Systems and methods for data reading and EAS tag sensing and deactivating at retail checkout

A method of controlling a system having a data reader defining a read volume and an associated security tag controller, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting one of a plurality of predetermined security levels including a low level and a high level;
• sensing to detect the presence of an electronic security tag proximate to the read volume of the data reader;
• reading data from an ID tag located within the read volume of the data reader;
• if the presence of an electronic security tag is not detected proximate to the read volume of the data reader, asserting a deactivation signal for a first predetermined deactivation time period;
• and
• if the selected security level is the low level, and the presence of an electronic security tag was not detected, acknowledging the data read from the ID tag substantially without delay.

A combined security tag unit and data reader system comprising:

• a housing;
• a data reader enclosed in the housing and defining a read volume adjacent the housing for reading an ID tag placed within the read volume;
• a security tag unit enclosed in the housing and arranged for sensing presence of an electronic security tag proximate to the read volume of the data reader, the security tag unit including deactivation unit arranged for deactivating an electronic security tag located proximate to the read volume of the data reader;
• and
• control means for arming the deactivation unit only after a successful read of the ID tag, and only for a limited time period after the successful read of the ID tag, thereby avoiding deactivation of an electronic security tags on or in items that have not been read.

A method of controlling a system having an data reader defining a read volume and an associated security tag controller having a deactivation unit, the method comprising the steps of

• sensing to detect presence of an electronic security tag proximate to the read volume of the data reader;
• reading data from an ID tag within the read volume of the data reader;
• asserting a deactivation signal to arm a deactivation unit of the security tag controller for a predetermined deactivation time period;
• and
• if the presence of an electronic security tag is detected proximate to the read volume of the data reader, and the deactivation signal is asserted, firing the deactivation unit to attempt to deactivate the detected electronic security tag.

A method of controlling a system having an data reader defining a read volume and an associated security tag controller having a deactivation unit, the method comprising the steps of

• (a) sensing to detect presence of an electronic security tag proximate to the read volume of the data reader;
• (b) reading data from an ID tag within the read volume of the data reader;
• (c) asserting a deactivation signal to arm a deactivation unit for a predetermined deactivation time period;
• (d) if the presence of an electronic security tag is detected proximate to the read volume of the data reader, and the deactivation signal is asserted, attempting to deactivate the detected electronic security tag;
• (e) if the electronic security tag is not deactivated during the deactivation time period, generating an indication of an exception condition;
• (f) waiting up to a predetermined override time limit for input of a manual override;
• and
• (g) responsive to receiving a manual override input prior to expiration of the override time limit, asserting the deactivation signal to arm the deactivation unit to deactivate the detected electronic security tag.

A combined security tag unit and data reader system comprising:

• a housing including a scan window;
• a data reader enclosed in the housing and defining a read volume adjacent the housing and visible to the reader through the scan window for reading an ID tag placed within the read volume;
• a security tag unit enclosed in the housing and arranged for sensing to detect the presence of an EAS tag proximate to the read volume of the data reader;
• the security tag unit including deactivation unit arranged for deactivating an EAS tag located proximate to the read volume of the data reader;
• and
• means for indicating a successful read of the ID tag, wherein the indicating means is arranged to a indicate a successful read of the ID tag only after successful read of the ID tag and successful deactivation of the security tag, thereby avoiding multiple indications of the read of the same ID tag.

A method of operating a system comprised of a security tag deactivation unit and a data reader, the method comprising the steps of:

• sensing to detect presence of an electronic security tag proximate to a read volume of the data reader;
• reading data from an ID tag;
• if the presence of a security tag proximate to the read volume of the data reader is detected, activating the deactivation unit in an attempt to deactivate the detected electronic security tag;
• repeating said sensing step to confirm deactivation of the detected electronic security tag;
• and
• if the presence of an electronic security tag is not detected, implying that the deactivation succeeded, and generating an output signal indicating completed reading of the ID tag data.

A method of operation in a combined security tag deactivation unit and data reader, the method comprising the steps of:

• sensing to detect the presence of an EAS tag proximate to the read volume of the ID label reader;
• reading data from an ID tag;
• if the presence of an EAS tag proximate to the read volume of the ID tagreader is still detected, firing the deactivation unit in an attempt to deactivate the detected EAS tag;
• and
• repeating said sensing step to confirm deactivation of the detected EAS tag.

A method of operation in an electronic article security (EAS) controller comprising the steps of:

• monitoring an arm control having an armed state and an unarmed state;
• while the arm control is armed, sensing to detect presence of an electronic security tag;
• and
• if the presence of an electronic security tag is detected while the arm control is in the armed state, attempting to deactivate the electronic article security tag.