# US 2021/0241604 A1 · Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0241604 A1 - Document ID: US20210241604A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/236,479 - Filed: 2021-04-21 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-27 - Assignees: InVue Security Products Inc. - Applicants: InVue Security Products Inc. - Inventors: Christopher J. Fawcett; Jeffrey A. Grant - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210241604A1 ## CPC - G08B 25/008: {Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system} - G07C 9/00309: {operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks} - G08B 13/00: Burglar, theft or intruder alarms - G08B 13/12: by the breaking or disturbance of stretched cords or wires - G08B 13/14: by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles - G08B 13/1445: {with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable (furniture, e.g. shelves for displaying merchandise, incorporating tethers to prevent theft A47F7/024, A47F5/0861)} - G08B 13/1463: {Physical arrangements, e.g. housings (devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18)} - G08B 13/2402: {Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting (mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03)} - G08B 13/2434: {Tag housing and attachment details} - G08B 13/2465: {Aspects related to the EAS system, e.g. system components other than tags} - G08B 13/2482: {EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure} - G07C 2009/00539: {anti-theft} - G07C 2009/00634: {Power supply for the lock} - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - 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 ## Abstract A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermine period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A programmable security system for protecting merchandise comprising: a programmable key having a memory for storing a security code and a power source, wherein the programmable key comprises a housing enclosing the memory and the power source, and wherein the programmable key comprises a control button on the housing; and a security device having a memory for storing the security code; wherein the programmable key is configured to wirelessly communicate with the security device in response to actuation of the control button and to wirelessly transfer power from the power source to the security device by inducing an electrical current in the security device, wherein the security device is configured to be operated using power transferred from the programmable key to the security device when the security code stored in the memory of the security device matches the security code stored in the memory of the programmable key. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programmable key comprises means for inducing a magnetic field and the security device comprises means for inducing an electrical current from the magnetic field; and wherein the programmable key is adapted to transfer power from the programmable key to the security device via the magnetic field induced in the programmable key and the electrical current induced in the security device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The programmable security system of claim 1, further comprising a programming station configured to generate the security code and having a memory for storing the security code. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The programmable security system of claim 3, wherein the programming station is configured to initially communicate the security code to the programmable key to be stored in the memory of the programmable key. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programmable key comprises a ferrite core and a conductive wire forming a plurality of windings about the ferrite core and electrically connected to the power source of the programmable key such that passing an electrical current through the conductive wire of the programmable key induces a magnetic field in the programmable key; wherein the security device comprises a ferrite core and a conductive wire forming a plurality of windings about the ferrite core such that the magnetic field in the programmable key induces an electrical current in the conductive wire of the security device; and wherein the programmable key is adapted to transfer power from the programmable key to the security device via the magnetic field induced in the programmable key and the electrical current induced in the security device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security device is configured to communicate with the programmable key to receive the security code from the programmable key. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programmable key is configured to transfer power inductively to the security device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programmable key is configured to communicate data and power with the security device via magnetic induction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the security device does not have an internal power source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The programmable security system of claim 1, further comprising a charging station configured to charge the power source of the programmable key. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The programmable security system of claim 11, wherein the charging station is configured to charge the power source of the programmable key inductively. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a transfer end configured to transfer power to the security device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The programmable security system of claim 1, wherein the programmable key is configured to communicate data with the security device using optical communication. ### Claim 15 A method for protecting merchandise, comprising: storing a security code in a memory of a programmable key; storing the security code in a memory of a security device; wirelessly communicating between the programmable key and the security device in response to actuation of a control button on the programmable key; determining whether the security code stored in the memory of the security device matches the security code stored in the memory of the programmable key; wirelessly transferring power from a power source of the programmable key to the security device by inducing an electrical current in the security device; and operating the security device using power transferred from the programmable key to the security device when the security code stored in the memory of the security device matches the security code stored in the memory of the programmable key. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: inducing a magnetic field in the programmable key; and inducing an electrical current in the security device from the magnetic field, wherein the wirelessly transferring comprises wirelessly transferring power from the programmable key to the security device via the magnetic field induced in the programmable key and the electrical current induced in the security device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising generating the security code in a programming station and storing the security code in a memory of the programming station. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising communicating the security code from the memory of the programming station to the memory of a programmable key. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising wirelessly communicating the security code from the memory of the programmable key to the memory of a security device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the transferring comprises transferring power inductively from the programmable key to the security device.