Patent Publication Number: US-2004046662-A1

Title: Security system for a portable device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] This invention relates to security systems and, more particularly, to a security system that is useable to confine repositioning of a portable device.  
       [0003] 2. Background Art  
       [0004] Theft of portable consumer items is rampant worldwide. The trend in merchandising, to allow potential customers to handle and operate products without direct supervision by store personnel, has contributed to the theft problem. This is particularly true in the electronics industry wherein myriad competitive products are made available with different designs and features. A decision to purchase may be deferred until a customer has had an opportunity to pick up and test several different products. It is impractical and economically infeasible to man stores with enough employees to remove products from secured spaces and monitor their use by customers on a one-by-one basis. This has led to the mass display of virtually all available products in a store in a manner that allows for unsupervised handling, inspection, and operation thereof.  
       [0005] This mass display scheme is common in merchandising of portable electronic goods. In recent years, there has been an explosion in the sales of electronic devices which store and process information and are useable for electronic communication. The trend with these devices, commonly referred to as PDA&#39;s (personal digital assistant devices) has been to increase the capabilities and versatility of these devices while reducing their size so that they are more conveniently transportable by users.  
       [0006] The PDA industry has become highly competitive. Many different companies are offering such products with a wide range of size, feel, functionality, and aesthetics. Those purchasing PDA&#39;s commonly wish to operate competitive brands of PDA to make a comparison before consummating a purchase. This has led to the setup of PDA display sections in many consumer electronics stores. Users are allowed to view and operate a number of competitors&#39; PDA devices at such stations.  
       [0007] The increasing popularity of PDA devices has also made them an increasingly attractive target for thieves. The sophistication of these devices is such that they are, while small, quite expensive. A skilled thief may abscond with a PDA without detection. Given the price of the PDA&#39;s, losses due to theft in retail establishments of this type of device may become very significant.  
       [0008] As a consequence, purveyors of electronic devices have constantly been seeking ways to secure PDA&#39;s against theft while at the same time making them accessible for handling and operation. Ideally, the would-be purchaser is allowed to operate the PDA as he/she would normally do without contending with burdensome and intrusive security systems.  
       [0009] As is often the case, designers of security systems are faced with many, often competing, objectives. A security system must first of all be effective in preventing theft. At the same time, the security system should not be cumbersome or significantly impair operation and inspection of the device. Finally, the security system must be designed so that its use is cost justified in retail establishments. Ideally, such security systems are useable to releasably adapt to the articles without damage thereto so that the secured demonstration articles may be ultimately sold.  
       [0010] Many diverse security systems for portable consumer devices are currently offered. These systems are generally categorized as mechanical or electrical, or combinations thereof. In a purely mechanical system, a cable tether is used. One end of the cable is secured to a support, with the other end secured to the article to be monitored. The length of the cable dictates the range of movement of the article away from the support. One common means of connection of the cable to the article is to provide an end fitting on the cable and to secure the end fitting to the article as by an adhesive pad or by applying adhesive directly to the article. Failure of this type of system may be attributable to an inadequate adhesive bond or one that deteriorates over time. The cable&#39;s severance, or removal of the end fitting from the object, permit the system to be defeated.  
       [0011] Electronic systems commonly use an end fitting which is armed by being attached to the device. Removal of the end fitting, or severance of a conductive cord, will break a circuit that activates an alarm so as to produce an audible or visually detectable signal indicating that the system has been compromised. Commonly, such electronic systems utilize an end fitting which is directly connected to the device, as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,098.  
       [0012] By directly adhering end fittings to a device, there is a possibility that the end fitting can be removed without a detectable breach. Still further, a positively secured end fitting may damage or at least aesthetically compromise the product to which it is attached, thus making it unfit for sale at a near value price.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013] In one form, the invention is directed to the combination of a portable device and a security system. The security system has a first holding portion and a second holding portion spaced from the first holding portion. The first and second holding portions are movable relative to each other to selectively change a spacing distance between the first and second holding portions. The first and second holding portions captively engage the portable device with the first and second holding portions in an engaged state and are movable relative to each other from the engaged state to a release state. A setting mechanism can be selectively placed in a secured state and an unsecured state. The setting mechanism in the secured state causes the first and second holding portions to be maintained relative to each other in the engaged state. The setting mechanism in the unsecured state allows the first and second holding elements to be moved relative to each other from the engaged state into the release state. An access assembly has first and second states. In the first state, the access assembly permits the setting mechanism to be changed from the secured state into the unsecured state. The access assembly in the second state prevents the setting mechanism from being changed from the secured state into the unsecured state.  
