EP1586080B1 - Methods and devices for securing a product against theft - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and devices for securing a product against theft. The security device comprises a connection mode (110) and an on position mode (100). A receiver (6) of the security device is activated when in the on position (100) and the security device switches from the on position (100) to the connection mode (110) when the receiver (6) is impinged upon by a transmitter (5). The receiver (6) is deactivated in the connection mode (110). The energy consumption of the security device is reduced by deactivating (111) the receiver (6). The security device can be prevented from being unintentionally impinged upon by selection signals from the transmitter because of said deactivation (111).

Description

The present invention relates to methods and devices for securing a product against theft according to the preambles of the independent claims.

In stores or department stores, it is common to display the offered for sale radio or television sets, video equipment, telephone equipment and the like. For this purpose, an issue copy of each type of these devices is often provided to customers for testing purposes. To avoid loss, these exhibits are preferably provided with devices that trigger an alarm in a theft attempt. Such a device is disclosed in DE 197 11 571.

There are known devices for securing a product against theft, which have a receiver, wherein the receiver is permanently in operation, so that there is a high power consumption of the security part, which is undesirable especially in battery-operated security parts.

In addition, known devices have the disadvantage that, for example, when operating multiple security parts with a common central unit initially a cumbersome selection of a special, next to be controlled security part eg by a corresponding input of an operator is required before the special security part can be controlled.

The object of the present invention is to provide methods and devices for securing a product against theft such that the operation and handling is simplified and the operating time is increased.

This object is achieved according to the invention in the methods and apparatus of the type mentioned by the characterizing parts of the independent claims.

The device according to the invention may on the one hand be a securing part which is operated as a so-called "standalone security part". This means that essentially only a single product, for example a single mobile telephone, can be secured against theft with the securing part. For each additional product thus another, corresponding security part is required. The security parts of the different goods are independent of each other. The features of the invention relate in this case to a single, such security part.

On the other hand, the device according to the invention may be a central unit with a plurality of securing parts connectable thereto. Each of the securing parts can be assigned to a product in this case, so that a plurality of goods can be monitored simultaneously with this device according to the invention. The features of the invention relate in this case to the central unit.

The activation of the receiver according to the invention in the switched-on state makes it possible to control the device according to the invention, for example by acting on a transmitter or so-called selection signals emitted by the transmitter after switching on the device. This makes it possible for the device according to the invention to be selectively put into the connecting mode by an operator in which case the device can then be prepared for a transition to the monitoring state in the connecting mode.

During the transition to the connecting mode, the receiver is switched off according to a variant of the invention and as a result absorbs little or no energy.

Once the operator has placed the device according to the invention in the Anschließmodus, the operator can take the necessary measures to prepare the device for the monitoring state, so ultimately "sharp" to switch. This can be done, for example, that a security part is attached to the goods, the damage or separation leads in the monitored state of the device to a transition to the alarm state.

It is particularly advantageous if, in the case of the device according to the invention, a transition to the alarm state takes place if no transition to the monitoring state has taken place within a predefinable waiting time. This ensures that the device according to the invention does not permanently remain in the connection mode in which no theft monitoring takes place. This continuous retention in the connection mode can occur, for example, in that an operator wants to attach a device according to the invention to a product and thus wants to switch it "armed", but in this activity is interrupted and then forgets the process. Such an operating error is reliably avoided in the device according to the invention, which at the same time represents an increase in user-friendliness and operating safety.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a holding part of the security part is attached to the goods, wherein a monitoring of the holding part is activated for proper attachment to the goods. During this Monitoring, which is symbolized by the monitoring state, the device according to the invention is continuously checked to see whether the holding part is properly attached to the goods. If the holding part is fastened to the goods within the predefined waiting time, the monitoring is activated without the device being previously set in alarm. This represents the normal operation when connecting a holding part to the goods. If the holding part is not attached to the goods within the predefined waiting time and thus the monitoring is activated, the device according to the invention, as already mentioned, is put into an alarm. As a result, as mentioned, a recognition of not yet attached to the goods holding parts easier.

In a theft attempt, the device is placed in the alarm state from the monitoring state.

Due to the features that the receiver is deactivated in the connection mode or in the monitoring state, there is a reduction in the power consumption of the devices according to the invention, so that the operating time of the devices is increased.

It is furthermore particularly advantageous that a device according to the invention can not be influenced by any signals as soon as it has deactivated its receiver in the connection mode or in the monitoring state. A disturbance of a device according to the invention by an erroneous reception of signals is thus excluded. This increases the reliability of the device. As already mentioned, the energy consumption of the device according to the invention in its connection or monitoring state is reduced by the fact that the receiver is deactivated. The monitoring state usually represents the state in which the device is most of the time. In alarm however, the receiver is activated. However, this alarm state takes a much shorter time compared to the monitoring state. This also reduces the energy consumption of the device according to the invention. At the same time is achieved by activating the receiver in the alarm state that the device according to the invention in this alarm state by the operator via the receiver is operable.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the alarm state is terminated when the receiver is acted upon by a transmitter. This is inventively possible in that the receiver is activated during the transition from the monitoring state to the alarm state. Thus, signals transmitted by the transmitter can be received by those devices which are in their alarm state and whose receiver is thus activated. With these signals, which are also referred to as selection signals, the alarm state can then be terminated and the device according to the invention can again be correctly arranged on the product, for example after a theft attempt.

This represents an automatic selection of the device which is in its alarm state. The operator therefore does not have to cumbersomely select that device, for example by means of a corresponding input, which is in the alarm state, but the operator can terminate the alarm state only by actuating the transmitter. Since only the receiver of the alarmed device is activated, only this device is affected. All other devices remain unaffected, which is equivalent to said automatic selection of the device in alarm condition. Obviously, this represents a significant simplification of the operation of the device according to the invention. The same applies even if several Devices according to the invention are in their alarm state.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous to use a coded selection signal in order to make misuse more difficult. For example, using multiple transmitters, each of the transmitters may have a different coded selection signal.

