention, and wherein only a label is utilized;

Figure 16 is that process flow diagram flow chart is advanced in the inspection of system of the present invention, and wherein client returns safety box to Digital Media; And

Figure 17 is that process flow diagram flow chart is advanced in the inspection of system of the present invention, and wherein Digital Media is stored in the another kind of safety box.

Embodiment

The present invention is envisaged as and can be used on any equipment, and the existing lockable housing of described equipment utilization is with the protection product.Hard-core example can comprise button (keys), PC card, audio-visual recreation or jewelry etc.The disclosure main with purport of the present invention is applied to protect DVD or CD medium relevant, but be appreciated that and expect that present technique can be used to for example top related button or the audio-visual recreation of other technology.

Figure 1 illustrates system 20 of the present invention, and comprise substantially and detect station 22, computing machine 24, database 26 and pillar 28.Detect station 22 automated process is provided, client provides Digital Media and carries out the help that need not any store clerk from checking in the method.Detecting station 22 communicates by letter with computing machine 24/ database 26 to store the status information of the Digital Media 2 that will be removed; Detect station 22 and also comprise unlocking device 30, it can release Digital Media case (digital media container).If (or purchase) takes place effectively to lease, the closing of " release " of computing machine 24 control figure medium casees and alarm 33, described alarm 33 is triggered by the detection of pillar 28.Pillar 28 comprises antenna and label reader (for example, RFID reader).The back will go through, and unlocking device 30 can comprise power supply 44, switch 46 and unlocker device 48 (for example, magnet or electromagnet etc.), although at this only by the mode of example, the mechanism of many other unlocking devices 30 is also within the scope of the invention.

For the operation of understanding system 20, be necessary to discuss specific Digital Media, for example CDROM (hereinafter " CD ") or DVD are how to offer tenant or purchaser by system 20.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, Digital Media 2, CD or DVD comprise that ID label 32, override comprise RFID (radio-frequency (RF) identification) label.The RFID label only passes through the mode quilt of example in the patent No. 6,025,780 (Bowers) and 6,195, open in the United States Patent (USP) of 006 people such as () Bowers, these two patents are used as with reference to merging to come at this, and the details about product are provided when label 32 is activated.For the RFID label directly is fixed in the Digital Media 2, because loop tag can be fixed on plastics core (hub) 2A of cleaning, the label construction of annular is preferred, and described center 2A is around the hole of CD/DVD, and center 2A can not be read by the CD/DVD player.The mode by example only, so annular RFID label 32 be by the application's assignee, Checkpoint System company, and " circulation circuit " sold with mark.The RFID label hereinafter is " a RFID content tab " 32, and storage is about the details of optional network specific digit medium in the RFID integrated circuit.For example, name of medium (for example, exercise question, song names, movie name, author, singer, product company) and/or sequence number or any other information relevant with Digital Media are stored in the RFID content tab 32.Such information can be used to catalogue, stock arrangement (collection management) and shop operational efficiency statistics, or any other useful mission bit stream.In this mode, the identification of Digital Media 2 can simply obtain by the RFID reader, and the frequency of tuning RFID content tab 32, excitation RFID content tab 32 are to draw this information.And, if Digital Media 2 is stored in (for example, below with the safety box of discussing) in the opaque container, then there is no need a Digital Media 2 and take out and discern.

Survey theft as previously described, most of Digital Medias 2 are set in the safety box, and described safety box can not be opened, unless carry out correct leasing or buying.Only by the mode of example, two types the safety box that is used for system 20 is illustrated, but it must be understood that system 20 is not limited to this safety box of two types.

Fig. 2 has described exemplary safety box 8A, and it can be opened and closed as books, and it comprises releasable locking mechanism 9.Such safety box 8A is normally opaque, and therefore client (patron) must rely on the stamped mark of safety box 8A outside or the content that label is determined safety box 8A, unless near client can be placed into safety box 8A the RFID reader, described RFID reader excitation RFID content tab 32 was with the displaying contents thing.For client, in order to open safety box 8A, he must carry out effective rental/purchase transaction, in this transaction, client is placed into safety box 8A in the unlocking device 30 then, owing to taken place effectively to lease or buy, described unlocking device 30 is opened releasable locking mechanism 9.

