Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A programmable security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the programmable security system comprising:
- a programming station configured to randomly generate a single security code and having a memory for storing the single security code, the single security code being unique to the programming station;
a programmable key configured to communicate with the programming station to receive and store the single security code in a memory; and
a security device comprising an alarm and a memory for storing the single security code, the security device configured to be attached to an item of merchandise, the security device further configured to activate the alarm in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised,wherein the programmable key is configured to arm or disarm the security device upon a matching of the single security code stored in the memory of the security device with the single security code stored by the programmable key.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A programmable security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the programmable security system comprising:
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a programming station configured to randomly generate a single security code and having a memory for storing the single security code, the single security code being unique to the programming station; a programmable key configured to communicate with the programming station to receive and store the single security code in a memory; and a security device comprising an alarm and a memory for storing the single security code, the security device configured to be attached to an item of merchandise, the security device further configured to activate the alarm in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised, wherein the programmable key is configured to arm or disarm the security device upon a matching of the single security code stored in the memory of the security device with the single security code stored by the programmable key. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A programmable security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the programmable security system comprising:
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a plurality of security devices each comprising an alarm and a memory for storing a single security code, the single security code being the same for each of the plurality of security devices, each of the plurality of security devices configured to be attached to an item of merchandise, each of the plurality of security devices further configured to activate the alarm in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised; a plurality of programmable keys each configured to arm or disarm each of the plurality of security devices upon a matching of the single security code stored in the memory of the security device with a single security code stored by each of the plurality of programmable keys each of the plurality of programmable keys configured to be inactivated after a predetermined period of time; and a programming station configured to reactivate each of the plurality of programmable keys after the predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the method comprising:
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generating a single security code in a programming station, the single security code being unique to the programming station; communicating with the programming station to receive the single security code; storing the single security code at a security device attached to an item of merchandise, the security device comprising an alarm configured to be activated in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised; and arming or disarming the security device upon a matching of the single security code generated by the programming station with the single security code stored by the security device. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A programmable security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the programmable security system comprising:
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a programming station comprising a logic control circuit configured to generate a single security code and having a memory for storing the single security code, the single security code being unique to the programming station; a programmable key configured to communicate with the programming station to receive and store the single security code in a memory; and a security device comprising an alarm and a memory for storing the single security code, the security device configured to be attached to an item of merchandise, the security device further configured to activate the alarm in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised, wherein the programmable key is configured to arm or disarm the security device upon a matching of the single security code stored in the memory of the security device with the single security code stored by the programmable key. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49)
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Specification