Moreover, it is also possible to form groups of devices according to the invention, which are each assigned to the same transmitter. Such groups may be a group of related "stand-alone security parts" or a group of associated central units, in the second case, as already mentioned, a plurality of security parts can be connected to each of the central units. For example, it is particularly expedient to form the groups of devices according to the invention by spatial togetherness. For example, it is possible to control all arranged in a particular goods shelf for securing the goods therein devices with the same transmitter. In this case, all these devices can be controlled simultaneously, as long as all devices are within range of the transmitter.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device according to the invention does not terminate the alarm state if a selection signal received during the alarm is different from the selection signal received after switching on. In this way, it is ensured that the same transmitter or the same selection signal must be used to terminate the alarm state of a device as after switching on the device.

The device according to the invention can preferably be switched off by switching off a power supply of the safety part. When the device is turned off, a previous one, i. after switching on the device, received selection signal lost, because the selection signal is stored in the receiver of the device in a volatile memory, for example in a so-called random access memory (RAM). In this way, a new selection signal can be transmitted to the device according to the invention when it is switched on again, which in turn is stored in the volatile memory until the device is switched off again.

To facilitate handling is provided in the invention to transmit a selection signal from a transmitter to at least one other transmitter, so that selection signals, including coded selection signals, can be copied to multiple transmitters. This, for example, gives rise to the possibility that different operators can simultaneously receive control of a particular group of devices according to the invention.

In order to further simplify the operation of the device according to the invention, another embodiment proposes that one or more operating states of the device are indicated by an optical and / or acoustic signal. For this purpose, optical and / or acoustic signal transmitters can be used according to the invention, which are provided in the securing part or in the central unit. Due to their low power consumption, LEDs are particularly advantageous as optical signal transmitters and piezoelectric sounders as acoustic signal transmitters. These signaling devices are used in the invention, for example, to indicate an alarm condition and thus an alarm.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides to arrange the signal generator inside the device according to the invention, wherein a housing is at least partially translucent or is transparent, so that the optical signal generated by the light-emitting diode can also be well perceived outside the security part or the central unit. A translucent housing or translucent housing sections of the device are particularly advantageous because the signal effect of the optical signal is further increased by scattering effects on the translucent housing parts usually made of plastic.

A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the optical and / or acoustic signal is modulated as a function of the remaining waiting time, ie. For example, its intensity or frequency is changed. Such a modulation allows an operator to estimate the remaining waiting time in a simple manner and in particular to coordinate their work processes in the configuration of the device according to the invention to the remaining waiting time.

A particularly simple handling of the device according to the invention is given in a further variant in which the selection signal is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver by means of a remote control. In principle, it is possible to use optical remote controls, that is, e.g. Use infrared-based remote controls. Radio remote controls, however, allow an even easier handling of the invention, since a direct line of sight between the transmitter of the radio remote control and the receiver located in the device according to the invention is not required.

Another advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that a state of the energy supply of the device according to the invention is monitored. In particular, it is helpful in assessing the state of the power supply during operation of the device, output acoustic and / or optical signals depending on the state of the power supply.

In order simultaneously to be able to actuate one or more different groups of devices according to the invention, each of which has different selection signals, with a single remote control, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention proposes that the transmitter selectively transmits one of a plurality of preselectable selection signals, which in turn encodes could be. An operator can make the selection of the desired selection signal, for example, by a switch mounted in the remote control.

A further variant of the invention provides that when a holding part is fastened to the goods and / or when a fastening part is fastened to a preferably theft-proof attachment point, the monitoring is activated by closing a measuring loop formed by sensor means in the holding part or in the fastening part.

Another variant of the invention is characterized in that the securing part, in particular the holding part, via the connecting means with the central unit is connectable, and that when connecting the security part with the central unit monitoring for proper connection of the security part and the central unit is activated.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the measuring loop is opened in an attempt to separate the holding part from the goods or the fastening part from the fastening point or the holding part from the fastening part or the securing part from the central unit, in particular by separating the connecting means.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the measuring loop of the holding part and the measuring loop of the fastening part connected in series. The sensor means according to the invention are designed as electrical or optical sensor means, ohmic sensor means, for example in the form of metal foil-like conductor loops, are particularly advantageous.

It is also particularly advantageous if the holding part and / or the fastening part has an adhesive layer for fastening the holding part to the goods or for fastening the fastening part to the fastening point. The double-sided adhesive tape marketed by the company Beiersdorf under the trade name "Tesa Power Strip" has proved in practice to be particularly suitable for the abovementioned purposes. It is also conceivable to use other double-sided adhesive strips or the like.

For reliable detection of a theft, it is necessary that the adhesive layer adheres more strongly to the goods or to the attachment point than to the holding part or to the attachment part. Only then is it ensured that one of the measuring loops or both measuring loops are interrupted in a theft attempt.

For easier handling, it is provided in a further advantageous embodiment of the invention that the adhesive layer (s) has / have a grip tab. At this grip tab, the adhesive layer can be taken and thus easily removed from the goods or even from the holding part or the attachment point or the attachment part. For this purpose, it is particularly very advantageous if the double-sided adhesive tape can be removed from the goods without residues. In this case, it is also possible that the adhesive tape is reused.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the sensor means are at least partially integrated into the adhesive layer, so that the installation space required for the sensor means is reduced. For example, a portion of a measurement loop may be disposed directly on the adhesion layer, e.g. in the form of an electrically conductive graphite layer or a foil conductor arrangement.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the receiver is accommodated in the device according to the invention, in particular in the fastening part or in the central unit. Furthermore, it is expedient if the fastening part has a battery compartment, so that a power supply for the securing part, e.g. can be accommodated in the form of a battery directly in the security part.

