Abstract: A compact optical scanning system comprises a portable enclosure structure having a cover portion which includes a glass enclosed aperture over which a UPC label attached to a purchased merchandise item is moved. Mounted within the enclosure is a laser whose output coherent light beam is reflected along a path extending in a direction parallel to the cover portion by mirrors and a bifocal lens member mounted on a shelf extending between opposite sidewalls of enclosure. One of the mirrors mounted on the shelf reflects the laser beam in a downward direction at a rotating multifaceted mirrored member mounted on and directly beneath the shelf and the bifocal lens. The rotating mirrored spinner directs the laser beam at a plurality of pattern mirrors which redirects the received laser beam towards the aperture, forming a scan pattern thereat for scanning the UPC label.

Abstract: In a phase perturbation compensation system for use in a data modem receiver, the signal from an equalizer is fed to a phase and amplitude correction circuit which is connected to a decision circuit providing a data output signal and a phase error output signal which is applied to a phase jitter compensation determination circuit. The phase jitter compensation determination circuit includes a tapped delay line the output taps of which are applied to multipliers fed with adaptive weighting coefficients to provide values which are summed to provide a phase error prediction signal. The weighting coefficients are generated in integrator circuits which include respective delays. The values generated in the delays during an initial training sequence and stored in a storage device are retrieved for use in subsequent training segments, whereby fast phase jitter adaptation is achieved and hence stort training sequences can be utilized.

Abstract: In a method of controlling the operation of a security module, wherein firmware controlling the operation of the security module (10) is stored in a program memory (40), new firmware may be loaded into the module (10). An authentication key (KA) is encrypted using a key storage key (KSK) stored in a resettable shift register (54) in the security module and the encrypted authentication key is stored in a secure memory (36). A firmware authentication value FAV is calculated, using the authentication key (KA), externally of the security module (10), for the new firmware, and the new firmware, together with FAV is loaded into a data memory (38) in the security module (10). A processor (30) in the security module (10) recalculates the firmware authentication value using the stored authentication key (KA) and compares the recalculated value with the loaded value FAV. If a correct comparison is achieved, the new firmware is transferred into the program memory (40).

Abstract: In a data modem receiver (80) the received signal is digitized in an A/D-converter (84), the output of which is applied to notch filter means (88, 96) which eliminates secondary channel signals, and which applies an output signal to a pair of IIR filters (112, 116), responsive to the frequency components present in a training signal. The values of the IIR filter output sigals are determined and compared with a pair of threshold levels provided by a threshold setter circuit (152) responsive to the peak received signal level to detect the receipt of a training signal. In response to the detection of a training signal, DFT calculations are initiated for timing recovery and modem address identification, using samples stored in a buffer shift register (206). A gain control circuit (220) is located subsequent to a band-pass filter (212) coupled to the buffer shift register (206).

Abstract: A method for cleaning transducer heads in a magnetic disk drive located within a device such as an electronic cash register comprising the steps of storing in a memory first data identifying the number of days of operation of the device required before a transducer head cleaning operation is to occur, storing in the memory second data identifying the number of days of operation since the last transducer head clean operation, storing in the memory third data identifying the number of transducer head cleaning operations that have been performed on the transducer heads, comparing the second data with the first data, displaying information suggesting that a transducer head clean operation be performed when the second data is equal to or greater than the first data, cleaning the transducer heads and printing the third data on a record member in response to the cleaning of the transducer heads.

Abstract: A multipoint data modem communication system (10) includes a master modem (12) and a plurality of remote modems (14, 16 and 18). During an initial, remote-to-master transmission, a relatively long training sequence is transmitted and receiver parameter and equalizer coefficients are stored in a storage unit (156) in the master modem (12). During subsequent transmissions a relatively short training sequence which synchronizes the master modem receiver timing and also identifies the transmitting remote modem is applied. In the master modem an interpolation filter based on a ninth order Lagrange interpolation formula is located between an analog-to-digital converter (84) and a band-pass filter (92). Coefficients for the interpolation filter are calculated using a residual time shift value which is computed using a DFT calculator (96) which is coupled to a phase segment detector (142) and a phase-to-time-shift converter (146).

Abstract: A method and system for use in reading magnetic characters comprised of bars and intervals dimensioned as short intervals or long intervals as is done in CMCs7 encoding. The interval between adjacent bars of a character is obtained by calculating the zero crossing point between a peak of a first polarity and a peak of a second polarity associated with a "bar" in the associated scanning signal. The zero crossing point may be compared to the midpoint of the associated "bar". The intervals are then determined by obtaining the distance or interval between the zero crossing points of adjacent "bars".

