Abstract:
A method for securing an electronic device comprising a signal output and an input apparatus against removal from a carrying device. The method includes inputting a code with the input apparatus, generating, with the code inputted with the input apparatus, via a data processing program, a signal at the signal output of the electronic device, providing a locking apparatus configured to secure the electronic device, comparing, with the locking apparatus, the signal with a predetermined target signal, and putting the locking apparatus into an unlocked state if a match exists between the signal and the predetermined target signal.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/067305, filed on Aug. 20, 2013 and which claims benefit to German Patent Application No. 10 2012 107 653.7, filed on Aug. 21, 2012. The International Application was published in German on Feb. 27, 2014 as WO 2014/029768 A1 under PCT Article 21(2). 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a method for securing an electronic device, in particular a portable computer, in particular a tablet PC or a smartphone, having a signal output, for example, an audio output, and having an input apparatus, against removal from a carrying device, in particular from a presentation apparatus. The present invention also relates to a carrying device suitable for using said method. 
     BACKGROUND 
     At places frequently visited by the public which are at least partially unattended such as, for example, public buildings or stores such as, in particular, supermarkets, the electronic devices operated or there presented for sales must be secured against theft. 
     For this purpose, it is common to fixedly attach one end of a flexible securing element, for example, in the form of a cord or a cable, to the respective electronic device in a nonpositive or positive locking manner, and to fixedly connect the other end of the securing element to a fixture that cannot be transported, at least not without being detected, such as a carrying apparatus or a presentation apparatus, or to a wall, the floor, or the like. 
     The disadvantage here is that flexible cord elements disturb the visual impression. If the flexible cord elements are laid carelessly, there is also the danger that persons can get entangled therein and get injured, or pull and carry away the electronic device so that it is damaged or destroyed by it falling onto the floor. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for securing an electronic device, in particular a portable computer, in particular a tablet PC or a smartphone having a signal output, for example an audio output, and having an input apparatus, against removal from a carrying device, in particular from a presentation apparatus. 
     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for securing an electronic device comprising a signal output and an input apparatus against removal from a carrying device. The method includes inputting a code with the input apparatus, generating, with the code inputted with the input apparatus, via a data processing program, a signal at the signal output of the electronic device, providing a locking apparatus configured to secure the electronic device, comparing, with the locking apparatus, the signal with a predetermined target signal, and putting the locking apparatus into an unlocked state if a match exists between the signal and the predetermined target signal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is described in greater detail below on the basis of embodiments and of the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows the presentation in a front view (view I in  FIG. 2 ); 
         FIG. 2  shows the presentation device in a side view (view II in  FIG. 1 ); 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the upper region of the presentation device with the tablet PC inserted and in the locked state, i.e., with a closed tray; 
         FIG. 4  shows the same view as in  FIG. 3 , but in the unlocked state, i.e., with the tray open, and without a tablet PC; 
         FIG. 5  shows a partial view into the interior of the housing of the presentation device in the region around the right edge of the tray (the cover of the housing and the tray, which form the upper side of the housing, is removed); 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective detailed view of the locking apparatus in the locked state; 
         FIG. 7  shows the same view of the locking apparatus as in  FIG. 6 , but in the unlocked state; 
         FIG. 8  shows a block diagram of the presentation device; 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the upper region of an exemplary embodiment of the presentation apparatus in the unlocked state, i.e., with the safety flap open and without tablet PC; and 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the upper region of an exemplary embodiment of the presentation device in the unlocked state, i.e., with the safety flap open and with the tablet PC. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention provides that by means of a data processing program that can, for example, have been installed in advance in the electronic device, a code input via the input apparatus generates a certain signal, for example, a certain tone or a certain tone sequence, at a signal output, for example, at an audio output of the electronic device. A locking apparatus securing this electronic device is then acted on by this signal, for example, the tone or the tone sequence. The locking apparatus then compares this signal, for example, the tone or the tone sequence, with a predetermined target signal, for example, a predetermined target tone or a predetermined target tone sequence, in order to put the locking apparatus in its unlocked state if there is a match. 
     It is basically also possible to further improve the method so that, conversely, the locking state can also be effected by means of a code. The locking can, for example, be carried out in a simple manner purely mechanically without knowledge of the code so that personnel having no access to the code can equip empty and already open carrying devices with the respective electronic device provided for the carrying device. 
