Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-15
2002-03-12
Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S568800, C340S571000, C340S572300, C340S539230
Reexamination Certificate
active
06356195
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to anti-pilferage systems, and in particular, to an improved anti-pilferage system for preventing, discouraging and deterring the theft of electronic products from a designated area, such as a store or other area where the electronic products may be kept.
There are numerous existing anti-pilferage systems. One very common system includes the use of a designated “tag” that is affixed to the electronic product or other consumer article. The “tag” preferably includes a tuned resonant circuit. A receiver and separate coils that radiate a particular frequency are located at the exit of the store, and create the necessary magnetic/electric field to detect the “tag” as it enters the field. If someone attempts to improperly remove the consumer article from the store with the “tag” still activated, an alarm will sound. The “tag” is typically deactivated by having the “tag” exposed to a high-radiated field to fuse open a link in the “tag”. Once the link in the “tag” is opened, the coils at the exit of the store will no longer detect the “tag”.
Other systems to thwart pilferage are also known. Another known example merely places a similar “tag” as that described above on or in connection with the consumer article or electronic product. Such a “tag” is removed by the person at the checkout counter after the purchase has been made. Such “tags”, as implied above, may be used for the prevention of clothing as well.
The state of the art anti-pilferage systems are unfortunately less than desirable. For example, if either of the foregoing “tags” is removed from the article while in the store, the article, whether it is clothing or otherwise, can be simply removed from the store with impunity. Still further, many of the “gates” at the exit of the store to detect the existence of such “tags” are low to the ground, or small enough to permit a determined (or tall) individual to avoid having the article enter the field created by the exit gate. Still further, the “tags” could merely be removed from the article by an unscrupulous checkout counter person prior to and/or in lieu of sale of the article. This would require the checkout person to aid the theft, but nonetheless could be done without the employer or other person in authority being able to determine who actually removed the “tag”. Lastly, the above-identified systems do not in any way address the concern of theft by the employees themselves.
Accordingly it is desirable to provide an anti-pilferage system that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and achieves the aforementioned and below mentioned objectives. In particular, it is desirable to provide a system for discouraging the unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a designated area, and the present invention, as disclosed herein, achieves such objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, a system for discouraging the unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a designated area is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic device may include at least one functional feature (such as a display, speaker, power enabler, controller, etc.) for performing at least one desired function, an enabler operatively coupled to the functional feature for first disabling the functional feature from performing the at least one desired function and also for thereafter enabling the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function, and a security device comprising a generator for generating a signal (which may be in the form of the generation of an electromagnetic field) to the device so as to cause the enabler to enable the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function.
In one embodiment, the enabler may comprise a breakable link, such as a fuse operatively coupled to the functional feature, for initially disabling the functional feature from functioning when the fuse is not broken. When the security device generates the signal, and in this case most preferably the signal is in reality the generation of an electromagnetic field, it causes the breaking of the link, and the functional feature is thereby enabled. That is when the electronic device is placed in proximity to the electromagnetic field, the link is broken and the functional feature is enabled. In the preferred embodiment, the security device need not be in physical or electrical contact with the electronic device.
In another preferred embodiment, the electronic device may include a controller operatively coupled to the functional feature for controlling the operability of the functional feature. In this embodiment, the enabler is operatively coupled to the controller and initially disables the controller from controlling the functional feature and thereafter, as disclosed below, enables the controller to control the operability of the functional feature. Here, for example, the controller may also itself be operable in a plurality of modes, and the enabler may operatively prevent the controller from operating in at least one of the plurality of modes. For example, as long as the enabler prevents the controller from being fully operational, the device may remain in a demonstration mode only. For example, the controller may be programmed to enter both a demonstration mode and an operational mode. However, with the enabler disabling the controller, such as if the enabler is a link that is unbroken as disclosed below, the electronic device may be constructed in such a way that it cannot (a) exit the demonstration mode nor (b) enter the operational mode until the security device generates the signal to the enabler thereby enabling the controller.
In still another embodiment, the enabler may be a smart receiver for receiving the signal from the transmitter of the security device. The smart receiver may include a transmitter for transmitting information to the security device.
In yet another embodiment, the system may include a scanner for transmitting a signal, such as an optical signal containing coded information, and an electronic device, which itself may include a receiver for receiving the signal from the scanner and for processing the coded information contained therein, at least one functional feature for performing at least one desired function, and controller operatively coupled to the receiver and the at least one functional feature, for operatively enabling the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function upon the receipt and decoding of the coded information (by the receiver) in the signal transmitted by the scanner. The controller may control the performance and enablement of the at least one functional feature, and is disabled until the receiver receives and processes the coded information. A method of discouraging the unauthorized removal of such a device is also provided.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method of discouraging the unauthorized removal of an electronic device from a designated area is provided. The electronic device comprises the features set forth above, and the method preferably comprises the steps of providing a security device, generating a signal radiating outward from the security device to the electronic device, and causing the enabler to enable the functional feature, and thus causing the functional feature to perform the at least one desired function. In one preferred method, the enabler comprises a breakable link operatively coupled to the functional feature, and the method comprises the further steps of generating a electromagnetic field, placing the electronic device in proximity to the electromagnetic field, causing the breaking of the link and enabling the functional feature.
In yet another methodology, the electronic device may further comprise a controller operatively coupled to the functional feature for controlling the operability of the functional feature and an enabler operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a security device, generating a si
Olsen Fred
Sherer Frank
Carmody & Torrance LLP
Nguyen Tai T.
Timex Group B.V.
Wu Daniel J.
LandOfFree
Anti-pilferage system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Anti-pilferage system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Anti-pilferage system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2875755