WO1993011514A1

WO1993011514A1 - Modified and additional devices for securing/surveilling objects

Info

Publication number: WO1993011514A1
Application number: PCT/DK1992/000365
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeppe Forchhammer
Original assignee: Jeppe Forchhammer
Priority date: 1991-12-04
Filing date: 1992-12-03
Publication date: 1993-06-10
Also published as: DK195991A; AU3082092A; DK195991D0

Abstract

Devices (herein designated and comprising sensor, cable and connecting) for securing/surveilling displayed/exhibited or stored objects/articles. Said sensor means are releasably attached to the objects to be secured. Said sensor means are connected via said connecting means to a circuit (herein designated sensor-circuit), by means of a straight or coiled cable. One embodiment utilises at least three poles in said cable and connecting means. Another embodiment utilises at least four poles in said cable and connecting means. In further embodiments said sensor means comprises at least two sensor elements. In further embodiments more than one of said sensor means are connected to one cable. In further embodiments the secured/surveilled objects are supplied with electrical power via the devices. In further embodiments the devices further comprise communication circuits.

Description

Modified and Additional Devices forSecurinq/Surveillinα Objects.

The invention relates to devices for securing/surveilling displayed/ex- 5 hibited or stored objects/articles. The devices (designated and comprising sensor, cable and connecting) are releasably attached to the objects to be secured:

1. either by a cable originating in the sensor and connecting said sensor to a circuit (designated sensor-circuit), so that said cable, preferably

10 arranged as a loop and originating in said sensor, continues around the secured object and back through e.g. a hole in said sensor to terminate via connecting means in said circuit, said circuit usually being placed in proximity to the secured object;

2. or by a sensor having a sensor element said sensor being releasably 15 attached to the secured object by means of e.g. double sided adhesive tape said sensor being connected to a sensor circuit by a cable originating in said sensor and terminating in said circuit via connecting means. Thus the secured object can not be moved further away from its location than the length of the cable permits.

20 It is thus achieved that e.g. a displayed item in a retail store, secured by a sensor with a suitable length of cable, may be handled without either customers or personnel feeling insecure about the situation.

If a sensor is tampered with or removed from the secured object, if the cable is short circuited or broken or if the connector is removed, a

25 change in electrical state is caused, said change enabling a desired reac¬ tion e.g. an alarm.

Figures 1 to 5 and the following material concerning "Securi-Link" & "Safety-Net" (reg. trademark) serves to describe the current technology. 30 The following patent document may be emphasised: DT 2412145.

The herein described devices originate in sensors (Fig. 3 & 4), utilised in the applicants product which have been marketed internationally since 351985 under the registered trademark "Safety-Net".

The sensors utilised in "Safety-Net" originates in sensors (Fig. 1 & 2) utilised in the applicants product "Securi-Link" marketed in Denmark (discontinued in 1985.) "SECURI-LINK" :

Fig. 1 shows a sensor (designated opto-sensor) i which the sensor house contains a LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) and an inverting circuit, e.g. as in fig. 1A, the purpose of said inverter being to invert the state of 5 said LDR so that a small ekvivalent resistance may be found over the ter¬ minals 1 & 2 when the LDR are in darkness. The aforementioned components are contained in a light tight housing having an opening congruent with the LDRs¹ light sensitive area, Fig. 3A. The sensor house is attached to the secured object by a pad of light 0tight double sided adhesive tape with a hole congruent to said opening in said sensor housing, Fig. 3A.

Fig. 2 shows a sensor (designated loop-sensor) in which the sensor hous¬ ing, Fig. 4A, contains a cable having 2 wires surrounding an opening in said housing. Said 2 wires are interconnected, close to the in the housing 5 emerging cabl.e, in order that said housing may not be cut open without cutting the wires and causing the electrical state over the terminals 1& 2 to change.

The loop-sensor is attached to the secured object by threading the sensor house through a suitable opening in said object, e.g. a handle, and then threading the cable and connector through the hole in said sensor house. Opto- or loop-sensors are connected to a circuit (sensor circuit) via connecting means, by a straight or coiled cable. (Said sensor circuit be¬ ing connected to registration/indication/alarm means).

