Power cable having security feature

• US 8,988,898 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2011
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Villarreal, Cesar Lozano, De Iuliis, Daniele, Rohrbach, Matthew Dean, Smeenge, James, Spielmann, Vicki
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi, Jayprakash
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, MUKUNDBHAI G
• Application Number:
  US13/100,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20120279780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,421 Days
• Field of Search: 361/826, 174/36, 174/110.R, 174/113.R, 174/74.R, 174/17.08, 174/72.A, 174/71.R, 340/568.1, 340/568.2
• US Class Current: 361/826
• 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 13/1445 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

Abstract

Apparatus that may help identify unauthorized removal of goods while maintaining a pleasing physical appearance, avoiding theft misidentifications, and allowing a high degree of customer interaction. One example may provide a signal path for conveying a signal that is active when a good or device is removed from a retail or other environment in an authorized manner. The signal path may be wired or wireless. In another example, a signal path for a sensor may be inconspicuously combined with a power cable. In another example, theft misidentifications may be prevented by not relying on connections that a customer is likely to interact with to detect a theft. Another example may provide a security device that may allow a high degree of customer interaction by unobtrusively attaching a sensor to the back of a good to be protected.

Claims

1. A cable apparatus comprising:

a sensor coupled to a first wire and a second wire;

a first connector coupled to the first wire and the second wire;

a first power connector connected to a third wire and a fourth wire; and

a second power connector connected to the third wire and the fourth wire and having a first opening to receive the first wire, the second wire, the third wire, and the fourth wire,

wherein the first, second, third, and fourth wire are surrounded by a first insulative jacket near the second power connector, and the first and second wires are surrounded by a second insulative jacket from the second power connector to the sensor, and the first wire and the second wire enter and exit the first opening of the second connector.

2. The cable apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a switch.

3. The cable apparatus of claim 2 wherein the sensor comprises an adhesive layer for attaching to a device.

4. The cable apparatus of claim 3 wherein the sensor further comprises a pin arranged to be depressed when the sensor is attached to the device.

5. The cable apparatus of claim 4 wherein when the pin is depressed, the switch is closed and the first wire is connected to the second wire.

6. The cable apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first connector is an RJ-11 connector.

7. The cable apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second power connector is a magnetic power connector.

8. The cable apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second power connector is magnetic power connector for a laptop computer.

9. The cable apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wire and the second wire enter and exit the first opening of the second connector without electrically contacting the second connector.

10. A cable apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of conductors to provide power;

a first connector coupled to a first end of the first plurality of conductors;

a second connector having a first opening to receive a second end of the first plurality of conductors;

a second plurality of conductors for conveying a signal;

a third connector coupled to a first end of the second plurality of conductors; and

a sensor coupled to a second end of the second plurality of conductors;

wherein the second plurality of conductors enter and exit the first opening of the second connector, and the second plurality of conductors are encased in a jacket from the third connector to the sensor.

11. The cable apparatus of claim 10 wherein the sensor further comprises an adhesive layer to attach the sensor to an electronic device.

12. The cable apparatus of claim 11 wherein when the sensor is attached to the electronic device, a switch is closed connecting a first wire in the second plurality of wires to a second wire in the second plurality of wires.

13. The cable apparatus of claim 12 wherein when the sensor is removed from the electronic device, a switch is opened disconnecting the first wire in the second plurality of wires from the second wire in the second plurality of wires.

14. The cable apparatus of claim 13 wherein the sensor further comprises a pin, wherein when the sensor is attached to the device, the pin is depressed and the switch is closed.

15. The cable apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first plurality of conductors comprises a first wire for conveying a power supply and a second wire for conveying a ground.

16. The cable apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second connector is a plug in a magnetic connector system.

17. The cable apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second plurality of conductors enter and exit the first opening of the second connector without electrically contacting the second connector.

18. A cable apparatus comprising:

a first connector;

a first cable portion comprising a first plurality of conductors and a first insulative jacket around the first plurality of conductors, the first cable portion extending to a first opening of the first connector;

a second connector;

a sensor;

a second cable portion comprising a second plurality of conductors and a second insulative jacket around the second plurality of conductors, the second cable portion extending from the second connector to the sensor; and

a third insulating layer around the first cable portion and the second cable portion for a first length terminating at the first connector;

wherein the second cable portion enters and exits the first connector at the first opening.

19. The cable apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first connector is a plug in a magnetic connector system.

20. The cable apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a third connector, wherein the first cable portion extends from the third connector to the first connector.

21. The cable apparatus of claim 19 wherein the first cable portion extends from the second connector to the first connector.

22. The cable apparatus of claim 18 wherein the second cable portion enters and exits the first opening of the second connector without electrically contacting the second connector.

23. A cable apparatus comprising:

a first connector coupled to first ends of a first wire and a second wire;

a sensor coupled to second ends of the first wire and the second wire;

a first power connector coupled to first ends of a first power conductor and a second power conductor; and

a second power connector coupled to second ends of the first power conductor and the second power conductor, the second power connector having a first opening to receive the first wire, the second wire, the first power conductor, and the second power conductor, the second power connector further having a second opening for a first contact and a second contact, the first contact electrically connected to the first power conductor and the second contact electrically connected to the second power conductor;

wherein the first wire and the second wire enter and exit the first opening of the second connector, and the first wire and the second wire are encased in a jacket from the second power connector to the sensor.

24. The cable apparatus of claim 23 wherein the first wire and the second wire enter and exit the first opening of the second connector without electrically contacting the second connector.