Programmable key for a security system for protecting merchandise

Abstract

A programmable key for use in a security system for protecting items of merchandise has a housing, a power supply mounted in the housing, a logic control circuit which includes a controller, a wireless communication circuit and a security disarm code (SDC) memory. The key has visual indicators such as an LED which is operatively connected to the logic control circuit and pulsed to indicate the state of the SDC. The control circuit includes a timer which has a preset time limit programmed therein, which invalidates the stored SDC if not refreshed by a remote programming source within a certain time period. The logic circuit further includes a counter which counts the number of activations of a control switch, and which permanently deactivates the control circuit upon reaching a certain count value to ensure that the internal battery has sufficient power to maintain the key operational. The wireless communication circuit preferably is infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) controlled.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the key of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2, FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is the electrical circuit schematic of the logic control circuit of the programmable key of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the circuit board of the programmable key.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the programmable key.

FIGS. 6, 6A and 6B are flow charts showing the manner of operation of the programmable key.

FIG. 6C is a list of the abbreviations used in the flow charts of FIGS. 6, 6A and 6B.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of one type of security system in which the key of the present invention can be used.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The programmable key of the present invention is indicated generally at 1, and is shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2. Key 1 preferably includes a housing indicated generally at 3, formed by an upper housing member 5 and a lower housing member 7 which can be joined together by an adhesive, ultrasonic weld or other type of connection, and which form an internal chamber 9 therein. Housing members 5 and 7 preferably are formed of a rigid plastic and may have a generally oval-like configuration as shown in FIG. 1, and form an opening 11 at one end thereof to provide a convenient location for attaching a chain, lanyard or the like to assist in maintaining control of the key while in use or in storage by a clerk or store manager.

In accordance with one of the main features of the invention, a logic control circuit is formed on a printed circuit board 13 and is located within housing chamber 9. The logic control circuit includes a main controller, which preferably is a microprocessor 15, a security disarm code (SDC) memory 17, a wireless communication circuit 19 and an activation switch 21. The details of the various circuitry is shown in FIG. 3. The logic control circuit is powered by an internal battery 23 which is located beneath circuit board 13 within housing 3, and is in electrical contact therewith by terminals 25 and 27. The opposite end 28 of housing 3 is formed with an opening 29 in which is mounted a lens 31, which preferably will be a visible light filter to enhance the transmission and reception of infrared (IR) waves when the wireless communication circuit 19 is an IR circuit operating on IR wavelengths. The use of infrared as the communication media is preferred, although radio frequency wave communications and other types of wireless communication can be used to achieve the same effect. Switch 21 is covered by a flexible member 33, which when pressed downwardly as shown by Arrow A, FIG. 2, will compress sufficiently to actuate internal switch 21.

An LED 35 is mounted on printed circuit board 13 and is located adjacent a light pipe 37 mounted in upper housing 5, to enhance the visual effect of LED 35 when actuated. A foam pad 37 preferably is located between battery 23 and printed circuit board 13 and secures battery 23 in position, as well as providing cushioning for the circuit board and maintains its spacing and location within housing chamber 9.

Controller 15 includes as a feature thereof a timer shown diagrammatically for illustrative purposes as block 39 in FIG. 5, and a lifetime counter shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5 and indicated at 41, the functions of which are discussed below. FIG. 4 shows an example of printed circuit board 13 which will contain controller 15, switch 21, and various resistors R and capacitors C which are shown in further detail in FIG. 3.

It is readily understood that the particular circuitry shown in FIG. 3 and the values of the various resistors, capacitors, diodes, etc. are easily determined by one skilled in the art and can vary while providing the main principal and features of the invention.

