SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURITY SENSING IN A POWER CABLE FOR AN ARTICLE OF MERCHANDISE

• US 20170330432A1
• Filed: 08/02/2017
• Published: 11/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Richardson, Justin A., Phillips, Jonathon D., Taylor, Gary A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,972,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0185 Product, service or business identity fraud
• 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

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise, wherein the sensor includes alarming circuitry. The system also includes a tether comprising a pair of conductors electrically connected to the alarming circuitry, wherein the pair of conductors is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or to the article of merchandise. In response to power ceasing to be transferred, the alarming circuitry is configured to monitor an electrical signal transmitted through the pair of conductors in order to determine whether the tether has been cut or removed from the sensor.

Claims

1. A merchandise security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise comprising:

a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and to detect removal of the article of merchandise from the sensor, the sensor comprising an upper portion and a lower portion;

a power cable having a connector configured to operably engage an input port on the article of merchandise for providing power to the article of merchandise, wherein the lower portion comprises a recess configured to receive an end of the power cable opposite the connector, wherein the upper portion is configured to receive one or more retaining arms for engaging the article of merchandise, wherein the upper portion is configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and the lower portion such that the upper portion is disposed between the lower portion and the article of merchandise and the end of the power cable is disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion;

a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon such that the sensor is configured to be removed from the base and positioned on the base; and

a tether comprising a connector at one end configured to releasably connect to the sensor, wherein an opposite end of the tether is configured to be received by the base.

2. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the tether is coupled to a recoiler at the opposite end such that the tether is extendable and retractable.

3. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the tether comprises a plurality of conductors for communicating with the sensor.

4. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the recess is defined in a surface of the lower portion configured to be secured to the article of merchandise.

5. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises a pair of slots each configured to receive a respective retaining arm.

6. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the lower portion is configured to be secured to the upper portion with at least one fastener.

7. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises an engagement member for aligning the upper portion and the lower portion with one another.

8. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the lower portion is configured to be secured to the upper portion such that the one or more retaining arms are secured therebetween and cannot be removed without first detaching the lower portion from the upper portion.

9. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises a contact, limit, or pressure switch configured to detect when the article of merchandise has been removed from the sensor.

10. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises alarming circuitry configured to detect the sensor being removed from the article of merchandise, the tether being removed from the sensor, and/or the tether being cut.

11. The merchandise display system of claim 10, wherein the alarming circuitry is configured to generate a visual and/or an audible alarm signal in response to the sensor being removed from the article of merchandise, the tether being removed from the sensor, and/or the tether being cut.

12. The merchandise display system of claim 10, wherein the tether comprises a plurality of conductors electrically connected to the alarming circuitry.

13. The merchandise display system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or to the article of merchandise.

14. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the connect of the power cable being removed from the input port of the article of merchandise.

15. The merchandise display system of claim 14, wherein the sensor is configured to wirelessly communicate with a key for arming and/or disarming the alarming circuitry.

16. The merchandise display system of claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism configured to lock the connector to the sensor such that the connector cannot be removed from the sensor without first disengaging the lock mechanism.

17. A method for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise comprising:

positioning an end of a power cable within a recess defined in a lower portion of a sensor, the sensor configured to detect removal of the article of merchandise from the sensor;

operably engaging a connector of the power cable opposite the end with an input port on the article of merchandise for providing power to the article of merchandise;

engaging one or more retaining arms received by an upper portion of the sensor to the article of merchandise;

securing the upper portion to the article of merchandise and the lower portion such that the upper portion is disposed between the lower portion and the article of merchandise and the end of the power cable is disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion;

removably supporting the sensor on a base such that the sensor is configured to be removed from the base and positioned on the base; and

releasably connecting a tether to the lower portion of the sensor with a connector at one end, wherein an opposite end of the tether is configured to be received by the base.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising locking the connector to the sensor with a lock mechanism such that the connector cannot be removed from the sensor without first disengaging the lock mechanism.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein engaging comprises engaging a pair of retaining arms received by the upper portion of the sensor to the article of merchandise.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising actuating a wireless key for arming and/or disarming the sensor.