Abstract: A reduced dispersion optical waveguide and methods of fabricating the same are implemented. The optical waveguide may be fabricated in commercially practicable units without having to predetermine its length in a particular application. The reduced dispersion optical waveguide prevents optical pulse overlap in optical waveguide transmission systems operating over long distances or at high data rates.

Abstract: A gear mechanism containing a clutch assembly made of an outer member with an offset hub, a wrap spring, a pin wherein the rotation of the pin around the offset hub is less than one revolution. A protrusion on a stop at a fixed location is used to dislodge the wrap spring such that it is incapable of transferring torque to the pin. With the spring dislodged, the pin ceases rotation as the hub continues to rotate. Once the power source reverses the rotation, the spring engages the pin which causes the spring to tighten around the hub. The tightening of the spring causes the spring to transmit torque and consequently move the pin away from the stop. In applications where, in one direction, a rotation of less than one revolution is acceptable, the use of a fixed protrusion to dislodge the spring allows the full torque of the driving member to drive the mechanism in either rotational direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening a platen in an impact printer is implemented. The apparatus permits rapid loading of a paper supply while maintaining the required tolerance in the spacing of the platen and a printhead. The mechanism also accommodates the printing of form documents in which the thickness of the document material may be variable. The mechanism adjusts to the varying thickness of the document medium while maintaining the required tolerance in the spacing between the platen and printhead.

Abstract: A printer using font modification logic for improving the print quality of high speed thermal printing is disclosed. A microprocessor modifies the font by shortening the vertical component of each symbol to account for the retained heat of the individual print elements. This font modification eliminates the vertical tails that are a common problem when using thermal technology. A method of high speed printing is also disclosed consisting of redefining the set of symbols to be printed by subtracting part of the vertical element in the print instruction, selectively printing the symbols, moving the paper, and printing another row of information. This process is repeated until all of the information is printed on the paper.

Abstract: A gear drive system for a printer designed to print upon a continuous roll of paper and having a blade used to cut off printed portions of paper from the paper roll is implemented. The gear drive system consists of a drive shaft 330, a slip clutch 401, a clutch gear 116, a fixed gear 110, and a staggered gear 112 which controls the paper cutter blade 106. During printing, clutch 401 allows the drive shaft 330 shaft to slip relative to the clutch gear 116. When printing stops, clutch 401 locks clutch gear 116 which is engaged with the first portion of staggered gear 112 and causes staggered gear 112 to rotate until the second portion of staggered gear 112 engages the fixed gear 110. Staggered gear 112 is then driven by the fixed gear 110. A cutter blade is controlled by staggered gear 112, with the blade cutting off the paper as the fixed gear 110 is in reverse rotation.

Abstract: An enhanced Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface provides for the communication of standard USB signalling and non-standard USB signalling, which may be alternate voltage signals. The chassis within data processing devices operable for receiving such an enhanced USB connector into an enclosed enhanced USB receptacle provide a keying configuration so that the standard USB connector portion is not matable with the non-standard USB portion.

Abstract: An RF connector is provided for a PC card by having one element (40) of an RF connector in the host device into which the card is inserted. The card has a second element (30) of the RF connector. The two elements are arranged opposite each other when the card is fully inserted into the host device. In this way, a capacitive coupling can be provided between the respective circuits of the card and the host device. RF signals may, accordingly, be transmitted to and from the host device and the PC card.

Abstract: A print head and check flipper subassembly having a removable flipper cartridge allows printing of both sides of a check or other document in one continuous operation, in which the orientation of the check or other document is reversed in relation to a print head, eliminating the need for an operator to remove and reinsert the check during the printing or handling process.

Abstract: A reader and pressure pad apparatus is disclosed for urging documents with various physical characteristics to conform to the shape of the reader, increasing the efficiency of the reader. The reader has a curved convex surface with a centrally located read head gap and the pressure pad, an oppositely curved concave surface, which is biased against the read head in order to improve the contact area between the document and the read area.

Abstract: An infrared transceiver for an application interface card for use with a computer in a wireless Local Area Network. The transceiver includes a multi-facet beam deflector to maximize dispersion of the infrared beams in a room while maintaining a compact arrangement for the interface card. In another aspect, the transceiver includes a revolving turret to provide directional capabilities for serial IR or point-to-point communication applications. The transceiver is suitable for PCMCIA interface cards.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are implemented for determining when a portion of RFID tags in a read volume cannot be fully accessed by a RFID tag reader. In the data processing system, multiple known RFID tags are placed around a perimeter of a three-dimensional read volume. A RFID tag reader interrogates each of the RFID tags to determine whether all the perimeter RFID tags can be accessed before the reader attempts to access the contents of the read volume. If the reader is unable to interrogate all of the perimeter RFID tags, then it is likely that a blockage of radio frequency signals within the read volume exists. Therefore, an RFID tag within the read volume cannot be accessed because the RF signals are unable to reach the RFID tag due to blockage. In this situation, a system operator would be alerted that an RFID reader is unable to accurately access a number of RFID tags within the read volume. The system operator would also be alerted as to a location of the blockage within the read volume.

Abstract: A document feed roller opening mechanism and a method for operating that opener provide efficient and reliable operation. In the document feed roller opening mechanism, a print head transport motor is used to open the document feed rollers. A carrier post is implemented to engage a document insert lever when the print head carrier is positioned over a cam on the document insert lever. Thus engaged, the document insert lever rotates to pull a left end of the document insert pressure roller. The left end of the document insert pressure roller slides towards a front of the printer and a right end pivots slightly in a right frame. A spring implemented therein compresses as the document insert pressure roller moves away from a stationary document insert feed roller. This spring provides pressure to the document insert feed roller when the rollers are together. With the document insert feed rollers open, one may easily slide a document in from the side of the printer.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling multiple input voltages to produce a given output voltage using only a single DC-to-DC converter. Sensing of the input voltages supplied to the circuit effect automatic switching to route the applied voltages between input terminals and output terminals, and configure the feedback network selecting the output voltage of the DC-to-DC converter. The DC-to-DC converter thus configured provides required output voltages not appearing in the input supply.

Abstract: A pressure roller drive assembly for a document printer having a pressure roller carried by a pressure roller axle for advancing and retracting a document along a paper path, with the pressure roller pivoting in a first direction towards a side wall to prevent skew or misalignment during advancement of the document and the pressure roller pivoting in a second, opposite direction towards a side wall to prevent skew or misalignment during retraction of the document is disclosed.