Alarming cables, assemblies and systems for displaying and protecting a powered article of merchandise from theft include an alarm unit disposed between a first cable having a first connector for connection to a power source and a second cable having a second connector for connection to the merchandise. An alarm unit connector may connect the second cable to the alarm unit. The alarm unit and the alarm unit connector may each include a connection member to electrically connect the merchandise with the alarm unit and the power source when the alarm unit connector aligns with and engages the alarm unit.

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.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, devices, and methods for displaying and securing articles of merchandise. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of security devices, wherein each of the security devices includes a sensor configured to be attached to an article of merchandise. The system also includes at least one controller configured to communicate with each of the articles of merchandise in order to obtain data from the articles of merchandise. The controller and/or each of the security devices is configured to configured to generate a security signal in response to removal of the sensor from the article of merchandise.

Improved systems and techniques are disclosed for controlling the security states of anti-theft security systems such as product display assemblies using security fobs. The tasks relating to fob authentication are offloaded to a computer system, and these authentications can be based on identifiers for the different security fobs. The interactions between security fobs and product display assemblies can be consistent regardless of the population of authorized security fobs by using a security code that is shared by the security fobs. When attempting to use a security fob to change a security status for a product display assembly, the provision of the code to the subject product display assembly can be predicated on authorization of the subject security fob by the computer system. The computer system can maintain a list of identifiers for authorized security fobs that is easily updated when new security fobs are added to or existing security fobs are de-authorized from the system.

A security device for an item of merchandise is provided. The security device includes a non-programmable locking mechanism comprising a mechanical lock and a programmable locking mechanism comprising a monitoring circuit operatively coupled to an alarm. The security device is configured to secure an item of merchandise from theft or removal when the mechanical lock is locked and to be separated from the item of merchandise when the mechanical lock is unlocked. The alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the security device is separated from the item of merchandise while the monitoring circuit is armed.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise display systems and methods for displaying an article of merchandise. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise. The sensor includes a first engagement member. The system also includes a base configured to removably support the sensor thereon. The base includes a second engagement member configured to releasably engage the first engagement member such that the sensor is locked to the base. The sensor is configured to rotate with respect to the base while locked thereto.

A merchandise sensor for protecting an item of merchandise displayed on a merchandise display security device from theft includes sensor electronics and a sensor element operably coupled to the sensor electronics. The sensor element provides an output value in an initial stable state before an interaction state and in a subsequent stable state following the interaction state. The sensor electronics compares the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state and the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state to determine whether a change in the output value indicates an alarm condition. In the event that the output value of the sensor element in the subsequent stable state is not within a predetermined tolerance bandwidth of the output value of the sensor element in the initial stable state, the sensor electronics activates an alarm in response to the alarm condition.

Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of security devices arranged in a wireless network, wherein the plurality of security devices are arranged in a planogram and each configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of security devices configured to wirelessly communicate data with a remote device. The system also includes a plurality of electronic keys arranged in the wireless network and configured to wirelessly communicate data with the plurality of security devices and/or the remote device. Each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to operate the plurality of security devices. The system also includes a gateway configured to receive the data from the plurality of security devices and electronic keys via wireless communication, wherein the gateway is configured to communicate the data to the remote computing device.

A system for monitoring a portable article having: a housing; a location signal generator on the housing configured to continuously generate location signals that can be processed to monitor a location of the housing; and a securing assembly configured to: a) maintain the housing in an operative state on a portable article being monitored; and b) generate an alert signal in the event that the securing assembly is altered with the housing in the operative state in a manner that allows separation of the housing from a portable article being monitored.

A method for providing an alert to a person to unplug an electrical power cord of an electrical device or equipment includes an alarm device that is activated upon separation of a first portion from a second portion. The first and second portions of the alarm device are secured proximate opposite sides of a loop provided in the power cord. The first and second portions, when engaged, maintain a switch of an electrical circuit in an open position. If the equipment is moved prior to unplugging the power cord, the loop will be straightened, causing the first and second portions to separate. The switch closes, completing the electrical circuit and activating the alarm device. The alarm alerts the person to unplug the power cord. A first alternate method includes the alarm device as a part of newly manufactured equipment. A second alternate method includes a motion detector or sensor in the alarm device of the newly manufactured equipment. A third alternate method includes an add-on alarm device with the motion detector or sensor.