US 11,721,198 B2
Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise
Christopher J. Fawcett, Charlotte, NC (US); Jeffrey A. Grant, Charlotte, NC (US); Dennis D. Belden, Jr., Canton, OH (US); Ronald M. Marsilio, Lake Wiley, SC (US); and Ian R. Scott, Duluth, GA (US)
Assigned to InVue Security Products Inc., Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by InVue Security Products Inc., Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Mar. 20, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/825,353.
Application 16/825,353 is a continuation of application No. 16/554,074, filed on Aug. 28, 2019, granted, now 10,600,313.
Application 16/554,074 is a continuation of application No. 16/107,537, filed on Aug. 21, 2018, granted, now 10,403,122, issued on Sep. 3, 2019.
Application 16/107,537 is a continuation of application No. 15/954,143, filed on Apr. 16, 2018, granted, now 10,062,266, issued on Aug. 28, 2018.
Application 15/954,143 is a continuation of application No. 15/586,939, filed on May 4, 2017, granted, now 10,013,867, issued on Jul. 3, 2018.
Application 15/586,939 is a continuation of application No. 15/397,362, filed on Jan. 3, 2017, granted, now 9,659,472, issued on May 23, 2017.
Application 15/397,362 is a continuation of application No. 15/241,708, filed on Aug. 19, 2016, granted, now 9,576,452, issued on Feb. 21, 2017.
Application 15/241,708 is a continuation of application No. 15/047,218, filed on Feb. 18, 2016, granted, now 9,478,110, issued on Oct. 25, 2016.
Application 15/047,218 is a continuation of application No. 14/825,436, filed on Aug. 13, 2015, granted, now 9,269,247, issued on Feb. 23, 2016.
Application 14/825,436 is a continuation of application No. 14/529,516, filed on Oct. 31, 2014, granted, now 9,135,800, issued on Sep. 15, 2015.
Application 14/529,516 is a continuation of application No. 14/254,244, filed on Apr. 16, 2014, granted, now 8,884,762, issued on Nov. 11, 2014.
Application 14/254,244 is a continuation of application No. 13/169,968, filed on Jun. 27, 2011, abandoned.
Application 13/169,968 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/770,321, filed on Apr. 29, 2010, granted, now 7,969,305, issued on Jun. 28, 2011.
Application 12/770,321 is a continuation of application No. 11/639,102, filed on Dec. 14, 2006, granted, now 7,737,846, issued on Jun. 15, 2010.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/753,908, filed on Dec. 23, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2020/0219379 A1, Jul. 9, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G08B 25/00 (2006.01); G08B 13/14 (2006.01); G08B 13/12 (2006.01); G08B 13/24 (2006.01); G07C 9/00 (2020.01); G08B 13/00 (2006.01)
CPC G08B 25/008 (2013.01) [G07C 9/00309 (2013.01); G08B 13/00 (2013.01); G08B 13/12 (2013.01); G08B 13/14 (2013.01); G08B 13/1445 (2013.01); G08B 13/1463 (2013.01); G08B 13/2402 (2013.01); G08B 13/2434 (2013.01); G08B 13/2465 (2013.01); G08B 13/2482 (2013.01); G07C 2009/00539 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A security system for protecting items of merchandise from theft, the security system comprising:
an authorization station comprising a memory;
a programmable key comprising a memory configured to store a security code; and
a security device comprising an alarm and configured to be attached to an item of merchandise with an attachment cable, the security device configured to be mounted to a supporting structure, the security device further configured to activate the alarm in response to the integrity of the security device being compromised,
wherein the programmable key is configured to program the authorization station such that the security code is stored in the memory of the authorization station,
wherein the programmable key is configured to communicate with the authorization station for authorizing the programmable key to control the security device if the security code of the programmable key matches the security code of the authorization station,
wherein the programmable key is configured to communicate with the security device to determine whether the programmable key is authorized to control the security device.