Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Francis L. Conte
  • Document feeding apparatus
    Patent number: 6155556
    Abstract: Information relating to the characteristics of the documents contained in a document cassette 16 is stored in a button memory 22 on the cassette housing and is read when the cassette 16 is inserted into a document feeding apparatus. The information is processed and correlated with data stored in the memory 74 of a control unit 70 to determine the optimum settings for a mechanism 10 for picking such documents. In particular, during a pick operation, a predetermined number of pulses are supplied to a stepper motor 50, so that when the friction belt 30 is moved into engagement with the documents of the cassette 16, an optimum pressure is exerted by the belt 30 on the documents in the cassette 16. A retard roller 52 is then moved to an optimum position in relation to the belt 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Lynch, Robert J. Suttie, George Petrie
  • Cash drawer bill dispenser
    Patent number: 6152366
    Abstract: A bill dispenser includes a cantilever and traction wheel attached thereto. The wheel includes a traction surface around a perimeter thereof for frictionally engaging a currency bill. Movement of the traction surface atop the bill is used for dispensing the bill from its bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Craig E. Maddox, Daniel F. White
  • Flip-up tab pouch
    Patent number: 6138900
    Abstract: A storage pouch includes a panel integrally joined to a flap along a fold line. A tab is integrally joined to one of the panel and flap at the fold line for permitting flip-up pivotal movement of the tab for ready identification of the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: George Zeiler
  • Disk drive with vibration synchronizing rib
    Patent number: 6122138
    Abstract: A disk drive includes a data storage disk attached to a spindle which is rotatably mounted to a housing. A support shaft is also mounted to the housing parallel to the spindle, and includes an arm supported thereon parallel to the disk. A rib extends along the housing between the spindle and the support shaft for synchronizing fundamental resonant vibration thereof due to a shock load to couple in phase vibratory motion thereof. The support shaft may pivot and carry a suspension arm and data access head, or the shaft may be stationary and carry a load-unload ramp for parking the suspension arm, or both types of shafts may be used in the housing with corresponding ribs extending to the common spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vijayeshwar Das Khanna, Suresh Kumar, Sri Muthuthamby Sri-Jayantha
  • ATM delivery roll validation
    Patent number: 6095414
    Abstract: Barcodes are assigned to respective receipt printers for identification thereof, and customized receipt rolls are also assigned barcodes for identification thereof. A receipt roll may then be associated with a corresponding one of the receipt printers for allowing scanning of the respective barcodes for identification thereof, followed by comparing the scanned barcodes for validating matches therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: John Long, Thomas J. Stillwagon
  • Apparatus for authenticating sheets
    Patent number: 6094500
    Abstract: A self-service deposit terminal (10) is arranged to authenticate bank notes by exposing them to ultra-violet (UV) light which causes forged notes comprising wood-based paper to fluoresce. Each note (36) is individually transported between a UV light tube (38) and a first photo-diode (40). The level of light emitted by the UV light tube is monitored by a second photo-diode (52). The amplified output of this second photo-diode acts as a threshold value. The amplified outputs of both photo-diodes are applied to a Schmitt trigger (60) which outputs a high signal if the tested note is judged to fluoresce and a low signal if it does not. The output of the Schmitt trigger (60) is applied to a data processing means (24) which determines either solely on this output, or in conjunction with the output from other validation means, whether the tested note is genuine or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Ross, Philip J. Heelan
  • Adjustable balance weight
    Patent number: 6082186
    Abstract: A balance weight includes a body having a mounting aperture for receiving a mounting pin, and a guide tab for engaging a complementary guide slot in a rotor. The rotor includes a spinner fixedly joined thereto for rotation therewith, with the spinner having an endwall disposed coaxially about a shaft for defining a balance plane. The mounting pin is disposed at the center of the endwall, with the endwall having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart guide ribs defining a plurality of the guide slots between adjacent ones thereof. The balance weight is mounted on the spinner endwall, with the mounting aperture thereof receiving the mounting pin, and the guide tab being positioned in one of the guide slots for restraining circumferential movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Paul O. Detwiler
  • Counterbalanced pump
    Patent number: 6068588
    Abstract: Fluid is periodically pumped through a motor-driven tubular pump at a substantially constant pumping frequency. The pump includes at least one resiliently reciprocate counterbalancing ring joined to a cooperating spring having a fundamental natural frequency corresponding with the pumping frequency and pumping flowrate is varied independently of the pumping frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Philip Goldowsky
  • Offset barcode scanner
    Patent number: 6045045
    Abstract: A barcode scanner includes a laser for projecting a laser beam in an outbound path at a barcode, and effecting back scattered light therefrom in an opposite inbound path. A focusing lens is optically aligned with the laser in both the outbound and inbound paths, and has an optical axis laterally offset from the laser. A detector is laterally offset from the laser and optically aligned with the lens for receiving the scattered light therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Paul O. Detwiler
  • Full coverage barcode scanner
    Patent number: 6045046
    Abstract: A barcode scanner includes a laser for emitting a laser beam toward a rotary spinner. The spinner includes a plurality of mirror facets for reflecting the beam in turn therefrom towards a plurality of pattern mirrors. The mirrors in turn reflect the beam to form corresponding scan lines emitted through a window having a width along a first axis of the scanner, and a height along a second axis of the scanner perpendicular thereto. The pattern mirrors are collectively positioned around the spinner to effect a pattern of scan lines on the window extending substantially completely across the height thereof for correspondingly providing full height coverage scanning of a barcode traversing the window along the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Paul O. Detwiler
  • Expandable rib storage pouch
    Patent number: 6033115
    Abstract: An expandable storage pouch includes four panels disposed integrally side by side in turn, and a plurality of hinges disposed in a row along a bottom end of a first one of the panels. Each hinge includes a proximal end joined to the first panel, an intermediate rib joined to the proximal end, and a distal end joined to the rib. The rib is severed from the first panel to permit expansion of the pouch, and rigidly separates the first panel from an opposite second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: George Zeiler
  • Convertible barcode scanner
    Patent number: 5975417
    Abstract: A convertible barcode scanner includes a housing in which are disposed a laser, spinner, and plurality of pattern mirrors optically aligned with the spinner for reflecting a beam from the laser to produce a first pattern of scan lines out a window at a first exit angle. A conversion mount adjustably supports a diverting one of the pattern mirrors in different tilt orientations for changing reflection angle thereon and correspondingly changing at least one of the scan lines from the first exit angle to a different exit angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Spencer, Rex A. Aleshire, Donald A. Collins, Jr.
