Systems and methods for security sensing in a power cable for an article of merchandise

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise, wherein the sensor includes alarming circuitry. The system also includes a tether comprising a pair of conductors electrically connected to the alarming circuitry, wherein the pair of conductors is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or to the article of merchandise. In response to power ceasing to be transferred, the alarming circuitry is configured to monitor an electrical signal transmitted through the pair of conductors in order to determine whether the tether has been cut or removed from the sensor.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A merchandise security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise comprising:
 a sensor configured to attach to the article of merchandise and to detect removal of the article of merchandise from the sensor, the sensor comprising an upper portion and a lower portion;   a plurality of retaining arms for engaging the article of merchandise;   a power cable having a connector configured to operably engage an input port on the article of merchandise for providing power to the article of merchandise,   wherein the lower portion is configured to operably engage the power cable,   wherein the upper portion comprises a plurality of lateral slots each configured to receive one of the plurality of retaining arms, each of the plurality of retaining arms configured to slide within a respective one of the plurality of lateral slots to adjust a position of the retaining arm relative to the article of merchandise,   wherein the upper portion is configured to attach to the article of merchandise and the lower portion such that the upper portion is disposed between the lower portion and the article of merchandise;   a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon such that the sensor is removable from the base and positionable on the base; and   a tether connected to the sensor, wherein the base is configured to receive the tether.   
     
     
         2 . The merchandise display system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion comprises a recess configured to receive an end of the power cable. 
     
     
         3 . The merchandise display system of  claim 2 , wherein the end of the power cable received within the recess is configured to be disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion when the upper portion is attached to the lower portion. 
     
     
         4 . The merchandise display system of  claim 2 , wherein the end of the power cable is configured to be inserted within the recess. 
     
     
         5 . The merchandise display system of  claim 2 , wherein the recess is defined in a surface of the lower portion configured to be secured to the article of merchandise. 
     
     
         6 . The merchandise display system of  claim 5 , further comprising an adhesive configured to directly attach the lower portion to the article of merchandise. 
     
     
         7 . The merchandise display system of  claim 2 , wherein the lower portion comprises a top surface and a side surface, and wherein the end of the power cable is configured to be received on the top surface. 
     
     
         8 . The merchandise display system of  claim 1 , wherein the tether is coupled to a recoiler such that the tether is extendable and retractable relative to the base. 
     
     
         9 . The merchandise display system of  claim 1 , wherein the tether comprises a plurality of conductors for communicating with the sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The merchandise display system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion comprises a pair of lateral slots each configured to receive a respective retaining arm. 
     
     
         11 . The merchandise display system of  claim 10 , wherein the pair of lateral slots extend parallel to one another. 
     
     
         12 . The merchandise display system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces, and wherein the top surface is configured to be attached to the article of merchandise and the plurality of lateral slots are defined through the side surface. 
     
     
         13 . The merchandise display system of  claim 12 , wherein each of a pair of the plurality of retaining arms is configured to be inserted in a direction through the side surface within a respective one of a pair of the plurality of lateral slots such that the pair of retaining arms slide along a respective direction of insertion within the lateral slots in opposing relation to one another. 
     
     
         14 . The merchandise display system of  claim 13 , wherein the pair of the plurality of lateral slots extend parallel to one another. 
     
     
         15 . The merchandise display system of  claim 14 , wherein the pair of the plurality of lateral slots are defined side-by-side. 
     
     
         16 . The merchandise display system of  claim 13 , wherein the lower portion is configured to operably engage an end of the power cable, and wherein at least a portion of the end of the power cable is configured to be disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion when the upper portion is attached to the lower portion. 
     
     
         17 . The merchandise display system of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of each of the pair of the plurality of lateral slots is defined in the bottom surface. 
     
     
         18 . The merchandise display system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion is configured to be secured to the upper portion with at least one fastener. 
     
     
         19 . The merchandise display system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion is configured to be secured to the upper portion such that the plurality of retaining arms are secured therebetween and cannot be removed without first detaching the lower portion from the upper portion. 
     
     
         20 . The merchandise display system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion comprises a contact, limit, or pressure switch configured to detect when the article of merchandise has been removed from the sensor. 
     
     
         21 . The merchandise display system of  claim 1 , further comprising alarming circuitry configured to detect the sensor being removed from the article of merchandise, the tether being removed from the sensor, and/or the tether being cut. 
     
     
         22 . The merchandise display system of  claim 1 , wherein the tether comprises a connector at one end configured to be releasably locked to the sensor such that the connector cannot be removed from the sensor without first being unlocked. 
     
     
         23 . A merchandise security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise comprising:
 a sensor configured to attach to the article of merchandise and to detect removal of the article of merchandise from the sensor, the sensor comprising an upper portion and a lower portion; and   a plurality of retaining arms for engaging the article of merchandise;   wherein the upper portion comprises a plurality of lateral slots each configured to receive one of the plurality of retaining arms, each of the plurality of retaining arms configured to slide within a respective one of the plurality of lateral slots to adjust the position of the retaining arm relative to the article of merchandise,   wherein the upper portion is configured to attach to the article of merchandise and the lower portion such that the upper portion is disposed between the lower portion and the article of merchandise and such that the plurality of retaining arms are secured therebetween and cannot be removed without first detaching the lower portion from the upper portion.   
     
     
         24 . The merchandise display system of  claim 23 , wherein the upper portion comprises a pair of lateral slots each configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of retaining arms, and wherein the pair of lateral slots are disposed side-by-side and extend parallel to one another. 
     
     
         25 . The merchandise display system of  claim 23 , further comprising a power cable having a connector configured to operably engage an input port on the article of merchandise for providing power to the article of merchandise, wherein the lower portion is configured to operably engage an end of the power cable, and wherein at least a portion of the end of the power cable is configured to be disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion when the upper portion is attached to the lower portion. 
     
     
         26 . A method for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise comprising:
 securing an upper portion of a sensor to an article of merchandise, the sensor configured to detect removal of the article of merchandise from the sensor;   inserting a plurality of retaining arms within a respective one of a plurality of lateral slots defined in the upper portion, each of the plurality of retaining arms configured to slide within a respective one of the plurality of lateral slots to adjust the position of the retaining arm relative to the article of merchandise,   engaging the plurality of retaining arms received by the upper portion to the article of merchandise;   operably engaging a connector of a power cable with an input port on the article of merchandise for providing power to the article of merchandise; and   securing the lower portion to the upper portion such that the upper portion is disposed between the lower portion and the article of merchandise.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein inserting comprises inserting each of a pair of the plurality of retaining arms in a direction within a respective one of a pair of the plurality of lateral slots such that the pair of retaining arms slide along a respective direction of insertion within the lateral slots in opposing relation to one another.