Theft detection device and method for controlling
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A theft detection device configured to be coupled to a product, comprising:
- a light sensor;
a motion sensor;
an emitter; and
a controller coupled to the light sensor, the motion sensor, and the emitter;
wherein the controller is configured to determine when the light level sensed by the light sensor is below a threshold light level;
wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the theft detection device is in motion; and
wherein the controller is configured to control the emitter to emit an alarm signal based on the sensed motion of the theft detection device and the light level sensed by the sensor;
wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal from the light sensor indicative of the sensed light level and to process the signal to determine whether the sensed light level is below the light level threshold;
wherein when the controller determines that the theft detection device is in motion, the controller is configured to determine if the theft detection device has previously been in motion within a first predetermined time period;
wherein if the controller determines that the theft detection device has previously been in motion within the first predetermined time, the controller is configured to reset a first counter and to increase a second counter;
wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the second counter is greater than a first predetermined value, and if it is to determine that the theft detection device is in motion matching a predetermined motion profile;
wherein if the controller determines that theft detection device has not been previously been in motion within the first predetermined time, the controller is configured to increase the first counter, determine if the first counter is greater than a second predetermined value, and if it is to determine that the theft detection device is not in motion matching a predetermined motion profile.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A merchandise tag and a method of controlling a merchandise tag are provided. The merchandise tag may be used to deter theft of retail products.
68 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A theft detection device configured to be coupled to a product, comprising:
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a light sensor; a motion sensor; an emitter; and a controller coupled to the light sensor, the motion sensor, and the emitter; wherein the controller is configured to determine when the light level sensed by the light sensor is below a threshold light level; wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the theft detection device is in motion; and wherein the controller is configured to control the emitter to emit an alarm signal based on the sensed motion of the theft detection device and the light level sensed by the sensor; wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal from the light sensor indicative of the sensed light level and to process the signal to determine whether the sensed light level is below the light level threshold; wherein when the controller determines that the theft detection device is in motion, the controller is configured to determine if the theft detection device has previously been in motion within a first predetermined time period; wherein if the controller determines that the theft detection device has previously been in motion within the first predetermined time, the controller is configured to reset a first counter and to increase a second counter; wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the second counter is greater than a first predetermined value, and if it is to determine that the theft detection device is in motion matching a predetermined motion profile; wherein if the controller determines that theft detection device has not been previously been in motion within the first predetermined time, the controller is configured to increase the first counter, determine if the first counter is greater than a second predetermined value, and if it is to determine that the theft detection device is not in motion matching a predetermined motion profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of controlling a theft detection device configured to be coupled to a product, the theft detection device including a light sensor and an emitter, the method comprising:
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coupling the theft detection device to a product; determining when a potential theft condition exists; causing the emitter to emit an alarm signal when the potential theft condition exists; determining whether the theft detection device is in motion;
when it is determined that the theft detection device is in motion, determining whether the theft detection device has previously been in motion within a predetermined time period;when it is determined that the theft detection device has previously been to motion within the predetermined time period, resetting a first counter, increasing a second counter, and determining whether the second counter is greater than a first predetermined value; when it is determined that the theft detection device has not previously been in motion within the predetermined time period, increasing the first counter and determining whether the first counter is greater than a second predetermined value; when it is determined that the second counter is greater than the first predetermined value, determining that the theft detection device is in motion matching a predetermined motion profile; and when it is determined that the first counter is greater than the second predetermined value, determining that the theft detection device is not in motion matching a predetermined motion profile. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of controlling a theft detection device coupled to a product, the theft detection device including a light sensor, a motion sensor, and an emitter, the method comprising:
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determining whether to control the emitter to emit an alarm signal including; determining whether the theft detection device is in motion matching a predetermined motion profile; and determining whether the light sensor detects a light level below a predetermined light level; when it is determined to control the emitter to emit the alarm signal, causing the emitter to emit the alarm signal; wherein the step of determining whether to control the emitter to emit an alarm signal includes; determining whether the motion sensor is in motion and the light sensor detects a light level below the predetermined light level; increasing a first counter while the motion sensor is in motion and the light sensor detects a light level below the predetermined light level; when the first counter is non-zero and the motion sensor is not in motion or the light sensor detects a light level that is not below the predetermined light level, increasing a second counter; when the first counter is greater than a first predetermined value, determining to control the emitter to emit an alarm signal; and when the second counter is greater than a second predetermined value, resetting the first and second counters. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A controller for a theft detection device configured to be coupled to a product, the theft detection device comprising a light sensor, a motion sensor, and an emitter, the controller comprising:
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an output configured to be coupled to the emitter; wherein the controller is configured to receive an input from the light sensor indicative of the light level sensed by the light sensor; wherein the controller is configured to receive an input from the motion sensor indicative of when the motion sensor is in motion; and wherein the controller is configured to send a control signal to the emitter through the output to emit an alarm signal based on the input from the light sensor and the input from the motion sensor; further comprising a first counter and a second counter; wherein the controller is configured to increase the first counter when the input from the light sensor to the controller indicates that the light sensor senses a light level below a predetermined light level and the input from the motion sensor indicates that the motion senor senses that it is in motion; wherein the controller is configured to increase the second counter after the first counter has been increased when either the input from the motion sensor indicates that the motion sensor is not in motion or when the input from the light sensor indicates that the light sensor is not sensing a light level below the predetermined light level; wherein the controller is configured to signal the emitter through the output to emit an alarm signal when the first counter exceeds a first predetermined value; and wherein the controller is configured to reset the first and second counters when the second counter exceeds a second predetermined value.
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Specification