Patent Publication Number: US-7593142-B2

Title: Apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a portable device and/or a removable attachment of the portable device with an optical sensor. The apparatus, the system and the method for detecting the security of the device with the optical sensor which may prevent theft of the device and/or the removable attachment of the device. The device and/or the removable attachment may be displayed and/or may be displayed for sale by, for example, a retailer, a wholesaler and/or the like. 
   The apparatus, the system and the method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor may have a base which may attach to the device. A screw and/or a spring may be inserted through the base and into the device to secure and/or to attach the device to the base. The base may be attached and/or may be secured to a structural element. The optical sensor may be an infrared sensor and/or may include an optical emitter and an optical receiver. The optical sensor may detect that the screw may be unattached to the device and/or the device may be unsecured from the base and/or structural element. The base may detect that the removable attachment may have been detached from the base and/or the device. The optical sensor and/or the screw may signal an alarm box. As a result, the alarm box may be activated and/or may produce an audio signal. A power source may be in communication with a sensor board in the base and may provide a voltage to the device, the sensor board, the optical emitter and/or the optical receiver. 
   It is generally known, for example, that vendors, retailers and/or wholesalers may display a device at, for example, a retail store and/or a sales facility. The device may be a portable device, such as, for example, a camera, a digital camera, a portable compact disc player, a portable mini-disc player, a digital music player, a PDA, a laptop computer and/or a cellular telephone. The device may be connected to a structure within the retail store and/or sales facility. The structure may be a wall, a floor, a pillar, a support beam, a stair case or a fixture, such as, for example, a cabinet, a table, a shelf and/or the like. 
   The device is secured to the structure within the retail store and/or the sales facility by the cable and a mount. A pin, a screw or a bar may be used to attach the device to the mount. Alternatively, the mount may be one or more bars which may wrap around the device to secure the device to the structure. Often, the cable, the pin, the screw, the bar and/or the mount are not durable to prevent breaking and/or may allow the device to be easily separated from the cable and/or the mount. 
   A need, therefore, exists for an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor. Additionally, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor which may provide mechanical security and/or electrical security to the device. Further, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor which may provide a spring loaded base to prevent theft of the device. Still further, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor which may prevent the device and/or the removable attachment of the device from being separated from the structural element. Moreover, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor which may activate an alarm to signal that the device and/or the removable attachment of the device has been separated from the base with the optical sensor. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor. The device may be, for example, a portable device and may have a removable attachment thereon. Further, the apparatus, the system and the method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor may include a base, a spring and/or a screw for attaching to the device and/or the removable attachment of the device. The optical sensor may be in communication with an alarm box and/or a power source via a cable to secure the device. The base may have a first LED to indicate when a voltage may be provided to the device. The base may have a second LED to indicate when the device and/or the removable attachment may be separated from the base. The optical sensor may include, for example, a photo emitter and/or a photo receiver to secure the device and/or the removable attachment of the device to a structural element. 
   In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for securing a device wherein the device has a removable attachment thereon is provided. The apparatus has a base having walls defining an interior wherein the base attaches to the device wherein the base has a top side and a bottom side opposite to the top side and further wherein the base has an opening extending through the base from the interior to the top side. Further, the apparatus has an optical sensor positioned on the interior of the base wherein the optical sensor is adjacent to the opening on the bottom side of the base and further wherein the optical sensor detects energy wherein the energy transverses the opening on the bottom side of the base. Still further, a screw having a base and a tip opposite to the base wherein the base of the screw is positioned within the interior of the base wherein the tip of the screw extends outward with respect to the top side of the base and further wherein the screw attaches the device to the base. Moreover, the apparatus has an alarm in communication with the optical sensor wherein a condition interrupts the energy received by the optical sensor and the alarm is activated. 
   It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor which may mechanically secure and/or may electrically secure the device and/or a removable attachment of the device. 
   Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor which may secure the device and/or a removable attachment of the device to a structural element. 
   And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor which may provide a base, a spring and/or screw for securing the device and/or a removable attachment of the device. 
   Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor which may visibly display that the device and/or a removable attachment of the device is electrically connected and/or mechanically secured to a sensor board. 
   A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor which may utilize a mounting hole and/or a tripod hole located on an underside of the device. 
   Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor which provides a voltage to the device. 
   And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor having electromagnetic radiation to detect the security the device and/or a removable attachment of the device. 
   Yet, another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor having a cable for detecting the security of the device and/or a removable attachment of the device. 
   Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor having a photo emitter and/or a photo detector to detect the security of the device and/or a removable attachment of the device. 
   Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor having an alarm box for signaling by the optical sensor when the device and/or a removable attachment of the device is unsecured. 
   A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor having a light emitting source to detect the security of the device and/or a removable attachment of the device. 
   Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor which detects when the device and/or a removable attachment of the device are disconnected from the optical sensor. 
   And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for securing a device with an optical sensor which utilizes a beam of electromagnetic radiation to secure the device and/or a removable attachment of the device. 
   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. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a connector plug and a base with an optical sensor in an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device attached to a system in an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a black box diagram of a system in an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security a device and/or a removable attachment of the device with an optical sensor. Further, the apparatus, the system and the method for detecting a security a device and/or a removable attachment of the device with an optical sensor may include a base, a spring and/or a screw for attaching to the device. The optical sensor may include a photo emitter and/or a photo detector. The optical sensor may detect electromagnetic energy to detect the security of the device and/or the removable attachment of the device. The optical sensor may be in communication with an alarm box and/or a power source via a cable to detect the security of the device and/or the removable attachment of the device. 
   Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a device  11  and a system  10  which may include an alarm box  2 , a power source  3 , a base  12  and/or a connector plug  14 . The base  12  may have a top side  16  and/or a bottom side  18  wherein the bottom side  18  is opposite to the top side  16 . The base  12  may have a first end  20  and/or a second end  22  wherein the second end  22  is opposite to the first end  20 . 
   The base  12  may have a cavity  24  which may extend inward with respect to the top side  16  of the base  12 . The base  12  may have an opening  26  which may extend through the base  12  from the cavity  24  to the bottom side  18 . A ring  27  may encircle the opening  26  and/or may extend outward with respect to the cavity  24 . The base  12  may have a front side  28  and/or a back side  30  wherein the back side  30  is opposite to the front side  28 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the front side  28  of the base  12  may have a first hole  32   a  and/or a second hole  32   b . The holes  32   a ,  32   b  may extend through the base  12  from the cavity  24  to the front side  28  of the base  12 . The first end  20  may have a slot  34  which may extend inward with respect to the top side  16  of the base  12 . The slot  34  may extend through the base from the first end  20  to the cavity  24  of the base  12 . 
   The base  12  may include a sensor board  36  which may have a top side  38  and/or a bottom side  40  wherein the bottom side  40  is opposite to the top side  38 . The sensor board  36  may a first end  43  and/or a second end  42  wherein the second end  42  is opposite to the first end  43 . The sensor board  36  may have a front side  44  and/or a back side  46  wherein the back side  46  is opposite to the front side  44 . The top side  38  of the sensor board  36  may have a first head  37   a  and/or a second head  37   b  wherein the heads  37   a ,  37   b  may extend inward with respect to the top side  38  of the sensor board  36 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the sensor board  36  may have an opening  48  which may extend through the sensor board  36  from the top side  38  to the bottom side  40 . The sensor board  36  may include a first light emitting diode (LED)  50   a  and/or a second LED  50   b . The LEDs  50   a ,  50   b  may be attached to the bottom side  40  of the sensor board  36 . 
   The sensor board  36  may have one or more programmable logical devices, such as, for example, an electrical resistor  41 , a first micro-controller  39   a  and/or a second micro-controller  39   b . The first micro-controller  39   a  and/or the second micro-controller  39   b  may be attached to and/or may be connected to the sensor board  36 . The first micro-controller  39   a  and/or the second micro-controller  39   b  may be in communication with and/or may control the first LED  50   a  and/or the second LED  50   b . The first head  37   a  and/or the second head  37   b  may be connected to the second micro-controller  39   b  and/or the first micro-controller  39   a , respectively. The first head  37   a  and/or the second head  37   b  may be connected to the second LED  50   b  and/or the first LED  50   a , respectively. 
   The electrical resistor  41  may be located between, may be attached to and/or may be connected to the second head  37   b  and/or the second micro-controller  39   b  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The electrical resistor  41  may be in series with the second head  37   b  and/or the second micro-controller  39   b . The electrical resistor  41  may connect the second head  37   b  to the second micro-controller  39   b.    
   The cavity  24  of the base  12  may receive the sensor board  36 . The sensor board  36  may be inserted into the cavity  24  of the base  12  and/or may abut the cavity  24  of the base  12 . The first end  43  of the sensor board  36  may be adjacent to the first end  20  and/or the slot  34  of the base  12 . The first end  43  of the sensor board  36  may abut the slot  34  of the base  12 . The front side  44  and/or the back side  46  of the sensor board  36  may be adjacent to the front side  28  and/or the back side  30 , respectively, of the base  12 . The second end  42  of the sensor board  36  may be adjacent to the second end  22  of the base  12 . 
