# US 11,308,779 B1 · Security device utilizing the electronic components of an electronic gadget to produce an alarm

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- Number: US 11,308,779 B1
- Document ID: US11308779B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 17/462,689
- Filed: 2021-08-31
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2020-09-18
- Assignees: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
- Applicants: Christopher A. Kelsch; Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
- Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch; William Claude Chazotte; John N. Figh, Jr.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11308779B1

## CPC

- G08B 13/2402: {Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting (mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03)}
- H04W 4/38: for collecting sensor information
- G08B 13/1445: {with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable (furniture, e.g. shelves for displaying merchandise, incorporating tethers to prevent theft A47F7/024, A47F5/0861)}
- H04W 4/021: Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
- G08B 21/0269: {System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS}
- G08B 25/10: using wireless transmission systems {(G08B25/009 takes precedence)}
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)

## Abstract

The anti-theft device for securing an electronic gadget against theft. A security sensor is attached to a rear surface of the electronic gadget. The security sensor is electrically coupled to the electronic gadget via a cable. A security software application is deployed on the electronic gadget. The security sensor is configured to transmit predefined security signal to the electronic gadget. The security application is configured to detect the predefined security signal. Responsive to detecting a security event, the security sensor stops transmitting the security signal. The security application is configured to transition the electronic gadget into an alarm state if the security application fails to receive the security signal.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An anti-theft device for an electronic gadget, comprising:
a security sensor configured to be attached to the electronic gadget;
an electric circuitry disposed within the security sensor, the electric circuitry configured to generate a predefined security heartbeat signal having a predefined frequency;
an electric cable having a first end coupled to the security sensor and a second end configured to be coupled to a port of the electronic gadget thereby establishing a wired connection between the security sensor and the electronic gadget, wherein the security sensor is configured to transmit the predefined security heartbeat signal generated by the electric circuitry of the security sensor to the electronic gadget via the wired connection, and wherein a software application running on the electronic gadget is configured to detect the predefined security heartbeat signal and verify that the predefined security heartbeat signal being received by the electronic gadget has the predefined frequency; and
wherein, responsive to a failure to detect the predefined security heartbeat signal having the predefined frequency, the software application is configured to transition the electronic gadget into an alarm state, thereby causing one or more electronic components of the electronic gadget to output an audio alarm, a visual alarm, a wireless signal, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein transmission of the predefined security heartbeat signal ceases when a security event is detected, the security event being selected from the group consisting of removing the security sensor outside a predefined geofenced boundary of a secure area, the security sensor losing a wireless connection with a predefined electronic device, detaching the security sensor from the electronic gadget, severing or disconnecting a tether cable connected to the security sensor, and removing the security sensor from a pedestal.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein cutting or disconnecting the electronic cable disrupts the wired connection between the security sensor and the electronic gadget, thereby preventing the electronic gadget from receiving the predefined security heartbeat signal and causing the software application to transition the electronic gadget into the alarm state.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic gadget is configured to transmit the wireless signal via a wireless network.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein a communication channel for transmitting the predefined security heartbeat signal from the security sensor to the electronic gadget is unidirectional.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein, in the alarm state, the electronic gadget cannot be operated using physical or virtual buttons or switches.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein a wireless signal is transmitted as a Short Message System (SMS) message, an email, a Rich Communication Services (RCS) message, or a Multi-Media Message (MMS) message.

### Claim 8

A method of securing an electronic gadget, the method comprising:
installing a software application on the electronic gadget, wherein the security software application is configured to actuate a speaker, a display screen, a light emitting diode (LED), or a wireless transmitter of the electronic gadget;
attaching a security sensor to the electronic gadget, wherein the security sensor is configured to transmit a predefined security heartbeat signal having a predefined frequency to the electronic gadget, and wherein the security heartbeat signal ceases when a security event occurs; and
wherein the software application is configured to detect the predefined security heartbeat signal received by the electronic gadget and verify that the predefined security heartbeat signal has the predefined frequency, and wherein, responsive to a failure to detect the predefined security heartbeat signal having the predefined frequency, the software application is configured to transition the electronic gadget into an alarm state by actuating the speaker, the display screen, the light emitting diode (LED), or the wireless transmitter of the electronic gadget, thereby causing the electronic gadget to produce an audio alarm, output a visual alarm, transmit a wireless signal, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein the security event is selected from the group consisting of removing the security sensor outside a predefined geofenced boundary of a secure area, the security sensor losing a wireless connection with a predefined electronic device, detaching the security sensor from the electronic gadget, severing or disconnecting a tether cable connected to the security sensor, and removing the security sensor from a pedestal.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein the electronic gadget is configured to transmit the wireless signal via a wireless network.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein the predefined security heartbeat signal is transmitted from the security sensor to the electronic gadget wirelessly.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein a wireless communication channel for transmitting the predefined security heartbeat signal from the security sensor to the electronic gadget is established without the security sensor receiving any wireless signals from the electronic gadget.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein the predefined security heartbeat signal is transmitted from the security sensor to the electronic gadget via a unidirectional communication channel.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein, in the alarm state, the electronic gadget cannot be operated using physical or virtual buttons or switches.

### Claim 15 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein the predefined security heartbeat signal is generated by an electric circuitry disposed within the security sensor.

### Claim 16 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein the predefined security heartbeat signal is generated by an electric circuitry disposed within a pedestal or in a remote location external from the security sensor.

### Claim 17 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein the security sensor is connected to the electronic gadget via an electric cable, and wherein the predefined security heartbeat signal is transmitted via the electric cable.