Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for releasably connecting to a base or assembly a box or the like such as an electrical module. Opposite mutually parallel sides of the box are each provided with a pair of projections having distal heads wider than their exposed shafts. The base or assembly is provided with a pair of parallel plates or angle irons sufficiently separated to accommodate the box and each provided with a pair of openings positioned and configured to receive and retain one of the projections. Preferably, each such opening has a right angle bend. For mounting, the box is placed on the base or assembly between the two plates or angle brackets such that each of the projections enters one of the openings. A right angle bend in the opening permits the opening to releasably retain that projection. At least one of the openings on each side is provided with a latch and a bail configured to releasably engage such a projection when the projection is disposed in the opening.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for optical scanning and recognition of bar-coded characters such as CMC7 type fonts having a pattern of bars and intervals recorded on documents such as bank drafts and checks. The system includes an imaging device for forming a digitized matrix having rows and columns of a character to be recognized. A processor and an associated program are used for rotating the digitized image to facilitate processing in a word size used by the processor. A memory is used for storing templates of the characters to be recognized to enable the processor to perform template matching. The apparatus and method also include first, second, and third bit configurations used in identifying a character.

Abstract: An optical character recognition system is disclosed which is capable of recognizing out-of-specification characters and custom fonts, in addition to standard fonts such as E13B, OCRA, OCRB and Farington 7B type fonts recorded on documents such as bank drafts and checks. The standard fonts represent predefined characters, and the custom fonts and out-of-specification characters represent undefined characters. The system comprises an optical scanner, a microprocessor, a read-only-memory (ROM), a random-access-memory (RAM) with a stored program and predetermined template data, and a terminal with a keyboard and display unit. The scanner optically scans each document and produces a plurality of grey-scale pixel values which are stored in the RAM under control of the microprocessor. The microprocessor processes the stored pixel values, and effectively locates and segments each character on the document.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for reducing oscillation of a stepper motor. In one embodiment, the system includes an oscillation indicator circuit that is connectable to a stepper motor unit having a stepper motor and a stepper controller with a manually adjustable potentiometer, the stepper motor being responsive to varying resistances of the potentiometer. The oscillation indicator includes a detector circuit, and a latch/LED (light emitting diode) display circuit. The oscillation indicator provides an oscillation-indication signal and a LED display as an indication (representation) of oscillation of the motor during execution of a step, the indication representing a back EMF (electromotive force) of the motor. Upon viewing the indication, a user manually adjusts the potentiometer to reduce the indication and the oscillation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for representing and displaying the true (actual) color of an image in an index color system. The user specifies the number of color levels necessary to represent the range of displayable colors, and specifies the color (the red, green, blue primary color values) desired for an image. From the specified number, the apparatus calculates RGB (red, green, blue) color values, and stores them in memory in a manner suitable for referencing by an index type address. From the specified color, the apparatus calculates an index suitable for referencing the desired RGB color values from the stored color values. The apparatus comprises a keyboard and a port to a host computer for inputting index color data and true color data, a processing means coupled to the keyboard and/or host computer for producing index-type data from true color data, a memory means for storing the input data and data produced by the processing means, and a display means for displaying stored data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for determining the position and angular velocity of a print drum. The apparatus includes a detector that is positioned proximate to the drum, and a processor coupled to the detector. The drum has a cylindrical body with a plurality of alphanumeric characters and a sequence of marks, including an index mark and a plurality of timing marks uniformly disposed about the circumference of the body, the timing marks being in relative alignment with the characters such that each character is associated with a pair of timing marks. The index mark is used to designate a start or reference location on the body.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which reduces significantly the time for processing multi-bit two-color data for display. The system generates multi-bit two-color data by expanding single-bit monochromatic data, and provides three types of output data: a first expanded multi-bit color data, a second expanded multi-bit color data, and a third unchanged multi-bit data, the unchanged data being combinable with other data for producing data overlays.The system comprises a data expansion circuit for maintaining selected data unchanged and for expanding selected single-bit data to multi-bit two-color data, a memory for storing multi-bit data, and a data compression circuit for compressing selected multi-bit data to single-bit data.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for optical scanning and recognition of alphanumeric characters of different sizes and fonts such as E13B, OCRA, OCRB, and Farington 7B type fonts recorded on documents such as bank drafts and checks. The system comprises an optical scanner, a microprocessor, a read-only-memory (ROM), a random-access-memory (RAM, with a stored program) for storing data and a plurality of predetermined character-identification patterns (templates). Each template includes three configurations: an actual pixel patterns (bit configuration) or a character, a configuration representing significant portions of the character which remain the same and do not change despite changes in size of the character, and a configuration representing portions of the character which are given added weight in distinguishing between similar characters. The scanner optically scans each document and produces a plurality of gray-scale pixel values which are stored in the RAM under control of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed which provides for controlling a rate of transmission of information over a serial communications channel. Each unit of information transmitted has associated therewith a start bit and a plurality of stop bits. The number of stop bits is adjusted to provide a desired effective channel transmission rate. In an alternate embodiment the communication channel is held in a selected state subsequent to the transmission of each unit of information for a selected period of time prior to the transmission of a following unit of information. Consequently, while the actual rate of transmission of information over a communication channel remains constant, an effective rate of transmission may be varied in accordance with a desired rate of transmission.

