Patents by Inventor Jonathon D. Phillips

Jonathon D. Phillips has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180286196
    Abstract: In one example, a connector assembly for providing security to an article of merchandise is provided. The connector assembly includes a cord having a plurality of conductors and a body portion connected to the cord. The connector assembly also includes connection portion engaged with the body portion and including a plurality of engagement members. Each of the engagement members is electrically connected to a respective conductor in the cord, and the connection portion is configured to engage the article of merchandise to thereby electrically connect the engagement members to one another for establishing a sense loop through the conductors in the cord. Interruption of the sense loop is indicative of a security event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Phillips, Gary A. Taylor, Christopher J. Fawcett, Eric Brutke
  • Patent number: 10078945
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to security systems for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal. For example, the security system may include a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise and a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon. The base includes a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. The security system also includes a controller operably coupled to the base and a key configured to wirelessly communicate with the base and/or controller. The sensor is configured to wirelessly communicate with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Jonathon D. Phillips, Gary A. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20180261058
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise, wherein the sensor includes alarming circuitry. The system also includes a tether comprising a pair of conductors electrically connected to the alarming circuitry, wherein the pair of conductors is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or to the article of merchandise. In response to power ceasing to be transferred, the alarming circuitry is configured to monitor an electrical signal transmitted through the pair of conductors in order to determine whether the tether has been cut or removed from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Justin A. Richardson, Jonathon D. Phillips, Gary A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10043356
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise, wherein the sensor includes alarming circuitry. The system also includes a tether comprising a pair of conductors electrically connected to the alarming circuitry, wherein the pair of conductors is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or to the article of merchandise. In response to power ceasing to be transferred, the alarming circuitry is configured to monitor an electrical signal transmitted through the pair of conductors in order to determine whether the tether has been cut or removed from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Justin A. Richardson, Jonathon D. Phillips, Gary A. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20180197389
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to security systems for securing an item of merchandise from theft. For example, the security system may include a sensor configured to be secured to the item of merchandise and a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon. The security system also includes a cable configured to be connected to the sensor and a swivel switch at one of the cable for operably engaging the item of merchandise. The item of merchandise may be configured to rotate relative to the swivel switch, and actuation of the swivel switch may be indicative of a security event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Daniel G. Dugas, David N. Berglund, Kyle Baker, Jonathon D. Phillips, Glen A. Kruse
  • Publication number: 20180182216
    Abstract: Security systems and methods for protecting retail display merchandise from theft are provided. For example, a security system includes a sensor configured to be secured to an item of merchandise, and a monitoring component configured to wirelessly communicate with the sensor, wherein the monitoring component and the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine a proximity of the item of merchandise relative to the monitoring component, wherein the monitoring component and/or the sensor is configured to initiate a security signal when the proximity between the monitoring component and the sensor is within a predetermined range or distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Jonathon D. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20180174410
    Abstract: Security systems and methods configured for use with an item of merchandise for retail display include a housing, at least one sensor carried by the housing and at least one output device carried by the housing. The security system further includes a controller carried by the housing and operably coupled to the sensor and to the output device. The controller is operable to determine a distance traveled by the item of merchandise from a retail display “home” position based upon a sensor input from the sensor, and to activate the output device based upon the distance traveled by the item of merchandise exceeding a threshold distance. The controller may utilize the at least one sensor in conjunction with an inertial navigation system (INS) and motion processing algorithms or techniques to determine the distance traveled by the item of merchandise from the retail display “home” position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Michael R. Johnston, Jonathon D. Phillips
  • Patent number: 10002505
    Abstract: Security systems and methods configured for use with an item of merchandise for retail display include a housing, at least one sensor carried by the housing and at least one output device carried by the housing. The security system further includes a controller carried by the housing and operably coupled to the sensor and to the output device. The controller is operable to determine a distance traveled by the item of merchandise from a retail display “home” position based upon a sensor input from the sensor, and to activate the output device based upon the distance traveled by the item of merchandise exceeding a threshold distance. The controller may utilize the at least one sensor in conjunction with an inertial navigation system (INS) and motion processing algorithms or techniques to determine the distance traveled by the item of merchandise from the retail display “home” position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Michael R. Johnston, Jonathon D. Phillips
  • Patent number: 9972178
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise, wherein the sensor includes alarming circuitry. The system also includes a tether comprising a pair of conductors electrically connected to the alarming circuitry, wherein the pair of conductors is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or to the article of merchandise. In response to power ceasing to be transferred, the alarming circuitry is configured to monitor an electrical signal transmitted through the pair of conductors in order to determine whether the tether has been cut or removed from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Justin A. Richardson, Jonathon D. Phillips, Gary A. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20180087710
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for protecting a portable electronic device from theft or unauthorized removal in a retail environment is provided. The anti-theft device includes a shroud configured to at least partially receive and engage a portable electronic device. The anti-theft device also includes a dock configured to releasably engage the shroud. The dock is configured to engage the shroud in a locked configuration so as to prevent removal of the shroud and the portable electronic device from the dock and to disengage the shroud in an unlocked configuration so as to allow the shroud and the portable electronic device to be removed from the dock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Phillips, Antonios L. Karagiannis, Mark D. Reeves, Matthew Thomas Kerley, John A. Buchanan, Daniel C. Symons, Darin J. Shaw, Joshua Abdollahzadeh, Scott M. Speck, Erik L. van Bergen, Larry T. McKinney
  • Patent number: 9928703
