Patents Represented by Attorney Albert L. Sessler, Jr.
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Patent number: 5073838Abstract: A temperature-sensitive semiconductor device, such as a laser diode, is protected against damage from overheating by use of a temperature sensor which produces a signal that is digitized and applied to a microprocessor. The microprocessor uses a look-up table to determine an appropriate duty cycle for operation of the semiconductor device, based upon the temperature of the semiconductor device, so as to avoid operating the semiconductor devices for a length of time which could produce overheating and damage.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1989Date of Patent: December 17, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventor: Stephen J. Ames
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Patent number: 5061100Abstract: Front and rear printers for use with a document transport mechanism. The printers are identical in construction with each having a compact housing in which the associated print head is mounted. The housing has first and second side walls, a front wall which also functions as a guide for guiding documents to be printed upon therepast, and a rear wall which functions as a circuit board which houses the driver electronics assocated with the printer. The print head (ink jet) is mounted on a carriage which is moved within the housing in a first direction which is perpendicular to the direction in which the documents are moved in a document track past the printers. The front and rear printers are detachably mounted on opposed sides of the document track to enable the printing of alphanumerics or graphics on the front or the rear of a document moving thereby.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1990Date of Patent: October 29, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Frederick W. Brouwer, Graham Luckhurst, Fredrik L. N. Kallin
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Patent number: 5060877Abstract: An automatic paper feed apparatus includes a receptacle for a paper roll, which receptacle comprises a curved floor and opposite side walls which slope outwardly from bottom to top. The floor is ribbed on it sinner surface to minimize frictional engagement of a leader from the paper roll with said floor. Within the receptacle, the paper roll rests upon a guide roll and a first feed roll which is capable of rotating the paper roll to feed a paper web from the roll. A guide chute is provided which guides movement of the paper web from the paper roll to an exit portion of the guide chute from where it may be introduced into a printer or other device. The guide chute is comprised of a portion of the floor of the receptacle and a movable upper element. The movable upper element is pivotally mounted at one end on the shaft associated with the first feed roll.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1990Date of Patent: October 29, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventor: Robert F. Bullivant
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Patent number: 5059777Abstract: A scanning system having a laser and a motor for spinning an optical mirror arrangement for sensing indicia such as bar codes is capable of turning off the laser and the motor during periods of extended inactivity in order to minimize wear of these components and to reduce the use of electricity. Changes in the ambient light level adjacent to the scanning system which are typical of human motion are detected and are used to produce an electrical signal which can be used to turn the laser and the motor back on.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1989Date of Patent: October 22, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Wittensoldner, Paul O. Detwiler
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Patent number: 5060185Abstract: A file backup system for POS data includes a master terminal and a backup terminal along with a master file and a backup file, all of which are coupled to a plurality of satellite terminals. A file controller is provided for each of the files. When one of the files is down, the master file is capable of copying the contents of the down file while simultaneously responding to a request from any terminal and controlling the transfer of data without stopping the operation of the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1989Date of Patent: October 22, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Jiro Naito, Fumio Ito
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Patent number: 5058057Abstract: A communication system uses a two-wire circuit and includes a master terminal and a backup terminal, and a main file and a backup file along with associated link control devices coupled to a plurality of satellite terminals. Each link control device functions both as a monitor and as a communication controller with priority between the link control devices for each of the files and terminals to maintain operation of the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1989Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Sadao Morita, Haruo Shimasaki, Kiyohiko Tsutsumi
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Patent number: 5057687Abstract: A detector assembly for use in an optical reader comprises a hollow housing in which is mounted on the central axis of the housing a collection lens, a routing mirror, a light filter and a photodetector. A routing lens mounted in the side of the housing and on an axis which is perpendicular to the central axis of the housing directs the scanning light at the routing mirror which in turn reflects the light in a scanning direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1990Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Frank A. Leyshon, Herbert D. McClain, David A. Watson
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Patent number: 5055670Abstract: A document sensing apparatus includes a phototransistor (12) for generating a first or second voltage depending on whether or not, respectively, a document is present at a sensing location, and a capacitor (36) for providing a second voltage whose peak value is determined by said second value. A voltage comparator (30, 38, 40) compares said first and second voltages and provides an output signal indicative of the presence of a document at the sensing location if said first voltage is less than a predetermined fraction of said second voltage. A microprocessor (44) controls the operation of a circuit (71-1) which provides, as necessary, a charging current to said capacitor (36) so that, while a document is present at the sensing location, said second voltage is prevented from falling by a significant amount, thereby preventing problems occurring if a document remains at the sensing location for a prolonged period due to a feeding irregularity.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1990Date of Patent: October 8, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventor: Douglas L. Milne
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Patent number: 5053812Abstract: A disconnectable, remountable, extension for a document track in a table-top, document processing machine. The extension has first and second fingers which fit into first and second openings in a coupling member which is resiliently biased towards the document track. The extension also has members which cooperate with the document track to keep the extension aligned in a vertical direction relative to the document track. When the extension contacts another member when the machine is moved on the table top, the extension "break away" or is uncoupled from the document track without damage to either of the members. The extension can then be remounted on the document track.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1990Date of Patent: October 1, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Alistair R. Hamilton, Frederick W. Brouwer, Robert W. Phillips
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Patent number: 5048986Abstract: A self-aligning inking roll for a printer which includes an inking roll, an ink transfer roll, a printer, and an endless ribbon mounted on the transfer roll and the printer so as to provide a fresh supply of ink thereto. The inking roll is mounted on an aligner member which is mounted on a support member, with the support member being mounted on an arm which is resiliently biased towards the transfer roll. The aligner member is mounted on the support member at the midpoint of the aligner member so as to provide a fulcrum area which enables the aligner member with the inking roll thereon to pivot and thereby establish a line contact with the transfer roll with the ribbon thereon.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1990Date of Patent: September 17, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Marek W. Czesnik, James A. Michael, Anthony J. Boon
