Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise
DCFirst Claim
1. A security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the security system comprising:
- a programming station comprising a memory;
a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store a security code; and
a security device comprising an alarm and 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 provide the security code to the programming station to be stored in the memory of the programming station;
wherein the programmable key is configured to wirelessly communicate with the programming station for authorizing the programmable key to control the security device if the security code of the programmable key matches the security code of the programming station.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the security system comprising:
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a programming station comprising a memory; a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store a security code; and a security device comprising an alarm and 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 provide the security code to the programming station to be stored in the memory of the programming station; wherein the programmable key is configured to wirelessly communicate with the programming station for authorizing the programmable key to control the security device if the security code of the programmable key matches the security code of the programming station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the security system comprising:
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an authorization station comprising a memory; a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store a security code; and a security device comprising an alarm and 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 provide the security code to the authorization station to be stored in the memory of the authorization station, wherein the programmable key is configured to wirelessly communicate with the authorization station for authorizing the programmable key to disarm the security device if the security code of the programmable key matches the security code of the authorization station. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the method comprising:
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providing a security code stored in a memory of a programmable key to a programming station; storing the security code in a memory of the programming station; comparing the security code of the programmable key with the security code of the programming station; and authorizing the programmable key to control a security device if the security code of the programmable key matches the security code of the programming station, the security device comprising an alarm and 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. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification