Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise

• US 9,576,452 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2016
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• 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:
  US15/241,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20160358431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 186 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/568.2, 340/571, 340/539.31, 705/22, 705/28, 235/385, 235/492
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 comprising a logic control circuit configured to generate a security code, wherein the programming station comprises a housing enclosing the logic control circuit therein, and wherein the housing comprises a port;

a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store the security code, an end of the programmable key configured to be inserted within the port for programming the security code in the memory of the programmable key; and

a security device comprising an alarm and a memory for storing the security code, the security device comprising a port, 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 end of the programmable key is configured to be inserted within the port of the security device to communicate with the security device and to control the security device upon a matching of the security code stored by the security device with the security code stored by the programmable key.

2. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security device further comprises an attachment cable attached to the security device.

3. The programmable security system of claim 2, wherein the alarm is configured to be activated in response to cutting the attachment cable or detaching the attachment cable from the security device.

4. The programmable security system of claim 2, wherein the attachment cable extends between the security device and the item of merchandise.

5. 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.

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

7. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programming station further comprises a mechanical switch on the housing configured to actuate the logic control circuit for generating the security code.

8. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security device comprises a housing enclosing the alarm and the memory.

9. The programmable security system of claim 8, wherein the housing of the security device comprises the port for receiving the end of the programmable key therein.

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

11. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programmable key is configured to be inactivated after a predetermined period of time or a predetermined number of activations.

12. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security device further comprises a switch configured to be actuated for activating the alarm in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised.

13. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the logic control circuit is configured to change the security code.

14. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the logic control circuit is configured to randomly generate the security code.

15. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security code is unique to a retail establishment or a retail store.

16. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security code is unique to the logic control circuit.

17. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security code is not chosen by a person.

18. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programmable key is configured to provide the security code to the security device for storing the security code.

19. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programming station comprises a base fastened to the housing, and wherein the logic control circuit is disposed between the base and the housing.

20. The programmable security system of claim 19, further comprising a fastener for securing a bottom surface of the base on a supporting structure.

21. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the alarm is configured to be activated when the security code stored by the programmable key does not match the security code stored by the security device.

22. The programmable security system of claim 1, the security code stored by the programmable key is configured to be invalidated when the security code stored by the programmable key does not match the security code stored by the security device.

23. The programmable security system of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board enclosed within the housing and containing the logic control circuit.

24. The programmable security system of claim 23, wherein the logic control circuit comprises a controller, a communication circuit, and a memory each enclosed within the housing.

25. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the port of the housing is configured to encircle the end of the programmable key when inserted therein.

26. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the port of the security device is configured to encircle the end of the programmable key when inserted therein.

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

inserting an end of a programmable key within a port defined in a housing enclosing a logic control circuit;

actuating a mechanical switch on the housing for programming a security code in the programmable key with the logic control circuit;

programming the security code in a security device;

attaching the security device to an item of merchandise, the security device comprising a port, the security device comprising an alarm configured to be activated in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised;

inserting the end of the programmable key within the port of the security device; and

controlling the security device upon a matching of the security code of the programmable key with the security code of the security device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the actuating comprises actuating the mechanical switch for randomly generating the security code with the logic control circuit.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the controlling comprises disarming the security device upon a matching of the security code of the programmable key with the security code of the security device.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the security code is unique to a retail establishment or a retail store.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the security code is unique to the logic control circuit.

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

a programming station configured to provide a single security code that is unique to the programming station;

a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store the single security code; 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 control the security device upon a matching of the single security code stored by the security device with the single security code stored by the programmable key.

33. The programmable security system of claim 32, wherein the programming station is configured to provide a new single security code.

34. The programmable security system of claim 32, wherein the single security code is unique to a retail establishment or a retail store.

35. The programmable security system of claim 32, wherein the programming station is configured to randomly generate the security code.