This invention relates to a checkout system comprising at least one label configured to be attached to a product to be sold, the label being provided with a barcode comprising an identification code for identifying the product, wherein the checkout system further comprises a barcode reader for scanning the barcode for paying for the product.

Such a system is known per se. In the known system, the barcode reader may be of mobile design and be suitable to pay for the product in an electronic manner. In that case, a customer can scan the barcode of the label that is attached to the product he wants to buy and proceed to pay

electronically. It is also possible, however, that the barcode reader is part of a checkout block where the barcode is scanned to identify the product, whereupon the product can be paid for in cash or electronically.

It is an object of the invention to expand in a simple manner the known checkout system to include the function of a shoplifting security system. To this end, the label further comprises an RFID circuit provided with an RFID code which can be read out wirelessly, wherein the checkout system further comprises a label detection system configured, for example, to be set up, at least in part, at an exit of a shop for detecting the label by reading out the RFID code, wherein the checkout system further comprises a computer system in which a main identification code which is associated with the identification code and the RFID code is stored and in which further a status code which is associated with the main identification code is stored, the status code indicating at least a status which represents sold or not sold and/or paid or not paid, wherein the label detection system is communicatively connected with the computer system and wherein the checkout system is configured for generating an alarm when the label is detected with the label detection system by reading out the RFID code provided that it also holds that the status code represents that the product has not been sold or paid for, and wherein the checkout system is configured for not generating an alarm when the label is detected by reading out the RFID code provided that it also holds that the status code represents that the product has been sold or paid for, wherein:

a. the RFID circuit is of a type whereby in a wireless manner a detection range within which the RFID circuit can be read out can be set, and wherein the label detection system is configured to set in a wireless manner the detection range of the RFID circuit and/or:

b. the RFID circuit is of a type whereby in a wireless manner the ability to read out predetermined type data stored in the RFID circuit can be blocked, and wherein the label detection system is configured to block in a wireless manner the ability to read out the predetermined type data stored in the RFID circuit.

According to the insight of the invention, it is necessary to add an RFID circuit to the label to realize a shoplifting security system. For example, when the product is being sold, the identification code can be read by scanning the barcode while in a central computer it may be indicated that the product has been sold or paid for. When the product then leaves a shop, the RFID code of the RFID circuit can be read out and it can be ascertained in the computer system whether the product that has been identified has the status of paid or sold, or not paid or not sold, and on the basis thereof an alarm may be generated when the product concerned has not been sold or has not been paid for. For reasons of privacy, the customer wants it to be impossible, after his leaving the shop, to read out the label remotely and derive a unique identity therefrom. To meet this problem, the RFID circuit is of the type whereby in a wireless manner a detection range within which the RFID circuit can be read out, can be set and/or of the type whereby in a wireless manner the blocking mentioned can be performed.

The intention is then, for example, that this detection range can be reduced and/or the blocking mentioned can be performed when the product concerned has been paid for or sold. This would mean that the barcode reader must additionally be provided with an RFID reader to be able to set, that is, reduce, the detection range of the RFID circuit, and/or to be able to perform the blocking mentioned when the product has been paid for or sold. Precisely when the barcode scanner is implemented as a mobile device, this is not practical. When the barcode reader is part of the checkout block, this is not practical either, because the checkout block, as a rule, is not provided with an RFID reader. That is why according to the invention the label detection system is configured to set the detection range of the RFID circuit in a wireless manner and/or to be able to perform the blocking in a wireless manner. This is to say that, in particular, a detection range of the RFID circuit is reduced when the product upon leaving a shop is detected by the label detection system. In the foregoing, it has been indicated that the barcode comprises an identification code of the product. This identification code is for example a unique code within the system for the respective product itself (think of serial number of the product). This is sometimes referred to as a relatively unique identification code. That a same code is used outside the system for other products is not relevant then. However, the identification code may also be absolutely (for example, worldwide) unique. On the basis of the identification code, the price of the product can then be determined, for example because the price is stored in the system in relation to the identification code. The RFID code, too, can be a relatively or absolutely unique code. This also applies to the main identification code, then.

