Abstract: A system for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility. A main processor has a database for storing customer identification information and merchandise information and processes sale transaction records for customers. A point of sale system coupled to the processor has a controller and at least one pen-based computer in communication with the controller via RF transmissions. Program instructions respond to entry on the computer of a customer number and to entry of merchandise identification numbers to build a sale transaction record of selected items for purchase. The program instructions display item information and enable selection of items for addition to the sale transaction record, display delivery method instructions and enable their selection for addition to the sale transaction record, and transmit the transaction record to the processor to effectuate warehouse delivery of the selected items according to the selected delivery instructions.

Abstract: A system for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility. A main processor has a database for storing customer identification information and merchandise information and processes sale transaction records for customers. A point of sale system coupled to the processor has a controller and at least one pen-based computer in communication with the controller via RF transmissions. Program instructions respond to entry on the computer of a customer number and to entry of merchandise identification numbers to build a sale transaction record of selected items for purchase. The program instructions display item information and enable selection of items for addition to the sale transaction record, display delivery method instructions and enable their selection for addition to the sale transaction record, and transmit the transaction record to the processor to effectuate warehouse delivery of the selected items according to the selected delivery instructions.

Abstract: An energy storage system for use in a receptacle having terminals connected to conductors for establishing an electric circuit. The energy storage system includes one or more batteries disposed in an abutting relationship and connected together by a metal clip. A tab extends from the clip for engaging an external power source and another tab extends from the clip to a terminal of one of the batteries to supply a charging current to the batteries.

Abstract: A moving coil, linear positioning transducer actuator suitable for optical recording and playback devices is constructed by forming the actuator frame, magnetic pole pieces and the magnetic core of the moving coil from a single piece of ferrous material and wherein the path of the moving coil and transducer are substantially collinear. The transducer is supported by parallel rails which are mounted to the frame.

Abstract: A two-stage, rearrangeable multiconnection switching network for connecting N.sub.1 input channels to n.sub.2 output channels. The network comprises a number of first stage switches and a second stage switch, e.g., rectangular arrays. The second stage switch has n.sub.2 outlets each connected to one of the n.sub.2 output channels. A connection arrangement connects each of the first stage switch inlets to an associated predetermined input channel such that for any group of n.sub.2 of the input channels, there is a group of n.sub.2 of the first stage switches each having one inlet connected to a different one of that group of n.sub.2 of the input channels. The approach is easily extendible to switching networks serving any larger number, N.sub.2, of output channels by adding second stage switches and connecting each additional second stage switch to each first stage switch. In larger networks, the first and second stage switches are themselves replaceable by two-stage networks in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A D-bit in an X.25 data packet access protocol flags whether an acknowledgment of packet communication can be local or must be end-to-end. The disclosed method with programmed processing handles the D-bit option by a two-sided memory table that couples the X.25 access protocol and the internal protocol of a packet switching network. The table, called rack.sub.-- perm (for Receive ACKnowledgment PERMission) is set with one entry per data packet sequence number. The rack.sub.-- perm entries are modified by the internal protocol in response to an acknowledgment packet received from the switching network. Checks are made of rack.sub.-- perm by the internal protocol using indices of the access protocol to determine the number of acknowledgment packets permitted to be sent to an originating data terminal equipment.

Abstract: A fast circuit switching system that establishes a circuit for each packet-sized data communication. Information is conveyed from a number of communications modules in source channels to a number of port controllers and to a network. Information is conveyed from the network to destination channels. Each communications module includes a transmitter that transmits in an associated source channel, circuit setup request signals defining destination channels and also transmits data. Each port controller stores one of a number of status words defining the availability of the destination channels and each of these status words is cycled to each port controller. A port controller responds to one of the circuit setup request signals and to subsequent data, when one of the status words cycled thereto defines as available, a destination channel defined by the circuit setup request signal, by transmitting the circuit setup request signal and the subsequent data to the network.