       [0014] In one form, the security system has a frame, a mounting element on the frame, and a support for reception of the mounting element.  
       [0015] In one form, the support is a stand with a receptacle and the mounting element is releasably directed into the receptacle to maintain the portable device in a display state relative to the stand.  
       [0016] In one form, the first holding portion is movable guidingly relative to the frame to change the spacing distance between the first and second holding portions.  
       [0017] In one form, the frame defines an elongate slot and the first holding element has a post that is movable guidingly within the elongate slot to change the spacing distance between the first and second holding portions.  
       [0018] In one form, the setting mechanism fixes the location of the post within the elongate slot.  
       [0019] In one form, the post has a threaded portion and a nut is attached to the threaded portion and tightened to place the setting mechanism in the secured state.  
       [0020] In one form, the access assembly consists of a door that is guidingly movable relative to the frame between first and second positions corresponding to the first and second states for the access assembly.  
       [0021] In one form, the door in the second position blocks access to the setting mechanism from a first location and in the first position permits access to the setting mechanism from the first location to allow the setting mechanism to be changed between secured and unsecured states.  
       [0022] The door may be pivotable between the first and second positions.  
       [0023] In one form, the portable device is a personal digital assistant device.  
       [0024] In one form, an elongate cable is attached to the frame and a support.  
       [0025] The combination may further include a generator for a detectable signal. In one form, the elongate cable defines at least one electrically conductive path which, if interrupted, causes the generator to produce a detectable signal.  
       [0026] In one form, the portable device has a first corner and the first holding portion defines a first receptacle into which the first corner projects.  
       [0027] The portable device may have a second corner, with the second holding portion defining a second receptacle into which the second corner projects with the first and second holding portions in the engaged state.  
       [0028] In one form, the first and second corners on the portable device project in different directions so that with the first and second holding portions in the engaged state, the first and second corners cannot be withdrawn from the first and second receptacles so that the portable device cannot be separated from the security system.  
       [0029] The security system may further include a third holding portion that is movable relative to each of the first and second holding portions and engages the portable device to cooperate with the first and second holding portions with the first and second holding portions in the engaged state to maintain the portable device connected to the security system.  
       [0030] The invention is also directed to a security system for use in conjunction with a portable device, as described above.  
       [0031] The invention is still further directed to a method of securing a portable device using a security system with first and second holding portions, a setting mechanism, and an access assembly. The method includes the steps of; relatively repositioning the first and second holding portions into a release state; placing the portable device in a preassembly position relative to the first and second holding portions with the first and second holding portions in the release state; with the portable device in the preassembly position relatively repositioning the first and second holding portions from the release state into an engaged state wherein the portable device is held by the first and second holding portions; placing the setting mechanism in an unsecured state wherein the first and second holding portions can be moved relative to each other between the engaged and release state; placing the access assembly in a first state, wherein the setting mechanism can be accessed at a first location to change the setting mechanism between the unsecured state and a secured state, wherein the setting mechanism causes the first and second holding portions to be maintained in a desired relative position; with the first and second holding portions in the engaged state and the access assembly in the first state, accessing the setting mechanism at the first location and changing the setting mechanism from the unsecured state into the secured state; and changing the access assembly from the first state into the second state to thereby prevent access to the setting mechanism at the first location to change the setting mechanism from the secured state into the unsecured state;  
       [0032] The method may further include the step of connecting the security system to a base/support.  
       [0033] In one form, the security system has a frame and the method further includes the steps of providing a support, fixedly connecting the support to a base, and releasably connecting the frame to the support.  
       [0034] In one form, there is a mounting element on the frame and a receptacle on the support. The method may further include the steps of directing the mounting element into the receptacle to maintain the portable device in a display state relative to the support.  
       [0035] The method may further include the step of connecting a cable to the frame and to the base at a second location to thereby limit movement of the frame away from the second location.  
       [0036] In one form, the cable has a conductive element which defines a conductive path. The method may further include the step of providing a generator capable of producing a detectable signal in the event that the conductive path is interrupted.  
