Abstract: An illumination unit comprises at least one electrical coupling element for receiving electrical current from a current source and coupling the illumination unit into an electrical system, a light-carrying member, and an electrical circuit adapted for electrical coupling to the current source via the electrical coupling element. The electrical circuit comprises at least one light-emitting diode carried by the light-carrying member, and a current interrupter component interposed in the electrical circuit. The current interrupter component permits current flow within the electrical circuit when a parameter of the electrical circuit remains below a predetermined value, and opens the electrical circuit in response to the parameter of the electrical circuit exceeding the predetermined value. The current interrupter component may be carried by the light-carrying member, or may be contained within an exterior envelope at least partially surrounding the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A security architecture for a retail environment providing both on-line and off-line personal identification number (PIN) validation for a smart card transaction using a reduced number of secure access modules (SAMs). In one embodiment, the retail environment includes and security module and numerous fuel dispensers each including a controller and one or more PINpads and card readers. The security module includes one or more SAMs for off-line PIN validation. Each of the PINpads communicates with the security module, and the security module performs either on-line or off-line PIN validation for every PINpad in the retail environment. Accordingly, the security module uses one set of SAMs for off-line validation for every PINpad in the retail environment.