Abstract:
An apparatus, system and method discourage theft of a media disc. The media disc has a central aperture and is retained within a media disc case by an inner spindle that extends through the central aperture. A pin is insertable through the inner spindle. A locking clutch is operable to engage the pin. When engaged, the locking clutch secures the media disc upon the inner spindle and prevents the media disc from being removed from the inner spindle. A liquid-dispensing container is positioned between the pin and the media disc such that when a force is exerted upon the media disc to attempt to remove the disc from the inner spindle when the locking clutch is engaged, the liquid-dispensing container releases a liquid which renders the media disc unreadable.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    n/a 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    n/a 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a method and system for discouraging media disc theft and more specifically to a method and system for denying the benefit of use of a media disc to a thief by preventing the disc from being removed from its packaging without damaging the disc. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Media discs, such as compact discs (“CD”) and digital video discs (“DVD”) containing music and other audio, movies and other video, computer programs, video games, and other such data, have long been the target of theft due to the desirability of owning the content of the disc versus the cost of the disc. Additionally, as these discs are relatively small in size, thieves may easily hide these items in a garment or shopping bag and simply walk out of a store undetected. 
         [0005]    Others have tried to protect disc media from theft by placing mechanical locks on the media disc cases or as a keeper around the outside of these cases. These mechanical locks are usually bulky, taking up precious retail shelf space. Additionally, the lock discourages consumers from picking up the DVDs, CD, or games, negatively affecting the sales of the merchandise. Some retailers simply lock the most expensive discs in cases and do not allow the customer any access to the discs without assistance from authorized personnel, thereby inhibiting possible legitimate sales because of mere inconvenience. 
         [0006]    Another approach is to place electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) markers or labels within the cases. The EAS labels are designed to activate an alarm at the store entrance when an unpurchased disc is carried through EAS detection pedestals located near store entrances. However, these alarms are often ignored due to excessive false alarms, generally caused by inexperienced or improperly trained employees failing to properly deactivate all EAS labels upon purchase. Additionally, thieves may sneak detection obstructing devices, such as metal-shielded objects, into the store for the express purpose of defeating the EAS alarm. The metal shield shields the EAS marker from interrogation signals at the pedestals. Thus, small objects such as media discs that can readily be placed inside the shielding are often targeted and successfully stolen. 
         [0007]    Another approach is the use of optical shutter to block the read of the directory of the media disc rendering the disc unreadable. Upon purchase or proper check out, the material is subject to a current to turn the material transparent and the disc usable. However, the equipment to employ the optical shutter concept is very expensive and the material is quite exotic, thereby prohibiting most disc manufacturers and retailers from implementing this solution. 
         [0008]    Even with these theft prevention and detection methods, shoplifters come up with novel ways to break through these deterrents and steal discs because the value of the disc means more to the thief than the cost of breaking theft prevention barriers. In other words, as soon as the disc is stolen, the thief can freely use the contents. 
         [0009]    Therefore, what is needed is a system and method for discouraging media disc theft by denying the benefit of use to the thief. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention advantageously provides a method, apparatus and system for discouraging media disc theft by denying the benefit of use to the thief. Generally, a theft-prevention apparatus is attached to the media disc case which prevents the thief from removing the media disc from the media disc case without damaging the actual disc. In one embodiment, upon an attempted forcible removal, a liquid-dispensing container is broken, releasing a liquid upon the media disc which renders the disc unreadable. 
         [0011]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for discouraging theft of a media disc is provided. The media disc defines a central aperture and is retainable within a media disc case by an inner spindle extending through the central aperture. The apparatus includes a pin and a locking clutch. The pin is insertable through the inner spindle. The locking clutch is operable to engage the pin. When engaged, the locking clutch secures the media disc upon the inner spindle and prevents the media disc from being removed from the inner spindle. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for discouraging theft of a media disc having a central aperture. The system includes a media disc case, a pin and a locking clutch. The media disc case is operable to retain the media disc on an inner spindle extending through the central aperture. The pin is insertable through the inner spindle. The locking clutch is operable to engage the pin. When engaged, the locking clutch secures the media disc upon the inner spindle and prevents the media disc from being removed from the inner spindle. 
         [0013]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of discouraging theft of a media disc is provided. The media disc has a central aperture and is retained within a media disc case by an inner spindle extending through the central aperture. A pin of a theft-deterring apparatus is inserted through the inner spindle. The media disc is secured upon the inner spindle by engaging the pin within a locking clutch. The locking clutch prevents the media disc from being removed from the inner spindle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the inside of an exemplary media disc case including a tamper-resistant ink pin constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the media disc case of  FIG. 1  assembled with a tamper-resistant ink pin constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a is a cross sectional view of the media disc case of  FIG. 1  with the tamper-resistant ink pin removed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an exemplary tamper-resistant ink pin constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the spindle area of the media disc case of  FIG. 1  assembled with the tamper-resistant ink pin in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the media disc case of  FIG. 1  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of the outside of an alternative media disc case having a discrete pin and ink vial constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the inside of an alternative media disc case having a locking clutch integrated into the case spindle, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the outside of an alternative media disc case having the locking clutch outside the case, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the outside of an alternative media disc case having the locking clutch as part of an EAS hard tag and located on the outside of the case, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to implementing a system and method for discouraging media disc theft by denying the benefit of use to a potential thief. Accordingly, the system and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
         [0026]    As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. 
