Sensor device, monitoring system, and method for using a monitoring system for monitoring merchandise

• US 20060097875A1
• Filed: 07/26/2005
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Reinhold Ott
• Original Assignee: Reinhold Ott
• Inventors: Ott, Reinhold
• Application Number:
  US11/188,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20060097875A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• 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

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sensor device (100) for monitoring of merchandise (200), more specifically for monitoring movement of merchandise (200). For that purpose, a sensor device (100) is at least partly mounted on the merchandise (200) that is monitored and has at least one motion sensor (110).

The present invention also relates to a monitoring system (500) for monitoring the merchandise (200) as well as an operating procedure for using the monitoring system (500).

Claims

1. A sensor device for monitoring merchandise, comprising:

at least one part mounted on the merchandise being monitored; and

at least one motion sensor.

2. The sensor device of claim 1, further comprising signal transmission means, for transmission of signals of the at least one motion sensor to another device.

3. The sensor device of claim 2, wherein the signal transmission means includes at least one cable connection.

4. The sensor device of claim 2, wherein the signal transmission means includes at least one wireless connection or radio link.

5. The sensor device of claim 1 further comprising a sender for transmission of signals of the motion sensor to another device.

6. The sensor device of claim 1 wherein the motion sensor comprises at least one of an inclination sensor, an acceleration sensor, a switch, capacitive or inductive sensor, means for detecting position of the sensor devices, and another sensor.

7. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is designed as an electronic component.

8. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the motion is made as an inclination sensor, in which a contact body is movably mounted in a switch chamber having several switch contacts and connects electrically the switch contacts with one another depending on inclination of the inclination sensor.

9. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is a switch.

10. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein at least one processor device provided in the sensor device.

11. The sensor device of claim 1 wherein at least one device for outputting at least one alarm signal is provided in the sensor device.

12. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises at least two parts.

13. The sensor device of claim 12, wherein the motion sensor is made in such a manner that at least one of separation and connection of the parts is detectable.

14. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the sensor device includes its own power supply.

15. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein two motion sensors are provided in the sensor device.

16. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the data on movement of the merchandise is transmittable to the processor device.

17. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the sensor device is integrated in an existing device for securing the merchandise against theft.

18. The sensor device of claim 17, wherein signal transmission means for securing the merchandise is usable for transmission of data at least one of from and to the sensor device.

19. The sensor device of claim 1. wherein at least one of the data on movement of the merchandise, time data, and other data stored in the sensor device.

20. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the sensor means is provided for checking for proper mounting and connection of at least one of the sensor device to the merchandise and of the different parts of the sensor device to at least one of each other and to a presentation stand.

35. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the sensor device is for monitoring movement of the merchandise.

38. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is designed as a surface mounted device component.

21. A monitoring system for monitoring an article of merchandised comprising:

at least on sensor device including at least one motion sensor, the at least one sensor device being at least partly mounted on the merchandise that is being monitored.

23. The monitoring system of claim 21, wherein a processor device is provided for processing the data obtained by the sensor device on movement of the merchandised.

24. The monitoring system claim 23, further comprising a connection between the sensor device and the processor device.

25. The monitoring system of claim 21, further comprising an information system for presentation of sale and merchandise-related information.

26. The monitoring system claim 25, wherein the information system comprises at least one of a personal computer and a display device.

27. The monitoring system of claim 25, wherein at least one of the information system and the display device is integrated in a presentation stand.

28. The monitoring system of claim 25, wherein the information system is configured to present sale and merchandise-related information depending on the data on movement of the merchandise obtained via the sensor device.

36. The monitoring system of claim 21, wherein the system is used for monitoring movement of the merchandise.

22. (canceled)

29. A method for using a monitoring system for monitoring merchandise comprising:

obtaining data on movement of the merchandise via a sensor device, the sensor device being mounted at least partly on the merchandise that is being monitored and including at least one motion sensor; and

presenting sale and merchandise-related information depending on movement of the merchandise.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein sale and merchandise-related information is presented depending on at least one of position of the merchandise in space, orientation of the merchandise in space, obtained observation time for the merchandise, time of the day, and time of the year.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein the obtained data on movement of the merchandise is stored for subsequent processing.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein an alarm is activated depending on the data on movement of the merchandise.

37. The method of claim 29, wherein the system is used for monitoring movement of the merchandise.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)