Abstract: A modified hierarchical homogeneous real time transaction, consolidated auditing and side processing business system, operating under a system wide parameter control, processes and encapsulates each transaction as a plurality of parameter dominated records in an input terminal, transmitting the records to an attached controller at the end of the transaction. Parameters, required but not stored in the terminal, are requested from the attached controller and stored for the duration of the transaction. First level processors are provided with a tandem pair of facilities to trap, process and re-route system messages, all system interfaces being individually addressable. Additional force to interface paths are provided. Unit inputs incorporate parallel high speed buffers and a terminal record flushing mechanism is incorporated in each transaction terminal. The buffers, mechanisms, and critical registers have their own standby power supplies.

Abstract: A variable time integrating period to accomplish distortion free synchronization of the scanning rate to the document transport speed when the transport speed is within a predetermined tolerance with respect to it's nominal speed is disclosed. The rate levels provided by the scanner are then multiplied by an appropriate correction factor to compensate for the varied amount of light accumulated by the time integrating photo sensor array because of the varied integration time. When the document speed must be reduced to a value less than the predetermined tolerance, the system of the invention resorts to the techinque of selecting only certain scans and discarding the data from other scans. Scan selection is found to be economically accomplished by selecting those scans which were time integrating when an emitter pulse occurred.

Abstract: A dynamically reprogrammable logic array including an AND array and an OR array having an output register at the output of the OR array. Commands stored in a load directory specify subarrays within an array for repersonalization. In addition to specifying subarrays, the commands specify an address in load storage containing the personality to be loaded into the subarrays. The load commands stored in the load directory are selectable by a microprocessor, another logic array or by the same logic array being repersonalized.

Abstract: In a currency deposit and dispensing machine, a movable stacking assembly having a pair of paddle wheels is provided in the box for receiving the deposited bills. A predetermined box for receiving the deposited bills. A predetermined space is kept between the wheels and the top of the bills stacked in the box so that the received bills can be positively stacked in the box. On dispensing bills, the weight of the paddle wheel assembly is made to press against the top of the stacked bills so that the bills can be positively fed out one by one from the box through a feed port at the bottom of the box.

Abstract: A depository apparatus capable of sequential stacking deposits comprises a transfer duct movable from a position solely in communication with a storage chamber to a second position solely in communication with an external deposit aperture. The storage chamber is separated into a storage zone and a receiving zone, the latter being the portion of the chamber in communication with the transfer duct. The two zones are separated one from the other by a one way gate system that allows a pusher element to push deposits from the receiving zone into the storage zone against an oppositely biased stacker plate movably mounted in the storage zone.

Abstract: A document handling terminal is disclosed having a read unit, a printer, an inscriber and an endorser unit, a printer, an inscriber and an endorser unit. A microprocessor in the terminal controls the operation of the various input output units by means of an operation control table loaded into said microprocessor from a host computer. A plurality of instructions in the table are executed in a sequence without branches or jumps by comparing a condition field in each instruction to information stored in a condition register. If the comparison indicates equal, the operation code of the instruction is executed, otherwise not. The execution of an instruction controls data transfer within a buffer store, between the buffer store and input output registers, the setting of operation indicators and changing of data in the condition register. The input output units are selectively operated according to the state of the operation indicators asynchronous to execution of the instructions.

Abstract: Magnetic pins preswaged at an off-center point along their length are assembled into a printed circuit board by energizing a pair of electromagnets, disposed one above and the other beneath the circuit board, to cause the pins scattered over a template to become erect. This results in some of the pins being disposed with their shanks protruding through the holes in a magnetic plate disposed below the circuit board while others of the pins pass through the circuit board but do not protrude below the magnetic plate. Increasing the energization of the upper magnet causes the non-protruding pins to be ejected from the circuit board. Subsequent deenergization of the upper magnet results in further pins becoming disposed with their shanks protruding through the magnetic plate. The energization cycle of the magnets is repeated until the circuit board contains a pattern of pins defined by the template with all the pins oriented so that they protrude through the magnetic plate.

