Method and apparatus for monitoring portable articles

An alarm monitoring system comprising:

• first and second alarm units, each comprising a housing having a plurality of sensor ports, each for connection to a sensor for sensing a breach of a portable article, a power input, first and second communication ports, a programmed controller circuit connected to the sensor ports, a communications circuit connected between the programmed controller circuit and the first and second communication ports, a power supply connected to the power input for powering the alarm unit, and the power input being connected to the first and second communication ports, and the programmed control circuit includes an alarm function to generate a detectable signal detectable signal as an incident of a system breach;
• a power adapter operatively connected to the power input for the first alarm unit;
• and
• a plurality of one or more cables connecting one of the first and second communication ports of the first alarm unit to one of the first and second communication ports for the second alarm unit to power both of the alarm units from the power adapter and to communicate data between the alarm units,
• wherein the first and second alarm units are programmed to generate the detectable signal responsive to a system breach detected by either of the alarm units.

An alarm monitoring system comprising:

• a plurality of alarm units, each alarm unit comprising a housing having a plurality of sensor ports, each for connection to a sensor for sensing a breach of a portable article, a power input, first and second communication ports, a programmed controller circuit connected to the sensor ports, a communications circuit connected between the programmed controller circuit and the first and second communication ports, a power supply connected to the power input for powering the alarm unit, and the power input being connected to the first and second communication ports, and the programmed control circuit includes an alarm function to generate a detectable signal detectable signal as an incident of a system breach;
• a power adapter operatively connected to the power input for one of the alarm units;
• and
• a plurality of cables connecting the plural alarm units in series, each cable for connecting one of the first and second communication ports of one of the alarm units to one of the first and second communication ports for another one of the alarm units to power all of the alarm units from the power adapter and to communicate data between the plural alarm units,
• wherein the plural alarm units are programmed to generate the detectable signal responsive to a system breach detected by any of the plural alarm units.