In particular, the system may be so configured that the detection range of the RFID circuit can be set only when for this purpose a correct password is entered in the system. The label detection system can comprise this password and send it to the RFID circuit, the RFID circuit then allowing adjustment of the detection range only when the password that is received by the RFID circuit corresponds to a password that is stored in the RFID circuit.

In particular, it holds that the system is so configured that the detection range of the RFID circuit is automatically reduced with the label detection system when the ID code is read out with the label detection system provided that the associated status code of the label represents that the product has been sold or paid for.

According to a practical variant, it holds that the main identification code is equal to the identification code and/or the ID code. It may also hold here that the identification code is equal to the ID code.

According to a preferred embodiment, it holds that the barcode reader is part of a mobile device with which also in an electronic manner a payment can be effected for buying the product, wherein the mobile device is communicatively connected with the computer system and wherein the checkout system is configured to change the status code in an automatic manner in order that it represents paid when the product has been paid for electronically with the mobile device. The mobile device can here be a mobile phone, smartphone or tablet. However, it is also possible that the barcode reader is part of a checkout block where also, in particular in an electronic manner, a payment can be effected for buying the product, wherein the checkout block is communicatively connected with the computer system and wherein the checkout system is configured to change the status code, in particular in an automatic manner, in order that it represents paid when the product has been paid for at the checkout block. It is also possible here that the system comprises at least one mobile device and at least one checkout block. The two variants can be used in combination.

Preferably, it holds that the barcode is a Composite barcode or a DataMatrix barcode. Other known barcodes, as well as new barcodes yet to be introduced, are also possible. According to a practical variant, it holds that the RFID circuit is configured to work according to the EPC Gen2 v2 standard.

In particular, it holds that the label is part of a price tag or of a use label and/or is fixedly attached to the product such that the label cannot be removed from the product without the product being damaged.

In particular, the predetermined type data concerns a factory-entered serial number ('TID') and/or a serial number programmed outside the factory (’EPC). Preferably, the RFID circuit is so configured that the label detection system can perform the above-mentioned blocking only when the RFID circuit, prior to blocking, receives at least a predetermined code, in particular from the label detection system. According to a preferred embodiment, it holds that the RFID circuit is so configured that when the above-mentioned blocking has been performed, the predetermined type data can still be read out wirelessly only if prior to the wireless readout, in a wireless manner a password is supplied to the RFID circuit. The checkout system is preferably so configured that the blocking at the RFID circuit is automatically performed with the label detection system when with the label detection system the ID code is read out, provided that the associated status code of the label represents that the product has been bought or paid for.

The invention will presently be further elucidated on the basis of the drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of a checkout system according to the invention.

