Abstract: A checkout counter having a portion of the counter surface tilted in a direction facing the operator in which surface portion is mounted an optical scanner. The tilted counter surface portion also includes an adjacent supporting surface for a keyboard member. The remaining portion of the counter surface supports a check endorsement stand and a support member for supporting a customer display or a printing mechanism. Located adjacent the tilted counter surface are shelves for supporting cash and media drawers and doors enclosing a number of secure storage areas for storing electronic devices and other associated modules. A second embodiment is disclosed in which the tilted countertop portion is rotatably mounted to position the optical scanner at an angle to a horizontal plane in accordance with the checkout operator's preference.

Abstract: A data processing system which includes a host processor and a plurality of remote processing devices which are coupled to a common communication channel. The system also includes a look-up table storing the sets of instructions for a plurality of communication protocols for use with the remote processing device and a controller associated with one of the remote processing devices. A selectively actuated switch member located in the controller provides an address for the controller. During a power-up operation, the controller address is transmitted to the host processor for use in addressing the look-up table to obtain the communication protocol for the controller. This information is then loaded into the controller for controlling the transfer of data between the host processor and the remote processing device.

Abstract: A self-service checkout station allows a purchaser to scan coded labels on each merchandise item purchased and to generate the weight of the items at a first checkout counter. The weight of each merchandise item is compared with corresponding data stored in a remote memory member. If the weight of the item is found to be valid, the combined weight of the purchased merchandise items is then determined. The purchaser takes the purchased merchandise items to a second checkout counter where the combined weight of the merchandise items is again generated and compared with the previous generated combined weight. If the combined weights are found to be valid, the checkout operation is completed. A display member at the first checkout counter informs the purchaser of the price of each merchandise item being processed while a second display member at the second checkout counter displays the total amount due for the purchased merchandise items.

Abstract: A communication interface for controlling the transfer of data between a host processor configured to process data of a first length and a remote storage member configured to store data of a second length includes a bus controller for transferring data between the interface and the remote storage member, a data transfer member for controlling the transfer of data between the host processor and the interface, and a control processor for controlling operating of the bus controller and the transfer member. A first storage member stores data words of said second length and sequentially outputs the data words over a communication bus to the host processor configured to transmit data words of said first length. A second storage member stores data representing the operating status of the transfer member and the bus controller, enabling the control processor to monitor the status of the transfer member and the bus controller.

Abstract: A checkout counter includes an optical scanning system mounted therein and includes a cover member positioned in the top surface of the counter having an aperture through which the scanning system will scan a coded label on the merchandise item positioned adjacent to the aperture. A support member mounted on a rail portion of the checkout counter adjacent the cover member supports a writing pad, a keyboard, a display member and a card reader enabling a customer to conveniently observe the price of the item being scanned, and the amount of money due for the purchased items, when writing a check for the amount due, or when using a credit card or a debit charge to pay for the purchased merchandise items in response to information displayed in the display member.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data characters from a communication channel to a datascope for displaying the data characters on a CRT screen includes a plurality of switch members settable to a position for identifying a predetermined source of the data message to be displayed. When a data message is transmitted over the communication channel, a plurality of comparator circuits detect the start of the data message and the source of the data message. Logic circuits add end of message characters to the data message and identify a character in the data message to be highlighted on the CRT screen when a collision occurs between two remote sources of data messages which are attempting to transmit a data message over the communication channel at the same time.

Abstract: A portable, stand-alone desk-top, optical scanning apparatus includes a first housing member positioned on the top surface of a checkout counter in which is mounted on the floor portion of the housing member, a light emitting element for projecting scanning light beams within the housing member, and a floor-mounted multifaceted rotating mirror for directing the light beams at a plurality of floor-mounted twisted mirror members which reflect the light beams through an aperture in the cover portion of the housing member, said light beams forming a pattern for scanning a bar code label on a merchandise item positioned on top of the housing adjacent the aperture. Light reflected from the label is directed back through the housing member towards a photodetector which generates electrical signals for processing by an electrical circuit located within the housing.

Abstract: A remotely operated cash box assembly comprises a box-like structure having a front wall portion, a rear wall portion and two side wall portions. Rotatably mounted between the front wall portion and the rear wall portion is a spring urged cover member. A solenoid actuated latch mechanism mounted to the front wall portion engages a latching surface on the cover member latching the cover member upon movement of the cover member to a position engaging the front wall portion. Energizing of the solenoid releases the cover member for movement to a position adjacent the rear wall portion opening the cash box assembly. Located within the cash box assembly is a cash tray having separate compartments for coins and bills in which the bill compartments are orientated in an upward direction to facilitate the removal and depositing of bills in the tray.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an electronic scale includes sampling the output of the scale a predetermined number of times to generate a number of average readings for the weight that is placed on the scale, comparing two successive average readings and selecting the average reading that is within a predetermined weight of the previous average reading, comparing the digital signals sampled representing the selected average reading with the setting of a plurality of settable switches in which each switch position will represent a binary bit and displaying on a display the switch settings which represents the selected average reading of the output of the scale. The operator in response to instructions displayed on the display will place a weighted object on the scale, set one of the switches of the settable switches in response to placing the weight on the scale and set the switches in response to the instructions displayed on the display to store the selected average reading in the settable switches.