Abstract: A medical ventilator is disclosed for switching and mixing oxygen with air in a driving and oxygen mixing means (2) and delivering the mixture to a gas flow control apparatus (3) for application directly to a patient breathing apparatus (5) or to storage in a bellows reservoir (81) of a continuous positive airway pressure facility (4). The ventilator is equipped with a control module (1) having directly set control adjustments (6-9, 105-112) for determining respiratory rate, inspiration-to-expiration ratio, oxygen concentration and the prescribed minute volume of the oxygen mixture to be delivered to a patient. The adjustment control circuitry which performs the calculations, logic and drive operations for switching and mixing oxygen in plural chambers (14, 18, 29, 30) of module (2), the switching of the mixture through module (3), and sensing fill and refill needs of reservoir (81). Module (4) includes apparatus (83, 84) for exerting a positive pressure on the oxygen in reservoir (81).

Abstract: A method of detecting analog signal degradations in channel bank apparatus. The apparatus interconnects a digital PCM line with a plurality of analog trunks by means of multiplex circuitry and a plurality of channel units each comprising a PCM-to-analog signal receive path and an analog-to-PCM signal transmit path. A plurality of sequences of prescribed PCM test code words, wherein each sequence is amplitude plottable against time into a triangularized waveform cycle, are circulated via a loop-around path bridging the receive and transmit paths of a channel unit.A set of values, each corresponding to a type of analog signal degradation, is derived for each recovered word sequence, based on prescribed amplitude and slope characteristics of its waveform plot, and is averaged over the recovered sequences. If any average characteristic value is not within an expected tolerance of a corresponding prestored expected average value, a defective channel unit indication is displayed.

Abstract: A hair fastener clip for a hollow cylindrical hair roller is disclosed. The roller has a hollow interior defined by an inner cylindrical wall and an exterior wall defining a peripheral surface onto which hair is rolled. The fastener comprises a pair of spaced apart legs and a third leg shorter in length than the pair of legs. The third leg extends downward from the pair of legs for engaging the inner cylindrical wall of the hair roller while lower surfaces of the pair of legs clamp the rolled hair onto the hair roller. The third leg comprises a loop member extending downward from a piece bridging the pair of spaced apart legs, an inclined member extending upward from the loop member, and a terminating end member contiguous to the inclined member and extending downwardly away from the pair of legs. Structural features of the hair fastener clip include a planar handle extending downward from the bridging piece, a bobby pin formed by the pair of legs and bridging piece.

Abstract: An anesthesia ventilator is disclosed for controlling the flow of air and/or oxygen through a plurality of binary weighted valves from a fluid regulator source to a bellows assembly. Directly-set minute volume, breath rate and inspiration to expiration ratio controls operate electronic circuitry which adjusts the magnitude of the flow, the tidal volume and the inhalation to exhalation times. The circuitry includes alarm detecting devices for alerting personnel that a patient should be ventilated manually, that a patient is disconnected from the instrument, that control settings exceed specifications for the instrument, that undesired low gas pressure exists and that actual inspiration to expiration is less than that of the control setting. Flow and tidal volume limiting apparatus is provided, together with sigh circuitry and devices for correcting for altitude and gas parameters.

Abstract: This specification discloses a procedure and facilities for removing animal excretions from rubber particles used as stall bedding material for animals, such as horses. The procedure involves vacuuming the bedding material into a drum container and then wheeling and securing the filled container onto a skip-hoist of the sanitizing equipment. The hoist raises the container and deposits its contents into a holding hopper from which they are fed through a meter at a uniform rate onto an orbiting screener. The orbit movement and orientation of the screener segregates the animal excretions and hay from the rubber particles. The latter are steam cleaned and then fed onto a leaf-type vibrating screener for drying, sanitizing and insecticide spray coating. The sanitized particles are next vibratorily moved off the screener into a collecting drum. Waste extracted from the two screeners is conveyed onto an inclined platform for migration toward a waste collector.

