U.S. patent application number 14/049811 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-06 for merchandise security system including display stand having video camera.
This patent application is currently assigned to InVue Security Products Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is InVue Security Products Inc.. Invention is credited to Christopher J. Fawcett, Nicholas M. Sedon.
Application Number | 20140036074 14/049811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42164848 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140036074 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fawcett; Christopher J. ; et
al. |
February 6, 2014 |
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.
Inventors: |
Fawcett; Christopher J.;
(Charlotte, NC) ; Sedon; Nicholas M.; (Weddington,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
InVue Security Products Inc. |
Charlotte |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
InVue Security Products
Inc.
Charlotte
NC
|
Family ID: |
42164848 |
Appl. No.: |
14/049811 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12612145 |
Nov 4, 2009 |
8581985 |
|
|
14049811 |
|
|
|
|
61112976 |
Nov 10, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/143 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 13/1445 20130101;
G08B 13/19695 20130101; H04N 7/188 20130101; G08B 13/19619
20130101; G08B 15/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/143 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/18 20060101
H04N007/18 |
Claims
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.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/612,145 filed on Nov. 4, 2009, which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/112,976 filed on Nov. 10, 2008,
each of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to merchandise
security systems, and more particularly, to a merchandise security
system including a display stand for displaying an article of
merchandise, while both physically securing the article and
collecting video data at a display area.
[0003] Conventional merchandise security systems physically
restrain an article of merchandise from theft and unauthorized or
accidental removal from a retail sales location, such as a
merchandise display area. Many merchandise security systems further
include an alarm that operates in conjunction with the physical
restraint to activate an audible alarm signal and/or a visual (i.e.
silent) alarm signal in the event the restraint is removed from the
protected article of merchandise, or is otherwise damaged or
defeated. Such conventional measures are typically sufficient to
prevent theft and accidental losses.
[0004] Unfortunately, a calculating thief can at times forcibly
remove a physical restraint from a protected article of merchandise
and then quickly distance himself and the merchandise from the
location of the alarm signal. Due to public safety concerns and in
an effort to foster a congenial shopping and working environment, a
merchant may prefer to not immediately secure a retail display area
or an entire store upon detection of a theft or loss of a single
article of merchandise. Some retailers view theft and accidental
losses merely as a cost of doing business. Others are unwilling to
install audible alarm systems out of concern for the safety and
comfort of customers. Others instruct and train their employees to
refrain from pursuing and stopping suspected thieves out of concern
for the safety of the employee and to avoid liabilities that might
occur with honest customers. Such retailers are vulnerable to
exploitation by thieves who familiarize themselves with
state-of-the-art merchandise security systems and with the security
measures, procedures and policies adopted by the retailer.
[0005] Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved merchandise
security system that remains effective for deterring theft when a
retailer elects to not draw attention to the theft within the
display area or store, or to pursue the thief at the time of the
theft. There exists a further and more specific need for an
improved merchandise security system having the capability to
collect video data at a merchandise display area. There exists a
particular need for a merchandise security system including a
display stand for supporting and displaying an article of
merchandise that cooperates with a video imaging device (e.g. video
camera) for collecting video data at a merchandise display area,
for example when the protected article of merchandise is removed
from the display stand.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The aforementioned needs, objectives and advantages, as well
as others that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art, are provided by an improved merchandise security system
including a display stand for supporting and displaying an article
of merchandise. In at least one aspect, the present invention
provides a merchandise security system including a display stand
that cooperates with 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 at least one
embodiment, the display stand of the merchandise security system
houses the video imaging device. In other exemplary embodiments,
the actuator includes a first activation element disposed on the
display stand and a second activation element disposed on a sensor
housing configured for attachment to the article of merchandise. In
that example, the actuator is configured to activate the video
imaging device when the second activation element is displaced
relative to the first activation element. The video imaging device
may be a video camera disposed within, positioned adjacent to, or
integrated with the display stand.
[0007] In another aspect, a merchandise security system according
to the invention includes a display stand for supporting and
displaying an article of merchandise and a video imaging device for
collecting video data in response to a displacement of the article
of merchandise from the display stand. The video imaging device has
an inactive state and an active state and the video imaging device
is actuated to collect video data when the article of merchandise
is displaced relative to the display stand.
[0008] In yet another aspect, a merchandise security according to
the invention includes a display stand, a sensor housing configured
for attachment to the article of merchandise, a cable connecting
the sensor housing and the display stand, a video imaging device
operatively coupled with the display stand and the sensor housing,
and an actuator for actuating the video imaging device to obtain
video data when the article of merchandise is displaced relative to
the display stand.
