Abstract:
A powered security display device displays items in the retail environment. The display device is configured to removably attach to an item while simultaneously providing power to the device and including an alarm such that if the item is removed without authorization, the alarm is activated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/440,775 filed on Feb. 8, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of advertising displays. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display device for displaying and powering an item to allow it to be manipulated easily by the user while also prohibiting the unauthorized removal of the item from the premises. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In the field of advertising displays, there is a need to display small items, typically electronics such as cell-phones, camcorders, cameras, and remote controls in a way that allows consumers to touch and hold the devices prior to purchase. Traditionally, such items were displayed in locked cases or behind counters where consumers could only get access to the items after consulting a sales associate. As the number of small electronic devices available for purchase increased dramatically, it became necessary for retailers to change the way small electronics are displayed. Retailers want to allow potential customers to be able to handle the devices in the store, but lack the staffing and/or security to allow them to do so without fear of rampant theft. Small electronic devices, even so called “dummy” phones, are valuable and are attractive targets for thieves. In order to facilitate customer interaction with the devices while simultaneously preventing theft, retailers employ a wide variety of security measures. 
         [0004]    One common solution to the above problem has been to anchor the item to a shelf, table, or display. Retailers have implemented a wide range of anchors, but most fall into one of two categories: recoiling tether with mechanical attachment, or recoiling tether with adhesive attachment. Both solutions have also been adapted to provide power to the device and/or alarm capabilities in the event that the device is removed from the tether. Both solutions have significant limitations. 
         [0005]    Typical mechanical attachment systems are comprised of a spool and cable that are attached to a cage or mechanical claw that wraps around the secured device and locks in place. Such mechanical attachment solutions tend to be quite bulky due to the fact that they are adjustable in order to accommodate devices of varying size and shape. The adjustable nature of the mechanical attachment also necessitates that mechanical attachments are more complex than an adhesive attachment. Mechanical attachment systems are also typically made of metal components. All of the above mentioned characteristics of mechanical attachment systems contribute to their increased cost over simpler anchor systems. The added bulk of the mechanical attachment also diminishes the consumer experience because the potential buyer is unable to get a true sense of the size and feel of the secured device. 
         [0006]    Adhesive attachment solutions tend to be much less bulky than their mechanical counterparts but suffer from a critical limitation: once the adhesive is attached to the device, it is very difficult, if not impossible to remove it without damaging either the anchor or the secured device. The ability to remove the devices from the tether attachment assembly is important if and when the store wishes to re-planogram. As used herein “planogram” refers to a diagram of fixtures and products that illustrates how and where retail products should be displayed to increase customer purchases. In the rapidly changing world of cell phones and small electronics, the retailer&#39;s ability to quickly and easily move products around the retail environment without damaging the products or the displays is extremely important. 
         [0007]    As such, there is a need for an anchor for displaying items that includes a tether, provides power to the device, and can incorporate an alarm system, but is not bulky like the mechanical attachment and allows stores to be easily and quickly reconfigured without damaging the small item or the anchor. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present invention relates to a display system that provides power to displayed items and includes an integrated alarm system. The display system includes a controller housing, and at least one item display, which includes an item display housing, a riser, and an attachment pad. The controller housing encloses a first printed circuit board configured to provide power and alarm controls to a plurality of display devices. The controller housing may be mounted to a display surface, which includes a customer facing and a non-customer facing side, or mounted elsewhere. 
         [0009]    At least one item display is mounted to the display surface. The item display housing is mounted to the non-customer facing side of the display surface and contains a second printed circuit board configured to communicatively connect to the first printed circuit board and a portion containing a first end of a recoil cable adapted to connect to a third printed circuit board. The riser is adapted to attach to the customer facing side of the display surface and to offset the displayed item a specific distance from the customer facing side of the display surface. 
         [0010]    The pad is attaches to a second end of the recoil cable and extends away from the riser. The pad encloses the third printed circuit board, a plate, a switch, a piece of double-sided adhesive tape, and a back cover. The displayed item is permanently attached to the attachment plate by adhering the adhesive tape to the item. The system further includes a key that allows a user to partially disassemble the pad such that the plate may be detached from the rest of the pad, thereby allowing the displayed item to be detatched from the display device and re-attached to another display device elsewhere in the store. 
