Apparatus, a system and a method for securing and/or for monitoring a device

• US 7,202,786 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2004
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sennco Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sennco Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Marszalek, Christopher, Horvath, Daniel, Petrusan, Sorin, Passuntino, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fan; Hongmin
• Application Number:
  US10/853,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20050264418A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 3405682- 4, 340/508, 340/509
• US Class Current: 340/568.3
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation

Abstract

An apparatus, a system and a method secures and/or monitors a device. Additionally, the apparatus, the system and the method attach and/or secure the device to a fixture. The device is connected to an alarm box, an alarm board and/or a power source. The alarm box and/or the alarm board communicates with a sensor via a cable. The power source communicates with a micro-controller via the cable. A programmable logical device controls a voltage from the power source and/or a programmable power supplier to the device. Moreover, a first LED and/or a second LED indicate that the voltage is provided to the device and that the alarm box has been activated. The cable extends outward with respect to a base allowing the device to be manipulated, to be examined and/or to be utilized by a customer and/or a user without triggering the alarm box.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a device, the apparatus comprising:

a connector having walls defining an interior wherein the connector attaches to the device;

a controller connected to the connector wherein the controller is within the interior of the connector and further wherein the controller is programmed to communicate with the device;

an optical sensor connected to and in communication with the controller wherein the optical sensor is connected to one of the walls of the connector wherein the optical sensor extends into the interior of the connector;

an alarm connected to and in communication with the controller wherein the optical sensor communicates with the alarm via the controller; and

a pin sensed by the optical sensor wherein the pin extends through one of the walls of the connector into the interior of the connector wherein the optical sensor detects a position of the pin within the interior of the connector and activates the alarm in response to a change in the position of the pin within the interior of the connector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a light emitting diode in communication with the controller.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a passage in the wall of the connector wherein the pin extends through the passage.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a cable connecting the controller to the alarm.

5. A system for monitoring a device wherein the device is secured to a fixture, the system comprising:

a base having an interior;

a first controller attached to an alarm and a power source wherein the first controller communicates with the alarm and the power source wherein the first controller is programmed to control the alarm and the power source;

an attaching means having a length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the second end of the attaching means has a plurality of walls defining an interior wherein the attaching means connects the device to the first controller wherein the attaching means extends from the first controller through the base to the device wherein the first end of the attaching means is adjacent to the first controller wherein a wall of the plurality of walls at the second end of the attaching means has an opening extending through the wall into the interior of the second end of the attaching means wherein the attaching means provides electrical power from the power source to the device;

a pin having a length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the opening at the second end of the attaching means is sized to receive the pin wherein the pin extends from the opening into the interior of the attaching means; and

a sensor detecting a condition of the first end of the pin within the interior of the attaching means between the sensor and the device wherein the sensor is attached to the second end of the attaching means via the pin wherein the sensor is located within the interior of the attaching means wherein the sensor activates the alarm via the first controller.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the base is attached to the fixture.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the attaching means is a cable.

8. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

a pulley in the interior of the base.

9. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

a second controller connecting the device to the first controller.

10. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

a cable having a length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the cable is attached to the second end of the attaching means.

11. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

a monitor in communication with the device.

12. A method for monitoring a secured condition of a device wherein the device requires a first voltage, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first controller having an alarm and a power source wherein the first controller is programmed to control the alarm and the power source wherein the power source provides a second voltage to the first controller;

providing a second controller which is electrically connected to the first controller and a sensor wherein the second controller is programmed to determine the first voltage required by the device wherein the second controller communicates the first voltage required by the device to the first controller wherein the first controller adjusts the second voltage provided by the power source to a voltage which corresponds to the first voltage determined by the second controller wherein the first controller transmits the second voltage to the second controller; and

activating the alarm via the first controller wherein the second controller senses a breach of the secured condition and electrically signals the first controller that the breach of the second condition has been optically detected via the sensor.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of:

providing an external sensor to communicate with the second controller.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of:

providing a monitor in communication with the device.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of:

programming the second controller with the first voltage which is necessary to power the device.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of:

communicating the first voltage required to operate the device from the device to the first controller via the second controller.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of:

indicating that the second controller is in communication with the first controller.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of:

transmitting a signal from the device to the first controller.

19. A method for monitoring a secured condition of a device wherein the device requires a voltage, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first controller having an alarm and a power source wherein the power source provides the voltage to the device;

providing a second controller that communicates with the device wherein the second controller provides the voltage to the device from the power source and further wherein the first controller is remotely positioned from the second controller;

activating the alarm wherein the second controller senses a breach of the secured condition and signals the first controller; and

indicating that the second controller is in communication with the first controller.