Abstract: An arrangement for illuminating objects wherein a large number of objects are rapidly and continuously transported past one or more stations, each illuminated by a cylindrical, integrating Lambertian reflecting/diffusing cavity having one or more like light sources therein so as to generate and project a highly intense, highly uniform and highly diffuse beam of illumination, while incorporating optical guide means to couple said illumination beam to the face of the objects at said station and to couple the reflected image of the object back to the cavity.

Abstract: A method for controlling a high speed memory unit M to be read from, and written to, as initiated by clock signals of comparable speed, this method involving: providing a timing coordinator unit with bi-stable store for storing and presenting certain input signals to the memory unit in conjunction with the clock signals so as to be immediately useable thereby and so that the memory unit can responsively output data to a user stage; these input signals being arranged to include commands R/W to Read or Write, Address signals and Data signals; and the memory unit being maintained in “ready-to-read” condition at all times except during receipt of write commands.

Abstract: A separator belt for separating sheets from a stack is provided with symmetrically beveled or tapered edges. Such beveling or tapering eliminates the problem of sheet edges catching on an edge of the separator belt thereby reducing the probability of a misfeed of the sheet.

Abstract: An arrangement for automatically, selectably diverting, different-weight checks being transported along a prescribed track with divert-blade means at a prescribed divert-station therealong, said checks comprising "standard" and "non-standard", heavier versions, this arrangement comprising, in combination with the foregoing:weight sense means, disposed along said track, upstream of said divert station, for sensing at least a mass characteristic of passing checks and outputting mass-indicating signals SS representative thereof; actuate means arranged to thrust said blade means across said track and associated actuate-adjust means for adjusting actuation-torque of said actuate means responsive to associated torque-adjust signals AA input thereto; and control means arranged to receive said mass-indicating signals SS, manipulating them and applying associated torque-adjust signals AA to said actuate-adjust means whereby to automatically adjust and control the torque applied to said blade means according to the sen

Abstract: A method and system for arranging and operating a multiprocessor computer server system having "split-transaction bus" architecture, including bus modules operating with an address phase and a cycle phase. The bus modules are arranged for access by a prescribed resource stage to facilitate "RETRY" operations. The method includes providing a Cache Tag and Address Compare, arranging the system so that a first bus module stores the address for the Resource stage in the Cycle Tag; and comparing subsequent address bus cycles to the contents of the Cache Tag so that, given a "match", a "RETRY" direction is responsively sent to any other bus module that requests access. The system provides components supporting the above method steps.

Abstract: Apparatus for adapting a personal computer unit having an internal power supply and a sidewall adapted for supplying associated external peripherals with DC power from the power supply. For each peripheral, the sidewall is provided with a removable power panel secured in the sidewall. The sidewall includes a metal strip provided with an electrical terminal. An electrical conductor is coupled between the terminal and the power supply for powering the peripheral connected to the terminal. Each peripheral has a peripheral terminal connected to the power supply by an EMI filter and an associated fuse.

Abstract: A system can detect leading and trailing edges of documents, and document thickness with a single transducer. The transducer operates to measure the displacement of an idler pinch roller by a passing document.

Abstract: An arrangement for extracting and processing image data to form an array of re-scaled pixel data, this arrangement being part of a Normalizer/Scaler stage in an image lift/processing system, and including: a scaler for storing N different selectible scaling algorithms; a scaler-output; an input for receiving scanned lines of pixel data and feeding it sequentially line-by-line, pixel-by-pixel to the scaler, the input including "scale factors" for selecting an algorithm; while the scaler includes a mapping stage for executing a two-dimensional mapping of adjacent pixel values and adjacent scanline values; this arrangement also including a command store for storing scaling algorithms, with a command register input for the scale factors.

Abstract: A "bit-sliced" construction of our cache module dictates dual TAG RAM structures and dual invalidation queues, yielding enhanced performance. By putting half the TAG array in each of two cache arrays, and allowing each to handle only one-half of the possible address values, processor operations and invalidation operations can be "overlapped", and even operate simultaneously.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a servomotor while minimizing a steady-state velocity error being associated with the servomotor. A velocity transducer is coupled to the servomotor to provide a first signal representing an angular velocity of a servomotor shaft. A comparator receives as input the first signal and a second signal representing a desired angular velocity of the servomotor shaft. The comparator produces a comparator output signal representing the steady-state velocity error as defined by a difference between the angular velocity of a servomotor shaft and the desired angular velocity of the servomotor shaft. Means are provided for deriving a value of a current flowing through the servomotor and for producing a third signal representing that current. The third signal represents a frictional torque applied to the servomotor shaft. An adder receives as input the comparator output signal and the third signal.