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Patent number: 5049766Abstract: In a delay measuring circuit (10), an input clock signal (13) is applied to a multitapped delay line (14), the output taps of which are connected to a switch (26) which selects one of the switch inputs for connection to a phase comparator (34) which compares the input clock signal (13), delayed in a delay device (38) to compensate for the delay inherent in the switch (26), with the output of the switch (26). The input clock signal is also applied to a counter (22), and when the phase comparator (34) detects a phase match, the counter value is stored in a latch (32), the counter (22) is reset to a predetermined value, and the counting procedure resumed. The latch (32) thus always stores a value dependent on the delay of an individual delay cell (16-l to 16-N). This stored value can be applied to various uses, such as in a timing watchdog circuit or for generating accurate delays.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1990Date of Patent: September 17, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Hans van Driest, Hendrik van Bokhorst, Richard Kruithof
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Patent number: 5047291Abstract: A magnetic thermal transfer ribbon includes a substrate and a thermal sensitive coating which is a mixture and essentially consists of a fatty alcohol, a water base latex, an intensifying dye, an adhesive, and a surface agent along with iron oxide, and the coating mixture is dispersed in alcohol, in water, or in a combined water/alcohol mixture.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1989Date of Patent: September 10, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Shashi G. Talvalkar, Marion E. McCreight, Thomas J. Obringer
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Patent number: 5044797Abstract: A device for connecting a toothed timing belt to a printhead carriage includes an arcuate member and a pair of posts extending downwardly from the carriage. The arcuate member includes a generally concave surface and a generally convex surface which is complementary to the toothed configuration of the timing belt. The posts are provided with angled surfaces located adjacent to the convex surface of the arcuate member to define passageways into which the belt is placed. Ledges at the lower ends of the posts prevent unintended slippage of the belt from the device when the belt is not under tension.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1988Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Alan H. Walker, Robert A. Brull
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Patent number: 5042382Abstract: A stamp mechanism for printing a message on a receipt or like record media issued from a business machine. The stamp mechanism includes a stud with a spring-loaded washer thereon. The stud extends through an opening in a stamp holder and supports a spherically-shaped skirt that mates with a recess in the stamp holder. The washer includes downwardly extending tongues that engage with slots in the stamp holder and which arrangement maintains the stamp in a parallel position relative to the platen.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1989Date of Patent: August 27, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Ryuji Yamazaki, Kazunori Matsumoto, Katsuyoshi Yokota
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Patent number: 5043563Abstract: A portable bar code scanner includes a base member and a overhanging scanning housing secured to the base member. A laser power supply mounted in the housing outputs a laser beam along a first light path directed to a compact optical system in the housing which reflects the laser beam along a second light path which intersects the first light path at approximately ninety degress to scan a coded label positioned below the scaning housing. A collection lens mounted in the housing collects and directs the reflected light from the coded label to a detector which generates electrical signals for transmission over a cable to a processor.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1989Date of Patent: August 27, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Chen Chi, Ronald J. King, Herbert D. McClain
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Patent number: 5040636Abstract: A merchandise checkout work station is of generally L-shaped configuration as viewed from above, and includes a merchandise holding area, a work area for a scanner and a keyboard, a bagging area, an elevated writing surface, a purchase set-aside area and a support area for holding a printer and a card embosser, all arranged to be conveniently accessible to a checkout operator. Security panels are provided to define a working area for the operator.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1989Date of Patent: August 20, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Donald L. Forsythe, Mark S. Hoffman
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Patent number: 5040908Abstract: A passbook printer has a print head movable along a printing station and in opposed relation to a platen for printing data on the passbook. The printer has an optical reading head assembly which is movable independent of the print head and in a direction of the path of the passbook past the printing station. The optical reading head assembly is positioned at the printing station for reading page and line information from the passbook and then is moved to a position adjacent the printing station for permitting the print head to freely move along the printing station.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1990Date of Patent: August 20, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Mikio Matsuya, Takemi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 5040175Abstract: A wireless local area network (10) includes a plurality of stations (12) adapted to transmit and receive message packets via a distribution system (30). In a time division multiplexing embodiment the network (10) operates using successive timing frames (FR1, FR2, etc.) each consisting of three timing intervals (T1, T2, T3). During the first timing interval (T1) the distribution system (30) normally transmits synchronizing packets (HBT), to which a station (12) desiring to transmit responds by transmitting an information packet during the next second timing interval (T2). During the subsequent first timing interval (T1), the distribution system (30) retransmits the received information packet.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1990Date of Patent: August 13, 1991Assignees: NCR Corporation, Inland Steel CompanyInventors: Bruce T. Tuch, Michael A. Masleid
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Patent number: 5033562Abstract: A quick release weigh plate for a weighing device includes a support member to which is secured a pair of cantilever load beam cells for generating electrical signals representing the weight of an object placed on the load beam cells. The load beam cells each include a support portion which extends through an aperture in the support member on which is removably mounted a cover for supporting the object to be weighed. One of the support portions has a truncated slotted end on which is removably mounted a U-shaped saddle member secured to the cover preventing any unnecessary movement of the cover when mounted on the load beam cells while allowing the cover to be easily removed when necessary. The other support portion has its end removably positioned within an aperture in the cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1990Date of Patent: July 23, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventor: Richard E. Cone
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Patent number: D320226Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1989Date of Patent: September 24, 1991Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Thomas L. Hermann, Dale L. Placke, Joey E. Hughes