A further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention proposes that the holding part has a first holding region and a second holding region, preferably a planar design, wherein the second holding region is made more flexible than the first holding region. This offers the possibility to adapt the holding part in the second holding area particularly well to round shapes of goods to be secured. The increased flexibility of the second holding region relative to the first holding region can be achieved, for example, by selecting a material thickness of the holding part in the second holding region to be smaller than a material thickness of the holding part in the first holding region. The material thickness in the first region is to be chosen sufficiently large to allow a stable attachment of the holding part to the securing part.

For attachment of the holding part to the fastening part, for example, a combined suspension and / or locking device and / or a coupling by means of a magnet conceivable that allows a releasable attachment. For an attractive presentation of a product attached to the holding part is possible. As soon as the goods are to be examined more closely by a customer, the holding part can be disengaged from the fastening part or unhooked or removed. For this purpose, the connecting means are particularly advantageously designed as cables, in particular as flat-ribbon cables.

So that the cable does not hang around in a presentation surface of the goods shelf when attaching the goods or the holding part to the fixing part, a retractor for the cable is provided in the securing part, by means of which the cable is rolled up when not in use in the securing part.

Figur 1

zeigt schematisch eine erste Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Sicherungsteils 1,

Figur 2

zeigt drei verschiedene Ausführungsformen 1a, 1b, 1c des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherungsteils 1,

Figur 3a

zeigt in einem teilweisen Querschnitt eine vergrößerte Seitenansicht des Sicherungsteils 1a aus Figur 2,

Figur 3b

zeigt in einem teilweisen Querschnitt eine vergrößerte Seitenansicht des Sicherungsteils 1b aus Figur 2,

Figur 3c

zeigt in einem teilweisen Querschnitt eine vergrößerte Seitenansicht des Sicherungsteils 1c aus Figur 2,

Figur 4

zeigt einen Ausschnitt aus einem Zustandsdiagramm, das eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherungsverfahrens wiedergibt, und

Figur 5

zeigt schematisch eine weitere Anwendungsmöglichkeit der Erfindung mit einer Zentraleinheit.

Other features, applications and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the figures of the drawing. All described or illustrated features, alone or in any combination form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency and regardless of their formulation or representation in the description or in the drawing.

FIG. 1

schematically shows a first embodiment of a security part 1 according to the invention,

FIG. 2

shows three different embodiments 1a, 1b, 1c of the securing part 1 according to the invention,

FIG. 3a

shows in a partial cross section an enlarged side view of the securing part 1a of Figure 2,

FIG. 3b

shows in a partial cross section an enlarged side view of the securing part 1b of Figure 2,

Figure 3c

shows in a partial cross section an enlarged side view of the securing part 1c of Figure 2,

FIG. 4

shows a detail of a state diagram, which represents an embodiment of the securing method according to the invention, and

FIG. 5

schematically shows another application of the invention with a central processing unit.

The fuse part 1 according to the invention schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 serves to secure goods, in particular against theft. The securing part 1 has a holding part 2 and a fastening part 3. The holding part 2 is connected via connecting means 4 with the fastening part 3. In the attachment part 3, a receiver 6 is housed, which can be acted upon by an operator using a transmitter 5.

The fastening part 3 serves for fastening the securing part 1 to an attachment point, preferably formed by a non-theft-risk object (not shown), for example a goods shelf or the like.

For this purpose, the fastening part 3 on an adhesive layer, not shown, which is formed from a double-sided adhesive tape. The double-sided adhesive tape is preferably the double-sided adhesive tape marketed by Beiersdorf under the trade name "Tesa Power Strip".

Integrated in the adhesive layer is also a measuring loop, not shown, which has a metal foil-like conductor arrangement. This measurement loop is interrupted as soon as, e.g. in a theft attempt, the fixing part 3 is released from the attachment point.

A sensor element with such an adhesive layer is described in German Utility Model DE 202 13 672.8 in detail.

It is possible to equip the fastening part 3 already in its manufacture with the intended for attachment to the attachment point adhesive layer. For this purpose, one side of the adhesive layer forming double-sided adhesive tape is aligned and adhered to the attachment part 3, that two or more connection points of the measuring loop provided in the adhesion contact corresponding connection points on the fastening part, so that the measuring loop of the fastening part is closed.

In a variant of the adhesive layer, the measuring loop is formed from a graphite-coated surface portion of the adhesive layer, which connects the connection points of the fastening part together (see DE 202 13 672.8). In this variant, it is particularly advantageous if the adhesive layer adheres more strongly to the attachment point than to the attachment part 3, so that in an attempt to remove the attachment part 3 from the attachment point, the measurement loop is reliably interrupted and as a result an alarm is triggered.

With the measures described above, a secure and monitored by means of the measuring loop on proper attachment connection of the fastening part 3 at the attachment point can be realized.

In the same way that is connected to the fastening part 3 via the connecting means 4 Holding part 2 with a commodity 200 connectable. The adhesive layer 2a (see FIG. 3a) used for this purpose advantageously also consists of a "tesa power strip" which contains a measuring loop or at least parts thereof which connects corresponding connection points (not shown) in the holding part 2 and thus the measuring loop of the holding part 2 closes when the adhesive layer 2a is adhered properly and correctly aligned on the holding part 2. Also, in the adhesive layer 2a of the holding part 2, it is expedient for the reasons mentioned above, if the adhesive layer 2a adheres more strongly to the fabric 200 than to the holding part 2. It is again referred to the German utility model DE 202 13 672.8.

In a variant of the invention, the measuring loops of the fastening part 3 and the holding part 2 are connected in series. An electrical connection of the two measuring loops or also the measuring loop of the holding part 2 with the fastening part 3 is ensured by the connecting means 4 designed as a ribbon cable. Both the interruption of one of the measuring loops or both measuring loops, as well as a severing of the ribbon cable then leads to a Älarmauslösung.

As can be seen from FIG. 3 a, in one embodiment of the invention the holding part 2 of the securing part 1 a has a first holding area 2 b and a second, areally formed second holding area 2 c. Due to a relatively large material thickness, the first holding region 2b has a high strength, which permits a secure fastening of the holding part 2 to the fastening part 3, for example via a combined suspension and / or latching mechanism and / or a coupling by means of a magnet.

The second holding portion 2 c of the holding part 2 has a smaller material thickness and is therefore flexible and elastically deformable, so that the holding part 2 in particular in The second holding portion 2c is optimally adapted to round surfaces of the fabric 200 (Figure 1) in order to maximize a to be provided with the adhesive layer 2a contact surface between the holding part 2 and the goods 200.

2, unlike the other securing parts 1b and 1c, the securing part 1a (see also FIG. 3a) has no connecting means 4 visible from the outside in the illustrated state.

It can be seen in FIG. 3a that the securing part 1a has a retracting device 9 arranged in the fastening part 3, which is loaded with a torsion spring (not shown) and allows the ribbon cable 4 to be rolled up in the securing part 1a, so that the flat cable 4 does not hang around freely while the holding part 2 is held by means of the hanging and locking mechanism or by means of the magnet in or on the fastening part 3.

Furthermore, the securing part 1a has a battery compartment 8 for receiving a battery, which is used as a power supply of the security part 1a. In addition to the battery compartment 8, a light emitting diode 7a and a piezoelectric transducer 7b is provided in the securing part 1a, the optical and / or audible alarms give off when a theft attempt has been detected.

In addition to the output of alarm signals signaled a certain flashing sequence of the LED 7a, when a permanently monitored during operation of the security device la state of charge of the battery (not shown) deteriorates, so that an operator is informed of the need for a pending battery change of the security device la.

A particularly high signal effect of the output from the light emitting diode 7a optical signals can be achieved, that the housing of the fastening part 3 is formed at least partially translucent, so that from within the Fastening part 3 arranged light emitting diode 7a emitted light is scattered by the translucent housing portions.

The adhesive layer 2a of the holding part 2 has a gripping tab 2d, on which the adhesive layer 2a can be gripped, for example, to be pulled off by an operator from the holding part 2 or from the goods 200 (FIG. 1). A detachment of the adhesive layer 2a is possible without residues and without damaging the respective adhesive surfaces. The adhesive layer of the fastening part 3 (not shown), which can be attached to the securing part 1a, for example, in the lower region of the fastening part 3, also has a grip tab.

With reference to the state diagram in FIG. 4, the fuse method according to the invention will be described below.

After the battery has been inserted by an operator into the battery compartment 8 (FIG. 3 a), the securing part 1 is initially in an ON state 100, cf. FIG. 4. In this switch-on state 100, at least the receiver 6 (FIG. 1) of the security part 1 is activated.

Subsequently, a selection signal is triggered by the operator shown in Figure 1, designed for example as a radio remote control transmitter 5 and transmitted from the transmitter 5 to the receiver 6, which is housed in the mounting part 3 of the security part 1 (Figures 1 and 3a) ,

The transmission of the selection signal is identified by the reference numeral 101 in FIG. 4 and places the securing part 1 in a connecting mode 110. At the same time, the receiver 6 stores the selection signal sent by the transmitter 5 in a memory, whereby the securing part 1 is assigned to the transmitter 5 or its selection signal becomes. In addition, the Receiver 6 of the security part 1 is disabled in step 111, in particular switched off, so that the power consumption of the security part 1 compared to the power-on state 100 is reduced. The deactivated state can be, for example, a so-called sleep mode in which only certain components of the receiver 6 are still switched on, but otherwise the majority of the components are switched off.

Once the security part 1 has entered the Anschließmodus 110, the holding part 2 of the security part 1 must be attached by the operator to the goods 200 and the attachment part 3 at the attachment point. As a result, the measuring loops located in the adhesive layers of the holding part 2 and the fastening part 3 are closed and the securing part 1 passes through the state transition 113 into a monitoring state 130.

If the respective adhesive layers have been previously attached to the security part 1, for example, already during the production of the security part 1, the security part 1 goes from the Anschließmodus 110 directly in the monitoring state 130, which also takes place via the state transition 113.

It is also possible for the security part 1 to go directly from the connection mode 110 in step 112 into an alarm state 120. This is the case if, after reaching the connection mode 110, the measuring loops are not closed within a predefinable waiting time. This prevents the locking part 1 from being put into the switch-on state 100 and then into the connect mode 110 by the operator, but then the measuring loop is no longer accidentally closed by the operator, so that the state transition 113 switches to the monitor state 130 and thus to a monitoring state Monitoring of the goods 200 does not take place.

The remaining waiting time before the fuse part 1 transitions to the alarm state 120 modulates an operating signal of the light emitting diode 7a and / or the piezoelectric transducer 7b, so that an operator can estimate how much time remains before the safety part 1 goes into the alarm state 120 , The modulation includes, for example, a change in the intensity or the frequency of the operating signal.

It is also possible to set the termination mode 110 e.g. indicated by a specific, constant flashing sequence of the LED 7a.

Via step 131, the security part 1 can change from the monitoring state 130 to the alarm state 120. This is usually the case when one of the measuring loops or both measuring loops are opened as part of a theft attempt or the connecting means 4, for example, the ribbon cable is separated.

The security part 1 initially remains in the alarm state 120. In this case, the receiver 6 of the security part 1 is activated in particular immediately after the transition to the alarm state 120, as indicated by step 121, cf. Figure 4, so that the securing part 1 in the alarm state 120 is ready to receive. Furthermore, in the alarm state 120, an optical and / or acoustic alarm is effected with the aid of the light-emitting diode 7a and / or the piezo sound transducer 7b.

A first possibility to end the alarm state 120 is that the operator with the transmitter 5 (Figure 1) again sends the one selection signal to the receiver 6 of the security part 1, with which the security part 1 of the already described power-on state 100 in the Anschließmodus 110 has been added. This selection signal is stored in the receiver 6 as explained.