    Abstract: Security systems and methods configured for use with an item of merchandise for retail display include a housing, at least one sensor carried by the housing and at least one output device carried by the housing. The security system further includes a controller carried by the housing and operably coupled to the sensor and to the output device. The controller is operable to determine a distance traveled by the item of merchandise from a retail display “home” position based upon a sensor input from the sensor, and to activate the output device based upon the distance traveled by the item of merchandise exceeding a threshold distance. The controller may utilize the at least one sensor in conjunction with an inertial navigation system (INS) and motion processing algorithms or techniques to determine the distance traveled by the item of merchandise from the retail display “home” position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Michael R. Johnston, Jonathon D. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20180061197
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to security systems for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal. For example, the security system may include a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise and a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon. The base includes a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. The security system also includes a controller operably coupled to the base and a key configured to wirelessly communicate with the base and/or controller. The sensor is configured to wirelessly communicate with the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Jonathon D. Phillips, Gary A. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20180047263
    Abstract: Security systems and methods for protecting portable electronic devices from theft are provided. For example, a security system includes a sensor configured to be secured to a portable electronic device, and a monitoring component configured to wirelessly communicate with the sensor and to removably support the sensor thereon, wherein the monitoring component and the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine a proximity of the portable electronic device relative to the monitoring component, wherein the monitoring component and/or the sensor is configured to initiate a security signal when the proximity between the monitoring component and the sensor is not within a predetermined range. The sensor and the monitoring component are configured to communicate with one another for initially setting the predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin A. Burtness, Jonathon D. Phillips, Michael R. Johnston, Jeffrey A. Grant, Gary A. Taylor, William B. Howell
  • Publication number: 20180035827
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, devices, and methods for displaying and securing articles of merchandise. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of security devices, wherein each of the security devices includes a sensor configured to be attached to an article of merchandise. The system also includes at least one controller configured to communicate with each of the articles of merchandise in order to obtain data from the articles of merchandise. The controller and/or each of the security devices is configured to generate a security signal in response to removal of the sensor from the article of merchandise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Jonathon D. Phillips, Gary A. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20170372543
    Abstract: Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of electronic keys and a plurality of merchandise security devices located within a retail store. Each electronic key and each merchandise security device is configured to store one or more serial numbers. In addition, each electronic key is configured to be authorized for communication with one or more merchandise security devices within the retail store. An electronic key is configured to communicate with a merchandise security device for locking, unlocking, arming, and/or disarming the merchandise security device when the serial numbers match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Jonathon D. Phillips, Christopher J. Fawcett, Karen Bellum Bomber, Larry T. McKinney, William M. Warren
  • Publication number: 20170330432
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise, wherein the sensor includes alarming circuitry. The system also includes a tether comprising a pair of conductors electrically connected to the alarming circuitry, wherein the pair of conductors is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or to the article of merchandise. In response to power ceasing to be transferred, the alarming circuitry is configured to monitor an electrical signal transmitted through the pair of conductors in order to determine whether the tether has been cut or removed from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Justin A. Richardson, Jonathon D. Phillips, Gary A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9811988
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to security systems for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal. For example, the security system may include a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise and a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon. The base includes a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. The security system also includes a controller operably coupled to the base and a key configured to wirelessly communicate with the base and/or controller. The sensor is configured to wirelessly communicate with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Jonathon D. Phillips, Gary A. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20170301198
    Abstract: Security systems and methods configured for use with an item of merchandise for retail display include a housing, at least one sensor carried by the housing and at least one output device carried by the housing. The security system further includes a controller carried by the housing and operably coupled to the sensor and to the output device. The controller is operable to determine a distance traveled by the item of merchandise from a retail display “home” position based upon a sensor input from the sensor, and to activate the output device based upon the distance traveled by the item of merchandise exceeding a threshold distance. The controller may utilize the at least one sensor in conjunction with an inertial navigation system (INS) and motion processing algorithms or techniques to determine the distance traveled by the item of merchandise from the retail display “home” position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Michael R. Johnston, Jonathon D. Phillips
  • Patent number: 9747766
    Abstract: A merchandise sensor for protecting an item of merchandise displayed on a merchandise display security device from theft includes sensor electronics and a sensor element operably coupled to the sensor electronics. The sensor element provides an output value in an initial stable state before an interaction state and in a subsequent stable state following the interaction state. The sensor electronics compares the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state and the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state to determine whether a change in the output value indicates an alarm condition. In the event that the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state is not within a predetermined tolerance bandwidth of the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state, the sensor electronics activates an alarm in response to the alarm condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Fawcett, Jeffrey A. Grant, Jonathon D. Phillips, Gary A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9728054
    Abstract: Security systems and methods configured for use with an item of merchandise for retail display include a housing, at least one sensor carried by the housing and at least one output device carried by the housing. The security system further includes a controller carried by the housing and operably coupled to the sensor and to the output device. The controller is operable to determine a distance traveled by the item of merchandise from a retail display “home” position based upon a sensor input from the sensor, and to activate the output device based upon the distance traveled by the item of merchandise exceeding a threshold distance. The controller may utilize the at least one sensor in conjunction with an inertial navigation system (INS) and motion processing algorithms or techniques to determine the distance traveled by the item of merchandise from the retail display “home” position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Michael R. Johnston, Jonathon D. Phillips