Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, devices, and methods for data centers. In one example, a lockable enclosure for a data drive. The lockable enclosure includes a housing configured to house data drive circuitry and a port coupled to the housing and configured to connect to an external data device for transferring data from or to the data drive circuitry. The lockable enclosure also includes a sliding mechanism movable relative to the housing and configured to move within the housing between a position whereby the port is accessible to a position whereby the port is inaccessible.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, assemblies, and methods for generating exciter signals, for example, to activate a remotely located tag. The systems, devices, assemblies, and methods find use in a variety of application including medical applications for the locating of a tag in a subject.

Abstract: A casing for connecting electrical lines printed on a foil to a voltage supply. The casing comprises a space, terminal pads and a block. The casing has an opening between a first wall of the space and a first outer side of the casing. The terminal pads are at least partially arranged on a second outer side of the casing. The block is configured to move between a first position and a second position, both within the space. The block is configured to press the foil against a second wall of the space when the block is in the first position. The block is configured to establish an electrical connection between the electrical lines printed on the foil and the terminal pads when the block is in the first position. The space is configured to receive the foil through the opening when the block is in the second position.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a powerless lockable UFD system and a method for securely protecting information stored and retrieved on UFDs (USB flash drives) that does not require electric power in order to enter a password to the UFD. The system also features an alarm and reset mechanism for clearing entered passwords. Passwords are concealed from the sight of a viewer for further protection. The system can be similarly incorporated into peripheral devices such as hard-disk drives (HDDs), printers, scanners, cameras, and portable memory devices.

Abstract: A system and method for buying tickets for games or lotteries in which a seller receives predicted game or lottery outcome data communicated from a buyer over a communication path. The seller generates a printed ticket based on the received outcome data and the seller transfers the printed ticket to a custodian that holds the printed ticket on behalf of the buyer. The custodian transmits data relating to the printed ticket to the buyer over the communication path and notifies the buyer if the printed ticket corresponds to an actual game or lottery outcome.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a positive evidence-of-use feature for portable storage devices. A system in accordance with an embodiment includes: a movable outer sleeve for surrounding a portion of the portable storage device, wherein the movable outer sleeve is configured for movement in one direction only; and a ratcheting system for retracting and permanently locking the movable outer sleeve into a housing of the portable storage device to expose a contact area of the portable storage device, the ratcheting system limiting the movable outer sleeve to a single retraction into the housing of the portable storage device, such that the ratcheting system is configured to be broken upon any attempt to extend the movable outer sleeve after the movable outer sleeve has been retracted and permanently locked into the housing of the portable storage device. Retraction of the movable outer sleeve provides positive evidence-of-use for the portable storage device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a positive evidence-of-use feature for portable storage devices. A method for providing positive evidence-of-use for a portable storage device, includes: surrounding a portion of the portable storage device with a movable outer sleeve, wherein the movable outer sleeve is configured for movement in one direction only; and retracting and locking the movable outer sleeve into a housing of the portable storage device to expose a contact area of the portable storage device; wherein the retraction of the movable outer sleeve into the housing of the portable storage device provides positive evidence-of-use for the portable storage device.

Abstract: A plurality of remotely readable sensor apparatus and reader systems for collecting data frames from all apparatus within the reader field of view. Each sensor apparatus converts one or more environmental observable into information signals, converts the information signals into digital data and appends other discriminating digital data as desired to form a digital data frame. The state of a diode, connected to an antenna with the digital data frame, is modulated and a timing apparatus controls the digital-data-frame start times. The modulated states of the diode connected to a sensor-apparatus antenna are chosen so the angle of the antenna reflection coefficient is modulated between two values separated by approximately 180 degrees, so a carrier signal received by the antenna effects a bi-phase modulated signal containing the digital data frame that is reflected by the sensor-apparatus antenna toward the reader receiver antenna.

Abstract: A combination key-like device and electrical receptacle for the key-like device wherein the receptacle defines electrical contact surface areas for mating with corresponding contact surface areas defined by the key-like device. At least one clip defines the electrical contact surface areas for the said receptacle and the clip is supported on the receptacle body. A keyway opening is defined by the body and the clip comprises a transverse portion and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the transverse portion with contact elements defined by each of the legs extending inwardly toward the keyway opening and with openings defined by the body communicating with said keyway opening for receiving the contact elements. A contact band is carried by the key-like device whereby insertion of the key-like device into the keyway opening brings the contact band into electrical contact with at least one of the contact elements.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively reading or writing data on a magnetic data stripe on a data card which is thin and flexible and for selectively returning or capturing the card. The apparatus includes a card guide arrangement comprising a cylindrical card guide path section, an entrance card path section with an entrance slit for admitting the data card, and an exit path section with an exit slit for discharging the data card for capture. A drive arrangement drives the data card through the entrance slit, throughout the cylindrical card guide path section, and through the exit slit. A transducer with a read head and write head is mounted relative to the cylindrical card guide path section. A position tracking arrangement determines the position of the data card within the cylindrical card guide and a card-in sensor senses the presence of a data card in the entrance path section. A microprocessor based control circuit is used to operate the system and control operational features.

