Abstract:
A communication connector with analog coupling circuit and a mechanical coupling circuit used for providing security to electronic devices. The analog circuit includes a male plug with an outer shell and tongue shell. Between the outer shell and tongue is a thin layer of non-conductive material to prevent the closure of a circuit. Two separate conductors are wired through the USB body; one attaching to the outer shell and the other attaching to the tongue. A closed circuit is created when the male USB is placed into a female receptor. The mechanical circuit creates a closed circuit when the plunger switch becomes compressed. There is a security monitor system connected to an end of the two conductors, which sound an alarm when circuit is opened. The alarm will sound if a thief attempts to steal the article either by cutting the wire or removal of the plug.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/758,174, entitled 
         [0002]    “COMMUNICATION CONNECTOR WITH ANALOG COUPLING CIRCUIT”, filed Feb. 04, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 61/674,629 with the same title and a filing date of Jul. 23, 2012, which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    This invention relates to electronic device security through an analog electrical circuit. 
         [0005]    More specifically, it relates to an alarm system created through a closed circuit in the single point of entry for an electronic charging plug, such as a micro USB. 
         [0006]    2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    Currently, electronic devices are secured in stores through various locking mechanisms. Some of these mechanisms are equipped with an alarm to warn when the device is unplugged. Many of the devices meant to protect against theft of the electronic device impede the consumer from fully accessing and utilizing the device. One of the most common examples of security devices impeding the accessibility of an electronic device is in the retail of cellular phones. 
         [0008]    Cellular phones are secured through a device that substantially blocks the back-side of the phone in many retail locations. This poses a problem with the evolution of technology. As the cell phones evolve, their uses evolve. One of the latest innovations is near field communication between cellular phones. Near field communication establishes radio communication between two cellular phones through touch or close proximity. This technology has many different applications that include contactless transactions, data exchange, and simplified setup of more complex communications. 
         [0009]    The most common method of creating near field communication is for the back of two cellular phones to come into physical contact with each other. This creates a problem in retail stores that want to show the technology of the phone, but are prevented from doing so because of a security device attached to the back of the cellular phone. Presently, there is a lack of security devices that will alarm against potential theft while leaving the back of the cellular phone substantially free. 
         [0010]    Additionally, many security devices in the prior art substitute aesthetics for security of the electronic device. The large, clunky security devices attached to the back of many cellular phones add weight and a clunky feel to the electronic device. There exists a need for a simplified electronic protection device that provides a cost effective security solution while properly displaying the electronic device as intended. 
         [0011]    Thus, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the field of this invention how the shortcomings of the prior art could be overcome. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for an alarm system created through a closed circuit in the single point of entry for an electronic charging plug, such as a micro USB, that provides economical security to electronic devices while preserving the aesthetics of the electronic device, is now met by a new, useful, and nonobvious invention. 
         [0013]    The novel structure of the alarm system includes a male USB having a first shell that includes non-conductive material. In a preferred embodiment, the non-conductive material is plastic. Inherent in the design of a male USB is a contact end, adapted to engage a corresponding female receptor, and a base end that substantially remains un-contacted with female receptor. A second shell communicates with the first shell along the contact end of the male USB with a portion extending onto the base end. A first solder point is located on the portion of said second shell extending onto said base end wherein a first conductor wire attaches. The second shell forms a U-shape along the top side of male USB contact end. A third shell contacts the first shell, but is not in physical contact with said second shell. The third shell includes a tongue portion and a mouth portion. Mouth portion is located on the base end of the male USB. Tongue portion extends longitudinally from the mouth portion into the contact end. In a preferred embodiment, tongue extends into the open area formed by the U-shape of second shell along the top portion of male USB contact end. A second conductor wire connects to a second solder point on the third shell. Second and third shells should include conductive material. In a preferred embodiment the conductive material is metal. 