     Any type of signal that can be generated code-dependently in the respective electronic device at a signal output suitable for this purpose is suitable for the method, provided that the locking apparatus is suitable for detecting and evaluating the signal. Examples of conceivable signal types are Bluetooth, WiFi, or any other type of digital signals that are possible in different cases depending on the manufacturer (and possibly model) of the electronic device (e.g., tablet computer). 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, a code-dependent tone sequence with dual-tone frequencies can, for example, be generated with the aid of the data processing program since such a tone sequence can be compared by the locking apparatus with target tone frequencies in a particularly fail-safe manner, provided that the electronic device has an audio output. 
     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a carrying device, in particular a presentation device, which is improved with respect to securing an electronic device. 
     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a carrying device, in particular a presentation device, for an electronic device, in particular for a portable computer, in particular a tablet PC, or for a smartphone, having a signal output, for example, an audio output, and having an input apparatus, characterized in that the carrying device comprises a locking apparatus having a signal input, for example, an audio input, to which the signal output, for example, the audio output of the electronic device, can be connected, the locking apparatus being configured so that, in the case of a match of the signal, for example, the tone or the signal sequence, with a target tone or a target tone sequence, the locking apparatus is put into its unlocked state. 
     The carrying device according to the present invention, which is suitable for carrying out the securing method, can in particular be a presentation device for an electronic device that has a signal output, for example, an audio output, and has an input apparatus. Examples include tablet PCs or smartphones which have input apparatuses provided via the touch-sensitive display (“touchscreen”) as well as a signal output, for example, an audio output, because they can, for example, also be used regularly for listening to music via headphones or downstream amplifiers. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrying device comprises a locking apparatus having a signal input, for example, an audio input, to which the signal output, for example, the audio output, of the electronic device can be connected. 
     The locking device is furthermore configured so that, in the case of a match of the signal, for example, the tone or tone sequence, with a predetermined target signal, for example, a target tone or a target tone sequence, the locking apparatus is put into its unlocked state. 
     “Apps” can be installed on the tablet PCs or smartphones to generate the code-dependent signal, for example, the tone or the tone sequence, which apps then determine the dependency of the signal from the code sequence, and through which programming of the signal sequence, for example, the tone sequence, and thus of the code at which the locking apparatus is to be put into its unlocked state, can, for example, be programmed. 
     Since the locking apparatus is configured so that in the case of a match of the signal, for example, the tone or the tone sequence, with a predetermined target signal, for example, a target tone or a target tone sequence, the locking apparatus is put into its unlocked state, unlocking can take place in that the pre-programmed code is input again via the input apparatus of the electronic device locked in the carrying device. 
     The carrying device according to the present invention can, for example, comprise a receiving apparatus for the electronic device, for example, a tray or a receiving slot with a safety flap, into which the electronic device can be inserted and from which it can be removed in the unlocked state, but in which the electronic device is secured against removal in the locked state. If the receiving apparatus is a tray, the carrying device and the tray can be designed so that, in the unlocked state, the tray protrudes at least partially out of the housing of the carrying device so that the electronic device can be inserted into the tray or can be removed therefrom, and that in the locked state, the tray can be placed back at least partially into the housing of the carrying device so that the electronic can no longer be removed because, for example, the opening that serves for inserting and removing the electronic device is at least partially closed. 
     In an embodiment of the carrying device according to the present invention, the tray can, for example, have an opening on a narrow side for inserting and removing the electrical device. The tray can, for example, be dimensioned so that the remaining narrow sides surround the electronic device at least substantially without play. On the side facing towards the viewer, a cover can, for example, be connected to the narrow sides, which cover has a cut-out which, for example, at least does not cover the input apparatus, and which does not, for example, cover any potentially existing control elements. In the unlocked state, the electronic device can then be inserted into the opening and can be pulled out again from said opening. 
     In an above-described design of the tray, the tray can, for example, be hingedly connected to the housing on the side opposite the opening. The locking apparatus is designed in this case so that, in the locking position, the locking apparatus locks the tray in the position in which it is at least partially moved back in that the locking apparatus comprises a fitting that can be moved by a motor, which fitting engages in the locking position behind a locking surface of the tray when the tray is in the position that is at least partially moved back into the housing of the carrying device. In the unlocking position in which the locking surface is released by the fitting, the tray can then be moved back into the position in which the electronic device can be moved out of the opening which is now accessible. 