   The bottom side  40  of the sensor board  36  may abut the ring  27  of the base  12 . The opening  48  of the sensor board  36  may be aligned with the opening  26  of the base  12 . The LEDs  50   a ,  50   b  may be aligned with and/or may be positioned within the holes  32   a ,  32   b , respectively. As a result, the light emitted by the LEDs  50   a ,  50   b  may emit through the holes  32   a ,  32   b , respectively. The base  12  may include a top cover  52  which may have a first side  58  and/or a second side  60  wherein the second side  60  is opposite to the first side  58 . The top cover  52  may have a top side  54  and/or a bottom side  56  wherein the bottom side  56  is opposite to the top side  54  of the top cover  52 . The top cover  52  may have a front side  64  and/or a back side  62  wherein the back side  62  is opposite to the front side  64  of the top cover  52 . The top cover  52  may have an opening  66  which may extend through the top cover  52  from the top side  54  to the bottom side  56 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cavity  24  of the base  12  may receive the top cover  52  wherein the top cover  52  may be attached to the base  12 . As a result, the top cover  52  may abut the cavity  24  of the base  12  and/or may abut the top side  38  of the sensor board  36 . The top cover  52  may cover the cavity  24  of the base  12 . As a result, the sensor board  36  may be enclosed by the cavity  24  and/or the top cover  52 . The opening  66  of the top cover  52  may be aligned with the openings  48 ,  26  of the sensor board  36  and the base  12 , respectively. 
   The base  12  may include a recession (not shown in the drawing) which may extend inward with respect to the bottom side  18  of the base  12 . The base  12  may include a bottom cover  68  which may have a first end  70  and/or a second end  72  wherein the second end  72  is opposite to the first end  70 . The bottom cover  68  may have a top side  74  and/or a bottom side  76  wherein the bottom side  76  is opposite to the top side  74 . The bottom cover  68  may have a front side  78  and/or a back side  80  wherein the back side  80  is opposite to the front side  78  of the bottom cover  68 . 
   The bottom cover  68  may have an opening  82  which may extend through the bottom cover  68  from the bottom side  76  to the top side  74 . The opening  82  of the bottom cover  68  may be aligned with the opening  26  of the base  12 . Moreover, the opening  82  of the bottom cover  68  may be aligned with the opening  48  of the sensor board  36  and/or the opening  66  of the top cover  52 . 
   The bottom cover  68  may have a first notch  84   a  and/or a second notch  84   b  which may be adjacent to the first end  70  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The bottom cover  68  may have a third notch  84   c  and/or a forth notch  84   d  which may be adjacent to the second end  72 . The notchs  84   a ,  84   c  may be adjacent to the front side  78  of the bottom cover  68 . The notchs  84   b ,  84   d  may be adjacent to the back side  80  of the bottom cover  68 . The first notch  84   a  and the second notch  84   b  may extend outward with respect to the top side  74  of the bottom cover  68 . 
   The base  12  may include a first mount  86   a  and/or a second mount  86   b . The first mount  86   a  may have a first arm  88   a . The second mount  86   b  may have a second arm  88   b . The first mount  86   a  and/or the second mount  86   b  may have a first groove  90   a  and/or a second groove  90   b . The first arm  88   a  and the second arm  88   b  may have a first opening  92   a  and a second opening  92   b , respectively. 
   The first notch  84   a  and the second notch  84   b  of the bottom cover  68  may be inserted into the first groove  90   a  and the second groove  90   b , respectively, of the first mount  86   a . As a result, the first mount  86   a  may be attached to the bottom cover  68 . The first arm  88   a  of the first mount  86   a  may extend outward with respect to the top side  74  of the bottom cover  68 . 
   The third notch  84   c  and the forth notch  84   d  of the bottom cover  68  may be inserted into the first groove  90   a  and the second groove  90   b , respectively, of the second mount  86   b . As a result, the second mount  86   b  may be attached to the bottom cover  68 . The second arm  88   b  of the second mount  86   b  may extend outward with respect to the top side  74  of the bottom cover  68 . The base  12  may include a photo emitter  100  and/or a photo receiver  102 . The photo emitter  100  may have a first base  104   a  and/or a light emitting source  106 . The light emitting source may be, for example, a light emitting diode. The photo emitter  100  may be attached to a power source  3 . The power source  3  may provide a voltage to the photo emitter  100  and/or the light emitting source  106 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the voltage from the power source  3  may allow the light emitting source  106  to emit, for example, electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation may be at a frequency, such as, for example, a radio frequency, a microwave frequency, an infrared frequency, a visible frequency and/or an ultraviolet frequency. The light emitting source  106  may be made from a material, such as, for example, aluminum gallium arsenide, gallium arsenide, aluminum gallium arsenide phosphide, indium gallium arsenide, and/or the like. It should be understood that the electromagnetic radiation may be at any frequency known to one having ordinary skill in the art. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to the embodiments of a specific material of the light emitting source  106 . 