[0009] In yet another aspect, a merchandise security system
according to the invention includes a display stand, a video
imaging device, 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
collects video data when the article of merchandise is displaced
relative to the display stand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The subject matter that is regarded as the invention may be
best understood by reference to the following detailed description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a plurality
of merchandise security systems according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, each including a display stand
for supporting and displaying an article of merchandise;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an environmental perspective view of a typical one
of the merchandise security systems of FIG. 1, shown in partial
cutaway to illustrate a video imaging device housed within the
display stand;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an environmental perspective view of the
merchandise security system of FIG. 2, illustrating the video
imaging device in wireless communication with a remote video
recording device as the article of merchandise is being removed
from the display stand; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective view of the
merchandise security system of FIG. 2, illustrating the video
imaging device in wired communication with a remote video recording
device as the article of merchandise is being removed from the
display stand.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Referring to the drawings, wherein identical reference
numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views, a
merchandise security system is shown, indicated generally at 10,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The
merchandise security system 10 comprises a display stand 20
operable for supporting and displaying an article of merchandise,
for example a relatively small and relatively expensive consumer
electronics product, such as a mobile telephone, digital camera,
digital music player, Personal Data Assistant (PDA) type device and
the like. The article of merchandise is indicated generally at 12
in FIG. 1 wherein a plurality of merchandise security systems 10
are shown protecting respective articles of merchandise 12, as is
common in a merchandise display area of a retail sales
location.
[0016] The merchandise security system 10 shown and described
herein is adapted to permit a potential purchaser to closely
examine and operate a protected article of merchandise 12, while
deterring theft and preventing unauthorized or accidental removal
of the article of merchandise from a merchandise display area. The
embodiment of the security system 10 shown in FIGS. 3-4 further
comprises a sensor housing 14 mechanically affixed to the article
of merchandise 12, and a cable 15 that interconnects the sensor
housing with the display stand 20, or alternatively with a central
power and/or alarm module (not shown) in a known manner. As a
result, the article 12 is physically restrained by the tensile
strength of the cable 15 from being removed from the display stand
20 more than a predetermined distance. Insofar as the display stand
20 is rigidly attached to a stationary support, such as a table
top, counter top, shelf, desk or other relatively fixed support
surface indicated generally at S, the cable 15 and the sensor
housing 14 act to physically restrain the article of merchandise 12
in the display area within the immediate vicinity of the display
stand.
[0017] The cable 15 may physically attach the sensor housing 14 and
the article of merchandise 12 to the display stand 20, or
alternatively to a base module of the security system 10 below the
support S, without conveying power or a communications signal (e.g.
electrical, optical, etc.) to the sensor housing 14 or the article
of merchandise 12. However, the security system 10 may also include
a power supply, or be in electrical communication with a power
supply, that provides power and/or a communications signal through
the cable 15 to electronics housed within the sensor housing 14
and/or to the article of merchandise 12. Furthermore, the security
system 10 may include an internal or external alarm (not shown)
that produces an audible and/or visual alarm signal when the
article of merchandise 12 is separated from the sensor housing 14,
or when the power and/or communications signal conveyed by cable 15
is interrupted. A display stand 20 according to the present
invention may also be provided with a cable 15 that provides only a
physical or mechanical restraint, in which case the article of
merchandise 12 may be powered by an internal power source, such as
a battery, or may be displayed in an inoperable state.
Alternatively, the article of merchandise 12 may be without any
powered functionality.
[0018] As shown and described herein, the display stand 20
comprises a base 22 and a pedestal 24 extending upwardly from the
base. The base 22 and pedestal 24 may be formed in any known manner
from any suitable structural material, such as plastic, composite
or metal, and is preferably molded from a hard, durable,
lightweight plastic. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-4 where a
cable 15 is provided, the pedestal 24 may serve as a collection
tube having an internal passageway for extracting and collecting
the cable, or for permitting passage of the cable 15 through the
base 22. In turn, the base 22 may extract and collect the cable 15
or may permit passage of the cable to a gathering device, such as a
conventional retractor, retraction mechanism or re-coiler (not
shown) disposed beneath the support S.
