Patent Description:
Retailers routinely display articles of merchandise, such as phones, portable computers (e.g. notebooks, laptops, tablets, etc.), e-readers, media players, and the like for customers to evaluate before making a purchase. These articles of merchandise are continually being made smaller and lighter in weight due to advances in technology and materials. As a result, such merchandise is increasingly vulnerable and susceptible to theft. At the same time, the retail price and profit margin for such merchandise continues to decline. Accordingly, these articles of merchandise need to be secured by a security device that effectively and cost efficiently protects the merchandise from theft.

<CIT> relates to displaying items for merchandising purposes, and more specifically, to a system and method for displaying items on a counter or other structure in a commercial environment. It is provided a graphic display of information relating to the items at the counter or other structure so that persons approaching or touching such items can receive information relevant to the item while the item is protected from theft.

<CIT> discloses a RFID-based inventory monitoring system and method with self-adjusting operational parameters. The system includes an inventory monitoring controller, a user interface, one or more RFID tag readers and one or more RFID tags.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved merchandise security system that is versatile and simpler in use and construction. Another object is to provide a corresponding method for displaying and securing articles of merchandise.

The problem is solved by a merchandise security system according to claim <NUM> and a method for displaying and securing articles of merchandise according to claim <NUM>. Advantageous embodiments can be derived from the dependent claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods. According to one embodiment, a merchandise security system comprises a plurality of security devices for securing articles of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal; at least one controller configured to wirelessly communicate with each of the plurality of security devices; and a remote electronic device wirelessly connected to the at least one controller. The at least one controller is configured to wirelessly communicate the data from the security devices to the remote device through a cloud network. The remote device is configured to direct various commands via the cloud network to the at least one controller in order to manage any number of features regarding one or more of the security devices. The at least one controller is configured to receive these various commands,.

According to the present invention, these commands include at least one of the following: powering up or down one or more articles of merchandise; remotely enabling or disabling an article of merchandise; remotely locking down an article of merchandise.

According to one embodiment, a method for displaying and securing articles of merchandise is provided. The method comprises wirelessly communicating, by at least one controller, with a plurality of security devices in order to obtain data from the plurality of security devices; wirelessly communicating, by the at least one controller, with a remote electronic device for providing the data obtained from the security devices over a cloud network; directing various commands via the cloud network with the remote device to the at least one controller in order to manage any number of features regarding one or more of the security devices; and receiving these various commands by the at least one controller.

According to the present invention these commands include at least one of the following: powering up or down one or more articles of merchandise; remotely enabling or disabling an article of merchandise; remotely locking down an article of merchandise.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments of the invention are shown. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation and multiple prime notations are used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

One or more embodiments of a system for displaying and securing an article of merchandise "M" are described below and shown. The article of merchandise M is typically a display model or an operational sample of electronic merchandise, such as portable telephones, smart phones, computers (e.g. notebooks, laptops, tablets, etc.), e-readers, media players, and the like, for a customer to examine before making a decision to purchase the item. The article of merchandise M is typically displayed in a manner that permits a prospective purchaser to evaluate the operation and features of the merchandise, while protecting the merchandise from a potential thief. In one embodiment, a sensor may be attached to the article of merchandise for detecting various alarming conditions, such as the article being removed from the sensor. In some embodiments, the security devices may be similar to PODs manufactured by InVue Security Products Inc. (e.g., Series <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> PODs).