If the stored selection signal is received by the receiver in the alarm state 120, then the security part 1 goes according to Reference numeral 122 (Figure 4) in a further state 180 via, which is not explained in detail and is representative of other possible operating states of the security part 1 in Figure 4 listed. In state 180, no alarm is issued. From state 180, a transition to a shutdown state 190 is possible. Further state transitions from the state 180 to the other operating states are not shown in FIG. The operating states mentioned can represent, for example, further functions of the security part 1 and are not described in the present case since they are not important for the security process according to the invention.

If the selection signal received by the receiver 6 of the security part 1 in the alarm state 120 does not match the selection signal already received in the on state 100, the security part 1 remains in the alarm state 120. Thus, only the operator can end the alarm state 120 that the transmitter 5 with the correct selection signal. An unintentional or even inadmissible termination of the alarm state 120 by third parties is thus prevented.

A second way to end the alarm state 120 is to remove the power supply from the fuse part 1 in step 123, so that the fuse part 1 goes into the off state 190. In the off state 190 no alarm is issued.

To ensure safe monitoring of the goods 200, the security part 1 is designed so that a removal of the power supply of the security part 1 is not possible without triggering an alarm, for example by interrupting the measuring loops of the security part 1. This ensures that an inadmissible Removing the power supply of the fuse parts 1, for example a theft attempt in any case leads to an alert.

In principle, by removing the power supply from each of the described states 100, 110, 120, 130, 180, the fuse part 1 can be put into the switch-off state 190. From the switch-off state 190, the security part 1 can also be put back into the switch-on state 100 by switching on the power supply 191.

It is particularly expedient, for example, to move the securing part 1 into the switch-off state 190 in step 102, and then into the switch-on state 100 via step 191. As a result, the selection signal stored in the memory of the security part 1 is deleted, so that the security part 1 can again receive and store a selection signal from a transmitter. In fact, when the shutdown state 190 is reached, the previously received selection signal is lost because it is stored in a volatile memory of the receiver whose memory contents are retained only with a permanent power supply. In this way, the security part 1 can be assigned very easily another selection signal.

In general, it is also possible that the transmitter 5 emits a coded selection signal in order to make it difficult to misuse the device according to the invention. In order nevertheless to be able to provide further transmitters 5 with the same selection signal, it is possible in one embodiment of the invention to transmit a selection signal from one transmitter 5 to another transmitter 5.

A significant advantage of the invention is that the receiver 6 of the security part 1 is deactivated upon reaching 101 of the connection mode 110 in step 111. This may preferably be a sleep mode. As a result, the power consumption of the security part is 1 lowered and the battery or energy supply is spared.

The deactivation 111 of the receiver 6 according to the invention brings with it a further significant advantage, which is particularly important when using a single transmitter 5 with a plurality of securing parts 1.

First, analogously to the operation with only one security part 1, it is possible to assign a plurality of security parts 1 as a group to the transmitter 5, which is possible by transmitting the selection signal of the transmitter 5 even for all security parts 1 at the same time, provided all the security parts 1 located in the reception area of the transmitter 5. Thereafter, all the security parts 1 can be transferred to the monitoring state 130 (Figure 4).

As soon as by a theft attempt one of the plurality of security parts 1 from the monitoring state 130 to the alarm state 120, the receiver 6 is activated (step 121), and located in the alarm state 120 security part 1 can by re-sending the selection signal with the transmitter 5 in the another state 180 are transferred to stop the alarm. It is very advantageous in this case that only the receiver 6 of the security part 1 affected by the theft attempt is active, while the receivers 6 of the security parts 1 still in the monitoring state 130 are deactivated. This eliminates the need, known from conventional security devices, to first detect and select the security part 1 located in the alarm state 120 before it can be set to state 180 by resending the selection signal. The selection of the affected by the theft attempt security part 1 from the plurality of security parts 1 takes place as it were automatically or implicitly by the fact that only his receiver 6 is activated, that is ready to receive.

The re-transmission of the selection signal described above does not affect the remaining security parts 1 still in the monitoring state 130. Thus, a very simple operation and a variety of security parts 1 with only one transmitter 5 or guaranteed with only one selection signal.

Instead of changing to the state 180, it is also possible that one of the security parts 1 also changes directly to the connect mode 110 or back to the monitor state 130 by again receiving the alarm state completion selection signal 120.

For a single security part 1, the following can be summarized:

After the security part 1 has been put into the on state 100, a specific selection signal is transmitted from the transmitter 5 to the receiver 6 provided in the security part 1 in order to assign the security part 1 to the transmitter 5 and to place the security part 1 in the connection mode 110. Thereafter, the receiver 6 is deactivated in the connection mode 110.

By deactivating 111 of the receiver 6, the power consumption of the security part 1 is reduced. In addition, the deactivation 111 prevents the securing part 1 from unintentionally receiving further selection signals.

After the security part 1 has been placed, for example by a theft attempt in the alarm state 120, the receiver 6 of the security part 1 is activated again to allow the reception of the specific selection signal again. With such a selection signal, the alarm state 120 can then be terminated.

The same applies to a group of security parts 1, for one or more security parts 1, which are connected to the central unit 10 (FIG. 5), as well as for a group of such central units 10.

Although the above description of the securing method according to the invention has been made with reference to the securing part 1, the explanations also apply to the embodiments 1a, 1b and 1c of the securing part 1 according to the invention shown in FIG.

It can be seen from FIG. 3 b that the securing part 1 b has no retracting device 9 (cf., FIG. 3 a) for the ribbon cable 4. Rather, the housing of the fastening part 3 of the securing part 1 b has an opening for the connecting means 4 designed as a ribbon cable, which connect the fastening part 3 to the retaining part 2. The further construction of the securing part 1b is identical to the structure of the securing part 1a.

In particular, the securing parts 1a and 1b at their attachment parts 3 each have an unspecified hanging and / or locking device and / or a coupling by means of a magnet for receiving or holding the holding part 2, in or on which the holding part 2 to Presentation and storage purposes can be suspended or attached. This situation is indicated by the fact that the securing parts 1a and 1b are shown in Figure 2 each with hinged holding part 2.

