Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise

• US 10,013,867 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2017
• Issued: 07/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Fawcett, Christopher J., Grant, Jeffrey A., Belden, Jr., Dennis D., Marsilio, Ronald M., Scott, Ian R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US15/586,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20170236401A1
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 3405681, 3405682, 340571, 34053931, 705 22, 705 28, 235385, 235492
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00539 anti-theft
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/12 by the breaking or disturbance of stretched cords or wires
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1445 with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable furniture, e.g. shelves for displaying merchandise, incorporating tethers to prevent theft A47F7/024, A47F5/0861
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 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 mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2465 Aspects related to the EAS system, e.g. system components other than tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system

Abstract

A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermined period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations.

Claims

1. A method for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the method comprising:

providing a unique security code with a programming station;

receiving an end of a programmable key within a port defined in a housing of the programming station;

storing the unique security code at the programmable key;

storing the unique security code at a security device, the security device comprising an alarm and a memory for storing the unique security code, the security device configured to be attached to an item of merchandise, the security device further configured to activate the alarm in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised; and

controlling the security device if the unique security code stored by the security device matches the unique security code stored by the programmable key.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing comprises generating the unique security code with the programming station.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the generating comprises randomly generating the unique security code with the programming station.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising changing the unique security code with the programming station to a new unique security code.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling comprises disarming the security device if the unique security code stored by the programmable key matches the unique security code stored by the security device.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprises arming the security device with the programmable key using the unique security code.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the unique security code to the programmable key.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the communicating comprises wirelessly communicating the unique security code to the programmable key.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the unique security code at the programming station.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising invalidating the unique security code in the programmable key after a period of time to prevent subsequent controlling of the security device by the programmable key unless the unique security code is refreshed in the programmable key within the period of time.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising permanently inactivating the programmable key after a certain number of activations of the programmable key.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique security code is unique to a single retail store and the programming station.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing comprises providing a single unique security code with the programming station, the single unique security code usable in only a single retail store.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising actuating a mechanical switch on the housing for programming the unique security code in the programmable key with the programming station.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the end of the programmable key within a port defined in a housing of the security device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the storing the unique security code at the programmable key comprises storing the unique security code at each of a plurality of programmable keys, and wherein the storing the unique security code at the security device comprises storing the unique security code at each of a plurality of security devices.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising mounting the security device to a support surface with a fastener or an adhesive.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing comprises providing a single unique security code with the programming station for use in only a single retail store.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising preventing the programming station from generating more than one unique security code to be used by the programmable key and the security device at one time.

20. A programmable security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the programmable security system comprising:

a programming station configured to provide a unique security code, wherein the programming station comprises a housing having a port defined therein;

a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store the unique security code, wherein an end of the programmable key is configured to be inserted within the port for programming the security code in the memory of the programmable key; and

a security device comprising an alarm and a memory for storing the unique security code, the security device configured to be attached to an item of merchandise, the security device further configured to activate the alarm in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised,

wherein the programmable key is configured to control the security device if the unique security code stored in the memory of the security device matches the unique security code stored by the programmable key.

21. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the security device further comprises an attachment cable attached to the security device, and wherein the alarm is configured to be activated in response to cutting the attachment cable or detaching the attachment cable from the security device.

22. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programmable key and the security device each comprises a visual indicator configured to indicate a status thereof.

23. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programmable key is configured to wirelessly communicate with the security device.

24. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programming station is configured to provide a new unique security code.

25. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programming station is configured to randomly generate the unique security code.

26. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the unique security code is unique to a single retail store and the programming station.

27. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programmable key is configured to provide the unique security code to the security device for storing the unique security code.

28. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programming station cannot generate more than one unique security code to be used by the programmable key and the security device at one time.

29. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programmable key comprises an internal timer which automatically invalidates the unique security code in the key after a period of time.

30. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programming station is configured to provide a single unique security code that is usable in only a single retail store.

31. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the security device comprises a housing having a port defined therein, and wherein the end of the programmable key is configured to be inserted within the port of the security device to communicate with the security device.

