Abstract:
Apparatus that may help identify unauthorized removal of goods while maintaining a pleasing physical appearance, avoiding theft misidentifications, and allowing a high degree of customer interaction. One example may provide a signal path for conveying a signal that is active when a good or device is removed from a retail or other environment in an authorized manner. The signal path may be wired or wireless. In another example, a signal path for a sensor may be inconspicuously combined with a power cable. In another example, theft misidentifications may be prevented by not relying on connections that a customer is likely to interact with to detect a theft. Another example may provide a security device that may allow a high degree of customer interaction by unobtrusively attaching a sensor to the back of a good to be protected.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Despite the growing popularity of web-based commerce, in-person retail experiences remain an important part of many people&#39;s decisions when purchasing electronic products. This is particularly true for products that provide a high-quality user experience. These products that have a sophisticated look and feel are best shown in person, where customers can interact with them, as opposed to simple on-line images. 
     Since quality products are best shown in person, it may be desirable that customers have full access to them in the retail environment. For example, it may be desirable to allow customers to play with keyboards, monitors, and power plugs on such devices as laptop and netbook computers. 
     Unfortunately, there is a downside in allowing customers such unfettered access to these high-quality products. On occasion, the products may be stolen. For this reason, it is desirable to be able to detect when a device is being removed from a retail environment in an unauthorized manner. Once an attempt at such an unauthorized removal is detected, steps can be initiated to stop the removal, to prevent other such removals, or to attempt to recover the removed devices at that or a later time. 
     But it is also desirable to avoid “false alarms.” That is, it may be desirable to avoid misidentifying mere customer activity and exploration as attempted theft. For example, it may be undesirable for an alarm to sound when a customer merely types on a keyboard or plays with a power connector. Such misidentification can embarrass customers, cause confusion, and create an unprofessional appearing environment, which may lead to customer dissatisfaction, reduced reputation, and a corresponding drop in sales. 
     It may also be desirable to avoid product-loss counter measures that visually clutter or complicate a user&#39;s experience. For example, bolting a laptop, or tethering it using a thick cable, may prevent removal of the laptop, but may also inhibit a user from interacting with the device and provide an unpleasing appearance. 
     Thus, what is needed are apparatus that help identify unauthorized removal of goods while maintaining a pleasing physical appearance, avoiding misidentifications, and allowing a high degree of customer interaction. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus that may help identify unauthorized removal of goods while maintaining a pleasing physical appearance, avoiding misidentifications, and allowing a high degree of customer interaction. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide a signal path for conveying a signal that is active when a good or device is removed from a retail or other environment in an authorized manner. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the signal path may be over a pair of wires connected to a sensor. The sensor may be attached by adhesive or otherwise affixed to a good to be protected. When the sensor is attached to the good, a pin may be depressed, thereby closing a switch and connecting the wires together. When the sensor is removed, or the wire path cut, the wires may be disconnected. This disconnect may be sensed as an attempt to remove the good in an unauthorized manner. 
     In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the signal path may be a wireless path where the sensor may include a transmitter and may be attached by adhesive or otherwise affixed to a good to be protected. When the sensor is attached to the good, a pin may be depressed, thereby closing a switch and activating a transmitter. When the good and the attached sensor are moved a certain distance away, reception may be lost and an authorized removal attempt may be detected. When the sensor is removed, the transmitter may be deactivated and an authorized removal attempt may be detected. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide a security device that may provide a desirable physical appearance. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a signal path for a sensor may be inconspicuously combined with a power cable. In one example, the signal path may be combined with a power cable up to a power plug. Only a segment of the signal path from the power plug to a sensor may be visible to a user. In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the signal path may be wireless, and this segment may not be needed. These and other configurations provided by embodiments of the present invention may provide a pleasing appearance and allow a user to remove the power plug without activating the sensor, while still providing notification of an authorized removal. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide a security device that helps avoid misidentification of an attempted theft. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, misidentifications may be prevented by not relying on connections that a customer is likely to interact with to detect a theft. In one example, a sensor may be separate from a power plug. This may allow a user to remove the power plug for inspection without triggering a false alarm. This may be particularly useful where the plug is interesting, for example, where the plug and receptacle are magnetically attracted to each other. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide a security device that may allow a high degree of customer interaction. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a sensor may be unobtrusively attached to the back of the device. For example, where the device is a laptop or netbook computer, the sensor may be attached to the back of a display. This may allow a user to play with a keyboard, remove a power connection, and otherwise interact with the device while security measures remain in place. 
     While embodiments of the present invention are particularly suited to securing laptop or netbook computers, other devices, such as portable computing devices, tablet, desktop, and all-in-one computers, cell, smart, and media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, and others, may be secured using embodiments of the present invention. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a portion of a retail environment that may be improved by the incorporation of embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a theft prevention cable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary wiring for a cable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, while  FIG. 4B  illustrates a more detailed view of a sensor portion of a cable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a cable and wireless apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a portion of a retail environment that may be improved by the incorporation of embodiments of the present invention. This figure illustrates a display table  110  on which a number of laptop computers  120  may be arranged. Having laptops  120  arranged in this manner may allow users to access and interact with laptops  120  from directions  112  and  114 . 
