Display for hand-held electronics

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10026281-B2
Application number	US-201715826017-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 29, 2017
Priority date	Jan 10, 2009
Publication date	Jul 17, 2018
Grant date	Jul 17, 2018

Abstract

The invention disclosed here is a display system for managing power and security for a plurality of hand-held electronic devices sold to consumers in a retail location. The display includes features that allow power to be supplied to individual devices and security sensors without continuous hard wiring or multi-conductor retractor cables. The display also allows for individual security alarms to be triggered when a theft occurs. Security alarm conditions are preferably triggered via wireless signals.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cable management apparatus for use in mounting an electronic device to a display, the apparatus comprising:
a puck assembly adapted to receive the electronic device;
a base assembly; and
a tether assembly adapted to connect the puck assembly with the base assembly;
wherein the puck assembly is adapted to be moveable between (1) a rest position in which (i) the puck assembly is in engagement with the base assembly and (ii) the puck assembly and the base assembly are connected to the tether assembly, and (2) a lift position in which (i) the puck assembly is disengaged from the base assembly and (ii) the puck assembly and the base assembly are connected to the tether assembly;
wherein the base assembly comprises a base assembly electrical contact, the base assembly electrical contact configured to receive power from a power source;
wherein the puck assembly comprises (1) a puck assembly electrical contact, (2) a power storage device, and (3) puck assembly circuitry connected to the puck assembly electrical contact and the power storage device;
wherein the base assembly electrical contact and the puck assembly electrical contact are adapted to contact each other when the puck assembly is in the rest position to form an electrical connection between the puck assembly circuitry and the power source;
wherein the puck assembly circuitry is configured to, when the puck assembly is in the rest position, draw power from the power source through the electrical connection and provide the drawn power to the power storage device to charge the power storage device; and
wherein the base assembly electrical contact and the puck assembly electrical contact are adapted to lose contact with each other in response to movement of the puck assembly from the rest position to the lift position to thereby break the electrical connection.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the puck assembly further comprises a sensor, and wherein the puck assembly circuitry, in cooperation with the sensor, is further configured to generate a signal in response to a detection by the sensor of an event relating to a removal of the electronic device from the puck assembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the puck assembly is further configured to communicate the signal externally from the puck assembly in order to signal an alarm.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the puck assembly is further configured to wirelessly communicate the signal externally from the puck assembly in order to signal the alarm.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the puck assembly circuitry is further configured to draw power from the power storage device for communicating the signal externally from the puck assembly when the puck assembly is in the lift position.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the tether assembly is a retractable tether assembly.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the retractable tether assembly comprises a retractable tether that does not include multiple conductors.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the retractable tether assembly comprises a retractable steel tether.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the puck assembly further comprises a cable that is connectable to the electronic device, and wherein the puck assembly circuitry is further configured to deliver power to the cable for charging the electronic device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the power storage device comprises a rechargeable battery.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the power source.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the electronic device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base assembly electrical contact comprises a first base assembly electrical contact, the base assembly further comprising a second base assembly electrical contact, the second base assembly electrical contact being positioned on a surface of the base assembly diametrically opposite the first base assembly electrical contact, and wherein the first and second base assembly electrical contacts each provide a conductive path for current to flow between the power source and the puck assembly circuitry via the electrical connection when the puck assembly is in engagement with the base assembly.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first and second base assembly electrical contacts extend outwardly from the base assembly surface.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the base assembly further comprises a third base assembly electrical contact and a fourth base assembly electrical contact, the fourth base assembly electrical contact being positioned on a surface of the base assembly diametrically opposite the third base assembly electrical contact, and wherein the third and fourth base assembly electrical contacts each provide a conductive path for current to flow between the power source and the puck assembly circuitry via the electrical connection when the puck assembly is in engagement with the base assembly.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first and second base assembly electrical contacts are circumferentially spaced from the third and fourth base assembly electrical contacts.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the first base assembly electrical contact is circumferentially spaced from the third base assembly electrical contact a greater distance than the first base assembly electrical contact is circumferentially spaced from the fourth base assembly electrical contact.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the base assembly further comprising a ring, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth base assembly electrical contacts are circumferentially spaced on the ring.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the puck assembly electrical contact comprises a first puck assembly electrical contact, wherein the puck assembly further comprises a second puck assembly electrical contact, the second puck assembly electrical contact being positioned on a surface of the puck assembly diametrically opposite the first puck assembly electrical contact.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the puck assembly further comprises a third puck assembly electrical contact and a fourth puck assembly electrical contact, the fourth puck assembly electrical contact being positioned on a surface of the puck assembly diametrically opposite the third puck assembly electrical contact.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the base assembly further comprises a third base assembly electrical contact and a fourth base assembly electrical contact, the fourth base assembly electrical contact being positioned on a surface of the base assembly diametrically opposite the third base assembly electrical contact.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the puck assembly further comprises a sensor; and
wherein the puck assembly circuitry, in cooperation with the sensor, is further configured to generate an alarm signal in response to the sensor detecting a removal of the electronic device from the puck assembly.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the tether assembly is a retractable tether assembly, and wherein the retractable tether assembly comprises a retractable tether that does not provide power to the puck assembly and does not communicate an alarm signal from the puck assembly; and
wherein the puck assembly circuitry is further configured to wirelessly communicate the alarm signal externally from the puck assembly.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the puck ass

Assignees

• Mobile Tech Inc

Inventors

• Henson Donald
• Schatz Kris
• Wheeler Wade

Classifications

• G08B17/06

  Electric actuation of the alarm, e.g. using a thermally-operated switch · CPC title

• G08B13/1454

  Circuit arrangements thereof · CPC title

• G08B13/1472

  with force or weight detection · CPC title

• G08B25/10

  using wireless transmission systems {(G08B25/009 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• G08B13/1463 Primary

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