Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise
First Claim
1. A programmable security system for protecting merchandise comprising:
- a programming station configured to provide 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 from the programming station and having a memory for storing the security code, the programmable key comprising a power source; and
a security device configured to communicate with the programmable key to receive the security code from the programmable key, the security device having a memory for storing the security code;
wherein the programming station is configured to initially communicate the security code to the programmable key to be stored in the memory of the programmable key;
wherein the programmable key is configured to subsequently communicate the security code to the security device to be stored in the memory of the security device; and
wherein the programmable key is configured to transfer power from the power source to 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 to operate the security device,wherein the programmable key comprises means for inducing a magnetic field and the security device comprises means for inducing an electrical current from the magnetic field, andwherein the programmable key is adapted to transfer power from the programmable key to the security device via the magnetic field induced in the programmable key and the electrical current induced in the security device.
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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
20 Claims
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1. A programmable security system for protecting merchandise comprising:
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a programming station configured to provide 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 from the programming station and having a memory for storing the security code, the programmable key comprising a power source; and a security device configured to communicate with the programmable key to receive the security code from the programmable key, the security device having a memory for storing the security code; wherein the programming station is configured to initially communicate the security code to the programmable key to be stored in the memory of the programmable key; wherein the programmable key is configured to subsequently communicate the security code to the security device to be stored in the memory of the security device; and wherein the programmable key is configured to transfer power from the power source to 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 to operate the security device, wherein the programmable key comprises means for inducing a magnetic field and the security device comprises means for inducing an electrical current from the magnetic field, and wherein the programmable key is adapted to transfer power from the programmable key to the security device via the magnetic field induced in the programmable key and the electrical current induced in the security device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for protecting merchandise comprising:
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providing a security code in a programming station and storing the security code in a memory of the programming station; communicating the security code from the memory of the programming station to a memory of a programmable key; communicating the security code from the memory of the programmable key to a memory of a security device; determining whether the security code stored in the memory of the security device matches the security code stored in the memory of the programmable key; inducing a magnetic field in the programmable key 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; inducing an electrical current in the security device from the magnetic field; and transferring power from the programmable key to the security device via the magnetic field induced in the programmable key and the electrical current induced in the security device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A programmable security system for protecting merchandise comprising:
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a programmable key having a memory for storing a security code and a power source; and a security device having a memory for storing a security code; wherein the programmable key is configured to transfer power from the power source to 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, wherein the programmable key comprises means for inducing a magnetic field and the security device comprises means for inducing an electrical current from the magnetic field; and wherein the programmable key is adapted to transfer power from the programmable key to the security device via the magnetic field induced in the programmable key and the electrical current induced in the security device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for protecting merchandise comprising:
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storing a security code in a memory of a programmable key; storing the security code in a memory of a security device; determining whether the security code stored in the memory of the security device matches the security code stored in the memory of the programmable key; inducing a magnetic field in the programmable key 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; inducing an electrical current in the security device from the magnetic field; and transferring power from the programmable key to the security device via the magnetic field induced in the programmable key and the electrical current induced in the security device.
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Specification