   The photo receiver  102  may be connected to an alarm box  2 . The photo receiver  102  may have a second base  104   a  and/or a light detector  108 . The light detector  108  may receive the electromagnetic radiation which may be emitted from the light emitting source  106  of the photo emitter  100 . The light detector  108  may detect the electromagnetic radiation which may be emitted from the light emitting source  106  of the photo emitter  100 . As a result, the photo detector  108  may receive and/or may detect the electromagnetic radiation of the photo emitter  100 . 
   The photo emitter  100  may be inserted into the first opening  92   a  in the first arm  88   a  of the first mount  86   a . As a result, the photo emitter  100  may be attached to the first mount  86   a  and/or may be connected to the bottom cover  68  of the base  12 . The first base  104   a  may abut the first arm  88   a  of the first mount  86   a . As a result, the light emitting source  106  of the photo emitter  100  may extend inward with respect to the opening  82  of the bottom cover  68 . 
   The photo receiver  102  may be inserted into the second opening  92   b  in the second arm  88   b  of the second mount  86   b . As a result, the photo receiver  102  may be attached to the second mount  96   b  and/or may be connected to the bottom cover  68  of the base  12 . The light detector  108  may extend inward with respect to the opening  82  of the bottom cover  68 . As a result, the light receiver  108  may be aligned with the light emitting source  106 . Moreover, the light detector  108  may receive and/or may detect the electromagnetic radiation which may be emitted from the light emitting source  106 . 
   Alternatively, the photo emitter  100  may be inserted into the second opening  92   b  in the second arm  90   b  of the second mount  86   b , and the photo receiver  102  may be inserted into the first opening  92   a  in the first arm  90   a  of the first mount  86   a . The photo receiver  102  may be attached to the first mount  86   a  and/or the bottom cover  68  of the base  12 . The photo emitter  100  may be attached to the second mount  86   b  and/or the bottom cover  68  of the base  12 . As a result, the light detector  108  may be aligned with the light emitting source  106 . The light detector  108  may detect and/or may receive the electromagnetic radiation from the light emitting source  106 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the light detector  108  may receive and/or may detect the electromagnetic radiation which may be emitted from the light emitting source  106 . The electromagnetic radiation transmitted from the light emitting source  106  to the light receiver  108  may be continuous and/or constant and/or uniform and/or uninterrupted. The frequency of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted from the light emitting source  106  to the light detector  108  may be constant and/or continuous. 
   The device  11  may be a portable device, such as, for example, a camera, a digital camera, a compact disc player, a MP3 player, a PDA, a laptop computer, a cellular telephone and/or the like. Further, the device  11  may have an underside  13  and/or a mounting hole (not shown in the drawings). The mounting hole may be adapted to receive, for example, a screw and/or a pin from, for example, a tripod mount. As a result, the device  12  may be mounted on, for example, a tripod. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to the embodiments of a specific portable device. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the device  11  may have a direct current plug-in  17  (hereinafter “DC plug-in  17 ”). The device  12  may require an operating voltage, such as, for example, three volts, five volts and/or the like. Each type of portable device may require a specific operating voltage. For example, a portable compact disc player may have an operating voltage of 4.5 volts, a cellular telephone may have an operating voltage of seven volts, and a digital camera may have an operating voltage of six volts. Further, the device  12  may require an operating current, such as, for example, a direct current. Moreover, the present invention should not be deemed as limited to the embodiments of a specific operating voltage and/or a specific operating current of the device  11 . 
   The base  12  may be attached and/or may be connected to the structural element with the cable. The structural element may be a wall, a floor, a pillar, a support beam, a stair case or a fixture, such as, for example, a cabinet, a table, a shelf and/or the like. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to the embodiments of a specific structural element and/or a specific fixture  48 . 
