Abstract: A lock mechanism to lock at least one door of a container in a closed position includes a housing enclosing at least a portion of the lock mechanism, and a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the housing. The lock circuit includes a main power supply, a backup power supply, a plurality of subsystems, and a lock controller coupled to the main power supply and the backup power supply. The lock controller is configured to receive commands related to operation of the lock mechanism, determine a battery level remaining in the main power supply, determine if the remaining battery level is below a threshold level, and cause the lock circuit to enter a lower power mode upon determining that the remaining battery level is below the threshold level. When in the lower power mode, at least a portion of the subsystems of the lock circuit are not powered, the lock controller receives power from the main power supply, and the lock controller monitors an interface to detect a command to unlock the lock mechanism.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for locking at least one door of a container in a closed position includes first and second members slidably coupled to each other to move relative to each other, a latching mechanism configured to prevent the two members from moving relative to each other in at least one direction when the latching mechanism is in a locked state, and first and second lock members, each of the lock members including a first end and a second end. The first ends of the first and second lock members protrude through the body. The second end of the first lock member is coupled to the first member of the locking mechanism and the second end of the second lock member being coupled to the second member of the locking mechanism. The first ends of the first and second lock members are configured to engage portions of the container to lock the at least one container door in a closed position.

Abstract: A system for operating a container lock mechanism includes a housing, at least two lock members, the two lock members including a first lock member configured to engage a first portion of a container and a second lock member configured to engage a second portion of the container to mount the container lock mechanism outside of the container and lock at least one container door in a closed position. The system further includes a latching mechanism coupled to the first and second lock members, a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the housing.

Abstract: According to the invention, a fare card for storing information in a plurality of different ways for use in a transit system is disclosed. The fare card includes a card body that has at least a first region and a second region. The first region is located adjacent to an edge of the card body and has a first thickness. The second region has a second thickness that is different than the first thickness. A first data storage element for storing fare information is included in the first region, and a second data storage element is included in the second region.

Abstract: An access control system for sensing exposure to items of interest for a person associated with a unique identifier of a fare card or ticket is disclosed. The access control system includes the unique identifier, an exposure detector and a processor. The unique identifier associated with the person that is flagged when exposure is detected. The exposure detector detects exposure to items of interest by the person. The processor is coupled to the exposure detector. The message is communicated away from the processor to a remote location when the unique identifier is flagged.

Abstract: An access control system for sensing exposure to items of interest for a person associated with a unique identifier of a fare card or ticket is disclosed. The access control system includes the unique identifier, an exposure detector and a processor. The unique identifier associated with the person that is flagged when exposure is detected. The exposure detector detects exposure to items of interest by the person. The processor is coupled to the exposure detector. The message is communicated away from the processor to a remote location when the unique identifier is flagged.

Abstract: An access control system for sensing exposure to items of interest for a person associated with a unique identifier of a fare card or ticket is disclosed. The access control system includes the unique identifier, an exposure detector and a processor. The unique identifier associated with the person that is flagged when exposure is detected. The exposure detector detects exposure to items of interest by the person. The processor is coupled to the exposure detector. The message is communicated away from the processor to a remote location when the unique identifier is flagged.

Abstract: A smartcard or other media detects the presence of chemical, biological, radiation, and/or explosive (CBRE) compounds or other items of interest on individuals handling the smartcard or other media. The exposure is stored such that, when the card is presented to a reader, the detection data is transmitted to the reader for appropriate processing by the system. In one embodiment, this invention provides a detection methodology which captures the fact that the holder of the detection device has been in contact with an item of interest without external power. The detector card is then able to alert appropriate authorities of that exposure when the device is presented to a reader in the normal course of the holder's business.

Abstract: A method and system for processing exposure to an item of interest in a transit system is disclosed. Detectors are sensitive to the item of interest such as chemicals, biologic compound, radiation, nuclear, and/or explosives to produce detector or other information. A threat assessment value is determined periodically. The fare media is read for card information, which can be used in addition to detector or other information. The assessment value along with the card information, detector information and/or other information is used in determining if an action is taken, for example, if a user can pass a portal to get access to the transit system.

Abstract: An access control system for sensing exposure to items of interest for a person associated with a unique identifier of a fare card or ticket is disclosed. The access control system includes the unique identifier, an exposure detector and a processor. The unique identifier associated with the person that is flagged when exposure is detected. The exposure detector detects exposure to items of interest by the person. The processor is coupled to the exposure detector. The message is communicated away from the processor to a remote location when the unique identifier is flagged.

Abstract: A smart electronic media dynamic imaging system and method to store and retrieve intelligent data tat may be used for displaying images, USCT alerts, or textual messages. The system is comprised of smart media, a reader, a vendor or electronic gate having display and a hosting computer that allows for the transfer and receiving of image data on to and from the smart media The method stores image data onto the smart media and locates images in a host computer such as that of the gate, vendor or store/station computer. In addition, a method of supplying personal data to a decision tree to determine what image data or file should be displayed is disclosed. The stored data held within the smart media, may contain personal data, usage information, and/or user profile tags (information) that can be used to decipher or data mine what data is to be activated or displayed.