Abstract: A TOUCH-TONE signal to dial pulse converter arrangement isdisclosed in a step-by-step system. The arrangement is equipped with a plurality of trunk circuits interposed between line finder and selector switches for extending calls from TT (TOUCH-TONE) telephones through a switching network to a lesser plurality of TT to DP (Dial Pulse) converters. Each of the converters is time slot connected to a common translator under control of a time slot allotter. The common translator includes a single end-of-keying control circuit having decoders, a cross-connection terminal field, a combinational logic circuit, an encoder and a comparator for cooperating with all of the converters successively in individually assigned time slots to determine when the end-of-keying occurs on each call served by the converters.

Abstract: A telephone switching system is disclosed with facilities for processing interoffice callback information over a common channel interoffice signaling system (4) between program controlled call processors (21, 34) in call originating and terminating offices (1, 2) upon encountering a called station busy condition. The terminating office call processor (34) is equipped to examine the busy-idle status of the called station (5) by consulting its supervisory memory (46) and by directed called station line scanning and then to enable an automatic call retry only after it is determined that the called station has become idle. Each of the call processors (21, 34) includes an originating register-callback register (47) for storing callback information comprising the calling and called station identities originating office identity, a callback code dialed from a calling station (3), a mark to specify the callback mode of register operation, a line recheck time delay and a time limit on the callback service.

Abstract: A fluid flowmeter includes a bluff body for producing vortex shedding free of intermittency. The body has at one end a support member for mounting in a conduit and has proximate its downstream surfaces a pair of orifices. A vibratory planar sensor, preferably ferromagnetic, is situated in a sensor chamber within the support member for vibrating in response to received pressure fluctuations. A magnetic detector is situated in proximity to the sensor for producing an electrical signal when the sensor vibrates in response to vortex shedding. Fluid in the conduit, and thus vortex shedding, is coupled from the orifices through a pair of parallel channels, which are in non-fluid-flow communication with one another, to opposite sides of the sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor comprises a diaphragm rigidly mounted along its periphery whereas in another embodiment the sensor comprises a rigid, substantially planar disc vibratorily mounted along its periphery.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically processing call data from a TSPS (Traffic Service Position System) over CCIS (Common Channel Interoffice Signaling) facilities to a remotely located data base system to verify the entitlement of the caller to bill the call on a credit card, collect and charge-to-a-third number basis. The call data is dialed by the caller and comprises a credit card or station number together with a PIN (Personal Identification Number) used by authorized callers in placing the special service calls. The data base system includes a memory table of authorized numbers to which the calls are charged and billed. The data base transmits CCIS direct signaling verification messages through the signal transfer system to the TSPS signifying the entitlement and nonentitlement of the caller to the call service.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting an object such as a CB antenna and the like on rigid bodies, such as motor vehicles, trunk lids, and door frames, for example, comprises a support member mounted on the underside of the body and having a channel extending therethrough, a bracket for carrying the object and having a portion which is insertable into the channel, and resilient means for releasably securing the bracket in the channel.

Abstract: A CB antenna (10) or the like is mounted on the edge of an automobile trunk lid (12) by means of a stepped bracket (18), which carries the antenna, and a U-shaped support member (20) which is mountable on the trunk lid edge. The support member has a pair of opposing sides (20.2, 20.3) joined by a base (20.1) having a rectangular aperture (20.4) therein. One side (20.3) is depressed to form a plateau (20.5), and a plate (20.6) covers the plateau to form a slot (20.7) into which a lower tread (18.3) of the bracket is inserted. The rectangular aperture is reversed into the base so that a riser (18.4) of the bracket fits into the aperture flush with the base when the lower tread is inserted into the slot. Snap fit means (20.8, 18.5, 18.6) is included on the end portions of the one side (20.3) of the support member to secure the lid therein. A protective coating (20.9) is provided on the inner surface of the other side (20.2) to prevent the outer surface of the lid from being marred.

Abstract: Automatic coin telephone station and central office facilities are disclosed for deriving data on the exact numbers and types of coins deposited during initial and overtime periods. Each station is equipped with nickel, dime and quarter binary counter memories and with flip-flop and logic gating control circuitry which is responsive to interrogate, coin collect and return signals received from the central office for sequentially interrogating the memories and frequency shift keying the stored information to the central office. A coin processor and memory, preference and connector, interrogate tone generator, and detectors are integrated into the central office switching system.