Abstract: A document transport and printing apparatus which utilizes an associated clutch for use in printing and endorsing documents like checks at a printing station in the apparatus. The apparatus utilizes a single input shaft as an input member for the clutch and as an input member for a soft drive roller located at the printing station. The clutch utilizes a moveable sector portion which is moved between inactive and active positions to rotate an associated planetary member to provide a reduction in the rotary movement of the output member of the clutch when the sector portion is moved to the active position.

Abstract: An electronic terminal device is fabricated so as to be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled by use of housing parts and internal parts having snap-type fasteners. Separate fasteners such as screws are not needed. Special tools are not required for assembly and disassembly of the device. Performance of repair and maintenance functions by purchasers of the equipment is thus facilitated.

Abstract: A cassette for an endless thermal ribbon utilized in a thermal printer with the ribbon being unwound from the inside diameter of a spool and rewound on the outside diameter of the spool. The ribbon is guided from the spool to effect an approximate 10 degree skew in its path past the thermal print head and then in contact with a ribbon drive roller prior to rewinding on the spool. A plurality of guide ribs are disposed in radial manner to guide and hold the ribbon in its winding and unwinding motion.

Abstract: A digital printhead energy control system includes a first storage device for receiving hammer pulse duration data, a second storage device for receiving hammer pulse energization data and for producing a trigger signal and hammer pulse energization signals, a counter for counting to a value equal to the value stored in the first storage device, a comparator for comparing the value stored in the first storage device with the incrementing counter value, latch means for latching the output of the comparator to produce an end pulse signal, first gating means for combining the end pulse signal and a reset signal for controlling the clearing of the second storage device and terminating the hammer pulse energization signals, and second gating means for combining the trigger signal and a reset signal for controlling the clearing of the counter.

Abstract: Multiple processing systems each inclue an administrator processor and a plurality of intelligent resources (like a printer, encoder, for example) which are coupled to the associated administrator processor via a local area network (LAN). Each administrator processor is coupled to two pluralities or sets of intelligent resources with one set being connected through a primary connection node of the associated administrative processor and with the other set being connected to an associated secondary connection node. Each administrator processor is also directly coupled to exactly two other administrator processors through its associated primary and secondary connection nodes to form a closed ring network. An intelligent resource normally assigned to one administrator processor may be assigned (if available) to an adjacent administrator processor to reallocate the workload in the ring network and adjust to certain failures in the system.

Abstract: For a merchandise checkout system including an electronic cash register having a keyboard and a display, and which further includes a price look-up table in which is stored a plurality of records each including a first item number identifying the purchased merchandise item and a second item number identifying the merchandise item as one which is sold as part of a multi-item package in which the records are distinguished by the number of such merchandise items being purchased there is disclosed a method for processing the purchase of a multi-item merchandise item consisting of identifying the purchased item as one which is sold as part of a multi-item package, requesting that the operator insert the number of such merchandise items being purchased into the keyboard, combining the number inserted to the first item number associated with the purchased merchandise item to generate a second item number and looking up the price of the number of such merchandise items being purchased in the look-up table by comparin

Abstract: A wire guide tip in a wire dot printer is made of ceramic and is integrally formed with the front wire guide and inserted during mold processing of the front wire guide.

Abstract: A digital motor control system includes a flip-flop latch for receiving motor circuit drive data from a microprocessor, a counter for counting to a predetermined value representing the total duration of a motor drive pulse, a comparator for comparing the incrementing counter value with the motor circuit drive data stored in the latch to provide a pulse width modulated signal, delay circuitry for preventing overlapping of motor brake and motor drive signals, a drive gate controlled in part by said pulse width modulated signal for applying a drive signal for motor control, and a brake gate for applying a brake signal for motor control.

Abstract: The motor mounting bracket is of one piece construction and includes an enclosure formed to contain the mounting flange of the motor and to substantially enclose the motor. The bracket has oppositely positioned spring-like lugs with tips for receiving and securing the mounting flange, and the mounting bracket has a pair of pilot studs matching apertures in the mounting flange for securing the motor flange against movement. The mounting bracket enables a motor to be secured without use of separate screws, bolts, nuts and like parts.

Abstract: A process for monitoring defects in the material of a moving web of paper or defects in operations performed on the web of paper. An air brush spray head applies ink for a predetermined duration at a location along an edge of the moving web of paper during a press operation and after a predetermined period of time to indicate that a defect has passed. A scanner senses the ink during a subsequent collating operation so that the process line can be stopped and the defect corrected. The location of the ink on the web of paper is at a point wherein the defect has passed and good material is present.