32. The programmable security system of claim 31, wherein the port of the security device is configured to encircle the end of the programmable key when inserted therein.

33. The programmable security system of claim 31, wherein the housing of the security device encloses the alarm and the memory of the security device.

34. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the port of the programming station is configured to encircle the end of the programmable key when inserted therein.

35. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the housing is a single housing, wherein the programming station further comprises a printed circuit board enclosed within the single housing and containing a logic control circuit configured to provide the unique security code, wherein the logic control circuit comprises a controller, a communication circuit, and a memory.

36. The programmable security system of claim 35, wherein the programming station comprises a base fastened to the single housing, and wherein the logic control circuit is disposed between the base and the single housing.

37. The programmable security system of claim 35, wherein the programming station further comprises a mechanical switch mounted in the single housing and accessible on a top surface of the housing, wherein the mechanical switch is in engagement with the printed circuit board, and wherein the mechanical switch is configured to be actuated for providing the unique security code.

38. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the security device is configured to be mounted to a support surface with a fastener or an adhesive.

39. The programmable security system of claim 38, wherein the security device comprises a plunger switch configured to engage the support surface, and wherein the plunger switch is configured to actuate the alarm in response to removal of the security device from the support surface.

40. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programmable key is configured to control the security device using only the unique security code.

41. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programmable key is configured to arm the security device using the unique security code, and wherein the programmable key is further configured to disarm the security device using the unique security code.

42. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the alarm is configured to be activated when the unique security code stored by the programmable key does not match the unique security code stored by the security device.

43. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the security device comprises an attachment cable and a plurality of connection jacks, and wherein the attachment cable is configured to be connected to one of the plurality of connection jacks.

44. The programmable security system of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of programming stations each configured to provide a unique security code.

45. The programmable security system of claim 44, wherein each of the plurality of programming stations is configured to provide a single unique security code that is unique to a single retail store.

46. The programmable security system of claim 45, wherein each of the plurality of programming stations is configured to provide the single unique security code for use in only the single retail store.

47. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programming station cannot generate more than one unique security code to be used by the programmable key and the security device at one time for controlling the security device.

48. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programming station cannot generate more than one unique security code to be used by the programmable key and the security device at one time for arming the security device.

49. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programming station cannot generate more than one unique security code to be used by the programmable key and the security device at one time for disarming the security device.

50. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programmable key is configured to be inactivated after a period of time to prevent subsequent controlling of the security device by the programmable key.

51. The programmable security system of claim 50, wherein the programmable key is required to be reinserted within the port of the programming station after the period of time for reactivating the programmable key.

52. The programmable security system of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of programmable keys and a plurality of security devices, wherein the programming station cannot generate more than one unique security code to be used by the plurality of programmable keys and the plurality of security devices at one time for controlling the plurality of security devices.

53. The programmable security system of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of programmable keys and a plurality of security devices, wherein the programming station cannot generate more than one unique security code to be used by the plurality of programmable keys and the plurality of security device at one time.

54. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programmable key is configured to control the security device using only a single unique security code.

55. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programming station is configured to provide a single unique security code for use in only a single retail store.

56. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the security device further comprises an attachment cable attached to the security device and a recoiler connected to the attachment cable, wherein the alarm is configured to be activated in response to cutting the attachment cable or detaching the attachment cable from the security device.

57. The programmable security system of claim 56, wherein the security device comprises a housing configured to be mounted to a support surface with a fastener or an adhesive, and wherein the recoiler is located within the housing.

58. The programmable security system of claim 20, wherein the programming station cannot generate more than one unique security code to be used by the programmable key and the security device at one time for controlling the security device after the programmable key and the security device have been programmed with the unique security code.

59. The programmable security system of claim 58, wherein the unique security code of the programming station is configured to be erased, and wherein the programming station is configured to generate a new unique security code after the unique security code has been erased.

60. The programmable security system of claim 59, wherein the programming station cannot generate more than one unique security code to be used by the programmable key and the security device at one time for controlling the security device after the programmable key and the security device have been reprogrammed with the new unique security code.