PROGRAMMABLE SECURITY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING MERCHANDISE
First Claim
1. A programmable security system for protecting merchandise comprising:
- a programming station adapted for generating a security code and having a memory for storing the security code;
a programmable key adapted for being operably coupled to the programming station to receive the security code from the programming station and having a memory for storing the security code; and
a security device adapted for being attached to the merchandise and for being operably coupled to the programmable key to receive the security code from the programmable key, the security device having a memory for storing the security code;
wherein the programming station initially communicates the security code to the programmable key and the security code is stored in the memory of the programmable key;
wherein the programmable key subsequently communicates the security code to the security device and the security code is stored in the memory of the security device; and
wherein the programmable key operates the security device upon a matching of the security code stored in the memory of the security device with the security code stored in the memory of the programmable key.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermined period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A programmable security system for protecting merchandise comprising:
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a programming station adapted for generating a security code and having a memory for storing the security code; a programmable key adapted for being operably coupled to the programming station to receive the security code from the programming station and having a memory for storing the security code; and a security device adapted for being attached to the merchandise and for being operably coupled to the programmable key to receive the security code from the programmable key, the security device having a memory for storing the security code; wherein the programming station initially communicates the security code to the programmable key and the security code is stored in the memory of the programmable key; wherein the programmable key subsequently communicates the security code to the security device and the security code is stored in the memory of the security device; and wherein the programmable key operates the security device upon a matching of the security code stored in the memory of the security device with the security code stored in the memory of the programmable key. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for protecting merchandise, comprising:
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providing a programmable security system comprising a programming station, a programmable key and a security device each having a memory and a communication circuit; generating a security code in the programming station and storing the security code in the memory of the programming station; using the communication circuits of the programming station and the programmable key to communicate the security code from the memory of the programming station to the memory of the programmable key; using the communication circuits of the programmable key and the security device to communicate the security code from the memory of the programmable key to the memory of the security device; and subsequently matching the security code stored in the memory of the security device with the security code stored in the memory of the programmable key to operate the security device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A programmable security system for protecting merchandise comprising:
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a programming station adapted for generating a security code and having a memory for storing the security code; a programmable key adapted for being operably coupled to the programming station, the programmable key configured to receive the security code generated by the programming station and having a memory for storing the security code; and a security device adapted for being attached to the merchandise and for being operably coupled to the programmable key, the security device configured to receive the security code generated by the programming station and having a memory for storing the security code, the security device comprising a lock mechanism; wherein the programming station is configured to communicate the security code to the programmable key and the security code is stored in the memory of the programmable key; wherein the programmable key is configured to operate the security device upon a matching of the security code stored in the memory of the security device with the security code stored in the memory of the programmable key; and wherein the programmable key is configured to transfer power to the security device for unlocking the lock mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification