Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for securely establishing a unique cryptographic key in a first cryptographic device, for example an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). In a preferred embodiment, the ATM includes means for entering a key component and an ATM processor board, and the apparatus includes a microprocessor and a persistent, non-volatile memory device electrically disposed between the key component entry means and the ATM processor board. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the microprocessor detects and captures a key component entered by a key custodian. The microprocessor then determines whether a first key component is present in the non-volatile memory device. If not, the key component is stored in the non-volatile memory device as the persistent key component (PKC). If a PKC is present in the non-volatile memory device, the key component is temporarily stored as a second key component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing and balancing the off-state capacitance of an overvoltage protection circuit utilizes one or more diode networks electrically connected in series with an overvoltage protection device. The overvoltage protection device is selected from the group consisting of a gas tube, an MOV, a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode and a TVS thyristor. Preferably, the overvoltage protection device is a solid-state overvoltage protector (SSOVP) having at least one thyristor. The diode network includes a plurality of diodes electrically connected in parallel and arranged with opposing polarities so that the circuit is bi-directional. Preferably, the diode network includes a first set of two or more stacked diodes electrically connected in parallel with a second set of two or more stacked diodes and arranged with opposing polarities, and the capacitance of the diode network is less than the capacitance of the thyristor.

Abstract: A medical device for containing body fluids includes an elongate sleeve and at least one closure strap. The elongate sleeve defines a longitudinal axis and has at least one open end. The sleeve is made of a material that has an absorbent layer and a substantially transparent, nonporous layer positioned outwardly of the absorbent layer. Preferably, the material of the sleeve also includes a non-adherent, porous layer positioned inwardly of the absorbent layer. The strap is attached to the sleeve for closing the open end and for positioning and securing the sleeve over a wounded area or over a dressing covering a wound. The strap is made of a flexible, elastic material. The strap is wrapped completely around the sleeve and is affixed to itself, thus positioning and securing the sleeve over the wounded area or the dressing. In one preferred embodiment, the medical device includes an elongate sleeve having a pair of open ends and a pair of straps.

Abstract: A fiber management frame and an associated interconnection closure are provided that may be configured to house splice connections or to connect pre-connectorized optical fibers by means of connector sleeves. The fiber management frame includes a frame, at least one optical fiber connection tray, and a connector platform including at least one connector sleeve. The connector platform may be detachably mounted to the frame such that the connector platform is removable. In order to provide access to the connector platform, the connector platform may also be slidably connected to the frame. The fiber management frame facilitates routing of the optical fibers. For example, the fiber management frame may include stacks of connector sleeves that are spaced from adjacent stacks to define a gap therebetween through which optical fibers may be routed. The connector platform may also include at least one routing guide for guiding optical fibers to respective connector sleeves.

Abstract: An overvoltage protector bridge circuit for protecting telecommunications equipment against voltage surges on transmission lines utilizes an overvoltage protection device in a bridge circuit having multiple diodes arranged in series or in parallel on each leg of the circuit. The overvoltage protection device conducts when it reaches a threshold voltage potential. The overvoltage protection device is electrically connected between a pair of connection nodes in the bridge circuit. The bridge circuit is made up of multiple diodes arranged along each of the legs of the circuit, which extend between the tip line and the ring line and the connection nodes. At least two diodes are arranged in series or in parallel along each leg of the bridge circuit to steer the excess voltage on the tip line or the ring line, or both, through the overvoltage protection device to ground.

Abstract: A distribution terminal is provided for interconnecting one or more fiber optic drop cables with at least one fiber optic distribution cable at a convenient access point in a telecommunications network. The terminal comprises a base and a cover adapted to be opened and closed on the base. The base defines an interior cavity having a lower fiber management area for accessing the distribution cable and an upper fiber management area for accessing the drop cables. The upper fiber management area includes a transition panel that is movable relative to the base to provide access to the lower fiber management area. Thus, both the lower fiber management area and the upper fiber management area are easily and readily accessible to a field technician initially installing the terminal and subsequently reconfiguring the optical fiber connections within the terminal at the access point.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for securely establishing a cryptographic key between a first cryptographic device, for example a host cryptographic security module, and a second cryptographic device, for example a bank Automated Teller Machine (ATM). A plurality of key components is generated from a pool of random numbers and a unique reference number indexes each of the key components. The key components are encrypted, stored and indexed in the host security module by the corresponding reference numbers. The key components are arbitrarily distributed to field personnel in tamper evident envelopes to be entered into the ATM. Each of the tamper evident envelopes is marked with the reference number corresponding to the key component contained in the envelope. At least two field personnel each enter a different key component into the ATM to form the cryptographic key.