The loop-sensor is attached to the secured object by threading the sensor house through a suitable opening in said object, e.g. a handle, and then threading the cable and connector through the hole in said sensor house. Opto- or loop-sensors are connected to a circuit (sensor circuit) via connecting means, by a straight or coiled cable. (Said sensor circuit be¬ ing connected to registration/ ndication/alarm means). Due to the inverter in the opto-sensor, both the opto- and the loop- sensor together with cable connecting and sensor circuit comprises a "break loop" (a security loop the state of which is changed by opening the circuit but not by short circuiting said circuit).

Thus the sensors, independent of sensor type, may be connected singly or in series to the sensor circuit comprising Rl to which a surveilling cur¬ rent (Vb) and a current return be connected. Fig. 1 & 2. If an opto-sensor is tampered with, light shall fall on the LDR, causing a change in the electrical state of the sensor circuit. If a loop-sensor is tampered with, the wires contained in the sensor house shall be broken, causing a change in the electrical state of the sensor circuit.

Cutting the cable or tampering with the connecting shall likewise cause a change in the electrical state of the sensor circuit.

The aforementioned change in the electrical state may be utilised to es¬ tablish a desired reaction e.g. an alarm.

"SAFETY-NET": Fig. 3&3A shows a sensor (designated opto-sensor) in which the sensor house contains a LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) and a parallel resistor (R3) said resistor defining the "dark resistance" of the LDR (Rdark).

The aforementioned components are contained in a light tight housing having an opening congruent with the LDRs' light sensitive area, Fig. 3A. The sensor house is attached to the secured object by a pad of light tight double sided adhesive tape with a hole congruent to said opening in said sensor housing, F, Fig. 3A.

Said sensor house comprises a slot, E, Fig. 3A, said slot being closed by attaching the house to the secured object. Thus a simple means for secur- ing additional items, e.g. a pair of headphones, is achieved by threading the cable to the item through the slot before attaching said house to the secured object.

Fig. 4&4A shows a sensor (designated loop-sensor) in which the sensor housing contains a cable having 2 wires surrounding an opening in said housing. Said 2 wires are interconnected in series with a resistor (R3, having a value identical to R3 in aforementioned loop-sensor), encircling the in the housing emerging cable, in order that the cable may not be pulled out or said housing may not be cut open without breaking the wires or R3, thus causing the electrical state over the terminals 1 & 2 to change.

Both the opto- and the loop-sensor together with cable connecting and sensor circuit comprises both a "break loop" (a security loop the state of which is changed by opening the circuit) and a "make loop" (a security loop the state of which is changed by short circuiting said circuit). Said combination "break/make loop" function (designated "tri-state" (loop)) is obtained, for both opto- & loop-sensors although the connected 5 cable contains only 2 wires, by means of the voltage divider R2 R3 (in which R3 are placed in the sensor house and R2 in the sensor circuit) to which a surveilling current (Vb) and a current return be connected. Fig. 3 & 4.

Thus the sensors, independent of type, may be connected to the sensor 0 circuit.

Fig. 5 shows the states (Vdet) in the sensor circuit.

When an opto- or loop-sensor is attached to the secured object Vdet rests at a mean value, A.

If an opto-sensor is removed from the secured object light falls on the 5 LDR causing a change in the electrical state of the sensor circuit causing Vdet to obtain the value C.

If a loop-sensor is removed from the secured object by physical force either the wires or R3 contained in the sensor house shall be broken causing a change in the electrical state of the sensor circuit causing Vdet to obtain the value B.

If cable or connecting means are broken or disconnected (opening the cir¬ cuit between terminals 1 & 2), a change in the electrical state of the sensor circuit shall occur causing Vdet to obtain the value B. If cable or connecting means are short circuited (closing the circuit be- tween terminals 1 & 2), a change in the electrical state of the sensor circuit shall occur causing Vdet to obtain the value C. The aforementioned changes in the electrical state to the values B or C may be utilised to establish a desired reaction e.g. an alarm.

The following are obtained by the invention:

A larger degree of flexibility with regard to different and planned fu¬ ture embodiments of the devices, as well as compatibility between sensors and sensor circuits of various embodiments, e.g. variations in values types and physical embodiment of components may freely be implemented without rendering marketed versions obsolete, furthermore sensor circuits of different embodiment may be utilised with sensors of preferred embodi¬ ment. Furthermore the possibility of smaller sensor houses are obtained as the space demands of R3 is no longer to be considered. Furthermore a reduction in production time & cost is obtained as the for¬ mer placing and connecting of R3 in the sensor houses are linked with time consuming procedures as well as limitations in component choice e.g. chip components may only be used with difficulty. In most of the in the inven¬ tion described embodiments all of the components necessary for the sensor circuits may be mounted by machine simultaneously with the components for possible registration/indication/alarm circuits; chip components may be utilised as well.

Furthermore the possibility of utilising different types of sensor ele¬ ments in the sensor houses are obtained, as well as the freedom of utilis¬ ing and combining them in both "make" & "Break" loops. The types of cables and connectors in question are of an embodiment which, in combination with modern production & customising methods, en¬ ables the aforesaid reductions in time & cost and helps make possible the aforesaid flexibility and compatibility. Furthermore a larger degree of security is obtained by sensors equipped with more than one sensor element as it is possible to monitor more pa- rameters in the surrounding environment.

Furthermore, embodiments comprising more than one sensor to one cable, makes it possible to secure peripheral items, e.g. the optics on a video camera, without running an extra sensor with its own cable to said periph¬ eral also to be secured. Furthermore, embodiments comprising both at least one sensor and means for supplying the secured object with the electrical power necessary to its function, makes it possible to avoid batteries or auxiliary power adapters.

In comparison to DT 2412145 advantages in both use produc¬ tion and flexibility are obtained.

The mentioned "Ferbinder" 13 ("eye") comprises 2 wires, or a 2 wire ca¬ ble, in a loop terminating in a 3 pole plug; said "Ferbinder" ("eye") are knotted through an object. This gives disadvantages with regard to the types and sizes of the ob¬ jects with which it may be used. At the same time 4 wires, or 2 cables with 2 wires, must run between the secured object and the plug. Apart from the aforementioned advantages concerning flexibility and pro- δduction the in this paper in claim 1 described devices implies that only one cable is run to the secured object, and that said devices may be used to secure a greater variety of objects as well as larger objects. The other mentioned "Ferbinder" 21 ("switch") comprises a switch con¬ nected to a 3 pole plug by a 3 wire cable. 0 Apart from the aforementioned advantages the in this paper in claim 2 de¬ scribed devices having at least 4 wires in the cable implies that the "make" & "break" loops are run separately to the sensor implying the aforementioned advantages with regard to flexibility, sensor circuits and the possibility of multiple sensors utilising respectively the "make" & 5 "break" loops.

Said effects are obtained by at least three current-carrying conductors in the cable for said device. The device is releasably attached to the secured object by running or threading the sensor house around the object or through a suitable aper¬ ture in said object subsequently threading the cable through an aperture in the sensor house and connecting said cable to a circuit (designated sensor circuit, said circuit usually being placed in proximity to the se- cured object and usually being connected to registration/indication/alarm means) .

Thus the secured object can not be moved further away from its location than the length of the cable permits.

If a sensor is tampered with or removed from the secured object, if the cable is short circuited or broken or if the connector is removed, a change in electrical state is caused, said change enabling a desired reac¬ tion e.g. an alarm.

In another embodiment the cable for said device comprises at least four current-carrying conductors, likewise said device comprises a sensor ele¬ ment sensitive to breakage light temperature pressure (may be a switch) magnetism or other. The device is releasably attached to the secured object (e.g. by adhesive tape) and connected to a circuit (designated sensor circuit) said circuit usually being placed in proximity to the secured object and usually being connected to registration/indication/alarm means). Thus the secured object can not be moved further away from its location than the length of the cable permits.

If a sensor is tampered with or removed from the secured object, if the cable is short ^'circuited or broken or if the connector is removed, a change in electrical state is caused, said change enabling a desired reac- tion e.g. an alarm.

In a further embodiment said device comprises communication circuits, partly or in their totality, e.g. comprising or being a micro processor. Thus a marked reduction in peripheral equipment complexity may be achieved, as said devices may be connected to e.g. a data bus.

In a further embodiment said device comprises at least 2 sensor elements. Thus a larger degree of security is achieved as it is possible to monitor a plurality of parameters in the surrounding environment.

In a further embodiment at least 2 sensors are connected to the cable regardless of the type and embodiment of said sensors.

Thus it is possible to secure peripheral items, e.g. the optics on a video camera, without running an extra sensor with its own cable to said peripheral also to be secured.

In a further embodiment conductors in said cable are utilised for supply¬ ing electrical power e.g. to the secured object.

Thus said secured object may be supplied with power via the secu- rity/surveillance equipment thus avoiding batteries or auxiliary power adapters.