The securing part 1c has no hanging and locking device for receiving the holding part. However, it also has a holding part, which is not shown. The holding part of the securing part 1c (FIG. 3c) is connected to the fastening part 3 of the securing part 1c via the connecting means 4 designed as a ribbon cable. Since the holding part of the securing part 1 c is not in the

Fixing part 3 can be suspended, it is particularly well suited for securing large goods 200, which are anyway not attachable to the mounting part 3 due to their weight or their dimensions with the holding part, but, for. must be parked on a shelf space.

Depending on the variant 1a, 1b, 1c of the security part 1, the inner structure varies v.a. However, in each of the securing parts 1a, 1b, 1c, a translucent housing for increasing the signal effect of an output from the light emitting diode 7a optical signal and sound outlet openings in the region of the piezo-sound transducer 7b are provided.

Another application of the invention is shown in FIG. There, a plurality of securing parts 1 are present, which have at least in each case a holding part 2 and optionally also a fixing part 3. With the holding part 2, the goods to be secured 200 in the manner described on a suitably trained, double-sided adhesive tape connected (see German Utility Model DE 202 13 672.8).

In contrast, for example, to Figure 1, the holding parts 2 of Figure 5 are not connected via connecting means 4 with the respectively associated fastening part, but it is instead a respective connection cable 4 is provided, via which each of the holding parts 2 is connected to a central unit 10. This has the consequence that - as already indicated - not necessarily to each holding part 2 a fastening part 3 must be assigned, but that a holding part 2 may be provided without an associated fastening part 3. Furthermore, this has the consequence that the fastening part 3 - if present - only for attachment of the holding part 2 is used, but not to accommodate components for Alarmerkennung and / or alarm.

The central unit 10 has a plurality of sockets 12, in which the connection cable 4 can be inserted from the holding parts 2 by means of corresponding (not shown) plug. Each socket 12 represents a channel of the central unit 10. Furthermore, the central unit 10 has display means, in particular light-emitting diodes 11, wherein each channel of the central unit 10 is assigned a separate light-emitting diode 11. The components belonging to the individual channels of the central unit 10 are present several times in accordance with the number of channels.

The central unit 10 has a receiver 6, optical and / or acoustic alarm means 7a, 7b and a battery 8. These components are only present in a simple manner and correspond, for example, to the identical components of FIG. 1. Furthermore, according to FIG. 5, a transmitter 5 is provided which corresponds to the transmitter 5 of FIG.

The securing method according to the invention according to FIG. 4 can now also be used in the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 as follows.

By inserting the battery 8 in the central unit 10 of the on state 100 is reached. The receiver 6 in the central unit 10 is activated. By transmitting the selection signal from the transmitter 5 to the receiver 6, the central unit 10 is transferred to the connection mode 110. The receiver 6 of the central unit 6 is deactivated (step 111). In the connection mode 110, the plurality of securing parts 1 can be connected to the central unit 10 via the connecting lines 4. For this purpose - as already explained - a maximum waiting time can be predetermined, within which at least one channel of the central unit 10 has to be connected to a securing part 1. Thereafter, the CPU 10 transitions to the monitoring state 130. Alternatively, it is possible that the securing parts 1 are inserted in advance into the central unit 10, so that the Central unit 10 immediately goes into the monitoring state 130. If now one of the goods 200 to be secured is released from the associated holding part 2 or one of the connecting cables 4 is severed or one of the connecting cables 4 is pulled out of the central unit 10, this results in a transition of the central unit 10 into the alarm state 120. In the alarm state 120, an alarm is issued via the optical and / or acoustic alarm means 7a, 7b. In the alarm state 120, the receiver 6 of the central unit 10 is activated, so that the alarm can be switched off by a retransmission of the selection signal from the transmitter 5 to the receiver 6 and transferred to the state 180.

In contrast to the securing part 1, for example, of FIG. 1, the entire securing process of FIG. 4 is related to the central unit 10 in FIG. In the case of FIG. 5, the alarming in the alarm state 120 thus relates to the central unit 10, but not to a specific securing part of the plurality of securing parts 1 which are connected to the central unit 10. Which of the connected to the central unit 10 security parts 1 has actually triggered the alarm, resulting only from the individual channels associated light emitting diodes 11. For this purpose, in the central unit 10 includes another circuit or the like, with the help of which one LED 11 for display an alarm is turned on, in the associated security part 1 an alarm triggering operation (separation of the goods 200 of the holding part and / or interruption of the connection cable 4) has taken place.

The arrangement according to FIG. 5 can preferably be used if a plurality of central units 10 are present, to which in each case in each case a plurality of securing parts 1 are connected. The plurality of central processing units 10 may be used by different selection signals from different operators. In this case, a plurality of central units 10 al group can be assigned to a single operator. If an alarm is triggered by one of the plurality of security parts 1, only that operator can end the alarm, which is responsible for the associated central unit 10, to which the alarm-triggering security part 1 is connected. The operator can then accurately identify from the light-emitting diodes 11 which of the safety devices 1 connected to the central unit 10 has triggered the alarm.