Key 1 is intended to be used primarily in a security system for protecting items of merchandise such as shown and described in a copending patent application entitled, Security System And Method For Protecting Merchandise, filed concurrently herewith, and shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7. This security system includes a programming station 43 such as shown and described in copending patent application entitled, Programming Station For A Security System For Protecting Merchandise, and numerous security devices 45 which are connected to items of merchandise 47 by an alarm cable 51 or other attachment device to prevent the theft thereof. Examples of such security devices are shown and described in a copending patent application concurrently filed herewith entitled, Programmable Alarm Module And System For Protecting Merchandise. The particular details, construction and manner of operation of the security system, programming station 43 and security device 45 are shown and described in the said pending applications, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Key 1, when supplied to a retail establishment, preferably will not contain any coded information and will obtain the same by communicating with the circuitry of programming station 43 via wireless communication circuit 19. This is accomplished by placing housing end 28, and particularly lens 31, adjacent a wireless communication port 49 in programming station 43, and upon actuation by depressing button 21, will receive a randomly generated security disarm code (SDC) from programming station 43. Once this SDC is generated by programming station 43, it preferably will always remain the same throughout its useful life. This SDC is received and stored in SDC memory 17 of the control logic circuit of key 1. Key 1 is then taken by a clerk to a security device 45, which could be an alarming module or other type of device, which is connected to merchandise 47 by a cable 51, flexible conductor or other type of lanyard which preferably includes a sensing loop which will prevent the removal of merchandise 47 therefrom and/or will cause an alarm to be sounded in security device 45 if the integrity thereof is compromised. The particular form and type of security device 45 can vary considerably from that shown in the above referenced pending patent application without affecting the concept of the invention. Key 1 is then placed in a wireless communication port 53 formed in security device 45. Switch 21 is again activated, and communication circuit 19 will transmit the previously stored SDC from key 1 into an SDC memory contained in a logic circuit of security device 45.

Upon key 1 acquiring the SDC from programming station 43, it will start internal timer 39 which has been preset at the factory, for example 96 hours, which through the control logic circuit will automatically invalidate the SDC contained therein, unless refreshed within the preset time period, thereby making the key inoperative for further use even by authorized personnel. This prevents the key from being stolen and then subsequently reused in the same store after this preset time period, and even more importantly, since the SDC is unique only to that store, the key cannot be taken to another store even using the same type of security system and security devices, and be used in an unauthorized manner since the SDC contained therein will not match the SDC previously stored in the security devices of a different store. Thus, a store clerk after the key has been programmed with the SDC initially or revitalized within the time period by placing it in wireless communication with programming station 43, can use it with the security devices 45 to either disarm an alarm contained in the security device and/or activate a lock mechanism etc. to enable the security device to be disarmed or unlocked or removed from a protected item of merchandise for completing a lawful sales transaction.

Each time button 21 is activated, counter 41 will record the actuation. The logic circuit has been preset at the factory in combination with counter 41, that after a certain number of activations, for example 55,000, the logic circuit will completely shut down and forever be inoperative. This is referred to as an “end-of-life” counter and it begins counting on the first receipt of the actuation of switch 21 and all subsequent activations thereof. This end-of-life counter ensures that battery 23 always has sufficient power for operating the SDC memory and wireless communication circuitry of key 1 before losing its charge to be ineffective. This prevents using key 1 beyond its useful life. However timer 39 will be automatically reset each time key 1 is brought into communication with the SDC programmer of station programmer 43.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are the flow charts describing the sequence of operation that the control logic circuit follows when switch 21 is activated and the key is located adjacent to the wireless communication port 49 of programming station 43 and near communication port 53 of security device 45. It also shows the effect that occurs if either timer 31 has exceeded its time limit and deletes the SDC from a key and what could occur if end-of-life counter 41 has reached the preset number of activations. Also, it shows that LED 35 will flash at various times to provide various signals, such as when the button is initially pressed to reset the SDC after it is timed out, as well as when it confirms the match with the SDC stored in the security device. For example, LED 35 will flash one time when switch 21 is depressed indicating that the key is operational, but that it has no SDC programmed therein. LED 35 will flash twice when switch 21 is depressed indicating that the key is operational and it has the SDC programmed therein and that it is ready to be used with a security device.

In summary, key 1 provides a programmable or smart key that receives a randomly generated SDC from a programming station unique to an individual retail store, and stores it in an internal memory, in combination with a timer which after a preset period of time will delete the SDC from the memory rendering the key inoperable, and which includes a wireless communication circuit preferably IR or RF, for receiving the SDC from a programming station and for supplying the SDC to a control logic circuit built into a security device. This enables the key to actuate the security device such as disarming an internal alarm, operating a locking mechanism or the like. Furthermore, the key contains an internal counter which counts the number of times the key is activated, either in conjunction with the SDC programmer or a security device, to ensure that the battery has sufficient power to properly maintain the functions of the key.

