DONGLE, SYSTEM, AND/OR METHOD FOR SECURING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
An apparatus, a system and/or a method provide an alarm, power and/or use of an electrical device. A dongle, a sensor, a cable, and/or an alarm may implement capacitive sensing technology to deter theft and/or a removal of the electronic device from an electrical connection. The electronic device may be on display and/or may be used, manipulated, tested and/or transported by users in an environment, such as a retail store. The sensor may incorporate an alarm that may enable a signal when the electronic device is unplugged therefrom.
1 . An apparatus for securing an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
a dongle having a first connector and a second connector wherein the second connector is in electrical communication with the electronic device; and
a capacitive sensing circuit that receives the first connector of the dongle wherein the capacitive sensing circuit detects presence of a capacitance of the electronic device.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
en alarm electrically coupled to the capacitive sensing circuit wherein the alarm produces a signal indicative of a change in capacitance.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a power input that provides electricity to the electronic device, the alarm, and the capacitive sensing circuit.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein electricity is provided to the electronic device from the capacitive sensing circuit via the dongle.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second connector is a universal serial bus connector.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a lock bracket to attach the first connector of the dongle to the cable of the electronic device.
7 . A method for securing an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a dongle and a sensor wherein the dongle has a first end and a second end wherein the sensor has a first electrical port to receive the first end of the dongle and further wherein the sensor produces an alarm signal upon detecting a change in capacitance;
attaching the first end of the dongle to the electrical input of the sensor; and
attaching the second end of the dongle to the electronic device.
8 . The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:
attaching an electrical connector to a second port of the sensor wherein the electrical connector provides electricity to the electronic device.
9 . The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:
providing a key to cease the alarm signal.
10 . A system for deterring theft of an electronic device, the system comprising:
a capacitive sensing circuit in electrical communication with the electronic device wherein the capacitive sensing circuit sends a signal to the electronic device; and
an alarm in electrical communication with the capacitive sensing circuit wherein the alarm is triggered if the signal is returned to the capacitive sensing circuit.
11 . The system of claim 10 further comprising:
a cable that connects the capacitive sensing circuit to the electronic device.
12 . The system of claim 10 further comprising:
a cable that connects the capacitive sensing circuit to the electronic device wherein the cable is an original equipment manufacturer cable.
13 . A method for monitoring an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:
generating a constant signal having a known frequency;
modulating the signal to the electronic device;
receiving the signal from the electronic device; and
determining if a frequency of the signal is altered.
14 . The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:
triggering an alarm if the frequency of the signal is not altered.
15 . The method of claim 13 wherein the steps of generating, modulating, and receiving are carried out by a capacitive sensing circuit.
16 . The method of claim 13 wherein the steps of generating, modulating, and receiving are carried out by a capacitive sensing circuit wherein the capacitive sensing circuit has a signal generator, a band-pass filter, and a rectifier.
17 . The method of claim 13 wherein the steps of generating, modulating, and receiving are carried out by a capacitive sensing circuit wherein the capacitive sensing circuit has a signal generator, a band-pass filter, a rectifier, and an amplifier.