Abstract: A method and system for reading various codes, such as codes imprinted on an item, includes a first and a second code reader that each scan the code on the item to read the code. The data obtained by the first and the second code reader is merged to reconstruct the code on said item. The position of the code readers may be adjusted such that the maximum reading efficiency of said code by each code reader occurs at different points of the scanned code. The method and system may be employed with different types of codes including various forms of bar codes.

Abstract: In a mail inserting machine that a user uses to process mailpieces for a prepaid quantity, a counter is installed in an inaccessible manner to keep count of the processed mailpieces. The machine is disabled when the prepaid quantity is used up. In order to allow the user to pay for additional quantity, the manufacturer embeds a finite number of unlocking codes in the machine. Each code for the particular machine is activated in sequence. When the user needs to replenish the inserter counter, he calls the service counter and gives his machine serial number. The user is given the next unlocking code after he agrees to pay for the additional amount. The user can enter the code to unlock the additional preset quantity. The same code will not work again. In a further embodiment, the rate of mailpiece processing is also monitored to ensure that design limitations are not exceeded. The machine is automatically shut down when a predetermined processing rate is exceeded.

Abstract: Heat is transferred away from the rollers and base of a printer heater by introducing chilled water into the rollers and the base. The paper upon which print has been applied remains at an elevated temperature so that the drying of the print is not delayed. A conventional roller is modified by having an annular cavity formed in its interior and providing fluid communication between the cavity and a chiller. A conventional base is modified by the addition of a serpentine passageway formed in its interior and providing fluid communication between the passageway and the chiller. Cold water provided by the chiller to the roller prevents breaking down of oil in the bearings of the roller. Cold water provided by the chiller to the base carries the heat from the base, increasing the safety of the workplace and extending the working lifetime of the base and its related parts.

Abstract: A method, and a system for carrying out that method, for deterministically matching first elements of a first set of objects or events with second elements of a second set of objects or events. Matching first and second elements are associated with common values of an identification code pn having |pn| characters, and where the identification code can be insufficient to uniquely identify the first elements, and portions of the identification code values associated with the first and second elements can be unknown.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for manufacturing a lightweight mirror from a single crystal material, such as single crystal silicon. As a near perfect single crystal material, single crystal silicon has much lower internal stress than a conventional material. This means much less distortion of the optical surface during the light weighting process. After being ground and polished, a single crystal silicon mirror is light weighted by removing material from the back side using ultrasonic machining. After the light weighting process, the single crystal silicon mirror may be used as-is or further figured by conventional polishing or ion milling, depending on the application and the operating wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention presents an optical encoder with increased conversion rates. Improvement in the conversion rate is a result of combining changes in the pattern recognition encoder's scale pattern with an image sensor readout technique which takes full advantage of those changes, and lends itself to operation by modern, high-speed, ultra-compact microprocessors and digital signal processors (DSP) or field programmable gate array (FPGA) logic elements which can process encoder scale images at the highest speeds. Through these improvements, all three components of conversion time (reciprocal conversion rate)—namely exposure time, image readout time, and image processing time—are minimized.

Abstract: A new technical advancement in the field of precision aluminum optics permits high quality optical polishing of aluminum monolith, which, in the field of optics, offers numerous benefits because of its machinability, lightweight, and low cost. This invention combines diamond turning and conventional polishing along with india ink, a newly adopted material, for the polishing to accomplish a significant improvement in surface precision of aluminum monolith for optical purposes. This invention guarantees the precise optical polishing of typical bare aluminum monolith to surface roughness of less than about 30 angstroms rms and preferably about 5 angstroms rms while maintaining a surface figure accuracy in terms of surface figure error of not more than one-fifteenth of wave peak-to-valley.