   The connector plug  14  may include a top element  110  and/or a bottom element  112  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The top element  110  may be inserted into the bottom element  112 . As a result, the top element  110  may be attached to the bottom element  112 . The top element  110  may have a first flange  114  and/or a second flange  116 . The first flange  114  and/or the second flange  116  may extend outward with respect to the top element  110  and/or the bottom element  112 . The top element  110  may have, for example, a circuit board (not shown in the drawing) which may be attached to the first flange  114  and/or the second flange  116 . 
   The connector plug  14  may include a first cord  120  and/or a second cord  122 . The first cord  120  and/or the second cord  122  may be attached to the circuit board of the top element  110 . As a result, the first cord  120  and/or the second cord  122  may be connected to the first flange  114  and/or the second flange  116 , respectively. The first cord  120  may have, for example, a voltage plug  124 . The second cord  122  may have an attaching means  126 . The voltage plug  124  and/or the attaching means  126  may be opposite to the connector plug  14 . 
   The first flange  114  and/or the second flange  116  may be inserted into the slot  34  of the base  12 . As a result, the connector plug  14  may be connected and/or may be attached to the base  12 . The first flange  114  and/or the second flange  116  may abut and/or may contact the first head  37   a  and/or the second head  37   b , respectively. As a result, the connector plug  14  may be connected to the first head  37   a  and/or the second head  37   b . The first flange  114  and/or the second flange  116  may be connected to the first micro-controller  39   a  and/or the second micro-controller  39   b , respectively. As a result, the first cord  120  and/or the second cord  122  may be connected to the first micro-controller  39   a  and/or the second micro-controller  39   b , respectively. 
   The cable  200  may include one or more wires, such as, for example, an electrical wire or wires and/or a mechanical wire or wires. The cable  200  may provide a number of electrical pathways between the photo emitter,  100 , the photo receiver  102 , the first micro-controller  39   a , the second micro-controller  39   b  and/or sensor board  36  and the alarm box  2  and/or the power source  3 . The number of electrical pathways may be determined by a number of electrical signals that may be communicated between the photo emitter  100 , the photo receiver  102 , the first micro-controller  39   a , the second micro-controller  39   b  and/or the sensor board  36  and the alarm box  2  and/or the power source  3 . For example, the cable  200  may provide, for example, three electrical pathways, such as, for example, a voltage pathway, a data transmission pathway and/or an alarm signal pathway between the photo emitter  100 , the photo receiver  102 , the first micro-controller  39   a , the second micro-controller  39   b  and/or the sensor board  36  and the alarm box  2  and/or the power source  3 . The cable  200  may transmit, for example, power, a voltage, a current, a communication signal, a video-signal, and/or an audio-signal between the photo emitter  100 , the photo receiver  102 , the first micro-controller  39   a , the second micro-controller  39   b  and/or the sensor board  36  and the alarm box  2  and/or the power source  3 . Further, the cable  200  may transmit, for example, power from the power source  3  to the device  11 . Still further, the cable  200  may transmit, for example, a video-signal and/or an audio-signal received from the device  11 . The cable  200  may be made from a material, such as, for example, copper and/or the like. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to the embodiments of a specific material of the mechanical wire or a specific number of electrical pathways provided by the cable  200 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cable  200  may connect the alarm box  2  and/or the power source  3  to the photo emitter  100 , the photo receiver  102 , the first micro-controller  39   a , the second micro-controller  39   b , the device  11  and/or the sensor board  36 . The cable  200  may be fastened to the base  12 . Further, the cable  200  may be connected to the light emitting source  106  and/or the light detector  108 . The cable  200  may be attached to the alarm box  2 . As a result, the alarm box  2  and/or the power source  3  may be in communication with the photo emitter  100 , the photo receiver  102 , the first micro-controller  39   a , the second micro-controller  39   b , the light emitting source  106 , the light detector  108 , the device  11  and/or the sensor board  36 . 
   The device  11  may be positioned on the top side  54  of the top cover  52 . The underside  13  of the device  11  may be adjacent to and/or may abut the top side  54  of the top cover  52  of the base  12 . The mounting hole may be aligned with the opening  66 , the opening  48 , and the opening  82  of the top cover  52 , the sensor board  36  and the bottom cover  68 , respectively. As a result, the mounting hole may be aligned with the opening  26  of the base  12 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the system  10  may include a screw  300 , a washer  301  and/or a spring  302 . The screw  300  may include grooves  304 , a base  306  and/or a tip  308 . The spring  302  may be positioned around the grooves  304  of the screw  300 . The spring  302  may be positioned between the tip  308  and the base  306  of the screw  300 . The washer  301  may be positioned around the grooves  304  between the tip  308  and the base  306  of the screw  300 . The screw  300  and the spring  302  may be inserted into the base  12 . The grooves  304  of the screw  300  may be inserted into the opening  26 , the opening  48 , the opening  66  and/or the mounting hole of the device  11 , the sensor board  36 , the top cover  52  and/or the device  11 , respectively. The base  306  of the screw  300  may be positioned in the base  12  and/or the tip  308  of the screw  300  may abut the device  11 . The grooves  304  of the screw  300  may extend into the device  11  and/or the screw  300  may be attached to the device  11 . As a result, the device  11  is attached to the base  12 , the cable  200 , the alarm box  2  and/or the power source  3 . The bottom cover  68  may be attached to the bottom side  18  of the base  12 . The head  306  of the screw  300  may be enclosed by the base  12  and the bottom cover  68 . As a result, the screw  300  may not be removed from the base  12  without removing the bottom cover  68  of the base  12 . 