In Fig. 1, with reference numeral 1 a checkout system according to the invention is designated. The checkout system comprises at least one label 2, configured to be attached to a product 4 to be sold. The label 2 is provided with a barcode 6 comprising an identification code for identifying the product 4. The checkout system further comprises a barcode reader 8 for scanning the barcode for paying the product. The label further comprises an RFID circuit 10 provided with an RFID code which can be read out wirelessly. The checkout system 1 further comprises a label detection system 12 which is configured, for example, to be set up, at least in part, at an exit of the shop. In this example, the label detection system 12 comprises anti-theft gates 14, 14' through which a customer can proceed to leave a shop. However, other variants, such as an anti-theft system that is mounted to a ceiling, are also possible. The checkout system 1 further comprises a computer system 16 in which a main identification code which is associated with the identification code and the RFID code is stored. Also stored in the computer system is a status code which is associated with the main identification code. The status code in this example represents a status of the product, namely the status paid or not paid. The label detection system 12 is communicatively connected with the computer system 16 through a communicative connection 18. The communicative connection 18 can be wired or wireless. The barcode reader 8 in this example is communicatively connected with the computer system 16 through a wireless communicative connection 20. In this example, the barcode reader is part of a mobile device 22 with which also in an electronic manner a payment can be made for buying the product. The mobile device is communicatively connected with the computer system through the communicative connection 20. The checkout system is further configured to change the status code in an automatic manner in that it represents paid when the product has been paid for in an electronic manner with the mobile device. The checkout system is configured for generating an alarm when the label is detected with the label detection system by reading out the RFID code, provided that it also holds that the status code represents that the product has not been paid for. The checkout system is further configured for not generating an alarm when the label is detected by reading out the RFID code, provided that it also holds that the status code represents that the product has been paid. The RFID circuit is of a type whereby in a wireless manner a detection range within which the RFID circuit can be read out, can be set, while it further holds that the label detection system is configured to set in a wireless manner the detection range of the RFID circuit and/or the RFID circuit is of a type whereby in a wireless manner the abihty to read out predetermined type data stored in the RFID circuit can be blocked, while it further holds that the label detection system is configured to block in a wireless manner the ability to read out the predetermined type data stored in the RFID circuit.

The operation of the checkout system described up to this point is as follows.

A customer uses his mobile device 22 in a shop in which the checkout system has been implemented when he wants to buy a product. With the aid of the barcode reader 8 of the mobile device he scans the barcode. By scanning the barcode, the identification code for identifying the product is known. This identification code in this example is supplied via the

communicative connection 20 to the computer system 16. The computer system 16, on the basis of the identification code, looks up in a database what the price of the product is. This price is supplied via the

communicative connection 20 to the mobile device 22. Next, the product is paid for with the aid of the mobile device 22. The fact that the product has been paid for is supplied via the communicative connection 20 to the computer system 16. The computer system then changes the status code that is associated with the identification code from not paid to paid. In this example, it holds that the main identification code is equal to the

identification code. This means that in this example, per tag, three codes are stored in the computer system in association with each other, namely an identification code, an RFID code, and a status code. Other variants, however, are also possible, for example a variant where the identification code is equal to the RFID code so that only two codes need to be stored in association with each other, namely the identification code/RFID code on the one hand and the status code on the other hand. When the product has been paid for and the status code belonging to the label of the product has been changed from not paid to paid, the customer can proceed to the exit of the shop with the product paid for by him. To leave the shop, he passes the label detection system 12, in this example the anti- theft gate 14. The checkout system is configured for generating an alarm when the label is detected with the label detection system by reading out the RFID code provided that it also holds that the status code represents that the product has not been paid for. However, the checkout system is also configured for not generating an alarm when the label is detected by reading out the RFID code provided that it also holds that the status code represents that the product has been paid for. In the present case, the product has been paid for and therefore no alarm will be generated. The RFID circuit 10, according to a first variant, is of the type whereby in a wireless manner a detection range within which the RFID circuit can be read out, can be set.

The label detection system is configured to set the detection range of the RFID circuit in a wireless manner. In this example, when the label detection system reads out the RFID code, the detection range of the RFID circuit is automatically reduced with the label detection system, provided that the associated status code of the label represents that the product has been paid for. Due to the detection range being reduced when the customer leaves the shop with the sold product to which the label is attached, the customer's privacy protection is guaranteed. Also, the customer is relieved of the onerous worry that the label may be detected outside the shop, for example in other shops where an alarm will be generated when the identification code is detected even though that code does not belong to the shop concerned.