Claims (68)

1. A method for securing a product (200) against theft, in which a security part (1) has a connected mode (110) for connecting the product (200) to the security part (1), wherein the security part (1) has a switched-on state (100), in which a receiver (6) that is disposed in the security part (1) is activated, in particular is switched on, and a switchover occurs from the switched-on state (100) to the connected mode (110) if the receiver (6) is acted upon by a transmitter (5).
2. The method as recited in Claim 1, wherein the security part (1) is placed in the switched-on state (100) if it is switched on, in particular, if it is connected to a power supply.
3. The method as recited in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the security part (1) in the connected mode (110) can be configured for a switchover to a monitoring state (130).
4. The method as recited in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiver (6) is deactivated, in particular is switched off, if the security part (1) switches to the connected mode (110).
5. The method as recited in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the security part (1) is switched from the connected mode (110) to an alarm state (120) if it has not been configured within a predetermined waiting period for a switchover to the monitoring state (130), and the receiver (6) is activated, in particular is switched on, if the security part (1) is switched to the alarm state (120).
6. The method as recited in Claim 3, wherein, in the monitoring state (130), an attempt at theft results in a switchover to an alarm state (120); in the monitoring state (130), the receiver (6) is deactivated, in particular is switched off; and the receiver (6) is activated, in particular is switched on, if the security part (1) is switched to the alarm state (120).
7. The method as recited in Claim 5 or 6, wherein the alarm state (120) is terminated if the receiver (6) is acted upon by the transmitter (5).
8. A method for an securing a product (200) against theft, in which a security part (1) is connected to a central unit (10) via a connecting means (4), and in which the central unit (10) has a connected mode (110) for connecting the product (200) to the security part (1), wherein the central unit (10) has a switched-on state (100), in which a receiver (6) that is disposed in the central unit (10) is activated, in particular switched on, and the switchover from the switched-on state (100) to the connected mode (110) is carried out if the receiver (6) is acted upon by a transmitter (5).
9. The method as recited in Claim 8, wherein the central unit (10) is switched to the switched-on state (100) if it is switched on, in particular, if it is connected to a power supply.
10. The method as recited in Claim 8 or 9, wherein the security part (1) and/or the central unit (10) in the connected mode (110) can be configured for a switchover to a monitoring state (130).
11. The method as recited in any of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the receiver (6) is deactivated, in particular is switched off, if the central unit (10) is switched to the connected mode (110).
12. The method as recited in any of Claims 8 to 11, wherein the central unit (10) is switched from the connected mode (110) to an alarm state (120) if the security part (1) and/or the central unit (10) has not been configured within a predetermined waiting period for a switchover to the monitoring state (130), and the receiver (6) is activated, in particular is switched on, if the central unit (10) is switched to the alarm state (120).
13. The method as recited in Claim 10, wherein, in the monitoring state (130), an attempt at theft results in a switchover to an alarm state (120); in the monitoring state (130), the receiver (6) is deactivated, in particular is switched off; and the receiver (6) is activated, in particular is switched on, if the central unit (10) is switched to the alarm state (120).
14. The method as recited in Claim 12 or 13, wherein the alarm state (120) is terminated if the receiver (6) is acted upon by the transmitter (5).
15. The method as recited in any of the preceding claims, wherein the transmitter (5) transmits a selection signal, which acts upon the receiver (6).
16. The method as recited in Claim 15, wherein the selection signal for terminating the alarm state (120) accords with the selection signal for switching to the connected mode (110).
17. The method as recited in Claim 15, wherein the alarm state (120) is not terminated if a selection signal that is received during the alarm state (120) is different from the selection signal received during the switched-on state (100).
18. The method as recited in any of Claims 15 to 17, wherein the selection signal is encrypted.
19. The method as recited in any of Claims 15 to 18, wherein the selection signal is stored in the receiver (6) in a volatile storage unit, preferably in RAM (random access memory).
20. The method as recited in any of Claims 15 to 19, wherein the security part (1) or the central unit (10) is sequentially switched off and on so as to transmit a selection signal to the security part (1).
21. The method as recited in any of Claims 15 to 20, wherein remote control, in particular radio remote control, is used for transmitting the selection signal from the transmitter (5) to the receiver (6).
22. The method as recited in any of Claims 15 to 21, wherein the selection signal is transmitted from a transmitter (5) to at least one other transmitter.
23. The method as recited in any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more operating states of the security part (1), or of the central unit (10), are indicated by an optical and/or acoustic signal.
24. The method as recited in Claim 23, wherein the optical and/or acoustic signal is modulated as a function of the remaining waiting period.
25. The method as recited in any of the preceding claims, wherein a state is monitored of a power supply of the security part (1), or of the central unit (10).
26. The method as recited in Claim 25, wherein an acoustic and/or optical signal is emitted as a function of the state of the power supply.
27. The method as recited in any of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of security parts (1), or a plurality of central units (10), are operated using a single transmitter (5).
28. The method as recited in any of the preceding claims, wherein the security part (1) has a support part (2) for attachment to the product (200), and during the attaching of the support part (2) to the product (200), a monitoring function of the support part (2) is activated to determine whether the attachment to the product (200) is normal.
29. The method as recited in Claim 28, wherein the security part (1) has an attachment part (3) that is connected to the support part (2) via a connecting means (4) for attachment to an attachment point that is preferably not subject to theft, and during the attaching of an attachment part (3) to the attachment point, a monitoring function of the attachment part (3) is activated to determine whether the attachment to the attachment point is normal.
30. The method as recited in any of Claim 28 or 29, wherein in attaching the support part (2) to the product (200) and/or the attachment part (3) to the attachment point, the monitoring function is activated by closing a measuring loop, that is formed by a sensor means, in the support part (2), or in the attachment part (3).
31. The method as recited in Claim 30, wherein the measuring loop is opened in response to the attempt to separate the support part (2) from the product (200) and/or the attachment part (3) from the attachment point and/or the support part (2) from the attachment part (3), in particular, by severing the connecting means (4).
32. The method as recited in Claim 28, wherein the security part (1), in particular the support part (2), can be connected to the central unit (10) via the connecting means (4), and in connecting the security part (1) to the central unit (10), a monitoring function is activated to determine whether the connection of the security part (1) and the central unit (10) is normal.
