Abstract: A transaction audit system is disclosed comprising a chip card, for completing a transaction between the holder of the chip card and a transaction partner such as a merchant. During the transaction, a transaction identifier is generated uniquely identifying the transaction. For completing execution of the transaction by posting of the payment amount to the merchants account, the chip card transmits a transaction receiver data record comprising the transaction identifier, and further data, if required, to a third party. To allow auditing the transaction settlement posting accuracy, the transaction provider also transmits a transaction provider data record comprising the corresponding transaction identifier to the third party.

Abstract: A method to segment, classify and clean an image is presented. It may be used in applications which have image data as their input that contains different classes of elements. The method will find, separate and classify those elements. Only significant elements must be kept for further processing and thus the amount of processed data may be significantly reduced.

Abstract: The present invention is an expert system with a plurality of independent knowledge bases, including a process and apparatus for employing an inference engine to select one of the knowledge bases based on one or more key factors. In particular, an embodiment using a batch mode for input of data to the expert system is disclosed, based on which, one of the stored independent knowledge bases is selected and employed in connection with the inference engine. This expert system has application to maintenance of a document processing system, where one of several types of maintenance is selected, causing a respective knowledge base or set of rules to be selected.

Abstract: An Integrated Messaging System which integrates mail from a plurality of mail servers handling messages of different media types such as text, voice, facsimile, video and image. The IMS maintains the in-basket for all mail systems, eliminating the need to collect each type of mail separately. Any terminal interface, telephone or computer workstation can be used to collect, generate and act upon a message of any media type. Further, from the preferred system, the user can request another file server and its associated terminals to perform messaging services. The system includes a variety traditional E-mail and voice mail functions which can be used for any message. The IMS also includes synchronization means which checks to see whether the mail count in each in-basket is the same to guarantee that the same mail items are in each file server in-basket. An integrated messaging protocol is used to pass information between the file servers.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge having flexible ribbon guides and an integral, resilient ribbon shield in pressure contact with paper to deaden noise from the printing operation. Also disclosed is a method of preparing paper which may have been folded or had corners bent from handling for printing and feeding through a printer in which the ribbon shield is pressed against the paper while the printer head carriage traverses across the paper to flatten the paper and urge the paper toward a nip of opposed paper feed rolls of a paper handling module associated with the printer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tool condition and failure monitoring system for predicting imminent tool failure by sensing acoustic emissions from a cutting operation converting the emissions into an electrical signal filtering the electrical signal and using a "count rate" technique on the filtered signal to generate a signal indicative of imminent failure. To improve the prediction, the filtering includes removal of low frequency and d.c. signals and the imminent failure is indicated only after several successive periods of a triggering level of count rate.

Abstract: To obtain a good print quality in metal paper printers, the print current, after ignition of the arc, must be rapidly reduced to a fraction of the value necessary for ignition. For this purpose, two transistor power stages (T3, T4) are connected to the print electrode (2). Their partial currents form the print current, whose rapid reduction after ignition of the arc is obtained by the two transistor power stages being operated at voltages (U2, U3) of different magnitude. The second transistor stage (T4) is operated at a voltage (U3), whose magnitude corresponds to the drop in potential occurring upon ignition between the grounded metal layer (3) of the record carrier (4) and the print electrode. As a result, the second transistor stage is switched off when a diode (D) connected to it becomes non-conductive.

Abstract: A mechanical quill having selective braking capability, achieved by a pneumatic cylinder (110) mounted to one motor (80) for selectively driving a braking member (120) into a braking material (104) coupled to a motor armature (84). This braking member (120) interrupts a clutch-type drive path through the motor as desired, to prevent advance of a quill.

