Programmable alarm module and system for protecting merchandise

• US 20070146134A1
• Filed: 12/14/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alpha Security Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Scott, Ian R., Marsilio, Ronald M., Belden, Dennis D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,737,843 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/571
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system

Abstract

A security alarm module for attaching to an item of merchandise in a security system for protecting the item of merchandise has a housing, a logic control circuit including a central controller, a wireless interface for communicating with a programmable key containing a security code, and a memory circuit for storing the security code. An attachment device attaches the alarm module to the item of merchandise and a sense loop operatively communicates with the attachment device for sensing when the integrity of the attachment device is compromised. An audio alarm is located within the housing and is actuated when the integrity of the sense loop is compromised. A visual indicator such as an LED, indicates the status of the alarm module. The housing includes a base and a bottom housing member which is spaced from the base to form a sound region. The audio alarm is mounted in the bottom housing member and communicates with the sound region which enhances the sound level of the alarm when actuated. The housing includes a plurality of terminal jacks which are connected to the logic control circuit for connection to one or more attachment devices containing the sense loops which extend from the alarm module to items of merchandise.

Claims

1. A security alarm module for attaching to an item of merchandise comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a logic control circuit including;

1) a central controller,

2) a wireless interface for communicating with a key containing a security code, and

3) a memory circuit for storing the security code,

c) an attachment device for attaching the alarm module to an item of merchandise;

d) a sense loop operatively communicating with the attachment device for sensing when the integrity of the attachment device is compromised; and

e) an audio alarm located within the housing for actuation when the integrity of the sense loop is compromised.

2. The alarm module defined in claim 1 wherein the housing includes a base, a bottom housing member mounted on the base, a top housing member mounted on the bottom housing member and a cover mounted on the top housing member.

3. The alarm module defined in claim 1 wherein the logic control circuit is formed on a printed circuit board;

and in which said circuit board is mounted on the bottom housing member.

4. The alarm module defined in claim 1 including a power supply, wherein the logic control circuit is operatively connected to the power supply.

5. The alarm module defined in claim 4 wherein the power supply is a battery mounted between a pair of terminal mounted on the circuit board.

6. The alarm module defined in claim 1 wherein a light pipe is mounted on the top housing member adjacent a key receiving port.

7. The alarm module defined in claim 1 wherein the logic control circuit includes a visual indicator indicating the status of the alarm module.

8. The alarm module defined in claim 7 wherein the visual indicator is an LED.

9. The alarm module defined in claim 1 wherein the audible alarm is a piezoelectric alarm operatively connected to the circuit board.

10. The alarm module defined in claim 1 including a plurality of terminal jacks operatively connected to the logic control circuit for connection of one or more attachment devices and sense loops to the alarm module.

11. The alarm module defined in claim 2 wherein the base is spaced from the bottom housing member forming a sound emitting space therebetween;

in which the audio alarm is located with an opening formed in the bottom housing member; and

in which the audio alarm communicates directly with the sound emitting space.

12. The alarm module defined in claim 1 wherein the logic control circuit includes an end-of-life timer which automatically inactivates the alarm module after a predetermined time period programmed into the logic control circuit.

13. The alarm module defined in claim 12 wherein the logic control circuit further includes a counter which counts the amount of time the audio alarm is actuated;

and in which said amount of time reduces the predetermined time period of the end-of-life timer.

14. The alarm module defined in claim 1 wherein a key port is formed in the housing for receiving the key therein, said port being proximate the wireless communication system;

and in which said wireless communication system operates on infrared (IR) or radio (RF) wavelengths.

15. A security system for protecting an object comprising:

an alarm module for attachment to the object, said alarm module containing a controller, a wireless communication system, an audio alarm and a security code memory;

a key programmed with the security code for programming the security code into the security code memory of the alarm module and for controlling the alarm module when placed in close proximity thereto;

a programming station for programming the security code into the key;

a wireless communication system in the key for programming the security code into the alarm module and for comparing the security code of the key to the security code stored in the security code memory of the alarm module;

at least one sense loop extending from the alarm module for attachment to the object; and

the audio alarm in the alarm module being actuated when the integrity of the sense loop is compromised.

16. The security system defined in claim 15 wherein the wireless communication system of the key and of the alarm module uses infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) wavelengths for programming the alarm module with the security code from the key.

17. The security system defined in claim 15 wherein the controller provides video and audio feedback that the alarm module has been programmed with the security code by the key.

18. The security system defined in claim 15 wherein the alarm module includes a visual indicator indicating that the attachment device has connected the alarm module to the item of merchandise.

19. The security system defined in claim 15 wherein the central controller is a microprocessor and the security code is a code for disarming the security device.

20. The security system defined in claim 15 including an end-of-life timer and a counter;

in which the timer inactivates the alarm module after a certain time period; and

in which the counter reduces the time period in the end-of-life timer if the audio alarm is activated.