Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016358431-A1
Application number	US-201615241708-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 19, 2016
Priority date	Dec 23, 2005
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

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.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1 . A programmable security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the programmable security system comprising:
a programming station comprising a logic control circuit configured to generate a security code, wherein the programming station comprises a housing containing the logic control circuit therein, and wherein the housing comprises a port; a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store the security code, the programmable key 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 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 upon a matching of the security code stored by the security device with the security code stored by the programmable key.

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 or detaching the attachment cable from the security device.

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

5 . The programmable security system of claim 2 , further comprising a recoiler connected to the attachment cable.

6 . The programmable security system of claim 6 , wherein the recoiler is located within the security device.

7 . 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.

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

9 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the programming station further comprises a switch on the housing configured to actuate the logic control circuit for generating the security code.

10 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the security device comprises a housing containing the alarm and the memory.

11 . The programmable security system of claim 10 , wherein the housing of the security device comprises a port for receiving the programmable key therein.

12 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the programmable key is configured to wirelessly communicate with the security device.

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

14 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the 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.

15 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the logic control circuit is configured to change the security code.

16 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the logic control circuit is configured to randomly generate the security code.

17 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the security code is unique to a retail establishment or a retail store.

18 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the security code is unique to the logic control circuit.

19 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the security code is not chosen by a person.

20 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the programmable key is configured to provide the security code to the security device for storing the security code.

21 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the logic control circuit comprises a non-volatile memory for storing the security code.

22 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the programming station comprises a base fastened to the housing for containing the logic control circuit therein.

23 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to be activated when the security code stored by the programmable key does not match the security code stored by the security device.

24 . The programmable security system of claim 1 , the security code stored by the programmable key is configured to be invalidated when the security code stored by the programmable key does not match the security code stored by the security device.

25 . A method for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the method comprising:
inserting a programmable key within a port defined in a housing containing a logic control circuit; actuating a switch on the housing for programming a security code in the programmable key with the logic control circuit; programming the security code in a security device; attaching the security device to an item of merchandise, the security device comprising an alarm configured to be activated in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised; and controlling the security device upon a matching of the security code of the programmable key with the security code of the security device.

26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the actuating comprises actuating the switch for randomly generating the security code with the logic control circuit.

27 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising inserting the programmable key within a port defined in a housing of the security device.

28 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the controlling comprises disarming the security device upon a matching of the security code of the programmable key with the security code of the security device.

29 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the security code is unique to a retail establishment or a retail store.

30 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the security code is unique to the logic control circuit.

Assignees

• Invue Security Products Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• G07C2009/00539

  anti-theft · CPC title

• G08B13/14

  by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles · CPC title

• G08B13/2402

  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 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

• G08B13/2434

  Tag housing and attachment details · CPC title