# US 12,183,136 B2 · Merchandise display security systems and methods

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- Number: US 12,183,136 B2
- Document ID: US12183136B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/668,931
- Filed: 2022-02-10
- Published: 2022-08-18
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2021-02-12
- Assignees: InVue Security Products Inc.
- Applicants: InVue Security Products Inc.
- Inventors: Christopher Richard Helman; Jeffrey A. Grant; Wesley J. Blanchard; Steven R. Bohon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12183136B2

## CPC

- G07C 9/00309: {operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks}
- G08B 13/14: by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
- G07C 9/00174: {Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys (mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00)}
- G07C 9/00912: {for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like}
- G07C 9/20: involving the use of a pass
- G07C 2009/00769: {with data transmission performed by wireless means}
- G07C 2009/00984: {fob}
- G08B 21/0227: {System arrangements with a plurality of child units}
- G08B 21/0277: {Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth®, piconet, Zigbee®, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]}
- G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS

## Abstract

Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of locks configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of locks configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more mobile computing devices. Each of the plurality of locks is configured to establish communication with one or more of the mobile computing devices using a first communication protocol. Each of the plurality of locks is configured to subsequently communicate with one or more of the mobile computing devices using a second communication protocol, different than the first communication protocol, for identifying one or more of the plurality of locks to be unlocked. The one or more of the plurality of locks identified by the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to be unlocked in response to subsequently communicating with the one or more of the plurality of locks using the first communication protocol.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A security system comprising:
a plurality of locks configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of locks configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more mobile computing devices, each of the plurality of locks storing respective identification information;
wherein each of the plurality of locks is configured to transmit a signal that is detectable by one of the one or more mobile computing devices,
wherein each of the plurality of locks detected by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to subsequently communicate with the one of the one or more of the mobile computing devices using a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol, the second communication protocol being different than the first communication protocol,
wherein any one of the plurality of locks detected by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to communicate with the one of the one or more mobile computing devices using the second communication protocol for identifying one of the plurality of locks to be unlocked,
wherein the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to be authorized to unlock the one of the plurality of locks at least partially based on the respective identification information stored by the one of the plurality of locks,
wherein the one of the plurality of locks identified is configured to be unlocked in response to the one of the one or more mobile computing devices determining that the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is authorized to unlock the one of the plurality of locks identified to be unlocked by the one of the one or more computing devices, and
wherein the one of the plurality of locks is configured to receive an unlock command to unlock the one of the plurality of locks using the first communication protocol if the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is determined to be authorized.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electronic keys configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more of the plurality of locks for unlocking the locks using a third communication protocol different than the first and second communication protocols.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The security system of claim 2, wherein the third communication protocol is magnetic induction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The security system of claim 2, wherein the third communication protocol is infrared communication.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The security system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of electronic keys are configured to obtain data from each of the locks.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The security system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to be authorized for unlocking one or more different locks than at least one other electronic key.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The security system of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to transfer power to each of the locks for unlocking the locks.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to obtain data from each of the plurality of locks and to communicate the data to the one or more remote devices using a third communication protocol, different than the first and second communication protocols.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the items are items of merchandise located in a retail store.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of locks comprise cabinet and drawer style locks.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to be authorized for unlocking one or more different locks than at least one other mobile computing device.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the one or more mobile computing devices is a mobile telephone.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of locks do not have an internal power source.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of locks includes an internal power source.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The security system of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of locks comprises a housing configured to removably receive a respective internal power source, and wherein the housing is modular and configured to be attached and detached from the lock.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The security system of claim 15, wherein the housing is configured to be detached in response to communication with the one or more mobile computing devices.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The security system of claim 15, wherein the housing is configured to be detached in response to communication with a key, independent of the one or more mobile computing devices.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the first communication protocol is Bluetooth communication.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the second communication protocol is near field communication (NFC).

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of locks comprises a latch configured to be manually actuated by a user for unlatching the lock following unlocking of the lock.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The security system of claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of locks comprises an actuator for unlatching the locks.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of locks is configured to continuously beacon the signal.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The security system of claim 22, wherein the one of the plurality of locks is configured to establish communication with the one of the one or more computing devices in response to receiving a subsequent beacon signal using the first wireless communication protocol after the one of the one or more mobile computing devices has been authorized.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, further comprising a hub configured to facilitate wireless communication between the one or more mobile computing devices and one or more remote devices using a third communication protocol that is different than both the first and second communication protocols.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The security system of claim 24, wherein the hub is configured to communicate with the one or more mobile computing devices via a cloud network.

### Claim 26 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the signal transmitted by each of the plurality locks is configured to be automatically detected by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the respective identification information of each of the plurality locks is a serial number of the lock.

### Claim 28 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the first communication protocol is Bluetooth communication, and wherein the second communication protocol is near field communication.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The security system of claim 28, wherein each of the plurality of locks is configured to transmit the signal using Bluetooth communication.

### Claim 30 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to be authorized to unlock the one of the plurality of locks at least partially based on a password received at the one or more mobile computing devices.

### Claim 31 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to be authorized to unlock the one of the plurality of locks at least partially based on a code stored by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices.

### Claim 32 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to be authorized to unlock the one of the plurality of locks at least partially based on the one of the one or more mobile computing devices being assigned access to the one of the plurality of locks.

