Merchandise security system with optical communication
First Claim
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1. A security system for securing an item of merchandise, comprising:
- a sensor configured to be attached to the item of merchandise, wherein the sensor comprises a printed circuit board and an optical transceiver housed within the sensor, the optical transceiver being attached to the printed circuit board;
a cable comprising a free end configured to be attached to the sensor, the free end comprising an optical transceiver, wherein the cable is not a fiber optic cable; and
a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon, the base comprising an opening for receiving the cable therethrough for allowing the cable to be extended and retracted,wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate optical signals with one another when the cable is attached to the sensor,wherein the sensor or the base is configured to generate an alarm signal in response to disconnection of the cable from the sensor or cutting of the cable based on an interruption of the communication of optical signals.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to security systems and methods for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal. For example, the security system may include a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise and a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. The security system may also include a cable connected to the sensor and at least one optical transceiver for defining a sense loop between the cable and the sensor.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. A security system for securing an item of merchandise, comprising:
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a sensor configured to be attached to the item of merchandise, wherein the sensor comprises a printed circuit board and an optical transceiver housed within the sensor, the optical transceiver being attached to the printed circuit board; a cable comprising a free end configured to be attached to the sensor, the free end comprising an optical transceiver, wherein the cable is not a fiber optic cable; and a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon, the base comprising an opening for receiving the cable therethrough for allowing the cable to be extended and retracted, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate optical signals with one another when the cable is attached to the sensor, wherein the sensor or the base is configured to generate an alarm signal in response to disconnection of the cable from the sensor or cutting of the cable based on an interruption of the communication of optical signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A security system for securing an item of merchandise, comprising:
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a sensor configured to be attached to the item of merchandise, wherein the sensor comprises an optical transceiver housed therein; a cable comprising a free end configured to be attached to the sensor, the free end comprising an optical transceiver, wherein the cable is not a fiber optic cable; and a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon, the base comprising an opening for receiving the cable therethrough for allowing the cable to be extended and retracted, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate optical signals with one another when the cable is attached to the sensor, wherein the sensor or the base is configured to generate an alarm signal in response to disconnection of the cable from the sensor or cutting of the cable based on an interruption of the communication of optical signals. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A method for securing an item of merchandise, comprising:
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attaching a sensor to an item of merchandise, wherein the sensor comprises an optical transceiver housed therein; and attaching a free end of a cable to the sensor, wherein the cable is not a fiber optic cable, the free end of the cable comprising an optical transceiver; and positioning the sensor and the item of merchandise on the base, the sensor and the item of merchandise configured to be lifted from the base and returned to the base while the cable is attached to the sensor, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate optical signals with one another when the cable is attached to the sensor, wherein the sensor or the base is configured to generate an alarm signal in response to disconnection of the cable from the sensor or cutting of the cable based on an interruption of the communication of optical signals.
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Specification