An embodiment of devices for securing/surveilling objects, the cables of said devices having connecting means being: either modular connectors according to FCC-68 (Federal Communication Commission-68) (Fig. 12) as e.g. "MOLEX" or "AMP" FCC-68 male and female connectors regardless of said connectors being screened or not; or devices from "MOLEX" SEMCONN connector range according to UL E29179 & CSA LR19980.; or connecting means having embodiments and function similar to the above mentioned. Thus the aforementioned advantages with regard to cable and connecting means are obtained.

FIGURES:

Fig. 1-1A & 2 Shows the under Securi-Link aforementioned devices.

Fig. 3-3A & 4-4A Shows the under Safety-Net aforementioned devices.

Fig. 5 Shows the states for the circuits related to Fig. 3, 4, 7D & 8E.

Fig. 7-7A & 7D Shows devices in which R/Z 2 are placed outside the sensor house, and in which cable & connecting means has at least 3 poles, and in which the sensor circuit is designed to register 3 states (Fig.5). Fig. 7-7A & 7E Shows devices as above, in which the sensor circuit is designed to register 2 states on one detection point.

Fig. 8-8D & 8E Shows devices in which R/Z 2 are placed outside the sensor house, and in which cable & connecting means has at least 4 poles, and in which the sensor circuit is designed to register 3 states (Fig.5).

Fig. 8-8D & 8F Shows devices as above, in which the sensor circuit is designed to register 2 states on 2 detection points.

Fig. 9-9A Shows devices in which cable & connecting means has at least 3 poles, and in which the sensor circuit is designed to register 2 states on 2 detection points.

Fig. 10-lOC & 10D Shows devices in which cable & connecting means has at least 4 poles, and in which the sensor circuit is designed to register 2 states on 2 galvanically isolated detection points. Fig. 10-lOC & 10E Shows devices in which cable & connecting means has at least 4 poles, and in which the sensor circuit is designed to register 2 states on 1 detection point.

Fig. 11-11B Shows devices in which sensor and communication circuits, partly or in their totality, are placed in connection to the cable. Said devices may be connected to a data bus.

Fig. 12 Shows devices in which more than one sensor are connected to a cable.

Fig. 13 Shows devices in which the cable, apart from one or more sensors, comprises means for supplying the secured object with electrical power.

Fig. 14 Shows a connector according to FCC-68. General, furtherdescription:

The numbering in the figures concerning conductors and poles are illus¬ trative and has no connection to the physical position of conductors and poles in cables and connectors. 5 The terminals X & Y in the figures are connected to a direct or alternat¬ ing surveillance current.

In some of the applications shown in the figures some conductors in some cables are terminated only in the circuits and not in the sensors. Said conductors are part of the "make loops" and must be present in the cables 0 in order that conductors in said cables may not be short circuited or in¬ ter-connected without causing a change of state in said circuits; such conductors are regarded as current-carrying.

In this description and in the figures the configurations of devices and circuits shown, are those essential to the invention. 5 Circuits and configurations which may be deducted from, or reduced to, those described herein, and configurations ..with more than 4 conductors or poles, are assumed to be covered.

Furtherdescription: The sensors are releasably attached to the objects to be secured.

The individual sensor is connected to a circuit by a straight or coiled cable,, said circuit usually being placed in proximity to the secured ob¬ ject, Fig. 7-10. (Said circuit usually being connected to registration/indication/alarm means).

It is thus achieved that e.g. a displayed item in a retail store, secured by a sensor with a suitable length of cable, may be handled without either customers or personnel feeling insecure about the situation.

If a sensor is tampered with or removed from the secured object, If a sensor house is damaged, if the cable is short circuited or broken or if the connector is removed, a change in electrical state is caused, said change enabling a desired reaction e.g. an alarm.

Sensors, the house of which contains part of a cable or a conductor sur¬ rounding an aperture in said house are designated loop-sensors, Fig. 7-7A, 8-8A, 9-9A, 10-lOA, 11. The poles of said cable-part or conductor being terminated in said house; either so that the terminated poles surround the into said house coming cable-part, and thus establishes a further measure of security as the de¬ vice shall remain a closed loop even if the housing is damaged, Fig. 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A; or so that the terminated poles do not surround the into said house coming cable-part, Fig. 7, 8, 9, 10; or so that both ends of the conductor are terminated in a circuit in em¬ bodiments having said circuit connected to the cable e.g. in the sensor house, Fig. 11.

