Abstract: The processing of mail pieces relies in part on automated address interpretation of captured address field images to generate sortation signals that control automated mail sorting machinery at outgoing and incoming mail centers. In alternative implementations, a coding depth file (“CDF”) controls (i) the depth to which a captured address field image is resolved and (ii) a time delay in performing address interpretation. In one aspect, a CDF includes a first set of data associating a depth value with each of a selected plurality of incoming mail centers to which an outgoing mail center sends mail pieces. The depth value controls the depth to which a stored address field image is resolved and corresponds to a level of refinement to which automated sorting machinery at the associated incoming mail center sorts mail pieces.

Abstract: The invention is characterized in certain aspects by data processing architectures and methods of processing a mail piece having a destination address field through outgoing and incoming mail centers. An illustrative method includes receiving a mail piece at an outgoing mail center for transport to an incoming mail center and subsequent sorting and transport from the incoming mail center to an an addressee. The mail piece includes a destination address field that is divided into a first address portion and a second address portion. The first address portion is interpreted at the outgoing mail center and used to sort the mail piece for transport to the incoming mail center. The second address portion is eventually resolved and used by the incoming mail center to sort the mail piece for subsequent delivery to an addressee.

Abstract: A material deflector plate system adapted for mounting below the forwardly declining surface of a material-guiding discharge chute includes a base frame for mounting rearwardly of the discharge edge of the declining surface and a deflector-plate support structure reciprocably depending from the base frame for reciprocation between rearwardmost and forwardmost positions. Hingedly depending from the support structure are alternatively collapsible and deployable first and second deflector plate sets. The system can alternatively assume storage and operative attitudes. A storage attitude is one in which the deflector plate sets are collapsed and the support structure is disposed sufficiently rearwardly with respect to the base frame that at least a majority of the length of the collapsed deflector plate sets is disposed rearwardly of the chute discharge edge.

Abstract: A bulk modulus elastomeric element is employed in the present invention. The material from which the invention is fabricated is formed as a sheet, which has a plurality of channels that run through, or partially through it. The holes in the sheet are angled such that the remaining material may be of a parallelogram shape. The top and bottom surfaces of the particular element may be rectangular, circular, hexagonal, or other shapes, since the shape of the end surface is not important to the invention. An edge of an upper end surface is displaced from a remote edge of the lower surface so that a vertical line from one edge normal to the upper surface, is displaced from the remote edge of the lower surface, so that it preferably does not intersect any part of the lower surface when no forces are applied to the surfaces. However, in some instances, under load, a small overlap at the cross-sectional areas of the upper surface and lower surfaces, may be desirable.

Abstract: A stack of sheet elastomers, each having multiple holes therein, dissipates shock forces applied to it. The elastomeric sheets are formed with identical holes each of which have a periphery that is symmetrical around the centers of the holes that extend over a shock dissipation area of the device. The sheets are stacked so that one, or more continuous material passageways are formed through the stack that extend from one support surface to a parallel support surface. This allows for the elastomer material of these passageways to transmit sheer shock forces when a compressive force is applied normal to the support surfaces. Elastomeric, or other material of a composition different, preferably elastomeric, from the material of the stacked sheets, may be filled into holes of the sheets to adjust the characteristics of the device.

Abstract: A shock mount to support the static weight of a housing while at the same time effectively attenuating shock or vibration imparted to the housing with the shock mount having a shock isolator for supporting the weight of the display and a bezel extending around the display with the bezel comprising a second shock an d vibration isolator that coacts with the first shock set of shock isolators to further attenuate shock and vibration forces to the system.

Abstract: An optical connector provides the reliability of a butt-coupled connection with the mating simplicity of an expanded-beam coupling arrangement. In an example embodiment, an optical fiber connector arrangement includes a first ferrule having an expanded-beam arrangement disposed therein. The expanded-beam arrangement within the first ferrule includes a first lens that is coupled to a first optical fiber and a second lens that is coupled to a second optical fiber, wherein the second optical fiber protrudes from the first ferrule. The connector arrangement further includes a second ferrule arranged to receive the first ferrule. The second ferrule supports a third optical fiber and is shaped to receive the first ferrule. The second optical fiber is butt-coupled to the third optical fiber within the second ferrule when the second ferrule is engaged with the first ferrule.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and processing system for radar detection and tracking of a target using monopulse ratio processing comprising the following steps. First, receiving a signal comprised of a plurality of sum azimuth beams and difference azimuth beams. Then staggering the received signal. Next, filtering and localizing a clutter signal which is a portion of the received sum and azimuth beams. Then adaptively forming a sub-array sum azimuth beam and a sub-array difference azimuth beam from the filtered output to cancel the clutter. The adaptive beam forming including the determination of a sum and difference beam weight where the adaptive weight be equated to a product of the weight and the respective covariance matrices of the sum and difference beams, the product having no constraint points.

