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 local area network station (12) includes a transceiver (20) adapted to transmit and receive signals over a wireless communications link. The transceiver (20) is coupled to a CSMA/CD LAN controller device (22) and to a signal generator circuit (40) which is also coupled to the LAN controller device (22). If the station (12) desires to transmit a data frame but a carrier sense signal (CRS) indicates that the link is busy, transmission of the data frame is deferred, and after the carrier sense signal (CRS) becomes inactive, a collision is simulated by the signal generator circuit (40) providing a CDT signal to the LAN controller device (22) which goes into a backoff mode and attempts to retransmit the frame after a random backoff time. Thus, commercially available CSMA/CD chips can be utilized in a single wireless channel LAN environment using a CSMA/CA protocol, with a low risk of collisions.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for optical scanning and recognition of bar-coded characters such as CMC7 type fonts having a pattern of bars and intervals recorded on documents such as bank drafts and checks. The system includes an imaging device for forming a digitized matrix having rows and columns of a character to be recognized. A processor and an associated program are used for rotating the digitized image to facilitate processing in a word size used by the processor. A memory is used for storing templates of the characters to be recognized to enable the processor to perform template matching. The apparatus and method also include first, second, and third bit configurations used in identifying a character.

Abstract: A mounting member or connecting device is used to connect a first member to a second member. The connecting device includes a male member and a female member which are coupled together through an opening in the first member. The first member may be a divider panel and the second member may be a cover panel, for example, with the second member having first and second parallel fingers thereon. A tolerance ring, formed in the shape of a band which is less than a complete circle. is mounted on a cylindrical section of the male and female members. The tolerance ring has corrugations thereon which are crushed to some degree when the first and second fingers are pushed on to the associated cylindrical section with the tolerance ring thereon. This connection provides a vibration free connection and also eliminates ESD problems between the connected members.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus for accumulating a plurality of sheets into a stack (18) and for feeding the stack (18) to an exit location includes first feeding belts (30) for feeding sheets along a feed path to a stacking area (43) at which there is provided a support plate (44) positioned lower than the feed path. A plurality of rubber strips (50) are arranged to urge each of the sheets leaving the feed path towards the support plate (44) whereby the stack (18) is formed supported by the support plate (44) with the rubber strips (50) engaging the top sheet of the stack (18). Part of the stack (18) projects beyond an edge of the support plate (44), and further feeding belts (114, 68) are adapted to grip this part of the stack ( 18 ) and thereafter feed the stack (18) to the exit location. The apparatus (10) may be used in an ATM for stacking printed sheets making up a bank account statement into a stack and for feeding the stack to a user of the ATM.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting where useful image data about a document exists within a stream of successive scans of image data coming from an imaging camera positioned at a scanning line in an imaging system. A reference member having first, second, and third marks thereon is positioned at the scanning line. Several scans of the reference member provide a reference scan which is retained in the system. When a document reaches the scanning line and is imaged by the imaging camera, a change in the pattern of pixels associated with the reference scan is used to signal the leading edge of a document. After the leading edge is detected, the first mark on the reference member is used to detect from the image data whether or not the document has a folded over portion near the leading and bottom edges of the document. The third mark is used to detect from the image data the location of the top of the document.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes a dipole antenna (D1, D2) and a monopole antenna (C1) having substantially perpendicular polarization directions. The dipole antenna (D1, D2) is provided with a balun (E1, E2) a portion (E1) of which serves as a backplane for a microstrip transmission line (G0, G1, G2) which transmits RF signals. The microstrip transmission line includes a first portion (G0) connected to a coaxial feed cable (F), a second portion (G1) having its ends respectively connected by a first switch (A) to the monopole antenna (C1) and a second switch (B) to the balun portion (E1) and a third portion (G2). When the switches (A, B) are closed to render the monopole antenna (C1) operative, the third portion (G2) serves to detune the dipole antenna (D1, D2). The assembly may be formed as a two-sided printed circuit board.

Abstract: A coupling for coupling a corrugated hose to a socket having a cylindrical body with a "U"-shaped annular recess therein. The hose has an outside surface with parallel grooves therein. The parallel grooves have slanted or tapered sides. Flexible "O"-rings are stretched over the outside surface and placed in the parallel grooves near one end of the hose. The hose with the "O"-rings thereon is pushed into the socket so that the "O"-rings contact the "U"-shaped recess. Each "O" ring provides a seal between each of the tapered sides of the groove in which it is positioned and the "U"-shaped annular recess to provide a three point contact air seal between the hose and the socket.

Abstract: A control circuit for processing image data received from an imager, like a CCD, with the circuit providing automatic compensation for those factors usually associated with imaging systems. The imager generates image data for a predetermined number of pixel positions in a scan line at a predetermined rate for a document being moved relative to the scan line. This image data is processed, amplified, and fed (at the predetermined rate) into a flash A/D converter used in the circuit. Offset and gain compensation data are supplied as reference levels to the converter at the predetermined rate to provide offset and gain compensation for each pixel position in the scan line. This ensures predictable post processing performance with regard to binarization, compression, and machine reading plus a consistent and undistorted gray level representation of the imaged document.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically loading currency notes (11) into a currency cassette (12) includes first endless belt feeder (54, 56) for feeding notes (11) to an entry nip of second endless belt feeder (76, 78). Each note (11) fed to the second feeder (76, 78) passes over part of the periphery of a pulley (74) associated with the second feeder (76, 78), whereby, when the trailing portion of the note (11) moves out of engagement with the first feeder (54), this portion is deflected away from the feed path defined by the first feeder (54, 56). The second feeder (76, 78) is driven in an intermittent manner, so that notes are fed by the second feeder (76, 78) in overlapping manner into the open top of the cassette (12). Pusher arms project into an open end of the cassette and are periodically operated so as to push notes already present in the cassette (12) into the interior thereof away from said end.

Abstract: A table top image based document processing machine and methods of using it. The machine is used in conjunction with a host computer like a PC. The machine includes a document track, a programmable transport mechanism for moving the document bi-directionally within the track, front and back imagers for imaging the front and rear of the document, front and back printers for endorsing data on the front and the back of the document, a magnetic card reader module, an encryption module and a MICR printer for encoding MICR data on the front of the document, for example. The machine in conjunction with the PC can be used for generating Logos, creating checks, performing remittance processing, imaging and reading checks, truncation processing, lockbox operations, and the usual bank teller operations.

Abstract: A cash dispensing unit includes first and second cooperating endless belts (72, 74) for feeding a stack (76) of the currency notes to an exit port (54). End portions of the first and second belts (72, 74) respectively pass around first and second pulleys (52, 66), the first pulleys (52) having a fixed axis of rotation The second pulleys pivotally (66) are rotatably mounted on one end of pivotally mounted arms (56), and third pulleys (64) are rotatably mounted on the opposite ends of the arms (56), the third pulleys (64) being in engagement with part of the second endless belts (74) which are in cooperative engagement with the first belt (72). The first and second belts (72, 74) are resiliently stretchable and tensioned whereby the first and second pulleys (52, 66) are urged together so that when the stack (76) is positioned at the exit port (54), it is resiliently gripped between the first and second belts (72, 74).

Abstract: A method and read head for reading MICR characters using magnetoresistive technology. First and second magnetoresistive sensors are printed on a substrate which is supported on a base. The first and second magnetoresistive sensors have a width W and a gap G therebetween, with W and G bearing a relationship to a font of MICR characters to be read. The first and second magnetoresistive sensors are coupled to a full bridge circuit to provide adequate sensitivity to read the MICR characters by the magnetoresistive technology.

Abstract: A circuit and method for adjusting the sensitivity of a sensor like a phototransistor which is coupled to an Infrared Emitting Diode (IRED). A controller places input data on a counter to vary the duty cycle of the counter and a low pass filter is used to obtain a DC voltage which varies linearly according to the input data placed on the counter. An amplifier uses the DC voltage to control the current passing through the IRED. The controller changes the input data until the output from the phototransistor reaches a predetermined level. A switchable load is added or switched into the circuit to obtain an additional range of DC voltages to be applied to the IRED when the phototransistor is one which does not generate a high output.

Abstract: An envelope dispensing module (10) for use in an ATM includes feed belts (26) for feeding the lowermost envelope (18') of a stack of envelopes (18) along a feed path (49) towards an exit slot (50). Pulse generating apparatus (54) includes a roller (62) which is urged into engagement with the underside of the lowermost envelope (18') as this envelope (18') is fed along the feed path (49). During such feeding movement, a sensor (68) associated with a timing disc (64) mounted for rotation with the roller (62) generates a series of timing pulses in response to rotation of the roller (62) due to its engagement with the lowermost envelope (18'). Electronic control circuitry is arranged to stop the feed belts (26) with the lowermost envelope (18') in its correctly presented position at the exit slot (50) in response to the control circuitry counting a predetermined number of timing pulses subsequent to the sensing of the leading edge of this envelope (18') by an exit sensor (78) positioned behind the exit slot (50).

Abstract: A method and circuit for controlling the contrast of a liquid crystal display (LCD). The circuit includes a switching regulator circuit which generates a negative voltage at the output thereof, with the switching regulator circuit having a feedback node therein and also having a voltage regulator with a control input therein. An injected current coupled to the feedback node and the control input to the voltage regulator is used to provide a changed negative voltage at the output of the regulator circuit. Control values stored in the memory of a controller are used to select the injected current. The changed negative voltage at the output of the regulator circuit is used to control the contrast of the LCD.