       [0037] In one form, the portable device is a personal digital assistant device, with the method further including the step of operating the personal assist device with the personal assist device operatively connected to the security system. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0038]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system, according to the present invention, for securing a portable device relative to a base/support;  
     [0039]FIG. 2 is a view as in FIG. 1 wherein the security system  10  is secured directly to the base/support;  
     [0040]FIG. 3 is a view as in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the security system secured to the base/support through a cable;  
     [0041]FIG. 4 is a view as in FIGS.  1 - 3  and incorporating a detectable signal generator which is actuated to produce a signal in the event of a breach of the system;  
     [0042]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a part of the inventive security system consisting of a frame with a repositionable door thereon and with holding portions on the frame in a release state wherein a portable device can be placed on or removed from the security system;  
     [0043]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the security system taken from the side opposite that in FIG. 5;  
     [0044]FIG. 7 is a partial schematic view of the part of the security system shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and operatively connected to a portable device and having a mounting element which is capable of being attached to and separated from a stand and incorporating a cable which limits the range of movement of the security system relative to the stand;  
     [0045]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the part of the security system in FIGS. 5 and 6 with the portable device operatively connected thereto;  
     [0046]FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the frame and one of the holding portions on the part of the security system in FIGS. 5, 6, and  8 ;  
     [0047]FIG. 10 is a view as in FIG. 5 with the holding portions in an engaged state and with the part of the security system operatively connected to the portable device; and  
     [0048]FIG. 11 is a view as in FIG. 6 with the portable device operatively connected to the part of the security system.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0049] In FIG. 1, a schematic representation of the invention is shown consisting of a security system  10  for maintaining a portable device  12  in a desired position relative to a base/support  14 . The precise nature of the portable device  12  is not critical to the present invention. As an example, the invention contemplates securing any device that is capable of storing data, processing data, and/or electronically communicating data. The exemplary portable device  12  is a personal digital assistant device (PDA device), but could be any device with a case profile that can be accepted by the security system. Regardless of the nature of the portable device  12 , the security system  10  is designed to prevent removal of the portable device  12  from a prescribed location. This can be accomplished using any of a number of different system configurations.  
     [0050] In FIG. 2, the security system  10  with the portable device  12  held thereby is shown fixedly attached directly to the base/support  14 . In FIG. 3, the security system  10 , holding the portable device  12 , is shown connected to the base/support  14  through a flexible cable  16 . The cable  16  permits the security system  10 , with the portable device held thereby, to be manipulated within a range permitted by the length of the flexible cable  16 .  
     [0051] In FIG. 4, the security system  10 , with the portable device  12  held thereby, is connected to a detectable signal generator  18  mounted upon the base/support  14 . Through a cable  20 , a conductive path is defined between the detectable signal generator  18  and the security system  10 . In the event that the conductive path is interrupted, the detectable signal generator  18  produces a signal which indicates that the system security has been compromised. The cable  20  permits repositioning of the security system  10  and portable device  12 , held thereby, within a range dictated by the length of the cable  20 , and also provides added security in the event that the cable  20  is severed or separated from the security system  10 . Details of an alarm system, capable of generating a detectable signal and useable as part of the security system  10 , are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,098, which is incorporated herein by reference.  
     [0052] Referring to FIGS.  5 - 11 , details of the security system  10 , and its cooperation with the portable device  12 , will be described in detail. The security system  10  consists of a frame  26  having a generally flat support pad  28  with a flat mounting surface  30  against which the portable device  12  is placed. The security system  10  has first and second holding portions  32 ,  34  that are fixedly attached to the frame  26 . The holding portions  32 ,  34  are mirror images of each other. Exemplary holding portion  32  has a wall  36  which extends continuously around a receptacle  38 . Essentially, the first holding portion  32  has a squared, cup shape with a truncation at  40  which allows a corner  42  of the portable device  12  to be directed through the receptacle  38  into an operative position, as shown at FIG. 11, wherein the top and side walls,  44 ,  46 , respectively, on the portable device  12  confront orthogonal surfaces  48 ,  50 , respectively, on the wall  36 .  