For example, show the most clearly that in Fig. 4 A-4B releasable locking mechanism 9 can comprise a pair of sleeve (sleeve) 9A/9B, pair of locking tongue 9C/9D and securing rod 9E; Securing rod 9E comprises a pair of recess (notch) 9F, a pair of protruding 9G on the corresponding locking of the described recess tongue 9C/9D.8A closes along with safety box, and securing rod 9E glides by sleeve 9A/9B, protrudes 9G biased (biase) and advances in the recess 9F, therefore locks the safety box 8A that closes.From the unlocking device equipment 48 of unlocking device 30 (for example, use magnet 10, see Fig. 4 B) the application in requisite magnetic field, 48 inhale and draw ferromagnetic locking tongue 9C/9D towards the release place, therefore break away from and allow securing rod 9E upwards to slide in the direction of arrow 11 from recess 9F.Client removes bar 9E, and barre is placed into collection box (retrieval bin) 9H (see figure 1), then lease/Digital Media that buys takes outlet to.

As the use in system 20 of the present invention, safety box 8A itself comprises safety label 34 (Fig. 9).Safety label 34 can be eas tag or RFID label.Operation in the frequency range that these labels can be provided with below.

The EAS operation	The RFID operation
		Low frequency (LF) 5kHz-12kHz	Low frequency (LF) 100kHz-400kHz high-frequency (HF) 2MHz-14MHz
Sound magnetic (AM) 50kHz-70kHz	Ultrahigh frequency (UHF) 860MHz-930MHz
		Radio frequency (RF) 2MHz-14MHz	Microwave frequency 2.3GHz-2.6GHz

Safety label 34 provides the theft deterrence, because if safety box 8A attempt is taken away in the shop and is not effectively leased or buy, not only the thief can not open safety box 8A and take away Digital Media 2, in case and he arrives pillar 28, detect at pillar under the situation of EAS or RFID safety label 34 and will encourage alarm 33.On the contrary, if carried out effectively leasing or buying, when client is being with safety box 8A to pass pillar, pillar 28 will can not encourage alarm 33.The mode by example only, it is 5 that safety label 34 can utilize in the patent No., 081, disclosed safety label is realized in the United States Patent (USP) of 446 people such as () Gill, this patent whole open by at this as with reference to merging to be come in, and this patent by the assignee of identical with the application Checkpoint System by name company all.

Fig. 5 A-5B has described another safety box 8B, described safety box comprises hinge edge, described hinge edge also comprises locking mechanism 11 (Fig. 6 A-6B), described locking mechanism can be locked or be separated locking to allow moving of Digital Media 2, and described Digital Media 2 is stored in traditional jewel box 3.Such safety box 8B is normally transparent, so client, also has store clerk can easily directly see CD or DVD; Safety box 8B is placed into encourage near the RFID reader RFID content tab 32 to show and to confirm the content of CD or DVD.For client in order to open safety box 8B, he also must carry out effective rental/purchase transaction, in this transaction, the client who has safety box 8B places safety box into unlocking device 30 interior (for example seeing Figure 10-11) then, and described unlocking device 30 is opened locking mechanism 11.Client removes jewel box 3 from safety box 8B then, safety box 8B is placed into keep case (retainer bin) 60 interior (see figure 1)s and then jewel box 3 is taken to outlet.As the use of system 20 of the present invention, itself also comprises safety label 34 safety box 8B.Safety label 34 is eas tag or is the RFID label.These labels can be tabulated in front, and set certain frequency range is interior to be moved.

Especially, safety box 8B comprises lid 12, and described lid 12 is connected on the shell 12C by hinged 12A/12B.Releasable locking mechanism 11 comprises slipper 12D (Fig. 8), and described slipper 12D comprises drive part 12E and follows closely frame (peg rack) part 12F down.When locking mechanism 11 was locked, nail 12G was passed in the opening 12H in the tongue part 12I of opening part of safety box 8B.Vertical arrows among Fig. 5 A has been indicated for from shell 12C release lid 12, follows closely the direction that 12G moves.For nail 12G, in order to shift out in the 12H of hole, following nail frame part 12F need be moved upward on the direction of arrow A (Fig. 6 B); When moving to left on the direction of the arrow 12L of last drive part 12E quilt in Fig. 6 B, by making nail 12J (Fig. 6 A, 6B and 8) slide in the slit 12K that follows closely frame part 12F down, following nail frame part 12F is upwards driven.Therefore, be appreciated that the motion of drive part 12E is a level in Fig. 6 A-6B, yet the motion of following nail frame part 12F is vertical in Fig. 6 A-6B.When lid 12 is set to contiguous unlocker device 48, only can obtain the motion of drive part 12E.As being shown clearly in Fig. 7 A-7C, the ferromagnetic element 12M with protruding 12N is set in streamliner (fairing) 12P.When releasable locking mechanism 11 was locked, protruding 12N was absorbed in in the chamber 12Q (Fig. 6 A and Fig. 7 A), prevents any skew of drive part 12E on arrow 12L direction.Yet, when streamliner 12P (for example is close to unlocker device, magnet M with suitable magnetic field) 48 when being provided with, shown in Fig. 7 B, projection 12N is pulled out in the direction of arrow 12T from chamber 12Q, therefore make to cause that so protruding 12N slides along the surface of following closely frame part 12R (Fig. 8) down by user slip streamliner 12P on the direction of arrow 12L, follow closely 12J simultaneously and on the direction of arrow A (Fig. 5 A and 6B), move up nail frame part 12F.On arrow 12L direction, continue skew streamliner 12P and cause that finally protruding 12N enters the second hole 12S.Lid 12 is unlocked then and the user can rotate up lid to take out content shown in Fig. 7 D.Should note, by close cap 12 simply, the user can be manually interlocks lid 12 again, and slip streamliner 12P on the opposite direction of arrow 12L, can cause that so protruding 12N withdraws from the second hole 12S and turns back to the first hole 12Q, is locked once more at the releasable locking mechanism of the first hole 12Q.

Figure 10-11 is the unlocker device 48 of unlocking device 30, and described unlocking device 30 can be used with the magnetic control system safety box of safety box 8A/8B or any other type.Interchangeable safety box 8A/8B is only passed through the mode of example shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11.In Figure 10, unlocker device 48 comprises that surface 50, described surperficial 50 comprises moveable portion 52, and described moveable portion 52 can be moved to form hole 54 and to expose the magnet M that is positioned at moveable portion 52.Moveable portion 52 is driven by the driver of being controlled by computing machine 24 56.Therefore, if take place effectively to buy or lease, computing machine 24 excitation driver 56 are with mobile moveable portion and expose magnet M.Client is provided with safety box 8B and makes that lid 12 is downward towards the streamliner 12P that is provided with in the hole 54 then.The exposure of magnet M causes that protruding 12N is pulled out from hole 12Q (as discussed earlier) and client slides into the right to safety box 8B, therefore the side 58 in therefore streamlined 12P collision chamber 54 causes that going up drive part 12E is moved and opens safety box 8B on the direction of arrow 12L.Client moves jewel box 3 and empty safety box is placed in the case 60 (Fig. 1) then.Other variation comprises having magnet, and described magnet is interchangeable and can be by computing machine 24 controls.In common position, magnet is set at lower height, and the surface of the position of safety box 8A/8B is set away from client.If take place effectively to sell or lease, computing machine makes progress magnet to close this surface, and this place is provided with safety box 8A/8B with the releasable locking mechanism 9 of release or 11.

Figure 11 has described unlocker device 48, and described unlocker device 48 is utilized electromagnet 62 rather than permanent magnet.In this structure, do not exist replaceable part 52 not have driver 56 yet.On the contrary, the local electromagnet 62 that still only takes place effectively to buy or lease that normally open in chamber 54 is by computing machine 24 excitations.If take place effectively to buy or lease, client is provided with safety box 8B makes lid 12 downwards towards the streamliner 12P that is arranged in the hole 54.Client slides safety box 8B with mobile streamliner 12P then, as for the previous description of Figure 10.Similarly, utilize electromagnet 62, optionally unlocker device 48 also is used to the releasable locking mechanism 9 of release safety box 8A.

Figure 12 provides and has been stored in the example that the data of separating locking of safety box 8A/8B are controlled in database 26 interior being used to.As shown in the figure, each data-base recording comprises digital media identification indicia (sequence number, exercise question, author etc.).The date of the identification of safety box, positioning indicator (effective or invalid), client's identification marking, the date of leasing and return.Except the date of returning, in detecting the process of checking at station 22, these all information automatically are imported in the database 26.The default setting of positioning indicator is " invalid ".If the positioning indicator of safety box is " invalid ", when safety box process pillar, pillar 28 will start alarm.Make positioning indicator be modified to " effectively ", must take place effectively to buy or to lease detecting station 22.