Abstract: A failsafe surge protector having a reduced part count includes a line terminal, a gas tube assembly, at least one ground spring for biasing the gas tube assembly in the direction of the line terminal, and a ground terminal. The gas tube assembly includes a gas tube, a fusible solder pellet, a failsafe ground, an MOV, and an MOV spring. The surge protector provides a first electrical ground path from the line terminal to the ground terminal through the gas tube and the fusible solder pellet, and a second electrical ground path parallel to the first electrical ground path from the line terminal to the ground terminal through the MOV. When the fusible solder pellet melts, the ground spring biases the failsafe ground into electrical contact with the line terminal, thereby providing a short-circuit electrical path from the line terminal to the ground terminal through the failsafe ground.

Abstract: A fiber management frame and a closure are provided that are adapted to be utilized in a universal manner for both FTTH and FTTC applications. The closure includes a housing and the fiber management frame disposed within the housing. The fiber management frame includes a back panel attached to the housing and four separate compartments for routing optical fibers and, in FTTC applications, electrical conductors. In FTTH applications, the first compartment receives express optical fibers of the fiber optic feeder cable, while in FTTC applications, the first compartment receives at least one electrical conductor of the electrical feeder cable. The second compartment is proximate the first compartment. In FTTH applications, the second compartment stores at least one coupler tray that splits a first optical fiber of the fiber optic feeder cable into a plurality of second optical fibers. In FTTC applications, the second compartment receives express optical fibers of the fiber optic feeder cable.

Abstract: A protector panel for telecommunication wires has a plurality of rows of sockets. Each of the sockets has two pairs of receptacles for receiving pins of a plug-in excess voltage protector module. Rows of pins protrude from the back of the panel, each of the pins registering with one of the receptacles so as to provide two pairs of pins for each socket pattern. A pair of outside-plant wires extends from one of the pairs of pins of each socket pattern. Similarly, a pair of customer premises wires extends from the other of the pairs of each socket pattern. The pairs of wires are twisted substantially along their entire length. The amount of twist of at least some of the pairs of the outside-plant wires within each row differs from the amount of twist of at least some of the other pairs of outside-plant wires. Similarly, the amount of twist of the customer premises wires also differs from others in the same row.

Abstract: A fiber optic closure includes a panel assembly having at least two planar panels affixed to another in a hinged manner. The panel assembly includes a storage bay sandwiched between a pair of fiber connection management assemblies. Each fiber connection management assembly includes a sleeve connector panel that supports one or more sleeve connector arrays within which fiber optic cable connectors may be inserted to establish fiber optic connections. The panel assembly also provides a conventional splice panel having splice holders within which splice connections are established. It is preferred to position the splice panel directly adjoining the sleeve connector panel. In this manner, a craftsperson can easily form custom sleeve connections within the fiber optic closure by splicing connectors onto selected optical fibers utilizing the splice panel and then interconnecting the connectors with opposing connectors utilizing the sleeve connector panel.

Abstract: An interconnect apparatus for electrically connecting Telco wires to subscriber wires is arranged and configured to withstand overcurrent and overvoltage conditions. The interconnect apparatus includes a jack, a first set of contacts, and a first set of by-pass conductors. The first set of by-pass conductors is electrically connected to the first set of contacts and has a greater current carrying capacity than the first set of contacts. The interconnect apparatus further includes a second set of by-pass conductors and a plug. The second set of by-pass conductors is electrically connected to the first set of by-pass conductors when the plug and jack are engaged. The second set of by-pass conductors may also have a greater current carrying capacity than the first set of contacts. Preferably, the first set of by-pass conductors is spaced sufficiently apart and the second set of by-pass conductors is spaced sufficiently apart to substantially eliminate arcing.