Abstract: An improved method of making a retention collar (16) medially of an elongated electrical contact (10) of the type including a shoulder portion (14) and a termination portion (18), the shoulder portion (14) being formed with an axial passage (22) sized to secure several straight conductive wires (24) for mating. The individual wires are inserted into the passage and the shoulder portion then swaged (i.e., squeezed) by a pair of movable dies (36, 46) in an axial direction along the entire length of the passage so that an outer wall portion of the shoulder portion is pushed axially rearwardly and radially outwardly to thereby form the retention collar (16) and also pushed radially inwardly to thereby secure the wires within the passage.

Abstract: An electrical cable assembly having a connector termination with electrical contacts mounted therein and a molded protection cap for releasably fitting on the end of the connector to insulate and protect the contacts from damage or moisture. The connector includes a pair of two-terminal contacts mounted within a housing which includes forwardly projecting semi-circular ring elements and radially opposed projecting coupling lugs. The protection cap includes a one-piece body of a molded polymeric substance (preferably a Zytel nylon plastic) which body includes an outer wall and recesses for receiving the ring elements. The cap also includes a pair of cavities which are positioned to receive the individual two-terminal contacts of the electrical connector when the cap is fitted in place on the connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (800) in which two mateable housings (200, 500) each have electrical contacts (100, 400) mounted therein. Each contact has a forward mating portion with a plurality of axially aligned wires (120, 420), each wire having an acutely angled forward end surface (122, 422). The axially aligned wires of each contact are surrounded by a shroud or sleeve (130, 430) which extends around the wires and forwardly of the end surfaces to protect them and allow the contact to be inserted into the housing from the rear through a rear-mounted grommet (300, 600). The sleeve (130) on the one contact has a larger diameter forward end than the sleeve (430) on the other mating contact to allow the sleeves to interfit together in telescoped relationship when the housings and contacts are mated. The housing (200) having the contact with the larger diameter sleeve (130) has a contact retention system which includes a forward stop (214) to captivate the contact by engaging the forward end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A multi-axis load cell of the type adapted to generate signals corresponding to each of the various force and moment components exerted on the load cell is disclosed, comprised of a hub and a housing interconnected by three flexure arms, each flexure arm fixed at one end to one of the hub or housing and at the other end to a beam flexure element fixed to the other of the hub or housing. Each flexure beam is designed to be readily deflected in directions aligned with its respective flexure arm but offers substantially greater resistance to deflection in other directions, so that a centering bias force is provided without restricting the bending deflection of the flexure arms relied on to measure the force and moment components.Two sets of displacement transducers are provided, each set consisting of three transducers, with the first set arranged in pinwheel fashion about the load cell axis to measure the XY displacement components and torsional about the load cell axis.

Abstract: A dielectric insert for retaining a plurality of electrical contacts in an electrical connector. The insert (10) includes passages (15) having therein opposing radially deflectable contact retaining fingers (11) integral with the insert (10). The free ends (12) of the retention fingers (11) face each other, thereby defining a cavity for captivating the enlarged portion (25) of a contact. The radially deflectable fingers (11) allow a contact to be inserted and removed from either end of an electrical connector (1).

Abstract: A gage for measuring concentricity between a bore and a countersunk valve seat, said gage having a stem for insertion into the bore and a partially-spherical surface (24) on a spindle member for engaging the valve seat. The spindle member is rotated through 180.degree. to obtain the measurement, while a pair of gaging circuits indicate respective clearances between an upper extension of the stem and the spindle member at the theoretical center of the partially-spherical surface.

Abstract: A pair of mateable units with polarizing means for controlling mateability of the units comprising a member rotatably mounted on each of the units one of the members having an extension of predetermined shape and the other member having a recess of predetermined complementary shape for receiving the extension on the one member. The members each have a slot in one end for receiving a screw driver to rotate the members to adjusted position without removing, resetting and reassembling small components.

Abstract: A connector with a plurality of filter contact terminals having a ground wafer molded from plastic material and plated with metal and having integral spring tines for engaging the filters on the contact terminals to provide an electrical connection. The ground wafer may be seated in a cup-shaped ring made of metal and including a series of integral spring members formed in its outer circumference for engaging the shell to provide good connections for the filters.