Furthermore, the logic control circuit of the programming station upon reading an SDC from a smart key different from the unique SDC stored in the program station will immediately time-out the usable time period in the key rendering it useless. This prevents a thief from using a programmed key from one store in the programming station of another store even if the key has yet to be timed out.

Although the above description refers to the security code being a disarm code, it is understood that the code can activate and control other functions and features of the security device such as unlocking the device from the product, shutting off an alarm etc. without departing from the concept of the invention. Likewise, the various components of the logic circuit and resulting flow charts can easily be modified by one skilled in the art to achieve the same results. Also, the security code can be preset in programming station at the factory or chosen by the customer, and if desired, be changed later by the customer, also without affecting the concept of the invention.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A programmable key for use in a security system for protecting items of merchandise, said key comprising: a) a housing;b) a power supply mounted in the housing; andc) a logic control circuit including a controller, a wireless communication circuit and a security code memory mounted in the housing and operably connected to the power supply by a control switch, said controller initially receiving a security code from a remote source through the wireless communication circuit for storage in the security code memory and for subsequent transmission of said security code by the wireless communication circuit to a security device adapted to be attached to an item of merchandise upon actuation of the control switch.

2. The programmable key defined in claim 1 wherein a visual indicator is operably connected to the logic control circuit and is pulsed to indicate the state of the security code.

3. The programmable key defined in claim 2 wherein the visual indicator is an LED; and in which a light pipe is mounted on the housing and is associated with the LED to enhance the visual effect of the LED when actuated.

4. The programmable key defined in claim 1 including a timer which invalidates the stored security code if not refreshed by the remote source within a certain time period.

5. The programmable key defined in claim 4 wherein the timer is reset to start when a valid security code is retransmitted to the control circuit by the remote source.

6. The programmable key defined in claim 1 including a counter which counts the number of activations of the control switch; and in which the counter permanently deactivates the control circuit upon reaching a certain count value.

7. The programmable key defined in claim 6 wherein the counter actuates an indicating signal a predetermined time period before permanently deactivating the control circuit.

8. The programmable key defined in claim 1 wherein the wireless communication circuit is an infrared (IR) circuit.

9. The programmable key defined in claim 8 wherein a visible light filter is mounted on the housing to enhance the transmission and reception of IR waves in the IR communication circuit.

10. The programmable key defined in claim 1 wherein the wireless communication circuit is radio frequency (RF) circuit.

11. The programmable key defined in claim 1 wherein the power supply is a battery.

12. The programmable key defined in claim 1 wherein the housing is formed with an internal chamber and includes a flexible member in close proximity to the control switch which is mounted in the internal chamber for actuating said control switch.

13. The programmable key defined in claim 1 wherein the logic control circuit is formed on a printed circuit board mounted within an internal chamber of the housing.

14. A security system for protecting an object comprising: a key operated security device for attachment to the object, said security device containing a security code;a key programmed with the security code to control the security device when placed in close proximity thereto;a wireless communication system for comparing the security code of the key to the security code of the security system; anda timer in the key for automatically invalidating the security code stored therein after a predetermined time period.

15. The security system defined in claim 14 including a remote programming station containing a wireless communication system, said station randomly generating the security code and programming said security code in the key by the wireless communication system.

16. The security system defined in claim 15 wherein the wireless communication system uses IR or RF wavelengths for programming the key with the security code.

17. A programmable key for use in a security system for protecting items of merchandise, said key comprising: a) a housing;b) a control circuit including a controller, a wireless communication circuit and a security code memory mounted in the housing, said controller initially receiving a security code from a remote source through the wireless communication circuit for storage in the security code memory and for subsequent transmission of said security code by the wireless communication circuit to a security device adapted to be attached to an item of merchandise.

18. The programmable key defined in claim 17 including a power source in the housing for powering the control circuit and a control switch for affecting the wireless transfer of the security code from the remote source to the security code memory.

19. The programmable key defined in claim 18 including a counter which counts the number of activations of the control switch and which deactivates the control circuit upon reaching a certain count value.

20. The programmable key defined in claim 17 including a timer which inactivates the security code stored in the security code memory after a certain time period.