MERCHANDISE SECURITY SYSTEM WITH OPTICAL COMMUNICATION

• US 20160351029A1
• Filed: 05/25/2016
• Published: 12/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Burtness, Kevin A., Fawcett, Christopher J., Taylor, Gary A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,818,274 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 13/1481 with optical detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to security systems and methods for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal. For example, the security system may include a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise and a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. The security system may also include a cable connected to the sensor and at least one optical transceiver for defining a sense loop between the cable and the sensor.

Claims

1. A security system for securing an item of merchandise, comprising:

a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise;

a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise;

a cable configured to be connected to the sensor; and

at least one optical transceiver for defining a sense loop between the cable and the sensor.

2. The security system of claim 1, further comprising a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon, the base comprising the charging circuit.

3. The security system of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises at least one electrical contact and the base comprises at least one electrical contact, and wherein the base is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise via the electrical contacts when the sensor is supported on the base.

4. The security system of claim 2, wherein the sensor or the base is configured to detect the presence or absence of data transmitted by one of the pair of optical transceivers, and wherein the sensor or base is configured to generate an alarm in response to the absence of data.

5. The security system of claim 2, wherein the at least one optical transceiver is located within the base.

6. The security system of claim 1, wherein the charging circuit and the sense loop are electrically isolated from one another.

7. The security system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of optical transceivers in communication with one another.

8. The security system of claim 7, wherein one of the pair of optical transceivers is located at an end of the cable, and the other of the pair of optical transceivers is located in the sensor.

9. The security system of claim 7, wherein the pair of optical transceivers are electrically isolated from one another.

10. The security system of claim 7, wherein the pair of optical transceivers are separated by an air gap.

11. The security system of claim 7, wherein the pair of optical transceivers are configured to rotate relative to one another.

12. The security system of claim 7, wherein the pair of optical transceivers are configured to transmit data between one another.

13. The security system of claim 1, further comprising a connector at an end of the cable, and wherein the connector comprises circuitry in communication with the at least one optical transceiver.

14. The security system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a connector configured to electrically connect to an input port on the item of merchandise, and wherein the sense loop is further defined between the sensor and the connector.

15. The security system of claim 14, further comprising an alarm operably engaged with the cable configured to generate an alarm signal when the connector is removed from the item of merchandise, the sensor is removed from the item of merchandise, or the sense loop is interrupted.

16. The security system of claim 1, further comprising a recoiler connected to the cable.

17. The security system of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises at least one conductor for defining a sense loop, and wherein the at least one conductor does not transmit power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise.

18. A security system for securing an item of merchandise, comprising:

a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise, the sensor comprising an optical transceiver configured to transmit and receive data; and

a cable configured to be connected to the sensor, the cable comprising an optical transceiver configured to transmit and receive data,

wherein the optical transceivers are configured to communicate with one another for defining a sense loop between the cable and the sensor.

19. A method for securing an item of merchandise, comprising:

coupling a sensor to an item of merchandise; and

connecting a cable to the sensor, the cable and/or the sensor comprising at least one optical transceiver for defining a sense loop between the cable and the sensor.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising positioning the sensor on a base for transferring power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising connecting a connector to an input port on the item of merchandise, wherein the sense loop is further defined between the sensor and the connector.