Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise

• US 9,478,110 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2016
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• 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
• Application Number:
  US15/047,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20160163167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 250 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:

at least one key programmed in a retail store with a unique security code, the unique security code not chosen by a person; and

at least one security device programmed in the retail store with the unique security code, the at least one security device comprising an alarm and a memory for storing the unique security code, the at least one security device configured to be attached to an item of merchandise, the at least one security device further configured to activate the alarm in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised,

wherein the at least one key is configured to control the at least one security device in the retail store upon a matching of the unique security code programmed in the key with the unique security code programmed in the security device.

2. The programmable security system of claim 1, further comprising 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.

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

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

6. 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.

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

8. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the at least one security device comprises a port for receiving the at least one key therein.

9. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the at least one key is configured to wirelessly communicate with the at least one security device.

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

11. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the at least one 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.

12. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the unique security code is unique to the retail store.

13. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the at least one key is configured to provide the unique security code to the at least one security device for storing the unique security code.

14. The programmable security system of claim 1, further comprising a logic control circuit configured to provide the unique security code.

15. The programmable security system of claim 14, further comprising a switch configured to actuate the logic control circuit for generating the unique security code.

16. The programmable security system of claim 14, further comprising a programming station housing the logic control circuit.

17. The programmable security system of claim 16, wherein the programming station comprises a housing fastened to a base for containing the logic control circuit therein.

18. The programmable security system of claim 17, wherein the housing comprises a port for receiving the at least one key therein.

19. The programmable security system of claim 14, wherein the logic control circuit is configured to change the unique security code.

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

21. The programmable security system of claim 14, wherein the logic control circuit comprises a memory for storing the unique security code.

22. The programmable security system of claim 14, wherein the unique security code is unique to the logic control circuit.

23. The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the at least one key is configured to disarm the at least one security device in the retail store upon a matching of the unique security code programmed in the key with the unique security code programmed in the security device.

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

programming at least one key in a retail store with a unique security code, the unique security code not chosen by a person;

programming at least one security device in the retail store with the unique security code, the security device configured to be attached to an item of merchandise and comprising an alarm configured to be activated in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised; and

controlling the at least one security device in the retail store upon a matching of the unique security code programmed in the key with the unique security code programmed in the security device.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the controlling comprises inserting the at least one key within a port defined in the at least one security device.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the programming the at least one key comprises programming the at least one key with a logic control circuit.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising actuating a switch on the logic control circuit for generating the unique security code.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the actuating comprises mechanically actuating the switch on the logic control circuit for generating the unique security code.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the actuating comprises actuating the switch on the logic control circuit for randomly generating the unique security code.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the unique security code is unique to the logic control circuit.

31. The method of claim 24, wherein the programming the at least one key comprises programming a plurality of keys.

32. The method of claim 24, further comprising attaching the at least one security device to the item of merchandise.

33. The method of claim 24, wherein the controlling comprises disarming the at least one security device.

34. The method of claim 24, further comprising changing the unique security code to a new unique code.

35. The method of claim 24, wherein the unique security code is unique to a retail store.

36. The method of claim 24, wherein the controlling comprises disarming the at least one security device in the retail store upon a matching of the unique security code programmed in the key with the unique security code programmed in the security device.