Abstract: A bar code scanner includes a window and a rotary spinner mounted therebelow having a plurality of circumferentially adjoining mirrored facets for sweeping light along a scanned arc. A light source projects a scan beam on the spinner, and a plurality of pattern mirrors are optically aligned with the spinner along the scanned arc in a forward path for diverting the scan beam outwardly through the window to a bar code for effecting a scattered beam therefrom. A collection mirror is optically aligned with the spinner along the scanned arc for receiving the scattered beam in a return path from the pattern mirrors and spinner in turn. A detector is optically aligned with the collection mirror for receiving the scattered beam, and a decoder is provided for decoding the scattered beam.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a housing having first and second obliquely adjoining windows. Disposed in the housing is a laser for projecting a laser beam against a rotatable spinner having a plurality of mirrored facets for sequentially reflecting the laser beam to effect a scan beam. A plurality of pattern mirrors are optically aligned with the spinner for reflecting the scan beam through the first and second windows to effect a plurality of individual scan lines arranged in first and second patterns corresponding with the first and second windows. The pattern mirrors include a triad set of mirrors optically aligned in series between the spinner and the first window for scanning the first scan pattern to a back edge of the first window for scanning at least the back side of a multisided item.

Abstract: A rotary machine vane includes a body and an articulated tip pivotally joined thereto. The body is complementary with a slot of a rotor in which it is mountable for radial reciprocation therein. The body includes an arcuate cradle extending axially along a radially outer end thereof. The vane tip includes a pin and an integral plate extending along the pin for facing a casing surrounding the rotor to form a seal therewith. The pin is complementary to the cradle for defining a radial gap therebetween, and is radially outwardly retained by the cradle for rocking movement therein for self-alignment with the casing.

Abstract: A printer cassette includes a housing containing a ribbon in a channel, and ink in a well. An ink wheel is rotatably mounted to the housing in operable engagement with the ribbon. A wick extends from the well and includes a stem elastically cantilevered from a base thereof at the well to a tip thereof between which is disposed the ink wheel in contact therewith. The wick stem converges to selectively transfer ink to the ink wheel.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a data storage disk rotatably mounted in a housing. An access arm is rotatably mounted in the housing and has an access head at a distal end thereof for travel over the disk to write data thereto and read data therefrom. A pair of counter imbalanced inertia locks are operatively joined between the housing and the access arm for inertia latching the access arm upon shock loading of the access arm to prevent movement thereof over the disk irrespective of combinations of linear and angular shock loading.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for redeeming one or more coupons having an identifying barcode thereon for crediting against one or more products also having an identifying barcode thereon. The product and coupon are separately scanned at the barcodes thereof for identification. A scanned coupon is transported to a secure staging area to allow sequential scanning of additional coupons. The scanned coupon is compared with the scanned product to determine propriety of a credit thereagainst. The scanned coupon may be returned on demand, or credited against a scanned matching product when unreturned. The credited coupon is then secured for preventing unauthorized reuse. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of the products and coupons may be scanned, with the scanned coupons being transported to the staging area for allowing return on demand of a selected one thereof.

Abstract: A barcode scanner includes a spinner disposed in optical alignment with a light emitter for reflecting a light beam from a plurality of mirror facets. A motor is joined to the spinner for rotating the spinner to align in turn the spinner facets with the light emitter. A plurality of pattern mirrors are optically aligned with the spinner for reflecting the light beam from the spinner facets as a plurality of scan lines. A controller is operatively joined to the light emitter for turning the light emitter on during a first mode of operation for effecting all of the plurality of scan lines in sequence. A control tab is joined to the spinner for rotation therewith. A sensor is spaced adjacent to the spinner for detecting proximity of the control tab, and is operatively joined to the light emitter for periodically turning on the light emitter during a second mode of operation for effecting less than all the scan lines corresponding with detection of the control tab adjacent to the sensor.

Abstract: A weighing scale includes a housing having a top opening defined by a top flange. A weighing module is mounted inside the housing for measuring weight. A scale platform is disposed inside the top opening and rests atop the weighing module by gravity. A proximity sensor is mounted inside the housing adjacent to the platform for detecting proximity thereof, and is joined in communication with the weighing module. An elongate lift bar is pivotally mounted atop the platform for movement between a stowed position flush with the platform and a deployed position spaced in part upwardly above the platform for extending size of the platform and for permitting manual lifting of the platform away from the proximity sensor and return adjacent thereto for resetting the weighing module.

Abstract: A cash drawer assembly includes a housing having a drawer slidably mounted therein which receives a till containing compartments for storing cash. A cutter in the form of a flat plate is removably trapped laterally between the till and the drawer, and includes a bottom edge abutting the drawer bottom, and a top edge positioned above the till for providing a cutting edge for opening a coin roll. The cutter is hidden when the drawer is closed, and is accessible when the drawer is open for convenient use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for scanning for a defective bar code having a plurality of alternating bars and spaces of varying widths. A bar code is scanned for providing a bar code signature which is used for measuring the bar and space width as multiples of a minimum width module. By detecting fractional width of adjoining bars and spaces, error in the bar code is correspondingly detected. The measured bar code signature may be corrected by respectively increasing and decreasing the fractional width of an adjoining bar and space for obtaining substantially integer multiple modules thereof. The corrected signature may then be decoded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for simulating a bar code. The bar code simulator includes a code emitter for generating a coded light beam which varies sequentially in intensity to correspond with bar code bars and spaces, and varies sequentially in duration to correspond with varying width of the bars and spaces. The flashing light beam so produced corresponds with the flashing back scattered light which would otherwise be produced by sweeping a scan beam across a bar code label. The independently produced coded beam simulates back scattered light which is identically detected by a scanner and decoded thereby.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sputtering particles from a target as a film on a substrate. The target and substrate are maintained in a main housing in a first vacuum. The target is biased with a first negative voltage to effect a target bias. A plasma is produced in a cathode box spaced from the target, with the plasma being injected between the target and substrate to effect sputtering by bombarding the target with positive ions and liberating target particles for condensing on the substrate to form the film. The cathode box includes a cathode biased at a second negative voltage to effect a cathode bias, and a sputtering gas is supplied adjacent to the cathode for producing the plasma. Plasma production in the cathode box is decoupled from sputtering at the target for increasing sputtering yield and rate. And, the target may be contoured for focussing the sputtered particles on the substrate.

Abstract: This invention features a machine for both validating checks and authenticating paper currency. The check validating apparatus of the machine is made up of a photo-sensor, a magnetizing unit, a magnetic head reader, a pair of feed rollers and a stepper motor drive for rotatively driving the feed rollers. The machine uses the same internal apparatus for authenticating paper currency bills. A currency bill is introduced to the nip of the feed rollers. The photo-sensor senses the presence of the currency bill and activates the stepper motor drive. The stepper motor drive then causes the feed rollers to rotate, drawing the bill into the machine. The microprocessor program initially instructs the stepper motor to rotate the feed rollers for forward drive, utilizing half-step pulsing. As the currency bill moves past the magnetizing unit and magnetic head reader on forward motion into the machine, a strip of the bill is magnetized.

Abstract: A self pressurizing journal bearing assembly includes a tubular housing having a bore defining a plain cylindrical journal bearing, and a cylindrical rotary shaft disposed coaxially therein. The shaft includes a plain cylindrical journal spaced radially inwardly of the bearing to define a journal bearing gap. A screw pump is defined in part by a portion of the shaft, and is disposed inside the housing bore in flow communication with the journal bearing for continually circulating a lubricant thereto under pressure upon rotation of the shaft for accommodating lubricant end leakage from the journal bearing.

Abstract: A display mount is provided for adjustably supporting a display on a foundation. The mount includes a base fixedly mountable to the foundation, and including a pintle extending upwardly, and an upwardly open race extending radially outwardly from the pintle. A display arm includes a gudgeon rotatably mounted on the pintle, and a socket spaced therefrom for supporting the display. The gudgeon includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart catches. A lockbar is disposed in the race for movement therein, and includes a latch for engaging the catches to restrain rotation of the display arm on the base. The latch is biased into engagement with one of the catches for restraining rotation of the display arm, and for also allowing manual sliding movement of the lockbar to disengage the latch from the catches for allowing rotation of the display arm on the base for adjusting position of the display.

Abstract: A solder decal is produced by a method wherein a decal strip having a plurality of anchor holes is aligned with a mold having a plurality of cells. Liquid solder is injected into the anchor holes and mold cells, and is then allowed to cool to solidify therein. The mold may be separated from the decal strip to form the solder decal containing solder beads each having a stem mechanically joined to the strip at respective ones of the anchor holes. Various forms of the solder decal are used for transferring the solder beads to a substrate or chip, or effecting temporary connections for conducting burn-in and testing, or accommodating thermal mismatch for example.

Abstract: A modular bezel for the front side of a cabinet includes a bezel frame fixedly joinable to the cabinet, with the frame including a plurality of windows therethrough for providing access into the cabinet. A face panel is sized to cover at least one of the frame windows, and is removably fixedly joinable to the frame. The bezel frame provides a common part to which various, interchangeable face panels may be attached.

Abstract: A fixture for supporting a workpiece in a processing cell includes a frame and cooperating workpiece holder. The frame includes a head having a hole therein which receives an integral plateau of the holder. The holder plateau includes an annular seal adjacent a perimeter thereof with a vacuum port disposed therein. The workpiece rests on the seal so that vacuum drawn in the vacuum port fixedly holds the workpiece against the plateau. Assembly of the holder plateau and workpiece thereon through the frame-head hole positions the workpiece coplanar with a front side of the frame. In exemplary embodiments, independent electrical current paths are provided to the workpiece and a surrounding auxiliary electrode.

Abstract: An electroplating cell includes a floor, ceiling, front wall, and back wall forming a box having first and second opposite open ends. A rack for supporting an article to be electroplated is removably positioned vertically to close the first open end and includes a thief laterally surrounding the article to define a cathode. An anode is positioned vertically to close the second open end, with the assembly defining a substantially closed, six-sided inner chamber for receiving an electrolyte therein for electroplating the article. The article and surrounding thief are coextensively aligned with the anode, with the floor, ceiling, front and back walls being effective for guiding electrical current flux between the cathode and the anode. In a preferred embodiment, the cell is disposed as an inner cell inside an outer cell substantially filled with the electrolyte, and a paddle is disposed inside the inner cell for agitating the electrolyte therein.

Abstract: A method for detecting electrical brain response in a subject includes presenting stimuli to the subject, and detecting electrical brain responses therefrom. The responses are analyzed for uncovering event related brain potentials. In one embodiment, the stimuli are presented with a predetermined inter-stimulus interval, and the subject is informed of a predetermined time range within which blinking is permitted. In another embodiment, Probe stimuli relevant to a situation under investigation are presented, and include acronyms.