Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for controlling a system display from the processor controlling a fiscal printer. The system display is controlled by generating an overlay image in a storage device along with overlay image selector data. The overlay image selector data is used to control modifying circuits that can substitute or otherwise modify, with overlay image data, all or a portion of the system display image generated by application software. Since the fiscal printer hardware and firmware is not a part of the particular application software running on a point of sale device the control function of the fiscal printer need not require modification of application software or hardware.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to construct programs for use in multiple-language environments. A subroutine is described to provide for reference to a translation table but maintain the self-documenting feature of direct coding. Also disclosed is an extractor program, which is capable of automatically creating a translation table based upon default values to be used for messages. Finally, the disclosed invention also provides a superior method of handling errors in translation table files by providing for a default message.

Abstract: A memory refreshing system that can dynamically execute a self-refresh operation, even though the computer system is in a normal operational mode and can thus save the power consumption, and includes a memory refreshing system, for a memory system including a plurality of memory banks, which comprises a memory refreshing device, provided in each of the memory banks, for performing a refresh operation within a corresponding memory bank by units of rows in response to a refresh request; a first memory refresh controller for supplying a refresh request to the memory system every first time period; a second memory refresh controller, provided for each of the memory banks, for supplying a refresh request to the corresponding memory bank every second time period that is longer than the first time period; a memory access monitor, provided for each of the memory banks, for detecting an access to the corresponding memory bank; a timer, provided for each of the memory banks, for generating a timer output when a first p

Abstract: A point of sale printer includes a paper supply mechanism rotatably mounting a paper supply roll within a frame through a resiliently mounted bearing member extending into each end of a central hole in the roll. The frame is manually pivoted between an open position, in which the roll is installed and removed by moving the bearing members outward with movement of the roll, and a closed position, in which the roll is rotatably held in place, with outward movement of the bearing members being prevented by stops within the printer. With the frame in its closed position, a paper web is pulled from the roll for printing. An alternate configuration allows the printer to use a narrow paper roll.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for segmenting a plurality of Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices connected to a common root hub into clusters. The devices may be segmented based on the connection topology. Such a segmentation may be performed without user intervention to define the clusters by designating a particular port(s) of USB hubs as expansion ports such that a USB hub connected to an expansion port starts a new cluster and may act as a cluster root hub. Devices connected to a cluster root hub may be considered in the same cluster if there is no intervening cluster root hub.

Abstract: A cable suitable for use in a data processing network is disclosed. The cable includes an electrically insulating shielding, a signal carrying element enclosed by the shielding, and an identifying element embedded in the shielding. The identifying element is suitable for transporting light from a first end of the cable to a second end and for externally emitting the light at the second end. The signal carrying element be implemented as a twisted wire pair, a coaxial cable, or an optical fiber. The identifying element may include an optical fiber that is connected to a lens embedded in the shield at the second end of the cable. The first end of the optical fiber may be connected to another lens that is embedded in the shielding at the first end of the cable. Alternatively, the first end of the optical fiber may be connected to an LED, which is connected to a circuit including a battery aid a contact switch.

Abstract: A method for docking/undocking a portable computer to/from an expansion unit is disclosed. The portable computer includes a main battery, and the expansion unit includes a second battery. In response to an eject event, the condition of the second battery is determined. If the second battery is in a discharging condition, a power supply route is switched from the second battery of the expansion unit to the main battery of the portable computer. If the second battery is in a charging condition, the charging condition is suspended. At this point, a hot undocking of the portable computer from the expansion unit can be performed.

Abstract: A method for assisting the recall of retail good information in a point of sale (POS) system can include the steps of scanning an identifier associated with a retail good; searching a translation table for retail good information corresponding to the scanned identifier; and, if the retail good information cannot be found in the translation table in the searching step, displaying a list of retail good information previously assigned to the scanned identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the retail good information can be a purchase price corresponding to the retail good.

Abstract: A printer using a power reduction logic based upon reducing the speed of printing when the dot utilization calculation exceeds a particular power level for that printer. There is also provided a method for printing information at a given power supply capacity level, comprising the steps of: examining the a group of rows of dots to be printed; calculating the maximum dot utilization value for the group; selecting a print speed based on the maximum dot utilization value; printing the first row of the group of rows; and repeating above steps until the information is printed.

