Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the method comprising:
- providing a single security code with a programming station, the single security code usable in only a single retail store;
inserting an end of the programmable key within a port defined in a housing of the programming station;
storing the single security code at the programmable key; and
storing the single security code at a security device, the 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,controlling the security device if the single security code stored by the security device matches the single security code stored by the programmable key.
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Litigations
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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 predetermined period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations.
197 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the method comprising:
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providing a single security code with a programming station, the single security code usable in only a single retail store; inserting an end of the programmable key within a port defined in a housing of the programming station; storing the single security code at the programmable key; and storing the single security code at a security device, the 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, controlling the security device if the single security code stored by the security device matches 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)
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17. 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 provide a single security code that is usable in only a single retail store, wherein the programming station comprises a housing having a port defined therein; a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store the single security code, wherein an end of the programmable key is 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 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 if the single security code stored in the memory of the security device matches the single security code stored by the programmable key. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the method comprising:
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providing a single security code with a programming station, the single security code usable in only a single retail store; storing the single security code at each of a plurality of programmable keys usable in only the single retail store; and storing the single security code at each of a plurality of security devices usable in only the single retail store, each of the plurality of security devices comprising an alarm and a memory for storing the single security code, 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, controlling each of the plurality of security devices if the single security code stored by each of the plurality of security devices matches the single security code stored by each of the plurality of programmable keys. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification