# US 8,542,120 B2 · Method and device for protecting articles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,542,120 B2 - Document ID: US8542120B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/537,623 - Filed: 2012-06-29 - Published: 2012-10-25 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2005-08-17 - Assignees: Checkpoint Systems, Inc. - Applicants: Rainer Brenner - Inventors: Rainer Brenner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8542120B2 ## CPC - 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: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract A device for protecting articles, especially displayed goods, from theft is typically configured to produce information about the article when a person is detected approaching the article or the article is moved but not taken. The device typically includes an alarm which may be sounded if the article is moved too far from the display position or under other conditions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of using an antitheft system comprising the steps of: sensing with a sensor, comprising an antenna, a first person approaching an object positioned at a location; providing information about the object to the first person in response to the step of sensing; transmitting to a receiver of the antitheft system information from a first transmitter of an electronic key carried by a second person; and setting off an alarm if the object is moved beyond a predetermined distance from the location. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of sensing comprises detecting passively the first person approaching. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of sensing comprises detecting variation of an electrostatic field caused by the approaching person. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of producing the electrostatic field with a second transmitter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein the second transmitter is affixed to the object. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein the sensor comprises the second transmitter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting to the sensor data from the first transmitter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of identifying the second person by the transmitting. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of producing an electrostatic field with the first transmitter; and coupling the electrostatic field to the second person's skin surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing comprises providing an audiovisual display of information about the object. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a scent or wind in response to the step of sensing. ### Claim 12 An apparatus comprising: a sensor, comprising an antenna, configured to detect a first person approaching an object at a location; an information device which comprises at least one of a visual display unit and a loudspeaker and is operatively connected to the sensor and configured to provide information about the object when the sensor detects the first person approaching the object; an electronic key adapted to be carried by a second person and comprising a first transmitter configured to transmit information to a receiver of the antitheft system; and an alarm device configured to generate an alarm if the object is moved beyond a predetermined distance from the location. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the information device comprises an audiovisual device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a second transmitter configured to produce an electrostatic field; wherein the sensor is configured to detect variation of the electrostatic field caused by the first person. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the second transmitter is affixed to the object. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the sensor comprises the second transmitter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first transmitter is configured to transmit data to the sensor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the sensor is configured to identify the second person based on the data. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first transmitter is capable of producing an electrostatic field for coupling to the second person's skin surface; and the receiver is configured to receive signals from the first transmitter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the receiver is configured to identify the second person based on the information. ### Claim 21 A method comprising the steps of: displaying an object; providing an antenna which is assigned to the object; sensing with the antenna a person approaching the antenna; providing information about the object to the person in response to the step of sensing; transmitting to a receiver of the antitheft system information from a transmitter of an electronic key carried by a second person; and setting off an alarm if the object is moved beyond a predetermined distance from the location. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of transmitting to the antenna data from the transmitter. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of identifying the second person by the transmitting. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of producing an electrostatic field with the transmitter; and coupling the electrostatic field to the second person's skin surface.