FLEXIBLE SENSOR FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20160253881A1
• Filed: 10/29/2014
• Published: 09/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Taylor, Gary A., Berglund, David N., Gogate, Hrishikesh P., Phillips, Jonathon D., Grant, Jeffrey A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,713,910 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 13/1454 Circuit arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 due to failing power supply

Abstract

A merchandise display security device for a portable electronic device having a removable component is provided. The merchandise display security device includes a sensor configured to be secured to the portable electronic device and monitoring electronics configured to detect unauthorized removal of the sensor from the portable electronic device. The merchandise display security device also includes a secondary sensor in electrical communication with the monitoring electronics, wherein the secondary sensor includes a flexible component configured to be positioned between the portable electronic device and the removable component. The monitoring electronics is configured to detect unauthorized removal of the removable component in response to movement of the flexible component.

Claims

1. A merchandise display security device for a portable electronic device having a removable component, the merchandise display security device comprising:

a sensor configured to be secured to the portable electronic device;

monitoring electronics configured to detect unauthorized removal of the sensor from the portable electronic device; and

sensor comprising a flexible component configured to be positioned between the portable electronic device and the removable component,

wherein the monitoring electronics is configured to detect unauthorized removal of the removable component in response to movement of the flexible component.

5. The merchandise display security device of claim 1, wherein the flexible component comprises an electrically conductive material.

6. The merchandise display security device of claim 1, wherein the flexible component comprises a pair of contacts extending away from one another in a relaxed state and configured to complete a sense loop when in contact with one another.

7. The merchandise display security device of claim 6, wherein the monitoring electronics is configured to detect when the pair of contacts have been biased from a position where the contacts are in contact with one another to a position in which the contacts are separated from one another.

9. The merchandise display security device of claim 1, wherein the flexible component is curved so as to be configured to conform to a curvature of the removable component.

10. The merchandise display security device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible circuit configured to be electrically connected to the flexible component.

12. The merchandise display security device of claim 10, wherein the flexible circuit comprises a releasable adhesive for securing the flexible circuit to the portable electronic device.

13. The merchandise display security device of claim 10, wherein the sensor and the flexible circuit are integrally formed.

15. The merchandise display security device of claim 1, further comprising a mounting plate configured to be attached to the portable electronic device, the mounting plate configured to receive and align the sensor relative to the portable electronic device.

16. The merchandise display security device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible circuit configured to be in electrical communication with an internal power source of the portable electronic device and the sensor, the flexible circuit configured to transfer power provided to the sensor to the internal power source.

17. The merchandise display security device of claim 16, wherein the flexible circuit comprises means to determine a voltage level of the internal power source.

19. The merchandise display security device of claim 16, wherein the sensor is integrally formed with the flexible circuit.

20. The merchandise display security device of claim 16, wherein the sensor and the flexible circuit are modular and are configured to electrically connect to one another.

2. The merchandise display security device of claim 2, wherein the portable electronic device comprises a camera, and wherein the sensor comprises a fastener operable for engaging a tripod mount provided on the camera.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

21. A method for protecting a portable electronic device having a removable component from theft, the method comprising:

securing a sensor to a portable electronic device having a removable component such that the sensor is in electrical communication with monitoring electronics for detecting unauthorized removal of the sensor from the portable electronic device; and

positioning a flexible component of sensor between the portable electronic device and the removable component, the monitoring electronics being in electrical communication with the sensor for detecting unauthorized removal of the removable component in response to movement of the flexible component.

22. A merchandise display security device for a portable electronic device having a removable component, the merchandise display security device comprising:

a sensor configured to be secured to the portable electronic device;

monitoring electronics configured to detect unauthorized removal of the sensor from the portable electronic device; and

a secondary sensor in electrical communication with the monitoring electronics, the secondary sensor comprising a flexible component configured to be positioned between the portable electronic device and the removable component,

wherein the monitoring electronics is configured to detect unauthorized removal of the removable component in response to movement of the flexible component.

23. The merchandise display security device of claim 22, wherein the secondary sensor comprises a cable electrically connected to the flexible component and the sensor.

24. The merchandise display security device of claim 23, wherein the cable comprises a plurality of conductors in electrical communication with the flexible component and the sensor.

25. The merchandise display security device of claim 22, further comprising a mounting plate configured to be attached to the portable electronic device, the mounting plate configured to receive and align the secondary sensor and the sensor relative to the portable electronic device.