The process flow diagram that Figure 14 provides the self check that utilizes two label constructions to go out process, and figure

16The process flow diagram of the process that checks in certainly of utilizing two label constructions is provided.On the other hand, if RFID content tab 32 is used separately, rather than the EAS/RFID safety label 34 relevant with safety box 8A/8B be used together, and Figure 15 and Figure 17 provide the process that checks in certainly and the self check of single label construction to go out process respectively then.

Specifically, in case client has selected safety box 8A/8B from the transaction catalogue, client advances to and detects station (checkout station) 22.Detect station 22 (Fig. 1) and (for example can comprise a RFID reader 36, point of sales (POS) equipment 38, coin/bill equipment, borrow/borrow card apparatus etc.), display 40, the 2nd RFID reader 42, power supply 44, switch 46 and unlocker device 48, and major part wherein is connected with computing machine 24.Should be noted that power supply 44, switch 46 and unlocker device 48 are integrated into unlocking device 30.And all parts that detect station 22 form for example with mark

The combined station of selling is perhaps with mark INTELLIGENT LIBRARY

Assignee's name by the application is the self check departures of the Checkpoint System company sale of match sieve Fil, New Jersey.

Arrival detects after the station 22, and client is placed into the appointed place of Digital Media 2 to safety box 8A/8B, and this place is near a RFID reader 36 (this reader is sightless for client).RFID reader 36 reads RFID content tab 32 and inquiry all relevant datas about the Digital Media 2 leasing or buy.These information are shown to client on screen 40, described then client is instructed to the Digital Media that confirms that he selects.Similarly, content tab 32 is eas tags, and reader 36 will comprise eas tag reader (for example, the TR4024 pulse-listen reader of Checkpoint).

Client places his/her member card near RFID reader 36, and RFID reader 36 can be determined client's relevant information and member's account number.These information are displayed on the screen tomb 40 and prompting user's confirmation (and/or if necessary making some modifications).In case all data correctly are input in the database 26, computing machine 24 activates the 2nd RFID reader 42, described the 2nd RFID reader reads RFID safety label 34 to obtain the identifying information about safety box 8A/8B, this identifying information and the information that obtains from a RFID reader 36, for example the title of Digital Media 2, author etc. have common information.According to Figure 14, COMPUTER DETECTION is to confirm whether corresponding safety box identification marking of digital media identification indicia; If not, the supvr who detects process (check-out) termination and transaction or shop is warned; If two label datas are consistent, computing machine 24 starts sale/rental transaction itself automatically.Specifically, POS equipment 38 is activated and display 40 prompting users provide correct paying and allow the user to deposit coin and/or the bill appropriate position to POS equipment 38, POS equipment 38 can use credit card or debit card, it can receive by POS equipment 38 (for example, common credit card or debit card reader).According to Figure 14, if payment is provided, computing machine 24 changes to " effectively " with default status identifier from engineering noise, and makes switch 46 to use immediately, switch 46 electrolysis lock devices 48.As the discussion of front, client is prompted how safety box 8A/8B is set so that its release by screen 40.Because computing machine 24 has changed to " effectively " to the state of state identifier, therefore when client passes pillar 28, even the detection of the detector on pillar 28 RFI D safety label, because " effectively " identifier in the database 26, alarm 33 is not activated.On the contrary, if do not pay, state identifier keeps engineering noise and detector (for example, the CheckpointStrata in pillar 28 ^TMWhen PX pillars etc.) detecting specific RFID safety label 34 and notice computing machine 24, computing machine 24 starts alarm 33.

Should note, it is necessary in the place of box 8A safe in utilization only that the Digital Media 2 of corresponding safety box identification marking is familiar with other mark really and since safety box 8A normally opaque and comprise on its lid about being included in the printed material of Digital Media 2 wherein.On the other hand, use another safety box 8B, and safety box 8B is normally transparent, does not need particular security box 8B related with optional network specific digit medium 2.

And, be appreciated that when safety label 34 is eas tag second reader 42 comprises eas tag reader (for example, Checkpoint TR4024 pulse-listen reader).

As shown in Figure 15, only use RFID content tab 32 herein, only need a RFID scanner 36.In this case, in case Digital Media 2 recognition data are read in the database 26, computing machine 24 starts that sales or rental transaction itself and process are similar among Figure 14 to be discussed.

