Abstract: An apparatus for providing wireless transmission of information in electronic display systems and methods of using the same. In particular, the present invention is directed to an air interface and protocol to facilitate wireless transmission of information from a communication base station or other controlling device to individual electronic display modules.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving the signal to noise ratio in wireless communication systems through message pooling including hardware, software and protocol contained within a packet data communication system which enables a wireless communication system, for example an electronic display system, to adapt communication techniques to meet customer based accuracy requirements independent of changes in the signal to noise ratio of the communication channel and methods of using the same. Communication having low signal to noise ratios are improved using intelligent retransmissions of the communication signals and statistical detection or demodulation. Such techniques are particularly useful when used in wireless communication in unbalanced systems, such as electronic display systems.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving the signal to noise ratio in wireless communication systems through message pooling including hardware, software and protocol contained within a packet data communication system which enables a wireless communication system, for example an electronic display system, to adapt communication techniques to meet customer based accuracy requirements independent of changes in the signal to noise ratio of the communication channel and methods of using the same. Communication having low signal to noise ratios are improved using intelligent retransmissions of the communication signals and statistical detection or demodulation. Such techniques are particularly useful when used in wireless communication in unbalanced systems, such as electronic display systems.

Abstract: Fluorescent security thermal transfer printing ribbons consisting of an elongated backing element having a printing media adhered to one side thereof. The printing media is capable of being transferred to paper, or some other print receiving medium, by conventional thermal transfer printing equipment. The thermally transferred printing media includes an interspersed distribution of fluorescent pigments, resulting in printed security characters and images which are transparent or invisible under broad spectrum light, but which fluoresce, and become visible, when exposed to black light.

Abstract: Shelf mounting arrangements for electronic shelf displays or similar articles including electronic shelf display mounting devices for mounting electronic shelf displays onto showcase shelves and similar surfaces. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronic shelf display mounting device generally includes a shelf mounting member and an electronic shelf display mounting member. The shelf mounting member includes upper and lower mounting legs, an engaging portion having slits formed at different angles and a fixing portion for fixing the mounting legs to the shelf. The electronic shelf display mounting member includes a connecting portion having engaging projections for engagement with the appropriate slits in the shelf mounting member and an electronic shelf display mounting portion for fixing the electronic shelf displays in position.

Abstract: High pressure jackscrew connectors for removably attaching a first component to a second component having an internally threaded member. One preferred embodiment described includes a panel mount member which is attached to the first component to be joined. When attached to the first component, the panel mount member retains an internally threaded ejector member. A pressure inserter member having a longitudinally extending externally threaded portion engages with the internal threads of the ejector member and the internal threaded member of the second component to pull the ejector member towards the pressure inserter member and push the first component towards the second component upon rotation of the pressure inserter member.

Abstract: Smear and scratch resistant thermally transferable printing ribbons and methods of making the same consisting of elongated backing elements having thermally transferable printing media adhered to one side thereof. The thermally transferable printing media preferably consists of two layers, a sub coat layer and a print layer, and is capable of being transferred to paper, or some other print receiving media, by conventional thermal transfer printing equipment. The use of a silicon compound and/or ethylene bisstearamide and/or micronized polyethylene in the sub coat layer provides enhanced smear and scratch resistance in thermally transferred printed images while maintaining the advantage of low thermal energy print transfer.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving the signal to noise ratio in wireless communication systems through message pooling including hardware, software and protocol contained within a packet data communication system which enables a wireless communication system, for example an electronic display system, to adapt communication techniques to meet customer based accuracy requirements independent of changes in the signal to noise ratio of the communication channel and methods of using the same. Communication having low signal to noise ratios are improved using intelligent retransmissions of the communication signals and statistical detection or demodulation. Such techniques are particularly useful when used in wireless communication in unbalanced systems, such as electronic display systems.

Abstract: Shelf mounted electronic display modules which preferably include a first outwardly extending portion containing an electronic display and an antenna positioned outwardly from a shelf rail when mounted and a second rearwardly extending portion containing a printed wiring board and a battery power source positioned behind and protected by the shelf rail when mounted. The first outwardly extending portion and the second rearwardly extending portion are preferably connected below the shelf rail by a bight portion which mechanically and electronically connects the first outwardly extending portion and the second rearwardly extending portion together to form a substantially U-shaped configuration.

Abstract: Continuous or endless loop printing ribbon cassettes and reinking devices therefor which will control the start of reinking transfer flow and the reinking transfer flow rate from the reinking device to the continuous or endless loop printing ribbon fabric substrate. One preferred embodiment of the reinking device in accordance with the present invention utilizes two cylindrical ink rolls positioned concentric to each other. The inner ink roll is saturated with an ink having a normal flow rate and acts as a reservoir. The outer ink roll is saturated with an ink having a higher viscosity or other materials which delay the start of reinking transfer flow when the continuous or endless printing ribbon cassette is new and controls the ink transfer flow rate during the useful life of the continuous or endless loop printing ribbon cassette. In a second preferred embodiment, the inner ink roll is replaced by an inner ink reservoir which controls the ink transfer flow rate to the porous outer ink roll.