         [0011]    It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in this summary and descriptions of the disclosed embodiment, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a display device in accordance with the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a detailed exploded perspective view of a portion of the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is top view of a portion of the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a portion of the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a portion of the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a display device housing in accordance with the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the display device housing of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an attachment pad and recoil cable in accordance with the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the attachment pad and recoil cable of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is another perspective view of the attachment pad and recoil cable of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a key in accordance with the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a riser in accordance with the invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of the riser of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]      FIGS. 1-5  show one embodiment of a display device  10  in accordance with the invention. The display device  10  includes a controller  100  and at least one item display  200 . Each item display  200  includes a item display housing  210 , an attachment pad  250 , and a riser  230 . The display device  10  is adapted to securely display at least one item  300  on a display surface  400  in a retail environment. In the embodiment shown, the item display housing  210  is attached to a non-customer facing side  410  of the display surface  400 , with the riser  230  attached to a customer facing side  420 . The display surface  400  includes a hole  430  wherever an item display  200  is mounted. The attachment pad  250  is attached to a first end of a recoil cable  222  that passes through the riser  230  and hole  430 , and is attached at a second end to a second printed circuit board  214  (see  FIG. 7 ) enclosed in the item display housing  210 . 
         [0026]    The display device  10  is controlled by the controller  100 . The controller  100  contains a first printed circuit board (not shown) and provides power to the display device  10 . The controller  100  also controls an alarm system that sounds an audible alarm if the item  300  is removed from the display device, and performs other functions relating to the display device. 
         [0027]    The controller  100  is communicatively attached to a plurality of item displays  200 . In the embodiment shown, the plurality of item displays  200  are connected together in series by a plurality of electrical cables  215 . In such a “daisy-chain” configuration, each successive item display  200  is connected to the previous item display. Thus, it is not necessary to connect each item display  200  to the controller individually. In alternative embodiments, the item display  200  may be powered by batteries and configured to communicate wirelessly with the controller  100 , thereby eliminating the need for the electrical cables  215 . 
         [0028]    Once connected, information may be shared between the controller  100  and the item display  200 . For example, the display device  10  may capture metrics including but not limited to: how often and for how long an item  300  is picked up by a customer and the model/serial number information of the item  300 . Capturing such data is particularly advantageous when creating a new planogram for the store. Additionally, the controller  100  may communicate to the item display  200  or to the item  300 . For example, the controller  100  may send signals to the item  300  to display an image on the item&#39;s screen when the item is picked up, or to keep the screen illuminated while the store is open for business. 
         [0029]    The display system&#39;s  10  primary purpose, however, is to be an alarm system to prevent theft of the item  300 . An operator either arms or disarms the alarm system using a controller key  500 . In the embodiment shown, the controller key  500  is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) card, but other keys may be used without departing from the invention. Alternatively, the retailer may disable the need for a controller key  500  to arm or disarm the alarm system if the controller  100  is placed in a secure location. When the alarm system is armed, any removal of the item  300  from the item display  200  or any severing of the electrical connections between the item displays and the controller  100  will result in an audible alarm being activated. In alternative embodiments, the controller key  500  may include identifying information such as the ID of the employee to which the controller key was issued. Such information would allow the retailer to monitor the activities of its employees to further deter theft. 
         [0030]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6-7 , an item display housing  210  in accordance with the invention is shown. The item display housing  210  is adapted to attach to the non-customer facing side  410  of the display surface  400 . The item display housing  210  includes a mounting flange  211  to facilitate the attachment of the item display housing to the customer facing side  410  of the display surface  400 . In the embodiment shown, a plurality of threaded fasteners (not shown) are used to mount the item display housing  210 . Additional mounting means may also be utilized to securely attach the item display housing  210  to the display surface  400 . 
         [0031]    The item display housing  210  encloses a recoil cable  222  in a channel  212  and a second printed circuit board  214 . The second printed circuit board  214  includes a plurality of ports  216  for connecting the item display  200  to other item displays and the controller  100  using electrical cables  215 . An additional port (not shown) is included where one end of the recoil cable  222  is attached. In the embodiment shown, the item display housing  210  includes an access door  218  to allow access to the printed circuit board  214 . 
         [0032]    Turning now to  FIGS. 8-10 , an attachment pad  250  in accordance with the invention is shown. In the embodiment shown, the attachment pad  250  includes a number of components including a back cover  252  that includes at least one keyhole  254 , a third printed circuit board  256 , a switch  258  (see  FIG. 2 ), a visual indicator  260 , a plate  262 , pad alignment magnets  264  and adhesive  266 . The third printed circuit board  256  is retained within the attachment pad  250  by a support piece  268 . The attachment pad  250  may be made of plastic, metal or any other suitable material. 
         [0033]    The attachment pad  250  may also include means for electrically connecting the item  300  attached to the pad to an electrical source. In the embodiment shown, the connection includes a socket  270  and cable  272 . As shown, the socket  270  is a mini-USB connector, but others may be used without departing from the invention. 
         [0034]    The pad alignment magnets  264  interact with riser alignment magnets (not shown) to align the attachment pad  250  in a desired orientation when the attachment pad is seated on the riser  230 . Additionally, the magnets help secure the item  300  in the riser  230 . 