  • Winding arbor
    Patent number: 5964430
    Abstract: A winding arbor includes a tube having three circumferentially spaced apart rows of axially spaced apart slots extending radially therethrough. A plurality of jaws are disposed inside the tube, with each jaw including an arcuate base and a plurality of axially spaced apart integral lugs disposed in the slots. An elastic bladder is disposed inside the tube inboard of the jaw bases and is expandable to deploy the jaws radially outwardly for projecting the lugs through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Coffey
  • Method and apparatus for disk shock protection
    Patent number: 5963392
    Abstract: A data storage device 12 includes a disk 14 having a surface zone 14a for storing data, and an access head 18 mounted on a slider 20 for writing data to and reading data from the data zone. The head 18 flies across the data zone 14a to access selected data tracks during spinning of the disk. And, the slider 20 seeks a predetermined shock buffer zone 30 atop the spinning disk, where critical data is not stored, during an idle mode for confining thereto any shock induced contact between the slider and disk surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sri Muthuthamby Sri-Jayantha, Vijayeshwar Das Khanna, Suresh Kumar, Hien Phu Dang
  • Safe-snap computer cable
    Patent number: 5941729
    Abstract: An electrical cable for a portable computer includes a plurality of electrical leads bound together in a flexible sheath. A first snap connector is joined to the leads. A second snap connector is complementary to the first snap connector and is connected thereto for establishing electrical connection with the computer, and allowing self-disconnection thereof upon yanking of the cable over a range of angles relative to the computer including a hemisphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Sri M. Sri-Jayantha
  • Shielded air bearing slider
    Patent number: 5940249
    Abstract: A slider for developing an air bearing atop a spinning data disk includes a substrate having a base surface and an air bearing pad extending outwardly therefrom. The bearing pad cooperates with the spinning disk to develop the air bearing thereon for supporting the slider thereabove. A data access element is fixedly mounted in the substrate for communicating data with the disk and, a guard strip extends outwardly from the base surface and is spaced from the bearing pad to define a trench therebetween. The guard strip shields the bearing pad from debris accumulation during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Ferdinand Hendriks
  • Shrink wrap pack former
    Patent number: 5934047
    Abstract: A pack former includes a staging land for initially receiving a plurality of rolls in a row. A platen adjoins the staging land, and is sized in width to engage the row in an integer multiple of the rolls to set a pack width. An actuator reciprocates the platen over the staging land to push the row onto a conveyor belt. Disposed atop the conveyor belt are front and back guides spaced laterally apart to correspond with the pack width. A stop gate is disposed atop the conveyor belt to define a packing zone for collecting a plurality of rolls being transported by the conveyor belt, with the packing zone being sized in length to set a pack depth in integer multiples of the rolls. An actuator reciprocates the gate between open and closed positions to marshal the rolls in the packing zone in a specific width and depth configuration for subsequent transport atop the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin L. Meyers
  • Transaction terminal with modular display
    Patent number: 5928320
    Abstract: A transaction terminal includes a modular controller having a back housing containing a processor main board covered by a front cover removably mounted to the housing. An accessory board is disposed inside the front cover and includes a display driver removably operatively joined to the main board for communicating data therebetween. The cover is interchangeable with different front covers for effecting a variety of different transaction terminal displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Donald L. Forsythe
  • Linear pump
    Patent number: 5924975
    Abstract: A linear pump includes a housing having a bore and axially spaced apart inlet and outlet. A first check valve is joined to the housing for controlling flow of fluid through the bore. A piston is disposed coaxially in the housing bore for axial translation therein and includes a piston bore and axially spaced apart inlet and outlet. A second check valve is joined to the piston for controlling fluid flow through the piston bore. A linear motor includes a plurality of axially adjoining drive coils disposed in the housing, and a pair of axially spaced apart magnet rings disposed in the piston and spaced radially inwardly of the drive coils for magnetically cooperating therewith to axially oscillate the piston in the housing for cyclically pumping the fluid in turn through the housing and piston inlets and outlets in unidirectional flow through the housing and piston bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael P. Goldowsky
  • Line focus barcode scanner
    Patent number: 5914477
    Abstract: A barcode scanner includes a light source for producing a scan line of light on a 2-D barcode along one of the two axes thereof. The scan line is scanned across the barcode along the other axis to effect a scanning band extending over the barcode in both of the two axes. Light reflected from the barcode is collected with a photodetector array to produce signals which are processed for decoding the barcode in both axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Shi Wang