         [0014]    The novel invention may further include a shroud device used to secure the male USB to an electronic device. Shroud comprises a first arm and a second arm being disposed in perpendicular relation to one another connected by an elbow joint. First arm includes an adhesive side and a base side. Adhesive side of the first arm includes a mechanism for attaching firm arm to an electronic device. A gap is formed within the second arm and first arm extending through the elbow joint. Gap allows for a male USB to engage the device without being removed when the male USB is in a horizontal orientation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0015]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an a male USB illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is an illustration of a male USB in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and a corresponding female receptacle; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is an illustration of a male USB in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention engaged with a corresponding female receptacle; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of an exploded view of a male USB in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention engaged with an electronic device; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a locking mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a locking mechanism engaged with a mobile electronic device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0024]    As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0025]    The novel structure is denoted as a whole in  FIG. 1  by the reference numeral  10 .  FIG. 1  depicts a view of a male USB connection portion in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A first shell  12  substantially forms a traditional male USB housing, which includes a contact end  2  and a base end  4 . Contact end  2  is placed into contact with a female receptor with base end  4  substantially not in contact. A second shell  14  and a third shell  16  are placed into contact with first shell  12 , such that second shell  14  and third shell  16  are not in contact with each other, as shown in  FIG. 1 . It is foreseeable that male USB  10  be comprised mostly of second shell  14  and third shell  16  with first shell  12  merely serving as an insulator or separator between second  14  and third  16  shells. 
         [0026]    Second shell  14  substantially surrounds contact end  2  of male USB  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In an alternative embodiment, second shell may only be a small portion of contact end  2 . Inherent in the design of a male USB is a top portion  6  and a bottom portion  8 . Second shell  14  has a rectangular section that does not cover contact end  2  along top portion  6  of male USB  10 . This rectangular section results in a U-shape design of second shell  14  along top portion  6  of male USB  10 . In a preferred embodiment, second shell  14  contains two additional open sections to accommodate locking arms  18  found in some micro USBs, as shown. Second shell  14  includes a solder point  20  where a first switch conductor wire  22  contacts second shell  14 . In a preferred embodiment, second shell  14  has at least one extending wing portion  24  that contacts first shell  12  along the side of the male USB  10 . Wing portion  24  extends into base end  4  of male USB  10 . This allows contact end  2  of male USB  10  to be free of any obstructions, i.e. first switch conductor wire  22 . 
         [0027]    Third shell  16  includes a tongue  26  and a conductor base  28 . Conductor base is located along top portion  6  of base end  4  on male USB  10 . In a preferred embodiment, a second solder point  30  for contacting a second switch conductor  32  to third shell  16  is located on conductor base  28 . Tongue  26  extends from conductor base  28  to the open U-shape portion of second shell  14  extending into contact end  2 , as shown. Tongue  16  extends slightly upwards from base end  2  at a predetermined angle. In a preferred embodiment, tongue  26  extends slightly upwards from base end for a predetermined length at a predetermined angle and extends at a steeper angle at end of the tongue  26  before creating a hook at the end. This embodiment of tongue  26  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0028]    First shell  12  is placed between tongue  26  and second shell  14 . In an alternative embodiment, tongue  26  hangs freely without contacting first  12  or second  14  shells. Second  14  and third  16  shells must not be in physical contact with one another, preferably separated by first shell  12 . In a preferred embodiment, first shell  12  is comprised of non-conductive material, such as plastic. Second  14  and third  16  shells are preferably made of conductive material, such as metal. A first switch conductor wire  22  is wired to second shell  14  solder point  20 . A second switch conductor wire  32  is wired to second solder point  30  on third shell  16 . Thus, an incomplete circuit is formed between second shell  14  and third shell  16  of male USB  10  when the first switch conductor wire  22  and second switch conductor wire  32  are plugged in. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate male USB  10  interacting with a corresponding female receptor  40  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Female receptor  40  fittings on electronic devices, including cellular phones, are comprised of one continuously conductive metal piece. When male USB  10  in accordance with the present invention mates with corresponding female receptor  40 , the second  14  and third  16  shells of male USB  10  come into contact with female receptor&#39;s  40  metal housing as shown in  FIG. 2B . When second  14  and third  16  housing comes into contact with female receptor  40  a closed circuit is created between first switch conductor wire  22  and second switch conductor wire  32 . Conductor wires are attached to an external alarm system that detects when a circuit is created between first switch conductor wire  22  and second switch conductor wire  32 . The creation of the closed circuit arms the alarm system. An alarm is activated when the closed circuit between the two conductors is broken or no longer exists, e.g. the male USB  10  is removed from the female receptor  40  without authorization. It is foreseeable that the female receptor  40  only contain a single conductive piece that contacts second shell  14  and third shell  16 . The conductive piece establishes the closed circuit between second shell  14  and third shell  16 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  illustrates the wiring of a male USB for use in charging an electronic device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A cable  42  connects a Resistor  44  and male USB  10  as shown. LED can be powered by a separate circuit driven by an alarm module. LED light receives a signal from alarm module when second  14  and third  16  shells have created a closed circuit through contact with female receptor  40 . When the closed circuit is broken the LED light turns on to indicate that the circuit has been disconnected. Alternatively, the LED light may turn off once the circuit is destroyed. In an alternative embodiment, an LED light  48  is connected to the cable to provide an indication of whether power is flowing through the male USB  10 . An overmold  46  is placed over the wiring, such that the contact end  2  of male USB  10  is the only exposed portion. An LED lens  50  is provided on overmold  46 , as shown, so that LED light  48  may be easily seen. In a preferred embodiment, overmold  46  should contain two wing portions that extend outwards and an indented portion immediately following the two wing portions as illustrated in  FIG. 3   
         [0031]    The USB connecter may be standard, mini or micro type A or B USB connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the USB connector is a micro-USB connector type. A micro-USB is preferred because the Open Mobile Terminal Platform (OMTP) endorsed micro-USB as the standard connector for data and power on mobile devices. 
         [0032]    It is foreseeable that false alarms may be caused by constant plugging in and removal of the present invention. This potential issue is addressed through the addition of a shroud  52  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Shroud  52  is curved in the shape of an elbow joint with a first arm  54  and a second arm  56  each extending perpendicular from one another along the elbow joint. First arm  54  includes an adhesive side  58  and a supporting side  60 . Adhesive side  58  should include an attachment mechanism for attaching shroud  52  to an electronic device. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment mechanism is double-sided adhesive such as that known in the art at the time of the invention. 
         [0033]    Second arm  56  is perpendicular to first arm  54  extending in one direction from the elbow joint. A gap  62  is located within second arm  56  extending into first arm  54  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Width of Gap  62  should be less than overmold  46  or casing of male USB  10 . Gap  62  length should be at least the size of the male USB overmold  46  or casing and at least a portion of the length should extend into first arm  54 . Gap  62  on second arm  54  must be less than the width of overmold  46  or casing of male USB  10 . Therefore, in order to engage and disengage male USB  10  from shroud  52 , male USB  10  must be turned in a vertical disposition. Once male USB  10  is engaged with shroud  52  it can be moved to a horizontal disposition, such that it is in the proper orientation to engage a corresponding female receptor on an electronic device. 
         [0034]    Once male USB  10  is engaged with shroud  52 , first arm  54  mechanically attaches to an electronic device  64  by engaging adhesive side  58  with electronic device. Adhesive may be any mechanical means of attaching shroud  52  with an electronic device as known in the art at the time the invention was made. In a preferred embodiment, shroud  52  is made of a plastic material. In an alternative embodiment, shroud  52  includes a plurality of notches  66  on supporting side  58 . Notches  66  are used to easily adjust size of first arm  54  by removing sections of first arm  52  along the plurality of notches. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of shroud  52  engaged with a mobile electronic device  64  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Overmold  46  has been placed through gap  62 . First arm  54  extends along the bottom of the electronic device  64 . A plurality of notches  66  allow for adjustment of first arm  54 . Second arm extends along the side of the mobile device  64  for support. As shown, electronic device  64  engages with adhesive side  58  of first arm  54  to create a secure hold. 
