# US 2014/0152440 A1 · Anti-theft device for camera lens > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0152440 A1 - Document ID: US20140152440A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/095,437 - Filed: 2013-12-03 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-04 - Assignees: InVue Security Products Inc. - Applicants: InVue Security Products Inc. - Inventors: David N. Berglund; Larry T. McKinney; Jeffrey A. Grant - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152440A1 ## CPC - G08B 13/1463: {Physical arrangements, e.g. housings (devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18)} - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention are directed to anti-theft devices, systems, and methods. For example, an anti-theft device includes a lens ring assembly comprising a ring configured to removably engage a removable camera lens. The anti-theft device also includes a sensor cable assembly configured to attach to the lens ring assembly and to provide a signal indicative of an unauthorized removal of the lens ring assembly from the removable camera lens or removal of the sensor cable assembly from the lens ring assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An anti-theft device for protecting a removable camera lens from theft, the anti-theft device comprising: a lens ring assembly comprising a ring configured to removably engage a removable camera lens; and a sensor cable assembly configured to attach to the lens ring assembly and to provide a signal indicative of an unauthorized removal of the lens ring assembly from the removable camera lens or removal of the sensor cable assembly from the lens ring assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The anti-theft device of claim 1, wherein the lens ring assembly comprises a threaded surface configured to threadably engage an end of the removable camera lens. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The anti-theft device of claim 1, wherein the lens ring assembly further comprises a transparent window disposed within the ring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The anti-theft device of claim 1, wherein the lens ring assembly further comprises a cable attachment defining an opening configured to receive the sensor cable assembly for removably attaching the sensor cable assembly to the lens ring assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The anti-theft device of claim 4, wherein the cable attachment is movably mounted within the lens ring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The anti-theft device of claim 4, wherein the sensor cable assembly comprises a sensor switch configured to extend through the opening for engaging the removable lens. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The anti-theft device of claim 6, wherein the sensor switch comprises a plunger configured to engage the removable camera lens. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The anti-theft device of claim 1, wherein the sensor cable assembly comprises a sensor switch electrically connected to one end of a cable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The anti-theft device of claim 8, wherein the sensor cable assembly further comprises a connector electrically connected to an end of the cable opposite the sensor switch. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The anti-theft device of claim 1, wherein the ring is annular in shape. ### Claim 11 A system for protecting a removable camera lens from theft, the system comprising: a camera comprising a removable camera lens; a lens ring assembly comprising a ring configured to removably engage the removable camera lens; and a sensor cable assembly configured to attach to the lens ring assembly and to provide a signal indicative of unauthorized removal of the lens ring assembly from the removable camera lens or removal of the sensor cable assembly from the lens ring assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the lens ring assembly comprises a threaded external surface configured to threadably engage internal threads defined at an end of the removable camera lens. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, further comprising a sensor body configured to operably engage the sensor cable assembly and to be mounted to the camera. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the sensor cable assembly comprises a connector electrically connected to an end of a cable that is configured to electrically connect the sensor cable assembly to the sensor body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the sensor cable assembly further comprises a sensor switch electrically connected to an end of the cable opposite the connector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the lens ring assembly further comprises a cable attachment defining an opening configured to receive the sensor cable assembly for removably attaching the sensor cable assembly to the lens ring assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the sensor cable assembly comprises a sensor switch configured to extend through the opening for engaging the removable lens. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the sensor switch comprises a plunger configured to engage the removable camera lens. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the removable camera lens comprises a free end configured to be removably engaged by the ring and an opposite end configured to removably attach to the camera. ### Claim 20 A method for protecting a removable camera lens from theft, the method comprising: attaching a sensor cable assembly to a lens ring assembly; removably engaging the lens ring assembly to a removable camera lens; and mounting a sensor body operably engaged with the sensor cable assembly to a camera comprising the removable camera lens, wherein the sensor cable assembly is configured to provide a signal to the sensor body indicative of unauthorized removal of the lens ring assembly from the removable camera lens or removal of the sensor cable assembly from the lens ring assembly.