Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-04
2004-06-29
Goins, Davetta W. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S568100, C340S568200, C340S568300, C340S568800, C340S572800, C439S917000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06756900
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to display alarm sensors and, in particular, a voltage selectable alarm sensor incorporated into a security device for use in theft prevention.
2. Background Art
Product displays in consumer electronic stores often incorporate security systems that simultaneously allow consumers to examine and test fully functioning consumer electronic products without exposing the storeowner to a risk of theft. Such security systems may simply involve attaching a retractable tether from the consumer display to the consumer electronic product. More advanced systems may also incorporate an electronic alarm system that alerts store personnel both visually and audibly in the event the alarm sensor becomes disconnected either from the product or from the product display.
Handheld cameras, camcorders and other smaller electronics are ripe for such retail theft. Because of size and features of such electronics, consumers prefer to handle and manipulate these products prior to purchase, to determine if the features in a particular model of product are suitable for the consumer's intended use. To permit the products to operate, the products are typically powered by some sort of electrical cord—one cord for each product. Moreover, because different products may require different voltages to power the product, many power sources or adapters are often required—one for each product.
Thieves are particularly attracted to stealing handheld cameras and other small electronics because the devices are easily accessible, expensive and portable. In response, storeowners typically attach an electronic alarm sensor along with a tether to the cameras on display typically with one tether attached to each product. The combination of the electrical cords to power the products and the tethers from the alarm sensors create an unsightly and visually unappealing display, often with an exposed maze of wiring.
Prior art alarms sensors have attempted to reduce the number of tethers or cords by powering the products from the alarm sensors instead of from a separate plug or voltage-regulating adapter. However, these systems typically regulate voltage through the use of different electrical cords connecting the alarm sensor to the product. For example if 4 volts were required, a 4-volt adapter cord would be connected from the outlet plug or the sensor to the product. Such arrangements may actually increase the number of electrical cords that a retailer would require. Product manufacturers have unfortunately not standardized the connections, instead using proprietary connections. As such, the retailer would require at least one electrical cord per voltage to be outputted per each special, proprietary connection.
There are other disadvantages to prior art alarm sensors—aside from too many cords creating an unsightly display and the product powering issues. For example, many of these prior art alarm sensors use small light emitting diodes to indicate when an alarm sensor is not attached to a product, i.e. an alarm event. While products are generally portable, the products may still be large enough to visually obscure the light emitting diode.
It would be desirable to provide an alarm sensor that reduces the number of electrical cords and tethers in a display area.
It would also be desirable to provide such an alarm sensor that eliminates the need to inventory many variations of electrical cords to power the varying cameras and other electrical products available.
It would still further be desirable to simplify the installation of an alarm sensor to a product being monitored.
It would also be desirable to provide a means to increase the visibility of the alarm sensor indicating that an alarm event is occurring—in the environment of an efficient, difficult to bypass theft prevention system.
These and other desirable characteristics of the invention will become apparent in view of the following specification and claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a voltage selectable alarm sensor for operably mounting an anti-theft device to an article being monitored. The alarm sensor comprises a sensor housing with top and bottom surfaces, where the top surface is adjacent to the article to be monitored when the alarm sensor housing is mounted to the article by a mounting member, a detector switch operably positioned proximate to the top surface of the alarm sensor having at least a first and a second orientation, in which the first orientation indicates that the alarm sensor is operably and properly mounted on the article and the second orientation indicates that the alarm sensor is not operably and properly mounted onto the article so as cause an alarm event; an electrical cord for providing power to the alarm sensor, where the cord also provides for communicating between the alarm sensor and a remote alarm detection unit—towards determining the current orientation of the detector switch and whether, in turn, an alarm event is actually occurring. The electrical cord also provides power to the alarm sensor for further direction to the article being monitored, through a power output port capable of producing and providing electrical current of varying voltages to electrically operate the article where the voltage is selected by a voltage selection switch for selecting a desired electrical voltage, from amongst a plurality of available voltages.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting member is a combination of a layer of releasable adhesive applied to the top surface of the sensor housing so as to be sandwiched between the alarm sensor and the article being monitored; and a threaded fastener that extends from the top surface of the sensor housing for mated receipt by a threaded aperture located in the article. The alarm sensor also includes a device for visually determining the orientation of the detector switch as well as a device for visually determining the voltage selected for transmission through the power output port to the article. In this preferred embodiment, the voltage selection switch is a slide switch having at least three predetermined positions for selecting the voltage to be transmitted to the power output port. Connecting the output port to the article is one of a plurality of adapter cords for providing power to the article to permit the article to function. Each of the adapter cords preferably includes one standardized connector for mated connection with the power output port of the sensor housing—and a non-standardized connector for mated connection to the incoming power port of the article.
In another embodiment, the voltage selectable alarm sensor comprises a substantially rectangular housing having a top and a bottom surface, where the top surface is adjacent to the article being monitored when the sensor housing is operably mounted to said article. The sensor housing is mounted to the article by a layer of releasable adhesive applied to the top surface of the sensor housing so as to be sandwiched between the alarm sensor and the article being and further secured by a threaded fastener that extends from the top surface of the sensor housing for mated receipt by a threaded mounting aperture located in the said article. A detector switch is positioned proximate to the top surface of the sensor housing whereby the detector switch likewise has at least a first and a second orientation. The first orientation indicates that the alarm sensor is operably and properly mounted on the article and the second orientation indicates that the alarm sensor is not operably and properly mounted onto the article thereby causing an alarm event. An electrical cord for providing power to the alarm sensor is attached to the sensor. The electrical cord also provides a way for communicating with a remote alarm detection unit towards determining the current orientation of the detector switch and, in turn, whether an alarm event is occurring as well as a way to power not only the alarm sensor but also the article being mo
Leyden Roger J.
Parent Michael A.
Passuntino Peter J.
Goins Davetta W.
Greenberg Traurig P.C.
Harris Richard D.
Se-Kure Controls, Inc.
LandOfFree
Voltage selectable alarm sensor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Voltage selectable alarm sensor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Voltage selectable alarm sensor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3333833