[0019] Regarding now particularly inventive aspects of the security
system 10, a video imaging device 100 configured to cooperate with
the display stand 20 is shown in FIGS. 2-4. The video imaging
device 100 is expressly shown herein to comprise a video camera 102
and an associated electronics module 104, although other known
types of video imaging devices other than a video camera are
intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The
article of merchandise 12 is shown affixed to the sensor housing
14, which in turn is positioned on the pedestal 24 in FIG. 2 and is
shown removed somewhat from the pedestal in FIGS. 3-4. The position
of the article of merchandise 12 shown in FIG. 2 represents an
inactive state of the video imaging device 100 between
predetermined occurrences such as shown in FIGS. 3-4 wherein the
article of merchandise 12 is removed from the pedestal 24, for
example while being examined and/or operated by a potential
purchaser. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the
video imaging device 100 of the security system 10 enters an active
state when the article of merchandise 12 is removed or displaced
from the pedestal 24. The active state may be prompted when an
actuator 120 detects removal or displacement of the article of
merchandise 12 from the pedestal 24 according to a signal generated
by one or more activation elements. For example, a first activation
element 122 is shown in FIGS. 3-4 as being housed within, disposed
on, or attached to the sensor housing 14; and a second activation
element 124 is shown as being housed within, disposed on, or
attached to the pedestal 24 of the display stand 20.
[0020] The activation elements 122 and 124 are described broadly
herein as comprising any component or combination of components
operable for actuating the video imaging device 100, and more
particularly, for altering the operating state of the video imaging
device 100 between the inactive state and the active state. Several
examples of activation elements 122, 124 suitable for performing
the function of altering the state of the video imaging device 100
are provided herein; however, the examples described herein are not
exhaustive and any suitable actuator 120 and activation elements
are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.
Generally stated, the video imaging device 100 of the security
system 10 is prompted into an active state upon movement or
displacement of the article of merchandise 12 away from the
pedestal 24. In each example described below, when the article of
merchandise 12 and the sensor housing 14 are displaced relative to
the display stand 20, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, radio
frequency (RF), infrared (IR), optical or other energy between the
activation elements 122, 124 is lost, disturbed, altered or
enhanced and the activation elements operate to identify such an
occurrence.
[0021] In one particular example, the activation element 122 is a
contact, proximity or limit switch that toggles between an
electrically conducting configuration and an electrically
non-conducting configuration as the article of merchandise 12 is
positioned onto the pedestal 24 and displaced off of the pedestal,
with or without the sensor housing 14. It should be noted that the
sensor housing 14 may be present and comprise the activation
element 122, or may be eliminated entirely. Alternatively, the
sensor housing 14 and the activation element 122 may be integrated
with the article of merchandise 12 without departing from the
invention. In this instance, the activation element 124 is a
contact against which a trigger, plunger, pin or the like of the
activation element 122 contacts to activate or deactivate the
switch when the article of merchandise 12 is positioned on the
display stand 20. Alternatively, the activation elements 122 and
124 may be reversed such that the activation element 124 is a
contact, proximity or limit switch and the activation element 122
is a contact that the activation element 124 engages.
[0022] In another particular example, the activation elements 122
and 124 comprise opposing components of a magnetic proximity switch
that activates or deactivates as the article of merchandise 12 is
displaced relative to the pedestal 24 of the display stand 20, with
or without the sensor housing 14. It should be noted that the
sensor housing 14 may be present and comprise the activation
element 122, or may be eliminated entirely. Alternatively, the
sensor housing 14 and the activation element 122 may be integrated
with the article of merchandise 12 without departing from the
invention.
[0023] In yet another particular example, the activation element
124 comprises an optical or other photo-sensitive device that
receives ambient light when the article of merchandise 12 is
displaced relative to the display stand 20, with or without the
sensor housing 14, so as to detect removal of the article and
responsively actuate the video imaging device 100 of the security
system 10 from an inactive state into an active state. It should be
noted that the sensor housing 14 may be present, or may be
eliminated entirely. Alternatively, the sensor housing 14 may be
integrated with the article of merchandise 12 without departing
from the invention.
[0024] Thus, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art, the activation elements 122 and 124 may comprise any suitable
means for actuating the video imaging device 100 between an
inactive state and an active state upon displacement or removal of
the article of merchandise 12 from the display stand 20.
Regardless, the function of one or both of the activation elements
122 and 124 is to determine whether the article of merchandise 12
has been displaced from its position on the display stand 20, and
if so, to actuate the video imaging device 100 between the inactive
state and the active state.
[0025] In one or more other exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, the actuator 120 comprises a radio-frequency (RF)
wireless proximity sensor system that includes a wireless
transceiver component and a responsive component. In one such
example, the activation element 124 on or at the display stand 20
comprises a transceiver component that detects the loss of a return
signal from the activation element 122 (the responsive component)
when the article of merchandise 12 and/or the sensor housing 14 are
displaced from the display stand 20. Upon loss of the return
signal, the video imaging device 100 of the security system 10 is
changed from an inactive state to an active state and the video
imaging device is actuated. The activation element 122 may be a
radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag assigned specifically to
the article of merchandise 12 or the sensor housing 14 so that the
activation element 124 of actuator 120 can identify the return
signal from an assigned tag among cross-talk signals from nearby
tags in a merchandise display area where more than one security
system 10 is in use simultaneously to display multiple articles of
merchandise 12, as shown in FIG. 1. It should be noted that the
activation element 122 carried by the article of merchandise 12
and/or the sensor housing 14 may be the transceiver component and
the activation element 124 carried by the display stand 20 (or
other structure associated with the security system 10) may be the
responsive component without departing from the invention.
[0026] In other exemplary embodiments, the actuator 120 comprises
an infrared (IR) sensor system in which the activation elements 122
and 124, in either order, are configured to send and/or receive IR
signals. When, for example, activation element 122 is an IR
receiver and fails to detect the infrared emissions of an IR
transmitter (the activation element 124), the video imaging device
100 of the security system 10 is changed from an inactive state to
an active state and the video imaging device is actuated. It should
be noted that the activation element 122 carried by the article of
merchandise 12 and/or the sensor housing 14 may be the IR
transmitter and the activation element 124 carried by the display
stand 20 (or other structure associated with the security system
10) may be the IR receiver without departing from the invention.
Furthermore, either activation element 122 or 124 may comprise an
IR emitter/detector while the other activation element comprises a
reflective area that reflects an IR signal so long as the
emitter/detector and the reflective area are aligned and spaced
apart within a predetermined range, which conditions will not
likely be maintained once the article of merchandise 12 or the
sensor housing 14 are displaced sufficiently from the display stand
20. In this emitter/detector and reflector example, the security
system 10 is activated and the video imaging device 100 is actuated
when detection of the reflection of the IR signal being emitted is
lost.
[0027] In yet other exemplary embodiments, the actuator 120
comprises a magnetic pulse detection system in which a magnetic
pulse is sent and received. In such embodiments, the magnetic pulse
can be generated at the article of merchandise 12, at the sensor
housing 14, or at the display stand 20. For example, the activation
element 124 at the display stand 20 may transmit, emit or send a
magnetic pulse and the activation element 122 at the sensor housing
14 may receive or detect the magnetic pulse. Alternatively, the
functions of the activation elements 122 and 124 may be reversed,
as previously described. In either case, a magnetic pulse can be
generated periodically or intermittently, for example, by passing
an electrical current through a coil. The magnetic pulse can be
detected, for example, by way of an electromotive force (EMF)
induced in another coil or by movement of a ferromagnetic element
that opens or closes a switch or circuit. In these embodiments, the
video imaging device 100 of the security system 10 is actuated when
an electrical or optical signal generated by a magnetic pulse
suddenly initiates or suddenly dissipates or terminates. Either
instance represents a change of status with regard to the location
of the article of merchandise 12 or the sensor housing 14 relative
to the display stand 20, or a loss of power or function of one or
both of the activation elements 122 and 124.
[0028] Once the security system 10 is prompted into an active state
upon displacement of the article of merchandise 12 from the
pedestal 24 of the display stand 20, the video imaging device 100
enters one of several possible video collection modes. For example,
the video imaging device 100 may enter a motion video collection
mode wherein a video data stream captured by the video camera 102
and generated by the electronics module 104 conveys a series of
closely timed images that together define motion video data. In
another example, the video imaging device 100 enters a snapshot
sequence video collection mode wherein the video data stream
conveys a series of time-separated still images. In yet another
example, the video imaging device 100 enters a video collection
mode wherein time-separated motion video data streams are captured,
generated and conveyed. In view of these examples, it should be
understood that this description is intended to encompass various
modes of capturing, generating and conveying motion video data and
still image data.
[0029] Whether motion video data, still image data, or a
combination thereof is conveyed by the video data stream captured
by the digital camera 102 and generated by the electronics module
104, the content of the video data stream may be monitored by sales
or security personnel in real-time, and in addition, may be
recorded and stored. A remote recording device 110 is shown in
wireless communication with video imaging device 100 in FIG. 3. In
that example, the video imaging device 100 includes a wireless
transmitter that conveys the video data stream and/or any other
desired data stream relating to the security system 10 to the
recording device 110. Such transmissions may occur as the video
data stream is generated, or alternatively, the video data stream
may be temporarily stored by the video imaging device 100 and
periodically transmitted to the recording device 110. The video
imaging device 100 may be operable for receiving control commands
from the recording device 110 or another control device so that
desired functions and modes of the video imaging device can be
prompted, discontinued, repeated, programmed, or otherwise
controlled. Transmitting and receiving may also be facilitated by
two-way wireless transceiver devices at one or both of the video
imaging device 100 and the recording device 110. In FIG. 4, the
video imaging device 100 is shown to communicate with the recording
device 110 through a conductive cable 112 so that the video data
stream, including any other desired data stream, is conveyed to the
recording device through the cable. The cable 112 may also convey
control commands to the video imaging device 100 in other exemplary
embodiments of the invention.
[0030] The security system 10 may return to the inactive state in
any suitable manner according to the various embodiments of the
invention. In one example, once commanded into a video collection
mode, the security system 10 is engaged in collecting video data
until the article of merchandise 12 and/or the sensor housing 14
are returned to the display stand 20, as determined by the
activation elements 122 and 124 previously described. In another
example, video collection continues without interruption for a
predetermined period of time. In yet another example, video
collection continues until a "stop" command is received by the
video imaging device 100. For example, a "stop" command may be
manually input by an operator, such as sales or security personnel,
and transmitted to the video imaging device 100 through the
recording device 110 or the cable 112 to terminate video
collection.
[0031] Several modes for returning to the security system 10 to the
inactive state may be combined in certain embodiments of the
invention. For example, in at least one embodiment, once placed
into a video collection mode the video imaging device 100 remains
actuated in the video collection mode: 1) until the article of
merchandise 12 and/or the sensor housing 14 are replaced onto the
display stand 20; 2) until a predetermined period of time passes;
or 3) until an operator "stop" command is received at the video
imaging device, whichever occurs first.
[0032] In FIG. 3, the video camera 102 is illustrated to observe a
field of view 103, which may be maximized by use of a wide angle
lens disposed in optical communication with the camera or included
as a component in the construction of the camera. The field of view
103 is typically directed generally outward from the display stand
20, as shown in FIG. 3. The video camera 102 and display stand 20
can be oriented such that an image of an individual approaching
and/or standing in front of the display stand is captured within
the field of view 103. Thus, the video imaging device 100 is
positioned to collect motion video data or still image data as an
individual approaches and/or stands before the display stand 20. In
this instance, the video imaging device 100 may be operating
continuously, or alternatively, may be actuated manually by sales
or security personnel through the recording device 110 or another
remote control device.
[0033] Though the video camera 102 is illustrated herein as being
disposed within the pedestal 24 of the display stand 20, in various
other exemplary embodiments the video camera may be disposed within
other portions of the display stand 20 (e.g. base 22), or
positioned on, adjacent to or even remote from the display stand.
In FIG. 1, the video imaging device identified by reference
character 100 is represented by an optical element, such as a lens,
or merely an aperture formed through the outer wall of the pedestal
24. In either instance, the optical element or aperture is aligned
with the video camera 102 so that video collection by the video
camera is possible. In yet another example, the optical element of
the video imaging device 100 is an optically transparent or
sufficiently translucent filter or shield that protects the video
camera 102 from ambient moisture, spilled food and beverages, dust,
and handling. The filter or shield may be colored similarly or in
contrast with the wall of the pedestal 24 in order to minimize or
maximize the visibility of the video camera 102, as desired. Thus,
in one embodiment, the presence of the video camera 102 is apparent
so as to further discourage theft of the article of merchandise 12,
while in other embodiments the video camera 102 is preferably
hidden so as to permit clandestine video collection of a thief who
unknowingly remains at the merchandise display area while security
personnel is being dispatched.
[0034] A plurality of security systems 10 may be coupled together
in cabled or wireless communication with one another so that all of
the security systems 10 are actuated into video collection mode
when any one of the articles of merchandise 12 is displaced a
predetermined distance from its respective display stand 20. In
this manner, the effective field of view of the plurality of
security systems 10 is increased over that of a particular video
imaging device 100 of a single one of the security systems. In an
arrangement such as that shown in FIG. 1, views of a thief from
various perspectives may be provided by multiple security systems
10 so that a more detailed physical description of the thief is
obtained.
[0035] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that various modifications thereto can be made
without departing from the intended spirit and scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of exemplary
embodiments of the invention and the best mode for practicing the
invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only, and
not for the purpose of limitation.
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