As previously involved, although of leasing in the problem that the client of Digital Media may run into is that overdue fine even the client who increases determines to have returned Digital Media to the place of leasing that checks out before returning the time limit.The solution of problem is for client's process that checks in automatically in the porch hereto.Figure 13 provides the station 122 that checks in, and the station 122 that checks in comprises a RFID reader 136, screen 140 and the 2nd RFID reader 142.The station that checks in 122 also comprises storage box (deposit bin) 133, and case 9H and 60.RFID reader 136/142 all is connected on the computing machine 24.According to Figure 16, when client returned the safety box 8A comprise corresponding Digital Media 2, client was instructed to the execution process that checks in by display screen 140.Client is prevented from attempting simply the safety box 8A that returns being placed in the storage box 133, opens by computing machine 24 when being ended because the opening of storage box 133 is locked and only can work as the process of checking in.Specifically, client is prompted safety box 8A is placed into the assigned address of station on 122 that check in, and the station 122 that checks in is near the first and second RFID readers 136/142.RFID reader 136 activates RFID content tabs 32 and reads relevant data about Digital Media 2.Then, computing machine 24 activates the 2nd RFID reader 142 to determine safety box 8A recognition data.If these data correspondences before had been stored in the data in the database 26 when safety box 8A/ Digital Media 2 is leased effectively, computing machine 24 turns back to the date (Fig. 2) of data-base recording.Computing machine 24 determines whether to exist expired situation then, and described expired situation will be to giving back client's charge of the Digital Media of leasing.Then computing machine 24 state identifier change over engineering noise and then command switch 146 (switch 146 by power supply 144 power supply) start the driver (not shown) to open the door of storage box 133.On the other hand, if the data of Digital Media 2 and safety box 8A are not corresponding, the process that checks in is ended and store manager is warned.Be appreciated that, if client has finished the process that checks in of success, database 26 provides the actual return date of leasing Digital Media at once, therefore, if the Digital Media of returning is used by other people now, then prevented any possible increase of overdue fine.In case the 2/ safety box 8A of Digital Media is in storage box, store clerk can be inserted into securing rod 9E in the case 9H in the locking mechanism 9 and safety box 8A and be put back on the bookshelf.

When client only returns Digital Media 2 in the jewel box 3 in correspondence, only there is a label, RFID content tab 32 by name.Figure 17 has described the process that checks in of this kind situation.Especially, when client was placed into jewel box 3 check in station 122 assigned address and a RFID reader 136 and reads digital media data, computing machine 24 was input to (Figure 12) in the data-base recording to the date of returning.Computing machine 24 determines whether to exist the situation of exceeding the time limit then, and the client of the Digital Media that this situation of exceeding the time limit will be leased return collects the charges.Then computing machine 24 status identifier be modified as engineering noise and then command switch 146 open storage box the door.

Be put in the storage box 133 in case comprise the jewel box 3 of Digital Media 2, store clerk can be taken the safety box 8B of any release in the case 60 away, and jewel box 3 is inserted in the safety box 8B, and locked secure box 8B then; The safety box 8B that comprises jewel box 3/ Digital Media 2 is taken back on the bookshelf then.

The advantage of using this system 20 is that medium 2 (for example, CD/DVD) can keep safety, and safety box 8A/8B keep and need not be opened before generation is effectively bought or leased.This will reduce stolen danger, improve handle the speed of material and stock arrangement, save the expense of leasing the place like this on employee's time and financial catalogue are reduced.

Being appreciated that for the detection of digital media information identification and pillar 28 all adopts content tab 32 also within the present invention 20 scope.In this case, there is the safety label 34 that uses with safety box 8A/8B.When attempt uses RFID content tab 32 as (for example being used for security purpose, unlawfully remove from aforementioned) the antenna in place survey tag types the time, the structure limitation of these labels 32 may stop the label 32 enough strong signals of emission and start alarm so that pillar 28 interior safety antennas can receive enough strong signal to adopt reliable mode.Therefore, when being set on the material (for example, CD and DVD) that comprises metal or iron compound when RFID content tab 32, RFID content tab 32 is considered to label among a small circle usually.In order to adjust the operation among a small circle of RFID content tab 32, the use of RFID content tab 32 by with safety box 8A/8B in independent EAS or the use of RFID label 34, the use that perhaps is included in the wrappage (not shown) of the standard in the safety box 8A/8B merges.Especially, independent EAS or RFID label 34 are supported by near the market or in the EAS at pillar 28 places of market outlet or the large-scale detection of RFID antenna.

