MERCHANDISE SENSOR AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING AN ITEM OF MERCHANDISE

• US 20130033380A1
• Filed: 08/02/2012
• Published: 02/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Fawcett, Christopher J., Grant, Jeffrey A., Phillips, Jonathon D., Taylor, Gary A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,994,531 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• 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 13/2414 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/185 Signal analysis techniques for reducing or preventing false alarms or for enhancing the reliability of the system

Abstract

A merchandise sensor for protecting an item of merchandise displayed on a merchandise display security device from theft includes sensor electronics and a sensor element operably coupled to the sensor electronics. The sensor element provides an output value in an initial stable state before an interaction state and in a subsequent stable state following the interaction state. The sensor electronics compares the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state and the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state to determine whether a change in the output value indicates an alarm condition. In the event that the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state is not within a predetermined tolerance bandwidth of the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state, the sensor electronics activates an alarm in response to the alarm condition.

Claims

1. A merchandise sensor for protecting an item of merchandise from theft, comprising:

sensor electronics; and

a sensor element operably coupled to the sensor electronics;

wherein the sensor element is operable for providing an output value and the sensor electronics is operable for comparing the output value of the sensor element in a first stable state and the output value of the sensor element in a second stable state following an interaction state.

2. A merchandise sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor electronics ignores the output value provided by the sensor element during the interaction state.

3. A merchandise sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor electronics detects an alarm condition in the event that the output value provided by the sensor element in the second stable state does not fall within a predetermined tolerance bandwidth of the output value provided by the sensor element in the first stable state.

4. A merchandise sensor according to claim 3, wherein the sensor electronics further activates an alarm in response to the alarm condition.

5. A merchandise sensor according to claim 3, wherein the sensor electronics periodically samples the output value in the first stable state to calibrate an initial output value of the sensor element.

6. A merchandise sensor according to claim 5, wherein the sensor electronics further determines the predetermined tolerance bandwidth based on the initial output value of the sensor element in the first stable state.

7. A merchandise sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element comprises an inductor electrically connected to the sensor electronics that generates an energy field monitored by the sensor electronics.

8. A merchandise sensor according to claim 7, wherein the inductor generates a magnetic field by passing an electric current through a coil and wherein changes in the strength of the magnetic field are monitored by the sensor electronics to detect an alarm condition.

9. A merchandise sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor electronics comprises a printed circuit board and wherein at least the printed circuit board is disposed within an internal cavity defined by a housing that is adapted to be attached to the item of merchandise.

10. A merchandise sensor for a merchandise display security device, the merchandise sensor comprising:

a housing defining an internal cavity;

sensor electronics disposed within the internal cavity of the housing; and

a sensor element operably coupled to the sensor electronics, the sensor element providing an output value in at least an initial stable state and a subsequent stable state following an interaction state;

wherein the sensor electronics compares the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state and the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state following the interaction state to determine an alarm condition.

11. A merchandise sensor according to claim 10, wherein the sensor electronics compares the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state to the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state and determines the alarm condition in the event that the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state is not within a predetermined tolerance bandwidth of the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state.

12. A merchandise sensor according to claim 10, wherein the sensor electronics monitors the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state and in the subsequent stable state.

13. A merchandise sensor according to claim 12, wherein the sensor electronics does not monitor the output value of the sensor element in the interaction state following the initial stable state.

14. A merchandise sensor according to claim 10, wherein the sensor element comprises an inductor for generating a magnetic field and wherein changes in the strength of the magnetic field are monitored by the sensor electronics to detect the alarm condition.

15. A merchandise sensor according to claim 10, further comprising an alarm operably coupled to the sensor electronics that is activated by the sensor electronics in response to the alarm condition.

16. A merchandise sensor according to claim 10, wherein the sensor electronics comprises a printed circuit board that is electrically connected to the sensor element.

17. A method for protecting an item of merchandise from theft comprising:

providing a sensor element and sensor electronics operably coupled to the sensor element, the sensor element providing an output value to the sensor electronics in a first stable state and in a second stable state; and

using the sensor electronics to compare the output value of the sensor element in the first stable state and the output value of the sensor element in the second stable state and to determine an alarm condition.

18. A method for protecting an item of merchandise according to claim 17, wherein the sensor electronics compares the output value of the sensor element in the first stable state and the output value of the sensor element in the second stable state and determines the alarm condition following an interaction state.

19. A method for protecting an item of merchandise according to claim 17, wherein the sensor electronics determines the alarm condition in the event that the output value of the sensor element in the second stable state is not within a predetermined tolerance bandwidth of the output value of the sensor element in the first stable state.

20. A method for protecting an item of merchandise according to claim 17, further comprising activating an alarm in response to the alarm condition.