Abstract: Improvements relating to identification tags on consumable supply items used in identity document production equipment. The use of identification tags on the consumable supply items allows the document production equipment to recognize the consumable supply items that are loaded into each piece of equipment. The equipment can then initiate a variety of activities that are based on the loaded supply item. The activities are designed to enhance the operation of the equipment for the equipment operator and to provide added value to those customers who utilize consumable supply items that are recognized by the equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus that stores and synchronizes printed forms that are being transferred between a high speed forms printer and a mechanism for attaching plastic cards to the forms. The apparatus is also able to buffer the forms that are in progress in the printer should the card processing system need to be shut down or paused. The apparatus creates a shingled stack of forms, with the bottommost form in the stack being fed to the attaching mechanism as needed.

Abstract: Improvements relating to identification tags on consumable supply items used in identity document production equipment. The use of identification tags on the consumable supply items allows the document production equipment to recognize the consumable supply items that are loaded into each piece of equipment. The equipment can then initiate a variety of activities that are based on the loaded supply item. The activities are designed to enhance the operation of the equipment for the equipment operator and to provide added value to those customers who utilize consumable supply items that are recognized by the equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus that stores and synchronizes printed forms that are being transferred between a high speed forms printer and a mechanism for attaching plastic cards to the forms. The apparatus is also able to buffer the forms that are in progress in the printer should the card processing system need to be shut down or paused. The apparatus creates a shingled stack of forms, with the bottommost form in the stack being fed to the attaching mechanism as needed.

Abstract: Improvements relating to identification tags on consumable supply items used in identity document production equipment. The use of identification tags on the consumable supply items allows the document production equipment to recognize the consumable supply items that are loaded into each piece of equipment. The equipment can then initiate a variety of activities that are based on the loaded supply item. The activities are designed to enhance the operation of the equipment for the equipment operator and to provide added value to those customers who utilize consumable supply items that are recognized by the equipment.

Abstract: A modular apparatus for processing printed sheets that are output from a high speed printer of a card processing system. The modular apparatus is capable of buffering or storing the sheets that are in progress in the printer when the system is stopped or paused, flips them so that they face upward, folds the sheets if necessary, and reorientates the sheets so that all sheets exit the module in the same orientation for further processing by the next module.

Abstract: A system for affixing cards to a form and folding the form with the cards attached. The system includes a card affixer for affixing cards to any location on a form having a form transporting mechanism for moving the form, a carriage for receiving and holding a card, a carriage translating mechanism for moving the carriage across the width of the form transporting mechanism and a pressing mechanism for pressing the card against the form. The system also includes a form folder for precisely folding forms with the cards already attached. The form folder includes a form guide structure having at least one scoring edge, a form transfer mechanism, a roller unit, a roller translating mechanism and a roller rotating mechanism.

Abstract: A system for affixing cards to a form and folding the form with the cards attached. The system includes a card affixer for affixing cards to any location on a form having a form transporting mechanism for moving the form, a carriage for receiving and holding a card, a carriage translating mechanism for moving the carriage across the width of the form transporting mechanism and a pressing mechanism for pressing the card against the form. The system also includes a form folder for precisely folding forms with the cards already attached. The form folder includes a form guide structure having at least one scoring edge, a form transfer mechanism, a roller unit, a roller translating mechanism and a roller rotating mechanism.

Abstract: A capacitive accelerometer system for detecting changes in G-forces and for producing a digital count value proportional to such changes. An oscillator-driven capacitive transducer of a unique design produces a voltage variation whose amplitude and frequency characteristics are a function of the direction and magnitude of the applied G-forces. The transducer itself comprises a pair of spaced-apart parallel plates disposed on opposite sides of a beam-supported movable plate which responds to changes in acceleration forces. The modulated signal is then demodulated and applied by a semiconductor switch actuated by a pulse from a microprocessor to a voltage-controlled current source. The current source varies the discharge rate of a precision capacitor.

Abstract: An electronic control system for windshield wipers on motor vehicles for initiating wiping action in response to the occurrence and level of precipitation on the windshield. A sensor unit comprising a block containing an array of photo-sensors arranged in a bridge configuration and a corresponding array of light sources is mounted on the inside surface of the windshield at a location traversed by the path of the vehicle's windshield wiper blades. The photo-sensor elements are oriented to normally receive light reflected back from the glass/air interface at the outside windshield surface from the photo-emitters, but when rain is present on the windshield, the light rays are scattered to create an unbalanced condition. The unbalancing of the bridge creates a signal which is demodulated in a synchronous demodulator and then applied via an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit to a window comparator.

Abstract: A computer-controlled machine for printing business documents, such as, checks, check vouchers, check registers and other forms used in quantity. Paper stock of varying dimensions, color or other characteristics is loaded into individual hoppers or trays in a paper input module. Under computer control, predetermined numbers of sheets are extracted from the plural hoppers in a prescribed sequence and transported, in proper alignment, to a first printing station where alpha/numeric characters are printed on the paper sheets by means of a non-impact xerographic printer in accordance with preprogrammed instructions. Next, the partially completed documents are serially transported, again in proper alignment, to a further printing station where MICR characters are impressed on the sheets using a drum and hammer-type printer, again with format, spacing and positioning controlled by a preprogrammed microcomputer system.

Abstract: A system for attaching data cards to mailer forms including apparatus having a supply of serially connected mailer forms, a paper drive for the forms and a printer therefore, a card holding station for holding up to two data cards in position for pickup by a printed mailer form having divergent slots for receiving opposite end portions of the data cards, a burster for separating an individual card carrying printed mailer form from the serially connected forms, a folder, an output stacker and a form reject area. Electronic control circuitry is included for controlling the operation of the various stations in a cooperative manner and for assuring that the mailer forms are printed with information corresponding to the data cards which will be inserted therein.