     [0053] The holding portion  34  is spaced from the holding portion  32  so that the distance D (FIG. 6) between the surface  50  and a facing surface  52  on a wall  54  on the holding portion  34  is slightly greater than the typical width dimension W (FIG. 11) of the type of portable device  12  to be held by the security system. As can be seen in FIG. 11, with the corner  42  of the portable device  12  directed through the receptacle  38  so that the top wall  44  on the portable device  12  abuts the wall surface  48 , and a spaced corner  56  on the portable device  12  directed through a receptacle  58  defined by the holding portion  34  to against a wall surface  60  on the holding portion  34 , the width W of the portable device  12  is loosely accommodated between the facing surfaces  50 ,  52 . In this position, the portable device  12  is confined in movement away from the mounting surface  30  by wall portions  62 ,  64  on the holding portions  32 ,  34 , respectively, which extend angularly across the region of the corners  42 ,  56  of the portable device  12 .  
     [0054] It should be understood that while the holding portions  32 ,  34  are shown as a fixed, integral part of the frame  26 , one or both of the holding portions  32 ,  34  could be movable relative to the frame  26  to select the width dimension D between the surfaces  50 ,  52 . By reason of the configuration of the holding portions  32 ,  34 , the security system  10  with the fixed holding portions  32 ,  34  will accommodate a range of width dimensions for the portable device  12 . The functional width capability for the security system  10  shown has a range from the distance D down to a smaller distance D1, shown in FIG. 11, between the edges  66 ,  68  of the wall portions  62 ,  64 . Alternatively, each security system  10  can be customized to the width of a specific product.  
     [0055] The security system  10  further includes third and fourth holding portions  70 ,  72 , which are shown to be identical in construction. However, this identical construction is not necessary. Exemplary holding portion  70  has a mounting portion  74  and a wall  76  extending around a receptacle  78 . The wall  76  has the same general configuration as the walls  36 ,  54 , i.e. a generally squared, cup shape that is truncated to define a pass through receptacle  78 . The wall  70  defines a wall surface  80  to confront the side wall  46  of the portable device  12  and a wall surface  82  to confront the bottom wall  84  of the portable device  12  with the bottom corner  86  of the portable device  12  directed through the receptacle  78 .  
     [0056] The holding portion  72  has a wall  88  which bounds a receptacle  90  through which the other bottom corner  92  of the portable device  12  extends. The wall  88  has a surface  94  to confront the bottom wall  84  of the portable device  12  and an orthogonal surface  96  to confront the side wall  98  of the portable device  12 . The holding portion  72  has a mounting portion  100 , corresponding to the mounting portion  74  on the holding portion  70 .  
     [0057] The holding portions  70 ,  72  are mounted to the support pad  28  in the same manner. Exemplary holding portion  70  has a fixed, threaded post  102  projecting therefrom and through an elongate slot  104  in the support pad  28 . By sliding the post  102  along the slot  104 , the spacing distance between the holding portions  34 ,  72  can be varied. Once a desired spacing distance is established, a nut  106  on the threaded post  102  can be tightened to maintain the desired position of the holding portion  72  on the support pad  28 . The holding portion  72  has a threaded post  108  which moves in an elongate slot  110  which runs in substantially parallel relationship to the elongate slot  104 . A nut  112  is threaded to the post  108  to fix the position of the holding portion  72  relative to the support pad  28  and the holding portion  32 .  
     [0058] The four holding portions  32 ,  34 ,  70 ,  72  cooperatively support the portable device  12  in an operative position, wherein it is captured toward the support pad  28 . To effect this interconnection, the holding portions  70 ,  72  are translated by guided movement of the posts  102 ,  108  within the slots  104 ,  110 , towards ends thereof, as shown in FIG. 5, so that the holding portions  32 ,  34 ,  70 ,  72  thereby assume a release state. In the release state, the portable device  12  can be placed in a preassembly position, at or near the mounting surface  30  on the support pad  28 , with the corners  42 ,  56  of the portable device  12  projected into the receptacles  38 ,  58 , respectively. With the holding portions  32 ,  34 ,  70 ,  72  in their release state and the corners  42 ,  56  projected into the receptacles  38 ,  58 , the bottom corners  86 ,  92  are aligned at the receptacles  78 ,  90 . Thereafter, the holding portions  70 ,  72  can be translated in the direction of the holding portions  32 ,  34  towards an engaged state for the holding portions  32 ,  34 ,  70 ,  72 , whereupon the corners  86 ,  92  move into the receptacles  78 ,  90 . With the holding portions in the engaged state, the portable device  12  is confined against movement within the plane of the mounting surface  30  a) along a first line, as indicated by the double-headed arrow  114 , by the wall surfaces  48 ,  60 ,  82 ,  94 , and b) along a second line  115 , orthogonal to the first line  114 , by the wall surfaces  50 ,  52 ,  80 ,  96 .  