Abstract: A fiber optic closure includes a panel assembly having at least two panels hinged to one another. The panel assembly includes a storage bay sandwiched between a pair of fiber management and connection assemblies. Each fiber management and connection assembly includes a sleeve connector panel that supports at least one sleeve connector array for establishing optical fiber connections. The splice panel having splice tube holders is also provided for establishing splices. The splice panel may further have at least one coupler cassette for splitting at least one input optical fiber into two or more output optical fibers. Preferably, the splice panel is positioned adjacent the sleeve connector panel so that a craftsperson can easily form custom sleeve connections within the fiber optic closure utilizing the splice panel to splice connectors onto selected optical fibers and utilizing the sleeve connector panel to interconnecting the connectors with opposing connectors.

Abstract: A telephone network interface device (NID) includes a test circuit that is readily connected and disconnected. The NID has a portion of an electrical circuit that connects a pair of provider wires as well as a pair of test wires to a pair of subscriber terminals. The test wires lead to a test circuit on the provider side of the housing of the NID. The subscriber terminals are located on the subscriber side of the housing to interconnect the provider wires with a pair of subscriber wires. A jack in the NID has a normal mode of operation in which the provider wires are electrically connected to the subscriber wires and a test mode of operation in which the provider wires are disconnected from the subscriber wires. A pair of lead wires are electrically connected to the jack and have free ends that connect to the subscriber terminals. This connects the test circuit in parallel physically and electrically between the provider wires and the subscriber wires.

Abstract: A cable breakaway assembly is adapted for mounting within a stationary component of a communications service network to prevent damage to a feeder cable in the event that an excessive pulling force is applied to a customer cable spliced to the feeder cable. In one embodiment, the cable breakaway assembly comprises a generally symmetric base, at least one cutting blade fixed to the base, and a swing arm rotatably attached to the base and movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The communications cable is secured to the swing arm by a cable clamp and the swing arm is biased in the extended position by a torsion spring. When the excessive force is applied to the customer cable the swing arm rotates to the retracted position, thereby bringing the communications cable into contact with the cutting blade and severing the communications cable. In another embodiment, the base defines a cavity and the swing arm is replaced by a cable block resiliently positioned within the cavity.

Abstract: An inkjet printer prints variable image identifying information on a substrate with a first side having a release agent thereon and a second side having an activated chemical adhesive thereon. The inkjet printer includes at least one inkjet head for transferring an ink to the first side of the substrate and a pair of opposed guide rollers, a nip roller assembly and a driven platen roller opposite the inkjet head for advancing the substrate past the inkjet head. The inkjet printer further includes a fuser for drying the ink immediately after the variable identifying information is printed on the substrate. Preferably, the variable identifying information is printed on the substrate at a rate that is compatible with the operating speed of a tape applicator on a conventional high-speed production line.

Abstract: A corner wall-mount fiber optic connector housing includes an enclosure having a back plate for mounting in a corner between two walls. The enclosure is provided with at least one provider port for entry of a fiber optic provider cable having a plurality of optical fibers and at least two customer ports for entry of a fiber optic customer cable having a plurality of optical fibers. At least two fiber optic connector panel mounts located within the enclosure have an aperture for receiving a plurality of connectors to optically interconnect the fibers of the provider cable with the fibers of the customer cable. The back plate is formed in two planes at an angle to each other for mounting in the corner, and one of the customer ports and one of the connector panel mounts is positioned adjacent a respective one of the two planes of the back plate.

Abstract: A customer bridge for a terminating device includes a base defining an interior cavity and a base cap attached to the base and substantially covering the cavity. At least a pair of wire insertion holes formed through the base cap extend into the cavity for receiving twisted-pair tip and ring wires. The customer bridge further includes at least a pair of corresponding insulation displacement contacts disposed within the cavity. An actuating arm pivots between a disconnected position wherein the twisted-pair tip and ring wires do not engage the corresponding pair of insulation displacement contacts and a connected position wherein the twisted-pair tip and ring wires engage the corresponding pair of insulation displacement contacts. The wire insertion holes are located on the top surface of the customer bridge to permit the twisted-pair tip and ring wires to be inserted from immediately above the terminating device.