     Again, it may be desirable to allow customers to be able to fully interact with laptops  120 . That is, it may be desirable to allow customers to pick up a laptop  120 , play with its keyboard, adjust its display, examine its power connector, and interact with it in other ways. Unfortunately, on occasion, an unauthorized removal of a laptop  120  may be attempted. That is, someone may try to steal one or more of the laptops  120 . Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus that may help in avoiding such unauthorized removal. 
     Again, it may be desirable to provide a pleasant retail environment. Moreover, it may be desirable to avoid false alarms, or incorrect indications of an attempted theft. Such false alarms may confuse or annoy shoppers, and provide an unprofessional appearance. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention further provide apparatus that may have an aesthetically pleasing appearance and may avoid false alarms. An example of one such apparatus is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a theft prevention cable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. It should also be noted that the same or similarly numbered or named features may be the same features in each of the drawings, for example, connectors  420  and  520  may be the same or similar connector. 
     In this example, laptop  220  may be powered via power adapter  230  and may be protected by alarm  240 . Power adapter  230  may provide power to laptop  220  via cable  232  and power connector  234 . Alarm  240  may be connected to sensor  244  through cable  242 . 
     Again, power adapter  230  may provide power to laptop  220 . Power adapter  230  may be a power adapter that provides power to several laptops  220 . Power adapter  230  may be integrated or housed with other electronic circuitry, such as alarm  240  or other power supply circuitry. Power adapter  230  may convert AC power to DC power that may be used by computer  220 . Power adapter  230  may provide power to laptop  220  using power connector  234 , which may be a magnetic or other type of connector. 
     Sensor  244  may be attached to a back of display  222  of laptop  220 . In this way, sensor  244  may remain unobtrusive and out of view of a user, though sensor  244  may be located on or inside other parts of laptop  220 . Sensor  244  may connect to alarm  240  via cable  242 . If cable  242  is cut, alarm  240  may sense this and signal that an unauthorized removal may be taking place. Also, if sensor  244  is removed from laptop  220 , sensor  244  may detect this and signal that an unauthorized removal may be taking place. 
     Specifically, sensor  244  may be held in place with an adhesive layer, magnets, or other appropriate manner. While sensor  244  is held in place, a spring-biased pin (not shown) may be depressed closing a switch (not shown) in sensor  244 . When sensor  244  is removed, this pin may be released, thereby opening the switch. This opening may be detected by alarm  240 , which may indicate that an unauthorized removal may be occurring. 
     Alarm  240  may be a dedicated alarm, or may be an alarm that is integrated in the functionality of a computer, server, or other electronic device. 
     In this embodiment of the present invention, two cables, specifically cables  232  and  242 , are needed. Accordingly, another embodiment of the present invention combines these cables along part of their length to provide a cable apparatus having an aesthetically pleasing appearance. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, power adapter  330  may provide power through cable  332 . Cable  332  may then be routed inside cable  336  to power connector  334 . Power connector  334  may provide power to laptop  320 . Alarm  340  may be connected to cable  342 . Cable  342  may be routed through cable  336  and through housing  334 , where it may emerge and connect to sensor  344  on a back of display  322  on laptop  320 . 
     In this way, cables  332  and  342  appear to a customer as a single cable  336  up to power connector  334 . Cable  342  may emerge from power connector  334  and connect to sensor  344 , as before. If cables  342  or  336  are cut, alarm  340  may indicate that a theft may be occurring. Similarly, if sensor  344  is removed, alarm  340  may indicate that a theft may be occurring. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, alarm  340  may provide various indications that a theft is occurring. For example, a loud sound may be generated by, or caused to be generated by, alarm  340 . In other embodiments of the present invention, alarm  340  may send, or cause to be sent, an email, text, or other message. Alarm  340  may provide an indication in the form of a light, sound, or other mechanism to a sales desk, security station, or other personnel or location. 
     By employing a cable apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, such as the cable apparatus in  FIG. 3 , a user may be able to engage laptop  320 . For example, a user may be able to interact with its keyboard (not shown) and display  322  without a theft being indicated. Also, a user may be able to remove and inspect power connector  334  without a theft being indicated. A pleasing appearance may be maintained by reducing the number of cables routed to laptop  320 . An example of wiring that may be used for a cable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary wiring for a cable apparatus  400  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a power connector  410  may receive power from a power adapter. This received power may include a positive power supply and a ground, a positive power supply and a negative power supply, a ground and a negative power supply, or any combination thereof. This power may be provided on wires  412  and  414  to power connector  420 . These wires may connect to contacts, such as  422  and  424 , in connector  420 . Connector  420  may be a magnetic or other type of power connector. For example, power connector  420  may include attraction plate  426  that may be magnetically attracted to one or more magnets in a corresponding connector receptacle in a laptop, tablet, netbook, or other type of computer or other electronic device. In various embodiments of the present invention, connector  420  may be a MagSafe™ connector. 