A loop-sensor is releasably attached to the secured object by running or threading the sensor house around the object or through a suitable aper¬ ture in said object subsequently threading the cable through an aperture in the sensor house and connecting said cable to a circuit. If a sensor is tampered with or removed from the secured object, if the cable is short circuited or broken or if the connector is removed, a change in the electrical state of said circuit is caused.

Sensors comprising one or more sensor elements, (only devices with one or two elements SE 1 or SE 1 & SE 2 are described herein) may comprise sensor elements sensitive to breakage light temperature pressure (may be a switch) magnetism or other, Fig. 8B-D, 10B-C, 11A-B.

The physical embodiment of the sensor houses may vary being dependent of sensor type. The sensor house is releasably attached to the secured object by e.g. a pad of double sided adhesive tape. By way of example the sensors to be described are sensors comprising one or two light sensitive sensor elements (being "open" when the sensors are attached to the secured object), designated opto-sensors. Fig. 8B-D, 10B- C 11A-B.

Said light sensitive element/elements are contained in a light tight housing having one or two openings congruent with the element/elements light sensitive area. Fig. 3A. by way of example shows one possible physical embodiment of such a device having one sensor element.

The sensor house is releasably attached to the secured object by a pad of light tight double sided adhesive tape with a hole congruent to the aper- 5 ture in said sensor housing, F, Fig. 3A.

Said sensor house comprises a slot, E, Fig. 3k_r said slot being closed by attaching the house to the secured object. Thus a simple means for secur¬ ing additional items, e.g. a pair of headphones, is achieved by threading the cable to the item through the slot before attaching said house to the 0 secured object.

If an opto-sensor having one sensor element, Fig. 8B, 10B, 11B, in which said sensor element, SE1, is accessible to light from the side normally placed in contact with the secured object, SE1 thus being covered, is re¬ moved from the secured object, SE1 thus being illuminated, a change in the 5 electrical state of the sensor circuit is caused.

If an opto-sensor having two sensor elements, Fig. 8C-D, IOC, 11B, in which one of said sensor elements, SE1, is accessible to light from the side normally placed in contact with the secured object, SE1 thus being covered; and the other of said sensor elements, SE2, is accessible to light from the side normally not in contact with the secured object, SE2 thus being illuminated, is covered, SE2 thus being covered, in an attempt to remove the sensor from the secured object, a change in the electrical state of the sensor circuit is caused, although the sensor is not success¬ fully removed from the secured object.

Fig 7-7A in relation to 7D & 8-8D in relation to 8E shows sensors and circuits devised to register the state of said combinations in three levels on one point of detection. Fig. 5 shows the conditions of said circuits (Vdet) . When an opto- or loop-sensor is attached to the secured object Vdet rests at a mean value, A. If an opto-sensor is removed from the secured object light falls on the LDR causing a change in the electrical state of the sensor circuit causing Vdet to obtain the value C. If a loop-sensor is removed from the secured object fay physical force either the wires or R3 contained in the sensor house shall be broken causing a change in the electrical state of the sensor circuit causing Vdet to obtain the value B. If cable or connecting means are broken or disconnected, a change in the electrical state of the sensor circuit shall occur causing Vdet to obtain the value B.

If cable or connecting means are short circuited, a change in the elec- trical state of the sensor circuit shall occur causing Vdet to obtain the value C.

The aforementioned changes in the electrical state to the values B or C may be utilised to establish a desired reaction e.g. an alarm.

Fig. 7-7A in relation to 7E shows sensors and circuits devised to regis¬ ter the state of said combinations in two levels on one point of detection in a way that the electrical value on said point is moved from one state ("at rest") to another state ("active") regardless of whether it is the "make loop" or the "break loop" being manipulated. It is assumed that R/Z2 > R/Zl.

Fig. 10-lOC in relation to 10E shows the above circuit in a 4 conduc¬ tor/pole configuration in which said circuit may be utilised with several series/parallel connected sensors, the "break loops" of said sensors being connected in series, and the "make loops" of said sensors being connected in parallel.

The table below shows the conditions on the points "DETECTION MAKE" & "DETECTION BREAK" for the sensors and circuits shown in Fig. 8-8D in rela¬ tion to 8F, 9-9A in relation to 9D & 10-lOC in relation to 10D, said combinations being devised to register the state of said combinations in two levels, HIGH (H) & LOW (L), or vice versa depending on the polarity of the surveillance current.