   The voltage plug  124  may be inserted into the DC plug-in  17  of the device  11  and/or may be connected to the second micro-controller  39   b  and/or the power source  3  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As a result, the device  11  may be in communication with the electrical resistor  41  and/or the second micro-controller  39   b . The electrical resistor  41  may determine the required operational voltage of the device  11 . Alternatively, the second micro-controller  39   b  may be programmed to determine the required operational voltage of the device  11  via the electrical resistor  41 . The second micro-controller  39   b  may communicate with the device  11  and/or may communicate the required operational voltage of the device  11  to the power source  3 . The second micro-controller  39   b  may deliver the required operational voltage of the device  11  via the electrical resistor  41 , the first cord  120 , the voltage plug  124  and/or the DC plug-in  17 . 
   In another embodiment, the second micro-controller  39   b  may be programmed with the required operational voltage of the device  11 . The second micro-controller  39   b  may control the voltage emitted by the power source  3 . Further, the power source  3  may provide the required operational voltage to the device  11  via the cable  200 , the first cord  120 , the second micro-controller  39   b , the voltage plug  124  and/or the plug-in  17 . As a result, the second micro-controller  39   b  may allow the device  11  to be activated and/or to be operated. 
   The second micro-controller  39   b  may be connected to the first LED  50   a . The power source  3  may be connected to and/or may control the first LED  50   a . Still further, the second micro-controller  94  may control the first LED  50   a . The first LED  50   a  may emit a color, such as, for example, green. The power source  204  and/or the second micro-controller  39   b  may activate the first LED  50   a  to indicate that the voltage is being supplied to the device  11 . The second LED  50   b  may emit a color, such as, for example, red. The first micro-controller  39   a  may be programmed to control the second LED  50   a . The first LED  50   a  and/or the second LED  50   b  may emit light which may be visible through the first hole  32   a  and/or the second hole  32   b , respectively. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to the color emitted by the first LED  50   a  and/or the second LED  50   b.    
   The device  11  may, therefore, be activated with the required operational voltage provided from the power source  3 . The first LED  50   a  may be activated by the power source  3  and/or the second micro-controller  39   b  to indicate that the device  11  has been activated. Alternatively, the power source  3  may activate the first LED  50   a  to indicate that the second micro-controller  39   b  may be receiving the output voltage from the power source  3  via the cable  200 . 
   The device  11  may have a removable attachment  21 . The removable attachment  21  may be attached to, may be coupled with and/or may be connected to the device  11 . For example, the device  11  may be a digital camera and the removable attachment  21  may be, for example, a digital camera lens, a digital camera filter, a memory card, a battery cover, a lens cover, a wireless adaptor, a remote control and/or the like. Alternatively, the device  11  may be a cellular telephone and the removable attachment  21  may be, for example, a headset, a battery cover, a wireless head set, a data transfer adapter, a hands-free headset, a wireless speaker and/or the like. In another embodiment, the device  11  may be a PDA and the removable attachment  21  may be, for example, a personal computer card, a wireless adapter, a battery cover, ear plugs, a wireless headset, a keyboard, an expansion card, a media card and/or the like. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  21 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the device  11  may be, for example, a digital camera and/or the removable attachment  21  may be, for example, a digital camera lens. The attaching means  126  may be attached to and/or may be connected to the removable attachment  21  of the device  11  by, for example, an adhesive, a magnet, and/or the like. Connecting the attaching means  126  to the removable attachment  21  may close a circuit within the attaching means  21 , the connector plug  14  and/or the first micro-controller  39   a . As a result, the first micro-controller  39   a  may activate the second LED  50   b  to indicate that the removable attachment  21  is secured to the connector plug  14  and/or the base  12 . 
