Abstract: A method for data communication between a multiplicity of devices coupled to a LAN Bus without data transmission collisions. Each device is assigned a unique device address and a unique transmit time slot based thereon. The method involves responding to each data character received in each receiving device by loading a LAN.TIMESTAMP parameter with the CUR.SYS.TIME parameter. Thus the LAN.TIMESTAMP parameter indicates the time of the last data character when an incoming data packet terminates. Packet termination is declared when the LAN Bus is quiescent for a period after the last character equal to the PKT.END.DELAY value which is preselected. The method also involves determining whether the value of CUR.SYS.TIME represents a point in the unique transmit time slot for the device and then in response to determining that CUR.SYS.TIME is within the time slot, initiating the transmission of data if available, or otherwise, setting a new LAN.TIMESTAMP value.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal having a reader assembly for reading a data card having data stored on at least one data track thereon. The terminal includes a housing defining a guide slot location for the data carrier and a transducer for detecting data stored on the data track. A removable guide element is mounted to the housing at the data carrier slot location. This guide element has at least a bottom wall portion defining a bottom guide surface of a guide slot for the data card and one major side wall portion defining one side guide surface of a guide slot. An access window is formed in the major side wall portion. A mounting arrangement mounts the transducer at a prearranged location within the access window for accurate detection of data stored on the data track as the data card is manually swiped through the guide slot.

Abstract: A reader assembly for reading a data carrier having at least one data track located at a prearranged data track position thereon. The reader assembly includes a transducer means having at least one data pickup element on a front face thereof. A guide means defines a guide slot having first and second side wall members and a bottom wall member adapted to guide a data carrier through the reader assembly, the first side wall member having an access window formed therein for permitting communication between the transducer means and the data carrier. A frame means carries the transducer means in a prearranged location thereon.

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: Apparatus for transplant propagation comprising a unitary lower tray-forming member and a separate unitary upper tray-forming member carried on lower tray-forming member and cooperatively forming a regular array of transplant plug cells for containing a transplant medium for growing of seedlings. In one embodiment, the upper tray-forming member is removable from the lower tray-forming member and carriers transplant plugs out of the array of cells. In another embodiment, the upper tray-forming member is removable from the lower tray-forming member and leaves the transplant plugs in place on the lower tray-forming member to be carried thereby.

Abstract: A portable facial vaporizing device comprising first and second opposing fabric sections joined together along a bottom edge thereof and at adjacent portions of back and front edges thereof to form an interior pocket adapted to contain a volume of hot water. A hanging arrangement is disposed on upper back portions of said fabric portions for supporting said device on a spigot of a bath or sink such that hot water leaving said spigot will flow into said interior pocket and form a contained volume of hot water therein. At least a major portion of upper edges of said fabric portions are unjoined or free and thus form an opening for admitting and surrounding the face of a person using the device such that the person's face is exposed solely to warm vapors from said volume of hot water in said interior pocket. A disposable version may be formed from an inexpensive fabric.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal having a reader assembly for reading a data carrier having data stored on at least one data track thereon. The terminal includes a housing defining a guide slot location for the data carrier and a transducer for detecting data stored on the data track. A removable guide element is mounted to the housing at the data carrier slot location. This guide element has a read head bracket which is snap mounted thereto. A registration arrangement permits mounting of the read head bracket in two registered positions for determining which of multiple data tracks will be read by the transducer.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading a data card which comprises a thin, flexible medium having leading and trailing edges and a data stripe formed thereon at a prearranged location and extending transverse to said leading and trailing edges. The apparatus comprises a card guide arrangement defining a cylindrical card guide path and an entrance slit for accepting said card into said guide path. A drive arrangement cooperatively associated with said card guide arrangement for driving said data card through said entrance slit and around said cylindrical card guide path. A transducer arrangement positioned at a prearranged location on said cylindrical card guide path for detecting data on said data stripe of a data card being driven around said cylindrical card guide path by said drive arrangement.

Abstract: A data terminal having a reader assembly for reading a data carrier having at least one data track formed thereon and having a predetermined track width. The terminal housing has a card guide slot with a read head mounted next to the slot. The bottom wall section of the card guide slot has an upper surface characterized by a downwardly tapering portion extending from an apex point substantially underneath the data pickup transducer such that a data carrier being swiped through the guide slot is more likely to maintain contact between the bottom of the card and the apex point and thus have sufficiently accurate registration between the pickup transducer and the data stripe for accurate detection of data recorded thereon.

Abstract: A method for injection molding a transaction terminal case with an integral card slot formed by a knife blade in the female mold section which is supported against twisting during the molding process by a plurality of narrow buttress sections in the male mold section. The male mold section also includes a structural element in the form of a larger central buttress which contacts the knife blade of the female mold section cooperatively to form a read head window in one side of the integral card slot during the molding process. The male mold section further includes structural elements for forming a bracket mounting arrangement which is integrally formed adjacent the read head window during the injection molding process.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal having a reader assembly for reading a data card having data stored on at least one data track thereon. The terminal includes a housing defining a guide slot location for the data carrier and a transducer for detecting data stored on the data track. A removable guide element is mounted to the housing at the data carrier slot location. This guide element has at least a bottom wall portion defining a bottom guide surface of a guide for the data card and one major side wall portion defining one side guide surface of a guide slot. An access window is formed in the major side wall portion. A mounting arrangement mounts the transducer at a prearranged location within the access window for accurate detection of data stored on the data track as the data card is manually swiped through the guide slot.

Abstract: Electronic circuit apparatus in the form of a transaction terminal and including a removable circuit component in the form of a portable memory cartridge. The terminal has a housing with a wall defining an opening for inserting the removable circuit component. A switch is mounted within the housing means substantially in the vicinity of the opening and is connected between a source of electric power and the removable circuit component to control application of power to the removable circuit component. A carrier arrangement carries the removable circuit component between a connected position within the housing and a disconnected position for removal from the housing through the opening. The carrier including a switch actuator and a cooperative interlock means. The switch actuator operates the switch to be ON and simultaneously locks the carrier within the housing. The switch actuator also functions to turn the switch OFF and simultaneously unlock the carrier for removal from the housing.

Abstract: A data terminal having a card reader assembly for reading a data card having at least a pair of magnetic stripes formed thereon at adjacent ones of at least three defined magnetic data track locations thereon. The terminal includes a read head having two magnetic pickup elements on a front face thereof, the pickup elements being separated by a distance corresponding generally to the distance between the separated magnetic data track locations on the data card. A housing assembly defines a card guide slot adapted to guide a data card during a manual swipe of the card through the card reader assembly. The card guide slot comprises first and second opposite side wall sections and a bottom wall section with one of the side wall sections defining an access aperture for admiting the read head into the card guide slot.

Abstract: A portable facial vaporizing device comprising first and second opposing fabric sections joined together along a bottom edge thereof and at adjacent portions of back and front edges thereof to form an interior pocket adapted to contain a volume of hot water. A hanging arrangement is disposed on upper back portions of said fabric portions for supporting said device on a spigot of a bath or sink such that hot water leaving said spigot will flow into said interior pocket and form a contained volume of hot water therein. At least a major portion of upper edges of said fabric portions are unjoined or free and thus form an opening for admitting and surrounding the face of a person using the device such that the person's face is exposed to vapors from said volume of hot water in said interior pocket. A disposable version may be formed from an inexpensive fabric.

Abstract: A chill water system combining a storage vessel 10, a multiplicity of ice encapsulating units 11 contained in the vessel and a chiller system 60. The storage vessel contains a volume or glycol and water solution having a freezing point of about twenty six degrees F. The ice encapsulating units 11 comprise sealed containers filled with a deionized water. The containers have imperfect geometric shape and deformable wall structures to permit an increasee in enclosed volume as said water therein freezes. Chiller system 60 is operatively associated with the vessel and cools the glycol and water solution to about twenty six degrees to freeze the water in the containers 11. A topping tank 90 and an inventory tank 93 receive liquid from the storage vessel 10 as the ice encapsulating units 11 freeze and expand in volume.

Abstract: A system for reading a data record stripe on a credit card which includes an injection molded case including a card guide slot integrally molded into the case near one side thereof and a read head window integrally formed in one sidewall of the card guide slot. A data read head assembly having a read head on a front face thereof is mounted in the read head window and is spring biased toward the wall of the card slot opposite the read head window. A circuit arrangement is coupled to the read head assembly for detecting data signals on a card passing through the slot and converting the data signals to a substantially square wave signal pattern representing binary signal data in the form of positive and negative signal transitions of the square wave signal.