Patents Assigned to InVue Security Products Inc.
  • Patent number: 12205457
    Abstract: A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Fawcett, Jeffrey A. Grant, Dennis D. Belden, Jr., Ronald M. Marsilio, Ian R. Scott
  • Patent number: 12183136
    Abstract: Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of locks configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of locks configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more mobile computing devices. Each of the plurality of locks is configured to establish communication with one or more of the mobile computing devices using a first communication protocol. Each of the plurality of locks is configured to subsequently communicate with one or more of the mobile computing devices using a second communication protocol, different than the first communication protocol, for identifying one or more of the plurality of locks to be unlocked. The one or more of the plurality of locks identified by the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to be unlocked in response to subsequently communicating with the one or more of the plurality of locks using the first communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Helman, Jeffrey A. Grant, Wesley J. Blanchard, Steven R. Bohon
  • Patent number: 12170007
    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 articles of merchandise on display in a retail store and at least one machine learning camera configured to capture images of one or more of the articles of merchandise for detecting information regarding the articles of merchandise, making predictions based on such information, and providing notifications based on such information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Christopher J. Fawcett, Laura Abbott Lynch, Gary A. Taylor, David N. Berglund, James Richard Terrell, II
  • Patent number: 12167801
    Abstract: A merchandise display hook and method for dispensing one or more items of merchandise from a merchandise display hook and/or for loading one or more items of merchandise onto the display hook are provided. The display hook may include at least one rod configured to be mounted to a display fixture and to receive one or more items of merchandise thereon. The display hook may also include a helix disposed about the rod and extending at least partially along a length of the rod. The helix is configured to rotate in a dispensing direction for dispensing the one or more items of merchandise from the rod and/or an opposite loading direction for loading the one or more items of merchandise onto the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Berglund, Erik L van Bergen, Christopher J. Fawcett, Jeffrey A. Hendren, A. Reneau Van Landingham, Jr., Matthew Thomas Kerley
  • Patent number: 12165483
    Abstract: Security systems and methods for protecting retail display merchandise from theft are provided. For example, a security system includes a sensor configured to removably engage an input port of an item of merchandise, 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 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 not within a predetermined range, and wherein the monitoring component and/or the sensor is configured to initiate a security signal in response to the sensor being removed from the input port of the item of merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Phillips, Michael R. Johnston, Jeffrey A. Grant, Gary A. Taylor, William B. Howell
  • Patent number: 12159519
    Abstract: Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of security devices arranged in a wireless network, wherein the plurality of security devices are arranged in a planogram and each configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of security devices configured to wirelessly communicate data with a remote device. The system also includes a plurality of electronic keys arranged in the wireless network and configured to wirelessly communicate data with the plurality of security devices and/or the remote device. Each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to operate the plurality of security devices. The system also includes a gateway configured to receive the data from the plurality of security devices and electronic keys via wireless communication, wherein the gateway is configured to communicate the data to the remote computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Baker, Gary A. Taylor, Steven R. Bohon, Jeffrey A. Grant, Christopher J. Fawcett, James Richard Terrell, II
  • Patent number: 12159517
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Burtness, Jonathon D. Phillips, Michael R. Johnston, Jeffrey A. Grant, Gary A. Taylor, William B. Howell
  • Patent number: 12148273
    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: January 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Michael R. Johnston, Jonathon D. Phillips
  • Patent number: 12134918
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise display systems and methods for displaying an article of merchandise. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise. The system also includes a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon. The base includes a lock mechanism configured to lock the sensor to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Berglund, Brent E. Van Camp
  • Patent number: 12046113
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems 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. Each of the security devices further includes a base for removably supporting the sensor and the article of merchandise thereon. The system also includes a controller in communication with each of the security devices, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with a remote device to lock at least one of the security devices such that the article of merchandise and the sensor cannot be removed from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventor: James K. Sankey
  • Patent number: 12016473
    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 configured to generate a security signal in response to removal of the sensor from the article of merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A Grant, Jonathon D. Phillips, Gary A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 12012776