Abstract: A control topology for a servo motor carriage drive includes a strain gauge coupling the carriage to a motor-driven belt to provide a signal representative of the flexure of the belt. A velocity signal is taken from a linear encoder on the carriage. These signals are used in inner and outer feedback loops for controlling the velocity of the carriage as it travels along a predetermined path.

Abstract: An improved ink cartridge mounting system for a primary ink jet printer including an ink cartridge mounting element having four cartridge receiving openings, each specially configured to receive an ink cartridge containing ink of a particular color. A unique arrangement of six ribs extends from the outer periphery of each cartridge receiving opening to define a distinctive keying pattern adapted to seat an ink cartridge having a fluted end portion configured to mate with the distinctive keying pattern. The unique keying pattern designated for each different color are entirely complementary to a prior keying pattern employed for the same color in an alternate type of ink jet printer but for the provision of at least one additional rib.

Abstract: A circuit board configuration for I/O devices and logic devices, wherein the I/O devices have current levels substantially higher than the current levels associated with the logic devices. The I/O devices are grouped adjacent a connector, and a ground return plane surrounds the I/O devices coupling the ground terminals of the I/O devices to the ground pins of the connector. The logic devices are spaced some distance away from the connector where the ground terminals of the logic devices are connected through vias to a ground plane. The ground return plane, forming a strip line with the ground, plane, is effective for isolating the I/O devices and reducing signal distortion on the board.

Abstract: Jitter in a clock signal is measured by using the clock signal to clock a digitizer repetitively digitizing a highly stable sine wave signal so as to produce a first data sequence representing the magnitiude of the sine wave signal as a function of time. This first data sequence is normalized to produce a second data sequence having data elements that vary between maximum and minimun magnitudes of +1 and -1. The arcsine of each element of the second data sequence is then determined to provide a monotonically increasing third data sequence, wherein each element of the third data sequence indicates a phase angle associated with a corresponding element of the second data sequence. A fourth data sequence is then generated, each element of the fourth data sequence representing a difference between a phase angle represented by a corresponding element of the third data sequence and a phase angle that the corresponding element of the third data sequence would represent if the clock signal had a constant frequency.

Abstract: A stereoscopic graphics display terminal (10) having an image data processor (22) generates stereoscopic image data from three-dimensional image data. In a preferred embodiment, the graphics display terminal receives from a main or host computer (12) three-dimensional image data corresponding to a three-dimensional representation of an object. The three-dimensional image data are typically generated by an application program that resides in the host computer. The image data processor includes an image orienting system (74) that receives the three-dimensional image data and adaptes such data to represent a preselected orientation of the object and thereby provide an observer with a preselected view of the object. The adaptation of the three-dimensional image data by the image orienting system entails image manipulations that include rotating, translating, and scaling the size of the image.

