WO1999005627A1 - The tracking of products - Google Patents

The tracking of products Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999005627A1
WO1999005627A1 PCT/US1998/015058 US9815058W WO9905627A1 WO 1999005627 A1 WO1999005627 A1 WO 1999005627A1 US 9815058 W US9815058 W US 9815058W WO 9905627 A1 WO9905627 A1 WO 9905627A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
products
codes
designated
location
control station
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/015058
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Roelof Daniel Jacobus Davis
Frederick Jacobus Rabe
Original Assignee
Perseus Administration (Proprietary) Limited
Handelman, Joseph, H.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Perseus Administration (Proprietary) Limited, Handelman, Joseph, H. filed Critical Perseus Administration (Proprietary) Limited
Priority to JP2000504534A priority Critical patent/JP2001511426A/en
Priority to EP98935873A priority patent/EP0996913A4/en
Priority to AU85037/98A priority patent/AU8503798A/en
Priority to US09/463,526 priority patent/US6409082B1/en
Publication of WO1999005627A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999005627A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
    • G08B13/2465—Aspects related to the EAS system, e.g. system components other than tags
    • G08B13/2482—EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
    • G08B13/2405—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting characterised by the tag technology used
    • G08B13/2414—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting characterised by the tag technology used using inductive tags
    • G08B13/2417—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting characterised by the tag technology used using inductive tags having a radio frequency identification chip
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
    • G08B13/2428—Tag details
    • G08B13/2437—Tag layered structure, processes for making layered tags
    • G08B13/2445—Tag integrated into item to be protected, e.g. source tagging
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
    • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
    • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
    • G08B13/2451—Specific applications combined with EAS
    • G08B13/2462—Asset location systems combined with EAS
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18—Status alarms
    • G08B21/24—Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P90/00—Enabling technologies with a potential contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
    • Y02P90/02—Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION relates to the tracking of products. More
  • this invention relates to a method of detecting designated
  • any of the distributed products are designated products.
  • the method and system may also be used as an audit system for keeping
  • the codes of the designated products may be determined by
  • the codes of the designated products may be recorded at
  • the method may include transmitting the
  • the method may also include transmitting data on the
  • the method may include triggering an alarm at the central
  • the data may also be visually displayed at the central loss
  • control station in such a way that it alerts a person on duty.
  • a record of the data and the read codes may be retained at
  • the central loss control station if the products are designated products.
  • an encoding means for applying an unique code to each one of a
  • the comparator may be located at a central loss control
  • the codes of the designated products may be retained in a
  • the system may include a transmitting means for
  • the transmitting means may also transmit data on the second
  • the first location may be a manufacturing plant, with the
  • the first location may be a warehouse for imported
  • the second location may be a retail outlet, with the reading
  • second location may be a retail outlet, with the reading means being in
  • reference numeral 1 0 generally indicates a
  • the system includes an encoding means 1 2 for applying an
  • the encoding means 1 2 is located in a manufacturing plant
  • code may be in the form of a forge-resistant mark such as a hologram.
  • the manufactured products are transported from the plant
  • the quantity of manufactured products is checked by the
  • decoding device from the manufacturer to determine the codes of the
  • the quantity of manufactured products may also be designated products.
  • the quantity of manufactured products may also be designated products.
  • the quantity of manufactured products may also be designated products.
  • control station 24 includes a comparator 28 for comparing the read codes with the recorded codes to determine if the products are designated
  • the read codes are transmitted to the station 24 on a daily or
  • the data includes the
  • the data are visually displayed at
  • the central loss control station in such a way that it alerts a person on
  • a record of the data is

Abstract

A method of detecting designated products from a number of sources includes the step of applying (12) a unique code to each one of a plurality of products at a first location (14). The method also includes determining which of the plurality of products become designated. The method further includes the steps of recording the codes of the designated products, reading (26) the codes of products distributed at a second location (16) and comparing (28) the read codes with the recorded codes to determine if any of the distributed products are designated products. The invention also includes a system for detecting designated products.