         [0035]    The plate  262  includes at least one resilient finger  263  that locks the plate to the attachment pad  250 . To install the plate  262  on the attachment pad  250 , the plate is slid vertically onto the back cover  252  such that the resilient finger  263  passes over a ridge  265  on the support piece  268 . When the resilient finger  263  passes over the ridge  265 , it deforms slightly so that when the plate  262  is in its final position, the resilient finger springs into position proximate the ridge. When the plate  262  is properly installed, it may not be removed from the attachment pad  250  unless an attachment pad key  550  (see  FIG. 11 ) is used to depress the resilient finger  263 , thereby allowing it to pass back over the ridge  265 . Once the plate  262  is disengaged from the attachment pad  250 , it, along with anything attached to it, may be easily moved and attached to another attachment pad  250  elsewhere in the store. Likewise, another plate  262  from a different location in the store may be similarly attached to the attachment pad  250  just vacated. Thus, retailers may quickly and easily re-arrange their displays by simply moving plates  262  between attachment pads  250 . 
         [0036]    The plate  262  is attached to the item  300  using adhesive  266  on the front surface  270  of the plate. In the embodiment shown, the adhesive  266  is double-sided tape, although other adhesives may also be used. The attachment pad  250  also includes a switch  258  that is open when there is not an item attached to the attachment pad, and closed when an item  300  is adhered to the attachment pad. If the item  300  is removed from the attachment pad  250  the switch  258  automatically switches to the open position. If the item  300  is removed while the alarm is armed, the activation of the switch  258  causes an audible alarm to sound. In the embodiment shown, the visual indicator  260  illuminates when the system is armed. In alternative embodiments, the visual indicator may be configured to display additional colors or to flash to indicate the status of the attachment pad  250 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 11  shows an attachment pad key  550  that may be used to partially disassemble the attachment pad  250 . As shown, the attachment pad key  550  includes at least one blade  552  that is adapted to fit into the keyhole  254  on the back cover  252  (see  FIG. 13 ). The attachment pad key  550  also includes a key chain hole  554  for attachment to a key chain, key fob, or other place. In the embodiment shown, the attachment pad key  550  is made of plastic but other suitable materials may be used without departing from the invention. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 12-13 , a riser  230  in accordance with the invention is shown. The riser  230  is adapted to offset the attachment pad  250  from the customer facing side  420  of the display surface  400 . In the embodiment shown, the riser  230  includes a base plate  231 , an inner channel  232 , an outer housing  233 , an upper retention ring  234 , an indicator ring  235 , a plurality of riser magnets  236 , and a contour ring  237 . 
         [0039]    As shown, the inner channel  232  and outer housing  233  are each made of two halves that are connected together with a plurality of fasteners  238 . Fastener covers  239  are then inserted to cover the heads of the fasteners  238 . Alternatively, the inner channel  232  and outer housing  233  may be formed as individual pieces or as a combined part. The inner channel  232  includes a primary channel  240  through which the recoil cable  222  may pass. In the embodiment shown, the inner channel  232  further includes an auxiliary channel  242  through which an auxiliary cable (not shown) may pass. The auxiliary cable is used to power and control the indicator ring  235 . The indicator ring  235  may be adapted to change color depending on the status of the item  300  or the alarm system. The indicator ring  235  may also be used as an attention getting device. For example, the indicator ring  235  may be illuminated in a variety of colors or the controller  100  may be configured to send a coordinated signal to the indicator rings  235  on a plurality of risers  230  thereby causing the indicator rings  235  to selectively illuminate or change color in a pattern. 
         [0040]    The upper retention ring  234  is configured to provide rigidity to the riser  230  and a surface to support the indicator ring  235 , the riser magnets  236 , and the contour ring  237 . As shown, the upper retention ring  234  includes a plurality of holes  244  of varying sizes adapted to attach the upper retention ring  234  to the inner channel  232  and outer housing  233 , and to the indicator ring  235  and contour ring  237  by a plurality of fasteners  246 . The fasteners  246  are screws, but other fastening means may be used without departing from the invention. 
         [0041]    A plurality of riser magnets  236  may be embedded between the indicator ring  235  and the contour ring  237 . The riser magnets  236  are configured to interact with the pad alignment magnets  264  (see  FIG. 12 ) to orient the attachment pad  250  in a desired position. Additionally, the contour ring  237  includes a plurality of valleys  248  and peaks  474 , which, in conjunction with the aforementioned magnets  236 ,  234 , help orient the attachment pad  250  in position on the riser  230 . 
         [0042]    Although the invention has been herein described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the appended claims and the description of the invention herein.