Anti-theft device for portable electronic device
AssigneeInVue Security Products Inc.
InventorsAndrew W. Moock, Jeffrey A. Grant, Christopher J. Fawcett, Nicholas M. Sedon, Matthew Thomas Kerley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An anti-theft device for protecting a portable electronic device from theft or unauthorized removal in a retail environment is provided. A shroud may at least partially enclose a portable electronic device. A dock may releasably engage the shroud such that the shroud and portable electronic device are locked to the dock when engaged with the dock. A key may engage activate a lock mechanism to release the shroud and the portable electronic device from the dock.
Claims33
An anti-theft system for protecting a portable electronic device from theft or unauthorized removal, comprising:
- an interface configured to be attached to the portable electronic device, the interface comprising a sensor configured to detect removal of the interface from the portable electronic device;
- a dock configured to removably support the interface and the portable electronic device thereon, the dock further configured to releasably engage the interface such that the portable electronic device is locked to the dock when engaged with the dock and such that the portable electronic device cannot be removed from the dock, the dock is configured to disengage the interface such that the portable electronic device is unlocked from the dock and such that the portable electronic device is removable from the dock;
- an alarm configured to generate a security signal in response to removal of the interface from the portable electronic device or the dock without authorization;
- and
- a wireless device, external to the interface and the dock, configured to communicate with the interface or the dock for locking the portable electronic device to the dock or unlocking the portable electronic device from the dock.
A method for protecting a portable electronic device from theft or unauthorized removal, comprising:
- attaching an interface to a portable electronic device, the interface comprising a sensor configured to detect removal of the interface from the portable electronic device;
- positioning the interface on the dock;
- releasably engaging the interface with a dock such that the interface and the portable electronic device are locked to the dock when engaged with the dock and such that the portable electronic device cannot be removed from the dock;
- and
- disengaging the interface from the dock such that the portable electronic device is unlocked from the dock and such that the portable electronic device is removable from the dock,
- wherein the step of releasably engaging the interface or the step of disengaging the interface comprises wirelessly communicating with a wireless device, external to the interface and the dock, for locking the portable electronic device to the dock or unlocking the portable electronic device from the dock.
An anti-theft system for protecting a portable electronic device from theft or unauthorized removal, comprising:
- an interface configured to be attached to the portable electronic device, the interface comprising a sensor configured to detect removal of the interface from the portable electronic device;
- a dock configured to removably support the interface and the portable electronic device thereon such that an electrical connection is established between the interface and the dock, the dock further configured to releasably engage the interface such that the portable electronic device is locked to the dock when engaged with the dock and such that the portable electronic device cannot be removed from the dock, the dock configured to disengage the interface such that the portable electronic device is unlocked from the dock and such that the portable electronic device is removable from the dock;
- a tether connecting the interface to the dock;
- an alarm configured to generate a security signal in response to removal of the interface from the portable electronic device or the dock without authorization;
- and
- a wireless device, external to the interface and the dock, configured to communicate with the interface or the dock for locking the portable electronic device to the dock or unlocking the portable electronic device from the dock.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.