Abstract: A multiple ply document for receiving recording information includes a top ply having a machine readable code printed thereon, one or more intermediate plies and a bottom ply secured together by means of a line of adhesive along one edge thereof. The top and intermediate plies are secured to respective overlying and underlying plies by means of staggered lines of adhesive to secure the piles at another area of the document. The top and intermediate plies also each include a line of weakening slightly below the respective line of adhesive to permit removal of a portion of the first ply and of the middle plies and leaving an upper portion of the top and intermediate plies on the document.

Abstract: A package for containing surface mount electronic devices that protects such devices from physical damage during handling and also protects such devices from electrostatic discharge damage. The package includes a plurality of panels supporting a receptacle member, a containing member, and tab members for securing the parts. Two of the panels are swingable to provide an open condition and a closed condition of the package.

Abstract: A method for encoding cash tills for the purpose of automating cash till reconciliation and operator sign-in. Encoding is done by use of a series of notches or apertures on the back of each till and reading the notches or apertures (go - no go) with switch-type sensors to identify the till and/or the operator. The applications include (1) more than one cash till per operator or (2) more than one operator per cash till, (3) identification of the cash till when placed in operation, or (4) identification of the cash till with each operation thereof. Reconciliation may occur at any desired interval of time such as daily, weekly or monthly--dependent upon the capacity of the cash till or the amount of activity.

Abstract: A multiple-layered medium includes a preprinted image and impact imaged variable information applied to a surface. Subsequently, a layered portion containing such image and information is separated from the remaining layered portion which also retains such image and information. The multiple layered medium provides a pressure-sensitive label that is fastened by adhesive to a surface and a non-adhesive portion of the label that is separated from the fastened portion.

Abstract: A mailer assembly has a front ply secured to a back ply adjacent the marginal portions of the two plies, and an intermediate ply extends to the edges of one side of the two plies with a line of adhesive between the front ply and the intermediate ply and a line of adhesive between the intermediate ply and the back ply. The intermediate ply is free along the other side of the front and back plies which are secured by dots of adhesive along such other side. The front ply has a removable tab portion to expose the intermediate ply which is removable from the front and back plies along said one side thereof.

Abstract: A protective coating is applied to a thermally reactive material layer in laminate manner. The coating includes a fluorocarbon sizing agent which causes beading of any adverse material and prevents penetration thereof into the thermally reactive material. A combined color developing and dye formulation includes bisphenol, wax, clay and dye in a binder of polyvinyl alcohol which effects a spreading of any adverse material on the surface of the coating.

Abstract: A customer information input system for a P.O.S. terminal includes a portable type wireless input device that has a magnetic card reader section a key entry section for inputting customer data, for reading information from the card, a memory section for storing the information and the data, a transmitting section for sending the information and the data in response to a request signal, and a repeater connected to the P.O.S. terminal for transferring the information and the data to the P.O.S. terminal. A plurality of such input devices are placed at various sales counters and customers can simultaneously input the information and the data for transmission to the terminal which receives and processes the transaction.

Abstract: A portable transaction processing calculator has a keyboard and a display window along with slots for holding at least a pair of credit cards. One of the cards includes storage means therein and is electrically connected with the calculator, and another card has optical or other readable data thereon and readable by optical or other equipment. A selector switch on the calculator selects one of four different operations.

Abstract: A control system for a thermal print head includes means for regulating the firing of the print elements with the proper pulse width to compensate for increasing substrate temperature. The control circuit is divided into two separate circuits--the driving circuit for turning the print elements on and off, and the decision-making circuit which executes the substrate temperature coding and control codes and sends control signals to the driving circuit. Three types of temperature compensation are utilized in the control program. A tailored pulse width is used for each bank of the print elements to compensate for various element resistances. As the print head shuttles across the record medium, the pulse width is reduced for each horizontal dot position. The pulse width also is reduced for each line printed in the format. The system may be used for either direct thermal or thermal transfer printing with both full and half dot spacing and single or double width characters.

Abstract: A thermal printer has carriage means supporting a print head for travel along a platen and has camming means operably associated with the carriage means for providing a predetermined pressure of the print head against the platen in one direction of travel of the print head and for releasing or reducing such pressure in the other direction of travel.

Abstract: A dot matrix printer utilizes an inking roller for supplying ink to the surface of the printer platen and has guide means adjacent the platen to separate the print paper from the platen. The guide means includes an elongated slot or window for access to the platen by the print wires. The print wire support means is spring loaded in a direction toward the platen and utilizes a solenoid to move the support means away from the platen. A pair of rollers is engageable with the paper and positioned between the platen and the print element carriage to form a predetermined space between the paper and the end of the print wire when the carriage is moved toward the platen.

Abstract: An automatic page turning apparatus for use with a passbook or like document wherein drive rollers advance the passbook to a page turning station, pressing means moves the passbook into position for a page turning roller to engage with and to turn up the page to a bowed condition. Page turning detecting means is coupled to sequence control means and to retry control means for ensuring that the page is turned to the partially turned position for subsequent turning of the page.

Abstract: A dot matrix print head energy control circuit (commonly known as voltage source compensation) utilizes two pulse width modulator circuits (one for receipt printing and one for forms printing). The control circuit also comprises control circuitry and a data latch, the circuitry including RC networks and comparators responsive to outputs of the data latch. A FORMS signal, when inactive and utilizing a source or applied voltage of 24 volts, sets or selects the RC network for receipt printing having an energizing pulse duration of approximately 340 microseconds, and the FORMS signal when active sets or selects the RC network for forms printing having an energizing pulse duration of approximately 380 microseconds. A source or applied voltage of 28 volts sets pulse durations of approximately 300 and 340 microseconds for receipt and forms printing, respectively.

Abstract: A keyboard system for chord entry keying of alphanumeric data fields includes decoding logic permitting substantially or near-simultaneous depression of numeric or alpha data keys and entry or function keys. The logic provides a decoding algorithm for resolving simultaneous entries by utilizing one or another rule of time of key depression. Depression of a numeric or alpha key within 60 milliseconds of an entry key is permitted for decoding of the data as the last key of the current data field. In a time frame between 60 and 100 milliseconds, a warning tone is received for purposes of verifying the last data field entry and to allow the operator to monitor timing performance.

Abstract: A bank check or like instrument has a marking area at the right side thereof which includes a plurality of rows and columns of blocks for receiving marks. The combination of the marked blocks represents a dollars and cents amount. The contiguous area adjacent the rows and columns of blocks is coated with wax to prevent marking outside the boundaries of the blocks.

Abstract: A cable connection mechanism for a thermal print head includes an integral carriage and clamp assembly which is formed to receive the leads of a flat cable and which contains the print head in position to engage the cable leads. Pressure required to maintain contact of the cable leads with the print head is provided by resilient means carried in a slot in the clamp assembly.

Abstract: A slip/receipt printer is provided with a separator bracket attached at one side thereof to a forms compensating arm in cantilever manner. The separator bracket is biased by magnetic means toward the arm to provide a precise path for receipt paper. A slip or form is inserted into the printer on the top surface of the separator bracket. The separator bracket separates the receipt paper from the slip or form. Openings are provided in the separator bracket and other record medium supports.

Abstract: An optical encoder is retrofitted on an existing electric kilowatt utility meter for providing a host of data collection and processing functions performed at the meter site. The encoder permits local observation of the meter dials, and enables remote reading of the dials by use of microprocessor control circuitry as well as providing remote programming of encoder inputs and outputs, demand metering, and period metering. The outputs of successive decades of a polydecade meter are read into the microprocessor and the output data is transmitted via a serial communications link to the remote facility.