DETECTION LOOP-SENSOR: MAKE: BREAK: Connected/present: H L

Not present/cable severed: H H

Cable short circuited: L L

SENSOR HAVING 1 SENSOR ELEMENT: Connected & attached (SE1 dark): ¹¹ & unattached (SE1 light) Not present/cable severed: Cable short circuited:

SENSOR HAVING 2 SENSOR ELEMENTS:

Connected & attached (SE1 dark, SE2 light ): H L

" & unattached (SE1 light, SE2 light): L L

" & covered (SE1 dark, SE2 dark ): H H

5Not present/cable severed: H H

Cable short circuited: L L

The above described changes in the electrical states may be utilised to establish a desired reaction e.g. an alarm. 0 If attention is furthermore paid to the conditions of the detection points during initialisation, complete protocols for sensor parame¬ ters/states are obtained.

Fig. 11-11B by way of example shows embodiments in which communication 5 circuits, partly or in their totality, are placed in connection to the ca¬ bles of said devices, as in G, Fig. 11-11B by way of example in the sensor houses. Said circuits may by way of example comprise or be a micro proces¬ sor/controller having software e.g. utilising a standard communication rotocol. Said circuits may by way of example be power supplied via the conductors used for communication or by separate conductors. Said devices may be connected to e.g. a data bus, thus being surveilled by e.g. a PC with supplementary hard & soft ware or from dedicated equipment.

Fig. 12 by way of example shows devices in which more than one sensor are connected to one cable.

Such devices may comprise two or more sensors of similar or different em¬ bodiment including devices as in Fig. 11-11B.

Fig. 13-13A by way of example shows devices the aim of which is to both secure an object with one or more releasably attached sensors and to sup¬ ply the secured object with the current necessary to its function so that by way of example a "Walkman" need not be fitted with batteries in order that the customer may test it.

The supply cable may comprise connecting means A, Fig. 13, enabling one or more supply connectors of similar or different type to be connected. Said connecting means, A, may comprise a fuse securing the surveillance equipment against overload. Said supply means may be terminated in a sensor house or be "spliced" to the cable. Above devices may also comprise two or more sensors connected to the ca¬ ble

Fig. 14 by way of example shows one of the in claim 7 described connec¬ tors according to FCC-68.

Claims

Claims:

CLAIM 1: (Fig. 7-7A, 8-8A, 9-9A, 10-lOA)

Anti-theft/surveillance equipment for securing/surveilling displayed/ex- δhibited or stored objects/articles, comprising a sensor releasably at¬ tached to a secured object and a cable originating in said sensor and con¬ necting said sensor to a circuit, so that said cable, preferably arranged as a loop, continues around the secured object and back through e.g. a hole in said sensor to terminate in the circuit, CHARACTERISED in that the 0 cable has at least 3 (three) current-carrying (at least in one end con¬ nected) conductors.

CLAIM 2: (Fig. 8B, 10B) Anti-theft/surveillance equipment for securing/surveilling displayed/ex- hibited or stored objects/articles, comprising a sensor releasably at¬ tached to a secured object, and a cable originating in said sensor and connecting said sensor to a circuit, CHARACTERISED in that the cable has at least 4 (four) current-carrying (at least in one end connected) conduc¬ tors, and in that said sensor comprises a sensor element sensitive to breakage light temperature pressure (may be a switch) magnetism or other.

CLAIM 3: (Fig. 11-11B)

Anti-theft/surveillance equipment for securing/surveilling displayed/ex¬ hibited or stored objects/articles, comprising a sensor releasably at- tached to a secured object, and a cable originating in said sensor and connecting said sensor to a circuit, CHARACTERISED in that the cable has at least 2 (two) current-carrying conductors, and in that said sensor comprises a sensor element sensitive to breakage light temperature pres¬ sure (may be a switch) magnetism or other, and in that said conductors of said cable are connected to communication circuitry, e.g. comprising or being a microprocessor.

CLAIM 4: (Fig. 8C-8D, 10B-10C)

Devices according to claim 2 & 3, CHARACTERISED in that the sensor co - rises 2 (two) or more sensor elements. CLAIM 5 : (Fig. 12 )

Devices according to claim 1, 2, 3 & 4, CHARACTERISED in that at least 2

(two) sensors are connected to the cable, regardless of type and embodi¬ ment of said sensors.