Abstract: A fluid pressure regulator comprises a housing defining a cylindrical chamber, an inlet opening for introducing fluid under pressure into the chamber, an outlet opening for allowing fluid to leave the chamber at a regulated pressure, and a bleed orifice in communication with a space at constant pressure. The outlet opening and the inlet opening are in open communication. A ferromagnetic piston member is fitted in the chamber and is slidable within a range of positions such that the bleed orifice is partially covered by the piston. The ferromagnetic piston member is biased at a substantially constant force when it is that range of positions.

Abstract: A method for producing a light-transmissive phase change ink printed substrate is described which comprises providing a substrate, and then printing on at least one surface of the substrate a predetermined pattern of a light-transmissive phase change ink which initially transmits light in a non-rectilinear path. The pattern of solidified phase change ink is then reoriented to form an ink layer of substantially uniform thickness. This ink layer will, in turn, produce an image which then will transmit light in a substantially rectilinear path.In one aspect of the invention, the substrate is light transmissive, and the reoriented printed substrate exhibits a high degree of lightness and chroma, and transmits light in a substantially rectilinear path. In this way, the reoriented printed substrate can be used in a projection device to project an image containing clear, saturated colors.

Abstract: A laser light source with reduced sensitivity to optical feedback effects comprises an emitter device for emitting laser light. A body of electro-optic material is optically coupled to the emitter device for receiving and propagating light emitted by the emitter device. A time-varying electric field is established in the body of electro-optic material. Consequently, the frequency of the light emitted by the laser diode is shifted when it propagates through the body of electro-optic material.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing multi-bit pixel data comprises a random access memory, for storing a plurality of pixels at each addressable memory location, the memory having one write enable and one data input for each bit of each pixel at a currently addressed memory location. Means are provided to couple each line of a data bus to the write enable inputs associated with corresponding bits of each addressed pixel and to place a common bit, in a selected state, on every data input assosciated with a corresponding bit of each currently addressed pixel, thereby permitting a processor to rewrite the addressed pixels with a selected pixel value, provided the write enables of each pixel are activated by an appropriate bit on the associated data bus line, and thereby permitting a processor to write pixel data to the memory using only one bit per pixel on the data bus.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus render on a display screen (14) an image of a three-dimensional object. The object is represented by image data arranged in a constructive solid geometry format including at least one halfspace that divides an object space (28) into an interior region that lies inside the halfspace and an exterior region that lies outside the halfspace. The boundary of the halfspace is defined by an implicit mathematical function. The method includes subdividing the object space into volume elements of either a cubical or rectangular parallelepiped shape. For each volume element, an upper bound and a lower bound are calculated to the values of each function defining the boundary of a halfspace. In a first preferred embodiment, the calculation of the upper and lower bounds of the function defining a halfspace within a volume element identifies all of the extrema of the function that lie in or on the boundary of the volume element.

Abstract: A sample-and-hold circuit for sampling a time-varying signal comprises a main sample-and-hold subcircuit extending between input and output terminals and an auxiliary sample-and-hold subcircuit extending between the input terminal and a portion of the main subcircuit. Each sample-and-hold subcircuit comprises an input buffer amplifier, a diode-bridge switch responsive to a control signal and coupled to the input buffer amplifier, a charge-holding capacitor coupled to the switch, and an output buffer amplifier coupled to the capacitor. The output of the auxiliary output amplifier is further coupled to the main switch and the output of the main output amplifier is coupled to the output terminal. A generator generates the control signal for controlling the switches such that the same part of the time-varying signal passing through the main and auxiliary subcircuits is sampled.