    Abstract: Security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a security system includes at least one lock configured to protect one or more items from theft from a fixture, and a strike plate configured to be mounted to the fixture. The lock comprises a plunger pin configured to be moved between a locked state when in engagement with the strike plate and an unlocked state when disengaged from the strike plate, and the lock comprises a cam configured to move the plunger pin between the locked state and the unlocked state. The lock is configured to be moved between a latched position and an unlatched position while the lock is in the unlocked state, the fixture configured to be accessed in the unlatched position, and the strike plate is configured to move relative to the lock to align the lock with the strike plate when the lock is moved from the unlatched position to the latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley J. Blanchard, Christopher Richard Helman
  • Patent number: 12012781
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security devices, systems, and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the merchandise security system includes a security device comprising a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise, a cable configured to releasably engage the sensor, and a lock mechanism configured to releasably lock the cable to the sensor in a locked position. The cable is removable from the sensor when the lock mechanism is in an unlocked position. The system also includes a remote device configured to wirelessly communicate with the security device, wherein the remote device is configured to transmit a command to the security device for locking or unlocking the lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Kyle Baker, Gary A. Taylor, David N. Berglund
  • Patent number: 12012777
    Abstract: Security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a security system includes at least one lock configured to protect one or more items from theft from the fixture, wherein the lock comprises a plunger pin configured to be moved between a latched position and an unlatched position, and wherein the fixture is configured to be accessed in the unlatched position. The lock comprises a cam configured to be moved between a locked state and an unlocked state for allowing the plunger pin to be moved between the latched position and the unlatched position when in the unlocked state, wherein the cam is configured to be moved in response to receiving a wireless authorization signal to transition the lock between the locked state and the unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Evan Wood, Wesley J. Blanchard, Matthew Kepner
  • Patent number: 11994250
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    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: 11972668
    Abstract: Security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a security system includes at least one lock configured to protect one or more items from theft from the fixture, wherein the lock comprises a drive shaft configured to be moved between a latched position and an unlatched position, the fixture configured to be accessed in the unlatched position. The lock is configured to be moved between a locked state and an unlocked state for allowing the drive shaft to be moved between the latched position and the unlatched position when in the unlocked state, wherein the lock includes a cam sleeve having an internal cam surface configured to transition the lock between the locked state and the unlocked state in response to movement of the cam sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Evan Wood, Wesley J. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 11908292
    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 sensor includes at least one electrical contact and an inductive coil, and the base includes at least one electrical contact and driving electronics for the inductive coil. The sensor is configured to transfer power inductively to the item of merchandise when the at least one electrical contact of the sensor contacts the at least one electrical contact of the base to thereby allow the driving electronics to energize the inductive coil, wherein the sensor is configured to cease transferring power to the item of merchandise when the sensor is lifted off of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Taylor, David N. Berglund
  • Patent number: 11885155
    Abstract: A cabinet lock for protecting merchandise within a merchandise display cabinet having an inner door and an outer door. The cabinet lock includes a strike plate affixed to the inner door and a lock housing affixed to the outer door such that the cabinet is in a locked configuration that prevents access to the merchandise when the lock housing is operably engaged to the strike plate. A programmable electronic key communicates a security code with the cabinet lock and transfers electrical power to the cabinet lock to operate a lock mechanism between the locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. An indicator is provided for indicating whether the cabinet lock is in the locked configuration or the unlocked configuration. The indicator includes a first segment and a second segment that can be energized to visually indicate the status of the cabinet lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A Grant, David N. Berglund, Hrishikesh P. Gogate, Justin A. Richardson, William W. Warren, Andrew W. Moock
  • Patent number: 11869320
    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, wherein the sensor includes an electrical connector. The security system also includes a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon, wherein the base includes an electronics module having a connector. The connector of the sensor and the connector of the electronics module are configured to electrically connect with one another when the sensor is supported on the base, and the sensor is configured to detect unauthorized removal of the item of merchandise from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Helman, Kyle Baker, Jonathon D. Phillips, Daniel G. Dugas, Michael R. Johnston, Daniel C. Symons, A. Reneau Van Landingham, Jr., Eric Brutke
  • Patent number: 11864335
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, devices, lockable enclosures, and methods for data centers. In one example, a lockable enclosure for a data drive is provided. The lockable enclosure includes a housing configured to retain a first data drive and a latch contained within the housing and configured to receive a second data drive, wherein the latch is configured to move within the housing for dispensing the first data drive from the housing while the second data drive remains secured therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: InVue Security Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Fawcett, Jeffrey A. Grant, David N. Berglund, Gary A. Taylor