POWER CABLE HAVING SECURITY FEATURE

• US 20120279780A1
• Filed: 05/03/2011
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: De Iuliis, Daniele, Rohrbach, Matthew Dean, Villarreal, Cesar Lozano, Smeenge, James, Spielmann, Vicki
• Granted Patent: US 8,988,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/71.R
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• 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

Apparatus that may help identify unauthorized removal of goods while maintaining a pleasing physical appearance, avoiding theft misidentifications, and allowing a high degree of customer interaction. One example may provide a signal path for conveying a signal that is active when a good or device is removed from a retail or other environment in an authorized manner. The signal path may be wired or wireless. In another example, a signal path for a sensor may be inconspicuously combined with a power cable. In another example, theft misidentifications may be prevented by not relying on connections that a customer is likely to interact with to detect a theft. Another example may provide a security device that may allow a high degree of customer interaction by unobtrusively attaching a sensor to the back of a good to be protected.

Claims

1. A cable apparatus comprising:

a sensor coupled to a first wire and a second wire;

a first connector coupled to the first wire and the second wire;

a first power connector connected to a third wire and a fourth wire; and

a second power connector connected to the third wire and the fourth wire,

wherein the first, second, third, and fourth wire are surrounded by a first insulative jacket near the second power connector, and the first and second wires are surrounded by a second insulative jacket between the second power connector and the sensor.

2. The cable apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a switch.

3. The cable apparatus of claim 2 wherein the sensor comprises an adhesive layer for attaching to a device.

4. The cable apparatus of claim 3 wherein the sensor further comprises a pin arranged to be depressed when the sensor is attached to the device.

5. The cable apparatus of claim 4 wherein when the pin is depressed, the switch is closed and the first wire is connected to the second wire.

6. The cable apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first connector is an RJ-11 connector.

7. The cable apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second power connector is a magnetic power connector.

8. The cable apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second power connector is magnetic power connector for a laptop computer.

9. A cable apparatus comprising:

a first cable comprising a first wire and a second wire;

a second cable comprising the first wire, the second wire, a third wire, and a fourth wire;

a power connector having a first opening to receive the first cable and the second cable, and a first plurality of contacts coupled to the third wire and the fourth wire to provide power; and

a sensor having an opening to receive the first cable, and a switch coupled to the first wire and the second wire.

10. The cable apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a first connector coupled to the first wire and the second wire.

11. The cable apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first connector is an RJ-11 connector.

12. The cable apparatus of claim 9 wherein the power connector is part of a magnetic connector system.

13. The cable apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a second connector coupled to the third wire and the fourth wire.

14. A cable apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of conductors to provide power;

a first connector coupled to a first end of the first plurality of conductors;

a second connector coupled to a second end of the first plurality of conductors;

a second plurality of conductors for conveying a signal;

a third connector coupled to a first end of the second plurality of conductors; and

a sensor coupled to a second end of the second plurality of conductors;

wherein a first portion of the second plurality of conductors pass through the second connector, and the first portion of the second plurality of conductors are encased in a jacket along its entire length.

15. The cable apparatus of claim 14 wherein the sensor further comprises an adhesive layer to attach the sensor to an electronic device.

16. The cable apparatus of claim 15 wherein when the sensor is attached to the electronic device, a switch is closed connecting a first wire in the second plurality of wires to a second wire in the second plurality of wires.

17. The cable apparatus of claim 16 wherein when the sensor is removed from the electronic device, a switch is opened disconnecting the first wire in the second plurality of wires from the second wire in the second plurality of wires.

18. The cable apparatus of claim 17 wherein the sensor further comprises a pin, wherein when the sensor is attached to the device, the pin is depressed and the switch is closed.

19. The cable apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first plurality of conductors comprises a first wire for conveying a power supply and a second wire for conveying a ground.

20. The cable apparatus of claim 14 wherein the second conductor is a plug in a magnetic connector system.