Merchandise security system including display stand having video camera

Abstract

A merchandise security system includes a display stand for supporting and displaying an article of merchandise, a video imaging device and an actuator operably coupled to the video imaging device for actuating the video imaging device to collect video data in response to a displacement of the article of merchandise relative to the display stand. In exemplary embodiments, the actuator includes a first activation element disposed on a sensor housing configured for attachment to the article of merchandise and a second activation element disposed on the display stand. The first activation element and the second activation element actuate the video imaging device between the inactive state and the active state to collect the video data when the article of merchandise is displaced relative to the display stand. The video imaging device may be a video camera housed within, positioned adjacent to, or integrated with the display stand.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A merchandise security system comprising:
 a display stand for supporting and displaying an article of merchandise; and   a video imaging device positioned on, or adjacent to, the display stand and configured for collecting video data in response to a displacement of the article of merchandise from the display stand.   
     
     
         2 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 1 , wherein the video imaging device is actuated to collect video data when the article of merchandise is displaced relative to the display stand. 
     
     
         3 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 1 , wherein the video imaging device has an inactive state and an active state that is actuated when the article of merchandise is displaced from the display stand. 
     
     
         4 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 3 , further comprising an actuator for actuating the video imaging device between the inactive state and the active state. 
     
     
         5 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 4 , wherein the actuator comprises a first activation element and a second activation element that cooperate to actuate the video imaging device between the inactive state and the active state. 
     
     
         6 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 5 , wherein the first activation element and the second activation element utilize energy selected from the group consisting of mechanical, electrical, magnetic, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), and optical energy. 
     
     
         7 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 5 , wherein one of the first activation element and the second activation element comprises a contact switch and the other of the first activation element and the second activation element comprises a contact. 
     
     
         8 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 5 , wherein the first activation element and the second activation element comprise opposing components of a magnetic proximity switch that activates or deactivates as the article of merchandise is displaced relative to the display stand. 
     
     
         9 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first activation element and the second activation element comprises a photo-sensitive device that receives ambient light when the article of merchandise is displaced relative to the display stand. 
     
     
         10 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 5 , wherein one of the first activation element comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and the other of the first activation element and the second activation element comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver that detects the loss or interruption of a return signal from the RFID tag when the article of merchandise is displaced relative to the display stand. 
     
     
         11 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 5 , wherein one of the first activation element comprises an infrared (IR) transmitter/emitter and the other of the first activation element and the second activation element comprises an infrared (IR) receiver/detector that detects the loss or interruption of an infrared emission from the IR transmitter/emitter when the article of merchandise is displaced relative to the display stand. 
     
     
         12 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 5 , wherein one of the first activation element comprises a magnetic pulse transmitter/emitter and the other of the first activation element and the second activation element comprises a magnetic pulse receiver/detector that detects the loss or interruption of a magnetic pulse from the magnetic pulse transmitter/emitter when the article of merchandise is displaced relative to the display stand. 
     
     
         13 . The merchandise security system of  claim 5 , further comprising a sensor housing configured for attachment to the article of merchandise and wherein one of the first activation element and the second activation element are disposed within the sensor housing. 
     
     
         14 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 3 , wherein the video imaging device is operable in a plurality of video collection modes for capturing, generating and conveying at least one of motion video data and still image data. 
     
     
         15 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 13 , further comprising a remote recording device for recording and storing the motion video data and the still image data. 
     
     
         16 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 3 , wherein the video imaging device returns to the inactive state from the active state upon the first to occur of (i) the article of merchandise is returned to the display stand; (ii) the passage of a predetermined period of time; and (iii) a “stop” command is received at the video imaging device. 
     
     
         17 . A merchandise security system according to  claim 1 , wherein the display stand comprises a base and a pedestal extending upwardly from the base, and wherein the video imaging device comprises a video camera that is actuated to capture video data when the article of merchandise is removed from the pedestal of the display stand. 
     
     
         18 . A merchandise display system according to  claim 17 , further comprising a sensor housing configured for attachment to the article of merchandise, and wherein a first activation element is disposed on the sensor housing and a second activation element is disposed on the display stand; the first activation element and the second activation element cooperating to actuate the video imaging device in response to a displacement of the sensor housing and the article of merchandise relative to the display stand. 
     
     
         19 . A merchandise security system comprising:
 a display stand;   a video imaging device positioned on, or adjacent to, the display stand; and   an actuator operatively coupled with the video imaging device for actuating the video imaging device between an inactive state and an active state, wherein the video imaging device is configured to collect video data when an article of merchandise is displaced relative to the display stand.   
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 actuating a video imaging device in response to an article of merchandise being displaced relative to a display stand, the video imaging device being positioned on, or adjacent to, the display stand; and   collecting video data when the video imaging device is actuated.