     Handling of the carrying device according to the present invention is simplified if the tray, for example, comprises a reset apparatus which, in the unlocked state, automatically moves the tray into its position in which the tray protrudes out of the housing. 
     Any apparatus suitable for initiating the movement of the tray from the locked into the unlocked state can be provided as a reset apparatus. The reset apparatus can, for example, comprise a gas spring arrangement which can, for example, be cushioned, since comparatively low manufacturing efforts are involved. The gas spring arrangement is hinged at one end to the tray and to the housing at the other end so that, after releasing the locking surface by the fitting, the tray is pivoted by the fitting about the hinge axis defined by the hinged mounting and pivoted out of the housing. 
     In an embodiment, a carrying device according to the present invention is provided in which the tray forms a frame on the side that faces towards the viewer, which frame at least partially engages over the edge region of the electronic device that faces towards the viewer, and where, in the locked state, the upper side of the tray facing towards the viewer can, for example, be approximately flush with a housing surface that faces towards the viewer. Due to this measure, the carrying device according to the present invention exhibits a particularly flat and harmonious visual appearance which is particularly suitable for presenting high-quality electronic devices which likewise have a flat shape. It is also possible to visually adapt the housing to the electronic device, for example, so that it imitates the visual appearance of the presented electronic device so that the informed consumer recognizes from a distance which electronic device is presented. 
     The present invention is below further explained with reference to the attached drawings in which, partly schematically and partly in detailed cut-outs, three exemplary embodiments of the carrying device according to the present invention are illustrated using the example of a presentation device for a tablet PC. 
     The presentation device in  FIG. 1  designated as a whole by  100  comprises a base  1  from which a support  2  extends approximately vertically upwards. In the direction of depth, i.e., in the direction of view I, the support  2  is formed to be flat. The thickness D of the support is approximately a fourth of its width B. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the support  2  is convexly bent towards the front side illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     A housing  3  is fixedly mounted at the upper end of the support. The housing  3  is arranged inclined by approximately 45° with respect to the horizontal at such a height above the floor that an electronic device  5  located with its input apparatus, for example, a touchscreen, approximately in a plane formed by the upper side  4  of the housing  3  can be comfortably operated by a standing person. 
     The electronic device illustrated in the exemplary embodiment is a tablet PC. 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown first, the housing  3  comprises a tray  6  which can be moved between a locked state, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in which its upper side  7  is approximately aligned with the upper side  4 , and an unlocked state, illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in which the tray  6  is pivoted about a hinge axis S, which runs parallel to the left narrow side, so that the narrow side  8  opposite the hinge axis S protrudes out of the housing  3 . 
     As is shown in particular in  FIG. 5 , the tray  6  has a closed bottom  9 . Vertical walls  10 , to which a cover  11  of the tray is connected, extend upwards from the bottom  9 , except on the narrow side  8 . The upper side of the cover  11 , which is not mounted in  FIG. 5 , forms the visual side of the tray  6 . The cover includes a cut-out  12 , the position and dimension of which is adapted to the electronic device to be presented. The cut-out  12  for a tablet PC is selected, for example, so that the touchscreen and, moreover, components possibly provided at the front side, such as switches or camera lenses, are not covered by the cover  11 . 
     The walls  10  are dimensioned so that the sides of the bottom  9  and the cover  11  which face one another are at a distance from one another so as to permit inserting of the electronic device to be presented through an opening  13  formed on the narrow side  8  without any problems when the tray  6  is in its unlocked state, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     In this unlocked state, the tray  6  is held by a gas spring which acts between the tray and the housing and which is not illustrated in the drawings. By manually applying pressure on the upper side  7 , the tray  6 , by overcoming the reset force exerted by the gas spring, can be transferred into the locked state illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in which the upper side  7  of the cover  11  is at least substantially aligned with the upper side  4  of the housing. 
     A locking apparatus  14 , which is not shown as a whole in the drawings, is provided in the housing  3 . The locking apparatus  14  comprises a fitting  16  that can be displaced by means of a linear motor  15 . The fitting  16  is operatively connected to locking hooks  17  so that the locking hooks  17  can be moved from a position, in which they engage behind a locking surface  18  provided on the tray  6  to hold the tray  6  in its locking position, and a position, in which they release the locking surface  18 . 