Generation of false alarms is thus prevented, without the label needing to be removed from the product. Preferably, the RFID circuit is so configured that the label detection system can adjust the range only when the RFID circuit prior to adjusting receives at least a predetermined code, in particular from the label detection system. According to a second variant, the RFID circuit is of a type whereby in a wireless manner the ability to read out predetermined type data stored in the RFID circuit can be blocked and where the label detection system is configured to block in a wireless manner the ability to read out the predetermined type data stored in the RFID circuit. The predetermined type data in this example concerns a factory-entered serial number ('TID') and/or a serial number programmed outside the factory (’EPC). The RFID circuit is so configured that the label detection system can perform the above blocking only when the RFID circuit prior to blocking receives at least a predetermined code, in this example from the label detection system. The RFID circuit is then so configured that when the blocking has been performed, the predetermined type data can still be read out wirelessly only if prior to wireless readout, in a wireless manner a password is supplied to the RFID circuit. In this example, the checkout system is so configured that the blocking at the RFID circuit is automatically performed with the label detection system when with the label detection system the ID code is read out, provided that the associated status code of the label represents that the product has been sold or paid for. The second variant can be applied in lieu of the first variant. However, it is also possible for the first variant and the second variant to be used in combination. In the examples given hereinabove, it holds that the mobile device is a mobile phone. However, it can also be a smartphone or tablet.

The invention is not limited in any way to the above-outlined embodiment. For example, it is also possible that the barcode reader 8 is part of a checkout block 24. In this example, this barcode reader is

designated with reference numeral 8'. The checkout block is so configured that a customer can pay for the product at the checkout block. Payment can be made electronically or in cash. When a payment has taken place, via a communicative connection 26 the status code belonging to the label attached to the product concerned is changed from not paid to paid. This may be done manually with the checkout block by a cashier or in an automatic manner, in particular when paying electronically. Also, it is possible that an assistant is provided with a mobile device or till to complete the financial transaction, the assistant's mobile device or till then being provided with the barcode reader 8. For these variants, too, it holds that when a customer proceeds to leave the shop via, in this example, the anti-shoplifting gate 14', the RFID code belonging to the label of the product is detected. The system checks in an automatic manner whether the status code associated with the detected RFID code is equal to paid. In that case, no alarm is generated, but in an automatic manner, by the anti-shoplifting gate, the detection range of the RFID circuit is reduced and/or the blocking mentioned is performed. Conversely, when the status is equal to not paid, an alarm will be

generated, whereas the detection range of the label concerned is not reduced and/or the blocking is not performed.

In particular, it holds that the barcode is a composite barcode or a DataMatrix barcode. Other barcodes, however, are also possible.

Further, it holds in this example that the RFID circuit is configured to work with the EPC Gen2 v2 standard. This is a standard which allows the detection range of the RFID circuit to be set in a wireless manner.

Obviously, there are also other possibilities of setting the detection range of the RFID circuit and/or performing the blocking mentioned. In this example, it holds that the label is part of a use label. On the use label there is information about how a product can be used, for example, in the case of an article of clothing, how it can be washed. It is also possible, however, that the label is part of a price tag. Also, it is possible that the label is fixedly attached to the product, such that the label cannot be removed from the product without the product being damaged. The RFID label may also be arranged hidden in the product, while the barcode is visible on a label provided on the outside of the product, and so can be read. In this example, a checkout system for a shop is described. It is also possible, however, that a same system is used for other applications such as a warehouse where products can be purchased as well. In this example, it holds that the main identification code is equal to the identification code. It is also possible, however, that the main identification code is equal to the ID code. In that case, the ID code is stored in association with the identification code and in association with the status code. It is also possible, however, that the main identification code is equal to the identification code and that the

identification code is equal to the ID code. In that case, only two codes are stored, namely the identification code = ID code on the one hand and the status code on the other hand. Such variants are each understood to fall within the framework of the invention. In this example, the status code is paid or not paid. However, the status code may also be sold or not sold. If the status code is sold, then the system works the same way as described above for paid. If the status code is not sold, then the system works in the same way as described above for not paid. Sold can mean payment has been made or that payment will yet have to be made (at a later time). Such variants also fall within the scope of the invention.