CLAIM 6: (Fig. 13)

Devices according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, CHARACTERISED in that at least one of the conductors in the cable are utilised to supply the se- cured/surveilled object with electrical power.

CLAIM 7: (Fig. 14)

Devices for securing/surveilling objects releasably attached to the ob¬ jects and connected to a circuit by a cable, CHARACTERISED in that the cables of said devices, regardless of the number of conductors in cables and the number of poles in connectors, is terminated in: either modular connectors according to FCC-68 (Federal Communication Com- mission-68) e.g. "Molex" or "AMP" FCC-68 male & female connectors, regard¬ less of said connectors being screened or not; or parts from "Molex Semconn" connector range according to UL E29179 & CSA LR19980; or connecting means having embodiments and function similar to the above mentioned.

[received by the International Bureau on 30 April 1993 (30.04.93); original claim 1 amended; new claim 2 added; claims 2 and 4 amended and renumbered as claim 3 and 5, claims 3,5,6 and 7 unchanged but renumbered as claims 4,6,7 and 8; other claims unchanged (2 pages)]

Anti-theft/surveillance equipment for securing/surveilling displayed/ex- 5 hibited or stored objects/articles, comprising a sensor releasably at¬ tached to a secured object and a cable originating in said sensor and con¬ necting said sensor to a circuit, so that said cable, preferably arranged as a loop, continues around the secured object and back through e.g. a hole in said sensor to terminate in the circuit, CHARACTERISED in that the 0 cable has 3 (three) current-carrying conductors, one of which is terminated only in the related sensor circuit and left unconnected at the extremity of the cable away from said sensor circuit.

CLAIM 2: (Fig. 8-8A, 10-lOA) Anti-theft/surveillance equipment for securing/surveilling displayed/ex¬ hibited or stored objects/articles, comprising a sensor releasably at¬ tached to a secured object and a cable originating in said sensor and con¬ necting said sensor to a circuit, so that said cable, preferably arranged as a loop, continues around the secured ob ect and back through e.g. a hole in said sensor to terminate in the circuit, CHARACTERISED in that the cable has 4 (four) current-carrying (at least in one end connected) conductors.

CLAIM 3: (Fig. 7B, 8B, 9B, lOB-lOBa) Anti-theft/surveillance equipment for securing/surveilling displayed/ex¬ hibited or stored objects/articles, comprising a sensor releasably at¬ tached to a secured object said sensor comprising a sensor element sensitive to breakage light temperature pressure (may be a switch) magnetism or other, and a cable originating in said sensor and connecting said sensor to a circuit, CHARACTERISED in that the cable has at least 4 (four) current-carrying (at least in one end connected) conductors. CLAIM 4: (Fig. 11-11B)

Anti-theft/surveillance equipment for securing/surveilling displayed/ex¬ hibited or stored objects/articles, comprising a sensor releasably at¬ tached to a secured object, and a cable originating in said sensor and connecting said sensor to a circuit, CHARACTERISED in that the cable has at least 2 (two) current-carrying conductors, and in that said conductors of said cable are connected to communication circuitry, e.g. comprising or being a microprocessor.

CLAIM 5: (Fig. 8C-8D, IOC, 11A)

Devices according to claim 3 & 4, CHARACTERISED in that the sensor com¬ prises 2 (two) or more sensor elements.

CLAIM 6: (Fig. 12) Devices according to claim 2, 3, 4 & 5, CHARACTERISED in that at least 2 (two) sensors are connected to the cable, regardless of type and embodi¬ ment of said sensors.

CLAIM 7: (Fig. 13) Devices according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6, CHARACTERISED in that at least one of the conductors in the cable are utilised to supply the se- cured/surveilled object with electrical power.

CLAIM 8: (Fig. 14) Devices for securing/surveilling objects releasably attached to the ob¬ jects and connected to a circuit by a cable, CHARACTERISED in that the cables of said devices, regardless of the number of conductors in cables and the number of poles in connectors, is terminated in: either modular connectors according to FCC-68 (Federal Communication Com- mission-68) e.g. "Molex" or "AMP" FCC-68 male & female connectors, regard¬ less of said connectors being screened or not; or parts from "Molex Semconn" connector range according to UL E29179 & CSA LR19980; or connecting means having embodiments and function similar to the above mentioned.