System and Method for Securing and Displaying Items for Merchandising

Abstract

A system and method for automatically advertising items put on display, as well as protecting those items against theft. The system and method include an event sensor associated with the item and connected to a monitoring and alarm transmitter for initiating an advertising experience on an associated and local graphic display whenever the item is manipulated or approached by a patron. Should the item be removed or taken from its display stand, a wireless alarm is automatically transmitted to a receiver of an authorized person. The system and method also perform a logging function when a patron approaches the item or removes it without taking it away. The system and method also include the ability to provide power to electronic items that are on display.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of one exemplary system for protection against theft as well as for the automatic output of product information constructed in accordance with this invention and which carries out the method of this invention;

FIG. 1A provides an exemplary product display (e.g., a camera display) using the system and method of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is an alternative exemplary system for protection against theft whereby a non-contact sensor is used for detecting the manipulation and movement of a product being protected using the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of an exemplary content management structure (CMS) for providing advertisement with the displayed product;

FIG. 3 depicts a powering feature of the system and method of the present invention for powering/charging electronic devices on display while providing theft detection and product advertisement initiation;

FIG. 4 is a functional view of the powering/charging feature of the present invention whereby power/charge is provided to an electronic item along with theft detection and product advertisement;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary power jack for use in the embodiment of FIG. 4 and shown in the unconnected condition; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the power jack of FIG. 5 shown in the extended condition when connected to the electronic device.

Claims

1. A system for displaying an item and providing promotional material about the item on a graphic display in a commercial environment, the item being located on a counter or other structure in the commercial environment to enable persons to approach and examine the item thereat, said system comprising: an event sensor associated with the item, said event sensor detecting the manipulation of, or approach of a user to, the item, said event sensor being coupled to a monitoring and alarm apparatus and said event sensor emitting a sensor signal to said monitoring and alarm apparatus corresponding to the manipulation of, or approach of a user to, the item;a product information device arranged to receive an activation signal from said monitoring and alarm apparatus when a user approaches or touches the item at the counter or other structure, whereupon said product information device provides visual information relating to the item; andwherein said monitoring and alarm apparatus comprises: a transmitter, arranged to automatically provide a wireless signal in the event that a person removes the item from the vicinity of the counter or other structure; anda receiver located remotely of the counter or other structure, said receiver being arranged to receive said wireless signal to alert an authorized person of the removal of the item from the vicinity of the counter or other structure.

2. The system of claim 1 additionally comprising a tether physically securing the item to the counter or other structure in the commercial environment to deter unauthorized removal of the item from the counter or other structure.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said event sensor is coupled to the item and wherein said tether is coupled to said event sensor at a first end and to said monitoring and alarm apparatus at a second end, said tether arranged to carry an electrical signal, generated by said event sensor, indicative of the fact that a person has approached, touched or picked up the item, whereupon said product information device provides visual or audible information relating to the item.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said monitoring and alarm apparatus comprises a memory for storing approach or manipulation events.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said approach or manipulation events includes the time and date of such events.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein said product information device comprises a video database and digital player coupled to a graphic display.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said system is arranged for displaying plural items and providing respective promotional materials about those items on the graphic display, depending upon which item is approached or touched by the user.

8. The system of claim 7 additionally comprising a respective tether physically securing each item to the counter or other structure to deter unauthorized removal of the associated item from the counter or other structure.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein each tether is arranged to carry a respective electrical signal indicative of the fact that a person has approached, touched or picked up the respective item, whereupon said graphic display provides visual or audible information relating to the specific item approached, touched or picked up.

10. The system of claim 3 wherein said event sensor comprises a magnetically-controlled switch assembly, said assembly comprising: a permanent magnet positioned on said tether that operates in conjunction with a reed switch that is electrically coupled to said monitoring and alarm apparatus; anda cable retractor enclosure containing said reed switch, said cable retractor enclosure containing said tether which can be displaced from, or stowed within, said enclosure.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said permanent magnet serves as a cable-restraining detent.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said item comprises an electronic device.

13. The system of claim 7 wherein said items comprise electronic devices.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiver located remotely of the counter or other structure comprises a cellular telephone.

15. The system of claim 1 additionally comprising a tether physically securing an electronic item to the counter or other structure in the commercial environment to deter unauthorized removal of the item from the counter or other structure, said tether comprising a power conductor and a sensor signal conductor, said power conductor and sensor signal conductor having ends that are contained within a power jack that couples to the electronic item for powering or charging the electronic item.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said system further comprises a cradle that holds the electronic device and which comprises members that releasably secure said power jack to the electronic item.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said power jack comprises an electrode element that is slidable within a power jack housing, said housing further comprising a spring for biasing electrode element within said housing when said members are connected to said housing.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said power jack further comprises a proximity sensor for detecting the position of the electrode element with respect to said housing.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein said event sensor comprises a non-contact sensor disposed adjacent the item, said non-contact sensor detecting the manipulation or movement of the item and providing a sensor signal corresponding to said manipulation or movement to said monitoring and alarm apparatus.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said non-contact sensor comprises a proximity sensor.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the item comprises a sensor coupled directly thereto, said sensor coupled directly thereto interacting with said proximity sensor.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said proximity sensor detects a distance between itself and said sensor coupled directed to the item.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein if a predetermined distance is detected by said proximity sensor, said monitoring and alarm apparatus determines that a theft of the item is occurring.