     Cable apparatus  400  may also include connector  430  for connecting to an alarm. Connector  430  may be an RJ-11 or other type of connector. Connector  430  may connect to wires  432  and  434 . Wires  432  and  434  may be routed through power connector  420 . For example, wires  432  and  434  may be routed through power connector  420  such that they do not interact with circuitry or other component in power connector  420 . Wires  432  and  434  may connect to sensor  440 . Sensor  440  may include a face  442 , which may be covered with an adhesive layer for attaching to a laptop or other electronic device. Sensor  440  may also include a pin  444 . When sensor  440  is attached to an electronic device, pin  444  may be depressed, thereby closing a switch. If one or both wires  432  or  434  are cut, or pin  444  is not depressed, an alarm may detect an opening between wires  432  and  434 , and may indicate that a theft may be occurring. When wires  432  and  434  are intact and pin  444  is depressed, an alarm may sense a short between wires  432  and  434  and may not indicate that a theft may be occurring. In this example, wires  432  and  434  may be a first wire and a second wire, while wires  412  and  414  may be a third wire and a fourth wire. A more detailed view of the sensor is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a more detailed view of a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Sensor  440  may be used as the sensor in this and the other included examples. In this example, pin  444  may be spring-biased to be in an “out” or non-depressed position unless it is actively depressed, for example when sensor  440  is attached to a device to be protected. 
     Again, when sensor face  442  is attached to a device to be protected, pin  444  may be depressed. This action closes switch  450 , thereby shorting wires  432  and  434  together. An alarm may sense a short between these wires and may not provide an indication that a theft is taking place. Conversely, when sensor  440  is removed, pin  444  may be biased to the out position and switch  450  may be open. When this occurs, or when one or both of the wires  432  or  434  are cut, an alarm may sense an open circuit between wires  432  or  434  and provide an indication that a theft is taking place. 
     In one example, as wires  412  and  414  emerge from power connector  410 , they may be clad in a jacket or insulating layer as a single cable. Similarly, as wires  432  and  434  emerge from connector  430 , they may be clad in a jacket or insulating layer as a separate cable. At some point, these cables may join as a single cable and be routed to power connector  420 . Wires  432  and  434  may emerge from power connector  420  clad in a jacket or insulating layer as another separate cable portion. An example of this is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a cable apparatus  500  according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure illustrates a power connector  510  that may provide power over cable  512  to power connector  520 . Power connector  520  may be arranged to mate with a connector receptacle in a laptop, tablet, netbook, or other electronic or other device. Connector  530 , which may be arranged to connect to an alarm, may be connected to sensor  540  via cable  532 . Cables  532  and  512  may be combined as a single cable  522  for a portion of their lengths. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, circuitry for an alarm and power adapter may be combined in a single unit. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a combined power adapter and alarm  630  may connect to power connector  634 , which may be attached to laptop  620 . Power adapter and alarm  630  may connect to sensor  644  via cable  642 . 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, a cable connecting to a sensor may not be routed through a power connector. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a cable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, power adapter  730  may provide power over cable  732  to power connector  734 , which may provide power to laptop  720 . Alarm  740  may connect to sensor  744  through cable  742 . Cables  730  and  742  may be joined as a single cable for part of their length, shown here as cable portion  748 . 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, a sensor may be wireless. This may eliminate the need for a separate cable to the sensor. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a cable and wireless apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, power adapter  830  may provide power to laptop  820  via cable  832  and power connector  834 . Sensor  844  may communicate wirelessly with alarm  840 . During normal operation, sensor  844  may actively send a wireless signal to alarm  840 . So long as alarm  840  continues to receive this signal, alarm  840  may not indicate that an authorized removal may be taking place. As sensor  844  is moved out of range from alarm  840 , alarm  840  may indicate that an unauthorized removal is occurring. Similarly, if sensor  844  is removed from laptop  820 , sensor  844  may shut off transmissions, or provide another indication of its removal, and alarm  840  may indicate that a theft may be taking place. Sensor  844  may be attached to laptop  820 , or sensor  844  may be integrated inside laptop  820 . 
     While these and other embodiments of the present invention are well-suited for a retail environment, they are also well-suited for other environments. For example, in education or public access environments, it may be desirable to allow users to interact with laptops or other electronic devices while providing an indication of an unauthorized removal. As one example, a laptop may be used in an office. If an unauthorized removal occurs, an alarm or other notification, such as an email or text message, may be sent. Alternatively, personnel at a front desk or security station may be alerted, and they may be able to prevent or mitigate a theft. 
     Also, while embodiments of the present invention are well-suited for protecting laptop, tablet, or netbook computers, other types of electronic devices, such as portable computing devices, desktop and all-in-one computers, cell, smart, and media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, and others, may be protected. Also, other goods may be protected using embodiments of the present invention, such as conventional or electronic bicycles or other transportation, or other goods or materials. 
     The above description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.