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of a merchandise security system <NUM> for securing articles of merchandise M from theft or unauthorized removal. The system <NUM> generally includes one or more display positions, wherein each display position includes a security device <NUM> that is supported on a display counter "DC" (e.g., a counter, shelf, support, or the like). A security device <NUM> may generally include a sensor <NUM>, a tether <NUM>, and a base <NUM>, although other arrangements may be contemplated (e.g., omitting the tether). The sensor <NUM> is configured to be secured to the article of merchandise M, such as with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and/or bracket arms. The sensor <NUM> is electrically connected to the tether <NUM>, such as with a connector or via hardwiring. One end of the tether <NUM> may be electrically connected to the base <NUM>, while the opposite end of the tether may be electrically connected to the sensor <NUM>. The tether <NUM> and/or base <NUM> may be electrically connected to or otherwise in electrical communication with a controller <NUM>, as explained in further detail below. In some embodiments, the tether <NUM> is electrically connected to a recoiler to allow the tether to extend and retract relative thereto. The recoiler may in turn be electrically connected to the controller <NUM>. In other embodiments, the tether <NUM> is elastic or otherwise extendable and retractable relative to the base <NUM>. Although four security devices are shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, it is understood that the controller <NUM> may be configured to communicate with any number of security devices, including one or more. Moreover, in some embodiments, one or more controllers <NUM> may be employed. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> and the security devices <NUM> are independent of one another such that the controller may be positioned remotely from the security devices (e.g., under the display counter).

The base <NUM> is configured to removably support the sensor <NUM> thereon such that the sensor and article of merchandise M may be removed from the base for inspection and returned to the base. The base <NUM> may define an opening therethrough that allows the tether <NUM> to extend and retract relative to the base. It is understood that although a tethered embodiment is shown, it is understood that "tetherless" embodiments may also be utilized such as where the base <NUM> and the sensor <NUM> communicate wirelessly. For example, the base <NUM> and the sensor <NUM> may be configured to communicate wirelessly in order to ensure that the article of merchandise M is maintained within a predetermined location or distance relative to the base. In other embodiments, the article of merchandise M may be configured to be removably supported directly on the base <NUM> such that the sensor <NUM> may be integrated into the article. One example of wireless technology is disclosed in <CIT>, entitled Systems and Methods for Protecting Retail Display Merchandise From Theft.

In some embodiments, the sensor <NUM> and/or base <NUM> may include alarming circuitry <NUM> or the like that is configured to determine whether various security events have occurred for generating a security signal, such as an audible and/or a visual alarm or signal (see, e.g., <FIG>). The sensor <NUM> and/or base <NUM> may also include an alarm <NUM> (e.g., a piezoelectric device) that is configured to generate an audible alarm or signal. In some cases, the sensor <NUM> and/or base <NUM> may include a visual indicator (e.g., an LED) for emitting a visual signal when the alarming circuitry <NUM> is armed and/or alarming. Moreover, the sensor <NUM> and/or base <NUM> may include a transfer port <NUM> that is configured to communicate with a key for arming and/or disarming the alarming circuitry <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>). In one embodiment, the transfer port <NUM> is configured to communicate wirelessly with a key in order to determine whether the key is authorized to arm and/or disarm the alarming circuitry <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the key is similar to that described in <CIT>. According to one embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may include a pressure switch or the like that is configured to detect when the article of merchandise M has been removed from the sensor. The alarming circuitry <NUM> may be configured to detect the removal of the article of merchandise M and/or cutting of the tether <NUM> and generate a security signal (e.g., an audible and/or a visual alarm) in response thereto.

The controller <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, CPU, or the like that is configured to facilitate communication with each of the security devices <NUM>, both individually and collectively. For example, the controller <NUM> may be a digital interface box ("DIB") or a power interface box ("PIB") in some embodiments. The controller <NUM> includes communications circuitry <NUM> that is configured to transmit and receive signals and data from each of the security devices <NUM> and/or articles of merchandise M. The controller <NUM> may also include a memory <NUM> for storing various data regarding each of the security devices <NUM> and/or articles of merchandise M, as explained in further detail below. In one embodiment, the controller <NUM> is electrically connected to each of the security devices <NUM> via "wired" means, such as one or more electrical conductors <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to transmit power to each of the security devices <NUM> and the articles of merchandise M via the electrical conductors <NUM>. According to the present invention, the controller <NUM> and the security devices <NUM> are configured to communicate with one another wirelessly. In order to provide power to the security devices <NUM>, the security devices may utilize wireless power functionality, such as electrical contact or inductive charging technology. In addition, the controller <NUM> may be configured to transmit and/or regulate the voltage provided to each of the security devices <NUM> and/or articles of merchandise M. For example, the controller <NUM> may be in electrical communication with an input power source <NUM> and configured to transmit power at the appropriate voltage to each of the security devices <NUM> and the articles of merchandise M. Furthermore, it is understood that although the base <NUM> and controller <NUM> may be separate components in some embodiments, the base and controller may be integrated as a single component in other embodiments. For instance, the controller <NUM> may be housed in the base <NUM>, and each base may include a respective controller.

