Network detection-based monitoring of electronic merchandise

1 . An electronic device configured for retail display, the electronic device comprising:

an antenna;

a memory in which security monitoring instructions are stored; and

a processor configured to execute the security monitoring instructions to monitor a profile of wireless network access points detected via the antenna;

wherein the processor is further configured via the execution of the security monitoring instructions to detect a change in the profile of wireless network access points that exceeds a threshold and, in response to detection of the change, lock a user interface of the electronic device;

wherein each of the wireless network access points broadcasts a respective wireless network communication signal such that the profile of wireless network access points is indicative of the wireless network communication signals visible to, or detectable by, the electronic device;

wherein the profile comprises a list of identifiers of the wireless network communication signals visible to, or detectable by, the electronic device such that the detection of the change in the profile that exceeds a threshold comprises a calculation of a score based on the wireless network communication signals visible to, or detected by the electronic device, a signal strength of each wireless network communication signal visible to, or detected by the electronic device, and an order of the wireless network communication signals by signal strength, and further comprises a comparison of the score with the threshold; and

wherein at least one of the wireless network access points broadcasts the respective wireless network communication signal despite not providing data communications for the electronic device to and from an external network.

2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein:

base profile data for a home base location of the electronic device is stored in the memory; and

the processor is further configured via the execution of the security monitoring instructions to implement a comparison of data indicative of the profile with the base profile data to detect the change.

3 . The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured via the execution of the security monitoring instructions to implement a scan to capture the base profile data via the antenna upon an unlocking of the electronic device.

4 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured via the execution of the security monitoring instructions to periodically capture current profile data for the profile of wireless network access points detected via the antenna.

5 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the profile comprises data indicative of media access control (MAC) addresses of the wireless network access points detected via the antenna.

6 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless network access points comprise a security-dedicated wireless network communication device.

7 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless network access points comprise a network device not connected to an external network.

8 . The electronic device of claim 7 , wherein the wireless network access point not connected to the external network is battery powered.

9 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless network access points comprise a wireless router.

10 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein:

exit profile data is stored in the memory;

the exit profile data is indicative of a wireless network access point disposed at a location associated with an exit of a retail environment; and

the processor is further configured via the execution of the security monitoring instructions to compare the profile with the exit profile data and, upon detection of a match between the profile and the exit profile data, lock the user interface of the electronic device.

11 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein each of the wireless network access points broadcasts the respective wireless network communication signal despite not providing data communications for the electronic device to and from an external network.

12 . A method of monitoring an electronic device on retail display, the method comprising:

monitoring, by a processor, a profile of wireless network access points detected via an antenna of the electronic device; and

detecting a change in the profile of wireless network access points that exceeds a threshold and, in response to the detection of the change, locking, by the processor, a user interface of the electronic device;

wherein each of the wireless network access points broadcasts a respective wireless network communication signal such that the profile of wireless network access points is indicative of the wireless network communication signals visible to, or detectable by, the electronic device;

wherein the profile comprises a list of identifiers of the wireless network communication signals visible to, or detectable by, the electronic device such that detecting the change in the profile that exceeds a threshold comprises a calculation of a score based on the wireless network communication signals visible to, or detected by the electronic device, a signal strength of each wireless network communication signal visible to, or detected by the electronic device, and an order of the wireless network communication signals by signal strength, and further comprises a comparison of the score with the threshold; and

wherein at least one of the wireless network access points broadcasts the respective wireless network communication signal despite not providing data communications for the electronic device to and from an external network.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein monitoring the profile of wireless network access points comprises:

obtaining, by the processor, base profile data for a home base location of the electronic device; and

implementing, by the processor, a comparison of data indicative of the profile with the base profile data to detect the change.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising implementing a scan to capture the base profile data via the antenna upon an unlocking of the electronic device.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the wireless network access points comprise a security-dedicated wireless network communication device.

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the wireless network access points comprise a network device not connected to an external network.

17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein monitoring the profile of wireless network access points comprises capturing current profile data periodically for the profile of wireless network access points detected via the antenna.

18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein monitoring the profile of wireless network access points comprises:

comparing the profile with exit profile data indicative of a wireless network access point disposed at a location associated with an exit of a retail environment; and

upon detection of a match between the profile and the exit profile data, lock the user interface of the electronic device.

19 . The method of claim 12 , wherein each of the wireless network access points broadcasts the respective wireless network communication signal despite not providing data communications for the electronic device to and from an external network.

20 . A system for retail security monitoring, the system comprising:

an electronic device on retail display; and

a plurality of wireless network access points, each wireless network access point of the plurality of wireless network access points broadcasting a respective wireless network communication signal;

wherein the electronic device comprises:

an antenna;

a memory in which security monitoring instructions are stored; and

a processor configured to execute the security monitoring instructions to monitor a profile of the plurality of wireless network access points detected via the antenna;

wherein the processor is further configured via the execution of the security monitoring instructions to detect a change in the profile of the plurality of wireless network access points that exceeds a threshold and, in response to detection of the change, lock a user interface of the electronic device;

wherein each of the wireless network access points broadcasts a respective wireless network communication signal such that the profile of wireless network access points is indicative of the wireless network communication signals visible to, or detectable by, the electronic device;

wherein the profile comprises a list of identifiers of the wireless network communication signals visible to, or detectable by, the electronic device such that the detection of the change in the profile that exceeds a threshold comprises a calculation of a score based on the wireless network communication signals visible to, or detected by the electronic device, a signal strength of each wireless network communication signal visible to, or detected by the electronic device, and an order of the wireless network communication signals by signal strength, and further comprises a comparison of the score with the threshold; and

wherein at least one of the wireless network access points broadcasts the respective wireless network communication signal despite not providing data communications for the electronic device to and from an external network.

21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the profile comprises data indicative of media access control (MAC) addresses of the plurality of wireless network access points detected via the antenna.

22 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the plurality of wireless network access points comprise a network device not connected to an external network.

23 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the wireless network access points comprise a security-dedicated wireless network communication device.

24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the security-dedicated wireless network communication device is battery powered.

25 . The system of claim 20 , wherein each of the wireless network access points broadcasts the respective wireless network communication signal despite not providing data communications for the electronic device to and from an external network.