Abstract: A field configurable vehicle armoring system and associated method allow a user to retrofit and reconfigure a combination of armor components in response to a perceived threat change and using original equipment manufacture fasteners and holes. The system includes pillar armor attachable after an original equipment manufacture door and hinge are removed. Fasteners extend through the hinge of the armored door, the pillar armor and an original equipment manufacture pillar using holes other than the original equipment manufacture holes. Rocker panel and underbody armor is further provided, along with a ballistic resistant windscreen and rear wall armor. Where desired, system armor includes a composite plate comprising a strike face that is constructed from softer metallic material than an inner metallic sheet.

Abstract: A field configurable vehicle armoring system and associated method allow a user to retrofit and reconfigure a combination of armor components in response to a perceived threat change and using original equipment manufacture fasteners and holes. The system includes pillar armor attachable after an original equipment manufacture door and hinge are removed. Fasteners extend through the hinge of the armored door, the pillar armor and an original equipment manufacture pillar using holes other than the original equipment manufacture holes. Rocker panel and underbody armor is further provided, along with a ballistic resistant windscreen and rear wall armor. Where desired, system armor includes a composite plate comprising a strike face that is constructed from softer metallic material than an inner metallic sheet.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a wireless handheld device that securely accesses one or more remote devices subject to locally authenticating a user via biometrics. The device may be implemented as a wireless mouse with a biometric sensor incorporated with a scroll wheel that captures a biometric from the user and authenticates the user to the device using the captured biometric. More specifically, the captured biometric is compared to a template stored in memory. The device transmits a wireless signal, such as a command stream including the user's user name and password, to access the remote devices when the captured biometric matches the template. However, the device does not operate when the user is not authenticated. Accordingly, the invention may be particularly useful to log-on and log-off a user who frequently leaves and returns to a personal computer or various remote devices during the course of a day.

Abstract: A removable hard disk drive storage system includes a data storage cartridge having a write protect switch, and a reader configured to couple to and read data from the data storage cartridge. The reader includes a physical block that aligns with the write protect switch of the data storage cartridge. The physical block aligns with the write protect switch of the data storage cartridge to prevent the reader from coupling to the data storage cartridge when the write protect switch is in a write protect position.

Abstract: A flash memory device is disclosed. The flash memory device includes a housing enclosing a memory board, a serial port extending from the housing and electrically coupled to the memory board, and a swivel cap rotatably coupled and removably attached to the housing. In this regard, the swivel cap is rotatable between a closed position covering the serial port and an open position exposing the serial port, and the swivel cap is rotatable to at least one removal position enabling a separation of the swivel cap from the housing.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge includes housing, a hard drive, and a connection assembly. The hard drive is stored within the housing and includes a non-tape storage medium and an electrical data connector configured to provide access to the non-tape storage medium. The electrical data connector includes a first number of connection terminals. The connection assembly is positioned within the housing and is coupled with each of the connection terminals of the electrical data connector. The connection assembly includes a second number of electrical targets spaced from and in electrical communication with the electrical data connector wherein the first number is greater than the second number. The electrical targets provide an interface for externally accessing the storage medium via the connection assembly and the electrical data connector.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge comprising a hard drive and a cartridge housing. The hard drive includes a non-tape storage medium and an electronic data connector including a plurality of connection pads for accessing the non-tape storage medium. The cartridge housing substantially encloses the hard drive. The plurality of connection pads are transversely accessible by a cartridge drive.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed. The data storage device includes a continuous band, and a memory device assembly disposes within the continuous band. The continuous band defines an internal housing recess formed by opposing sides extending between first and second major surfaces, and an access window formed in one of the first and second major surfaces and communicating with the internal housing recess. In this regard, the memory device assembly is disposed in the internal housing recess, and a flexing of the continuous band exposes a data/power port of the memory device assembly through the access window.

Abstract: A mobile communication device for remotely operating a keyless entry system includes a processor for generating at least one coded signal based on a predetermined code and a predetermined frequency entered by a user and a transmitter coupled to the processor for transmitting the generated coded signal. The at least one coded signal carries a code which is substantially identical to an operating code stored within the keyless entry system, whereby operation of the keyless entry system is responsive to a receipt of the at least one coded signal. To generate and transmit such at least one coded signal a dedicated switch may be provided within the mobile communication device and manually operable by the user or the user may utilize the key pad and functional keys.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge includes a housing, a non-tape storage medium contained within the housing, and a stacking feature provided on a top surface of the housing and on a bottom surface of the housing opposite the top surface. The stacking feature is asymmetrical about a first median axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the top surface and the bottom surface of the housing, and asymmetrical about a second median axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a first end of the housing and a second end of the housing opposite the first end. The stacking feature is configured to facilitate positioning of and maintaining a stacked configuration of the data storage cartridge with another data storage cartridge.

Abstract: An electronic data storage device tracing system includes at least one data storage device and a reader system. The data storage device includes a housing having an optical label and a device RFID tag coupled to the housing. In this regard, the optical label is printed with a VOLSER number and the device RFID tag includes a chip that electronically stores the VOLSER number. The reader system is configured to read the VOLSER number from the chip and trace the at least one data storage device entering/exiting the reader system.

Abstract: A portable hard disk drive includes a housing, a hard drive assembly disposed within the housing, and isolation material coupled to the hard drive assembly. The housing forms an enclosure defined by opposing first and second ends, opposing sides extending between the opposing first and second ends, and a top surface opposite a bottom surface. The hard drive assembly is disposed within the enclosure. The isolation material displaces the hard drive assembly from the opposing first and second ends by an end sway space and displaces the hard drive assembly from each of the opposing sides by a side sway space. In this regard, the end sway space is greater than the side sway space.

Abstract: An RFID enabled data storage device configured to be traced by an electronic data storage device tracing system includes a housing defining an enclosure, data storage media disposed within the enclosure, a label coupled to the housing, and an RFID tag coupled to the housing. The label includes a VOLSER number configured to identify the contents of the data storage media, and the RFID tag is programmed with a unique identification number and at least the label VOLSER number. In this regard, the label and the RFID tag combine to uniquely identify an in-transit data storage device to the system.

Abstract: An electronic data storage device tracing system includes at least one data storage device and a reader system. The data storage device includes a housing having an optical label and a device RFID tag coupled to the housing. In this regard, the optical label is printed with a volser number and the device RFID tag includes a chip that electronically stores the volser number. The reader system is configured to read the volser number from the chip and trace the at least one data storage device entering/exiting the reader system.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge includes housing, a hard drive, and a connection assembly. The hard drive is stored within the housing and includes a non-tape storage medium and an electrical data connector configured to provide access to the non-tape storage medium. The electrical data connector includes a first number of connection terminals. The connection assembly is positioned within the housing and is coupled with each of the connection terminals of the electrical data connector. The connection assembly includes a second number of electrical targets spaced from and in electrical communication with the electrical data connector wherein the first number is greater than the second number. The electrical targets provide an interface for externally accessing the storage medium via the connection assembly and the electrical data connector.

Abstract: Microelectronic spring contacts with fiducial alignment marks for use on a semiconductor wafer contactor or similar apparatus, and methods for making such marks, are disclosed. Each alignment mark is placed on a pad adjacent to a contact tip. The alignment mark is positioned on the pad so that it will not contact the terminal or any other part of a wafer under test. The alignment mark and the contact tip are preferably positioned on the pad in the same lithographic step. Then, the pad and like pads, selected ones of which also have similar alignment marks, are attached to the ends of an array of resilient contact elements. A plurality of alignment marks in accurate registration with a plurality of contact tips on a contactor is thus disclosed. Configurations for ensuring that the alignment marks remain free of debris and easily located for essentially the entire life of the contactor are disclosed, as are various different exemplary shapes of alignment marks.

Abstract: Methods and systems for laser etching of optical servo patterns on magnetic data storage media using two or more beams of laser energy produced from a single source of laser energy to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media. By using two or more etching beams, the time required to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media can be significantly reduced. Alternatively, each servo track in the servo pattern can be written more than once. The servo patterns thus formed can be read optically or they may be read magnetically using magnetic overwriting (if the servo pattern is formed in a magnetic coating on the media). In either case, the servo patterns are either permanently formed in the media when read optically, or they can be recreated after bulk erasing if they are provided using magnetic overwriting. In yet another alternative, the servo patterns may be read both magnetically and optically, with the magnetic and optical reading occurring simultaneously or sequentially.