Abstract: Disclosed herein are lock assemblies that include, in particular embodiments, a cable assembly, a housing, a sensor assembly, and a wireless transceiver. The cable assembly includes a cable having a sensor element disposed along its length, a first shackle pin on its first end, and a second shackle pin on its opposing end. The housing defines a first pinway for receiving the first shackle pin, a second pinway for receiving the second shackle pin, and a locking mechanism for securing the shackle pins to the housing. The sensor assembly is located within the housing and in communication with the cable assembly for sensing a cable type and a cable condition related to the cable assembly. The wireless transceiver is connected to a power source, in communication with the sensor assembly, and operated by a microcontroller within the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cable systems that include a cable defining a sensing path and comprising a working strand and one or more sensing strands, a signal source to impart a test signal between a first terminal and a second terminal, a sensor to detect the test signal, a transmitter to transmit the test signal to a receiver, and an indicator to generate a display indicative of the test signal. Certain preferred embodiments describe sensing strands that are arranged in alternating concentric layers and/or extend lengthwise in loops. Such configurations facilitate the detection of breakage, insults, excess tension, or excess bending in the cable. The sensing strands may include a fixed resistor to establish a known resistance and facilitate the detection of small resistive changes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are lock assemblies that include, in particular embodiments, a cable assembly, a housing, a sensor assembly, and a wireless transceiver. The cable assembly includes a cable having a sensor element disposed along its length, a first shackle pin on its first end, and a second shackle pin on its opposing end. The housing defines a first pinway for receiving the first shackle pin, a second pinway for receiving the second shackle pin, and a locking mechanism for securing the shackle pins to the housing. The sensor assembly is located within the housing and in communication with the cable assembly for sensing a cable type and a cable condition related to the cable assembly. The wireless transceiver is connected to a power source, in communication with the sensor assembly, and operated by a microcontroller within the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are lock assemblies that include, in particular embodiments, a cable assembly, a housing, a sensor assembly, and a wireless transceiver. The cable assembly includes a cable having a sensor element disposed along its length, a first shackle pin on its first end, and a second shackle pin on its opposing end. The housing defines a first pinway for receiving the first shackle pin, a second pinway for receiving the second shackle pin, and a locking mechanism for securing the shackle pins to the housing. The sensor assembly is located within the housing and in communication with the cable assembly for sensing a cable type and a cable condition related to the cable assembly. The wireless transceiver is connected to a power source, in communication with the sensor assembly, and operated by a microcontroller within the housing.

Abstract: A latent or “invisible ink” security marking formulation is provided using a phosphor with distinct emissions characteristics including visible emission due to excitation at a particular invisible wavelength. An insoluble inorganic phosphor with this or a similarly distinct emission characteristic is milled to a small particle size, preferably less than one micron particle diameter, and is combined with a carrier at very low pigment concentration, for example one percent by weight of the ink formulation. Preferably the pigment is cropped to resin particles in a binder. This ink formulation is diluted by a volatile solvent and applied using a conventional inkjet printer of the type used to mark codes on packages and labels. To test for security purposes the printing is irradiated and a response according to the predetermined characteristic is noted (or not noted) to detect security information.

Abstract: In the method for associating source information with a substrate, which includes providing at least one latent marking agent that emits a signal at an emission wavelength in response to being irradiated with infrared radiation at an excitation wavelength, wherein the signal is at least a portion of the source information; and affixing the at least one latent marking agent to the substrate, a process for providing an ink with a viscosity for effective printing of the source information on the substrate. The at least one latent marking agent includes an inorganic pigment. In some embodiments of the method, the latent marking agent must be exposed to ultraviolet radiation before it can emit a signal in response to infrared irradiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous latent image printing method which includes applying to a substrate, such as paper, a latent image ink composition, via an ink jet printer. The latent image is then activated to render it visible, by application of an activator.

Abstract: A method for associating source information with a substrate includes providing at least one latent marking agent that emits a signal at an emission wavelength in response to being irradiated with infrared radiation at an excitation wavelength, wherein the signal is at least a portion of the source information; and affixing the at least one latent marking agent to the substrate. The at least one latent marking agent includes an inorganic pigment. In some embodiments of the method, the latent marking agent must be exposed to ultraviolet radiation before it can emit a signal in response to infrared irradiation.

Abstract: A handy tool is disclosed which forcibly withdraws a lock cylinder out from its housing by using means which engages underneath an outside flange on the lock cylinder and exerts a pulling force thereon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decoding twisting tumbler locks and improvements in such locks to resist such methods and apparatus. To determine depth of cut of bit for a given tumbler, a blade is inserted into key way to position a wirelike probe at tumbler to be decoded. Wirelike probe is advanced upwardly until it engages tit at top of tumbler. Depth of cut of key bit is function of length of tumbler and device can be calibrated to give direct readout of depth of bit cut. Angle of key bit can be measured by hooking a wirelike probe in side gate groove in tumbler and then twisting tumbler until tit engages key plug or shell. Amount of twist permitted is function of angular position required to register tumbler groove with side gate and device can be calibrated to give direct reading of such angle. To defeat depth of cut decoder, twisting tumbler lock wherein tits on tumblers are located at different distances from tops of tumblers is disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for decoding twisting tumbler lock of the type wherein side bar is sole locking element and normally bridges shear plane unless radial apertures in twisting tumblers are all in vertical and horizontal register with complementary side bar protrusions. Decoding apparatus comprises three devices each with a blade insertable in keyway and having upwardly and rearwardly sloping front surface angulated at one of three angles to which tumblers must be twisted for horizontal registration of apertures. Each blade has indicia for indicating that front surface is at particular tumbler and further has indicia for determining amount of elevation of tumbler resulting from camming action between chisel shaped tumbler bottom and blade front surface when blade is advanced from initial engagement with tumbler to elevate tumbler.