Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise
First Claim
1. A security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the security system comprising:
- an authorization station comprising a memory;
a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store a security code, the programmable key configured to communicate with the authorization station; and
a security device comprising an alarm and configured to be attached to an item of merchandise with an attachment cable, the security device configured to be mounted to a supporting structure, the security device further configured to activate the alarm in response to an integrity of the attachment cable being compromised,wherein the programmable key is configured to communicate the security code to the authorization station for programming the authorization station such that the security code is stored in the memory of the authorization station,wherein the programmable key is configured to be authorized to control the security device in response to the security code of the programmable key matching the security code of the authorization station.
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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.
237 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the security system comprising:
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an authorization station comprising a memory; a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store a security code, the programmable key configured to communicate with the authorization station; and a security device comprising an alarm and configured to be attached to an item of merchandise with an attachment cable, the security device configured to be mounted to a supporting structure, the security device further configured to activate the alarm in response to an integrity of the attachment cable being compromised, wherein the programmable key is configured to communicate the security code to the authorization station for programming the authorization station such that the security code is stored in the memory of the authorization station, wherein the programmable key is configured to be authorized to control the security device in response to the security code of the programmable key matching the security code of the authorization station. - 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)
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28. A security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the security system comprising:
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an authorization station comprising a memory; a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store a security code; and a security device comprising an alarm and configured to be attached to an item of merchandise, the security device further configured to activate the alarm in response to an integrity of the security device being compromised, wherein the programmable key is configured to initially program the authorization station such that the security code is stored in the memory of the authorization station, wherein the programmable key is configured to subsequently communicate with the authorization station for authorizing the programmable key to control the security device, the programmable key configured to control the security device as a direct result of the security code of the programmable key matching the security code of the authorization station. - View Dependent Claims (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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initially communicating between a programmable key and an authorization station; providing a security code stored in a memory of a programmable key to an authorization station for storing the security code in a memory of the authorization station; subsequently communicating between the programmable key and the authorization station to determine if the security code of the programmable key matches the security code of the authorization station, the security device comprising an alarm and a memory for storing the security code, the security device configured to be attached to an item of merchandise with an attachment cable, the security device further configured to activate the alarm in response to an integrity of the attachment cable being compromised; and authorizing the programmable key to control the security device as a direct result of the security code of the programmable key matching the security code of the authorization station. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification