Abstract:
An apparatus, a system and a method positions a cable extending from an alarm system through a housing to face the cable toward the rear of an electronic device to which the cable is attached. The housing has a sensor assembly that holds a light visible through the sensor assembly to denote an alarm condition. A sensor associated with the sensor assembly connects to a corresponding sensor port in the electronic device. A joint attached to the sensor assembly rotates to position the cable. Detachment of the sensor from the port in the electronic device disrupts a circuit formed between the alarm system, the cable and the electronic device to activate the alarm condition.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for positioning, securing, attaching and/or detaching a cable with a, sensor, such as, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (hereinafter “USB”) sensor to an electronic device by a cable assembly which may rotate to an angle from an original position to orient the cable away from the electronic device. More specifically, the present invention positions the cable with the sensor to face the rear of an electronic device such as a camera, a smart phone, a laptop or tablet computer, an E-book, an E-reader, and/or the like. The electronic device may be displayed in, for example, in an uncluttered manner by positioning the cable toward the rear of the device. The device may be portable and, for example, displayed for sale by a retailer, a wholesaler and/or the like. 
         [0002]    Vendors, retailers and/or wholesalers may display a device to a customer at, for example, a retail store for evaluation by the customer. The device may be displayed with a fixture, such as, for example, a wall, a floor, a pillar, a support beam, a stair case, a cabinet, a table, a shelf and/or the like. 
         [0003]    Generally, electronic devices such as laptop computers have sleek, smooth and/or otherwise uninterrupted design lines. A cable, such as a power cable, extends from a power source and/or an alarm system to insert into a corresponding port, such as a sensor port, located on the electronic device, to provide power to the electronic device. Positioning the cable away from the front of the device allows customers to access the electronic device. Cables may protrude from the device, cross over the device, become entangled with the device, and/or otherwise impede access to the device. 
         [0004]    A need, therefore, exists for an apparatus, a system and a method for positioning, securing, attaching and/or detaching a cable with a sensor to an electronic device via a cable assembly which may rotate from a position to orient the cable to face the rear of the electronic device to which the cable is attached. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for positioning, securing, attaching and/or detaching a cable, such as a power cable, with a sensor to an electronic device via a cable assembly. Examples of devices may include a camera, a smart phone, a laptop or tablet computer, an E-book, an E-reader, and/or the like. Further, the cable assembly may have a body with a bottom, a digital key connector assembly, a sensor assembly, a switch such as, for example, a switch with a plunger, a sensor, such as a sensor, a light, such as a LED light, mounted in the sensor assembly, and a joint. A disruption of a circuit formed by the connection of a cable with the sensor to the electronic device through the cable assembly may be detected to activate, for example, an alarm condition. 
         [0006]    To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for connecting a sensor assembly from an alarm system to an electronic device by a cable to complete a circuit between the sensor assembly, the electronic device is provided. A disruption of the circuit causes the alarm system to activate an alarm condition. The apparatus has a cable assembly with a groove along an interior of the cable assembly. A joint attaches the cable assembly to a housing. The joint rotates to position the cable through the groove of the cable assembly to face the electronic device. A connector attaches to the cable and the connector inserts into the alarm system. A sensor in the sensor assembly connects to a port in the electronic device. 
         [0007]    In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus has a light in the housing that illuminates through the body to indicate the alarm-ready condition of the circuit. 
         [0008]    In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus has a base section that covers the cable. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus has a top cover and a bottom cover wherein the top cover inserts into the bottom cover to form the cable assembly. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus has a cap that fits in an opening in a base positioned opposite to the cap to form the housing. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus has a coiled section that reduces a length of the cable wherein the cable extends from the alarm system to connect with the electronic device. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment of the invention, an identifying label may be applied to the cable wherein the identifying label may be a “heat-shrink” type label, i.e. where a pre-formed label may expand upon heating to be applied to a surface and shrink to a desired size on the surface upon later cooling. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a system for connecting a sensor to an electronic device is provided. The system has a cable routed through a housing. The cable has a length defined between a first end and a second end. The first end has the sensor that inserts into a port in the electronic device. The second end has a connector that inserts into an alarm system to define a circuit between the cable, the electronic device and the alarm system. A hinge joint is located at one end of the housing. The hinge joint rotates to position the cable away from the electronic device. A light is mounted in the housing. The light illuminates upon insertion of the cable into the alarm system and the port in the electronic device to signify an alarm ready condition of the circuit. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment of the invention, the system has an alarm activated by disruption of the circuit. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment of the invention, the system has a conductor cord in the cable to supply power to the electronic device from the alarm system. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment of the invention, the system has a label that provides identifying information regarding the cable wherein the label is attached to the cable. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment of the invention, the system has an alarm activated by removal of the connector from the port in the electronic device. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment of the invention, the system has a plunger switch in the housing wherein depression of the plunger switch closes the circuit. 
         [0019]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for connecting a cable from an alarm system to an electronic device to complete a circuit between the alarm system, the cable and the electronic device is provided. A disruption of the circuit causes the alarm system to activate an alarm condition. The method includes identifying a port on the electronic device and connecting the cable to the alarm system. The cable is routed through a housing wherein the housing rotates to position the cable away from the electronic device. A sensor associated with the housing is connected to the port. The alarm condition deactivates the electronic device. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment of the invention, the method includes activating an alarm condition upon removal of the sensor from the port. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment of the invention, the method includes illuminating the sensor in the housing to signify the alarm condition. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment of the invention, the method includes disrupting the circuit to activate the alarm condition upon removal of the cable from the alarm system. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment of the invention, the method includes deactivating the sensor prior to detaching the sensor from the port. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment of the invention, the method includes activating the alarm system to create an alarm-ready condition. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment of the invention, the method includes depressing a plunger switch to close the circuit. 
         [0026]    Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of an assembly housing a sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a sensor assembly attached to the left side of a laptop computer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of a sensor assembly attached to the right side of a laptop computer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cable in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates a RJ-type connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of a cable assembly with a sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of a cable with a sensor and a cable assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of a cable with a sensor and a cable assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    Embodiments disclosed herein are applicable to a cable assembly that may rotate to an angle from an original position to orient a cable away from the electronic device to which the cable is attached. While specific embodiments may be described as utilized in the consumer electronics and related industries, the cable positioning device may be applicable in other industries where the positioning of a cable with a sensor and/or other peripheral may be desirable. The embodiments, for example, may be utilized in a retail setting having displayed devices. 
         [0036]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof. In the drawings, similar symbols or identifiers typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, which are contemplated and form part of this disclosure. 
         [0037]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of an apparatus  10  which may accept and/or receive a cable  90 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , through a passageway, pipe and/or a conduit  24 . The apparatus  10  may have a base  54  with a side  50  which may be attached to the base at, for example, a corner section  52 . The side  50  may have a protrusion  46  that may extend from the side  50  to insert into a complementary orifice  104  in a top cap  12  to attach the top cap  12  to the base  54  to complete and/or form the apparatus  10 . Further, in an embodiment, the top cap  12  may have a section  16  that may assist fitment of the top cap  12  to the base  54 . 
         [0038]    A sensor assembly  106 , such as, for example, including a USB sensor, also referred to as a digital key connector assembly and/or a “Digi-Key” ®, registered trademark of Digi-Key Corp., type electronic component and/or connector may be mounted on and/or in the base  54  as shown in, for example,  FIG. 1 . A cable  90 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , may attach to the sensor assembly  106  which may insert into a port  126 , such as, for example, a port configured to receive a USB sensor, in a laptop computer  124 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , to complete a circuit between the cable  90 , an alarm system to which the cable  90  may be attached, and the laptop computer  124 . Removal of the sensor assembly  106  from the port  126  may disrupt the circuit to activate an alarm condition. The sensor assembly  106  may have a housing  36  with an opening  38  that may be configured to engage with and/or accept various electronic components associated with the port  126 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , to complete a connection of the sensor assembly  106  to an electronic device such as a laptop computer  124 . The housing  36  may have a side  34  positioned and/or oriented parallel to the side  50  of the base  54 . 
         [0039]    An intermediate piece  108  may be positioned on and/or adhered to a top surface  34  of the housing  36 . A circuit board  30  may be fixed to and positioned on top of the intermediate piece  108 . In an embodiment, the circuit board  30  may assist in data interfacing and/or communication via the sensor assembly  106 , an alarm system, and an electronic device, such as the laptop  126 . Various electronic components  28  may be positioned in and/or on the sensor assembly  106  for data processing and/or transfer. In an embodiment, the various electronic components  28  may have a light-emitting diode (hereinafter “LED”) light mounted in the sensor assembly  106 . The LED light may illuminate upon connection of the cable  90  into an alarm system and the port  126  in an electronic device such as the laptop computer  124 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , to signify an alarm ready condition. Also, the various electronic components may have a switch, such as a switch with a plunger that may be depressed, for example, to complete a circuit to assist in the detection an interior of the sensor assembly  106 . 
         [0040]    The sensor assembly  106  may connect with the cable  90  to allow for data interfacing and/or communication between electronic devices, such as an alarm system and/or a laptop computer. In an embodiment, the cable  90  may be a power cord and/or cable that may also supply electricity and/or power to the sensor assembly from a traditional wall socket and/or a power source associated with an alarm system, for example. 
         [0041]    The cable  90  may be associated with the conduit  24  to connect to the sensor assembly  106  as, for example, shown in  FIG. 1 . The conduit  24  may be surrounded by a left-side sheath and/or cover  26  and/or a right-side sheath and/or cover  18  that may accept the cable  90  and/or feed the cable  90  to the sensor assembly  106  via a groove shaped as, for example, an elbow  22 . Connection of the cable into an alarm system and/or an electronic device such as a laptop computer may define a circuit. The circuit may be an electronic circuit that may be opened and/or closed by depression of a switch that may be mounted in, for example, the housing  36 . The switch may complete a circuit to assist in the detection of an inside area and/or region of the port in the electronic device, for example. The switch may also close a circuit, such as an open circuit, formed by the connection of the cable  90  to an alarm system and/or a port in an electronic device. Disruption of the circuit by, for example, removing the sensor assembly  106  from the port  126  in the electronic device and/or removing the cable  90  from an alarm system may activate an alarm condition. 
         [0042]    In an embodiment, one or more of the various components of the apparatus  10 , such as the base  54 , the housing  36 , and/or the top sheath and/or cover  12 , may be constructed from plastic, metal, a composite and/or any other substantially rigid material and/or combination thereof. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the left-side sheath and/or cover  26  and/or the right-side sheath and/or cover  18  may have hollow sections to reduce weight and/or to enhance structural rigidity of the apparatus  10 , for example. 
         [0043]    A ridge  128  may extend from an underside of the right-side sheath and/or cover  18  to insert into an orifice  110  in the left-side sheath and/or cover  26  to connect, attach and/or bind the right-side sheath and/or cover  18  to the left side sheath and/or cover  26  to form a cable assembly  74 . A right-side semi-circular connector piece  20  may be located on the right-side sheath and/or cover  18 . Likewise, a left-side semi-circular connector piece  112  may be located on the left-side sheath and/or cover  26 . The right-side semi-circular connector piece  20  may interface and/or engage with the left-side semi-circular connector piece  112  to form a hinge joint  118  upon insertion of knobs  114  into holes  116  as shown in  FIG. 1 , for example. 
         [0044]    An advantage offered by the apparatus  10  is the ability to rotate the cable  90 , which may be routed through the cable assembly  74 , about an axis defined by the hinge joint  118 . In an embodiment, the angle at which the cable  90  is rotated through the cable assembly  74  may be up to one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°). 
         [0045]    The hinge joint  118  may insert into an arc-shaped holder  48  that may be designed to accept insertion of the hinge joint  118 . The hinge joint  118  may assist in the rotation of the cable assembly  74  to rotate about an axis defined by the hinge joint  118  to attach of the sensor assembly  106  to an electronic peripheral such as a laptop computer  124 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0046]    In an embodiment, the apparatus  10  may allow for the rotation of the cable assembly  74  to accommodate insertion of the sensor assembly  106  into a port  126  located on the left of the laptop computer as shown in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the cable assembly  74  may be rotated about an axis defined by the hinge joint  118  to accommodate insertion of the sensor assembly  106  on the right of the laptop computer  124  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The cable  90  may be directed to face a direction  130 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , of the laptop computer  124  and/or device via the rotation of the hinge joint  118 . Thus, the cable  90  may be positioned to permit for display and/or to accommodate consumer interaction. Such positioning may be desirable for creating an uncluttered appearance of the electronic device, such as a laptop  124 , without negatively impacting the alarm functionality from attachment of the sensor assembly  106  to a corresponding port on the electronic device  126 . Removal of the sensor assembly  106  from the port  126  may activate an alarm condition when the cable  90  is connected to an alarm system. 
         [0047]    In an embodiment, the various electronic components  28  may have a light emitting diode (hereinafter “LED”) that may emit light through the sensor assembly  106  and/or the apparatus  10  to denote an active alarm-ready condition, for example, when the cable  90  is plugged into and/or connected to an alarm system. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an electronic device, such as the laptop computer  124 , is shown with the port  126  located on a left side and/or right side of the laptop  124  relative to the direction  130 . In an embodiment, the direction  130  may point toward the rear of the laptop  124 . The apparatus  10  may be positioned at a location adjacent to the port  126  on the left side and/or the right side of the laptop computer  124 . 
         [0049]    The cable assembly  74  may be rotated about an axis defined by the hinge joint  118 , if needed, to accommodate the insertion of the sensor assembly  106  into the port  126  to initiate and/or further facilitate data communication and/or power delivery through the cable  90 . The cable  90  may extend from the apparatus  10  toward the direction  130  to provide for an uncluttered appearance of the laptop computer  124 . A neat and/or uncluttered appearance of the laptop computer  124  may be desirable to present the electronic device, such as the laptop computer  124 , and/or to accommodate consumer interaction with the laptop computer  124 . 
         [0050]    In an embodiment, the cable  90  may extend from the port  126  on the laptop computer  124  through the apparatus  10  and the cable assembly  74  to connect and/or attach to an alarm system to define a circuit. Disruption of the circuit via disconnection and/or removal of the sensor assembly  106  from the port  126  and/or from the alarm system may activate an alarm condition. The alarm condition may, for example, alert store employees to the unauthorized removal of and/or tampering with the laptop computer  124 . 
         [0051]    To arm and/or prepare the laptop computer  124  to be, for example, alarm-ready, the location of the port  126  may be identified on the laptop computer  124 . For example, the port  126  may be located on a left side of the laptop computer  124  as shown in  FIG. 2 , and/or may be located on a right side of the laptop computer as shown in  FIG. 3 . The sensor assembly  106 , attached to the cable  90 , may be inserted into the port  126 . The cable assembly  74  may be rotated to position the cable  90 , threaded through the cable assembly  74 , generally in the direction  130  to face the rear of the laptop computer  124 . In an embodiment, a base section  122  may attach to a connector  68 . The connector  68  may be registered jack (hereinafter “RJ”) connector and/or a RJ-type connector. The connector  68  may be inserted into an alarm system to complete a circuit between, for example an alarm system, the cable  90  and the laptop computer  124 . The alarm system may then be configured to an alarm-ready status. In an embodiment, multiple laptop computers  124  may be configured to an alarm-ready status. 
         [0052]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a cross-section of the cable  90  is shown. The cable  90  may have several conductors  60 . In an embodiment, the conductors  60  may be American Wire Gauge (hereinafter “AWG”) standard size  28  wire conductors. The cable  90  may have a width of 0.110 in. (2.800 mm). The cable  90  may have an exterior surface  62  defined by one or more angled surfaces to assist in identification of the cable  90  and/or maneuverability of the cable  90 . The cable  90  may transfer data and/or information from the sensor assembly  106  and/or the electronic device such as a laptop computer  124  to an alarm system. Removal of the sensor assembly  106  from the port  126  may disrupt and/or break a circuit formed by, for example, the laptop computer  124 , the cable  90 , and the alarm system to activate an alarm condition. 
         [0053]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the connector  68  is may be positioned at an end of the cable  90  that may be opposite to the end of the cable  90  that may be inserted into the cable assembly  74 . In an embodiment, the connector  68  may be a RJ and/or a RJ-type connector. The connector  68  may be attached to the cable  90  by an overmold  64  that may cover the cable  90 . The connector  68  may have a plug  66  that may extend from the base section  122  to enter into a jack  70 . The jack  70  may have a reversibly compressible clip  72  at an end of the jack  70 . The connector  68  may connect the cable  90  to an alarm system via insertion and/or attachment of, for example, the clip  72  into a suitable port in the alarm system to complete a circuit formed between the laptop computer, the cable  90 , and the alarm system. 
         [0054]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a top view of the apparatus  10  is shown with the cable assembly  74  oriented generally for left-sided use where, for example, the sensor assembly  106  may be inserted into a port located, for example, on the left side of a laptop computer while viewing the screen. As shown here, the sensor assembly  106  may have openings  82  located on a surface of the sensor assembly  106 , such as the circuit board  30 . The openings  82  may interact with and/or communicate with a port  126  on the laptop computer  124 . 
         [0055]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a side and top view of the cable  90  and sensor assembly  106  are shown, respectively. In an embodiment, the cable  90  may have a coil  94  to allow for transport of the cable  90  and/or to accommodate connecting to, for example, the port  126  on an electronic device such as, for example, the laptop computer  124  and/or an alarm system. The coil  94  may be expanded to accommodate longer distances between the laptop computer  124  and the alarm system, for example, and may recoil and/or shorten to conserve room when length is not required. Further, the cable  90  may have label  120  to identify the cable  90  to be associated with an alarm system. The label  120  may denote that, for example, detachment of the cable  90  from either an alarm system and/or an electronic device via the sensor assembly  106  may result in an alarm condition. In an embodiment, an identifying label and/or decal may be applied to the cable. In detail, the identifying label may be a “heat-shrink” type label, i.e. where a pre-formed label may expand upon heating to be applied to a surface, such as the cable  90 , and shrink to a desired size on the surface upon later cooling. In an embodiment, the alarm condition may include audible, visual and/or vibratory signals. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the clip  72  may protrude at an angle from the base section  122  while the clip  72  may be, for example, uncompressed. The clip  72  may compress and subsequently relax and/or expand upon insertion and/or attachment to an alarm system via an RJ connector and/or RJ-type connector. 
         [0056]    While the present disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure should be limited only by the attached claims.