# US 2018/0025598 A1 · 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 2018/0025598 A1 - Document ID: US20180025598A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/723,744 - Filed: 2017-10-03 - Published: 2018-01-25 - 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/US20180025598A1 ## 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, wherein 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 a security event associated with the sensor, the cable, or the item of merchandise. ### 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 2) The security system of claim 2, wherein the sensor or the base is configured to detect the presence or absence of data transmitted by the optical transceivers of the sensor and the cable, and wherein the sensor or base is configured to generate an alarm in response to the absence of data. ### Claim 5 (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 6 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, further comprising a recoiler connected to the cable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The security system of claim 6, 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 8 (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 9 (depends on 8) The security system of claim 8, 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 10 (depends on 8) The security system of claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises a connector configured to electrically connect to an input port on the item of merchandise, and wherein the sense loop is further defined between the sensor and the connector. ### 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 communicate with one another to determine if the cable has been disconnected. ### Claim 12 (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 13 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, further comprising 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 14 (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 15 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are separated by an air gap when the cable is connected to the sensor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, further comprising a releasable connector configured to releasably engage the cable and the sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The security system of claim 16, wherein the releasable connector is configured to contain the optical transceiver of the cable. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The security system of claim 16, wherein the releasable connector is configured to threadably engage the sensor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The security system of claim 16, wherein the releasable connector comprises a threaded collar. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The security system of claim 19, further comprising a clip configured to removably secure the threaded collar to the end of the cable. ### Claim 21 (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 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 configured to communicate with one another to determine if communication therebetween is lost. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, further comprising at least one alarm configured to generate an alarm signal when the cable is cut or disconnected. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The security system of claim 23, further comprising a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon, wherein the sensor or the base comprises the at least one alarm. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The security system of claim 24, wherein each of the sensor and the base comprises an alarm. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The security system of claim 23, wherein the at least one alarm is configured to be disarmed with a wireless key. ### Claim 27 (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 28 (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. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The security system of claim 1, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable is located at an end of the cable. ### Claim 30 (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 31 (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 32 (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 comprising the type of item of merchandise coupled to the sensor, the serial number of the item of merchandise, and/or the manufacturer of the item of merchandise. ### Claim 33 (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 34 A method for securing an item of merchandise, comprising: coupling a sensor to an item of merchandise; and connecting a cable to the sensor, the cable and the sensor each comprising at least one optical transceiver for detecting a security event associated with the sensor, the cable, or the item of merchandise. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The method of claim 34, 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.