24. The system of claim 22 including an indicator that informs a user that has moved the item that his or her movement has been detected.

25. The system of claim 20 further comprising an electronic key, carried by a user, that communicates with said proximity sensor.

26. The system of claim 19 further comprising: an electronic key, carried by a user, that generates an electrostatic field that associates with the user's skin;wherein said non-contact sensor detects a disturbance created by the entry of the electrostatic field associated with the user's skin when the user moves into the vicinity of said non-contact sensor.

27. The system of claim 21 wherein said sensor coupled directly to the item includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit.

28. The system of claim 19 further comprising a transmitter coupled directly to the item and wherein said transmitter emits a signal that is detectable by a receiver for tracking movement of the item in the commercial environment.

29. The system of claim 19 wherein said non-contact sensor comprises a motion detection sensor.

30. A method for displaying an item and providing promotional material about the item on a graphic display in a commercial environment, said method comprising: displaying the item on a counter or other structure in the commercial environment to enable persons to approach and examine the item thereat;detecting the manipulation of, or the approach of a user to, the item;generating a graphic display including visual or audible information relating to the item in automatic response to a user approaching or touching the item at the counter or other structure; andautomatically transmitting a wireless signal to a remote receiver in the event that a person removes the item from the vicinity of the counter or other structure, the receiver being arranged when it receives said wireless signal to alert an authorized person of the removal of the item from the vicinity of the counter or other structure.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the person is detected as having exceeded a predetermined distance from the counter or other structure while the item is on his or her person.

32. The method of claim 30 further comprising detecting the movement of the item through the commercial environment.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising providing the person with an indication that his or her movement has been detected.

34. The method of claim 30 wherein plural items are displayed and wherein said method comprises providing respective promotional materials about those items on the graphic display, depending upon which item is approached or touched by the user.

35. The method of claim 30 wherein the item is an electronic item and wherein said step of displaying the electronic item on a counter or other structure also comprises powering or charging the electronic item through a cable.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein said cable comprises a power jack for plugging into the electronic item and having two states, said step of powering or charging the electronic item occurring when said power jack is in a first state and wherein said step of automatically transmitting said wireless signal occurring when said power jack is in a second state.

37. The method of claim 30 wherein said step of generating a graphic display further comprises storing the time and date of the user approaching or touching the item.

38. The method of claim 30 wherein detecting the manipulation of, or the approach of a user to, the item is implemented by detection of the movement of a cable coupled between the item and the counter or other structure.

39. The method of claim 30 wherein detecting the manipulation of, or the approach of a user to, the item is implemented using a non-contact sensor.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein said non-contact sensor is a proximity sensor.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein said non-contact sensor is a motion detection sensor.

42. A system for displaying an item and providing promotional material about the item on a graphic display in a commercial environment, the item being located on a counter or other structure in the commercial environment to enable persons to approach and examine the item thereat, said system comprising: an event sensor coupled to an electronic item via a tether for physically securing an electronic item to the counter or other structure in the commercial environment to deter unauthorized removal of the item from the counter or other structure, said event sensor detecting the manipulation of, or approach of a user to, the electronic item, said event sensor also being coupled to a monitoring and alarm apparatus and said event sensor emitting a sensor signal to said monitoring and alarm corresponding to the manipulation of, or approach of a user to, the electronic item;a product information device arranged to receive an activation signal from said monitoring and alarm apparatus when a user approaches or touches the item at the counter or other structure, whereupon said product information device provides visual information relating to the item; andwherein said tether comprises a power conductor and a sensor signal conductor, said power conductor and sensor signal conductor having ends that are contained within a power jack that couples to the electronic item for powering or charging the electronic item at the counter or other structure.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein said monitoring and alarm apparatus further comprises: a transmitter, arranged to automatically provide a wireless signal in the event that a person removes the electronic item from the vicinity of the counter or other structure; anda receiver located remotely of the counter or other structure, said receiver being arranged to receive said wireless signal to alert an authorized person of the removal of the electronic item from the vicinity of the counter or other structure.

44. A method for displaying an electronic item and providing promotional material about the electronic item on a graphic display in a commercial environment, said method comprising: displaying the electronic item on a counter or other structure in the commercial environment to enable persons to approach and examine the electronic item thereat;powering or charging the electronic item at the counter or other structure;detecting the manipulation of, or the approach of a user to, the electronic item; andgenerating a graphic display including visual or audible information relating to the electronic item in automatic response to a user approaching or touching the electronic item at the counter or other structure.

45. The method of claim 44 further comprising automatically transmitting a wireless signal to a remote receiver in the event that a person removes the electronic item from the vicinity of the counter or other structure, the receiver being arranged when it receives said wireless signal to alert an authorized person of the removal of the electronic item from the vicinity of the counter or other structure.