Abstract: To provide a portable computer in which a height and angle of a display can be adjusted even in a restricted installation space. In a notebook type personal computer, at an approximately middle portion in a high and low direction of an LCD unit, disposed in a lid, there is provided a hinge, which enables the LCD unit to pivot around a rotation axis crossing perpendicularly with the high and low direction of the LCD unit. This hinge is mounted so as to be movable in the high and low direction of the frame, and is disposed at a higher position than a top of the frame. Thereby, even when rear space where the notebook type PC is installed is restricted, it is possible to adjust the height and angle of the LCD unit, and to make such setting as to enable the display screen to be easily watched.

Abstract: A point of sale printer is provided with a large paper supply roll mounted externally from the printer. The printer includes a paper drive which rapidly accelerates and decelerates a paper web extending from the paper supply roll. A tensioning roll is moved in one direction to feed the web into the printer during the relatively slow acceleration of the paper supply roll and in an opposite direction to prevent a tangle of paper as the paper supply roll is decelerated after the printer stops moving the paper web. A cable assembly is provided to facilitate loading the large paper supply roll. A braking spring helps to decelerate the paper supply roll and further engages a flap formed in an outer end of the paper web to thread this end of the web into the printer.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention provides improved access to databases in a computer system. The present invention includes a plurality of data sources, the data sources including at least one non-relational data source; a server coupled to the plurality of data sources, the server capable of providing client access to the plurality of data sources; and a store place data access layer (SPDAL) coupled to the server and the at least one non-relational data source, the SPDAL providing relational features to the at least one non-relational data source. In the preferred embodiment, the relational features provided include a two-phase commit process; a process for performing Structured Query Language (SQL) operations from within a single application; a referential integrity process; and a process for providing indices for non-relational data source files.

Abstract: A portable unit assists a visually impaired user within a store by providing an output, using speech synthesis, of his location based on reading various barcode labels. The location of each barcode label is determined from data stored within the portable unit. The portable unit also determines a path between the user's location and an item he selects to find, describing the path using speech synthesis. The user can select, by speech or by depressing a button, items for a target list. Preferably, some barcode labels identify an end of an aisle, which cause the portable unit to describe, using speech synthesis, items on the aisle and items in the target list on the aisle.

Abstract: Multi-drop Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Loop (ADSL) modems have at least two sets of digital front end circuitry which allow for simultaneous connections to at least two local loops. A shared DSL modem is operably associated with each of the two sets of digital front end circuitry and transmits and receives data to and from the digital front end circuitry. A digital interface is operably associated with the shared DSL modem and is configured to communicate with an external network.

Abstract: A connector for a battery charger is configured so that a latching member protrude from a connector body, a connector portion is disposed in the lower portion of a latching member, and a keep plate is fixed at the bottom face 12A. When the connector portion is connected to a battery connector located in a recess of a battery pack, hooks of the latching member fit in grooves of the recess, thereby the keep plate 14 comes in contact with a bottom face of the battery pack and the battery connector is pinched between the keep plate and the latching member. The connector is thus locked in the connection state.

Abstract: A self service terminal for processing transaction forms or slips, especially checks and transfer forms, is provided, including means for optically reading and taking an electronic image of said transaction form or slip with a transparent plate. The transaction form or slip is positionable on said transparent plate in such a way that there is no motion of the form when taking the electronic image.

Abstract: A method for providing audio sample rate conversion within a data-processing system is disclosed. An audio data stream having an input sample rate is first received. A sampling frequency ratio of the input sample rate to a selected output sample rate is determined, and this sampling frequency ratio is then utilized to compute output samples. The output samples are subsequently filtered with a lowpass filter and output at the selected output sample rate.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically configuring a boot process of a network computer initially connected within a network comprising at least one server. A request is broadcast from a network computer to a network for an available server, upon a first initiation of the network computer within the network. Responses from the broadcast are gathered which indicate whether a server is available. A selected boot program is then executed from among multiple boot programs available in the network computer. The selected boot program and the identity of an available server are stored as boot process configuration settings in a nonvolatile storage of the network computer, in response to successful execution of the boot program, such that a subsequent boot process of a network computer is automatically configured.

Abstract: A programmable multispeed communication apparatus includes a plurality of identical media access control (MAC) units for use with a programmable data processing system. The MAC units when multiplexed and connected to a communication media achieve a transmission speed n·s where n is the number of MAC units and s is the speed of the individual MACs. If one or more but not all of the MAC units fail, the apparatus will operate in degraded mode with the remaining active MAC units. User frames are sequentially numbered, partitioned into sequentially numbered partitions which are assigned to one or more MAC's. Each of the partitions includes a prefix which includes the sequential frame number, the sequential partition number and an indicator for distinguishing the last partition of a frame from the other partitions of that frame.