According to the present invention, the controller <NUM> is configured to obtain data from the articles of merchandise M. For example, the data may be stored in a memory of the article of merchandise M, and the controller <NUM> may obtain at least a portion of the stored data. In some cases, the article of merchandise M may transmit the data from its internal memory to a sensor <NUM>, controller <NUM>, or any other desired device. The same controller <NUM> can communicate with the security devices <NUM> and the articles of merchandise, although it is understood that more than one controller could be employed, with separate controllers communicating with the security devices and articles of merchandise. The controller <NUM> may be configured to obtain the data directly or indirectly from the articles of merchandise. For example, each sensor <NUM> may be configured to communicate with a respective article of merchandise attached thereto to obtain data and subsequently communicate the data to the controller <NUM>. In other embodiments, the controller <NUM> may receive the data directly from the articles of merchandise M. In some cases, the data is the type of article of merchandise M attached to a sensor <NUM> (e.g., a manufacturer and model of an article of merchandise). The type of article of merchandise M may allow the controller <NUM> to determine the power requirements of the specific type of article prior to sending power to the device. It is understood that various types of data and information may be obtained from the article of merchandise such as, for example, the number of "pulls" or "pickups" of a particular article of merchandise relative to the base, the type of article, the location of the article, the power status of the article, retail store information and location, the occurrence and time of a power loss to the security device, a key ID, number and time of interactions with a key, etc. Thus, the controller <NUM> may obtain data periodically or in real time, or a user could use a remote device <NUM> to request information regarding a specific article(s) of merchandise M by communicating with the controller <NUM>. Additional examples of types of data that may be collected in response to interaction with the article of merchandise may be found, for example, in<CIT>, entitled Merchandise User Tracking System and Method.

In some advantageous embodiments, the controller <NUM> is configured to obtain data from the articles of merchandise M using a conventional tether <NUM>. That is, the controller <NUM> is able to obtain data from the articles of merchandise M without increasing the number of conductors <NUM> extending through a conventional tether <NUM>. For example, the tether <NUM> may include a plurality of conductors for power 42A (e.g., for powering the article of merchandise M), sense 42B (e.g., for detecting a security event), and data 42D (e.g., for obtaining data from the article of merchandise). In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may act as a "host" while the sensor <NUM>, base <NUM>, and/or article of merchandise M acts as a "slave". In this instance, the controller <NUM> is able to obtain data from any of the associated "slave" devices. In one embodiment, data may be obtained using a dual mode where data can be obtained between providing power and sense via the controller <NUM>. For instance, data may be obtained periodically and power and/or sensing may be paused for predetermined time periods in order to obtain data from the article of merchandise. In one embodiment, the controller <NUM> may be directly connected to the article of merchandise M, either via wired or wireless connection.

In another embodiment, an adapter cable or connector <NUM> may connect the sensor <NUM> to the article of merchandise M for transmitting power and other signals between the sensor and the article. The sensor <NUM> and/or controller <NUM> may be configured to detect when the adapter cable <NUM> is engaged with the article of merchandise M and send any data to the controller <NUM>. The adapter cable <NUM> may also facilitate power transfer to the article of merchandise via the controller <NUM>. In one embodiment, when no power is being provided to the article of merchandise M, data can be obtained with the controller <NUM> by isolating an LED on the adapter cable <NUM>. The LED may be used to indicate a status of the article of merchandise (e.g., armed or powering). For example, when power is removed, the LED may illuminate, and one of the data lines connects to the LED allowing data to be obtained from the article of merchandise M.

