Product presence sensor security device

Abstract

A security device is provided including a product presence sensor configured to sense a change in product presence relative to the product presence sensor and a directional element configured to direct the product presence sensor in a sensing direction.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A security device comprising:
 a product presence sensor configured to sense a change in product presence relative to the product presence sensor; and   a directional element configured to direct the product presence sensor in a sensing direction.   
     
     
         2 . The security device of  claim 1 , wherein the product presence sensor comprises:
 a ground; and   a capacitance sensor configured to sense an electromagnetic field established between the capacitance sensor and the ground,   wherein a change in capacitance between the capacitance sensor and the ground is indicative of a change in product presence.   
     
     
         3 . The security device of  claim 2 , wherein the ground is shaped as ground ring and the capacitance sensor is disposed within the ground ring, and wherein the product presence sensor further comprises a driven shield disposed between the ground ring and the capacitance sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The security device of  claim 2 , wherein the ground is shaped as ground ring and the capacitance sensor is disposed within the ground ring, and wherein the security device further comprises a driven shield disposed between the capacitance sensor and the ground ring and the directional element. 
     
     
         5 . The security device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an alarm configured to cause an alert based on a sensed change in product presence. 
 
     
     
         6 . The security device of  claim 5 , wherein the alarm causes different alerts based on a change in the product presence magnitude. 
     
     
         7 . The security device of  claim 1 , wherein the directional element comprises a backplane shield. 
     
     
         8 . The security device of  claim 1  wherein the security device is configured to be operably coupled to product packaging. 
     
     
         9 . The security device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a motion sensor configured to detect motion of the security device,   wherein the product presence sensor is configured to sense a presence of a product in response to detecting motion of the security device.   
     
     
         10 . The security device of  claim 2 , wherein the product presence sensor comprises:
 processing circuitry configured to determine if the change in product presence satisfies a predetermined change threshold,   wherein an alert is in response to the change in product presence satisfying the predetermined change threshold.   
     
     
         11 . A method of loss prevention comprising:
 providing a security device comprising:
 a product presence sensor configured to sense a change in product presence relative to the product presence sensor; and 
 a directional element configured to direct the product presence sensor in a sensing direction; and 
   operably coupling the security device to product packaging.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the product presence sensor comprises:
 a ground ring; and   a capacitance sensor disposed within the ground ring configured to sense an electromagnetic field established between the capacitance sensor and the ground ring,   wherein a change in capacitance is indicative of the change in product presence.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the product presence sensor further comprises:
 a driven shield disposed between the ground ring and the capacitance sensor.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the product presence sensor further comprises:
 a driven shield disposed between the capacitance sensor and the ground ring and directional element.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the security device further comprises:
 an alarm configured to cause an alert based on a change in product presence magnitude.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the alarm is configured to cause different alerts based on a change in product presence magnitude. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 determining a high product presence position on the product packaging based on the different alerts, and 
 wherein the operably coupling the security device is based on the high product presence position. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the directional element comprises a backplane. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the security device further comprises:
 a motion sensor configured to determine motion of the security device,   wherein the product presence sensor is configured to sense the product presence in response to a determination of motion of the security device.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the security device further comprises:
 processing circuitry configured to determine if the change in product presence satisfies a predetermined change threshold,   wherein an alert is in response to the change in product presence satisfying the predetermined change threshold.