Patents by Inventor Michael R Johnston

Michael R Johnston 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: 20240112554
    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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    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: 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
  • Publication number: 20230394937
    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: August 17, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin A. Burtness, Jonathon D. Phillips, Michael R. Johnston, Jeffrey A. Grant, Gary A. Taylor, William B. Howell
  • Publication number: 20230355009
    Abstract: A sensor for a merchandise display security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise is provided. The security system includes a merchandise bracket configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and a sensor configured to releasably engage the merchandise bracket and to detect unauthorized removal of the merchandise bracket or the sensor from the article of merchandise. The sensor is configured to be releasably engaged with the merchandise bracket such that the sensor is removable from the merchandise bracket while the merchandise bracket remains secured to the article of merchandise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael R. Johnston, Robert Schultz, David N. Berglund, Robert O. Hartweg
  • Publication number: 20230306829
    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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Phillips, Michael R. Johnston, Jeffrey A. Grant, Gary A. Taylor, William B. Howell
  • Patent number: 11749076
    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: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: In Vue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Burtness, Jonathon D. Phillips, Michael R. Johnston, Jeffrey A. Grant, Gary A. Taylor, William B. Howell
  • Patent number: 11737582
    Abstract: A sensor for a merchandise display security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise is provided. The security system includes a merchandise bracket configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and a sensor configured to releasably engage the merchandise bracket and to detect unauthorized removal of the merchandise bracket or the sensor from the article of merchandise. The sensor is configured to be releasably engaged with the merchandise bracket such that the sensor is removable from the merchandise bracket while the merchandise bracket remains secured to the article of merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Johnston, Robert Schultz, David N. Berglund, Robert O. Hartweg
  • Patent number: 11694527
    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: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Phillips, Michael R. Johnston, Jeffrey A. Grant, Gary A. Taylor, William B. Howell
  • Publication number: 20230169835
    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: January 26, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Michael R. Johnston, Jonathon D. Phillips
  • Patent number: 11568721
    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 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Michael R. Johnston, Jonathon D. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20220392323
    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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    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: 11450185
    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: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    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
  • Publication number: 20220287478
    Abstract: A sensor for a merchandise display security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise is provided. The security system includes a merchandise bracket configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and a sensor configured to releasably engage the merchandise bracket and to detect unauthorized removal of the merchandise bracket or the sensor from the article of merchandise. The sensor is configured to be releasably engaged with the merchandise bracket such that the sensor is removable from the merchandise bracket while the merchandise bracket remains secured to the article of merchandise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Michael R. Johnston, Robert Schultz, David N. Berglund, Robert O. Hartweg
  • Publication number: 20220270452
    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: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin A. Burtness, Jonathon D. Phillips, Michael R. Johnston, Jeffrey A. Grant, Gary A. Taylor, William B. Howell
  • Patent number: 11259653
    Abstract: A sensor for a merchandise display security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise is provided. The security system includes a merchandise bracket configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and a sensor configured to releasably engage the merchandise bracket and to detect unauthorized removal of the merchandise bracket or the sensor from the article of merchandise. The sensor is configured to be releasably engaged with the merchandise bracket such that the sensor is removable from the merchandise bracket while the merchandise bracket remains secured to the article of merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Johnston, Robert Schultz, David N. Berglund, Robert O. Hartweg
  • Publication number: 20210183220
    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: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    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
  • Publication number: 20210161313
    Abstract: A sensor for a merchandise display security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise is provided. The security system includes a merchandise bracket configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and a sensor configured to releasably engage the merchandise bracket and to detect unauthorized removal of the merchandise bracket or the sensor from the article of merchandise. The sensor is configured to be releasably engaged with the merchandise bracket such that the sensor is removable from the merchandise bracket while the merchandise bracket remains secured to the article of merchandise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Michael R. Johnston, Robert Schultz, David N. Berglund, Robert O. Hartweg
  • Publication number: 20210166535
    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 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, Michael R. Johnston, Jonathon D. Phillips
  • Patent number: 10918224
    Abstract: A sensor for a merchandise display security system for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise is provided. The security system includes a merchandise bracket configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and a sensor configured to releasably engage the merchandise bracket and to detect unauthorized removal of the merchandise bracket or the sensor from the article of merchandise. The sensor is configured to be releasably engaged with the merchandise bracket such that the sensor is removable from the merchandise bracket while the merchandise bracket remains secured to the article of merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Johnston, Robert Schultz, David N. Berglund, Robert O. Hartweg
  • Patent number: 10858863
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to merchandise security devices, systems, and methods for protecting an item of merchandise from theft. For example, a merchandise security device may include a lock configured to be secured to a merchandise fixture and a strike plate configured to be secured to the merchandise fixture. The lock includes an actuator configured to extend into operable engagement with the strike plate in a locked state and to retract out of operable engagement with the strike plate in an unlocked state. In addition, the actuator includes a curved portion at its free end and a straight portion extending from the curved portion, and the strike plate is configured to receive the entire curved portion in the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Johnston, Jeffrey A. Grant, Gary A. Taylor, David N. Berglund, Karen Bellum Bomber