Abstract: A method for applying a strike voltage to one or more substrates during plating. During this method, the substrates are moved in a planetary manner while being held at their exterior edges by a set of parallel mandrels. (The substrates are held in a mutually parallel orientation, typically vertically, during plating.) A voltage is applied to the substrates via a contact pin, a contact plate, a set of ball bearings, a rack end-plate, and the mandrels.

Abstract: Plating apparatus comprises a gear mechanism for imparting planetary motion to a set of holders for holding substrates in a plating bath. The holders are typically a non-conductive material such as plastic. The holders are coupled to a bearing comprising first and second plastic races and metallic balls therebetween. This embodiment reduces the amount of plastic moving against plastic, and therefore reduces the amount of wear, friction, and generation of contaminant parts. The holders comprise a central mandrel and outer mandrels connected to end pieces. The substrates are held at their outer edges between the outer mandrels and the central mandrels.

Abstract: A distributor of prepaid wireless services provides a prepaid card representing an amount of prepaid wireless service that may be applied to any of a plurality of wireless service providers. Prepaid cards applicable to any of several wireless service providers are sold at retail points of sale and activated at the time of purchase. The card is then registered with a universal host where the card owner enters the card account number, PIN and the wireless device telephone number for which the prepaid service is to be applied. The universal host automatically selects one of the plurality of service providers in response to the phone number. The purchased prepaid service is then enabled for the wireless device corresponding to the phone number.

Abstract: A method and system and computer readable medium for processing currency including cash, coins, passive cards, prepaid cards, debit cards, check cards, and smart cards and for providing tokens including passive cards, debit cards, check cards, and smart cards. A transaction fee is calculated based upon a combination of one more of the following (i) type and amount of currency deposited; (iii) the type and amount of token requested; and (iii) the type and amount of the subsequent purchase.

Abstract: A prepaid computer service operating on a personal computer and a networked computer is activated at a point of sale. The service includes broadband Internet access such as DSL. The service running on the personal computer includes a switch for discontinuing the service upon expiration of the prepaid service. The switch may be a comprised in a circuit interconnected between a DSL modem and a personal computer. A DSL service provider provides Internet access service and a service manager manages the prepaid service. The switch has a timer having a value loaded by the service manager, and the timer is used to determine the expiration of service. The prepaid service alternately includes a software based switch which may be used to regulated prepaid internet service or other software based services such as prepaid Internet based games, thin-client software services or entertainment.

Abstract: A distributor of prepaid wireless services provides a prepaid card representing an amount of prepaid wireless service that may be applied to any of a plurality of wireless service providers. Prepaid cards applicable to any of several wireless service providers are sold at retail points of sale and activated at the time of purchase. The card is then registered with a universal host where the card owner enters the card account number, PIN and the wireless device telephone number for which the prepaid service is to be applied. The universal host automatically selects one of the plurality of service providers in response to the phone number. The purchased prepaid service is then enabled for the wireless device corresponding to the phone number.

Abstract: A process determines whether a prepaid card customer is credit worthy by analyzing deposits and purchases transactions associated with the account of the customer. Credit is advanced on prepaid card purchases in response to the determination of creditworthiness. Prepaid card credit granting and repayment is made available other financial institutions for the establishment of more conventional credit. The prepaid card customer creditworthiness determination includes deposits and transactions made while the person was an anonymous prepaid card user. The process includes fraud and theft prevention measures including validation of the anonymous transactions using a biological identification such as a finger print or retinal scan or by validation of anonymous and non-anonymous deposit and purchase profiles. Alternatively, prepaid card credit can be granted even if the customer is anonymous and has not provided a validated name and other personal and/or financial information.

Abstract: A method and system and computer readable medium for processing currency including cash, coins, passive cards, prepaid cards, debit cards, check cards, and smart cards and for providing tokens including passive cards, debit cards, check cards, and smart cards. A transaction fee is calculated based upon a combination of one more of the following (i) type and amount of currency deposited; (iii) the type and amount of token requested; and (iii) the type and amount of the subsequent purchase.