# US 10,373,457 B2 · Merchandise security system with optical communication > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,373,457 B2 - Document ID: US10373457B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/109,145 - Filed: 2018-08-22 - Published: 2018-12-20 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-05-28 - Assignees: InVue Security Products Inc. - Applicants: InVue Security Products Inc. - Inventors: Christopher J. Fawcett; Gary A. Taylor; Kevin A. Burtness - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10373457B2 ## CPC - G08B 13/1481: {with optical detection} - G08B 13/1463: {Physical arrangements, e.g. housings (devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18)} - G08B 13/149: {with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation} - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention are directed to security systems and methods for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal. For example, the security system may include a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise and a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. The security system may also include a cable connected to the sensor and at least one optical transceiver for defining a sense loop between the cable and the sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A security system for securing an item of merchandise, comprising: a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise, wherein the sensor comprises an optical transceiver; and a cable configured to be connected to the sensor at one end, wherein the end of the cable comprises an optical transceiver, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate optical signals with one another to detect disconnection of the cable from the sensor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, further comprising a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon, the base comprising a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The security system of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises at least one electrical contact and the base comprises at least one electrical contact, and wherein the base is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise via the electrical contacts when the sensor is supported on the base. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm configured to generate an alarm signal when the cable is cut or disconnected or the sensor is removed from the item of merchandise. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, further comprising a recoiler connected to the cable. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The security system of claim 5, further comprising a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon, wherein the recoiler is housed within the base. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to define a sense loop through the cable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The security system of claim 7, wherein the cable comprises at least one conductor for defining the sense loop, and wherein the at least one conductor does not transmit power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the cable has been cut. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a connector configured to electrically connect the sensor to the item of merchandise, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the connector has been removed from the item of merchandise. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to rotate relative to one another. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, further comprising a releasable connector configured to releasably engage the cable and the sensor, wherein the releasable connector is configured to contain the optical transceiver of the cable. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The security system of claim 12, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable is configured to rotate within the releasable connector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The security system of claim 13, wherein the cable comprises a plurality of electrical conductors for providing power to the optical transceiver of the cable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The security system of claim 12, wherein the releasable connector is configured to threadably engage the sensor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The security system of claim 12, wherein the releasable connector comprises a threaded collar having threads for engaging corresponding threads defined by the sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The security system of claim 16, further comprising a clip configured to removably secure the threaded collar to the end of the cable. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine that the item of merchandise is secured to the sensor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if communication therebetween is lost. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the sensor and/or the base comprises an alarm, and wherein the alarm is configured to be disarmed with a wireless key. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises one or more electrical conductors for providing power to the optical transceiver of the cable. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are electrically isolated from one another. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to transmit data between one another. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a power source configured to provide power to the sensor for interpreting signals provided by the optical transceiver of the sensor and to provide power to the optical transceiver of the sensor. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the cable is not a fiber optic cable. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The security system of claim 25, wherein the cable comprises a plurality of electrical conductors for providing power to the optical transceiver of the cable. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an upper surface configured to attach to the item of merchandise and a rear surface configured to connect to the cable, wherein the rear surface defines a recess containing the optical transceiver of the sensor. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The security system of claim 27, wherein the recess is configured to receive the optical transceiver of the cable. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises a plurality of electrical conductors for providing power to the optical transceiver of the cable and communicating signals to and from the optical transceiver of the sensor. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the optical transceiver of the sensor and the optical transceiver of the cable do not communicate using coded signals. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The security system of claim 30, wherein the optical transceiver of the sensor and the optical transceiver of the cable communicate data between one another. ### Claim 32 A method for securing an item of merchandise, comprising: coupling a sensor to an item of merchandise, wherein the sensor comprises an optical transceiver; and connecting an end of a cable to the sensor, the end of the cable comprising an optical transceiver, the optical transceiver of the sensor and the optical transceiver of the cable configured to communicate optical signals with one another for detecting disconnection of the cable from the sensor. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32, wherein connecting comprises threadably engaging a releasable connector to the sensor, the optical transceiver of the cable configured to rotate relative to the optical transceiver of the sensor when the releasable connector is connected to the sensor. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32, further comprising connecting a connector to an input port on the item of merchandise, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the connector has been removed from the item of merchandise. ### Claim 35 A security system for securing an item of merchandise, comprising: a sensor configured to be attached to the item of merchandise, wherein the sensor contains an optical transceiver; and a cable comprising an optical transceiver at one end of the cable and a releasable connector, wherein the releasable connector is configured to attach the cable to the sensor and to receive the optical transceiver of the cable, wherein the cable comprises a plurality of electrical conductors for providing power to the optical transceiver of the cable, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate optical signals with one another to detect disconnection of the cable from the sensor, and wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the cable has been cut. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable is configured to rotate within the releasable connector. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, further comprising a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon, the base comprising a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The security system of claim 37, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of electrical contacts and the base comprises a plurality of electrical contacts, and wherein the base is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise via the electrical contacts when the sensor is supported on the base. ### Claim 39 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, further comprising an alarm configured to generate an alarm signal when the cable is cut or disconnected or the sensor is removed from the item of merchandise. ### Claim 40 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, further comprising a recoiler connected to the cable. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The security system of claim 40, further comprising a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon, wherein the recoiler is housed within the base. ### Claim 42 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to define a sense loop through the cable. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The security system of claim 42, wherein the plurality of conductors are configured to transmit signals for defining the sense loop, and wherein the plurality of conductors do not transmit power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. ### Claim 44 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the sensor comprises a connector configured to electrically connect the sensor to the item of merchandise, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the connector has been removed from the item of merchandise. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The security system of claim 44, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable is configured to rotate within the releasable connector. ### Claim 46 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine that the item of merchandise is secured to the sensor. ### Claim 47 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if communication therebetween is lost. ### Claim 48 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the sensor and/or the base comprises an alarm, and wherein the alarm is configured to be disarmed with a wireless key. ### Claim 49 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the sensor and the base each comprises an alarm, and wherein the alarm is configured to be disarmed with a wireless key. ### Claim 50 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are electrically isolated from one another. ### Claim 51 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to transmit data between one another. ### Claim 52 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the sensor comprises a power source configured to provide power to the sensor for interpreting signals provided by the optical transceiver of the sensor and to provide power to the optical transceiver of the sensor. ### Claim 53 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the releasable connector is configured to threadably engage the sensor. ### Claim 54 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the releasable connector comprises a threaded collar having threads for engaging corresponding threads defined by the sensor. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The security system of claim 54, wherein the threads of the threaded collar surround the optical transceiver of the cable when the threaded collar is attached to the sensor. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) The security system of claim 55, wherein the threads of the sensor surround the optical transceiver of the cable when the threaded collar is attached to the sensor. ### Claim 57 (depends on 54) The security system of claim 54, further comprising a clip configured to removably secure the threaded collar to the end of the cable. ### Claim 58 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the cable is not a fiber optic cable. ### Claim 59 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the sensor comprises an upper surface configured to attach to the item of merchandise and a rear surface configured to connect to the releasable connector, wherein the rear surface defines a recess containing the optical transceiver of the sensor. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The security system of claim 59, wherein the recess is configured to receive the optical transceiver of the cable. ### Claim 61 (depends on 59) The security system of claim 59, wherein the sensor further comprises a plunger or pressure switch on the upper surface for detecting removal of the item of merchandise. ### Claim 62 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the plurality of electrical conductors are configured to communicate signals to and from the optical transceiver of the sensor. ### Claim 63 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to detect removal of the item of merchandise from the sensor. ### Claim 64 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to rotate relative to one another. ### Claim 65 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, further comprising a recoiler connected to the cable and a slip ring for electrically connecting the cable to the recoiler. ### Claim 66 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the optical transceiver of the sensor and the optical transceiver of the cable do not communicate using coded signals. ### Claim 67 (depends on 66) The security system of claim 66, wherein the optical transceiver of the sensor and the optical transceiver of the cable communicate data between one another. ### Claim 68 (depends on 66) The security system of claim 66, further comprising an alarm configured to generate an alarm signal in response to the failure of the optical transceiver of the sensor or the optical transceiver of the cable to receive the data. ### Claim 69 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are separated by an air gap when the releasable connector is connected to the sensor. ### Claim 70 (depends on 35) The security system of claim 35, wherein the sensor comprises a printed circuit board, the optical transceiver of the sensor being attached to the printed circuit board and housed within the sensor.