Abstract: A method of determining damping coefficients for a resilient web, involving: stretching a prescribed length of the web between a pair of pulleys mounted on a frame; attaching a prescribed test mass M.sub.0 upon this length at a prescribed distance L.sub.1 from one pulley; shaking the frame at resonance frequency f.sub.R, and the while deriving resonance-amplitude; and using the foregoing to determine web damping coefficients.

Abstract: A method of arranging an item imager with a least two imaging site, each lit by a beam through a fibre-optic array, this method including: providing a beam-intensity-adjust array including a lens stage for focusing each beam on each fibre optic array such that a shift in lens-focus changes output light from the array.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a computer unit and a camera unit securely on a flat support: I.E., acamera mount including a shaft/fixture unit for receiving the camera to be adjustably positioned thereon; andplanar base to be affixed to said support for engaging the bottom of the computer unit with a pair of computer-enclosing sides coupled to the base, withone side including a top portion for engaging the top of the computer and one side adapted to mount the shaft.

Abstract: A method for on-the-fly detection and separation of multiple checks or like documents transported in a track, wherein the documents are first subjected to twin opposed vacuum forces from a suction source, to separate multiple documents; then a measuring and analysis of the resulting pressure differentials is taken within the vacuum-forming system; the system being provided with a cyclonic filter-separator upstream of the suction source, for removing a storing dust and debris entrained within the vacuum-forming air flow; the cyclonic filter-separator being designed to provide constant vacuum-forming airflow regardless of the nature or quantity of debris removed and collected; the system also being provided with a pressure sensor to give clear indication of the separated/unseparated state of the passing documents, and to exhibit a variable damping accessory.

Abstract: A multi-clock pulse synchronizer circuit with and IN-section receiving and storing prescribed in-pulses and input clock signals and responsively outputting intermediate pulses; and an OUT-section for receiving and storing the intermediate pulses, synchronous with certain output clock signals and processing them to generate certain output-signals, for better avoiding metastability.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting and processing documents and maintaining a preset nominal inter-document gap, g.sub.nom therebetween, this apparatus including transport stage for picking each document from an input stack and advancing it toward a destination at a controlled rate; a sensor unit for sensing the distance g between the so-moved document and the following document; and a control stage for determining the variance .gradient.g, between g.sub.nom and g, while driving each successive document along a feed path from the input stack at adjustable times; with the sensor unit inputting the control means which is adapted to responsively determine the variance-distance .gradient.g, and to thereupon control the transport stage to adjust the acceleration or deceleration of a following document and so tend to reduce this variance-distance .gradient.g.

Abstract: A system for processing a stream of digital bit sets, each related to a different subject in a passing array, and including an arrangement for compressing the bit-sets and sending the results to an utilization stage; plus: a preprocessing stage for distributing each bit set in N parallel bit-compression paths, with all input sent to a common input buffer feeding these paths and each compression path being adapted to execute a prescribed first compression to ascertain "initial factors", and then a prescribed second compression to use the initial factors, with the second compression values selected according to "word count" factors derived from results of the first compression, and to thus provide a prescribed time-compressed output to the utilization stage; with both compressions performed according to JPEG standards; and the second compressions performed using prescribed selected QM and Huffman table values, and with a post processor stage to accept the compressed; data as 32-bit output and funnel it down to

Abstract: In a check processing array, an imaging/illumination arrangement for illuminating and imaging checks at one or several imaging sites as they are rapidly, continuously transported past two or more imaging stations, each station having, as its illumination source, a hollow Lambertian integrating vessel, housing lamps which project a highly uniform, diffuse Lambertian illumination-beam to its respective imaging site.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combined "streak-detector" and "ink-lever flow detector" on opposite sides of a single printed circuit board; each detector comprising a pair of parallel printed circuit segments adapted to be "shorted" by interposition of conductive ink and coupled to register this event in an associated detect-logic stage.

Abstract: A method for adapting a computer unit array having an internal power supply for supplying an associated external peripheral unit with DC power from this power supply; wherein the computer unit is provided with a removable "power panel" secured in a sidewall and is made to comprise a metal strip provided with electrical terminals therein adapted for coupling to the power supply, and for so powering such a peripheral unit.