         [0027]    One embodiment of the present invention advantageously provides a method and system for discouraging theft of media discs by preventing the disc from being removed from the case without permanently damaging the disc, thereby rendering the disc useless. In one embodiment, a magnetic locking clutch secures the disc within the case using a tamper-resistant ink-filled pin. If the magnetic locking clutch is not properly disengaged and the ink-filled pin properly removed by personnel at the point of sale, a vial in the ink-filled pin breaks upon attempted removal, spilling a permanent ink on the readable portion of the disc and rendering the disc unreadable. 
         [0028]    Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  one configuration of an exemplary media disc theft deterrent system  10  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The theft deterrent system  10  includes a media disc case  12  which houses or encloses a media disc  14  upon an inner spindle. An exemplary media disc case  12  may include a standard digital video disc (“DVD”) case or compact disc (“CD”) jewel case. The media disc  14  is secured to the inner spindle by a locking clutch  16  which engages a pin (not shown) inserted through the back cover of the media disc case  12 . The locking clutch  16  may be a standard magnetic locking mechanism such as those commonly used in electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) hard tags. The locking clutch  16  may be only removed from the pin using a detacher, such as a magnetic detacher. In some embodiments, the locking clutch  16  remains inside the case even after being detached from the pin. In other embodiments, the locking clutch  16  is exterior to the case and can be discarded or re-used after removal. Any attempt to forcibly remove the media disc  14  from the media disc case  12  prior to removing the locking clutch permanently damages the media disc  14 . The force is either sufficient to break the disc, render the media disc  14  unreadable by separating the transparent plastic outer layer of the media disc  14  from the protected silicon underneath, or break a liquid-dispensing vial releasing a permanent marking solution, such as ink, dye, paint, glue or any other viscous substance that will permanently damage the media disc  14 . It is also contemplated that a suitable permanent marking liquid can include a mixture of Methyl Isobutyl Ketone, Butyl Acetate, and a resin. Such a marking liquid mixture is resistant to removal using alcohol and other known removers. The liquid-dispensing mechanism is discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0029]    An optional removal protection ring  18  may be inserted between the locking clutch  16  and the media disc  14  to further hinder tampering. Additionally, an EAS label  20  may be included inside the media disc case  12  which triggers an alarm if not deactivated prior to entering an interrogation zone of an EAS system as is commonly known in the art. It should be noted that in this configuration, the EAS label  20 , the locking mechanism  16  and the removal protection ring  18  are assembled by the manufacturer as part of a packaging process. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a cross sectional view of an exemplary media disc theft deterrent system  10  is provided. The system  10  includes a media disc case  12  having a pin  22  secured by a locking clutch  16  and removal protection ring  18 . The media disc case  12 , as is typical among commonly used media disc cases, includes an indented area  24  in the back cover  26  which forms a spindle  28  inside the media disc case  12 . The media disc  14  is retained in the case  12  by placing the central opening of the disc  14  over the inner spindle  28 . Small tabs (not shown) along the perimeter of the spindle  28  compress inwardly when the disc  14  is placed over the spindle  28  and expand outwardly over the edge of the central opening as the disc  14  is pressed downward (toward the back cover  26 ) capturing the disc  14  in place. To allow for movement of the tabs, small openings are cut or molded between the tabs and may extend through the back cover  26 . 
         [0031]    A liquid-dispensing container  30 , such as an ink tag, is inserted into the indented area  24  of the back cover  26  on the outside the media disc case  12 . The pin  22  extends through the back cover  26  and the central opening of the media disc  14 . The locking clutch  16  captures the pin  22  on top of the media disc  14  inside the case  12 . The liquid-dispensing container  30  may be integrated within the head  32  of the pin  22 . Attempts to remove the media disc  14  without unlocking the locking clutch  16  rupture the liquid-dispensing container  30 , spilling the contained liquid, which flows through the openings on the back cover  26  and onto the media disc  14 , thereby rendering the disc  14  unreadable. 
         [0032]    Advantageously, an embodiment of the present invention provides benefit denial for the media disc market in a way that does not add any unwanted thickness to the media disc case  12 . This allows the cases  12  to be placed directly on store shelves and occupy a minimal amount of shelf space. In this embodiment, the locking clutch  16  and removal protection ring  18  are inside the media disc case  12 . These components are assembled during packaging and the pin  22  and liquid-dispensing container  30  are on the outside of the media disc case  14 . When passed over a detacher with a high enough magnetic field, the locking clutch  16  releases the pin  22  and the liquid-dispensing container  30  may be detached. The magnetic locking clutch  16  remains inside the case  12 . This arrangement ensures that the consumer does not take home an ink vial which can later fracture and harm the consumer or damage the product unintentionally. 