Abstract: Card reader/writer devices and methods for reading/writing both M-cards, PICCs, and/or S-cards, wherein such devices can comprise a magnetic head (which can have multiple tracks), an A/D converter, a gated buffer module associated with the A/D converter, an F2F decoder associated with the gated buffer module for enabling the integration of multiple discrete M-card reader formats with decoder functions, and an integral PICC data processor, which can perform the functions of a PCD, for reading/writing a PICC along with the M-card. An internal RF analog antenna circuit can be provided for receiving signals from the PICC, or an external PCD antenna can be connectable to the RF circuit. The F2F decoder can be integrated with the PICC data processor, and the A/D converter can process analog data from both the magnetic head and the RF antenna circuit. A contact module could also be provided to read/write an S-card.

Abstract: A communication link is established between the smart card and a computer using a valid smart card communication protocol. A smart card communication device determines the valid smart card communication protocol used by a smart card by polling a communication channel using a plurality of smart card communication protocols until a valid acknowledgment message is received. A radio frequency circuit is configured to communicate with the smart card using the valid smart card communication protocol. A digital signal processor having at least two demodulators demodulates an incoming data stream produced by the receiver in accordance with the valid smart card communication protocol in a dynamically reconfigurable manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a smart electronic media dynamic imaging system and method to store and retrieve intelligent data that may be used for a variety of purposes, including displaying images, user alerts, or textual messages. Smart media includes technologies such as smart cards (IC cards), optical memory cards and the like that would contain data for the purpose of providing graphical user information, such as advertisements. The system is comprised of smart media, a reader, a vendor or electronic gate having display and a hosting computer that allows for the transfer and receiving of image data such as text, icons, bit maps and graphical data on to and from the smart media. The method stores image data onto the smart media, in either a compressed image format or in the form of data address pointers, and locates images in a host computer such as that of the gate, vendor or store/station computer.

Abstract: A communication link is established between the smart card and a computer using a valid smart card communication protocol. A smart card communication device determines the valid smart card communication protocol used by a smart card by polling a communication channel using a plurality of smart card communication protocols until a valid acknowledgment message is received. A radio frequency circuit is configured to communicate with the smart card using the valid smart card communication protocol. A digital signal processor having at least two demodulators demodulates an incoming data stream produced by the receiver in accordance with the valid smart card communication protocol in a dynamically reconfigurable manner.

Abstract: A communication link is established between the smart card and a computer using a valid smart card communication protocol. A smart card communication device determines the valid smart card communication protocol used by a smart card by polling a communication channel using a plurality of smart card communication protocols until a valid acknowledgment message is received. A radio frequency circuit is configured to communicate with the smart card using the valid smart card communication protocol. A digital signal processor having at least two demodulators demodulates an incoming data stream produced by the receiver in accordance with the valid smart card communication protocol in a dynamically reconfigurable manner.

Abstract: An apparatus automatically analyzes and culls-out defective contactless smart cards. Analysis of smart cards may include RF ranging for both near and far ranges, card type decoding for sorting or encoding using a multi-protocol reader, full memory reading and writing, concave and convex card flexing, optical graphics verification of both sides of card, reading and verifying printed serial numbers, and matching encoded serial numbers with printed serial number. The apparatus also provides high speed encoding and initializing of contactless smart cards. Contactless cards moved through machine serially without belts and rollers. The testing and encoding sequence includes bending and flexing the smart cards followed by RF testing. Self-positioning capability provides accurate card positioning over RF antennas.

Abstract: A portable optical media imaging system for use in personal identification includes: a portable optical media card (13); an optical reader (34), having circuitry for reading information from the portable optical media card (13); an image scanner (30); an image system processor (31), including an encoder connected to the image scanner, and a comparator connected to the encoder and the optical reader; and transaction completion circuitry (33, 35, 36) connected to the comparator. This is also a method of personal identification verification. The method comprises: capturing a personal identification image directly from customer or operator; feeding the personal identification image into an encoder; capturing appropriate identification data from an optical media card; comparing the encoded image to the data from the optical media card; determining if the customer is true owner of the optical media credit card; and performing correct transaction.

Abstract: A circuit (90) converts a true ECL signal to a true TTL signal. The circuit includes a differential circuit (180) that receives an ECL signal having high and low values. The differential circuit produces a differential signal therefrom that has a high value in response to one of the high and low values of the true ECL signal, and a low value in response to the other of the high and low values of the true ECL signal. A first translator circuit (36, 64) has an input (32) coupled to the differential circuit (180). The first translator circuit (36, 64) transmits a true low TTL output (56) signal having a voltage level referenced to the voltage level of a TTL low supply voltage in response to receiving a high value of the differential signal. A second translator circuit (46, 52) has an input (38) and is coupled to a TTL high supply voltage and the output (56).