Abstract: A roller conveyor extension includes a base frame having elongated parallel first and second tracks, each of the tracks having rearward and forward ends. First and second carriages reciprocate rearwardly and forwardly between the rearward and forward ends of, respectively, the first and second tracks. A roller support structure having back and front ends, and extending along an axis, supports a plurality of rollers, each of which rollers is adapted for rotational motion about a roller axis extending along an axis perpendicular to the roller support structure axis. The roller support structure is pivotably attached to each of the first and second carriages such that the roller support structure is capable of both rotational motion about a pivot axis and rearward and forward reciprocating motion with respect to the base frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical sensor of air borne acoustic waves. The sensor comprises means for producing mutually coherent optical sampling and reference beams, which may be combined to form an intermediate frequency carrier, the sampling beam being exposed to the acoustic field, in which acoustic wave induced density variations occur. These density variations produce a variation in the index of refraction and thereupon a phase modulation of the sampling beam. This phase modulation may be recovered by an optical detector and a phase detector as an electrical signal representative of the acoustic signal. The invention has application to security systems.

Abstract: An adjustable roller conveyor module includes a first support structure comprising first and second laterally spaced, longitudinally extending frame members. A first roller set supported by the first support structure includes rollers rotatable about lateral axes equi-spaced in accordance with a predetermined roller-axis spacing. A second support structure is carried between the first and second frame members of the first support structure for longitudinal reciprocation between fully retracted and extended positions. The second support structure supports a second roller set including rollers rotatable about lateral axes coplanar with the axes of the first roller set and equi-spaced in accordance with the predetermined roller-axis spacing. Selected rollers of the first roller set are removable to accommodate retraction of the second support structure.

Abstract: An active optical device having a plurality of optical receiving or transmitting elements is secured to a carrier having two holes adapted to receive respective alignment pins of the connector. The optical device is secured to the carrier by a first solder ball contract array pattern on a surface of the optical device substrate and a second matching solder ball contact array pattern on a surface of the carrier. Solder balls disposed between the first solder ball contact array pattern of the optical device substrate and the second solder ball contact array pattern are melted so that solder reflow self-aligns the patterns, and further positions the optical device array in a predetermined orientation with respect to the alignment holes in the carrier. A flexible electrical interconnect member having a plurality of electrical traces is coupled to the active optical device at one of its ends and the other end is available for coupling to another device.

Abstract: A process provides automated coherent documentation of the construction of variably configured assemblies and systems, which consist of mechanical, electrical or electronic subassemblies or components using relational database software. A relational database software program is used to define the location of subassemblies or components within the final assembly or system, define important configuration information for the subassemblies and define the interconnection of the subassemblies within the assembly or system. This process improves upon prior art utilizing schematics, assembly drawings, parts lists and configuration logs based upon ANSI standard documentation practices by reducing the time required to produce such documentation and improving the accuracy of such documentation. The use of a relational database allows for various data manipulations that may be desirable such as error prevention error detection, data analysis and specified searches.

Abstract: A shock isolator for a housing in an offset compressive axis with the shock isolator including either an elastomer triad or a hollow elastomer tetrahedron with each having support surfaces thereon that are laterally offset from each other to prevent direct axial compression with each of the shock isolators providing shock and vibration attenuation not normally obtainable in a direct axially compression condition.

Abstract: A pallet for use in loading, storage and transportation of shock sensitive equipment with the pallet including an upper member supported in a spaced condition from a lower member to form pockets for fork lifts or the like with the upper member isolated from the lower member by a set of elastomer mounts that react to external compressive forces thereon by internal shearing resistance rather than compression resistance with the edge of support member spaced laterally from the edges the lower member to inhibit the upper members from contacting each other when one pallets are positioned adjacent to each other and are subject to shock or vibration.

Abstract: A modular shock isolator and method of isolation of components of a system with multiple modular shock isolators arranged to provide different damping and vibration characteristics than an individual modular shock isolator. In one mode, a modular shock isolator having a base with legs extending from each side of the base with each of the legs having a foot that extends outward from the legs with the modular shock isolator either individually mounted to isolate a component or a plurality of modular shock isolators are be ganged, or stacked together to change the shock isolation characteristics of the shock mount formed from the multiple modular shock isolators. A layer of damping material can be sandwiched between layers of elastomers to dampen the natural spring-back of the materials.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement and system facilitate the measurement of polarized light intensities for use in object identification and classification. In an example embodiment, an imaging sensor for polarizing light from a light source includes an array of light detecting elements that converts light into a plurality of photocurrent signals. The sensor also includes a rotatable disk positioned between a light source and the light detecting array and parallel to the light detecting array. The rotatable disk includes a plurality of linear members that are opaque and parallel to each other that polarize light from the light source passed to the light-detecting array. The sensor further includes a circuit arrangement configured to generate a data set of polarization vector components, the polarization vector components being generated as a function of a set of the photocurrent signals that are sampled as a function of a position of the rotating disk.