Abstract: A portable credit card reader. A portable terminal reads a credit card, and accepts a keyed-in monetary amount. The terminal communicates with a credit card verification service, which accepts or rejects the monetary amount. The communication is done in a wireless manner. The terminal is self-teaching, allowing persons unfamiliar with its operation to successfully execute a credit card transaction without previous training.

Abstract: A system for ascertaining identity of a customer based on a single card carried by the customer. The card bears a machine-readable code, which is transmitted to a database at a remote location. The database locates a record associated with the code, which contains one or more account numbers. Associated with each account number is a Personal Identification Number, PIN. (It is possible that all PINs are identical.) The customer selects an account number, and is asked for a PIN. If the PIN given by the customer matches that of the account number, the customer is concluded to be the valid owner of the account, and a transaction is allowed to proceed.

Abstract: Load and socket arrangements are disclosed wherein contacts within a socket are connected to an electrical energy source by a magnetic reed switch responsive to magnetic material carried by the load. The socket is disconnected from the source and incapable of producing electrical shock when the load is removed. In one embodiment, a lamp has a magnetic insulator separating its shell and base terminals. In another embodiment, a connector plug has a magnet carried within the body of the plug. Various sockets and circuits for connecting reed switches in the sockets are disclosed. Also disclosed are magnetic adapters for attachment to conventional lamps or plugs so that conventional loads may be used in the sockets.

Abstract: An electrical socket and associated circuitry is provided wherein current can flow to the socket only when a load device is in the socket and a normally open, momentary "make" switch is closed. The circuitry includes a relay for actuating a switch in parallel with the momentary make switch, which relay is energized upon closure of the momentary make switch and remains energized so that current will continue to flow to the socket until a normally closed, momentary "break" switch is opened. Current cannot flow through the socket with the load device removed even if one should touch the socket except in the unlikely event the make switch is closed.Several embodiments are disclosed wherein no current can flow through the socket unless at least three socket parts are engaged. In one form of socket, the socket base contact is divided into two parts, both of which must be engaged in order for the relay to remain energized.

Abstract: An insulator plate mounted on a socket shell housing is spring biased to cover one of the socket contacts when no load device is in the socket. To insert a load device into the socket, it is first necessary to move the insulator plate away from covering relation to the aforementioned socket contact.

Abstract: An electrical socket and associated circuitry is provided wherein current can flow to the socket only when a load device is in the socket and a normally open, momentary "make" switch is closed. The circuitry includes a relay for actuating a switch in parallel with the momentary make switch, which relay is energized upon closure of the momentary make switch and remains energized so that current will continue to flow to the socket until a normally closed, momentary "break" switch is opened. Current cannot flow through the socket with the load device removed even if one should touch the socket except in the unlikely event the make switch is closed.Several embodiments are disclosed wherein no current can flow through the socket unless at least three socket parts are engaged. In one form of socket, the socket base contact is divided into two parts, both of which must be engaged in order for the relay to remain energized.

Abstract: A socket base contact is self-biased to a position remote from its terminal and an insulating plate is driven by a spring between the contact and the terminal when a load device is removed from the socket. When a load device is inserted into the socket, the insulating plate may be manually moved to permit engagement between the base contact and its terminal. The force exerted against the base contact by a load device in the socket is sufficient to prevent the insulating plate from being driven between the base contact and its terminal.