Merchandise sensor and method for protecting an item of merchandise
First Claim
1. A merchandise sensor for a merchandise display security device, the merchandise sensor comprising:
- sensor electronics; and
a sensor element operably coupled to the sensor electronics, the sensor element providing an output value in at least an initial stable state and a subsequent stable state following an interaction state;
wherein the sensor electronics compares the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state and the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state following the interaction state to determine an alarm condition.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A merchandise sensor for protecting an item of merchandise displayed on a merchandise display security device from theft includes sensor electronics and a sensor element operably coupled to the sensor electronics. The sensor element provides an output value in an initial stable state before an interaction state and in a subsequent stable state following the interaction state. The sensor electronics compares the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state and the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state to determine whether a change in the output value indicates an alarm condition. In the event that the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state is not within a predetermined tolerance bandwidth of the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state, the sensor electronics activates an alarm in response to the alarm condition.
25 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A merchandise sensor for a merchandise display security device, the merchandise sensor comprising:
-
sensor electronics; and a sensor element operably coupled to the sensor electronics, the sensor element providing an output value in at least an initial stable state and a subsequent stable state following an interaction state; wherein the sensor electronics compares the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state and the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state following the interaction state to determine an alarm condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A merchandise sensor for protecting an item of merchandise from theft, comprising:
-
sensor electronics; and a sensor element operably coupled to the sensor electronics; wherein the sensor element is operable for generating an inductive energy field, and wherein the sensor electronics is operable for monitoring changes in the inductive energy field to detect an alarm condition based on changes in the inductive energy field, wherein the sensor element is operable for providing at least one output value and the sensor electronics is operable for monitoring an output value of the sensor element in a first stable state and an output value of the sensor element in a second stable state. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for protecting an item of merchandise from theft comprising:
-
generating an inductive energy field with a sensor element, the sensor element operably coupled to sensor electronics; and providing an output value indicative of the inductive energy field to the sensor electronics in a first stable state and in a second stable state; monitoring the output value of the sensor element in the first stable state and the output value of the sensor element in the second stable state; and determining an alarm condition with the sensor electronics based on changes in the inductive energy field. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification