Abstract: A depository apparatus (10) includes a common entry slot (14) for receiving both envelopes and single sheet financial documents such as checks. A thickness sensor (58) adjacent to the entry slot (14) provides an output indicative of whether a deposit item has a thickness of at least one millimeter, which is normally indicative that the item is an envelope. A document transport (34) and divert gates (50, 52) route items having a thickness of at least one millimeter into an envelope feed path for further processing, and route items of less than this thickness into a financial document feed path for further processing. An imager (76) generates a digital image of items routed into the document feed path, this image being processed to determine if the item is a document of predetermined type. The imager (76) enables the apparatus to detect if a thin envelope has been incorrectly routed into the document feed path.

Abstract: A dual drive document deskew and sheet feeder. Paper sheets of various sizes and thicknesses are joggled and aligned into a stack relative to one side and a top of the documents, for example, and the stack is placed in a hinged hopper which is pivoted to be raised relative to left and right special picker rollers. Left and right drive rollers located downstream in a feeding direction from the picker rollers are independently driven by left and right drive stepper motors. Sensors which interact with the leading edge of a document are used to sense whether the document is skewed relative to the feeding direction. A controller receives the outputs from the sensors, and the outputs are used to dynamically deskew the document so that it can be fed into a document receiving apparatus in a deskewed or aligned orientation. The special picker rollers subject the top document being fed to alternating high and low friction forces which minimizes double feeds.

Abstract: A system and method are described which provide for fast sequential access of stored data, as required, for example, in the performance of multiply/accumulate operations in neural network calculations and other sequential computations. The system includes a video dynamic random access memory (VRAM) with a shift register, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a data/address/control bus for coupling the DSP and VRAM. The VRAM has a parallel access port and a serial access port, and the DSP has a first input-output (I/O) port and a second I/O port. The second I/O port of the DSP is coupled, via the bus, to the parallel- and serial-access ports of the VRAM. In response to data applied via the first I/O port, the DSP transfers the applied data, via the second I/O port, the data bus, and the parallel (or serial) access port, to the VRAM for storage. The stored data is then accessed (by the DSP) as a serial sequence via the serial access port.

Abstract: A document alignment system includes a plurality of drive rolls (42, 44) operative to drive documents one by one along a feed path, and a plurality of alignment rolls (100) spaced apart along the feed path with their axes perpendicular to those of the drive rolls (42,44) and operative to move a document (124) transversely to the feed path so as to bring a long edge of the document (124) into parallel abutting contact with a reference surface (72). When the alignment rolls are operative the drive rolls (42) are inoperative and out of contact with the document (124). Each alignment roll (100) is arranged to cooperate with a spring biased rotatably mounted ball (112) whereby in the course of an alignment operation the document (124) is gripped resiliently between the alignment rolls (100) and the cooperating balls (112).

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for optical scanning and recognition of bar-coded characters (e.g., CMC7 type characters having a pattern of bars and intervals) recorded on documents such as bank drafts and checks. The system comprises an optical scanner, a microprocessor, a read-only-memory (ROM), a random-access-memory (RAM, with a stored program) for storing data and a plurality of pre-determined character-identifying binary codes. The scanner optically scans each document and produces a plurality of grey-scale pixel values corresponding to the bars and intervals of the characters. The grey-scale pixel values are then stored in the RAM under control of the microprocessor. The microprocessor processes the stored pixel values, and effectively locates, and segments each character on the document by taking one or more slices (segments) of each character. Each segment includes a plurality of grey-scale pixel values representing a horizontal slice of a character.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a cryptographic key management method and apparatus in which the cryptographic keys are provided as vector keys in that they comprise a key value and control information for specifying the use to which the key can be put by members of a communications domain. Each domain member is associated with at least one pair of vector keys and the keys in each pair share the same key value. One of the keys in each pair is provided as a public key and specified for encrypting, or verifying the seal of, messages sent from the domain member associated therewith and the other is provided as a private key and specified for decrypting, or generating a seal for, messages sent to the domain member associated therewith.

Abstract: A system for cleaning documents of dust particles as the documents are moved to a print station in a terminal where an ink jet printer is used to print on the documents. A vacuum manifold is positioned upstream of the print station to clean a document of dust as the document is moved towards the printer. A cyclone dust collector is used to collect the dust particles gathered by the vacuum manifold. An air curtain system provides a curtain of air between the print head of the printer and the face of the document to be printed upon to keep any dust particles left at the print station from coming into contact with the nozzles or jets of the printer.

Abstract: A local area network system (10) includes a host computer (14) connected in a wired LAN (12) with a plurality of bridges (18). The bridges (18) further connect with respective wireless LANs (100, 200, . . . , 600) which operate on a common wireless communication channel and contain respective pluralities of terminals (102, 202, . . . , 602). When a download operation is effected for initially starting up a new added terminal (e.g. 102-1), the bridges (18) are adapted to identify download message frames issued by the host computer (14) and retransmit each such frame (400) over the wireless communication channel in non-overlapping time intervals by applying respective different delays. Also, each download message frame is transmitted twice by each of the bridges (18).

Abstract: In a method of, and apparatus for, reading a barcode, a barcode symbol is optically scanned into a memory (13), and a plurality of scans across the stored image are made and processed to determine the barcode. The scans are made at interleaved positions across the barcode, and are stored in a storage device (87) and tested in a testing unit (88) for a consensus of at least 2 scans, further scans being made if necessary. Preferably, more than half the scans should be in matching agreement to determine that a consensus has been reached. Each scan may be averaged from several sub-scans. The scans may be decoded into symbols. Various validity tests may be made on the scans. The scans are analysed by measuring the positions of the black-to-white and white-to-black transitions in them; the positions of the transitions may be interpolated between pixel positions.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for positioning first and second reference members relative to first and second optical axes for use by first and second imaging devices or cameras which are used to image the front and rear sides of a document. A single solenoid is used to move or rotate the first and second reference members into the appropriate positions. A special actuator member which pivots on the operating plunger of the solenoid is used to provide an extra increment of rotation to enable the accurate location of the first and second references members relative to the first and second optical axes mentioned.

Abstract: A method of locating a monetary amount in a binary image, with a binary 1 representing a black pixel and a binary 0 representing a white pixel. An examining window is positioned over a portion of the binary image and a list of objects is generated, with an object being defined as a set of contiguous black pixels. The objects are classified into classes of parts depending on predetermined criteria. The classes of parts are then examined to determine whether or not they fit into a certain sequence which is indicative of a monetary amount. For example, for US currency, one sequence is "character, dot, character, character" which might stand for $2.46. The next step is to examine the classes of parts to determine whether or not they conform to certain geometric criteria to be indicative of a monetary amount.

Abstract: A ribbon supply apparatus including a support in which a ribbon supply spool and a take-up spool are rotatably mounted. The supply and take-up spools and the support are designed so that these spools can be mounted in the support in only one way, the correct way. The ribbon is supplied on a tubular core member which is mounted on a cylindrical member which is part of the supply spool. The ribbon supply spool has a large gear thereon which is used in a braking and feeding mechanism which is used to incrementally feed the ribbon to a print station associated with the apparatus. The ribbon take-up spool is identical to the ribbon supply spool, but the ribbon take-up spool is mounted in a reversed manner when compared to the ribbon supply spool. A driving gear, coupled to the large gear on the take-up spool is part of the braking and feeding mechanism which also includes a "dancer arm". The dancer arm controls a loop of ribbon which is fed to the print station.

Abstract: A system including a host terminal having a controller which is coupled to a plurality of bridge interfaces, with each bridge interface being coupled to a separate plurality of secondary terminals over an associated data link. Each bridge interface has a communications chip, like an RS-422 chip therein. The controller is able to communicate with any secondary terminal in the separate pluralities of secondary terminals via the associated bridge interface without having to rely on a transmit/receive control line from the controller to each of said communication chips. In another embodiment, the bridge interface is used as a repeater.

Abstract: A system and method for processing image data from a document and for producing a compressed binarized version of the image data for transmission to or use by subsequent users. Processing of the image data is done in parallel after the scanning of the document is started but before the entire document is scanned. A splitter is used to divide a scan line of image data produced by an imager at the scan line into a plurality of channels, with each channel having at least one overlap area of pixels and with the overlap areas of pixels being used to avoid errors between channels. The number of channels is automatically determined by the system in accordance with input scanning and document parameters. Thresholding and compression are performed by each one of the channels in parallel. The compression is performed in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of scanning and conforms to a standard compression algorithm like CCITT Group 4.

Abstract: A moveable member which is moveable between first and second positions relative to an optical axis of an imaging camera is used to calibrate the camera. The moveable member has a first reference member positioned at the optical axis when the moveable member is in the first position, and has a second reference member positioned at the optical axis when the moveable member is in the second position. A preferred embodiment has a first calibration device for a front camera and a second calibration for a rear camera when both the front and the rear of the document are to be imaged. A single actuator is used to simultaneously move both moveable members of the first and second calibration devices between the positions mentioned.

Abstract: A method and system for providing custom designed golf clubs having replaceable swing weight inserts therein. The associated club head has a receiving area thereon for receiving an insert which is installed on the club. A set of clubs is designed to have a minimum swing weight and a plurality of inserts are supplied to alter the swing weight of individual clubs in the set. When two such inserts are placed on the toe and heel portions of the club head, the replaceable inserts can be altered to provide temporary cures for "slicing" and "hooking" problems associated with the golfer using the clubs. The replaceable inserts have their weights and characteristics varied by controlling the amounts and locations of a layer of weighty material attached thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the adjustment of printer hammers which impact against an associated moveable member on which characters are present. Each hammer includes a coil which is energized at the appropriate time, taking into consideration the "flight time" of the associated hammer. These flight times are determined by detecting a change in the back EMF in the energizing current to the coil. These flight times are averaged to obtain a running average of the last several successive flight times (for each hammer in the printer), and successive timing pulses from a timing disc are used to obtain an almost instantaneous velocity of the moveable member (like a printer drum) just prior to a character to be printed. The last several successive flight times are stored in a non-volatile RAM of a controller to enable the printer to be ready at a next start up.

Abstract: In a method of operating a wireless local area network (10), a transmitting station (12) senses that the medium is free and then transmits a first portion (43) of a message (40), including destination and source addresses. Message transmission is then interrupted for a response window period (53) during which a destination station (12) should transmit a response message 42 also containing said source and destination addresses. If the transmitting station (12) does not receive a correct response message (42) then it transmits a JAM signal during a JAM window (65) following the response window (53), thereby indicating to all stations (12) that a collision has occurred. All stations not transmitting a JAM signal monitor the JAM window (65) and are thus informed whether or not a collision has been detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing an Industry Standards Architecture board (ISA board) to a Micro Channel System (MCA system) to enable a first signal (IOCHRDY) from the ISA board to complete data transfer to the MCA system in response to a first signal (Cmd.sub.-- Act.sub.--) from the MCA system. An interface board issues an ILLINI-CDCHRDY signal earlier than the first signal from the ISA board and keeps this signal active until the first signal from the ISA board becomes active.

Abstract: A flyback transformer for use with a horizontal sweep circuit and a CRT. The transformer includes a first "U-shaped" magnetic core member having first and second legs and a second "U-shaped" magnetic core member having first and second legs. The first legs of the first and second core members are spaced apart to form a gap therebetween, and the second legs of the first and second core members have planar faces that are in parallel abutting relationship with each other when the transformer is in an assembled relationship. Coil windings surround the gap and a portion of each of the first legs when the transformer is assembled.