# US 11,908,292 B2 · Merchandise security system with inductive charging > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,908,292 B2 - Document ID: US11908292B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/992,606 - Filed: 2022-11-22 - Published: 2023-03-16 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-19 - Assignees: InVue Security Products Inc. - Applicants: InVue Security Products Inc. - Inventors: Gary A. Taylor; David N. Berglund - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11908292B2 ## CPC - G08B 13/1418: {Removal detected by failure in electrical connection between the appliance and a control centre, home control panel or a power supply} - H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction - H02J 50/10: using inductive coupling - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention are directed to security systems 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 base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon. The sensor includes at least one electrical contact and an inductive coil, and the base includes at least one electrical contact and driving electronics for the inductive coil. The sensor is configured to transfer power inductively to the item of merchandise when the at least one electrical contact of the sensor contacts the at least one electrical contact of the base to thereby allow the driving electronics to energize the inductive coil, wherein the sensor is configured to cease transferring power to the item of merchandise when the sensor is lifted off of the base. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A security system comprising: a sensor configured to be coupled to an item of merchandise, the sensor comprising at least one electrical contact and an inductive coil; a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise, the base comprising at least one electrical contact; driving electronics for the inductive coil of the sensor; and wherein the driving electronics are configured to energize the inductive coil for transferring power inductively from the sensor to the item of merchandise only when the at least one electrical contact of the sensor contacts the at least one electrical contact of the base, and wherein the sensor is configured to cease transferring power inductively to the item of merchandise when the sensor is lifted off of the base and the at least one electrical contact of the sensor no longer contacts the at least one electrical contact of the base. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to detect removal of the item of merchandise from the sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, further comprising a key configured to wirelessly communicate with the base for arming or disarming an alarm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, further comprising a cable coupled to the sensor and defining a sense loop for detecting a security event. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The security system of claim 4, further comprising an alarm operably engaged with the base configured to generate an alarm signal when the item of merchandise is removed from the sensor or the sense loop is interrupted. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The security system of claim 4, further comprising a recoiler connected to the cable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The security system of claim 4, wherein the security event comprises the cable being cut, shorted, and/or disconnected. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The security system of claim 4, wherein the cable is coupled to the sensor and the base. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The security system of claim 4, wherein the cable is coupled to the sensor at one end and coupled to the base at an opposite end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The security system of claim 4, wherein the cable does not transmit power to the item of merchandise. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The security system of claim 4, wherein the cable comprises at least one conductor for defining the sense loop. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a printed circuit board, and wherein the printed circuit board comprises the driving electronics. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the driving electronics comprises an oscillator for generating a frequency and a power transistor for driving the inductive coil of the sensor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to receive power inductively from the support surface and transfer the power to the sensor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein no cables are required to power the item of merchandise. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises the driving electronics. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises the driving electronics. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the driving electronics and the inductive coil are only able to communicate with one another when the at least one electrical contact of the sensor contacts the at least one electrical contact of the base. ### Claim 19 A method for securing an item of merchandise, comprising: coupling a sensor to an item of merchandise, the sensor comprising at least one electrical contact and an inductive coil; securing a base to a support surface, the base comprising at least one electrical contact, the sensor or the base comprising driving electronics for the inductive coil; positioning the sensor on the base for energizing the inductive coil with the driving electronics and providing power inductively to the item of merchandise only when the at least one electrical contact of the sensor contacts the at least one electrical contact of the base; and removing the sensor from the base to thereby cease transferring power inductively to the item of merchandise when the at least one electrical contact of the sensor no longer contacts the at least one electrical contact of the base. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein securing comprises securing the base to the support surface such that the support surface is configured to transfer power inductively to the base.