Sensor element for a monitoring device

• US 20030210144A1
• Filed: 03/07/2003
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ott Security Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Reinhold Ott
• Inventors: Ott, Reinhold
• Granted Patent: US 7,079,031 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation

Abstract

A sensor element may be provided for a monitoring device designed to protect displayed merchandise against theft. The sensor element may be flexible and include a sensor layer with a measuring circuit loop integrated therein. During attempted theft, a contact element that may be arranged on an adhesive surface creates an open in the measuring circuit loop, thereby triggering an alarm.

Claims

1. A sensor element, comprising:

a sensor layer having a measuring circuit loop, the measuring circuit loop having a break, the sensor layer being fastenable to a device by way of an adhesive layer having a contact element positioned on a surface thereof, the contact element for short-circuiting the break of the measuring circuit loop.

3. The sensor element according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element is one of at least flexible and elastic.

4. The sensor element according to claim 1, wherein the measuring circuit loop short-circuited by the contact element is interruptable when a force vertical to a surface of the adhesive layer is applied to the sensor layer.

5. The sensor element according to claim 1, wherein the measuring circuit loop short-circuited by the contact element is interruptable when a force parallel to the surface of the adhesive layer is applied to the sensor layer.

6. The sensor element according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is a double-sided adhesive strip.

7. The sensor element according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element includes a signal circuit for displaying an alarm state.

8. The sensor element according to claim 7, wherein the signal circuit contains a light-emitting diode.

9. The sensor element according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element contains one of at least a connecting element and a cable for electrically connecting the measuring circuit loop to a processing circuit.

10. The sensor element according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the measuring circuit loop includes a resonator.

11. The sensor element according to claim 1, wherein the contact element located on a surface of the adhesive layer is at least partially graphite.

12. The sensor element according to claim 1, wherein the sensor layer includes a second measuring circuit loop, the second measuring circuit loop having a break and is connected electrically in series to the measuring circuit loop, the sensor layer being attachable to a fastening element via a second adhesive layer, and the second adhesive layer includes another contact element for short-circuiting the break of the second measuring circuit loop.

13. The sensor element according to claim 12, wherein the sensor layer is connected with the second adhesive layer.

14. The Sensor element according to claim 12, wherein the sensor element is rigid.

15. The sensor element according to claim 12, wherein the adhesive layers are double-sided adhesive strips.

16. A method comprising securing works of art from theft by way of the sensor in accordance with claim 1.

18. The monitoring device according to claim 12, further comprising a second sensor element, the second sensor element at least for attaching the processing circuit to a member.

19. The monitoring device according to claim 18, further comprising a cable for connecting the second sensor element with the processing circuit.

20. The monitoring device according to claim 18, wherein a sensor layer of the second sensor element is attachable to the member by way of another adhesive layer.

21. The monitoring device according to claim 18, wherein the second sensor element is attachable to the processing circuit in a non-detaching manner.

22. The monitoring device according to claim 18, wherein the second sensor element is integrated with the processing circuit.

2. A sensor element, comprising:

a sensor layer having a measuring circuit loop, the measuring circuit loop having a break, the sensor layer being interfaceable with an adhesive layer that is attachable to a device, the adhesive layer having a contact element located on the surface of the adhesive layer, the contact element for short-circuiting the break of the measuring circuit loop.

17. A monitoring device for protecting displayed merchandise against theft, comprising:

a processing circuit; and

a cable for connecting a sensor element with the processing circuit,

wherein the sensor element includes a sensor layer having a measuring circuit loop, the measuring circuit loop including a break, the sensor layer being attachable to the merchandise by way of an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer having a contact element located on a surface thereof, the contact element for short-circuiting the break in the measuring circuit loop.