Abstract: Modular sweep detectors, systems, and methods for securing items of merchandise from theft and are provided. In one example, a modular sweep detector includes a housing configured to engage a pusher of a pusher device and a sensor configured to engage a biasing member of the pusher device. The biasing member is configured to be biased in response to movement of the pusher. The sensor is configured to detect movement of the pusher for determining if a predetermined number of items of merchandise have been removed from the pusher device.

Abstract: In one example, the connector includes a body portion configured to be connected to a cord and a connection portion engaged with the body portion and comprising a plurality of conductors. The connection portion includes a conductive shield electrically connected to a plurality of the conductors when the connection portion is not engaged with the article of merchandise, and the connection portion also includes at least one ground conductor that is not electrically connected to the remaining conductors and/or the conductive shield when the connection portion is not engaged with the article of merchandise. At least one of the conductors and/or the conductive shield is configured to cooperate with the ground conductor to define a sense loop when the connector is engaged with the article of merchandise, and interruption of the sense loop is indicative of a security event.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating dynamic sparse exponential histograms. The system includes a network-based service and a data compression engine to generate a sparse exponential histogram (SEH) representation of a distribution of a plurality of data values of a performance metric of the network-based service. The data compression engine is configured to, map each data value to a bin of an exponential histogram. Responsive to a determination that the mapped bin is not indicated in the SEH representation and that a bin quantity limit would be exceeded by adding the mapped bin, the data compression engine is configured to increase a bin size parameter by a scaling factor to expand data value ranges of the bins, merge bins indicated in the SEH representation according to the expanded data value ranges to reduce the quantity of bins indicated in the SEH representation, and indicate the scaling factor in the SEH representation.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to merchandise security devices, systems, and methods for protecting an item of merchandise from theft. For example, a merchandise security device may include a lock configured to be secured to a merchandise fixture and a strike plate configured to be secured to the merchandise fixture. The lock includes an actuator configured to extend into operable engagement with the strike plate in a locked state and to retract out of operable engagement with the strike plate in an unlocked state. In addition, the actuator includes a curved portion at its free end and a straight portion extending from the curved portion, and the strike plate is configured to receive the entire curved portion in the locked state.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to security systems for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal. For example, the security system may include a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise and a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon. The sensor includes at least one electrical contact and an inductive coil, and the base includes at least one electrical contact and driving electronics for the inductive coil. The sensor is configured to transfer power inductively to the item of merchandise when the at least one electrical contact of the sensor contacts the at least one electrical contact of the base to thereby allow the driving electronics to energize the inductive coil, wherein the sensor is configured to cease transferring power to the item of merchandise when the sensor is lifted off of the base.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise, wherein the sensor includes alarming circuitry. The system also includes a tether comprising a pair of conductors electrically connected to the alarming circuitry, wherein the pair of conductors is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or to the article of merchandise. In response to power ceasing to be transferred, the alarming circuitry is configured to monitor an electrical signal transmitted through the pair of conductors in order to determine whether the tether has been cut or removed from the sensor.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A computing resource service receives a request to retrieve data, wherein fulfillment of the request involves retrieval of representations of the data from a number of datastores maintained by the service. The service transmits requests to individual datastores to retrieve the representations of the data. Before all responses to these requests are received, the service evaluates any received responses to determine whether a quorum has been reached with regard to the representations of the data. If so, the service consolidates the representations of the data and provides the consolidated data to fulfill the request.

Abstract: A merchandise display security device for a portable electronic device having a removable component is provided. The merchandise display security device includes a sensor configured to be secured to the portable electronic device and monitoring electronics configured to detect unauthorized removal of the sensor from the portable electronic device. The merchandise display security device also includes a secondary sensor in electrical communication with the monitoring electronics, wherein the secondary sensor includes a flexible component configured to be positioned between the portable electronic device and the removable component. The monitoring electronics is configured to detect unauthorized removal of the removable component in response to movement of the flexible component.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In one example, a connector assembly for providing security to an article of merchandise is provided. The connector assembly includes a cord having a plurality of conductors and a body portion connected to the cord. The connector assembly also includes a connection portion engaged with the body portion and including a plurality of engagement members. Each of the engagement members is electrically connected to a respective conductor in the cord, and the connection portion is configured to engage the article of merchandise to thereby electrically connect the engagement members to one another for establishing a sense loop through the conductors in the cord. Interruption of the sense loop is indicative of a security event.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for monitoring a status of a plurality of a merchandise display devices for displaying items of merchandise at respective display positions. For example, the method includes monitoring for a change in a preselected characteristic of a circuit defined by an electrical connection between the security devices and a plurality of nodes and between the nodes and an alarm unit. The method also includes determining whether an item of merchandise has been added to or removed from a respective display position based on a change in the preselected characteristic.

Abstract: A merchandise security system for protecting an item of merchandise from theft. The merchandise security system comprises a smart device and an electronic key coupled to the smart device. The electronic key is configured to communicate with a merchandise security device for operating a merchandise security device.

Abstract: Security systems and methods for protecting portable electronic devices from theft are provided. For example, a security system includes a sensor configured to be secured to a portable electronic device, and a monitoring component configured to wirelessly communicate with the sensor and to removably support the sensor thereon, wherein the monitoring component and the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine a proximity of the portable electronic device relative to the monitoring component, wherein the monitoring component and/or the sensor is configured to initiate a security signal when the proximity between the monitoring component and the sensor is not within a predetermined range. The sensor and the monitoring component are configured to communicate with one another for initially setting the predetermined range.

Abstract: A merchandise display security device for a portable electronic device having a removable component is provided. The merchandise display security device includes a sensor configured to be secured to the portable electronic device and monitoring electronics configured to detect unauthorized removal of the sensor from the portable electronic device. The merchandise display security device also includes a secondary sensor in electrical communication with the monitoring electronics, wherein the secondary sensor includes a flexible component configured to be positioned between the portable electronic device and the removable component. The monitoring electronics is configured to detect unauthorized removal of the removable component in response to movement of the flexible component.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise, wherein the sensor includes alarming circuitry. The system also includes a tether comprising a pair of conductors electrically connected to the alarming circuitry, wherein the pair of conductors is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or to the article of merchandise. In response to power ceasing to be transferred, the alarming circuitry is configured to monitor an electrical signal transmitted through the pair of conductors in order to determine whether the tether has been cut or removed from the sensor.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods for displaying and protecting items of merchandise from theft. A merchandise security system and method according to the invention includes at least one tag and a plurality of nodes positioned within a display area. The plurality of nodes are operable for determining a location of the tag. The wireless beacon tracking system further includes a server operably associated with the plurality of nodes for receiving information related to the location of the tag.

Abstract: A merchandise security device is provided. The merchandise security device may include a lock mechanism operably engaged with a shape memory material configured to receive electrical power for locking and unlocking the lock mechanism. The shape memory material may be configured to change in shape in response to receiving electrical power to thereby lock or unlock the lock mechanism.