Abstract: Methods to remove data from a mobile device, such as a smartphone, a smart watch, a tablet, or the like include stepwise verification of operation of hardware components of the mobile device prior to using a software tool to erase the data from the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for reading data from either a magnetic stripe, a chip or both a magnetic stripe and a chip located on a data card using a single swiping motion. An aspect of the methods and apparatus described is that movement of a data card is detected, restrained and/or prevented during exchange of information between the reader and any integrated circuits located on the data card. One embodiment includes guiding walls that form a channel and that are connected to a receiver having an interior surface, a magnetic reading head mounted on one of the guiding walls, electrical contacts located on the interior surface of the receiver and a latch extending at least partially across the channel formed by the guiding walls.

Abstract: A transaction card reader for manually inserted cards includes a vertically moveable gate located just inward of the card insertion opening. The gate is moved from its closed or blocking position in response to the leading card edge engaging and applying symmetrical lifting forces to the gate. Guide members guide the vertical gate movement if the card is oriented at the correct angle in the insertion plane to produce symmetrical lifting forces. These guide members impede the gate from moving from its closed position if one card leading edge portion engages the gate before the other. In one exemplary embodiment, the gate includes a pair of spaced cam surfaces facing the user. If the leading card edge engages one cam surface before the other, the gate will skew and bind in a gateway. If both cam surfaces are engaged substantially simultaneously, the gate rises vertically in the gateway. A gate spring symmetrically biases the gate member toward the closed position.