×

Anti-theft device utilizing an optical echo chamber for monitoring integrity of a tether cable connection

  • US 10,490,040 B1
  • Filed: 11/07/2018
  • Issued: 11/26/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2018
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An anti-theft device for safeguarding an article of merchandise comprising:

  • a retention member configured to mate with the article of merchandise;

    a cable configured to be coupled to the retention member, the cable being in an electrical communication with a security interface configured to trigger an alarm responsive to a predetermined event;

    a chamber formed at an interface of the cable and the retention member when the cable is coupled to the retention member;

    an optical transmitter configured to emit an optical signal into the chamber, wherein the optical transmitter is energized by an electrical current supplied to the optical transmitter via the cable;

    a first optical sensor disposed within the chamber, the first optical sensor configured to detect a reflected optical signal, wherein the reflected optical signal is an optical reflection of the first optical signal within the chamber;

    a second optical sensor disposed within the retention member configured to detect the optical signal emitted by the optical transmitter when the cable is coupled to the retention member;

    wherein, responsive to the cable being disconnected from the retention member, the chamber becomes compromised and the optical signal stops being reflected therein, thereby causing the reflected signal to cease;

    wherein, responsive to the cable being cut, supply of the electrical current to the optical transmitter ceases, thereby causing the optical transmitter to stop emitting the optical signal, thereby causing the reflected optical signal to cease;

    whereby the security interface is configured to trigger a first alarm responsive to the first optical sensor or the second optical sensor failing to receive the reflected optical signal, thereby indicating that the cable has been cut or disconnected.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×