Abstract: A cooling element for cooling a body, comprising a heat conduction layer coterminous with a proximal side of the cooling element, a heat retardant layer coterminous with a distal side of the cooling element, and a heat sink volume disposed between the heat conduction and heat retardant layers, extending from a proximal boundary with the heat conduction layer to a distal boundary with the heat retardant layer. The heat sink volume comprises a porous material including a first substance; and the heat conduction layer comprises a porous material including a second substance. The first and second substances have thermal properties such that the first substance will solidify at a first temperature, the second substance being in the liquid state at the first temperature. The heat retardant layer has a lower mean thermal conductivity than the heat conduction layer.

Abstract: A cooling element for cooling a body, comprising a heat conduction layer coterminous with a proximal side of the cooling element, a heat retardant layer coterminous with a distal side of the cooling element, and a heat sink volume disposed between the heat conduction and heat retardant layers, extending from a proximal boundary with the heat conduction layer to a distal boundary with the heat retardant layer. The heat sink volume comprises a porous material including a first substance; and the heat conduction layer comprises a porous material including a second substance. The first and second substances have thermal properties such that the first substance will solidify at a first temperature, the second substance being in the liquid state at the first temperature. The heat retardant layer has a lower mean thermal conductivity than the heat conduction layer.

Abstract: A foldable elongate body supporting device comprising an elongate body supporting surface (1) formed of a flexible material and comprising a plurality of linearly aligned support sections (1a) to (1e), each support section having secured on opposed sides a rigid tube (3) extending in the longitudinal direction of the device, the tubes (3) on each side of the sections being axially aligned, a space (4) being formed between each of the aligned tubes and the aligned tube of the adjacent section. A locking member (5) is slidably located in and extending through the aligned tubes on (3) each side of the device, the locking member (5) comprising a plurality of rigid locking tubes (6) each adapted to the movable into a locking position overlapping the spaces (4) between adjacent aligned tubes (3). The locking tubes (6) are joined by hinges (7).

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, apparatus comprises a body defining: a first seat to receive a first device having a wireless communication interface; and a second seat to receive a second device having a wireless communication interface; a first wireless communication interface supported by the body to communicate with the wireless communication interface of the first device; and a second wireless communication interface supported by the body to communicate with the wireless communication interface of the second device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes supporting an identification token, issued to an account holder by a non-card shaped body of a device; communicating with a proximity coupling device via a wireless interface of the identification token; electrically connecting a communication device to an electrical connector attached to the non-card shaped body; and resetting a security parameter in the identification token in response, at least in part, to at least one signal from the communication device. In some embodiments, the non-card shaped body of the device is a non-card shaped body of a device issued to the account holder. In some embodiments, the communication device is a communication device issued to the account holder.

Abstract: An identification token includes a plastic body and an RFID IC embedded or contained in the body. An antenna is also embedded or contained in the body and is coupled to the RFID IC. A metallic coating is formed on the plastic body and is sufficiently thin so as permit wireless RF communication between the RFID IC and a proximity reader via the antenna. A clear protective coating is formed on the metallic coating so as to allow the metallic coating to be visible to a holder of the identification token.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method comprises: providing a card sized to fit within a card personalization machine, the card including a surface defining at least a portion of a recess; inserting at least a portion of a sub-card into the recess; providing adhesive between the surface and the sub-card to releasably retain the at least a portion of the sub-card within the recess; and personalizing the sub-card, using the card personalization machine, while the at least a portion of the sub-card is within the recess. According to some embodiments, apparatus comprises: a card defining a recess; a sub-card, at least a portion of the sub-card being inserted into the recess; adhesive to releasably retain the at least a portion of the sub-card within the recess; and a card personalization machine to personalize the sub-card while the at least a portion of the sub-card is within the recess.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) module for an identification token includes a module body and an RFID integrated circuit (IC) mounted on or in the module body. The RFID module also includes a pressure-sensitive switching device mounted on or in the module body. An identification token may be manufactured using the RFID module as a component of the identification token, so that the proximity payment device includes a user-actuatable switch without requiring separate operations to incorporate the switch during assembly of the identification token.

Abstract: An identification token includes a plastic body and an RFID IC embedded or contained in the body. An antenna is also embedded or contained in the body and is coupled to the RFID IC. A metallic coating is formed on the plastic body and is sufficiently thin so as permit wireless RF communication between the RFID IC and a proximity reader via the antenna. A clear protective coating is formed on the metallic coating so as to allow the metallic coating to be visible to a holder of the identification token.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes supporting an identification token, issued to an account holder by a non-card shaped body of a device; communicating with a proximity coupling device via a wireless interface of the identification token; electrically connecting a communication device to an electrical connector attached to the non-card shaped body; and resetting a security parameter in the identification token in response, at least in part, to at least one signal from the communication device. In some embodiments, the non-card shaped body of the device is a non-card shaped body of a device issued to the account holder. In some embodiments, the communication device is a communication device issued to the account holder.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a plastic substrate. The substrate has a first side and a second side that is opposite to the first side, with an adhesive material on the first side of the substrate. The article of manufacture further includes a ferrite layer on the second side of the plastic substrate. In addition, the article of manufacture includes a top sheet formed of plastic. The top sheet is joined to the substrate to form a pouch between the top sheet and the ferrite layer. The pouch is shaped and sized to hold a contactless integrated circuit (IC) identification card that has no more than half of a planar extent defined for the standard ID-1 identification card. The top sheet has a thickness of not more than about 0.2 mm.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method comprises: providing a card sized to fit within a card personalization machine, the card including a surface defining at least a portion of a recess; inserting at least a portion of a sub-card into the recess; providing adhesive between the surface and the sub-card to releasably retain the at least a portion of the sub-card within the recess; and personalizing the sub-card, using the card personalization machine, while the at least a portion of the sub-card is within the recess. According to some embodiments, apparatus comprises: a card defining a recess; a sub-card, at least a portion of the sub-card being inserted into the recess; adhesive to releasably retain the at least a portion of the sub-card within the recess; and a card personalization machine to personalize the sub-card while the at least a portion of the sub-card is within the recess; wherein the card is sized to fit within the card personalization machine.