In another embodiment, the adapter cable <NUM> may include a plurality of conductors <NUM> for power, sense, and data. In one non-limiting example, five conductors may be used (one for power 42A, ground 42C, and sense 42B, and two for data 42D). Another cable <NUM> may be provided between the base <NUM> and the controller <NUM>, wherein this cable may include the same number of conductors <NUM> as the adapter cable <NUM>. Alternatively, the conductors <NUM> may be at least partially provided in the tether <NUM>. When the sensor <NUM> is resting on the base <NUM>, data may be provided from the article of merchandise to the controller <NUM> via the data conductors 42D in the adapter cable <NUM> and the cable <NUM>. In some cases, the adapter cable <NUM> and cable <NUM> may not be electrically connected when the sensor <NUM> lifted from the base <NUM>. Thus, the sensor <NUM> and base <NUM> may include conductors <NUM> that mate with one another, and electrically connect the cables <NUM>, <NUM>, when the sensor is resting on the base. An example of this technique is shown in <FIG>. In this example, the sensor <NUM> includes conductors <NUM>, such as copper traces, that mate with conductors on the base <NUM>, such as spring contacts or pogo pins. The electrical connection between the conductors <NUM> allows data to pass from the article of merchandise M to the controller <NUM> via the data conductors 42D in the cables.

According to the present invention, the controller <NUM> is configured to communicate with a remote device <NUM>, such as a retailer's laptop, tablet through a cloud network <NUM>. In one example, the remote device <NUM> may be a retailer's electronic device for managing various data received from one or more controllers <NUM>. In one particular embodiment, a plurality of controllers <NUM> and/or security devices <NUM> are configured to communicate with one or more retailer's electronic devices over the network <NUM>. For instance, the cloud network <NUM> may facilitate communication with a plurality of tablet devices used by sales associates within a retail environment. Communication over the network <NUM> occurs wirelessly. It is understood that the remote device <NUM> and the controller <NUM> may communicate with any desired means, such as cellular networks, Wi-Fi, radiofrequency, Bluetooth communication, and the like. The controller <NUM> and/or the remote device <NUM> may include communications circuitry or a transceiver that is configured to facilitate such communication with one another. One or more gateways and/or nodes may be used to facilitate communication between the controller <NUM> and the retailer's electronic device(s). For instance, a gateway (e.g., a router) between the controller <NUM> and the cloud network <NUM> may be configured to facilitate communication with a retailer's gateway and may be configured to allow the retailer to provide and receive data from the system <NUM>. According to the present invention, the remote electronic device <NUM> is configured to direct various commands via the cloud network <NUM> to the at least one controller <NUM> such as, for example, ensuring planogram compliance and tracking system usage. According to the present invention, such commands include at least one of powering up or down one or more articles of merchandise M, remotely enabling or disabling an article of merchandise, and remotely locking down an article of merchandise. Further exemplary examples of these commands, which do not form a part of the present invention, could include requesting data from the controller <NUM>, performing a roll call of one or more articles of merchandise (either at a particular time or after an alarming event), determining a location of an alarming security device <NUM>, identifying a specific key that armed/disarmed/locked/unlocked a particular security device, , checking the power status of an article of merchandise, tracking usage of an article of merchandise, tracking one or more article of merchandise (e.g., via serial number or other ID), assigning particular keys to authorized users, and/or directing a camera to record the location of an alarming security device. As such, a retailer may be able to more effectively manage any number of features regarding one or more security devices <NUM>. In another embodiment, the article of merchandise M may include a "subfolder" in memory that is configured to store various information, such as the article merchandise ID, a base ID, a controller ID, etc. In the instance where the controller <NUM> is configured to connect to a plurality of articles of merchandise M via a hub and a plurality of ports, the subfolder may store information regarding the location of the hub and ports, which may be used to correlate the articles of merchandise with its location. In addition, the article of merchandise M may be configured to store various data in the subfolder, such as the types of data discussed above. The subfolder may be created via a software application on the article of merchandise M, or the controller <NUM> may be configured to create a subfolder upon connection to the article of merchandise and detecting that no subfolder exits. For instance, connecting an adapter cable <NUM> to the article of merchandise M (e.g., via a USB connector in an input port of the article) may initiate detection and creation of a subfolder. In other embodiments, the subfolder may be created at a BIOS level in the article of merchandise M, wherein a custom ROM may be installed.

