Abstract: A semiconductor package substrate (11) has an array of package sites (13, 14, 16, and 21) that are substantially identical. The entire array of package sites (13, 14, 16, and 21) is covered by an encapsulant (19). The individual package sites (13, 14, 16, and 21) are singulated by sawing through the encapsulant (19) and the underlying semiconductor package substrate (11).

Abstract: A method of operating an image-based self-service check depositing terminal having an optical character recognition (OCR) reader comprises the steps of (a) receiving from a self-service depositor a check to be deposited, (b) illuminating the check with infrared radiation, (c) capturing a first image of the check while the check is illuminated with infrared radiation, (d) processing the first check image to provide an enhanced image of the check, and (e) applying OCR techniques to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline from the enhanced check image.

Abstract: A method of operating an image-based self-service check depositing terminal having an optical character recognition (OCR) reader comprises the steps of (a) receiving from a self-service depositor a check to be deposited, (b) illuminating the check with infrared radiation, (c) capturing a first image of the check while the check is illuminated with infrared radiation, (d) processing the first check image to provide an enhanced image of the check, and (e) applying OCR techniques to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline from the enhanced check image.

Abstract: A check processing system comprises an image capture module including a controllable image capture device disposed along a first side of the document track. The image capture device captures an image of a document item moving from an upstream end of a document track to a downstream end of the document track. An energizeable first light source is disposed on a second side of the document track and faces the image capture device and is provided for, when energized, illuminating the document item to allow the image capture device to detect a leading edge of the document item as the document item moves from the upstream end to the downstream end. An energizeable second light source is disposed on a second side of the document track and is provided for, when energized, illuminating a document item in the document track to allow the image capture device to capture an image of the document item as the document item moves from the upstream end to the downstream end.

Abstract: A check processing system comprises an image capture module including a controllable image capture device disposed along a first side of the document track. The image capture device captures an image of a document item moving from an upstream end of a document track to a downstream end of the document track. An energizeable first light source is disposed on a second side of the document track and faces the image capture device and is provided for, when energized, illuminating the document item to allow the image capture device to detect a leading edge of the document item as the document item moves from the upstream end to the downstream end. An energizeable second light source is disposed on a second side of the document track and is provided for, when energized, illuminating a document item in the document track to allow the image capture device to capture an image of the document item as the document item moves from the upstream end to the downstream end.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a dry composition of a plant and/or soil amendment and a suspending agent, a liquid composition created therefrom and a method of making and using the same.

Abstract: A semiconductor package substrate (10) has an array of package sites (13,14,16,21,22, and 23) that are substantially identical. The entire array of package sites (13,14,16,21,22, and 23) is covered by an encapsulant (19). The individual package sites (13,14,16,21,22, and 23) are singulated by sawing through the encapsulant (19) and the underlying semiconductor package substrate (10).

Abstract: The contact pads of a print cartridge are formed on a flexible tape. Each of the uniformly spaced contact pads is preferably a square separated from an adjacent square by a minimum distance to provide each contact pad with a maximum area. Conductive traces run along the flexible tape and between the contact pads to allow for a minimum separation between contact pads, thus allowing the contact pads to be made relatively large. This improves the reliability of the interconnection between the pads and the printer electrodes.

Abstract: The Distributed Gaming System provides a user with remote location gaming, for example from within a hotel room. Using the room's television and a remote control, the user, such as a hotel guest, is able to play games similar to those available on a Video Lottery Terminal. The games are displayed on a TV through the use of a TV set-top box. The set top box connects the TV to a network of computer systems through which the Gaming System is distributed and managed. Game access is obtained using a payment swipe device. A special feature of system is the progressive jackpots that are available to game players; these jackpots are at the hotel, jurisdiction, and global levels.

Abstract: A semiconductor package substrate (10) has an array of package sites (13,14,16,21,22, and 23) that are substantially identical. The entire array of package sites (13,14,16,21,22, and 23) is covered by an encapsulant (19). The individual package sites (13,14,16,21,22, and 23) are singulated by sawing through the encapsulant (19) and the underlying semiconductor package substrate (10).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a tape automated bonding circuit with interior sprocket holes including: a substrate; at least one conductor deposited on the substrate; a functional area on the substrate defined by a polygon surrounding the conductor with all sides of the polygon adjacent to a segment of the conductor and with interior angles of the polygon between the sides of the polygon greater or equal to ninety degrees and having at least one sprocket hole within the functional area on the substrate. The sprocket hole is used to engage and drive the tape automated bonding circuit through processing steps. In a specific embodiment the functional area on the substrate has a first set of two sprocket holes within the functional area, which are used to engage and drive the tape automated bonding circuit through processing steps.

