Display For Hand-Held Electronics

• US 20110309934A1
• Filed: 09/22/2010
• Published: 12/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobile Tech, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Merchandising Technologies Incorporated (Mobile Tech, Inc.)
• Inventors: Henson, Donald, Pitt, Eric, Wheeler, Wade, Allison, Thaine, Goldberg, Jason, Olson, Justin, Schatz, Kris
• Granted Patent: US 8,698,618 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1472 with force or weight detection

Abstract

The invention disclosed here is a display system for managing power and security for a plurality of hand-held electronic devices sold to consumers in a retail location. The display includes features that allow power to be supplied to individual devices and security sensors without continuous hard wiring or multi-conductor retractor cables. The display also allows for individual security alarms to be triggered when a theft occurs. Security alarm conditions are preferably triggered via wireless signals.

Claims

1. A cable management apparatus for use in mounting one of a plurality of electronic devices to a display, comprising:

a source module for providing at least a single-source power signal;

a mounting member adapted to receive an electronic device, wherein the mounting member may be lifted and returned to a resting position on the display, and further, the mounting member is electrically connected to the source module and receives the power signal at least when the mounting member is in the resting position, for passing power through to the electronic device;

an adaptor cable assembly selected from a plurality of adaptor cable assemblies associated with the plurality of electronic devices, wherein the adaptor cable assembly electrically couples the electronic device to the mounting member by electrically adapting voltage available at the mounting member, via the single-source power signal, to an appropriate voltage required to power the electronic device; and

a security sensor arrangement carried by the mounting member, the security sensor arrangement operating from power supplied via the same single-source power signal.

2. The cable management apparatus of claim 1, wherein the security sensor arrangement wirelessly transmits a security condition signal to a receiver.

3. The cable management apparatus of claim 2, including:

a tether assembly that includes a retractable cable, wherein the retractable cable is a mechanical cable, and further,

the security sensor arrangement is adapted to use the retractable cable as an antenna to wirelessly transmit the security condition signal.

4. The cable management apparatus of claim 3, wherein the security sensor arrangement includes a toroid that surrounds at least a portion of the retractable cable for wirelessly receiving the security condition signal from the retractable cable.

5. The cable management apparatus of claim 1, including a power storage device carried by the mounting member that is charged by the single-source power signal, the battery being adapted to operate the security sensor arrangement when the single-source power signal is disconnected from the mounting member.

6. The cable management apparatus of claim 1, including a power storage device carried by the mounting member that is charged by the single-source power signal, the power storage device being adapted to operate the electronic device when the single-source power signal is disconnected from the mounting member.

7. A cable management apparatus for use in mounting an electronic device to a display, comprising:

a tether cable assembly that includes a retractable cable, wherein the retractable cable is a mechanical cable;

a mounting member adapted to receive the electronic device, wherein the mounting member is connected to the retractable cable, and the mounting member may be lifted and returned to a resting position while connected to the retractable cable, with the retractable cable serving to tether the device to the display;

a source module for providing at least one electrical signal;

at least one wire-to-wire connection between the source module and the mounting member when the mounting member is in the resting position, for electrically communicating the at least one electrical signal from the source module to the mounting member, and wherein the wire-to-wire connection between the source module and the mounting member is broken when the mounting member is lifted from the resting position, and further, the wire-to-wire connection is not made by the mechanical cable; and

still further,

another cable assembly for electrically coupling the electronic device to the mounting member, the other cable assembly being carried by the mounting member as the mounting member is lifted and returned to the resting position.

8. The cable management apparatus of claim 7, including power storage device means carried with the mounting member for supplying power to the electronic device when the wire-to-wire connection is broken.

9. The cable management apparatus of claim 8, wherein the power storage device means is a rechargeable battery received in the mounting member.

10. The cable management apparatus of claim 7, including a security sensor arrangement carried by the mounting member, the security sensor arrangement being adapted to wirelessly transmit a security condition signal to a receiver.

11. The cable management apparatus of claim 10, wherein the security sensor arrangement is adapted to use the retractable cable as an antenna to wirelessly transmit the security condition signal.

12. The cable management apparatus of claim 11, wherein the security sensor arrangement includes a toroid that surrounds at least a portion of the retractable cable for wirelessly receiving the security condition signal from the retractable cable.

13. The cable management apparatus of claim 7, including a power storage device carried by the mounting member that is charged by the at least one electrical signal, the power storage device being adapted to operate the security sensor arrangement when the wire-to-wire connection is broken.

14. A cable management apparatus for use in mounting one of a plurality of electronic devices to a display, comprising:

a source module for providing at least a single-source power signal;

a mounting member adapted to carry an electronic device, wherein the mounting member may be lifted and returned to a resting position on the display, and further, the mounting member is electrically connected to the source module and receives the power signal at least when the mounting member is in the resting position; and

a security sensor arrangement carried by the mounting member, the security sensor arrangement operating from power supplied via the same single-source power signal.

15. The cable management apparatus of claim 14, wherein the security sensor arrangement wirelessly transmits a security condition signal to a receiver.

16. The cable management apparatus of claim 15, including:

a tether assembly that includes a retractable cable, wherein the retractable cable is a mechanical cable, and further,

the security sensor arrangement is adapted to use the retractable cable as an antenna to wirelessly transmit the security condition signal.

17. The cable management apparatus of claim 16, wherein the security sensor arrangement includes a toroid that surrounds at least a portion of the retractable cable for wirelessly receiving the security condition signal from the retractable cable.

18. The cable management apparatus of claim 14, including a battery carried by the mounting member that is charged by the single-source power signal, the battery being adapted to operate the security sensor arrangement when the single-source power signal is disconnected from the mounting member.