Abstract: An IC card having a connection portion, a changeover switch and card-shaped memory means in which an integrated circuit is accommodated within a prescribed case and has a processor and memory. Lead portions for connecting contact pins of said connecting portion and switch terminals of said switch to an internal circuit pattern, are packed in an insulating adhesive in order to provide a case with a hermetic structure.

Abstract: A contact member supporting member is pivotably supported to a slide member which abuts on a part of an IC card to be inserted and is moved by the IC card. When the slide member moves, the supporting member also moves. The supporting member is swung in the direction of the IC card by fixed cams. Thus, contact members of the supporting member come into contact with contacts of the IC card. Since the contact member supporting member moves together with the IC card, the contact members do not slide on the surface of the IC card. Therefore, the abrasion of the contact members and the damage of the IC card which are caused by the slide friction between the contact members and the surface of the IC card, and the like can be prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus for turning on and off, selectively, a facsimile machine or other secured piece of equipment and processing data pertaining thereto comprises a key formed of a module and having stereo plugs extending therefrom adapted to interfit with stereo jacks in the equipment. An integrated circuit including a solid state memory is provided in the module for processing electrical signals. Data transfer is established between the integrated circuit in the module and circuitry in the equipment when the key is inserted in the equipment. In a preferred embodiment, the key is adapted to authorize and log financial transactions between parties via facsimile machines. An identification card containing information corresponding to information stored in the integrated circuit is coupled to the key by a cord.

Abstract: An improved receptacle for a key-like device containing an embedded electronic circuit component with electrical leads extending to the surface of the key to form electrical contact areas thereon. The receptacle defines a keyway in which a plurality of exposed contact pins are positioned and spaced inside the receptacle to correspond to the spacing of the electrical contact areas on the key-like device for mating therewith upon insertion of the key device. The receptacle includes a protection sleeve which functions as a guard means for the contact pins. The receptacle is designed to be combined with a printed circuit board by insertion of the outer ends of the contact pins, wich extend through and out of a side of the receptacle, into the circuit board. The contact pins may be received into a variety of predetermined patterns of connectors on the circuit board facilitating electrical connection of the receptacle contact pins to a variety of standardized electrical connectors.

Abstract: Receptacle for a key-like device containing an embedded electronic circuit component with leads extending to the surface of the key to form contact areas thereon. The receptacle defines a keyway in which a plurality of contact pins are positioned and spaced to correspond to the spacing of the electrical contact areas on the key. The receptacle preferably includes a head protect sleeve which functions as a guard means for the contact pins therein. The receptacle is designed to be connected with a printed circuit board by means of staked contact pins which may be arranged in a variety of predetermined patterns on the circuit board facilitating electrical connection of the receptacle contact pins to a variety of standardized electrical connectors.

Abstract: A cash replacement system including an encoded plastic card and a card acceptor mechanism is provided by punching a number of specially shaped apertures with predetermined orientations into the card. The acceptor mechanism which receives the card has a sensor pin aligned with each of the punched apertures of the plastic card. The sensor pins have a probe section at one end which is shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the punched apertures of the plastic card so that when they are in alignment with the apertures the probe sections will fit in the apertures as the sensor pins are depressed toward the card. The sensor pin also has a surface area adjacent the probe section which engages the card so that when the probe section extends through the aperture it insures that the aperture is of the correct shape and orientation. The sensor pins are lowered toward the card by a drive mechanism which is linked to a handle or other control device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for connecting in particular a portable electronic card.The connector comprises in particular:means 5a and 5b for bringing the contact surfaces 1a and 3a to face one another;means 15 and 18 for displacing in a relative fashion the two contact surfaces towards one another in a direction having one component at least normal to their contact surface;means 13, 5a and 5b for displacing in an oscillatory fashion, around a median point, the contact surfaces with respect to one another in a tangential direction.The connector has in particular the advantage of facilitating the rapid placement in contact of the contact surfaces.

Abstract: A portable identifying element has the general shape of a laminated credit card, and comprises a front sheet (6), a central sheet (1) and a rear sheet (6'), all of plastic material. An active electronic circuit (3) is positioned within a cavity (2) of the central sheet. A thin layer of copper (7) is juxtaposed with the electronic circuit between the front sheet and rear sheet for removing heat dissipated within the circuit.

