Abstract: An electrophotographic printer is disclosed wherein the fusing of a toner image to an envelope by the use of a roll fuser causes the fusing nip to open early, i.e. the fusing nip opens a predetermined and controlled time/distance before the trailing edge of the envelope exits the fusing nip. As a result, creasing, wrinkling and the like of the envelope is minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing characters on a document, even if the document is skewed or not aligned with the axis of a typical segmentation apparatus such as a scanner. A plurality of rectangles are formed surrounding respective character images, with position data for each rectangle stored in a first table in which plural position data of the rectangles are arranged in order from the left-most rectangle to the right-most rectangle in the X direction of the XY coordinates of the image buffer. By determining the rectangles belonging to one character row in the first list and calculating the positions of the bottom left corners of the rectangles, skew of the document is calculated. Vertical positions of the rectangles compensated by the skew in the Y direction are calculated to transfer the position data of the rectangles belonging to the first character row to a second table.

Abstract: A system for authenticating components in a communications system using cryptographic techniques to determine if each has the proper key without disclosing information which would be useful to an imposter in deriving the key. A random number generated at a first terminal is encrypted under its key for transmission as a first value to a second terminal whose identity is to be authenticated. The second terminal decrypts the transmitted first value using its key deriving a second value (which equals the random number if the keys are identical.) The second terminal then encrypts its key using the second value as the key, generating a third value which is transmitted back to the first terminal for verification. The first terminal then verifies the third value, either by decrypting it using the random number as the key to obtain its key or by encrypting its key using the random number as key to derive the third number (if the two keys are identical.

Abstract: A method of improving the accuracy of identifying or reading magnetic ink characters (MICR) of the type used on checks and other documents, by choosing key values of a waveform selected using one of several templates which best fits recognized peaks. The steps of the improved method include periodically sampling the signal generated from a magnetic read head, digitizing each sample, locating peaks (in an absolute-value sense), comparing the pattern of peaks against templates (stored values preferably in the form of a saw-tooth) representative of various periods and offsets between positive and negative peaks to determine which template fits the sensed peaks best, then using that template to select samples for identification of the character. The samples thus selected are preferably in the location of the peaks and zero-crossings predicted by the best template or pattern, but are not necessarily the peaks of zero-crossings themselves.

Abstract: A method for processing binary image data in preparation for further compression in accordance with a table based upon distances between transitions in successive lines. Advantageously, three lines are considered at one time and the spatial relationship between the transitions in the first and second lines and said second and third lines controls the amount of data compression to be accomplished.

Abstract: A self service terminal for a lodging facility includes room key dispensing and receiving. The present invention allows a guest to automatically check into a lodging facility, have an appropriate room assigned to him in accordance with his request and obtain a key for a room without the intervention of employees of the lodging facility. The invention also includes an apparatus and method for allowing a guest of a lodging facility to check out at the self service terminal upon departure intervention by employees of the lodging facility, with the self service terminal recovering the room key which the guest had been using.

Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating a line on a document which illumination, when reflected and focused via a lens on a sensor (or image plane), has substantially uniform light intensity along the length of the line. The illumination system includes means for compensation for lens cosine to the fourth power fall-off and an illumination cosine fall-off phenomenon, which has classically been treated as proportional to cosine to the fourth power but in the example of lamps made of coiled tungsten filaments located along the axis of the foci, is more nearly cosine to the 2.8th power. The compensation apparatus includes a cylindrical ellipse for focusing light from two lamps located on an axis which is one foci of the ellipse and the line on the document is located at the other foci of the ellipse. Reflected light from the line on the document is then reflected and focus via a lens onto a sensor. At the sensor, the image is captured for analysis or other uses, e.g.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus are provided for hand dimension verification. A two dimensional scanner provides image data from top and angled scans to an image processor which processes this data to develop invariable hand measurements using reference points located from contour sequences generated from the image scan data. The reference points are located so as to be immune from variations introduced by fingernail length, hand pressure and finger spread. Finger width measurements are made using certain reference points and finger width variations are used to determine the presence of abnormalities which could be natural or introduced by wearing of jewelry. The finger width variations are in effect removed by locating finger contour points at the beginning and ending of the variations and using finger slope data for trimming and thereby provide invariable finger width measurements together with finger thickness, finger length and hand area measurements for hand dimension verification.

Abstract: An image processing system to allow communication with input and output devices having varying resolutions. An image processing system converts an image into a compressed base image and successive levels of error correction data so that an output of the image may be provided with any desired level of resolution (up to that of the input) with further levels of resolution obtained through predictive techniques. Advantageously, the error coding data is arithmetically coded.

Abstract: A character recognition system comprises a video detector (25) operating with a plurality of threshold signals (V3-V6) in time multiplex mode. Detected video signals are stored in a plurality of storage modules (S3-H S6), one for each time multiplex channel. A signal processor (81) recognizes character data from video data representing a first threshold level (V3) and stored in a first storage module (S3) and subsequently recognizes character data from video data representing a second threshold level (V5) and stored in a second storage module (S3). The system is used in an optical document reader for reading a plural field print line on a document, where the optical characteristics of the various fields are unequal.