Abstract: The contact pads of a print cartridge are formed on a flexible tape. Each of the uniformly spaced contact pads is preferably a square separated from an adjacent square by a minimum distance to provide each contact pad with a maximum area. The contact pads are arranged on the flexible tape only along the side portions of the plastic print cartridge body, where body is generally flat, to avoid the pads being located in the sunken middle portion of the body, where the sinking occurs during the injection molding process used to form the body. This improves the reliability of the interconnection between the pads and the printer electrodes.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a compact substrate having transmission circuitry such as actuation signal lines and address circuitry and ground lines in connection with resistors in a plurality of vaporization chambers on the substrate, with a minimal number of interconnect junctions located at both ends of the substrate. A print cartridge holding the inkjet printhead has a flexible circuit member with conductive traces permanently bonded at one end to the interconnect junctions and terminating at the other end at cartridge interconnect pads.

Abstract: Slits are cut in a nozzle tape and aligned with encapsulant beads on a printhead. The slits mechanically decouple portions of the tape stuck to the beads from a central portion of the tape stuck to a nozzle plate, and thereby prevent lifting of the tape off the nozzle plate in the event that the tape subsequently contracts. A method of attaching the tape to the printhead aligns blades with the beads on the printhead, so that the blades cut slits in the tape that are aligned with the beads. The tape is then adhesively secured to the printhead, preserving the alignment.

Abstract: An ink jet pen supply cartridge having a spring biased ink bag with a visual indication of remaining ink quantity. The spring-bag reservoir tends to collapse laterally as the ink supply decreases due to differential pressure exerted thereto. The spring-bag is contained in a rigid cartridge and a pair of flexible tape members are cemented or welded, one to each side of the spring-bag, and extend generally parallel toward a narrow end surface of the cartridge at which they overlap and can be viewed through a window. The overlapping relationship of the tape members provide ink quantity indicia which change as the spring-bag collapse draws them past each other.

Abstract: This invention relates to an assembly for the automatic feeding of aquatic animals, particularly fish, in an aquarium. In use the assembly is disposed atop an aquarium or atop an aquarium hood with an opening congruous with a passage of a feed chute contained in the assembly. The end-user fills each compartment of a train, mounted on a steeply sloping ramp, with particulate or flake-type feed of his or her choosing. The train is restrained, from sliding down and dumping its contents through an aperture in the ramp, by a string connected to a float in a reservoir suspended in fluid communication above an evaporation tray. Liquid that evaporates from the tray is replaced with liquid from the reservoir, causing the float to descend. As the float descends, the attached train is allowed to advance under gravity's pull. Upper surface of the ramp forms a bottom for the train; hence, as the train advances over the aperture the feed falls freely through the aperture, down the chute and into the aquarium.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a printer to print data beginning at a specified distance from the reference edge of a document. Several test documents are moved through a print station and a test symbol is printed on each of them with a preselected set of heating elements from a dot matrix thermal printer. The test documents are then processed through the same print station whereupon a sensor detects the reference edge of the document and the test symbol. A master controller then determines a test symbol distance between the reference edge and the midpoint of the test symbol for each test document. A plurality of test documents is processed in this manner, and the master controller determines an average test symbol distance for the plurality of test documents. Using an average test symbol distance, the master controller determines the distance between the sensor and a given hewating element of the thermal printer.

Abstract: An aligning and protective apparatus for a stepping motor which includes a sensor housing having first and second sensor pairs located therein. An aligning cover has a receiving area therein to receive the sensor housing. The first and second sensor pairs are placed apart a predetermined distance in the housing which is positioned on the motor to coact with a timing disk used in controlling the operation of the stepping motor. The cover with the sensor pairs therein is rotated on the motor until the sensor pairs are properly located on the motor to effect the desired lead angle for the motor. The cover is also shaped to protect the sensor pairs and the timing disk from dust.

Abstract: An incremental motion mechanism which utilizes first and second one-way clutches attached to the output shaft of the mechanism. The first one-way clutch is used to prevent back up of the output member, while the second one-way clutch is used to incrementally rotate the output shaft. First and second solenoids and associated linkage under the control of a controller are used for adjusting the extent of rotation of the output shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a stepping motor in start, run, and stop modes of operation. After the stepping motor is accelerated in the start mode, it is operated in the run mode by energizing the windings with a lead angle of two steps in one embodiment and by energizing the windings with a lead angle of two and one quarter steps in a second embodiment.