Abstract: A fluorescent security system for retail transactions which maximizes the printed character or image life of a combination visible/fluorescent inked printing ribbon while ensuring that the fluorescent security life of the combination visible/fluorescent inked printing ribbon will outlast the visible life for printed characters or images under normal lighting conditions. This fluorescent security system for transaction records consists of a fabric ribbon, a dual-roll foam reinker and an optical filter. The fabric ribbon is initially inked with fluorescent ink richer in visible color dye than a normal fluorescent ink to enhance the printed character or image life of the combination visible/fluorescent inked printing ribbon. A dual-roll foam reinker consisting of an inner roll and an outer roll positioned concentric to the inner roll is used to replenish ink depleted from the fabric ribbon during the printing process. The inner roll and the outer roll can have the same or different pore sizes.

Abstract: Multi-layer thermally transferable printing ribbons and methods of making the same consisting of elongated backing elements having a subcoat layer requiring a relatively high level of thermal energy to transfer the subcoat layer and a topcoat layer which requires a lower level of thermal energy to transfer the topcoat layer. Accordingly, when printing using a lower level of thermal energy, only the topcoat layer will transfer onto the paper or other print receiving medium. On the other hand, if a relatively high level of thermal energy is used, both the topcoat layer and the subcoat layer will transfer onto the paper or other print receiving medium, with the subcoat layer remaining on top and blocking or obscuring the topcoat layer.

Abstract: A printing ribbon for printing bar codes which appear visibly red and are scannable by conventional bar code scanning systems utilizing lasers emitting light having wavelengths in the visible red region and collectors which collect the light reflected from the bar codes. This is accomplished by the provision of a printing ribbon having a printing medium adhered to a backing element. The printing medium preferably includes an interspersed distribution of pigments which are retained in a binder. These pigments can include a combination of red coloring agents, such as visible red pigments which visibly appear red under broad spectrum light, fluorescent pigments which are inactive under light having wavelengths in the visible red region, but which fluoresce under broad spectrum light, and red absorbing agents, such as visible black or other dark colored pigments.

Abstract: Electronic display system capable of displaying communication signal strength on individual electronic display modules and method of using the same. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pseudo-price change command is transmitted by a base communication station to an individual electronic display module and the strength of the acknowledgment signal returned by the individual electronic display module is observed and temporarily recorded. The base communication station then transmits a command to change the electronic display on that particular electronic display module to display the value of the received communication signal strength.

Abstract: Thermally transferable printing ribbons and methods of making same fabricated by initially mixing and grinding solid ingredients together, and then emulsifying the entire mixture. Thermally transferable printing ribbons formulations in accordance with the present invention generally include one or more waxes, one or more resins, and pigments. These ingredients are ground hot in an attritor or ball mill. This mixture is then emulsified, and the resulting formulation is coated on an elongated backing element utilizing conventional coating equipment and techniques.

Abstract: A capacitive coupling arrangement including a plate-shaped input/output terminal of a signal line and a plate-shaped input/output terminal of a price display unit. These input/output terminals are connected together separated by a small gap and the respective input/output terminals are capacitively coupled. Amplifiers are connected to the input/output terminals as necessary to amplify the signal being transmitted across the capacitive coupling.

Abstract: Thermal transfer printing ribbon for printing security bar code symbols wherein the thermal transfer printing ribbon has been overprinted or overcoated in specific predetermined locations with a coating which has magnetic recognition characteristics. The difference in printed bar code symbols is invisible to the human eye and bar-code scanning equipment, but can be readily detected using a device capable of recognizing a magnetic signal.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon has a substrate and a coating which contains thermally active ingredients for transferring images onto a receiving medium upon the application of heat to said ribbon. The ingredients are predominately water based and are environmentally acceptable in the industry. The various ingredients provide a flexible coating structure and a good adhesive bond along with improved resistance to smear and smudging of the transferred images.

Abstract: A time-dependent data control system which includes a control unit capable of transmitting data to a plurality of terminals. Each of the terminals is in communication with and receives transmissions of data such as "changed data" and "change time" from the control unit. Each of the terminals further include a clock capable of comparing the "change time" data received from the control unit with the current time and, once the change time transmitted by the control unit occurs, displaying the changed data received from the control unit. Thus, individual terminals change their display contents independently of each other based upon the data received from the control unit and are capable of changing the display contents simultaneously, or at a predetermined number of preset times. In addition, the terminals are placed in a standby rest mode to reduce the energy requirements and power consumption and can be brought into an enabling mode upon transmission of a data start signal transmitted by the control unit.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are attained by the provision of printed identification cards preferably consisting of a printed bond sheet having an underlying liner adhered thereto. Portions of the printed bond sheet and the liner have partial die cuts to permit removal of the printed identification card from the accompanying letter or business form. To form the final printed identification card, the printed bond sheet and a portion of the liner are removed from the accompanying letter or business form and folded over so the underlying liner and printed bond sheet form a final printed identification card having twice the thickness of the original printed document. An exposed adhesive on the back surfaces around the perimeter of the liner adheres the front face of the printed bond sheet and the rear face of the printed bond sheet together to form the final printed identification card.