Abstract: In the machine recognition of hand printed characters it is desirable that the characters be constrained to a uniform size. This may be accomplished by taking a relatively unconstrained hand printed character and, through simple logical processes involving eliminating and/or combining portions of the unconstrained character, obtain a constrained character of a specified size. To obtain this specified character, the unconstrained characters are stored in a video line buffer as a plurality of rows of binary bits. When a row character is located in the video line buffer a process of vertical and horizontal consolidation is initiated. In the vertical consolidation, which is performed first, predetermined rows of the bits of the row character are selectively combined with other rows of stored bits or selected without change to reduce the height of the character to a predetermined desired height. Unselected rows are ignored.

Abstract: A method of making measurements on a machine having a movable probe for measuring a part in which a present location of the probe is maintained and a past location (e.g., a part measurement) of the probe is also maintained (stored) and advantageously displayed. The measuring apparatus includes two sets of storage members, with the present position information of the probe stored in one set. The present probe position information is transferred to the other storage members in response to a control signal. The control signal, such as an electrical signal indicating contact with an object, causes measurements to be transferred from the one set of storage members to the second set of storage members and, advantageously, the transfer of further information to the second storage members may be locked out of a predetermined time or until an event occurs (such as a resetting signal).

Abstract: The present invention is an improved linear recirculating bearing assembly and method of making it. More particularly, the present invention is a linear roller bearing assembly in which the housing is manufactured of three primary parts, an upper bearing half, a race member and a lower bearing half. The race member includes one or more mounting pedestals having an upper surface finished to a high degree of flatness and parallelism with the lower surface of the race member. The upper bearing half and the lower bearing half include portions to define two recirculating bearing paths for recirculating bearing elements or rollers to recirculate about paths around the race member, with the upper and lower bearing halves being generally non-load bearings, so that they may be manufactured from low cost, low strength materials.

Abstract: Print head for an electroerosion printer, with print electrodes arranged in rows and/or columns in a holder, and with at least one slightly shorter sensor electrode at the trailing edge of the print head to control the feeding of the print electrodes compensating their burning-off and/or abrasion, at least the sensor electrode (7) being inclined approximately in the direction of the median normal to the surface of the unprinted lateral surface of the trough-like depression.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of recording information on an electrosensitive record carrier, preferably a record carrier covered with a metallic or metalliferous layer, by means of a print head movable relatively parallel to the surface of the record carrier and comprising at least one print electrode controllable by print pulses, and a control circuit for the timely generation of the print pulses from digital or analog signals received in such a manner that the duration and amplitude of each print current pulse are chosen so that the print process triggered by the individual print pulse is completed by the time the print pulse stops.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine probe of the type including an arrangement for detecting contact with a surface, in which a light source and a plurality of photocells are arranged to generate an electrical signal upon probe pivoting motion by detection changes in light intensity sensed by the photodetectors. A summing circuit measures the total incident illumination of the photocells and controls the light source to maintain the total illumination of the photocells to be constant.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine having a vertically movable probe shaft in which a vertical fine feed and lock mechanism for the probe shaft is provided by a first knob coupled to a magnet movable between two positions, one of said positions operatively coupling a second knob to the probe shaft for driving said probe shaft in a vertical direction, the other of said positions being ineffective for moving the fine feed mechanism. The fine feed is accomplished through the rotation of a second knob which is in frictional engagement through a driven quasi "V" shaped flanged wheel with the probe shaft to be moved vertically.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly and rail in which the bearing assembly includes two bearing bodies each having a pair of projections defining recirculating bearing races. The bearing assemblies are each secured to a movable member and to each other in an adjustable preload condition and provide one set of recirculating bearings of each assembly for supporting downward forces including the weight and the other to provide lateral and upward forces.

Abstract: A recirculating bearing assembly and method of making it in which the bearing assembly includes a bearing path-defining structure having two primary pieces, the first being an elongated "I" shaped member having an internal aperture extending through the elongated length and having integral end bearing returns formed as concave, inwardly facing rounded portions in each of the cross pieces terminating the elongated length and the second piece including flat upper and lower surfaces and fit within the aperture and having generally parallel upper and lower surfaces connected by rounded end portions. The second member defines the internal surface of each of two races for roller bearing elements.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus (10) for measuring a dimension between two surfaces (26, 27) on a workpiece (20) in which the apparatus includes a pair of gaging tips (310, 320) for engaging the surfaces. The gaging tips are mounted toward the end of a spindle (120) and extend outwardly (perpendularly) therefrom. The gaging tips (310, 320) are moved inwardly by the surfaces (26, 27), with the amount of inward movement being dependent on the distance between two surfaces. The inward movement of the gaging tips is sensed by a one piece flexible member (200), preferably in the shape of an "H", which has parallel legs (230, 240) compressed and pivoted about its central portion (250) by the inward movement of said tips. The flexible member is mounted rewardly of the contact tips by a thin pivot portion (224) to a housing.