   The attaching means  126  may detect removal of and/or separation of the removable attachment  21  of the device  11  from the attaching means  126 , the device and/or the base  12 . The first micro-controller  39   a  may deactivate the second LED  50   b  to indicate that the removable attachment  21  is detached from the attaching means  126 , the base  12  and/or the device  11 . The first micro-controller  39   a  may signal the alarm box  2  that the removable attachment  21  is detached from the attaching means  126 , the base  12  and/or the device  11 . As a result, the alarm box  2  may be activated and/or may produce an audio signal. 
   The photo emitter  100  and/or the light emitting source  106  may be in communication with the power source  3  and/or the alarm box  2 . The photo emitter  100  and/or the light emitting source  106  may be controlled by the alarm box  2  and/or the power source  3 . The screw  300  may be inserted into the opening  82  of the bottom cover  68  of the base  12 . Attaching the screw  300  and/or the base  12  to the device  11  may activate the photo emitter  100  and/or the photo receiver  102 . As a result, the light emitting source  106  may be activated and/or may transmit electromagnetic radiation to the light detector  108 . The light detector  108  may receive, may monitor and/or may detect the electromagnetic radiation from the light emitting source  106 . The light detector  108  may be in communication with the alarm box  2  and/or may provide a signal indicate to the alarm box  2  that the light detector  108  may be receiving electromagnetic radiation from the light emitting source  106 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the photo receiver  102  and/or the light detector  108  may be in communication with the alarm box  2  to indicate that the light detector  108  is receiving and/or is detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted from the light emitting source  106 . The electromagnetic radiation from the light emitting source  106  may be interrupted and/or may be impeded by a condition. The condition may prevent the light detector  108  from receiving the electromagnetic radiation from the light emitting source  106 . The condition interrupting the electromagnetic radiation may occur momentarily or may occur indefinitely. Alternatively, the condition may not entirely interrupt the electromagnetic radiation from the light emitting source  106 . 
   The condition may relate to detaching, separating and/or unsecuring the device  11  from the base  12 , the structural element, and/or the alarm box  2 . The screw  300  and/or the screw  302  may be positioned inside the base  12 . The spring  302  may be positioned between the head  306  of the screw and the base  12 . As a result, the spring  302  may be compressed between the head  306  of the screw  300  and the base  12 . The screw  300  may extend outward with respect to the base  12  and may attach the device  11  to the base  12 , the alarm box  2 . As a result, the device  12  may be secured to the base  12 , the alarm box  2 . 
   A theft of the device  11  may separate the device  11  from, may remove the device  11  from and/or may separate the device  11  from the base  12 , the spring  300 , the structural element and/or the alarm box  2 . As a result, the screw  300  and/or the spring  302  may be detached from the device  11 . The spring  302  may decompress and/or may force the screw  300  inward with respect to the top cover  54 . The spring  302  may force the head  306  of the screw  300  inward with respect to the top side  74  of the bottom cover  68 . The head  306  of the screw  300  may abut the top side  74  of the bottom cover  68 . As a result, the screw  300 , the head  306  of the screw  300  and/or the washer  301  may move inward with respect to the bottom cover  68 . The screw  300 , the head  306  of the screw  300  and/or the washer  301  may be positioned between the light emitting source  106  and the light detector  108  after being detached from the device  11 . The screw  300 , the head  306  of the screw  300  and/or the washer  301  may interrupt the electromagnetic radiation received by the light detector  108  from the light emitting source  106 . As a result, the condition may occur because the screw  300 , the head  306  of the screw  300  and/or the washer  301  has interrupted the electromagnetic radiation. 
   The condition may relate to inserting a tool (not shown in the drawings) into the opening  82  of the bottom cover  68 . The tool may be, for example, a screw driver, a wrench, a wire and/or the like. The tool may be inserted into the opening  82  of the bottom cover  68  to engage and/or to remove the screw  300  from the device  11  and/or the base  12  in an attempt to steal the device  11 . The tool may extend inward with respect to the base  12 . As a result, the tool may be inserted between the light emitting source  106  and the light detector  108 . The tool may interrupt the electromagnetic radiation received by the light detector  108  from the light emitting source  106 . As a result, the condition may occur because the tool interrupts the electromagnetic radiation between the light detector  108  and the light emitting source  106 . 