Abstract: By choosing the winding and drive circuit configuration of a conventional two phase step motor so that during any one step time, a drive current pulse in one winding is not magnetically coupled to the other winding, then the back EMF induced in this other winding by the permanent magnet of the motor can be used to generate a feedback emitter pulse. The zero crossings of the induced EMF coincides with the detent positions in a conventional two phase step motor. Only one winding of the two phase step motor is driven during any step time. In order to use this same winding as an emitter signal source during the next step time, the drive current in this winding is reduced to zero before the zero crossing of the EMF waveform which is induced in this winding by the permanent magnet of the motor. The drive current is quickly reduced by using a supply voltage substantially higher than the rated motor voltage.

Abstract: A computer architecture is disclosed which permits intersegment program calls with associated selective allocation of data segments of varying lengths. The calling program controls selective allocation of segments to the called program but the called program controls the lengths of the segments being allocated. In this way, recursive calls to the same program cannot affect the function or data of other programs or of the same program in a previous call. Also allocation of data segments can be postponed until execution resulting in more flexible execution of programs written without knowledge of the details of other co-executing programs.

Abstract: Hierarchical three-level computer system for receiving input messages from signal sources (23) and for conditionally activating output devices (26) according to input messages; the system comprising a host computer (15), a terminal computer (27) and a number of micro computers (22). The central computer enters condition tables into specific storage modules (2A-2E) within the terminal computer. These tables can be displayed on the terminal computer screen (10) and may be updated from the terminal computer keyboard (8). The micro computer receives input signals from a signal source (22) and composes input messages, which are transferred to the terminal computer. The terminal computer makes a comparison between input messages and condition table data and selectively activates the output devices (26).A specific up and down counting apparatus within the micro computer enables a simultaneous signal detection and data processing operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for addressing a character generator memory containing symbols common to two or more languages in a common area of the character generator memory. Symbols which are special to the particular language being displayed are stored in one of a plurality of special symbol areas of the character generator memory. One of the special symbol areas contiguous with the common area is identified as a default symbol area. The proper special symbol area of the character generator memory is selected by comparing the high order bits of a display character code with compare bits to determine whether a different special symbol area of the character generator memory is to be substituted for the default area contiguous with the common area.

Abstract: A multi-function document processor, including proof inscribing and sorting functions. The document feed station keyboard, and stacker are connected in such a fashion so as to allow easy access to each of these machine elements by an operator without leaving a seated position. The advantageously accessible arrangement of functional elements is achieved by a novel use of rotary document processing stations, resulting in a folded transport path of significantly shorter length, and a transition station for moving the documents from a first plane into a second plane for more compact stacker pocket orientation. Document travel through the improved transport and into the stacker pockets is controlled by logic in the form of a plurality of microprocessors communicating via an okay to send wire.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are disclosed for generating circular arcs of any arc length greater than zero up to and including a full circle of 360 degrees. The method and apparatus can locate nonsymmetrical closest points for noninteger radius and arc center values. The method and apparatus is capable of generating the incremental move commands for drawing an arc either in the clockwise or counter clockwise direction which is a distinct advantage when used to drive a pen type electromechanical plotter. By dividing the generation of a 360 degree arc into eight octants, only two of the original eight directions need to be considered as candidate directions toward the next integer display matrix value to be displayed. The method and apparatus employ a novel initialization which provides a simple stopping test for any circular arc of arbitrary length and direction. Only simple addition and sign testing is used to display the circular arc.

Abstract: Signature image information is converted from scanner input data into lines of character spaces which can conveniently be presented on a matrix printer. Both the method of image conversion from input scans to output lines of characters and apparatus for interpreting control information accompanying character picture element information are disclosed. An efficient format for presenting the control information and reducing the amount of picture element data stored and handled is also disclosed.