     [0059] It should be understood that while four holding portions  32 ,  34 ,  70 ,  72  are shown, the security system  10  would operate with potentially two holding portions at spaced locations. As just one example, holding portions  34 ,  70  could themselves cooperate to maintain the portable device  12  positively to the security system  10 . With the disclosed configuration of elements, a significant range of portable devices will be accommodated. That is, the elongate slots  104 ,  110  permit accommodation of devices with significant dimensional variation between the top wall  44  and bottom wall  84 .  
     [0060] Once the portable device  12  is in place, and the holding portions  32 ,  34 ,  70 ,  72  are placed in the engaged state, the nuts  106 ,  112  are tightened to fix the spacing distance between the holding portions  32 ,  34 ,  70 ,  72 . The nuts  106 ,  112 , mounting portions  74 ,  100 , and threaded posts  102 ,  108  cooperatively define a setting mechanism having secured and unsecured states. With the nuts  106 ,  112  loosened, the setting mechanism is in an unsecured state in which the holding portions  70 ,  72  are freely slidable as to release the portable device  12  or effect installation thereof. Once the holding portions  32 ,  34 ,  70 ,  72  are placed in the engaged state, the nuts  106 ,  112  are tightened to place the setting mechanism in the secured state. Access to the nuts  106 ,  112  can be conveniently gained at the mounting pad location on the side opposite to the mounting surface  30 .  
     [0061] To prohibit access to the setting mechanism, including the nuts  106 ,  112 , as to change the state of the setting mechanism, an access assembly is provided at  118 . The access assembly  118  consists of a door  120  that is pivotably mounted to the frame  26  for movement relative thereto between a first position, shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, and a second position, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. With the door  120  in its first position, the access assembly  118  is in a first state wherein access to the nuts  106 ,  112  can be gained without interference at the location on the mount support pad  28  on the side opposite to the mounting surface  30 . By pivoting the door to its second position, the access assembly  118  is placed in the second state, wherein access to the nuts  106 ,  112  is blocked by the door  120  from the location at the support pad  28  at the side opposite to the mounting surface  30 .  
     [0062] The door  120  is maintained in its second position by directing a threaded fastener  122  (FIG. 7) through the door  120  and into a threaded socket  124  on the support pad  28 . To prevent a breach of the system, the head  126  of the fastener  122  may be provided with a special keying tool which is required to effect installation and removal of the fastener  122 . Alternatively, the threaded fastener  122  may incorporate a safety feature as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,939, which is incorporated herein by reference. As a still further alternative, a sensing circuit  128  (FIG. 7) may be used to define a closed conductive circuit path with the door  120  in the second position. In the event the path is interrupted by reason of the door moving out of the second position, a sensor  130  is activated and produces a signal indicative of this state to the detectable signal generator  18 . Other means are contemplated for maintaining the door  120  in the second position and/or giving a detectable indication that the door  120  has been moved from the second position into the first position therefor. The invention also contemplates that other means can be used to block access to the setting mechanism. For example, a sliding element might be used for this purpose.  
     [0063] To place the portable device  12  in a display state, a mounting element  136  is optionally used. The mounting element  136  is shown in the form of a cantilevered tube/post. The mounting element  136  may cooperate with a sleeve  138  (FIG. 7) on a stand  140  secured to the base/support  14 . In this embodiment, the mounting element  136  is slidable into the sleeve  138  so that the operating face  141  of the portable device  12  is exposed for inspection and operation. In this embodiment, a flexible cable  142  can be used to connect between the frame  26  and the stand  140  or base/support  14  to confine the range of movement of the portable device  12  away from the stand  138 . The cable  142  can be a purely mechanical cable or have a conductive element so as to incorporate an electronic sensing capability, as hereinabove described.  
     [0064] To rigidify the door  120  and to provide a redundant barrier to access to the nuts  106 ,  112 , as from the end wall  144  of the door  120 , an L-shaped reinforcement  146  is secured to the underside  148  of the door  120 . The reinforcement  146  can be configured so as to also block the nuts  106 ,  112  in the event that sliding of the mounting portions  74 ,  100  towards the release state is attempted.  
     [0065] The security system  10  shown permits a single construction to accommodate different configurations of portable devices. The security system  10  permits the portable device  12  to be positively maintained in place while permitting viewing and operation thereof.  
     [0066] The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.