Therefore, as described below, the use of two label constructions can be used in the system 20 of the present invention at a RFID content tab 32 and the EAS/RFID label 34 on safety box 8A/8B in the Digital Media 2.

Be appreciated that term display screen 40/140 means the input-output apparatus of cover any type, described equipment make client can perception instruction, prompting and from the information of computing machine 24 and when the input information of needs/in case of necessity.Therefore, display screen 40/140 comprises loudspeaker, monitor (comprising touch screen), TV screen etc., and comprises keypad, keyboard, mouse etc., and it makes that client can input information.

Be appreciated that detecting station 22 is not limited to hard syndeton with the station 122 that checks in, and can also comprise wireless topology, for example (WIFI, bluetooth etc.), light agreement or sound agreement.

When the present invention is described and in detail with reference to specific example when being described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that and to make various changes and change and not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention the present invention.

Claims (39)

1. system that detects certainly that is positioned at the Digital Media in place, Digital Media is by purchase of customer or lease in described place, and described system comprises:

Be fixed to the content tab of the recognition data that comprises Digital Media in the Digital Media; With

Safety box, Digital Media are placed in the described safety box, and described safety box comprises releasable lock, and described lock prevention contact before described releasable lock is unlocked is included in the Digital Media in the safety box;

Detecting the station comprises:

At least one label reader, it is used for obtaining described recognition data and obtaining client's identifier from described client from described content tab;

Computing machine, described computing machine is communicated by letter with described at least one label reader with database, and described database is associated Digital Media with client's identifier;

Point of sales equipment, described point of sales equipment is connected to described computing machine, described point of sales equipment allows client to buying or leasing Digital Media and pay, and revises the status identifier that is stored in the described Digital Media on the described database based on the described computing machine of described payment;

Be connected to the unlocking device of described computing machine, described computing machine encourages described unlocking device when payment takes place; With

Pillar, described pillar are positioned at the outlet in place and are connected to computing machine to survey existing of described content tab; With

Alarm, described alarm is connected to described computing machine, when state in described pillar place that content tab is detected and described status identifier when not being changed described alarm start.

2. described from detecting system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that described at least one label reader also reads the member card that provided by client to obtain described client's identifier.

3. according to claim 1 from detecting system, it is characterized in that, Digital Media comprises CD or digital video disk, and wherein said content tab comprises loop configuration, this loop configuration be fixed to CD or digital video disk core around.

4. according to claim 1 oneself detects system, it is characterized in that described unlocking device comprises magnet, and described magnet comprises essential magnetic field, and described magnetic field and described releasable phase-locked interaction are with the described releasable lock of release.

5. according to claim 4 from detecting system, it is characterized in that when magnet during by described computing machine excitation, described magnet is exposed or is moved to position near described safety box.

6. according to claim 1 from detecting system, it is characterized in that, described unlocking device comprises that described electromagnet produces essential magnetic field by the electromagnet of described computing machine excitation, and described magnetic field and described releasable phase-locked interaction are with the described releasable lock of release.

7. according to claim 4 oneself detects system, it is characterized in that described safety box comprises securing rod, in case described releasable lock is unlocked, described securing rod can be removed.

8. according to claim 6 oneself detects system, it is characterized in that described safety box comprises securing rod, in case described releasable lock is unlocked, described securing rod can be removed.

9. according to claim 4 from detecting system, it is characterized in that, described safety box comprises lid and housing, described lid is locked on the described housing by described releasable lock, and the part of described lid can be separated from described housing when described releasable lock is unlocked by described unlocking device.

10. according to claim 6 from detecting system, it is characterized in that, described safety box comprises lid and housing, described lid is locked on the described housing by described releasable lock, and the part of described lid can be separated from described housing when described releasable lock is unlocked by described unlocking device.

11. according to claim 1 detecting system also comprises the system of checking in certainly, the described system of checking in comprises:

Second label reader, it is connected to and is used on the described computing machine obtaining described recognition data in the process that the Digital Media of leasing is restored to the place from described content tab as client;

Storage box with inlet, what described storage box entered the mouth opens by described computer control; And wherein, described computing machine is revised described data-base recording to comprise the return date and time of Digital Media; Described computing machine is modified as inlet invalid and described storage box then to described status identifier and is opened to allow described client to deposit the described Digital Media of return by described storage box inlet.

