Abstract: A housing assembly for an optical scanner is provided to enable the scanner to be mounted in a vertical orientation. The assembly includes a rear unit, a front unit and a base unit, all of which can be assembled together without the use of screws or similar fasteners, with the scanner positioned within the assembled front and rear units. The assembly with the included scanner can be placed on the horizontal check-out counter of a point of sale system for use in said system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mounting structure for a CRT display which includes a pair of tubular support members with the first one secured to a ceiling surface and the second one slidably mounted within the first one. Knobs are included to lock the second support member in an adjusted position within the first support member. A yoke assembly secured to one end of the second tubular support member includes a yoke member secured to the support member, a tray member rotatably secured to the yoke member for supporting the display and adapted to be rotated to an adjusted position, a strap member secured to the yoke member for holding the display on the tray member and a locking knob for locking the tray member in the adjusted position.

Abstract: A rotating and driving mechanism for a record media feed roller adjacent a printing station. The feed roller is supported by the platen assembly and is movable therewith to provide a path for the record media through the printing station. A plate member is pivotally supported on an adjacent feed roller and includes slots therein. A cam member is positioned between a side frame and the plate member and includes pins for operating in the slots of the plate member and has a surface engaging with the shaft of the feed roller. Rotatable means is provided for moving the platen assembly to form the record media path. The rotatable means includes an arm for limiting movement of the plate member relative to rotational forces derived when driving the feed roller to advance the record media through the printing station.

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: A device for protecting a plastic tray wall of a compartment of a till tray when a user breaks a wrapper of a coin roll by impacting the coin roll against the tray wall. A generally U-shaped member, which is made of metal or plastic, is mounted on a tray wall of a plastic till tray while grippers located on opposed legs of the U-shaped member retain the member on the tray wall. A user then breaks the wrapper of the coin roll by impacting the coin roll against the U-shaped member, thereby releasing the coins for depositing into a compartment of the till tray. A second embodiment of the device includes a ridge formed thereon to facilitate breaking the wrapper of the coin roll.

Abstract: A platen-yoke apparatus for a printer using a "floating platen". The platen for a wire matrix printer is mounted in a U-shaped channel. When the printer is moved to one side of a document feeding surface, a ramp on one end of the platen cooperates with a roller secured to the print head to depress that end of the platen to cause it to be moved below the feeding surface. A yoke member pivotally secured to the underside of the feeding surface and coupled to the ends of the platen causes the platen to be moved parallel to the feeding surface to lower the platen below the feeding surface to facilitate the insertion of a document to a printing station associated with the printer.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled circuit and associated firmware program provide a capability to change output frequencies when required. A plurality of frequency generating devices are included, and logic circuitry is used to determine which frequency generator is coupled to the microprocessor to provide the desired output frequency. The logic circuitry is controlled by the microprocessor in accordance with a comparison of a data pattern stored in the internal random access memory of the microprocessor with at least one of a plurality of data patterns stored in a read only memory, which data patterns represent the frequency generating devices.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus includes first and second endless belts (38, 40) which are of resiliently stretchable material and parts of which are in cooperative relationship with respect to each other, a sheet (68) being fed through the apparatus while gripped between the cooperating parts of the belt drives (38, 40). One of the belt drives (40) passes around a pulley (60) associated with selectively operable actuating members (42, 46, 50, 52, 54). Operation of the actuating members (42, 46, 50, 52, 54) moves the associated pulley (60) so as to bring out a deformation of the cooperating parts of the belt drives (38, 40) and thereby change the length of the feed path for the sheet (68) through the apparatus. By operating the actuating members (42, 46, 50, 52, 54), the time at which the sheet (68) arrives at a certain location, such as a stacking wheel 75, may be adjusted.

Abstract: A piggyback recorder for use in a printer terminal having a first recorder for printing a first set of data on a document, such as a receipt document. The piggyback recorder is detachably mounted piggyback onto the first recorder, thereby providing a second recorder to the terminal for printing a second set of data on the document. The piggyback recorder comprises a piggyback print member which is capable of printing the second set of data, a mounting member for mounting the piggyback print member directly onto a first print member of the first recorder, a piggyback platen, a second mounting member for mounting the piggyback platen directly onto a first platen of the piggyback recorder, and a solenoid for providing relative movement between the piggyback print member and the piggyback platen.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the transfer of data between a first remote processor constructed to process data words of a first length and a second remote processor constructed to process data words of a second length and which includes a storage member constructed to store data words of a third length. A DMA controller controls the transmission of data words between the storage member and the first remote processor. A first control processor controls the operation of a second processor and the DMA controller for transferring data from the second remote processor to the storage member. In response to instructions transmitted from the second remote processor, the first control processor will enable the second control processor to transfer data words of a third length to the storage member and will enable the DMA controller to transfer data words of the second length from the storage member to the second remote processor.

Abstract: An encoder having a special construction which includes a special tension spring which increases the life of the encoder. The tension spring has first and second "U"-shaped portions formed on one end thereof with the remaining end of the spring being secured to a frame of the encoder. The first "U"-shaped portion of the spring is positioned around a stud on a beam of the encoder, and the second "U"-shaped portion receives a portion of the beam. An actuator is used to move a hammer on the beam to an impact position, and the tension spring is used to return the beam to a home position. As the beam is moved toward the impact position, there is an increase in the area of contact between the stud and the first "U"-shaped portion to thereby minimize movement therebetween. When the spring returns to the home position, the body portion of the spring assumes an "arched" position which minimizes "bounce" of the beam in returning to the home position.

Abstract: A magnetic read/write head is supported on the carriage that carries the platen of a passbook printer. The passbook is moved to the printing station and a sensor is provided for detecting the presence of the passbook. A height adjusting member operates to move the read/write head into position for writing data into and for reading data from a magnetic stripe on the passbook.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for optically communicating data between two data handling units where one of the data units supplies all of the optical power needed for the optical communications between the two data units. In a preferred embodiment a first data unit comprises a first data source, first and second optical sources of optical energy, and a first optical detector, while a second data unit comprises a second data source, a second optical detector and an optical modulator. In a first mode of operation, a first stream of digital data from the first data source pulse modulates the first optical source on and off causing the first optical source to transmit optical pulses to the second optical detector. These optical pulses are converted by the second optical detector back into a representation of the first stream of digital data for use by the second data unit.

Abstract: A business form of multiple ply construction includes one ply having adhesive thereon for attaching directly to a package being shipped. The one ply is a removable waybill copy portion of the business form which provides a recond of information or data concerning the shipping of the package in an arrangement which does not require a separate pouch on the package.

Abstract: A cash dispensing unit includes first (68) and second (70) cooperating endless groups of belts for feeding a stack (72) of currency notes to an exit location (50). First ends of the first (68) and second (70) groups of belts respectively pass round first (26) and second (30) group of pulleys of equal diameter mounted in a central position of a support framework (11), and second ends of the two groups of belts (68, 70) respectively pass round two smaller groups of pulleys (66, 52) disposed adjacent the exit location (50). The first group of belts (68) pass partly around the periphery of the second group of pulleys (30), and are resiliently stretchable so that the stack (72) can pass between this group of belts (68) and this group of pulleys (30).

Abstract: A portable optical bar code reader is adapted to be attached to the underside of the wrist of the user for reading coded labels on a purchased merchandise item. A ring member mounted on one of the fingers of the user has an actuating member mounted therein which is actuated by another finger of the user to enable the bar code reader to read a coded label. Scanning device mounted within the bar code reader provide a compact arrangement for generating a scanning light beam which scans the coded label. The bar code reader is attached to the wrist of the user by an easily removable strap member.