# US 2023/0407684 A1 · Anti-theft device for portable electronic device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0407684 A1 - Document ID: US20230407684A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/230,427 - Filed: 2023-08-04 - Published: 2023-12-21 - Earliest claimed: 2013-06-11 - Assignees: InVue Security Products Inc. - Applicants: InVue Security Products Inc. - Inventors: Andrew W. Moock; Jeffrey A. Grant; Christopher J. Fawcett; Nicholas M. Sedon; Matthew Thomas Kerley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230407684A1 ## CPC - E05B 73/0082: {for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators} - E05B 47/0012: {with rotary electromotors (actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68)} - E05B 73/00: Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices {(motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00)} - F16M 11/041: {Allowing quick release of the apparatus} - F16M 13/00: Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles (heads thereof F16M11/02 {; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20} ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 {; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22}); Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles {(supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025)} - G06F 1/1632: {External expansion units, e.g. docking stations} - G08B 13/06: by tampering with fastening - F16M 2200/02: Locking means - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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, the interface further comprising a plurality of arms configured to engage the portable electronic device for securing the portable electronic device to the interface, at least one of the plurality of arms configured to be locked for preventing removal of the portable electronic device from the interface; a dock configured to support the interface thereon for displaying the portable electronic device, wherein the dock is configured to removably support the interface such that the interface and the portable electronic device are removable from the dock; an alarm configured to generate a security signal in response to removal of the interface from the portable electronic device; and a wireless device, external to the interface and the dock, configured to communicate with the interface or the dock for unlocking the at least one of the plurality of arms to allow removal of the portable electronic device from the interface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of arms are adjustable relative to interface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of arms comprises an engagement member for engaging an edge and a front surface of the portable electronic device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of arms is configured to extend to allow removal of the portable electronic device from the interface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of arms is spring biased towards an extended position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to be releasably locked on the dock such that the interface and the portable electronic device cannot be removed from the dock, and wherein the interface is further configured to be unlocked from the dock such that the interface and the portable electronic device are removable from the dock. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The anti-theft system of claim 6, wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate with the interface or the dock for locking the interface on the dock or unlocking the interface from the dock. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate with the interface or the dock using radio frequency or infrared communications. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate with the interface or the dock using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular communication protocols. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate with the interface or the dock for arming or disarming the alarm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is a mobile device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the alarm resides in the interface or the dock. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the dock comprises monitoring electronics for detecting removal of the dock from a support surface without authorization or removal of the portable electronic device from the dock without authorization. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the dock is configured to electrically communicate with the interface in a plurality of display orientations. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein each of the interface and the dock comprises a plurality of electrical contacts, and wherein the plurality of electrical contacts of the dock are configured to electrically connect to the plurality of electrical contacts of the interface when the interface is in engagement with the dock to establish electrical communication therebetween. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the alarm is configured to generate an audible and/or a visible alarm signal in response to the interface being separated from the dock without authorization. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the interface at least partially encloses the portable electronic device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the interface and the portable electronic device are configured to rotate relative to the dock when engaged therewith. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the dock is configured to transfer power to the portable electronic device while the portable electronic device is positioned on the dock. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, further comprising a key, independent of the external device, configured to disarm the alarm. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The anti-theft system of claim 20, wherein the key is configured to communicate with the interface or the dock for unlocking the at least one of the plurality of arms. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the dock comprises a lock mechanism configured to lock the interface on the dock and to unlock the interface from the dock, wherein the lock mechanism comprises one or more engagement members configured to move radially for locking the interface on the dock. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, further comprising a tether connecting the interface to the dock. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to communicate a notification signal to the wireless device in response to a security event.