Abstract: A Virtual Electrical and Electronic Device Interface and Management System (VEEDIMS) is provided. In one example, the VEEDIMS includes a backbone network formed by cables that are configured to simultaneously carry digital data and power. A controller is coupled to the backbone network and configured to execute control instructions. A plurality of modules are coupled to the controller via the backbone network and receive data and power via the backbone network. The modules receive control signals from the controller based on the control instructions. At least one device is coupled to one of the modules via a direct input/output (I/O) interface positioned in the module. A device specific driver contained in the module provides a communications interface between the device and a generic VEEDIMS controller driver in the controller.

Abstract: Hybrid cables for conveying data and conducting operating power to electrically powered devices and a vehicle utilizing such cables are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for processing credit card transactions is disclosed. Merchant locations include at least one Internet protocol (IP) capable credit card terminal, either connected directly to a wide area network such as the Internet, or connected to the Internet via a router. The IP capable credit card terminal forwards transaction information over the Internet, and biometric information regarding the presenting customer if desired and if available, which is processed by a credit card processing system. According to the embodiment of the invention, the credit card processing system is an IP credit card gateway processor, which formats the transaction information into a conventional format for processing by a credit card processor.

Abstract: A system for remote data acquisition and private and secure and authenticated, centralized processing and storage is disclosed called the DataTreasury™ Repository System. The DataTreasury™ Repository System provides a secure system for the storage and retrieval of data comprising personal information, financial information, and general information. The identity of the users are held private through the use of a biometric as the sole personal identifier. The system acquires transactional data at at least one remote locations, encrypts the data, transmits the encrypted data to a central location, transforms the data to a usable form, performs identification verification using biometric data, generates informative reports from the data and transmits the informative reports to the remote location(s), while maintaining privacy, security, and authenticity of the user's data and biometric.

Abstract: A system for remote data acquisition and centralized processing and storage is disclosed called the DataTreasury.TM. System. The DataTreasury.TM. System provides comprehensive support for the processing of documents and electronic data associated with different applications including sale, business, banking and general consumer transactions. The system retrieves transaction data such as credit card receipts checks in either electronic or paper form at one or more remote locations, encrypts the data, transmits the encrypted data to a central location, transforms the data to a usable form, performs identification verification using signature data and biometric data, generates informative reports from the data and transmits the informative reports to the remote location(s). The DataTreasury.TM. System has many advantageous features which work together to provide high performance, security, reliability, fault tolerance and low cost.

Abstract: A system for remote data acquisition and centralized processing and storage is disclosed called the DataTreasury.TM. System. The DataTreasury.TM. System provides comprehensive support for the processing of documents and electronic data associated with different applications including sale, business, banking and general consumer transactions. The system retrieves transaction data at one or more remote Locations, encrypts the data, transmits the encrypted data to a central location, transforms the data to a usable form, performs identification verification using signature data and biometric data, generates informative reports from the data and transmits the informative reports to the remote location(s). The DataTreasury.TM. System has many advantageous features which work together to provide high performance, security, reliability, fault tolerance and low cost. First, the network architecture facilitates secure communication between the remote location(s) and the central processing facility.

Abstract: A video character recognizer is provided, comprising an analog signal processor for receiving an analog video signal and for generating a position signal and a pixel signal therefrom in response to the analog video signal; a framing circuit responsive to the position signal for receiving the pixel signal and for generating an item of pixel-frame data in response to the position signal, each item of pixel-frame data being indicative of a plurality of pixel signal values; and a code conversion stored program for deriving a character code representation, such as an ASCII value, in response to the item of pixel-frame data. The recognizer derives ASCII values in real time as would be displayed on a cathode-ray-tube display in response to an analog video signal.