Abstract: An engraver having an engraving head is provided wherein replaceable components, such as tools, of the engraving head are formed with a cartridge-style construction. For example, in one aspect of the engraving head, a cartridge-type diamond stylus is provided having a trapezoidal cross-section for facilitating positive registration and positioning of the stylus within the engraving head. Other tools, such as a shoe and/or burr cutter may also be provided in a detachable cartridge arrangement to facilitate quick mounting and replacement of an existing shoe or burr cutter, respectively, such that the shoe or burr cutter also becomes aligned and registered on the engraving head.

Abstract: An automatic take-up device for automatically rolling and taking up a continuous sheet of paper on which transaction results are printed. The automatic take-up device comprises a take-up spool having a first flange member, a second flange member, and a take-up shaft for coupling the first and second flange members together. The automatic take-up device also includes a housing having a first wall and a second wall, each having a slot therein to enable the take-up spool to be detachably mounted in the housing. A guide module is coupled to the housing and guides the continuous sheet of paper around the take-up spool as the continuous sheet of paper is guided to and is caused to be wrapped around the take-up spool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a print head assembly for use in an ultrasonic printer. The print head assembly comprises at least one print head which is slidably mounted in a block which is slidably secured in the ultrasonic printer. Each print head comprises an ultrasonic vibrator, a horn coupled to the ultrasonic vibrator for amplifying energy generated by the ultrasonic vibrator, and a print head wire coupled to the horn. The print head wire has a tip which forces an ink ribbon into engagement with a print medium and against a platen in the ultrasonic printer in order to print a pixel thereon. A pressurizing mechanism contacts the block and forces the tip of the at least one print head against the ink ribbon and the print medium and against the platen with a predetermined force in order to print at least one pixel on the print medium.

Abstract: An electrical connection between a first bus and a second bus on a semiconductor integrated circuit device manufactured using conventional CMOS technology. The first bus has a horn shape which permits a plurality of vias to be arranged in an arc thereon. This arrangement of vias facilitates permitting the current to flow substantially evenly between a first bus and a second bus.

Abstract: A method for updating a PLU file in a POS terminal. A slip having a dedicated format for printing data corresponding to a not-yet-registered article is prepared in advance of a retail transaction. When the not-yet-registered article is encountered during the retail transaction, a message is displayed on a display of the POS terminal to inform the operator that the particular article is not registered in the PLU file. The operator then inserts the dedicated slip into a print slot of a printer on the POS terminal in order to print article data (such as a message that the article is not-yet-registered, a code number for the article, a date and time for the transaction, and the like) thereon. The dedicated slip is handed over to the manager of the store who then updates the PLU file to include information (such as unit price and article name) for the not-yet-registered article.

Abstract: A connector for enabling a user to selectively couple one of at least a first printhead having a connection member or a second printhead having a set of connection members to a circuit. The circuit comprises first contact means for connecting the first printhead to the circuit and second contact means for connecting the second printhead to the circuit. The connector comprises a body having a first slot for receiving the connection member. The body further comprises a second slot and a third slot for receiving the set of connection members. A first plurality of male conductors is associated with the first slot in order to couple the first printhead to the first contact means of the circuit when the connection member is inserted into the first slot. A second plurality of male conductors is associated with the second and third slots in order to couple the second printhead to the second contact means of the circuit when the set of connection members are inserted into the second and third slots, respectively.

