Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a security system includes a plurality of locking hooks configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of locking hooks comprising a lock configured to be locked to prevent removal of the one or more items and unlocked to allow removal of one or more of the items. Each lock is configured to be unlocked for purchasing one or more of the items in response to receiving an authentication of the consumer.

A cooler access control system locks a cooler when occurrence of an event is detected that requires limiting access to the inside of the cooler. Examples of such events include the loss of power to the cooler for a predetermined period of time, the opening of the cooler door for longer than an allowed time, the loss of functionality of a temperature probe and others. In an embodiment, a service mode is supported wherein the door is left unlocked despite the occurrence of such an event, to allow a stocker or other personnel to leave the cooler door open while stocking the cooler with product.

In an aspect, the present disclosure includes a method, apparatus, and system for operating a security tag, comprising activating a piezo-electric component of the security tag to generate an electrical charge in response to an applied mechanical force on the security tag; determining whether a verification signal has been received by the security tag upon activating the piezo-electric component; and disengaging a mechanical component of the security tag based on a determination that the verification signal has been received.

An apparatus for securing a wrap or sheet roll is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cable in which a first end of the cable is mounted to a structure and a second end of the cable is mounted to a base plate. The apparatus further includes a lock notch provided at the cable. The apparatus has a lock pin removably mounted to the lock notch. The apparatus also has a lock plate mounted to the cable. The apparatus includes a sheet roll mounted to the cable as well. The sheet roll is mounted to the cable by drawing the base plate through an opening provided at the sheet roll. The lock plate is placed above the sheet roll and the lock pin is mounted to the lock notch to secure position of the sheet roll between the lock plate and the base plate.

A security apparatus for securing a portable electronic device to an immovable object includes a locking head having a base and a compressible element supported by the base. The locking head is adjustable between an unlocked configuration, in which the compressible element is uncompressed and insertable into and removable from an opening of the portable electronic device, and a locked configuration, in which the compressible element is compressed and secured within the opening of the portable electronic device.

A security apparatus for securing a portable electronic device to an immovable object includes a locking head having a base and a compressible element supported by the base. The locking head is adjustable between an unlocked configuration, in which the compressible element is uncompressed and insertable into and removable from an opening of the portable electronic device, and a locked configuration, in which the compressible element is compressed and secured within the opening of the portable electronic device.

Disclosed is a tamper proof tag and accompanying method for verifying that a watch is authentic and has not been tampered with. The tamper proof tag, when affixed to the watch, ensures that the watch is authentic and prevents a user from tampering with the watch. The tamper proof tag also allows the watch to be worn while the tamper proof tag is affixed to watch and is minimally obstructive to the aesthetics of the watch. This provides a purchasing user with confidence that the watch is authentic, while also allowing the user to try on the watch without having to remove the tamper proof tag. The tamper proof tag also protects the seller from a user that may attempt to tamper with the watch after purchase. For example, the seller may condition returns for a sold watch on the tamper proof tag remaining affixed to the watch.

A lock comprises a male element, and a female element for receiving the male element enabling aligned copular engagement. The male element has a shoulder and the female element a catch for closing behind the shoulder to hold the male element therein. The catch and a lock casing are held in the female element with the axis of the lock casing inclined, normally at a right angle, to the line of engagement of the male and female elements. The lock casing and the female element have juxtaposed faces inclined to the line of engagement of the male and female elements. At least one face on the lock casing extends from the casing outwardly from the line of engagement contiguous with an inwardly facing complementary face on the female element. In this way longitudinal forces generated by attempted separation of the engaged male and female elements are resolved by said faces into a lateral force on the female element.

A key for a security device is provided. The key may include an electronic component configured to communicate with one or more security devices to initially receive one or more codes associated with each of the security devices. The key may also include a memory configured to store the one or more codes associated with the one or more security devices. The electronic component is configured to communicate with each of the one or more security devices for arming and/or disarming the security devices upon a matching of the code stored by the memory with the code associated with the security device.

An alarm tag comprising a first input unit for generating signals for setting (to ON) or resetting (to OFF) an alarm system of the alarm tag. The alarm tag further includes a second input unit for generating signals for arming the alarm tag and triggering an alarm, and an independent auxiliary input unit that generates independent signals that arm the alarm tag and trigger an alarm. When both the second and the auxiliary input units generate a first signal, the alarm system of the alarm tag is armed and set to ON, and when any of the second and third auxiliary input units generate a second signal while the alarm tag is armed and ON, the alarm system of the alarm tag triggers an alarm, thereby preventing tampering and bypassing of one of the second and auxiliary input units to disarm the alarm.