Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise

• US 8,884,762 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2014
• Issued: 11/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Fawcett, Christopher J., Grant, Jeffrey A., Belden, Dennis D. Jr., Marsilio, Ronald M., Scott, Ian R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US14/254,244
• Publication Number:
  US 20140253331A1
• Time in Patent Office: 209 Days
• Field of Search: 340/543, 340/568.2, 340/568.8, 340/568.1, 340/571, 340/10.51, 340/5.6, 340/5.61, 340/5.64, 340/5.65, 340/5.25, 340/5.28, 340/309.16, 340 521- 523, 235/382, 235/382.5, 235/492, 702/782, 713/182, 713/185
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00539 anti-theft
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/12 by the breaking or disturbance of stretched cords or wires
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• 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 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2465 Aspects related to the EAS system, e.g. system components other than tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system

Abstract

A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermine period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations.

Claims

1. A programmable security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the programmable security system comprising:

a programming station configured to generate a security code and having a memory for storing the security code;

a programmable key configured to communicate with the programming station to receive the security code and to store the security code in a memory; and

a security device comprising an alarm and a memory for storing the security code, the security device configured to be attached to an item of merchandise, the security device further comprising a switch configured to be actuated for activating the alarm in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised,

wherein the programmable key is configured to communicate with the security device to arm or disarm the security device upon a matching of the security code stored in the memory of the security device with the security code stored in the memory of the programmable key.

2. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security device further comprises a fastener.

3. The programmable security system of claim 2, wherein the fastener comprises an adhesive.

4. The programmable security system of claim 3, wherein the adhesive is configured to secure the security device to a support.

5. The programmable security system of claim 1, further comprising an attachment cable attached to the security device.

6. The programmable security system of claim 5, wherein the alarm is configured to be activated in response to cutting the attachment cable.

7. The programmable security system of claim 5, wherein the alarm is configured to be activated in response to detaching the attachment cable from the security device.

8. The programmable security system of claim 5, wherein the security device comprises a plurality of connection jacks, and wherein the attachment cable is configured to be connected to one of the plurality of connection jacks.

9. The programmable security system of claim 5, wherein the attachment cable extends between the security device and the item of merchandise.

10. The programmable security system of claim 5, wherein the at least one attachment cable comprises a helical coil.

11. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security device further comprises a visual indicator configured to indicate a status of the security device.

12. The programmable security system of claim 11, wherein the visual indicator is an LED.

13. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programmable key further comprises a visual indicator configured to indicate a status of the programmable key.

14. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programmable key comprises an internal battery.

15. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programming station comprises a switch configured to be actuated for programming the security code in the programmable key.

16. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programming station comprises a port for receiving the programmable key therein.

17. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programmable key is configured to wirelessly communicate with the security device.

18. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security device comprises a power source.

19. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programmable key comprises a timer and wherein the programmable key is configured to be inactivated after a predetermined period of time.

20. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programmable key comprises a timer and wherein the programmable key is configured to be inactivated if the security code stored in the memory of the programmable key is not reprogrammed or refreshed by the programming station within a predetermined period of time.

21. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the switch is configured to engage a support when the security device is attached thereto, and wherein the switch is configured to be actuated for activating the alarm in response to removal of the security device from the support.

22. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programming station is configured to generate a unique security code.

23. The programmable security system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of security devices.

24. The programmable security system of claim 23, wherein each of the plurality of security devices is configured to communicate with the programmable key.

25. A method for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the method comprising:

actuating a switch on a programming station so that the programming station generates a security code, in wherein a programmable key is configured to communicate with the programming station to receive and store the security code;

attaching a security device to an item of merchandise, the security device comprising an alarm and storing the security code, the security device further comprising a switch configured to be actuated for activating the alarm in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised; and

actuating the programmable key storing the security code to communicate with the security device to arm or disarm the security device upon a matching of the security code stored in the security device with the security code stored in the programmable key.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the attaching comprises attaching the security device to a support such that the switch of the security device engages the support.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the attaching comprises attaching a cable to the item of merchandise such that the cable extends between the security device and the item of merchandise.