   The condition may prevent the photo receiver  102  and/or the light detector  108  from detecting the electromagnetic energy emitted from the light emitting source  106 . The photo receiver  102  and/or the light detector  108  may provide a signal to the alarm box  2  that the condition has occurred. As a result, the alarm box  2  may be activated and/or may produce the audio signal. The first micro-controller  39   a , the photo emitter  100 , the photo receiver  102 , the light emitting source  106 , the light detector  108 , the power source  204 , the alarm box  202  and/or the cable  200  may electrically secure the device  11 . As a result, the alarm box  2  may produce the audio signal which may indicate that electromagnetic radiation has been interrupted and/or that the device  11  is unsecured. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the attaching means  126  may communicate to the first micro-controller  39   a  if the removable attachment  21  of the device  11  has been removed from the attaching means  126  and/or if the circuit formed by the attaching means  126  and the removable attachment  21  has been broken by, for example, snipping and/or cutting the cord  122 . The second micro-controller  39   b  may detect that the voltage plug  124  has been removed from the device  11 . The first micro-controller  39   a  and/or the second micro-controller  39   b  may communicate to the alarm box  2  that the second cord  122  and/or the first cord  120 , respectively, are separated from the device  11 . As a result, the first micro-controller  39   a  and/or the second micro-controller  39   b  may de-activate the second LED  50   b  and/or the first LED  50   a , respectively. The first micro-controller  39   a  and/or the micro-controller  39   b  may signal the alarm box  2 . The alarm box  2  may be activated and/or may produce the audio signal which may indicate that the first cord  120  and/or the second cord  122  may have been removed from the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45  and/or that the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45  may be unsecured. A user (not shown in the drawings) and/or a customer (not shown in the drawings) may examine, may inspect and/or may utilize the device  11  which may be attached to the cable  200 . As a result, the user and/or the customer may move the device  11  allowing examination and/or inspection of the device  11 , the removable attachment  45 . The user may examine and/or may inspect, for example, a weight of the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45 , a configuration of the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45 , a texture of an exterior of the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45  and/or the like. As a result, a user having a disability, such as, for example, being confined to a wheelchair may be permitted to examine and/or to inspect the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45  which may be attached to the cable  200 . Moreover, the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45  may remain electrically and/or mechanically secured to the base  12 , the alarm box  2  and/or the structural element via the cable  200  as the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45  may be examined and/or inspected. The user may activate and/or may utilize the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45  to perform the functions provided by the device  11 . For example, the device  11  may be a digital camera and the user may use the device  11  to perform the function of capturing an image (not shown in the drawings). As a result, the device  11  may display the image thereon. The user may examine and/or inspect the image captured by the device  11 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the system  10  may be attached to the device  11  to secure the device  11  to the base  12 , the alarm box and/or the structural element via the cable  200 . Further, the system  10  may connect the device  11  to the alarm box  2  and/or the power source  3  via the sensor board  36 , the base  12 , the cable  200 , the first micro-controller  39   a , the second micro-controller  39   b , the photo emitter  100  and/or the photo receiver  102 . The second micro-controller  39   b  of the sensor board  36  may be in communication with the first micro-controller  39   a  via the base  12  and/or the cable  200 . Still further, the device  11  may be monitored by the alarm box  2 , the photo emitter  100 , the photo receiver  102 , the first micro-controller  39   a , the second micro-controller  39   b  and/or the cable  200 . The second micro-controller  39   b  and/or the first micro-controller  39   a  may control the voltage delivered from the power source  3  to the device  11 . Moreover, the first LED  50   a  and/or the second LED  50   b  of the sensor board  36  may indicate that power is provided to the device  11  and/or that the alarm box  2  may have been activated, respectively. The cable  200  and/or the base  12  may allow the device  11  to be manipulated, to be examined and/or to be utilized by a customer and/or a user. Furthermore, it should be understood that the first micro-controller  39   a  and/or the power source  3  may be in communication with more than one device  11 , the first micro-controller  39   a , the second micro-controller  39   b , the sensor board  36 , the base  12 , the power source  3  and/or the cable  200 . 
   The system  10 , the base  12  and/or the screw  300  may secure the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45  with the photo emitter  100  and/or the photo receiver  102 . As a result, the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45  may be secured to the structural element via the cable  200 . The photo emitter  100  and/or the photo receiver  102  may be in communication with the alarm box  2  and/or the power source  3  via a cable  200  to secure the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45 . The base  12  may have the first LED  50   a  and/or the second LED  50   a  to indicate that a voltage may be provided to the device  11  and/or to indicate that the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45  may be separated from the base  12 . As a result, the system  10 , the photo emitter  100  and/or the photo receiver  102  may electronically secure and/or may mechanically secure the device  11  and/or the removable attachment  45  of the device  11  to the structural element. 
   It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.