Abstract: Receptacle for a key-like device containing an embedded micro-electronic circuit component with leads thereto extending to the surface of the key. The receptacle defines a keyway in which a plurality of contact heads spaced to correspond to the spacing of the leads on the key are positioned. The contact heads are supported by finger-like spring members which provide inwardly directed pressure against the contact heads when the key leads are brought into engagement with the contact heads. A flexible circuit surrounding the finger spring members and connected to the receptacle contact heads provides means for connecting the micro-electronic circuit in the key with a control circuit such as a computer.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in the functional design of electrical key-like devices and electrical receptacles for use in combination therewith. Electronic circuitry systems, such as computers and other operating circuits, interface with the key-like devices through the receptacle. The keys contain a microelectronic circuit element, e.g., a microelectronic circuit chip or die, having an electrical lead or leads exposed along the length of the key for contacting electrical leads in the receptacle when the key is inserted therein and rotated to a "locked" position. The keys are particularly designed to interface with a processor and program memory system, that is, a computer.

Abstract: Indicia sensor apparatus which provides for a ready, low cost, electrical sensing of an indicia, supported on a readily interchangeable membrane, and provided as a coded pattern of aperture through the membrane. An elastomer electrode element, such as a conductive foam rubber, is pressed against the face of the membrane with sufficient pressure so as to induce a protuberance of some part of the relatively adaptive elastomer through each membrane aperture. This protuberance brings about contactual intercourse with a correspondent receptor electrode for each aperture position. The result is an electrical circuit change which may be utilized in a current seeking path to produce different binary logic values in accord with the coded aperture pattern carried by the membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical key-like devices, to electrical receptacles for use in combination therewith and to electronic circuitry systems, such as computers and other operating circuits, that interface with the key-like devices through the receptacle. The keys contain a microelectronic circuit element, eg., a microelectronic circuit chip or die, having an electrical lead or leads exposed along the length of the key for contacting electrical leads in the receptacle when the key is inserted therein and rotated to a "locked" position. The keys are particularly designed to interface with a processor and program memory system, that is, a computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of data-sensing systems for identification and/or security purposes (data input), and more particularly relates to a new and novel cartridge assembly for use with data sensing systems of the type as may be applied to credit cards, security badges or the like. By the term, "card" is meant herein to include any type of media wherein it might be desirable to provide codes (invisible or otherwise) for identification and/or security purposes or any type of data input.The cartridge assembly of the invention incorporates a new and novel "pluggable" cartridge unit adapted to receive a data carrier, such as a credit card, security card, or the like for automatic reading of coded information which is susceptible for use in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A low insertion force, handfed card reader is disclosed comprising a housing having a profiled passageway therein opening to a frontal side. The passageway is defined by a top wall having an array of contacts mounted therein, and a bottom wall slanted downwardly from a backward end of the passageway toward the frontal opening. A tray is provided within the passageway having a like-slanted bottom surface which is positioned against the bottom wall of the passageway. An encoded card can be freely inserted into the passageway a distance onto the tray, and as the tray is slid backward along the bottom wall, the encoded card is thereby moved upwardly against the contacts. A profiled retention spring system is further provided and pressures the encoded card against the top surface of the passageway to maintain the card reader in its read-mode until subsequently released by the user.

Abstract: A standardized access card is formed of a single or a pair of bonded sheets f material including a cavity within which is disposed an integrated circuit assembly for processing electrical signals arranged within the card. The thickness of the assembly is relatively smaller than the thickness of the card and terminal areas of the assembly are accessible through cut-outs in the card which may be open or plugged with conductive material. The card may be formed in a continuous process from a plurality of strips of material which separately provide the card material, the integrated circuit assembly and a cover for the device of the circuit assembly.

Abstract: A tape and tape reader for industrial process programmable controller systems in which the I/O functions for process steps have been laid out in sequentially consecutive binary notation fashion computer data word form, in the order of sequence of the process steps, in accordance with which the tape is a ribbon that is delineated to have applied to same the computer data word indicia in modularized group or set form, in which groups or sets the computer data words for the consecutive process steps are sequentially arranged transversely of the tape, with succeeding groups or sets following in sequential order, wherein the computer data word indicia is manually marked on the tape binary notation system fashion, with electrically conductive marking material, and the reader is formed for pull through application of the tape therethrough and includes an electrical contact arrangement for electrically sensing the tape markings in consecutive word group or set form, with continuous manually induced movement of the ta