Abstract: In a system for performing both lottery ticket transactions and merchandise sales transactions and maintaining a record of both, a group of lottery terminals are coupled to a lottery central processing center. A POS (point of sale) terminal and a bar code scanner are coupled to each lottery terminal. The lottery terminal can pass through information from the bar code scanner to the POS terminal through a scanner interface of the POS terminal using a predetermined scanner data format and can also transmit lottery ticket information to the POS terminal using a similar data format. A group of POS terminals are coupled to an in-store processor to enable both lottery and merchandise data to be recognized and recorded.

Abstract: The useful life of a laser, such as a laser diode, is extended by causing the laser to operate only intermittently when continuous operation is not required. When such a laser diode is used in a scanner for scanning coded symbols, such as bar codes, in merchandise check-out operations, continuous operation is required only when a coded symbol is present in a target area. A sensing device is provided for sensing the transitions in light reflected back from the target area, and a counter is provided for counting the number of such transitions. Since a much larger number of transitions are sensed and counted when a coded symbol is being read than when no such symbol is present in the target area, this difference in number of transitions is used to distinguish between the two conditions and to cause the laser diode to be turned on for continuous operation only when a coded symbol is present in the target area to be read.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling discount coupons includes a scanner, a point of sale terminal and a coupon acceptor. In one embodiment, a coupon file manager is also included. The coupon acceptor receives coupons which have been determined to be genuine and properly related to goods being purchased. The coupons are inserted into an opening in the acceptor and are then drawn into the acceptor by a pair of aligned counter-rotating cylinders. The coupons are also marked within the acceptor to indicate that they have been used. The coupon acceptor provides a secure structure so that coupons cannot be removed therefrom except by an authorized person.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the stiffness of a sheet, such as a currency note, includes first cooperating rollers (36, 38) and second cooperating rollers (28, 32) arranged to urge the sheet along a feed path (48) The first rollers (36, 38) engage frictionally with the sheet and are caused to rotate with a greater peripheral speed than the second rollers (28, 32). As a result, there is a tendency for the first rollers (36, 38) to cause that portion of the sheet between the first and second rollers (36, 38; 28, 32) to buckle, this tendency being resisted if the sheet has a required degree of stiffness. First and second sensors (66, 68) are disposed on opposite sides of said feed path (48) for sensing a deflection of said portion of said sheet away from the feed path (48) by at least a predetermined amount, brought about by buckling of the sheet due to the sheet being insufficiently stiff.

Abstract: A method and system for article selection and purchase in a retail establishment utilizes customer selection of articles from a plurality of display panels displaying samples of the articles. Information including customer identity, article selection and article quantity is provided to the system by entry devices on the display panels. A record of customer selections is generated at a precheck terminal using this information, which is also used to transport the selected articles from a product stocking area to an order accumulation area, where a record is made of the accumulated articles. The two records are compared at a finalizing terminal, where customer payment is received and the purchased articles are delivered to the customer.

Abstract: A passage is periodically scanned by a plurality of ultrasonic transmitters/receivers (sensors) arranged on the ceiling of the passage in two lines to calculate the height of an object to be measured to each sensor and the presence or absence of the measured object(s), moving direction(s) thereof, and the number thereof are reckoned from changes in sensed height and sensing time for each sensor induced by passing an object to be measured through the passage, and the position and a change in position with time of each sensor which senses the measured object concerned to count the number of passers-by in each moving direction. The presence or absence of the object to be measured and the number to be counted are decided in accordance with changes in sensed position and sensed height and the interrelation thereof, so that the number of sensors can be reduced and the number of passers-by can be counted at a high accuracy even when a plurality of persons pass under the sensors in a group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a torque limiting mechanism comprising rotatable drive and driven members (144,146) having a common axis of rotation. The drive member (144) includes a resilient tripping finger (152) having an end portion (154) which is adapted to engage resiliently in a recess (166) formed in the inner surface of a cylindrical portion (162) of the driven member (146) for the purpose of applying a driving torque to the driven member (146). In the event of this torque exceeding a certain limit, the tripping finger (152) is caused to become disengaged from the recess (166), thereby disconnecting the drive to the driven member (146) and permitting the drive member (144) to rotate relative to the driven member (146). The torque limiting mechanism may be included in a drive system included in a currency note pick mechanism, the torque limiting mechanism serving to disconnect drive to the pick mechanism in the event of a gulp feed occurring.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (2) for assessing the stiffness of a sheet (4), such as a currency note, by measuring the extent and rate of movement of the trailing edge of the sheet (4) away from a feed path for the sheet. Such movement is part of a straightening movement of the sheet (4) upon disengagement of the trailing edge from constraining means (34) when a leading portion of the sheet (4) is in a bent condition.

Abstract: An impact printing apparatus includes an armature and print wire assembly in which a plastic arm is injection molded to interact with recesses in an armature and to surround a portion of a print wire to provide a rigid interconnection between the armature and the print wire.

Abstract: A toothed drive belt for a printer or other device is provided at each end with a slotted clip or termination which is secured in place by engaging slots therein with teeth on the belt and by wrapping the termination around the end portion of the belt. The termination includes an aperture in a portion extending outwardly from the end portions of the belt. A tensioner for retaining the belt in operative relation to associated gears or other elements includes hooks which engage the apertures in the terminations. The terminations can be assembled on the belt ends by engaging the ends of the belts with termination portions of an article including both termination portions and an interconnecting portion, bending side portions and fingers of the termination portions around the end portions of the belt, and then removing the interconnecting portion.

Abstract: A system and method for automated processing of articles include a plurality of storage units separated by aisles through which customers can pass to select articles for processing. The selected articles are identified by tags applied thereto from identification record members provided to the customers, and are placed on conveyors located adjacent to the storage units for transportation to a checkout station where they are collected, their prices are totalled, and payment is made. The articles are then further transported to a plurality of bagger stations where they are bagged and released to the customer after verification that payment has been made.

Abstract: A data processing terminal is provided with a keyboard which can be removed to provide access to the interior of the terminal for maintenance and repair of electrical components contained therein. Removal of the keyboard causes the operating circuit for the terminal to be interrupted, thereby eliminating danger of shock to someone working in the interior of the terminal. Assembly of the keyboard to the remainder of the terminal is accomplished largely by means of molded engaging and latching elements, thereby minimizing the effort required for assembly and disassembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improving the accuracy of weighing an object using a scale, when the object to be weighed may not be positioned completely on the scale, by performing a first weighing operation, slightly moving the scale on which the object is weighed, performing a second weighing operation, comparing the results, and providing an indication to the scale operator if the two results are not the same. The operator can then reposition the object to be weighed so that it is completely located on the scale, and perform a further weighing operation. The movement of the scale between weighings may be in a horizontal or vertical direction, or in a combination of the two.

Abstract: A bar code reader has the capability of reading a bar code symbol containing information for causing change in the volume of a speaker associated with said reader, as well as reading merchandise identification symbols commonly associated with items such as merchandise being checked out at a point of sale terminal. The apparatus for controlling the volume of the speaker includes a microprocessor, a digital-to-analog converter, an AC coupler, a reference amplifier, a peak-to-peak amplifier and a push-pull driver.

Abstract: A digitizer screen and method of making. A coated conductive plastic film is perforated and is used in conjunction with a glass or other panel to provide a screen which may be used in an electronic digitizer for converting the position and movement of a stylus or other device on the screen to electrical signals representative of such positioning and movement. The perforated coated conductive plastic film may be laminated to the glass panel to form an integrated structure which does not require the use of masking and etching or similar processes to produce a desired apertured matrix pattern in the plastic film. Various arrangements of the plastic film are disclosed which facilitate the connection of the apertured portion of the plastic film to associated electronic components.

Abstract: A variable size rotary impact cylinder couple comprises a lower or anvil cylinder (which may be 22 inches in circumference) driven by a swing gear and a top impact cylinder driven by a servo motor which is adjustable in a vertical direction. The cylinder couple provides impacting in the manner of ironing or squeezing cross-web glue lines between adjacent paper parts. The cylinder couple provides for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8-around impacting positions for cylinder circumference of 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 251/2 and 28 inches. The self contained cylinder couple is used with a rotary collator to produce various sizes of cross-web glued forms. The combination drive system provides a single cylinder couple that emulates various printing cylinder sizes.

Abstract: A cash dispenser unit includes note transport means (74, 78, 86) driven by an electric motor and including first (74) and second (78) sets of rolls which are arranged to grip therebetween a note (18'), partly withdrawn from a currency cassette (14) by associated pick arms (36), for the purpose of removing the note (18') from the cassette (14). The first (74) and second (78) sets of rolls are respectively mounted on first (76) and second (80) shafts, the first shaft (76) being mounted so that one end thereof is movable away from the second shaft (80). For the purpose of protecting the transport means (74, 78, 86) from damage in the event of the occurrence of a gulp feed of notes, said one end of the first shaft (76) is operatively associated with a microswitch, whereby movement of said one end away from the second shaft (80) by more than a predetermined amount operates the microswitch so as to deenergize the motor.

Abstract: An electronic business machine having a cash drawer therein, the electronic business machine including a circuit which operatively couples the microprocessor to a driver which energizes a device, such as a solenoid, for a predetermined period of time, which can be altered by programming, in order to open the cash drawer. An alternative embodiment discloses a multivibrator being used in place of the circuit for energizing the driver.

Abstract: A toothed drive belt for a printer or other device is provided at each end with a slotted clip or termination which is secured in place by engaging slots therein with teeth on the belt and by wrapping the termination around the end portion of the belt. The termination includes an aperture in a portion extending outwardly from the end portions of the belt. A tensioner for retaining the belt in operative relation to associated gears or other elements includes hooks which engage the apertures in the terminations. The terminations can be assembled on the belt ends by engaging the ends of the belts with termination portions of an article including both termination portions and an interconnecting portion, bending side portions and fingers of the termination portions around the end portions of the belt, and then removing the interconnecting portion.