Retail store security apparatus

Abstract

A security apparatus for a retail store in which each item for sale has a security tag attached thereto. A computerized database stores the approximate weight of each item for sale. During a purchase transaction, a predicted total weight of the items purchased is calculated and the items are placed in a bag or bags. A security station positioned near the exit of the store includes a scale for determining the actual total weight of a bag or bags containing the items purchased; a computer controller for comparing the actual total weight of the bag or bags with the predicted total weight and for generating a notification signal when the actual total weight is not within a predetermined range of the predicted total weight; and a deactivation pad for deactivating the security tags during weighing of the bag or bags. A security tag detection apparatus is positioned between the security station and the exit. The computer controller may activate the deactivating pad only when the actual total weight is within the predetermined range. An invoice number is preferably placed on the invoice as a bar code and the security station includes a bar code reader for reading the bar code from the invoice. A security method for a retail store is also provided.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.