     Spiral springs  19  serve to reset the locking hooks  17  into the locking position. 
     If above always plural is used in connection with the looking hooks  17 , this due to the fact that a locking hook  17 , a locking surface  18  and a spiral spring  19  are provided on each of the two narrow sides  10  near the narrow side  8 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  show in each case only one locking hook  17  with an associated locking surface  18  and spiral spring  19 . 
     The operating mode of the locking apparatus is hereafter explained in greater detail. In order to transfer the tray from its locked state illustrated in  FIG. 3  into its unlocked state illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the linear motor  15  is first activated so that the fitting  16  is moved into a position in which the fitting  16  pivots the locking hooks  17  against the spring force exerted by the spiral springs  19  so that the locking hooks  17  release the locking surfaces  18 . This state is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The gas spring, which is not visible in the drawing, causes the tray  6  to pivot about the hinge axis S by an angle of, for example, 30°, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 7 . The fitting  16  is subsequently moved back into its initial position by means of the linear motor  15  so that the locking hooks  17 , supported by the spiral springs  19 , move back into their initial position illustrated in  FIG. 7 . If the tray  6  is now again manually pushed downwards, the inclined surface  20  adjoining the locking surface  18  slides on the inclined surface  21  of the locking hook and thereby continues to push the respective locking hook  17  while overcoming the spring force exerted by the spiral spring  19  until the spring force effects that the locking hook can lock in place again in the locking surface  18 . 
     In order to supply the linear motor  15  with the required driving power for carrying out the unlocking process, the linear motor  15  is connected to a control unit  22  of the locking apparatus  14 , which control unit  22  is illustrated purely schematically in  FIG. 8 . The control unit  22  has a connector  23  for connecting to an external voltage source, and has an audio input  24 . The audio input  24  is connected to an audio output  25  of the electronic device  5 . For this purpose, a fixedly installed contact device, which is not illustrated, can be provided in the tray  6 , which contact device automatically establishes the contact between the audio output  25  and the audio input  24  when the electronic device  5  is inserted into the tray  6 . It is also possible, however, to simply provide a cable that is permanently connected to the audio input  24  and is equipped with a jack plug which is manually plugged into the usually available audio outlet socket of the electronic device  5 . 
     For actuating the control unit  22 , the electronic device is provided with software which causes a dual tone sequence at the audio outlet  25  which is recognized by the control unit  22  as a signal for unlocking the tray and therefore for correspondingly actuating the linear motor  15  only if a certain code is input via the input apparatus, for example, a touchscreen, of the electronic device. 
       FIG. 9  shows a second exemplary embodiment. This exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment only by the fact that instead of a tray, a receiving slot  127  is provided for the electronic device, which receiving slot  127  can be closed by means of a safety flap  126 . The housing  103  thus comprises a safety flap  126  that can be moved between a locked state, which is not shown in the drawings, and an unlocked state, shown in  FIG. 9 , in which the safety flap  126  is pivoted about a hinge axis S, which runs parallel to the wide side of the safety flap, so that it opens an opening  128 . In accordance with the preceding exemplary embodiment, a window or cut-out  112  can be provided. 
       FIG. 10  shows a third exemplary embodiment which differs from the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  only by the fact that the safety flap  226  is formed as a voluminous cover. The electronic device  205  can be inserted and removed in a simple manner. 
     The present invention is not limited to embodiments described herein; reference should be had to the appended claims. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               100  presentation device 
               1  base 
               2  support 
               3 ,  103  housing 
               4  upper side 
               5 ,  205  electronic device 
               6  tray 
               7  upper side 
               8  narrow side 
               9  bottom 
               10  walls 
               11  cover 
               12 ,  112  cut-out 
               13  opening 
               14  locking apparatus 
               15  linear motor 
               16  fitting 
               17  locking hook 
               18  locking surface 
               19  spiral springs 
               20  inclined surface 
               21  inclined surface 
               22  control unit 
               23  connector 
               24  audio input 
               25  audio output 
               126 ,  226  safety flap 
               127  receiving slot 
               128  opening 
             B width 
             D thickness 
             S hinge axis