Method and device for protecting articles

• US 8,212,672 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brenner, Rainer
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US12/064,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20090051535A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,148 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571
• US Class Current: 340/571
• 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: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for protecting articles (2), especially displayed goods, from theft. Said device comprises a sensor, connected to a control and alarm device (4) for triggering an alarm when the sensor (3) responds, and to be secured to the article (2) to be protected. The device (1) also comprises a device for detecting if a person gets closer to the displayed article (2) or when the article (2) is removed but not taken. For this purpose, a sensor (7) responds when a person gets closer or when the article (2) is removed and is control-connected to the control and alarm device (4). The control and alarm device (4) is connected to a product information device (13) for presenting the displayed article (2).

Claims

1. A method for promoting an object positioned at a location of the object while securing it from theft, said method comprising:

performing a logging function when a person approaches the object at its location or manipulates the object while remaining within a predetermined distance from the location;

providing product information to the person upon the person approaching the object or manipulating the object;

setting off an alarm if the object is moved beyond said predetermined distance; and

wherein said step of performing a logging function comprises performing a wireless authorization check on persons approaching the object.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of providing product information comprises providing an audiovisual display of product information about the object.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said step of setting off an alarm comprises activating an audible alarm and wherein a visual alarm is provided by said audiovisual display.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of performing a logging function comprises counting events or saving the date and time of an event.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said logging function comprises:

measuring the distance between a distance sensor arranged in the proximity of the object and the object or an approaching person to form a measurement result, and

evaluating the measurement result to determine whether to provide product information or to activate an alarm.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of performing a logging function comprises:

detecting and tracking respective locations of the object within predeterminable spaces in the event that the object is being stolen.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, object further comprising:

determining a warning distance that is less than the predetermined distance from the location of the object;

detecting when the object is moved beyond the warning distance; and

generating a warning signal that the object has been moved beyond the warning distance when the person is not an authorized person.

8. An apparatus for promoting an object positioned at a location while securing the object from theft, said apparatus comprising:

an object sensor affixed to the object and wherein said object sensor is connected to a checking and alarm device, wherein the checking and alarm device generates an alarm when the object sensor is removed from the object;

a logging device performing a logging function when a person approaches the object or manipulates the object, said logging device comprising a logging sensor that detects when a person approaches or manipulates the object and is in communication with said checking and alarm device and wherein said checking and alarm device is connected to a product information device for promoting the object;

wherein said logging sensor of said logging device is a proximity sensor configured to detect a relative distance of a person to the said object sensor affixed to the object or to detect a distance between the person and the logging sensor; and

wherein said proximity sensor is constructed to receive authorization data from an electronic key available to operating staff.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said product information device comprises a digital video disc including a visual display unit connected thereto for visual display and further comprising a loudspeaker or headset for listening.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said product information device is assigned to a plurality of similar objects on display.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said checking and alarm device includes a storage memory for storing an event count or the date or the time of day of an event.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 said logging sensor of the logging device is a motion sensor.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 said logging sensor of the logging device is a removal sensor.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 said logging sensor of the logging device is part of an antipilferage sensor arrangement.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 said antipilferage sensor arrangement includes a third sensor affixed to the object, said third sensor being connected to said checking and alarm device through a cable wound on a cable retractor, and wherein said logging sensor of said logging device is configured to detect when the wound-up cable is being pulled out of the cable retractor.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said logging sensor of said logging device comprises a mechanical switch or a capacitive switch or an inductive switch or an optoelectronic switch or a magnetic switch.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said magnetic switch comprises a reed contact mounted on an enclosure of a cable retractor and a magnet fitted to a pull-out type cable.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said magnet fitted to the cable functions as a cable stop that rests against an abutment with the cable in a roughly wound-up condition.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said logging sensor of said logging device is a proximity sensor configured to detect a relative distance of a person to the said object sensor affixed to the object or to detect a distance between the person and the logging sensor.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said proximity sensor includes at least one antenna which is connected to a receiver integrated into said checking and alarm device.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said proximity sensor is arranged behind the object.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said proximity sensor or said object sensor affixed to the object includes a transmitter, either for producing an electrostatic field and for coupling of the electrostatic field to a person'"'"'s skin surface, or for evaluating the variation of the electrostatic field by an approaching person.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said object sensor affixed to the object includes at least one transmitter and may also include digital/analog inputs for microswitches or for a safety film for article surveillance as well as for battery monitoring of a supply battery.

24. An apparatus for promoting an object positioned at a location while securing the object from theft, said apparatus comprising:

an object sensor affixed to the object and wherein said object sensor is connected to a checking and alarm device, wherein the checking and alarm device sets off an alarm when the object sensor is removed from the object;

a logging device performing a logging function when a person approaches the object or manipulates the object, said logging device comprising a logging sensor that detects when a person approaches or manipulates the object and is in communication with said checking and alarm device and wherein said checking and alarm device is connected to a product information device for promoting the object;

wherein said logging sensor of said logging device is a proximity sensor configured to detect a relative distance of a person to the said object sensor affixed to the object or to detect a distance between the person and the logging sensor; and

wherein said proximity sensor or said object sensor affixed to the object includes a transmitter, either for producing an electrostatic field and for coupling of the electrostatic field to a person'"'"'s skin surface, or for evaluating the variation of the electrostatic field by an approaching person.