Description

THE TRACKING OF PRODUCTS
THIS INVENTION relates to the tracking of products. More
particularly, this invention relates to a method of detecting designated
products and to a system for detecting designated products.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided
a method of detecting designated products from a number of sources,
the method including the steps of
applying an unique code to each one of a plurality of products at a first location;
determining which of the plurality of products become designated;
recording the codes of the designated products;
reading the codes of products distributed at a second location;
and
comparing the read codes with the recorded codes to determine if
any of the distributed products are designated products.
It will be appreciated that the term "designated products"
includes products that are stolen, products that are lost by undetermined
means and picked up as lost through stock taking or other methods of reconciling numbers of products, products not intended for re-sale to
consumers, sample batches of products, defective products, products
sold to a Government sector, export products, imported products, or the
like. "Products" is also meant to include three-dimensional articles and
other articles such as cheques, tickets or the like. Designated products
which are detected may then be recovered. It will be appreciated that
the method and system may also be used as an audit system for keeping
track of designated products, in particular, for products not intended for
re-sale.
The codes of the designated products may be determined by
retaining a first list of the unique codes which are applied to the products
at the first location, and comparing it to a second list of codes of
products which are decoded at another authorised location, with the
codes which appear on the first list and not the second list comprising
the codes of the designated products.
The codes of the designated products may be recorded at
a central loss control station. The method may include transmitting the
read codes to the central loss control station, for comparing the read
codes with the recorded codes.
The method may also include transmitting data on the
identity of the second location and data on the time at which the read codes are transmitted to the central loss control station.
The method may include triggering an alarm at the central
loss control station if designated products are detected to alert a person
on duty. The data may also be visually displayed at the central loss
control station in such a way that it alerts a person on duty.
A record of the data and the read codes may be retained at
the central loss control station if the products are designated products.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a system for detecting designated products from a number of
sources, the system including
an encoding means for applying an unique code to each one of a
plurality of products at a first location;
a designated products determining means for determining which
of the plurality of products become designated;
a recording means for recording the codes of the designated
products;
a reading means for reading the codes of products distributed at
a second location; and
a comparator for comparing the read codes with the recorded
codes to determine if any of the distributed products are designated
products. The comparator may be located at a central loss control
station. The codes of the designated products may be retained in a
database of the comparator at the central loss control station.
The system may include a transmitting means for
transmitting the read codes to the comparator at the central loss control
station. The transmitting means may also transmit data on the second
location to a central loss control station.
The first location may be a manufacturing plant, with the
codes being applied to manufactured products on an assembly line.
Alternatively, the first location may be a warehouse for imported
products or for export products.
The second location may be a retail outlet, with the reading
means forming part of a bar code scanning system. Alternatively, the
second location may be a retail outlet, with the reading means being in
the form of a free-standing or hand held scanner suitable for use by a till
operator or an independent user of the system.
It is to be appreciated that the system is not limited to use
with retail products or products earmarked for re-sale.
The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a schematic flow
chart representing a system, in accordance with the invention, for
recovering designated products.
In the drawing, reference numeral 1 0 generally indicates a
flow chart representing a system, in accordance with the invention, for
recovering designated products.
The system includes an encoding means 1 2 for applying an
unique forgery resistant code to each one of a plurality of manufactured
products. The encoding means 1 2 is located in a manufacturing plant
1 4, with a code being applied to each product on an assembly line. The
code may be in the form of a forge-resistant mark such as a hologram.
The manufactured products are transported from the plant
1 4 to the premises 1 6 of a distributor, who, in turn, supplies the
products to an end retail outlet 1 8 where they are sold to the public.
It will be appreciated that the manufactured products can
reach the end retail outlet 1 8 though different routes. Some of the
manufactured products may be stolen or otherwise designated from the
plant 14, from the premises 1 6 of the distributor, or at any stage when
being transported from the plant 14 to the premises 1 6 or the retail outlet
1 8. The stolen or designated products land up with an unauthorised distributor at a venue 20 through any one of routes 1 9. The unauthorised
distributor sells the products and they may also be distributed through
the retail outlet 1 8.
The quantity of manufactured products is checked by the
distributor when the products are received at the premises 1 6. If the
quantity received does not tally with the quantity of manufactured
products dispatched by the manufacturer, the distributor knows that
some of the products have become designated products. The distributor
receives a list of codes applied to the manufactured products and a
decoding device from the manufacturer to determine the codes of the
designated products. The quantity of manufactured products may also
be checked at the retail outlet 1 8 in the same way or at any other stage,
if theft is suspected.
A recording means 22 for recording the codes of designated
products is located at a central loss control station 24. The codes of the
designated products are supplied to the central loss control station 24
where they are entered into the recording means 22 which is in the form
of a database.
A reading means in the form of a scanner 26 for reading the
codes of distributed products is located at the retail outlet 1 8. The
control station 24 includes a comparator 28 for comparing the read codes with the recorded codes to determine if the products are designated
products. The read codes are transmitted to the station 24 on a daily or
more regular basis.
In use, all of the distributed products located at the retail
outlet 1 8 are scanned at point of sale or on the shelves. The comparator
28 at the station 24 compares the read codes with the recorded codes
to determine if any of the distributed products are designated products
which have been received by an unauthorised route or dealer. If it is
determined that the distributed products are designated products, data
is retained at the central loss control station 24. The data includes the
codes of the detected designated products, the identity of the second
location and the time of the reading. The data are visually displayed at
the central loss control station in such a way that it alerts a person on
duty. The person on duty will act on the information in an appropriate
way, for example, by alerting the police. A record of the data is
maintained at the central loss control station 24 for evidence purposes.
The inventors believe that the invention has several
advantages. Firstly, a central database of designated products is
established. Also, designated products are accurately marked by each
having an individual code which can be identified in a simple operation.
Further, accurate records of the process are available for possible criminal
prosecution.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1 . A method of detecting designated products from a number
of sources, the method including the steps of
applying an unique code to each one of a plurality of products at
a first location;
determining which of the plurality of products become designated;
recording the codes of the designated products;
reading the codes of products distributed at a second location;
and
comparing the read codes with the recorded codes to determine if
any of the distributed products are designated products.
2. The method as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the codes of the
designated products are determined by retaining a first list of the unique
codes which are applied to the products at the first location, and
comparing it to a second list of codes of products which are decoded at
another authorised location, with the codes which appear on the first list
and not the second list comprising the codes of the designated products.
3. The method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the
codes of the designated products are recorded at a central loss control
station.
4. The method as claimed in Claim 3, which includes
transmitting the read codes to the central loss control station, for
comparing the read codes with the recorded codes.
5. The method as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 inclusive,
which includes transmitting data on the identity of the second location
to the central loss control station.
6. The method as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5
inclusive, which includes transmitting data on the time at which the read
codes are transmitted to the central loss control station.
7. The method as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6
inclusive, which includes triggering an alarm at the central loss control
station if designated products are detected to alert a person on duty.
8. The method as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 7
inclusive, which includes retaining a record of the data and the read
codes at the central loss control station if the products are designated
products.
9. A system for detecting designated products from a number
of sources, the system including
an encoding means for applying an unique code to each one of a plurality of manufactured products at a first location;
a designated products determining means for determining which
of the plurality of products become designated;
a recording means for recording the codes of the designated
products;
a reading means for reading the codes of products distributed at
a second location; and
a comparator for comparing the read codes with the recorded
codes to determine if any of the distributed products are designated products.
1 0. The system as claimed in Claim 9, in which the comparator
is located at a central loss control station.
1 1 . The system as claimed in Claim 1 0, in which the codes of
designated products are retained in a database of the comparator at the
central loss control station.
1 2. The system as claimed in Claim 1 0 or Claim 1 1 , which
includes a transmitting means for transmitting the read codes to the
comparator at the central loss control station.
1 3. The system as claimed in Claim 1 2, in which the
transmitting means transmits data on the second location to a central loss control station.
14. The system as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 1 3
inclusive, in which the first location is a manufacturing plant, with the
codes being applied to manufactured products on an assembly line.
1 5. The system as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 1 3
inclusive, in which the first location is a warehouse for imported
products.
1 6. The system as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 1 3
inclusive, in which the first location is a warehouse for export products.
1 7. The system as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 1 6
inclusive, in which the second location is a retail outlet, with the reading
means forming part of a bar code scanning system.
1 8. The system as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 1 6
inclusive, in which the second location is a retail outlet, with the reading
means being in the form of a free-standing scanner.
1 9. A method of recovering designated products, substantially
as herein described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic
drawing.
20. A system for recovering designated products, substantially
as herein described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic
drawing.
PCT/US1998/015058 1997-07-25 1998-07-22 The tracking of products WO1999005627A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2000504534A JP2001511426A (en) 1997-07-25 1998-07-22 Product tracking method and equipment
EP98935873A EP0996913A4 (en) 1997-07-25 1998-07-22 The tracking of products
AU85037/98A AU8503798A (en) 1997-07-25 1998-07-22 The tracking of products
US09/463,526 US6409082B1 (en) 1997-07-25 1998-07-22 Tracking of products

