Abstract: An electronic system is disclosed for use in adjusting the spacing between columns of print produced by impact printers and the like. The system adjusts the spacing electronically by use of digital logic which varies the timing between high current pulses which, in turn, drive hammers in the impact printers. With this system, timing of the high current pulses is delayed to increase the spacing and timing is advanced to decrease the spacing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether a newly-signed signature and a previously recorded signature were made by the same person. The method and apparatus include the steps of and apparatus for scanning a document containing the newly-signed signature to provide an electrical signal representative of the reflectivity of the newly-signed signature and the document and generating a signature envelope from the electrical signal with the envelope being formed of selected points on the signature. A plurality of characteristics of the newly-signed signature are then calculated based on the location and magnitude of the selected points forming the signature envelope with respect to a reference line. The calculated characteristics of the newly-signed signature are then compared with corresponding characteristics of a standard signature formed from a group of previously recorded signatures and a signature verification decision is generated based on the degree with which the compared characteristics match.

Abstract: A flexible drive mechanism for positioning bank passbooks and similar objects is disclosed for use in conjunction with identification and entry posting apparatus. The functioning of the drive mechanism is made flexible by the use of eight rollers, four of which are power driven to serve as drive rollers and four of which are idle rollers. The idle rollers are enabled to move relative to each other and to the drive rollers and are spring biased to firmly engage bank passbooks and similar flat objects and press them against the power drive rollers. The rollers are enabled to accommodate the differences in thickness between parts of the passbooks caused by either the presence of ridges, where sewn seams bind the pages of a book together, or by the presence of difference amounts of paper.

Abstract: A system for use with a document processor enabling the detection of jamming at its inception, prevention of additional jamming and routing of documents in the processor to selected pockets. When jamming conditions are detected, the receipt of further documents through the machine feeder into the processor is stopped, documents already in the processor which are located upstream from the point where jamming has occurred are routed to their proper pockets if they belong in upstream pockets, documents downstream from the point where jamming has occurred are routed to their proper pockets, and the remaining documents are routed to a pocket designated to receive missorted documents. Displays are illuminated to indicate jamming and to identify pockets into which missorted documents have been routed.

Abstract: A unitary, demountable, insertable modular magnetic transducer transport assembly for use with accounting records such as magnetically encoded bank account passbooks, magnetic striped ledger sheets and credit cards including self contained magnetic transducer transport for timing track and data pick-up mechanisms capable of being operably coupled to and forming part of an automatic data print out apparatus for on line data processing of accounting information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for dynamically switching between fonts or groups of fonts in an automatic optical character reader. A switch character which is included between a first and second group of characters triggers the selection of the appropriate memory for the succeeding font.

Abstract: Demountable, modular, apparatus permitting item/documents, such for example as checks, to be stacked at high speed on opposite sides of a linear main-line item feed-through pathway. Indicators are included for indicating in which direction, forward, right or left of the main-line pathway an item diverting gate is directed and item position sensing devices are located within and adjacent to the diverting gates. Each demountable module, if more than one is employed, is provided with right and left columnators including concentric roller members disposed between a resilient drive roller. Idler rollers are demountably, replaceably secured adjacent respective drive rollers by resilient flat spring members for ease and efficiency of replacement, repair and/or removal. Each diverting gate includes an LED and phototransistor combination for sensing the passage therethrough of an item.

Abstract: A sorter pocket flag back-up assembly and switch indicating means comprises a non rotatable rectilinearly, slideably moveable support member engageable with one side or face of an item entering the pocket of a sorter including a zero clearance bearing and an integral linear rack having radially disposed teeth engageable with a drive pinion coupled to a reversible stepping motor. The support and rack include a lower guide track coextensive with the rack and an upper spring loaded pin which together maintain a constant depth engagement of the pinion and rack teeth and avoid any tilt of the rack transverse to the long dimension thereof.

Abstract: A recorder for placing linguistic character information on photosensitive media. The recorder utilizes a small number of selectively energizable light sources, relative motion between the light from those sources and the photosensitive media, and electronics to coordinate sequential flashing of those light sources to such motion to form individual or sequences of linguistic characters on the photosensitive media. The disclosed embodiment is a microfilm camera that places linguistic characters on microfilm in response to externally supplied character data. The microfilm camera includes a camera box and seven discrete, selectively energizable light sources that are fixedly mounted with respect to the camera box. A portion of photosensitive microfilm is fixed at least temporarily with respect to the camera box. A size reduction lens that is in motion for a period of time focuses light from the light sources upon various areas of the microfilm.

Abstract: A demountable back-up item supporting device for an item sorter pocket receptacle of a sorter reader comprises a horizontally elongated fence-like member having a mounting pedestal disposed at each opposite end thereof. A central opening extends from one end of said member to the other end. A highly flexible, relatively thin, deflectable member is attached at opposite ends to said fence-like member and extends within said central opening in a bowed formation having a constantly changing radius of curvature. Oppositely disposed, demountable brushes extend outwardly away from one end of said fence like member. A thin, flat, elongated contacting element is demountably attached to the brush retaining end for cooperative engagement with an associated photo optical switch structure. The fence-like member is vertically bowed so as to maintain the columnated attitude of the items being sorted as the items contact this member.

Abstract: Voltage regulator having current limiting circuitry. The voltage regulator includes an operational amplifier which has a substantially high output impedance and is disposed in a negative feedback configuration to provide an output signal which is the difference between a reference voltage input and the magnitude of the output voltage of the voltage regulator. Overcurrent detection circuitry is connected to the output of the operational amplifier and provides an on or off signal whenever the magnitude of the current drawn by a load exceeds a predetermined magnitude. When the magnitude of the load current exceeds a predetermined magnitude, the output of the overcurrent detection circuitry will be a low level signal which clamps or draws down the magnitude of the output voltage of the operational amplifier towards ground potential.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for converting an unregulated input voltage into a regulated D.C. voltage. The voltage regulator includes a driver transformer which periodically receives energizing current from a voltage source through a transistor switch. A switching regulator controller regulates the conduction time of the transistor so as to control the amount of energizing current supplied to the driver transformer. The driver transformer secondary windings drive the base of output transistors which, when conducting, connect the primary windings of an output transformer to the voltage supply. A capacitor is connected in parallel with the primary winding of the driver transformer so as to short circuit the primary winding of the drive transformer when the driver transistor is turned off. The current flow in the secondary of the driver transistor causes removal of the stored base charge from the output transistors which decreases the turn off time of the output transistors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and means to provide local call multimetering in existing telephone systems with a minimum of changes in existing exchanges. It comprises sensing whether a call duration counter is connected to a cord circuit or not, and employs the result of this sensing operation to control an inhibiting circuit which, respectively, passes or stops the local metering pulses on their way to the subscriber's call counter. Sensing imposes a low power demand, thus sensing of the potential is sufficient. The principle may be used for toll multimetering. The first multimetering pulse will be suppressed.

Abstract: An automatic telecommunication switching system is disclosed for switching TDM speech signals and data signals between calling and called parties. The system includes auxiliary circuits. Such circuits may include a monitor or comparator to detect the presence of a particular code. They may include a code converter for receiving a code of one variety and transmitting one of another variety or for changing the speed between reception and transmission.

Abstract: The symmetrical line loop evaluating circuit included in this signalling system and used to pass or to block interrogating pulses to examine the closed or open condition of a subscriber line includes a first circuit comprising a diode the anode and cathode of which are capacitively coupled to the output and input of an interrogating and receiving circuit respectively and a second or gating circuit which prevents surge voltages from reaching the input of the receiving circuit in the case of an open line loop. The system will be manufactured in the thick-film version.