Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10013867-B2
Application number	US-201715586939-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 4, 2017
Priority date	Dec 23, 2005
Publication date	Jul 3, 2018
Grant date	Jul 3, 2018

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.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A method for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the method comprising:
providing a unique security code with a programming station;
receiving an end of a programmable key within a port defined in a housing of the programming station;
storing the unique security code at the programmable key;
storing the unique security code at a security device, the security device comprising an alarm and a memory for storing the unique 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; and
controlling the security device if the unique security code stored by the security device matches the unique security code stored by the programmable key.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing comprises generating the unique security code with the programming station.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the generating comprises randomly generating the unique security code with the programming station.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising changing the unique security code with the programming station to a new unique security code.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the controlling comprises disarming the security device if the unique security code stored by the programmable key matches the unique security code stored by the security device.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprises arming the security device with the programmable key using the unique security code.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising communicating the unique security code to the programmable key.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the communicating comprises wirelessly communicating the unique security code to the programmable key.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing the unique security code at the programming station.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising invalidating the unique security code in the programmable key after a period of time to prevent subsequent controlling of the security device by the programmable key unless the unique security code is refreshed in the programmable key within the period of time.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising permanently inactivating the programmable key after a certain number of activations of the programmable key.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the unique security code is unique to a single retail store and the programming station.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing comprises providing a single unique security code with the programming station, the single unique security code usable in only a single retail store.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising actuating a mechanical switch on the housing for programming the unique security code in the programmable key with the programming station.

15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving the end of the programmable key within a port defined in a housing of the security device.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the storing the unique security code at the programmable key comprises storing the unique security code at each of a plurality of programmable keys, and wherein the storing the unique security code at the security device comprises storing the unique security code at each of a plurality of security devices.

17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising mounting the security device to a support surface with a fastener or an adhesive.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing comprises providing a single unique security code with the programming station for use in only a single retail store.

19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising preventing the programming station from generating more than one unique security code to be used by the programmable key and the security device at one time.

20. A programmable security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the programmable security system comprising:
a programming station configured to provide a unique security code, wherein the programming station comprises a housing having a port defined therein;
a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store the unique 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 unique 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 unique security code stored in the memory of the security device matches the unique security code stored by the programmable key.

21. The programmable security system of claim 20 , wherein the security device further comprises an attachment cable attached to the security device, and wherein the alarm is configured to be activated in response to cutting the attachment cable or detaching the attachment cable from the security device.

22. The programmable security system of claim 20 , wherein the programmable key and the security device each comprises a visual indicator configured to indicate a status thereof.

23. The programmable security system of claim 20 , wherein the programmable key is configured to wirelessly communicate with the security device.

24. The programmable security system of claim 20 , wherein the programming station is configured to provide a new unique security code.

25. The programmable security system of claim 20 , wherein the programming station is configured to randomly generate the unique security code.

26. The programmable security system of claim 20 , wherein the unique security code is unique to a single retail store and the programming station.

27. The programmable security system of claim 20 , wherein the programmable key is configured to provide the unique security code to the security device for storing the unique security code.

28. The programmable security system of claim 20 , wherein the programming station cannot generate more than one unique security code to be used by the programmable key and the security device at one time.

29. The programmable security system of claim 20 , wherein the programmable key comprises an internal timer which automatically invalidates the unique security code in the key after a period of time.

30. The programmable security system of claim 20 , wherein the programming station is configured to provide a single unique security code that is usable in only a single retail store.

31. The programmable security system of claim 20 , wherein the security device comprises a housing having a port defined therein, and 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.

32. The programmable security system of claim 31 , wherein the port of the security device is configured to encircle the end of the programmable key when inserted therein.

33. The programmable security system of claim 31 , wherein t

Assignees

• Invue Security Products Inc

Inventors

• Fawcett Christopher J
• Grant Jeffrey A
• Belden Jr Dennis D
• Marsilio Ronald M
• Scott Ian R

Classifications

• G07C9/00309

  operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks · CPC title

• G08B25/008 Primary

  Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system · CPC title

• G07C2009/00539

  anti-theft · CPC title

• G08B13/2482

  EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure · CPC title

• G08B13/1463

  Physical arrangements, e.g. housings (devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18) · CPC title