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA976663 1997-07-25
ZA97/6663 1997-07-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999005627A1 true WO1999005627A1 (en) 1999-02-04

Family

ID=25586496

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1998/015058 WO1999005627A1 (en) 1997-07-25 1998-07-22 The tracking of products

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0996913A4 (en)
JP (1) JP2001511426A (en)
CN (1) CN1270681A (en)
AU (1) AU8503798A (en)
WO (1) WO1999005627A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7716137B2 (en) * 2001-08-14 2010-05-11 Nokia Inc. System and method for automatically tracking and enabling the operation of a product
CN102502212B (en) * 2011-10-19 2014-04-09 江苏菲达宝开电气有限公司 Working process of intelligent distribution control system for material flow conveying and sorting

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4340810A (en) * 1980-03-07 1982-07-20 Marvin Glass Method and apparatus for merchandise distribution control
US5401944A (en) * 1990-11-20 1995-03-28 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Traveler security and luggage control system
US5434394A (en) * 1992-09-10 1995-07-18 Tandy Corporation Automated order and delivery system
US5478990A (en) * 1993-10-14 1995-12-26 Coleman Environmental Systems, Inc. Method for tracking the production history of food products

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4558318A (en) * 1980-06-23 1985-12-10 Light Signatures, Inc. Merchandise verification and information system
US4739322A (en) * 1980-06-23 1988-04-19 Light Signatures, Inc. Merchandise verification and information system
US4816824A (en) * 1980-06-23 1989-03-28 Light Signatures, Inc. Merchandise verification and information system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4340810A (en) * 1980-03-07 1982-07-20 Marvin Glass Method and apparatus for merchandise distribution control
US5401944A (en) * 1990-11-20 1995-03-28 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Traveler security and luggage control system
US5434394A (en) * 1992-09-10 1995-07-18 Tandy Corporation Automated order and delivery system
US5478990A (en) * 1993-10-14 1995-12-26 Coleman Environmental Systems, Inc. Method for tracking the production history of food products

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP0996913A4 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0996913A1 (en) 2000-05-03
AU8503798A (en) 1999-02-16
EP0996913A4 (en) 2003-02-26
JP2001511426A (en) 2001-08-14
CN1270681A (en) 2000-10-18

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