Anti-pilferage system

• US 6,356,195 B1
• Filed: 06/15/2000
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timex Group USA Incorporated (Tanager Group BV)
• Original Assignee: Timex Group BV (Tanager Group BV)
• Inventors: Olsen, Fred, Sherer, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/595,277
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/568.8, 340/571, 340/572.3, 340/539
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details

Abstract

A system for discouraging the unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a designated area is provided. The electronic device includes at least one functional feature (such as a display, speaker, power enabler, controller, etc.) for performing at least one desired function and an enabler, operatively coupled to the functional feature, for enabling the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function. The system further includes a security device that generates a signal, such as an electromagnetic field, so as to cause the enabler to enable the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function. The enabler may comprise a breakable link, such as a fuse. When the electronic device is placed in proximity to the electromagnetic field, the link is broken and the functional feature is enabled. In another preferred embodiment, the electronic device may include a controller operatively coupled to the functional feature for controlling the operability of the functional feature. In this alternate embodiment, the enabler is operatively coupled to the controller, and enables the controller to control the operability of the functional feature. A method for discouraging the unauthorized removal of the electronic device from a designated area is also provided.

Claims

1. A system for discouraging the unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a designated area, the system comprising:

an electronic device comprising;

at least one functional feature for performing at least one desired function;

an enabler, operatively coupled to the functional feature, for disabling the functional feature from performing the at least one desired function and for enabling the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function, the enabler initially disabling the functional feature; and

a security device comprising a generator for generating a signal to the device-to permanently prevent the enabler from any further disabling of the functional feature and to thereafter permit the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function;

wherein the enabler is configured so as to no longer be able to disable the functional feature once the security device generates the signal and the signal is received by the enabler;

whereby the enabler cannot cause the functional feature to go from an enabled state to a disabled state once the security device generates the signal and the signal is received by the enabler.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enabler comprises a breakable link, operatively coupled to the functional feature, for initially disabling the functional feature from functioning;

and

wherein the security device generates an electromagnetic field that causes the breaking of the link thereby enabling the functional feature to function.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the link is operatively coupled across the functional feature so as to initially disable functioning thereof;

and

when the electronic device is placed in proximity to the electromagnetic field, the link is broken and the functional feature is enabled.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the link is comprised of a fuse, and wherein the link provides a short across the functional feature;

wherein when the electronic device is placed in proximity to the electromagnetic field, the short across the functional feature is removed.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a timepiece.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the timepiece is a watch.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the functional feature is a display and wherein the at least one desired function is the display of indicia thereon, and wherein the electronic device cannot display the indicia on the display until the electronic device is placed in proximity to the electromagnetic field and receives the signal from the security device thereby causing the enabler to enable the functional feature.

8. A system for discouraging the unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a designated area, the system comprising:

an electronic device comprising;

at least one functional feature for performing at least one desired function;

a controller, operatively coupled to the functional feature, for controlling the operability of the functional feature;

an enabler, operatively coupled to the controller, for disabling the controller from controlling the operability of the functional feature and for enabling the controller to control the operability of the functional feature; and

a security device comprising a generator for generating a signal to the device to permanently prevent the enabler from any further disabling of the controller and to permit the controller to control the operability of the functional feature;

wherein the enabler is configured so as to no longer be able to disable the controller once the security device generates the signal and the signal is received by the enabler;

whereby the enabler cannot cause the controller to go from an enabled state to a disabled state once the security device generates the signal and the signal is received by the enabler.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the controller is operable in a plurality of modes, and

wherein the enabler operatively prevents the controller from operating in at least one of the plurality of modes.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the controller includes a subcontroller for operatively causing the at least one functional feature to perform the at least one desired function.

11. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the controller can cause the electronic device to enter a demonstration mode and an operational mode, and wherein the electronic device cannot (a) exit the demonstration mode nor (b) enter the operational mode until the security device transmits the signal to the device.

12. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the controller cannot operatively cause the functional feature to operate until the enabler enables the controller.

13. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the enabler comprises a breakable link, operatively coupled to the controller, for initially disabling the controller;

and

wherein the security device generates an electromagnetic field that causes the link to break thereby enabling the controller.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the link is operatively coupled across the controller so as to initially disable operation thereof;

and

when the electronic device is placed in proximity to the electromagnetic field, the link is broken and the controller is enabled.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the link is comprised of a fuse, wherein when the electronic device is placed in proximity to the electromagnetic field, the fuse is broken.

16. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the enabler is a smart receiver, the smart receiver for receiving the signal generated by the security device.

17. The system as claimed in claims 16, wherein the smart receiver includes a transmitter for transmitting information to the security device.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the security device includes a receiver for receiving information transmitted from the electronic device;

wherein the smart receiver and the security device are able to communicate in a bi-directional manner, such that first signals containing information may be transmitted from the security device to the electronic device and second signals containing information may be transmitted from the electronic device to the security device.

19. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the enabler is a smart receiver, the smart receiver for receiving the electromagnetic field generated by the security device.

20. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the functional feature is a display operatively coupled to the controller, and wherein the at least one desired function is the display of indicia thereon, and wherein the electronic device cannot display the indicia on the display until the electronic device is placed in proximity to the electromagnetic field and receives the signal from the security device thereby causing the enabler to enable the controller.

21. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the electronic device is a timepiece.

22. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the timepiece is a watch.

23. A method of discouraging the unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a designated area, wherein the electronic device comprises at least one functional feature for performing at least one desired function and an enabler operatively coupled to the functional feature, for disabling the functional feature from performing the at least one desired function and for enabling the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function, the enabler initially disabling the functional feature, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

providing a security device in the designated area;

requiring that the electronic device be placed proximate the security device in order for the functional feature to be enabled;

generating a signal radiating outward from the security device to the electronic device;

causing the enabler to enable the functional feature, and thus enabling the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function;

permanently preventing the enabler from any further disabling of the functional feature;

wherein the enabler is configured so as to no longer be able to disable the functional feature once the security device generates the signal and the signal is received by the enabler;

whereby the enabler cannot cause the functional feature to go from an enabled state to a disabled state once the security device generates the signal and the signal is received by the enabler.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the enabler comprises a breakable link operatively coupled to the functional feature, the method comprising the further steps of:

generating a electromagnetic field; and

placing the electronic device in proximity to the electromagnetic field;

causing the breaking of the link; and

enabling the functional feature.

25. The method as claimed in claim 23, including the step of:

providing the enabler within a timepiece.

26. A method of discouraging the unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a designated area, wherein the electronic device comprises at least one functional feature for performing at least one desired function, a controller operatively coupled to the functional feature for controlling the operability of the functional feature, and an enabler operatively coupled to the controller for disabling the controller from controlling the operability of the functional feature and for enabling the controller to control the operability of the functional feature, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

providing a security device in the designated area;

requiring that the electronic device be placed proximate the security device in order for the controller to be enabled;

generating a signal radiating outward from the security device to the electronic device;

causing the enabler to enable the controller and thus enabling the controller to control the operability of the functional feature;

preventing the enabler from any further disabling of the controller;

wherein the enabler is configured so as to no longer be able to disable the controller once the security device generates the signal and the signal is received by the enabler;

whereby the enabler cannot cause the controller to go from an enabled state to a disabled state once the security device generates the signal and the signal is received by the enabler.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26, including the steps of:

providing a controller operable in a plurality of modes; and

operatively preventing the controller from operating in at least one of the plurality of modes.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the controller can operate in a demonstration mode and an operational mode, including the steps of:

preventing the electronic device from exiting the demonstration mode;

causing the electronic device to receive the signal from the security device; and

causing the electronic device to enter the operational mode.

29. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the enabler comprises a breakable link operatively coupled to the controller, the method comprising the further steps of:

generating a electromagnetic field; and

placing the electronic device in proximity to the electromagnetic field;

causing the breaking of the link; and

enabling the controller.

30. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the enabler is a smart receiver, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a electromagnetic field; and

placing the electronic device in proximity to the electromagnetic field;

causing the smart receiver to communicate with the controller; and

enabling the controller.

31. The method as claimed in claim 30, the method comprising the steps of:

causing the electronic device to transmit information to the security device;

causing the security device to transmit information to the electronic device;

whereby the smart receiver and the security device are able to communicate in a bi-directional manner, such that first signals containing information may be transmitted from the security device to the electronic device and second signals containing information may be transmitted from the electronic device to the security device.

32. The method as claimed in claim 26, including the step of providing the enabler within a timepiece.

33. An enabler for use in an electronic device that is part of a system for discouraging the unauthorized removal of the electronic device from a designated area, wherein the electronic device comprises at least one functional feature for performing at least one desired function, and the enabler, being operatively coupled to the functional feature, comprising:

a disabling arrangement that prevents the functional feature from performing the at least one desired function and that permits, once the disabling arrangement is disabled, the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function;

wherein the enabler initially disables the functional feature and thereafter enables the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function upon the receipt of a signal generated by a security device and further wherein the enabler is configured so that it is permanently prevented from any further disabling of the functional feature once the security device generates the signal and the signal is received by the enabler.

34. The enabler as claimed in claim 33, wherein the disabling means comprises a breakable link, operatively coupled to the functional feature, for initially disabling the functional feature from functioning;

and

wherein the enabling means is the breakability of the link.

35. The enabler as claimed in claim 33, wherein the link is comprised of a fuse, and wherein the link provides a short across the functional feature;

wherein when the electronic device is placed in proximity to an electromagnetic field generated by the security device, the short across the functional feature is removed.

36. An enabler for use in an electronic device that is part of a system for discouraging the unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a designated area, wherein the electronic device comprises at least one functional feature for performing at least one desired function, a controller operatively coupled to the functional feature for controlling the operability of the functional feature;

and the enabler, being operatively coupled to the controller, comprising;

an arrangement that prevents the operability of the functional feature and that permits, once the arrangement is disabled, the controller to control the operability of the functional feature; and

wherein the enabler initially disables the controller from controlling the operability of the functional feature and thereafter enables the controller to control the operability of the functional feature and further wherein the enabler is configured so that it is permanently prevented from any further disabling of the controller once the security device generates the signal and the signal is received by the enabler.

37. The enabler as claimed in claim 36, wherein the means comprises a smart receiver.

38. A security device for use in a system for discouraging the unauthorized removal of the electronic device from a designated area, wherein the electronic device comprises at least one functional feature for performing at least one desired function, an enabler operatively coupled to the functional feature for causing the disabling of the functional feature from performing the at least one desired function and for enabling the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function wherein the enabler is configured so as to no longer be able to disable the functional feature once the security device generates the signal and the signal is received by the enabler, the security device comprising:

a generator for generating an electromagnetic field for causing the enabler to be unable to further disable the functional feature and to thereafter permit the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function.

39. An electronic device for use in a system for discouraging the unauthorized removal of the electronic device from a designated area, the system having at least a security device comprising a generator for generating a signal to the device, the device comprising:

at least one functional feature for performing at least one desired function;

a controller, operatively coupled to the functional feature, and for controlling the operability of the functional feature; and

an enabler, operatively coupled to the controller, for disabling the controller from controlling the operability of the functional feature and for enabling the controller to control the operability of the functional feature, wherein the enabler is configured so as to no longer be able to disable the controller once the security device generates the signal and the signal is received by the enabler;

wherein upon the generation of the signal by the security device and the causing of the electronic device to be placed in close proximity to the security device, the enabler enables the controller to control the operability of the functional feature and the enabler is no longer able to disable the controller.

40. The electronic device as claimed in claim 39, wherein the enabler comprises a breakable link, and

wherein the signal generated by the security device is an electromagnetic field that causes the breaking of the link thereby enabling the functional feature to function.