Abstract: A pre-paid card, referred to as an Internet card, in accordance with the invention can be used to make anonymous payments over the Internet for services and products, e.g., to pay for Internet access and/or product purchases. The Card is purchased, e.g., with cash, from a card retailer, e.g., a convenience store. In some embodiments the card includes security information which is hidden from the retailer but can be viewed by the purchaser, e.g., after performing a tear off or scratch off operation to reveal the security information. The security information can be used to authorize a transaction to be charged against the card without the need to reveal any personal information and without the risk of the retailer making unauthorized purchases since the security information is hidden from the retailer. By avoiding the need for personal information privacy is maintained and the risk of identity theft avoided.

Abstract: To eliminate problems caused by the use of batteries for back-up power in outside plant facilities of a communication network or the like, the batteries are replaced with flywheel reserve power systems, in accord with the invention. Specific applications of flywheel power systems include flywheel systems to supply power to the optical terminal of a digital loop carrier type system, for a telephone network. Other applications relate to flywheel systems to supply power to optical network units (ONUs) in fiber to the curb or fiber to the home type communication networks. In the preferred embodiments, the flywheel power systems include intelligent components for monitoring and controlling operations of the power systems. Communication links are provided, to enable the monitoring and control components to report status to and receive control instructions from a centralized network control or management center.