         [0036]    Additionally, the present invention may include incorporation of a security anchor, similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,591 to Kane and U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,283 to Rand et al. herein incorporated by reference. The anchor, made of pliable material, includes a disk having a central area and radially extending slots that form wing portions. Each wing portion fans out from the housing on the plug and mold around the plug and electronic device, engaging them and locking the plug in place. The wing portions are moldable and removable to provide the maximum hold with the least amount of interference to the electronic device. 
         [0037]    Creating an alarm system this way has several advantages over the prior art, generally shown in  FIG. 4 . First, there is a general aesthetic advantage over the prior art. This invention allows the customer full access to an electronic device so that they can view it and hold it in a manner previously unavailable. Second, it allows devices protected through the invention to interact more freely with other devices. This is best illustrated by recent development of near field technology. Near field technology often requires the back of two cellular phones to be in direct or near contact with each other. Prior art security devices substantially blocked the ability of a consumer to try the near field communication. Finally, the present invention significantly changes the functionality of the protection offered in the prior art. Prior art centered on a mechanical engagement to provide security for an electronic device. The present invention provides security through an electronic engagement mechanism through an analog circuit. 
         [0038]    The advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
         [0039]    GLOSSARY OF CLAIM TERMS 
         [0040]    Analog Electrical Circuit: An electrical circuit whose current or voltage may vary continuously with time to correspond to the information being represented. It is generally constructed from two fundamental blocks; series and parallel circuits. Series circuits have the same current pass through a series of components. Parallel circuits occur when the current divides between various components according to their resistance. 
         [0041]    Base end: representative of the portion of a male USB that does not engage with a corresponding female receptor. It is often the portion that protrudes outside when the male USB is engaged with an electronic device. 
         [0042]    Contact end: representative of the portion of a male USB that engages a corresponding female receptor. It is the end of the male USB that communicates with electronic device. 
         [0043]    Conductor: material which contains movable electric charges. 
         [0044]    Conductive material: a type of material which permits flow of electricity in one or more directions. 
         [0045]    Elbow joint: a curved hinge or connection point between two arms or linear lines that extend from the connection point. 
         [0046]    Female receptor: Representative of the receptacle that receives the male plug. 
         [0047]    Gap: a hole or open space within one or more objects through which material may pass. 
         [0048]    Male plug: Representative of the plug portion that mates with a corresponding female receptor. 
         [0049]    Mini USB: Contains similar width and approximately half the thickness of standard USB plugs. This enables the micro USB to be used on smaller, portable devices such as cellular phones. 
         [0050]    Mouth: a portion of a shell located on the base end of a male plug. 
         [0051]    Non-conductive material: Also referred to as insulators. It is material with few mobile charges and which support only insignificant electric currents. 
         [0052]    Notches: an indentation or recess within a solid material or object. 
         [0053]    Shell: An outer covering or structural piece of material. Generally comprised of hard material but may include softer substances. 
         [0054]    Shroud: protective object or material. An object used to secure a male plug to an electronic device when the plug is in communication with the electronic device. 
         [0055]    Solder point: a location where two pieces are joined together. Generally used to describe the point where a conductor wire is attached to conductive material. 
         [0056]    Tongue: a portion of a shell that extends from base end of a male plug into the contact end of the male plug. 
         [0057]    USB: stands for Universal Serial Bus. It defines the cables, connectors and communication protocols used in a bus. It can be used for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices. The USB has replaced earlier interfaces, such as serial port, parallel ports, and power chargers for portable devices. 
         [0058]    Wing portion: a portion of a shell of male USB that connects the contact end with the base end.