Smart connections

• US 20070045410A1
• Filed: 06/09/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Telezygology, Inc. (TZ Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Telezygology, Inc. (TZ Ltd.)
• Inventors: Rudduck, Dickory
• Application Number:
  US11/450,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20070045410A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/024 with provisions for preventing unauthorised removal show cases with devices for prevention of theft A47F3/002; devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal E05B73/0017

Abstract

The invention provides a method of controlling access to an object (16), such as a product for sale. The object (16) or its packaging (110) is secured, for example to a sales console (12,68) by use of connecting means (26). The connecting means (26) are either capable of release by a chosen external or internal signal or capable of release by activating remote activating means (18). An internal signal may be provided after expiration of a predetermined period. An external signal may be provided by proximity. Remote activation means (18) may be provided by a password or energy such as a magnetic force. The invention also provides novel packaging (110) for an object (16). Packaging (110) is adapted to secure the object (16) by connecting means (26) capable of release by remote activation. Also provided is a security vending system having security vending means, such as a sale console (68) or a cable (48) or a sale hanger (108). The security system also has connecting means (72, 74) capable of release by a chosen internal or external signal or by remote activation. The connecting means (72, 74) may have an intelligent element (94), which may reside in the security means, in the object (16), or partly in one and partly in the other.

Claims

1. A method of controlling access to an object, the method including the steps of

securing the object or a packaging thereof by use of connecting means which connect the object or the packaging to a security means, the connecting means being capable of release by a chosen external or internal signal upon provision of a trigger;

and

releasing the connecting means by providing the chosen signal upon provision of the trigger, wherein the trigger is chosen from the group consisting of a predetermined period of time or calendar date, location of the object or the packaging and proximity of the object to an authorized item.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the packaging of the object is secured by use of the connecting means.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the signal is an internal signal and the trigger is expiration of a predetermined period of time.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the object is a pharmaceutical object or a perishable foodstuff.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is an external signal and the trigger is proximity of an authorised item.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the authorized item is a service manual.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the trigger is provided when the object or the packaging is within a chosen location or outside a chosen area.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the signal is provided using global positioning technology.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the security means is chosen from the group consisting of a sales console, a security cable and a sales hanger.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting means is capable of release by remote activation and the signal is provided by remote activation means.

42. A security vending system for carrying out the method of claim 1, the system including the security means and the connecting means capable of release by a chosen external or internal signal.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the connecting means has an intelligent element adapted to receive the chosen signal and the intelligent element resides in the security means.

44. The system of claim 42, wherein the connecting means has an intelligent element adapted to receive the chosen signal and the intelligent element resides in the object.

45. The system of claim 42, wherein the connecting means has a plurality of intelligent elements, at least one of which resides in the security means and at least one of which resides in the object.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the connecting means has an intelligent element adapted to receive the chosen signal and the intelligent element resides in the security means.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein the connecting means has an intelligent element adapted to receive the chosen signal and the intelligent element resides in the object.

49. The system of claim 45, wherein the connecting means has a plurality of intelligent elements, at least one of which resides in the security means and at least one of which resides in the object.

50. The system of claim 42, wherein the security means is a sales console adapted to secure one or more of the objects or their packages.

51. The system of claim 42, wherein the security means is a security cable or sales hanger.

11-41. -41. (canceled)

46. (canceled)