12. according to claim 11 oneself detects system, it is characterized in that, described computing machine also detects whether there is overdue fine when client returns the Digital Media of leasing.

13. the system that detects certainly that is used to be positioned at the Digital Media in place, Digital Media is by purchase of customer or lease in the place, and described system comprises:

Content tab, described content tab are fixed in the Digital Media of the recognition data that comprises Digital Media; And

Safety box, described Digital Media are placed in the described safety box, and described safety box comprises safety label and releasable lock, and described releasable lock prevention contact before described releasable lock is unlocked is included in the Digital Media in the safety box;

Detecting the station comprises:

First label reader, it is used for obtaining described recognition data and obtaining client's identifier from described client from described content tab;

Computing machine, described computing machine is communicated by letter with described first label reader with database, and described database is associated Digital Media with client's identifier;

Be connected to the point of sales equipment of described computing machine, described point of sales equipment allows client to buying or leasing Digital Media and pay, and the above computing machine is revised the status identifier that is stored in the described Digital Media on the described database on the basis of described payment;

Be connected to the unlocking device of described computing machine, described computing machine encourages described unlocking device when payment takes place; With

Pillar, described pillar are positioned at the exit, place and are connected to computing machine to survey existing of described safety label; With

Be connected to the alarm of described computing machine, when stating safety label in described pillar place and be detected and described status identifier when not being modified described alarm start.

14. according to claim 13 from detecting system, it is characterized in that described first label reader also reads the member card that provided by client to obtain described client's identifier.

15. according to claim 13 from detecting system, it is characterized in that Digital Media comprises CD or digital video disk, and described content tab comprises the loop configuration on being fixed to around CD or the digital video disk core.

16. according to claim 13 oneself detects system, it is characterized in that described unlocking device comprises magnet, described magnet comprises essential magnetic field, and described magnetic field and described releasable phase-locked interaction are with the described releasable lock of release.

17. according to claim 16 oneself detects system, it is characterized in that, when described magnet was encouraged by computing machine, described magnet was exposed or is moved near described safety box.

18. it is according to claim 13 from detecting system, it is characterized in that described unlocking device comprises electromagnet, described electromagnet is encouraged by described computing machine, described electromagnet produces essential magnetic field, and described magnetic field and described releasable phase-locked interaction are with the described releasable lock of release.

19. according to claim 16 oneself detects system, it is characterized in that described safety box comprises securing rod, in case described releasable lock is unlocked, described securing rod is removed.

20. according to claim 18 oneself detects system, it is characterized in that described safety box comprises securing rod, in case described releasable lock is unlocked, described securing rod is removed.

21. it is according to claim 16 from detecting system, it is characterized in that, described safety box comprises lid and housing, described lid is locked on the described housing by described releasable lock, and when described releasable lock by by described unlocking device release the time, the part of described lid is by from described housing separation.

22. it is according to claim 18 from detecting system, it is characterized in that, described safety box comprises lid and housing, described lid is locked on the described housing by described releasable lock, and when described releasable lock by by described unlocking device release the time, the part of described lid is by from described housing separation.

23. according to claim 13 detecting system also comprises the system of checking in certainly, the described system of checking in comprises:

Be connected to second label reader of described computing machine, described second label reader is used for obtaining described recognition data to the process in place from described content tab in the Digital Media that return is leased as client;

Storage box with inlet, what described storage box entered the mouth opens by described computer control; And

Wherein, described computing machine is revised the date and time of described data-base recording with the return that comprises Digital Media; Described computing machine is modified as inlet invalid and described storage box then to described status identifier and is opened to allow described client to deposit the described Digital Media of return by described storage box inlet.

24. according to claim 23 oneself detects system, it is characterized in that, described computing machine also detects whether there is overdue fine when client returns the Digital Media of leasing.

