Merchandise display security systems and methods

Abstract

Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of electronic keys and a plurality of merchandise security devices located within a retail store. Each electronic key and each merchandise security device is configured to store one or more serial numbers. In addition, each electronic key is configured to be authorized for communication with one or more merchandise security devices within the retail store. An electronic key is configured to communicate with a merchandise security device for locking, unlocking, arming, and/or disarming the merchandise security device when the serial numbers match.

1 . A security system comprising:
 a plurality of security devices each configured to protect one or more items from theft;   a plurality of electronic keys each configured to wirelessly communicate with each of the plurality of security devices for operating the security devices, each of the plurality of electronic keys configured to obtain data in response to interaction with each of the plurality of security devices;   wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to wirelessly communicate the data to a remote computing device automatically or in real time.   
     
     
         2 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to communicate with the remote computing device via a cloud network. 
     
     
         3 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the data further comprises a type of the items. 
     
     
         4 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the items are items of merchandise located in a retail store. 
     
     
         5 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the data further comprises a system health of the items and/or the plurality of security devices. 
     
     
         6 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of security devices are locks and/or alarming security displays. 
     
     
         7 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of security devices comprise different types. 
     
     
         8 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the data further comprises an identifier of each of the plurality of security devices. 
     
     
         9 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to wirelessly communicate with each of the plurality of security devices using optical signals. 
     
     
         10 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to communicate data to the remote computing device comprising a date and time of activation of each electronic key, a user of each electronic key, a serial number of each electronic key, a number of activations of each electronic key, and/or events resulting from activation of each electronic key. 
     
     
         11 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to be authorized for locking, unlocking, arming, and/or disarming one or more different security devices than at least one other electronic key. 
     
     
         12 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to receive a command from the remote computing device for controlling the electronic key. 
     
     
         13 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of security devices is configured to receive a command from the remote computing device for controlling the security device. 
     
     
         14 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to communicate the data to the remote computing device in real time. 
     
     
         15 . The security device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to communicate the data to the remote computing device for auditing and/or monitoring the plurality of security devices. 
     
     
         16 . The security device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of security devices is programmed with a serial number unique thereto, wherein each the plurality of electronic keys is configured to store a plurality of the serial numbers, wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to communicate with any one of the plurality of security devices to operate security device in response to the serial number stored by the electronic key matching the serial number of the merchandise security device. 
     
     
         17 . The security system of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of security devices is configured to store at least one security code, wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to store at least one security code, and wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to operate the security device when the security codes match. 
     
     
         18 . The security system of  claim 1 , further comprising a programming station, separate from the remote computing device, configured to communicate with any one of the plurality of electronic keys for authorizing the electronic key to operate the plurality of security devices. 
     
     
         19 . The security system of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to communicate with the programming station for transferring the data to the remote computing device. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 a plurality of security devices each configured to protect one or more items from theft; and   a plurality of electronic keys each wirelessly communicating with each of the plurality of security devices for operating the security devices, each of the plurality of electronic keys obtains data in response to interaction with each of the plurality of security devices, each of the plurality of electronic keys wirelessly communicates the data to a remote computing device automatically or in real time.