The controller <NUM> may be configured to obtain the data from the subfolder stored in the article of merchandise M. In this way, correlation between the articles of merchandise M, sensors <NUM>, and bases <NUM> may be more easily determined since the associate can be stored directly in the article of merchandise. In some cases wherein the article of merchandise M is paired or otherwise associated with a particular sensor <NUM> and/or base <NUM>, the controller <NUM> will know if an incorrect article of merchandise has been attached to a sensor <NUM> and/or placed on a base <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may immediately notify a sales associate via a security signal, such as via an audible and/or a visible signal or send data directly to a sales associate's remote device <NUM>. In one embodiment, the article of merchandise M may store information in a subfolder in a real-time basis, such as for tracking a location of the article of merchandise M. The location of the article of merchandise M may be obtained using various techniques (e.g., GPS on the article of merchandise). In some embodiments, the article of merchandise M may determine its location using one or more techniques discloses in <CIT>, entitled Systems and Methods for Protecting Retail Display Merchandise from Theft. In another embodiment, the article of merchandise M may be configured to communicate with the sensor <NUM> and/or controller <NUM>, and if the tether <NUM> and or adapter cable <NUM> is cut, the article of merchandise may begin tracking its location and in some cases storing its location in the subfolder and/or communicating its location to a remote device <NUM>. Where the tether <NUM> is cut, the controller <NUM> may be configured to store a time and date of the security event such that there will always be a record stored in the controller or the article of merchandise. In some cases, the article of merchandise M may be configured to communicate data to the controller <NUM> and/or remote device <NUM> via wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth).

In an alternative embodiment, the article of merchandise M may be directed to a specific webpage for requesting various information from the article. Thus, rather than employing a subfolder for storing information, the article of merchandise M may be prompted to extract the information and either store the information in its memory or provide it to the controller <NUM> and/or remote device <NUM>.

In another embodiment, connection of the adapter cable <NUM> may include a USB-type connector (e.g., USB-A, micro-USB, or USB-C) and engaging the connector with the article of merchandise M may initiate a request from the sensor <NUM> and/or controller <NUM> for a USB-identifier from the article. The USB-identifier may provide various information regarding the article of merchandise M, such as the model and/or serial number of the article. In some cases, the USB-identifier may only provide general information regarding the manufacturer of the article of merchandise M. In this case, the USB-identifier may be used to select a language protocol for more specifically identifying the article of merchandise. For instance, if the USB-identifier is for a Samsung device, the sensor <NUM> and/or controller <NUM> may initiate a protocol specific to Samsung to in turn request specific information from the article of merchandise M, such as the type or model of the article. Different protocols and/or requests may be used for different manufacturers. In one embodiment, the USB-identifier may be used to determine planogram compliance, e.g., that the articles of merchandise M are located in their assigned locations in a retail store. For example, each article of merchandise M may have a unique USB-identifier that may be associated with a particular location during initial set up. If the USB-identifiers are later requested, and a USB-identifier does not match the previous location, then the retailer will know that an article of merchandise is out of position.

Claim 1:
A merchandise security system (<NUM>) comprising:
a plurality of security devices (<NUM>) for securing articles of merchandise (M) from theft or unauthorized removal;
at least one controller (<NUM>) configured to wirelessly communicate with each of the plurality of security devices (<NUM>) in order to obtain data from the plurality of security devices (<NUM>); and
a remote electronic device (<NUM>) wirelessly connected to the at least one controller (<NUM>),
wherein the at least one controller (<NUM>) is configured to wirelessly communicate the data from the security devices (<NUM>) to the remote electronic device (<NUM>) through a cloud network (<NUM>),
wherein the remote electronic device (<NUM>) is configured to direct various commands via the cloud network (<NUM>) to the at least one controller (<NUM>) in order to manage any number of features regarding one or more of the security devices (<NUM>), the at least one controller (<NUM>) being configured to receive these various commands,
characterized by
these various commands including at least one of the following:
- powering up or down one or more articles of merchandise (M);
- remotely enabling or disabling an article of merchandise (M);
- remotely locking down an article of merchandise (M).