Charging merchandise items

• US 8,102,262 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2010
• Issued: 01/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Irmscher, Julia, Rapp, Michael, Brenner, Rainer
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): McNally, Kerri
• Application Number:
  US12/752,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20100194568A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/002 Devices for protection against sunlight or theft
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/024 with provisions for preventing unauthorised removal show cases with devices for prevention of theft A47F3/002; devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal E05B73/0017
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• 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 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0225 Monitoring making use of different thresholds, e.g. for different alarm levels
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0272 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect exact location of child or item using triangulation other than GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0019 using switched or multiplexed charge circuits

Abstract

Methods, systems and other embodiments associated with charging merchandise items are presented. A method of charging merchandise items includes displaying merchandise items at a consumer display so that the merchandise items can be handled by a consumer. The merchandise items are charged at the display on a multiplexed basis.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

displaying a plurality of merchandise items at a consumer display so that the merchandise items can be handled by a consumer;

charging the plurality of merchandise items at the display on a multiplexed basis;

providing a product information device configured to provide video content and audio content at the display, wherein the product information device is associated with the plurality of merchandise items;

providing a first power source configured to provide power to the product information device;

providing a second power source configured to provide power to the plurality of merchandise items; and

generating an alarm when one of the first power source and the second power source loses power, wherein the alarm is not generated when both the first power source and the second power source lose power.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the generating an alarm further comprises:

sending an electronic message to an authorized person alerting them of the alarm condition.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

connecting the plurality of merchandise items with tethers between corresponding ports and corresponding merchandise times.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

recoiling a tether corresponding to a merchandise item that is not being handled in to a recoiler.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the generating an alarm further comprising:

generating an audible alarm.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing a first power source further comprises:

attaching a power cable between the first power source and the product information device; and

wherein the providing the second power source further comprises;

attaching a plurality of charging cables between the second power source and the plurality of merchandise items.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the generating an alarm further comprises:

generating an alarm when one of the group of;

the power cable and one of the plurality of charging cables is disconnected.

8. A system for displaying a plurality of merchandise items comprising:

a display area to display the plurality of merchandise items configured to allow a customer to handle the merchandise items;

a merchandise item charger configured to provide a charging signal;

a multiplexer configured to provide the charging signal to the plurality of merchandise items on a multiplexed basis;

a system charger configured to provide power to the display area; and

alarm logic configured to generate an alarm when one of the system charger and the merchandise item charger lose power, wherein the alarm logic is configured to not generate the alarm when both the system charger and the merchandise item charger lose power.

9. The system for displaying a plurality of merchandise items of claim 8 further comprising:

a removal sensor configured to detect a selected merchandise item is removed from a display position of the selected merchandise item by the customer; and

a display configured to display audio information and video information about the selected merchandise item when the selected merchandise item is detected as being removed from the display position by the customer.

10. A system for displaying a plurality of merchandise items comprising:

a display area to display the plurality of merchandise items configured to allow a customer to handle the merchandise items;

a product information display for displaying information about the merchandise items; and

alarm logic configured to generate an alarm when one of the plurality of merchandise items lose power or when the product information display loses power, wherein the alarm logic is configured to not generate the alarm when both the plurality of merchandise items lose power and the product information display loses power.