Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise

• US 8,896,447 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2014
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• 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:
  US14/254,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20140253330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 223 Days
• Field of Search: 340/543, 340/568.1, 340/568.2, 340/568.8, 340/571, 340/309.16, 340/10.51, 340 521- 523, 340/5.6, 340/5.61, 340/5.64, 340/5.65, 340/5.25, 340/5.28, 235/382, 235/382.5, 235/492, 702/782, 713/182, 713/185
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• 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 key having a memory for storing a security code;

a security device comprising an alarm and a memory for storing the security code, the security device comprising a plurality of connection jacks; and

at least one attachment cable configured to be connected to one of the plurality of connection jacks and to be attached to the item of merchandise,

wherein the key is configured to wirelessly communicate with the security device to arm or disarm 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 key, and

wherein the alarm is configured to be activated in response to compromising the integrity of the at least one attachment cable.

2. 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.

3. The programmable security system of claim 2, wherein the visual indicator is an LED.

4. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security device comprises a power source.

5. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment cable is configured to be connected to one of the plurality of connection jacks at one end and to be attached to the item of merchandise at an opposite end.

6. The programmable security system of claim 5, wherein the opposite end of the at least one attachment cable is configured to be attached directly to the item of merchandise.

7. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security device further comprises an adhesive configured to secure the security device to a support.

8. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security code is programmable in the key.

9. The programmable security system of claim 8, wherein the key is configured to be programmed by a person.

10. The programmable security system of claim 8, wherein the programmable key comprises an internal battery.

11. The programmable security system of claim 8, wherein the programmable key comprises an activation switch configured to be actuated for wirelessly communicating with the security device.

12. The programmable security system of claim 8, further comprising a programming station configured to generate the security code and to wirelessly communicate the security code to the memory of the key.

13. The programmable security system of claim 12, wherein the key comprises a timer and wherein the key is configured to be inactivated if the security code stored in the memory of the key is not reprogrammed or refreshed by the programming station within a predetermined period of time.

14. The programmable security system of claim 8, wherein the key further comprises a visual indicator configured to indicate a status of the key.

15. The programmable security system of claim 8, wherein the key is configured to communicate with the security device via infrared communication.

16. The programmable security system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of attachment cables, each attachment cable configured to be connected to one of the plurality of connection jacks at one end and to be attached to an item of merchandise at an opposite end.

17. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment cable comprises a sensor.

18. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment cable comprises a helical coil.

19. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the alarm is configured to be activated in response to cutting the at least one attachment cable, removing the at least one attachment cable from one of the plurality of connection jacks, or detaching the at least one attachment cable from the item of merchandise.

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

connecting at least one attachment cable to one of a plurality of connection jacks in a security device, the security device comprising an alarm and storing a security code;

attaching the at least one attachment cable to the item of merchandise; and

actuating a key storing the security code to wirelessly communicate with the security device to arm or disarm the security device upon a matching of the security code stored in the security device with the security code stored in the key,

wherein the alarm is configured to be activated in response to compromising the integrity of the at least one attachment cable.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the connecting comprises connecting one end of the at least one attachment cable to one of the plurality of connection jacks, and wherein attaching comprises attaching an opposite end of the at least one attachment cable to the item of merchandise.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the connecting comprises connecting one end of the at least one attachment cable to one of the plurality of connection jacks, and wherein attaching comprises attaching an opposite end of the at least one attachment cable to the item of merchandise.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the attaching comprises attaching the opposite end of the at least one attachment cable directly to the item of merchandise.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising programming the security code in the key.