         [0033]    Since a media disc case  12 , such as a DVD case, offers spaces as small as 0.6 cm between the media disc  14  and the front cover  34  of the case  12 , the height of the locking clutch  16  is an important consideration as the locking clutch  16  should fit comfortably between the media disc and the front cover  34  without interfering with or distorting the case  12 . Appropriate ink or other liquid that attacks the surface of the media disc  12  provides benefit denial to a potential thief and helps to deter theft. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cross sectional view of an exemplary media disc case  14  is provided. The back cover  26  includes an indented area  24  which forms the inner spindle  28 . The pin  22  and liquid-dispensing container  30  reside within the indented area  24  on the outside of the media disc case  12 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an exploded view of a pin  22  having an integrated liquid-dispensing container  30  is provided. The pin  22  has the integrated liquid-dispensing container  30 , a shaft portion  36  and an enclosed head  38 . Head  38  has a bottom portion  40  and a top portion  42 . When assembled, the bottom portion  40  and the top portion  42  create a cavity in which the liquid-dispensing container  30  is placed. The top portion includes several openings  44   a ,  44   b  (two shown) through which the liquid contained within the liquid-dispensing container  30  may flow. The enclosed head  38  is formed from a malleable material which allows the head  38  to flex enough to break the liquid-dispensing container  30  when a forcible removal is attempted. Another suitable embodiment provides a solid plastic component which elevates the ends of the liquid-dispensing container  30  above the surface of the case. Pulling on the center of the liquid-dispensing container  30  by the attached shaft  36  causes the liquid-dispensing container to “bend” into the cavity, causing the liquid-dispensing container  30  to shatter. The enclosed head  38  allows easy removal of the pin  22  without requiring store personnel to track a separate pin and liquid-dispensing container and provides a certain degree of protection for the liquid-dispensing container  30  when not attached to the media disc case  12 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  provides a close-up cross-sectional view of the pin  22  and locking clutch  16  when assembled. It should be noted that the assembled theft deterrent device does not add excess thickness to the overall thickness of the media disc case  12 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary media disc case  12  securing a media disc  14  with a theft deterrent device as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of the back cover  26  of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is provided. In accordance with this embodiment, the pin  22  has a solid head  46  and the liquid-dispensing container  30  is separate and independent from the pin  22 . The liquid-dispensing container  30 , in this embodiment, includes a small aperture or other opening through which the shaft  36  of the pin  22  may pass. Although the liquid-dispensing container  30  is shown as a thin, flat rectangular vial, the actual geometric shape of the liquid-dispensing container  30  is not limited by the present invention. However, it is desirable for the liquid-dispensing container  30  and the pin  22  to fit within the inverted area  24  of the back cover  26  in order to preserve the original thickness of the media disc case  12 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a front view of the media disc case  12  in an open position is provided in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the locking clutch  16  is integrated into the inner spindle  28  of the media disc case  12 . The locking clutch  16  is designed such that the central opening of the media disc  14  fits snugly is retained snugly by the locking clutch  16  in a compression fit, but may be removed by exerting an upward (away from the back cover  26 ) pressure on the media disc  14  which may be slightly greater than that required to remove a disc  14  from a standard media disc case. Thus, if a liquid-dispensing container  30  is present and secured by the locking clutch  16 , the liquid-dispensing container  30  will break in the same manner as described above in relation to the theft deterrent system  10  of  FIGS. 1-6 . Although potentially not as secure as the above embodiment, this embodiment allows attachment of the theft deterrent device at either the manufacturer or at the point of sale. Additionally, when the liquid-dispensing container  30  is removed, the locking clutch  16  is not able to roll around loose in the media disc case  12 , potentially damaging the media disc. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , an alternative embodiment of the present is provided wherein the locking clutch  16  and optional removal prevention disk  18  are assembled on the outside of the media disc case  12 . In this embodiment, the pin  22  extends through the inner spindle  28  as well as the front cover  34 , and engages the locking clutch  16  against the front cover  34 . The locking clutch  16  may be a single independent device, as shown in  FIG. 9 , or may be integrated into a standard EAS hard tag  46 . The media disc case  12  cannot be opened without first removing the locking clutch  16  and liquid-dispensing container  30 . In  FIG. 10 , the magnetic locking clutch  16  of a standard EAS hard tag secures the pin  22 . This embodiment advantageously allows a retailer to easily attach the theft deterrent device to a media disc case  12 , but adds excess thickness and bulk to the media disc case  12  making storage more difficult and requiring additional shelf space. 
         [0040]    Unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. Significantly, this invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and accordingly, reference should be had to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.