Method and device for protecting articles

1. A method for promoting an object positioned at a location of the object while securing it from theft, said method comprising:

performing a logging function when a person approaches the object at its location or manipulates the object while remaining within a predetermined distance from the location;

providing product information to the person upon the person approaching the object or manipulating the object;

setting off an alarm if the object is moved beyond said predetermined distance; and

wherein said step of performing a logging function comprises performing a wireless authorization check on persons approaching the object.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said step of providing product information comprises providing an audiovisual display of product information about the object.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said step of setting off an alarm comprises activating an audible alarm and wherein a visual alarm is provided by said audiovisual display.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of performing a logging function comprises counting events or saving the date and time of an event.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said logging function comprises:

measuring the distance between a distance sensor arranged in the proximity of the object and the object or an approaching person to form a measurement result, and

evaluating the measurement result to determine whether to provide product information or to activate an alarm.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of performing a logging function comprises: detecting and tracking respective locations of the object within predeterminable spaces in the event that the object is being stolen.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , object further comprising:

determining a warning distance that is less than the predetermined distance from the location of the object;

detecting when the object is moved beyond the warning distance; and

generating a warning signal that the object has been moved beyond the warning distance when the person is not an authorized person.

8. An apparatus for promoting an object positioned at a location while securing the object from theft, said apparatus comprising:

an object sensor affixed to the object and wherein said object sensor is connected to a checking and alarm device, wherein the checking and alarm device generates an alarm when the object sensor is removed from the object;

a logging device performing a logging function when a person approaches the object or manipulates the object, said logging device comprising a logging sensor that detects when a person approaches or manipulates the object and is in communication with said checking and alarm device and wherein said checking and alarm device is connected to a product information device for promoting the object;

wherein said logging sensor of said logging device is a proximity sensor configured to detect a relative distance of a person to the said object sensor affixed to the object or to detect a distance between the person and the logging sensor; and

wherein said proximity sensor is constructed to receive authorization data from an electronic key available to operating staff.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said product information device comprises a digital video disc including a visual display unit connected thereto for visual display and further comprising a loudspeaker or headset for listening.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said product information device is assigned to a plurality of similar objects on display.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said checking and alarm device includes a storage memory for storing an event count or the date or the time of day of an event.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 said logging sensor of the logging device is a motion sensor.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 said logging sensor of the logging device is a removal sensor.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 said logging sensor of the logging device is part of an antipilferage sensor arrangement.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 said antipilferage sensor arrangement includes a third sensor affixed to the object, said third sensor being connected to said checking and alarm device through a cable wound on a cable retractor, and wherein said logging sensor of said logging device is configured to detect when the wound-up cable is being pulled out of the cable retractor.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said logging sensor of said logging device comprises a mechanical switch or a capacitive switch or an inductive switch or an optoelectronic switch or a magnetic switch.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said magnetic switch comprises a reed contact mounted on an enclosure of a cable retractor and a magnet fitted to a pull-out type cable.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said magnet fitted to the cable functions as a cable stop that rests against an abutment with the cable in a roughly wound-up condition.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said logging sensor of said logging device is a proximity sensor configured to detect a relative distance of a person to the said object sensor affixed to the object or to detect a distance between the person and the logging sensor.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 , wherein said proximity sensor includes at least one antenna which is connected to a receiver integrated into said checking and alarm device.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 , wherein said proximity sensor is arranged behind the object.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said proximity sensor or said object sensor affixed to the object includes a transmitter, either for producing an electrostatic field and for coupling of the electrostatic field to a person's skin surface, or for evaluating the variation of the electrostatic field by an approaching person.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said object sensor affixed to the object includes at least one transmitter and may also include digital/analog inputs for microswitches or for a safety film for article surveillance as well as for battery monitoring of a supply battery.

24. An apparatus for promoting an object positioned at a location while securing the object from theft, said apparatus comprising:

an object sensor affixed to the object and wherein said object sensor is connected to a checking and alarm device, wherein the checking and alarm device sets off an alarm when the object sensor is removed from the object;

a logging device performing a logging function when a person approaches the object or manipulates the object, said logging device comprising a logging sensor that detects when a person approaches or manipulates the object and is in communication with said checking and alarm device and wherein said checking and alarm device is connected to a product information device for promoting the object;

wherein said logging sensor of said logging device is a proximity sensor configured to detect a relative distance of a person to the said object sensor affixed to the object or to detect a distance between the person and the logging sensor; and

wherein said proximity sensor or said object sensor affixed to the object includes a transmitter, either for producing an electrostatic field and for coupling of the electrostatic field to a person's skin surface, or for evaluating the variation of the electrostatic field by an approaching person.