DETACHER FOR A SECURITY DEVICE

• US 20090229327A1
• Filed: 05/23/2006
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Riley, Thomas G., Faham, Firas H., Fernandez, Gilbert, Valade, Franklin H. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,850,857 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/277
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0017 Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0052 of the magnetic type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7057 Permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/80 Parts, attachments, accessories and adjuncts

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for a detacher for a security device are disclosed. The detacher (180c) includes a magnet (1820) that can be moved relative to a housing (1810) by a motor (1830). Magnet and motor are mounted inside the housing.

Claims

1. A detacher for a security device, comprising:

a magnet;

a motor coupled with the magnet; and

a housing comprising a nest, the magnet and motor disposed in the housing, the motor to cause movement of the magnet with respect to the nest.

2. The detacher of claim 1, further comprising an antenna for a security tag, the antenna disposed in the housing.

3. The detacher of claim 2, wherein the security tag antenna is an RFID tag antenna.

4. The security device of claim 2, wherein the security tag is an EAS tag.

5. The security device of claim 4, wherein the EAS tag is an RF tag.

6. The security device of claim 4, wherein the EAS tag is an acousto-magnetic tag.

7. The security device of claim 2, wherein the security tag is a combination EAS and RFID tag.

8. The detacher of claim 1, further comprising a security tag reader disposed in the housing.

9. The detacher of claim 8, wherein the security tag reader is an RFID tag reader.

10. The detacher of claim 8, wherein the security tag reader is for a combination EAS and RFID tag.

11. The detacher of claim 1, wherein the security device has a magnetically actuable locking mechanism.

12. The detacher of claim 11, wherein the magnetically actuable locking mechanism comprises:

a magnetically actuable latch;

a flexible element to bias the magnetically actuable latch toward a locking position; and

a latch mating element to mate with the magnetically actuable latch when the magnetically actuable latch is in the locking position.

13. The detacher of claim 1, wherein the security device is a security device for an optical disc.

14. The detacher of claim 1, wherein the security device is a security device for a constrained elongate element.

15. The detacher of claim 1, wherein the security device is a security device having a cable.

16. The detacher of claim 1, wherein the security device is a security device for a bottle.

17. The detacher of claim 1, wherein the security device is a hook tag security device.

18. The detacher of claim 1, further comprising a magnet shield disposed in the housing.

19. The detacher of claim 18, wherein the magnet shield is disposed between the nest and the magnet.

20. The detacher of claim 1, further comprising an integral article identifier.

21. The detacher of claim 20, wherein the article identifier is a bar code scanner.

22. The detacher of claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensor disposed adjacent the nest.

23. A security method, comprising:

identifying a security device, the security device secured to an article;

determining a strength of a magnetic field based upon the identity of the security device;

providing the magnetic field, having at least the strength, in an area; and

positioning at least a portion of the security device within the area to unlock the security device from the article by magnetic force.

24. The security method of claim 23, wherein the area is within a detacher, the detacher comprising a detacher housing and a movable magnet disposed in the detacher housing.

25. The security method of claim 24, wherein the detacher further comprises a motor coupled with the magnet, the motor to cause the movement of the magnet

26. The security method of claim 23, wherein the magnet has a default position, with respect to the area, in which the detacher cannot unlock the security device by the magnetic force.

27. The security method of claim 26, wherein if power to the motor is cut off, the magnet returns to the default position.

28. The security method of claim 26, wherein the magnet may be prompted to move out of the default position by management override.

29. The security method of claim 23, wherein the area is within a detacher, the detacher further comprising a detacher housing and a magnet disposed in the detacher housing, the detacher housing and the magnet movable relative to each other.

30. The security method of claim 29, wherein the detacher further comprises a motor coupled with the detacher housing, the motor to cause the relative movement by moving the detacher housing.

31. The security method of claim 23, wherein the area is adjacent to a detacher.

32. The security method of claim 23, wherein the security device comprises a security device housing and a security tag disposed within the security device housing, and wherein the security device is identified by reading information encoded in the security tag.

33. The security method of claim 32, wherein the security tag further comprises encoded information identifying the article.

34. The security method of claim 32, wherein the security tag is an RFID tag.

35. The security method of claim 32, wherein the security tag is an EAS tag.

36. The security method of claim 32, wherein the security tag is a combination EAS and RFID tag.

37. The security method of claim 23, wherein the security device comprises a security device housing and a locking mechanism disposed within the security device housing, the locking mechanism comprising a magnetically actuable latch, and wherein the magnetic force unlocks the security device by causing the magnetically actuable latch to move out of a locking position.

38. The security method of claim 37, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a flexible element positioned adjacent the magnetically actuable latch, the flexible element biasing the magnetically actuable latch toward the locking position.

39. The security method of claim 38, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a latch mating element, and wherein the magnetically actuable latch is in the locking position when engaged with the latch mating element.

40. A security system, comprising:

means for categorizing a security device;

means for providing a magnetic field at a strength determined based on the category of the security device; and

means for unlocking the security device using the magnetic field.

41. A detacher for a security device, comprising:

a magnet;

a motor; and

a housing, the magnet and motor disposed in the housing, the motor to cause a relative movement between the magnet and the housing.

42. A security system, comprising:

a plurality of security devices, each designated into one of a plurality of hierarchical security levels;

a point-of-sale device to identify the security devices by the security levels; and

a detacher comprising a magnet and a detaching area, the magnet movable between a plurality of positions with respect to the detaching area, each position associated with one of the security levels, the magnet in each position able to provide a magnetic field in the detaching area sufficient to unlock any of the security devices designated with any security level lower or equal to the security level associated with the position.