Abstract: An electrical connector panel includes a two-piece knock-out plug having a raised portion formed in a configuration of a first electrical connector member and a portion flush with the surface of the panel member which when removed in conjunction with the removal of the raised portion provides an aperture which can accommodate a second electrical connector member having a size different from the first electrical connector member.

Abstract: A method for automatically zero balancing an electronic scale includes disabling the display from displaying a "Scale Ready" logo, taking a number of readings from the scale when no weight is placed on the scale, obtaining an average reading for a zero weight condition of the scale by dividing the sum of the readings by the number of readings taken, detecting when two consecutive average readings are within a first predetermined limit, enabling the display to display the "Scale Ready" logo indicating the scale is ready for a weighing operation, taking a number of readings from the scale in response to the displaying the scale ready logo, blanking the display when the readings taken are not within a predetermined value of the zero balance readings, and removing the scale lid from the scale and cleaning the scale to remove dirt or other impediments from the scale in response to the blanking of the display.

Abstract: A panel is mounted between parallel spaced apart frame members by a pair of retainer members having a length greater than the spacing between the frame members so as to project through selectively spaced openings in the frame members. Each of the retainers is provided with a slotted channel for receiving an edge of the panel. Opposing ends of the retainer are provided with a pair of bifurcated legs which may be flexed toward one another to permit the snapping of the retainer into the selectively spaced slots in the frame members. The retainers are movable within the slots during assembly to firmly engage opposite edges of the panel in the slotted channels. Electrical connectors may be mounted in the retainers' slotted channels to mate with electrical conductors on the panel.

Abstract: A data processing system in which a host processor is connected to a plurality of remote processing devices over a common communication channel in which a number of the remote processors are commonly connected to a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data over the communication channel. Switching members on each of the remote processing devices select a pair of communication lines coupled to a priority resolving circuit for transmitting request to send signals and receiving clear to send signals, thereby enabling the remote processing devices to transmit and receive data over the communication channel.

Abstract: A system for controlling the transfer of a data message over a common communication channel between a plurality of processing devices includes a MOS/LSI controller chip associated with each processing unit for constructing a message to be sent to a sending device acknowledging the receipt of the message and the validity of the message. Logic circuits are included which generate a predetermined sequence of two binary bits indicating the receipt of the message and the validity of the receiving message. The binary bits are framed by two other binary bits and the sequence repeated a predetermined number of times to construct an acknowledgment message. The controller chip further includes logic circuits for decoding the acknowledgment message.

Abstract: A system for scanning a bar code label includes a light source for projecting light beams at the label, a rotating disc member located in a path of the reflected light beams, an array of charge-coupled devices mounted on the disc member for storing electrical signals upon sensing the reflected light beams, circuit means mounted on the disc member for reading and processing the electrical signals, a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on the rotating disc member for outputting binary signals representing the electrical signals stored by the array, and a photodiode mounted adjacent the rotating disc member for reading the output of the light-emitting diodes for transferring the data to a central processor for processing the data.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit for outputting clock signals of varying frequency which reduces interference caused by electromagnetic radiation from clock control systems includes a resistor-capacitor network for outputting a delay signal which delays the generation of clock signals by the oscillator by a predetermined time period and modulating the delay signal with an analog signal enabling the oscillator to output clock signals of varying frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing the volume level of a tone generator associated with a keyboard in which the tone generator will output a click tone when each key on the keyboard is actuated. In establishing the volume level of a click tone, the keyboard is put into a volume setting mode by the actuation of two key members of the keyboard. The subsequent actuation of each key member will produce a different volume level of the click tone. The actuating of a key member results in the storing of a count in a storage member. The storage member is then downcounted until it reaches zero. Upon reaching the count of zero, processing means generates a pulse train in which the pulse width is determined by the time it takes for the storage member to count down to zero.

Abstract: A security device (10) contains electronic circuitry (84) including a resettable memory (110) which stores sensitive data. The device (10) includes a housing (11) formed by six ceramic plates (P1-P6) each having provided thereon a pair of serially connected conductive path segments formed in separate, superposed layers and arranged in complementary winding configurations. Between the conductive path segments is disposed a conductive sheet. The conductive path segments are serially interconnected by interconnection blocks (N1-N7) and the conductive sheets are serially interconnected by further interconnection blocks (N8-N14). If an attempt to penetrate the housing results in either of the conductive path segments being interrupted or shorted to the conductive sheet, a reset signal is generated to reset the resettable memory (110) thereby erasing the sensitive data stored therein.

Abstract: A laser system, and method therefor, is disclosed which uses a single holographic bifocal lens element, comprised of non-overlapping first and second holographic lenses, to perform a plurality of different functions in the system. The field lens converges and focuses the first reconstructed beam on a desired target. Light reflected from the target back to the second holographic lens causes that lens to generate and focus a second reconstructed beam at a collection point. The holographic bifocal lens element is fabricated by initially producing a lenslet holographically by recording the interference of two point sources on a first portion of the same side of a hologram recording medium and then producing a collection lens holographically by recording the interference of two point sources on opposite sides of the hologram recording medium.

Abstract: A method for polling a plurality of remote processing units includes establishing a table of active and inactive remote processing units, sequentially polling each of the active processing units, at the conclusion of polling the active processing units, polling an inactive processing unit after which all of the active processing units are again polled. This sequence is repeated until all the active and inactive processing units have been polled. If in polling a processing unit, a response to the poll message indicates a change of status of the polled processing unit has occurred, the table is accordingly updated to reflect the current status of the processing unit.