33. The method as recited in Claim 32, wherein during the attaching of the support part (2) to the product (200) and/or during the connecting of the security part (1) and the central unit (10), the monitoring function is activated by closing a measuring loop, that is formed by a sensor means, in the support part (2).
34. The method as recited in Claim 33, wherein the measuring loop is opened in response to the attempt to separate the support part (2) from the product (200) and/or the security part (1) from the central unit (10), in particular by severing the connecting means (4).
35. A device for securing a product (200) against theft, whereby a security part (1) has a connected mode (110) for connecting the product (200) to the security part (1), wherein the security part (1) has a switched-on state (100), in which a receiver (6) that is disposed in the security part (1) is activated, in particular is switched on, and the receiver (6) in the connected mode (110) is deactivated, in particular is switched off.
36. The device as recited in Claim 35, wherein the security part (1) has a monitoring state (130), in which an attempt at theft results in a switchover of the security part (1) to an alarm state (120); and in the monitoring state (130) the receiver (6) is deactivated, in particular is switched off, and in the alarm state (120) it is activated, in particular is switched on.
37. The device as recited in Claim 36, wherein the security part (1) in the connected mode (110) can be configured for a switchover to the monitoring state (130).
38. The device for securing a product (200) against theft, whereby a security part (1) is connected to a central unit (10) via a connecting means (4), and whereby the central unit (10) has a connected mode (110) for connecting the product (200) to the security part (1), wherein the central unit (10) has a switched-on state (100), in which a receiver (6) that is disposed in the central unit (10) is activated, in particular is switched on; and the receiver (6) in the connected mode (110) is deactivated, in particular is switched off.
39. The device as recited in Claim 38, wherein the central unit (10) has a monitoring state (130), in which an attempt at theft results in a switchover of the central unit (10) to an alarm state (120), and in the monitoring state (130) the receiver (6) is deactivated, in particular is switched off, and in the alarm state (120) it is activated, in particular is switched on.
40. The device as recited in Claim 39, wherein the security part (1) and/or the central unit (10) in the connected mode (110) can be configured for a switchover to the monitoring state (130).
41. The device as recited in any of Claims 35 to 40, wherein the security part (1) has a support part (2) for attachment to the product (200).
42. The device as recited in Claim 41, wherein a monitoring function can be activated by attaching the support part (2) to the product (200).
43. The device as recited in any of Claims 41 or 42, wherein the security part (1) has an attachment part (3) that is connected to the support part (2) via a connecting means (4) for attachment at an attachment point that is preferably not subject to theft.
44. The device as recited in Claim 43, wherein a monitoring function can be activated by attaching the attachment part (3) at the attachment point.
45. The device as recited in any of Claims 41 or 42, wherein the security part (1) is connected to the central unit (10) by a connecting means (4), and a monitoring function is activated by connecting the security part (1) and the central unit (10).
46. The device as recited in any of Claims 35 to 45, wherein a transmitter (5) that is configured as a remote control, in particular as radio remote control, is provided for acting upon the receiver (6).
47. The device as recited in any of Claims 35 to 46, wherein the security part (1), or the central unit (10), has a preferably volatile storage unit, preferably a RAM (random access memory) storage unit, for storing a selection signal.
48. The device as recited in any of Claims 35 to 47, wherein the security part (1), or the central unit (10), has optical and/or acoustic signal transmitters (7).
49. The device as recited in Claim 48, wherein the optical signal transmitters are configured as light-emitting diodes (7a).
50. The device as recited in Claim 48 or 49, wherein the acoustic signal transmitters are configured as piezo sound transformers (7b).
51. The device as recited in any of Claims 35 to 50, wherein a housing of the security part (1) and/or of the central unit (10) is at least partially translucent or transparent.
52. The device as recited in any of Claims 35 to 51, wherein the support part (2) and/or the attachment part (3) has a measuring loop that is formed by a sensor means.
53. The device as recited in Claim 52, wherein the measuring loop of the support part (2) and the measuring loop of the attachment part (3) are connected in series.
54. The device as recited in any of Claims 52 or 53, wherein the measuring loop(s) can be separated in response to the attempt to separate the support part (2) from the product (200) or the attachment part (3) from the attachment point or the support part (2) from the attachment part (3), in particular by severing the connecting means (4).
55. The device as recited in any of Claims 52 to 54, wherein the sensor means are configured as electrical sensor means, in particular as ohmic ones, preferably including metal-foil-type conductor loops, or as capacitive or optical sensor means.
56. The device as recited in any of Claims 35 to 55, wherein the support part (2), or the attachment part (3), has an adhesive coating (2a) for attaching to the support part (2) or to the product (200), or for attaching the attachment part (3) at the attachment point, said adhesive layer coating preferably being composed of a double-sided adhesive band.
57. The device as recited in Claim 56, wherein as a double-sided adhesive band the adhesive band is used that is sold by the Beiersdorf Company under the commercial name "Tesa Power Strip."
58. The device as recited in Claim 56 or 57, wherein the adhesive coating (2a) adheres more strongly to the product (200), or to the attachment point, than to the support part (2), or to the attachment part (3).
59. The device as recited in any of Claims 56 to 58, wherein the adhesive coating(s) (2a) has/have a clasp bar (2d).
60. The device as recited in any of Claims 52 to 59, wherein the sensor means are at least partially integrated in the adhesive coating (2a).
61. The device as recited in any of Claims 43 to 60, wherein the receiver (6) is accommodated in the attachment part (3), or in the central unit (10).
62. The device as recited in any of Claims 43 to 61, wherein a battery compartment (8) is provided in the attachment part (3), or in the central unit (10).
63. The device as recited in any of Claims 41 to 62, wherein the support part (2) has a first support area (2b) and a -- preferably planar -- second support area (2c), whereby the second support area (2c) is more flexible than the first support area (2b).
64. The device as recited in Claim 63, wherein a material thickness in the first support area (2b) is greater than a material thickness in the second support area (2c).
65. The device as recited in any of Claims 43 to 64, wherein the attachment part (3) has a roll-up device (9).
66. The device as recited in any of Claims 43 to 65, wherein the connecting means (4) are configured as a cable, in particular as a flat band cable.
67. The device as recited in any of Claims 43 to 66, wherein the attachment part (3) can be hooked and/or latched in the support part (2).
68. The device as recited in any of Claims 43 to 67, wherein the attachment part (3) and the support part (2) can be coupled using a magnet.

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