25. one kind makes client detect the method for the Digital Media in the place automatically, Digital Media is sold or is leased in this place, said method comprising the steps of:

The immobilized substance label is used for to the Digital Media the recognition data of Digital Media is included in the content tab and in the exit in place provides pillar, and described pillar can be surveyed passing through of described content tab;

The alarm that can be activated or cut out is provided;

Digital Media is placed in the safety box with releasable lock, and described releasable lock prevention contact before described releasable lock is unlocked is included in the Digital Media in the safety box;

Obtain described recognition data by client from described content tab is wireless;

Obtain customer identification data and the recognition data in the database is associated with customer identification data from client;

Receive payment to lease or to buy Digital Media from client;

On the basis of described payment, revise the status identifier be stored in the described Digital Media of leasing or buying in the described database, and on the basis of described payment the described releasable lock of release;

When described pillar is surveyed passing through of described content tab and when described status identifier is modified, close described alarm, perhaps when described pillar is surveyed passing through of described content tab and when not receiving when payment and described state recognition symbol when not being modified, start described alarm.

26. method according to claim 25 is characterized in that, comprise from the wireless described step of obtaining described recognition data of described content tab RFID is provided reader, and described content tab is the RFID label.

27. method according to claim 26 is characterized in that, the step of obtaining customer identification data comprises that client provides the member card that can be read by described RFID reader.

28. method according to claim 25 is characterized in that, the described step of opening described releasable lock comprises exposure or moving magnet, and described magnet has essential magnetic field, and the close described safety box of described magnet is to open described releasable lock.

29. method according to claim 25 is characterized in that, the step of the described releasable lock of described release comprises that excitation has the electromagnet in essential magnetic field, and the close described safety box of described electromagnet is with the described releasable lock of release.

30. method according to claim 25 is further comprising the steps of:

When client comes back to place place and returns described Digital Media, obtain described recognition data from described content tab is wireless;

The date and time that storage is returned on described database; And

Described status identifier is modified to inlet invalid and described storage box then and is opened to allow described client that the Digital Media of described return is stored in the described storage box by the inlet of described storage box.

31. method according to claim 30 is further comprising the steps of: when client returns the Digital Media of leasing, detect whether there is overdue fine.

32. one kind makes client detect the method for the Digital Media that is positioned at the place automatically, Digital Media is sold or is leased on this place, said method comprising the steps of:

Content tab is fixed in the Digital Media being used for comprising the recognition data of Digital Media in label, and provides pillar in the exit in place;

Digital Media is placed in the safety box, and described safety box has releasable lock, and described lock prevention contact before described releasable lock is unlocked is included in the Digital Media in the safety box, and described safety box also comprises safety label:

The alarm that can be activated or cut out is provided;

By client from the described recognition data of the wireless acquisition of described content tab;

Obtain customer identification data and the recognition data the database is associated with customer identification data from client;

Receive payment to lease or to buy Digital Media from client;

On the basis of described payment, revise the status identifier that is stored in the described Digital Media of leasing or buying in the described database, and on the basis of described payment, open described releasable lock;

When described pillar is surveyed passing through of described safety label and when described status identifier is modified, close described alarm, perhaps when pillar is surveyed passing through of described safety label and when not receiving payment and when described status identifier is not modified, start described alarm.

33. method according to claim 32 is characterized in that, comprise from the wireless step of obtaining described recognition data of described content tab RFID is provided reader, and described content tab is the RFID label.

34. method according to claim 32 is characterized in that, the described step of obtaining customer identification data comprises that client shows member card, and described member card can be read by described RFID reader.

35. method according to claim 32 is characterized in that, the step of opening described releasable lock comprises exposure or moving magnet, and described magnet has essential magnetic field, and the close described safety box of described magnet is to open described releasable lock.

36. method according to claim 32 is characterized in that, the described step of opening described releasable lock comprises the excitation electromagnet, makes it have essential magnetic field, makes the close safety box of electromagnet to open described releasable lock.

37. method according to claim 32 is further comprising the steps of:

When client turns back to the place when returning described Digital Media, obtain described recognition data from described content tab and described safety label are wireless;

Relatively from described content tab and the recognition data that obtains from described safety label;

The date and time that storage is returned on described database; And

Described status identifier is modified to inlet invalid and described storage box then and is opened to allow described client that the Digital Media of described return is stored in the described storage box by the inlet of described storage box.

38., it is characterized in that relatively the described step of recognition data comprises if do not match from the described recognition data of described content tab acquisition and the described recognition data that obtains from described safety label, then warns the place personnel according to the described method of claim 37.

39. also comprise step: when client returns the Digital Media of leasing, detect whether there is overdue fine according to the described method of claim 37.

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