Abstract: An electronic business machine having a cash drawer therein, the electronic business machine including a circuit which operatively couples the microprocessor to a driver which energizes a device, such as a solenoid, for a predetermined period of time, which can be altered by programming, in order to open the cash drawer. An alternative embodiment discloses a multivibrator being used in place of the circuit for energizing the driver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically determining when a ribbon cassette in a printer should be replaced. The ribbon cassette comprises a housing and an electrically conductive ink ribbon stored in the housing. The apparatus comprises a detection apparatus which includes a first conductor and a second conductor which pass through the housing and contact the ink ribbon, thereby enabling a signal to be generated when the electrical resistance of the ink ribbon equals a predetermined resistance. A controller coupled to the detection apparatus causes a message that the ribbon cassette needs to be replaced to be displayed on a display in response to the signal. The method entails generating a first signal corresponding to the electrical resistance of at least a portion of the ink ribbon; and then generating a second signal when the first signal equals a third signal corresponding to the predetermined resistance of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: A reuseable ink ribbon cassette which is capable of accommodating ink ribbons having different widths. The ink ribbon cassette comprises a first cover member, a second cover member and a plurality of support shafts for adjustably and detachably securing the first and second cover members together. The first and second cover members each have a plurality of seats for rotatably supporting an ink ribbon supply spool and an ink ribbon take-up spool between the first and second cover members when the first cover member is detachably secured to the second cover member. The support shafts have a plurality of detents thereon which permit the first cover member to be adjustably and detachably secured a preselected distance away from the second cover member, thereby enabling the ribbon cassette to accommodate ink ribbons having different widths.

Abstract: A removable window carrier for removably mounting in the top surface of a scanner checkout counter, the removable window carrier comprising a frame member having an aperture therein, a window member which is removably secured in the aperture of the frame member so that the window member provides a transparent support through which scanning light beams are projected and over which items of merchandise bearing coded labels are passed. The removable window carrier makes it easy to handle the window member so as to facilitate removing or cleaning the window member.

Abstract: A passbook printer has a print head movable along a printing station and in opposed relation to a platen for printing data on the passbook. The printer has an optical reading head assembly which is movable independent of the print head and in a direction of the path of the passbook past the printing station. The optical reading head assembly is positioned at the printing station for reading page and line information from the passbook and then is moved to a position adjacent the printing station for permitting the print head to freely move along the printing station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fan folding a continuous web of paper having transverse fan fold lines in fan folds having a preselected fan fold length when the continuous paper is moved along a feed line from an upstream area to a folding area. A controller energizes a drive motor to oscillate a discharge chute through a predetermined arc and at a predetermined rate to permit the continuous web of paper to be fan folded as the paper is moved through the discharge chute at the folding area.

Abstract: A method for searching the magnetic stripe on a credit card to determine the indispensably read out track comprising the steps of reading a card number from any one of the several tracks, determining if the credit card has an indispensably read out track already decided by the issuer of the card, reading out a track number for indispensable data from memory if such read out track has been decided, reading out indispensable data from the read out track using the track number, reading out a track searching mode on a priority basis from memory if such read out track has not been decided, reading out a first priority track which is known by the mode for the credit card, determining the read out data as being indispensable if no reading error occurs, and sending the indispensable data to a host computer for business transactions. The method is accomplished by apparatus for reading data from the tracks, for identifying the indispensably read track, and for performing the business transactions.

Abstract: A document transport module for moving a document along a bidirectional feed line from an upstream area to a downstream area in, for example, an automated teller machine. The document transport module comprises first and second generally planar supports, with the first generally planar support having a first cooperating member and a second cooperating member located thereon. The first and second cooperating members each have ends which have ramp portions secured thereto. In addition, the first and second cooperating members each have an arcuately shaped recess therein which faces a second support. A document can be moved between the first and second supports and guided into the arcuately shaped recessed portions of the first and second cooperating members by the ramp portions. The ramp portions guide the document between the arcuately shaped recessed portions and a drive roller mounted in the second support.

Abstract: The aligner mechanism comprises first and second control sleeves keyed to end portions of a shaft. First and second levers are pivotally mounted on the shaft adjacent to the first and second control sleeves for movement between first and second positions. A pinch roller is rotatably mounted on the levers opposite a drive roller. The aligner mechanism also includes an aligner bar having a first leg portion and a second leg portion secured to the first and second control sleeves respectively, and an engaging portion joining the first and second leg portions. The first lever has a projection cooperating with a control member on the first control sleeve and the second lever has a projection cooperating with a control member on the second control sleeve so as to provide lost motion coupling to pivotally move the first and second levers from a first position to a second position.