### Claim 33 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of locks identified to be unlocked by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to establish a communication connection with the one of the one or more mobile computing devices using the first communication protocol only if the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is determined to be authorized.

### Claim 34 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of locks are configured to protect one or more items from theft secured within cabinets and drawers within a retail store.

### Claim 35 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein any one of the plurality of locks detected by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to communicate with the one of the one or more mobile computing devices using the second communication protocol in response to identifying one of the plurality of locks to be unlocked based on a proximity of the one of the one or more mobile computing devices to the one of the plurality of locks.

### Claim 36 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein any one of the plurality of locks detected by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to communicate with the one of the one or more mobile computing devices using the second communication protocol in response to identifying one of the plurality of locks to be unlocked based on receiving a selection at the one of the one or more mobile computing devices.

### Claim 37 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein any one of the plurality of locks detected by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to communicate with the one of the one or more mobile computing devices using the second communication protocol in response to identifying one of the plurality of locks to be unlocked based on scanning the one of the plurality of locks with the one of the one or more mobile computing devices.

### Claim 38 (depends on 1)

The security system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of locks is configured to transmit a signal that is detectable by another of the one or more mobile computing devices, and wherein each of the plurality of locks detected by the another of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to subsequently communicate with the another of the one or more of the mobile computing devices using the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

The security system of claim 38, wherein another of the plurality of locks identified is configured to be unlocked in response to the another of the one or more mobile computing devices determining that the another of the one or more mobile computing devices is authorized to unlock the another of the plurality of locks identified to be unlocked by the another of the one or more computing devices, and wherein the another of the plurality of locks is configured to receive an unlock command to unlock the another of the plurality of locks using the first communication protocol if the another of the one or more mobile computing devices is determined to be authorized.

### Claim 40

A method for protecting items from theft, the method comprising:
transmitting wireless signals that are detectable by one or more mobile computing devices, each of the plurality of locks configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of locks storing respective identification information;
subsequently communicating between the plurality of locks detected by the one or more mobile computing devices and one of the one or more mobile computing devices using a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol, the second communication protocol being different than the first communication protocol
wherein subsequently communicating comprises communicating with any one of the plurality of locks detected by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices using the second communication protocol for identifying one of the plurality of locks to be unlocked;
determining with the one of the one or more mobile computing devices whether the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is authorized to unlock the one of the plurality of locks identified to be unlocked by the one of the one or more computing devices, wherein the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to be authorized to unlock the one of the plurality of locks at least partially based on the respective identification information stored by the one of the plurality of locks; and
wherein subsequently communicating comprises communicating an unlock command to unlock the one of the plurality of locks identified to be unlocked by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices using the first communication protocol if the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is determined to be authorized.

### Claim 41 (depends on 40)

The method of claim 40, further comprising communicating between one or more of the plurality of locks and one or more electronic keys for unlocking the locks using a third communication protocol different than the first and second communication protocols.

### Claim 42 (depends on 40)

The method of claim 40, further comprising establishing a communication connection with the one of the plurality of locks identified to be unlocked by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices using the first communication protocol only if the one of the one or more mobile computing devices is determined to be authorized.

### Claim 43 (depends on 40)

The method of claim 40, wherein subsequently communicating comprises communicating with any one of the plurality of locks detected by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices using the second communication protocol for identifying one of the plurality of locks to be unlocked based on a proximity of the one of the one or more mobile computing devices to the one of the plurality of locks.

### Claim 44 (depends on 40)

The method of claim 40, wherein subsequently communicating comprises communicating with any one of the plurality of locks detected by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices using the second communication protocol for identifying one of the plurality of locks to be unlocked based on receiving a selection at the one of the one or more mobile computing devices.

### Claim 45 (depends on 40)

The method of claim 40, wherein subsequently communicating comprises communicating with any one of the plurality of locks detected by the one of the one or more mobile computing devices using the second communication protocol for identifying one of the plurality of locks to be unlocked based on scanning the one of the plurality of locks with the one of the one or more mobile computing devices.

### Claim 46

A security system comprising:
a plurality of locks configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of locks configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more mobile computing devices, each of the plurality of locks storing respective identification information; and
a plurality of electronic keys, independent of the one or more mobile computing devices, configured to communicate with one or more of the plurality of locks for unlocking the locks,
wherein each of the plurality of locks is configured to transmit a signal that is detectable by the one or more mobile computing devices,
wherein each of the plurality of locks detected by the one or more mobile computing device is configured to subsequently communicate with the one or more of the mobile computing devices using a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol, the second communication protocol being different than the first communication protocol,
wherein any one of the plurality of locks detected by the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to communicate with the one or more mobile computing devices using the second communication protocol for identifying one of the plurality of locks to be unlocked,
wherein the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to be authorized to unlock the one of the plurality of locks at least partially based on the respective identification information stored by the one of the plurality of locks,
wherein the one of the plurality of locks identified to be unlocked is configured to be unlocked in response to determining that the one or more mobile computing devices is authorized to unlock the one of the plurality of locks, and
wherein the one of the plurality of locks is configured to receive an unlock command to unlock the one of the plurality of locks using the first communication protocol if the one or more mobile computing devices is determined to be authorized, and
wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to communicate with each of the plurality of locks using a third communication protocol different than the first and second communication protocols.