Abstract: A wide variety of product types, sizes and shapes are sorted into designated destination bins or other outputs utilizing a computer controlled transport path that includes an infeed section and a pinch roller diverting section. The infeed section receives a singulated stream of products to be sorted, optically scans each product for a destination code and transports the products downstream to the diverting section. The diverting section consists of a series of individually and selectively controlled roller pairs in combination with a number of diverting gates. Each roller pair includes an upper foam covered pinch roller and a lower friction drive roller oriented such that products moving downstream pass between each roller pair until diverted from the transport path. An array of photoelectric detectors provide product position information to identify and track product movement through the apparatus.

Abstract: A singulated stream of products comprised of both single and overlapping products is transported through a scanning zone along a transport path. Each single or overlapping product defines a shadow on the transport path that is analyzed to determine the presence of product multiples in the product shadow by measuring the width and length of the product shadow. If the length of the product shadow exceeds by more than a predetermined amount the average length of previously measured shadows having a similar width, the shadow likely contains two or more overlapping products. As the product shadow moves through the scanning zone, each product included therein is scanned for affixed bar codes by a plurality of bar code scanners. If two different bar codes or two identical bar codes from mutually exclusive scanners are recorded for a single product shadow, then the shadow likely contains two or more overlapping products.

Abstract: An improved Optical Character Recognition System (OCRS) is taught using programmable logic devices to implement the mathematical algorithms that are used to make the black/white and related decisions. The programmable logic devices include, but are not limited to, Programmable Read Only Memories (PROMs), Erasable Read Only Memories (EPROMs), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memories (EEPROMs), and Field Programmable Logic Arrays (FPLAs).

Abstract: In accordance with this invention there is provided a reconfigurable compartmentized vertical conveyor dispenser for dispensing products in an automated order dispensing system. The size of compartments for holding the products is chosen by adjusting the spacing of shelves forming the compartments. The width of the compartments is varied by coupling adjacent compartmentized vertical conveyor dispenser for synchronous operation.

Abstract: A GMSK modem is provided and comprises a baseband modulator section and demodulator section coupled to an FM transmitter and receiver, respectively. The Modulator section includes a digital waveform generator for generating a GMSK baseband signal from a binary digital data source. The output of the waveform generator approximates the baseband signal output of a premodulation filter with a Gaussian impulse response having a normalized noise bandwidth of between 0.25 and 0.45 in series with a gain controlled amplifer. The gain is adjusted such that the modulation index of an RF signal modulated with the baseband signal is between 0.5 and 0.7.The demodulator section receives the analog output of a discriminator-based FM receiver with a phase equalized Butterworth IF filter. The demodulator section comprises a binary quantized loop bit timing recovery subsystem and one or the other of two data detectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a bar code location and recognition processing system. The surface on which the bar code appears is optically scanned and converted to binary digital signals by a digital video processor. The output of the digital video processor is provided to a bar code image processor for location and reading of the bar code. The bar code is located by summing the "black" pixels in segments of predetermined width for each horizontal scan line, and determining the location of the "L" pattern characteristic of a digitized image of a bar code summed in this manner.

Abstract: A vacuum beam product singulator to singulate "soft" products in an automated order dispensing system (AOS) is comprised of a product cartridge and an inclined conveyor belt. The conveyor belt picks the products from the bottom of the cartridge using a vacuum control element and carries it up the conveyor until it reaches a pinch roller that holds the product ready to be dispensed to a central conveyor of the AOS. Products are picked from the product cartridge by the inclined conveyor in an unbalanced position such that a product will fall off the conveyor unless held by a vacuum generated by the vacuum control element. Thus, random multiplies removed from the cartridge with the picked product fall off the conveyor. The product stream from the hopper is thereby singulated.

Abstract: An improved Optical Character Recognition System (OCRS) is taught using programmable logic devices to implement the mathematical algorithms that are used to make the black/white and related decisions. The programmable logic devices include, but are not limited to, Programmable Read Only Memories (PROMs), Erasable Read Only Memories (EPROMs), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memories (EEPROMs), and Field Progammable Logic Arrays (FPLAs).

Abstract: A method for enabling, without first opening the envelope, prioritized processing of envelopes according to indications of clearing organization(s) of potentially enclosed checks. The method is rapidly executed by high speed automatic sorters operating on appropriate encoded indicia supplied to drawers of checks in such a way that the indicia is detectable from unopened envelopes delivering the checks.

Abstract: A simultaneous broadcast (simulcast) system transmits from a control site to two or more remote sites the same data information along with a synchronous digital signal via a synchronous digital transmission network. At the remote sites, a clock signal is derived from the digital signal for timing the broadcast of the data information on an RF carrier. The clock signal phase is periodically reset to a known phase using a predetermined pattern of data bits in the digital signal. A time delay circuit at the control site delays the synchronous digital signal such that, where RF carrier signals from the remote sites overlap, there is time coherency between the data information. The time delay circuit is constructed so as to preserve the synchronization of the digital signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of magnetic ink within a package without opening the package or altering its contents. The method and apparatus detects items marked with magnetic ink, such as bank checks, in an unopened package independently of the item's location within the package and despite the presence of such magnetic clutter as staples and paper clips. The apparatus and method is designed to eliminate magnetic noise from the equipment itself and from the environment.