Abstract: A receiver front end processor for use in a receiver system accepts a data stream comprising samples of an entire frequency band, the band of frequencies being divided into two or more non-overlapping channels with each channel occupying no more than a predetermined maximum frequency band. The band being sampled at a rate of at least twice the frequency of the highest frequency in the band. The receiver front end processor converts, either in parallel or iteratively, the component channels to baseband signals sampled at twice the symbol rate of each of the channels. A single analog to digital converter may be employed to produce the sampled whole-band data stream operated upon by the receiver system's front end processor.

Abstract: A self-checkout lane in a store comprises an incoming goods path for receiving goods, first and second goods collection zones, and a segregation device operable under control of a computer processor to divert goods from the incoming goods path into one or the other of the two goods collection zones. The incoming goods path includes a product scanner electrically coupled to the computer processor and operable to evaluate the total retail price of a plurality of goods. The goods of a first customer are diverted to the first goods collection zone. After receiving payment for the goods, the computer processor operates the segregation device to allow the first customer to access their goods, and to meanwhile divert subsequent goods of a second customer to the second goods collection zone, thereby facilitating the swift and efficient use of the self-checkout terminals by customers. The invention also includes security means to help guard against misappropriation of goods.

Abstract: A communications system employs digitally modulated signals operating in a band of frequencies that is divided into two or more non-overlapping channels, with each channel occupying no more than a predetermined maximum frequency band. A receiver system includes a front end processor and a receiver, the front end processor being configured to receive a data stream that represents the entire frequency band sampled at a rate of at least twice the highest frequency within the frequency band. The front end processor operates produces an output data stream that represents each channel within the band, with samples for each channel within the band at a rate that is a multiple of the symbol rate for the given channel. A receiver operates on this data stream sequencing through the multiple channels to phase correct, time correct, and equalize the data stream for all the constituent channels.

Abstract: Hardware and software techniques for interrupt detection and response in a scalable pipelined array processor environment are described. Utilizing these techniques, a sequential program execution model with interrupts can be maintained in a highly parallel scalable pipelined array processing containing multiple processing elements (PEs) and distributed memories and register files. When an interrupt occurs, interface signals are provided to all PEs to support independent interrupt operations in each PE dependent upon the local PE instruction sequence prior to the interrupt. Processing/element exception interrupts are supported and low latency interrupt processing is also provided for embedded systems where real time signal processing is required. Further, a hierarchical interrupt structure is used allowing a generalized debug approach using debug interrupts and a dynamic debug monitor mechanism.

Abstract: A barcode scanner with configurable video modes which enhances readability of a wide range of barcode types. The barcode scanner includes a video circuit, and a configuration circuit for altering operating characteristics of the video circuit during a scanning operation for reading a plurality of different types of barcodes.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for calling attention to loss of communication with an electronic shelf label. One or more of a plurality of labels deployed in a location may be programmed with a message to be displayed or an action to be taken if communication is lost. The labels may be programmed with a scheduled action that will cause a label to take the programmed action or display the programmed message if communication with the label does not occur by a specified time. Communication with the label causes the action or event to be rescheduled.

Abstract: A wireless security module (20) adapted to authenticate a mobile device (16), such as a mobile telephone, thereby to allow communication between the mobile device and a terminal (12), such as a self-service terminal. The wireless security module (20) is paired with the mobile device (16) and is adapted to send an authentication signal to the mobile device (16) or the terminal (12) using a wireless communication path, such as a telecommunications network or an IR link or a Bluetooth connection.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (10), for example an automated teller machine, comprising a deposit mechanism for receiving deposits from a user. Associated with the deposit mechanism is a sensor for sensing or determining the thickness of media that is to be deposited in the terminal (10). Typically, this sensor is part of a shutter mechanism (24) for selectively opening or closing a deposit slot, this mechanism comprising a shutter (24) that captures and bears against media (34) that is to be deposited. By sensing the thickness of media (34) that is to be deposited, overloading of the deposit mechanism can be avoided.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensing system for a self-service terminal and a media cassette for use in such a self-service terminal. The sensing system for a self-service terminal comprises an aerial comprising at least one receive circuit and a processor arranged in use to determine the position of a first resonant circuit mounted in a media cassette inserted into the terminal based on a signal received via the aerial.

Abstract: An existing diesel engine vehicle of light oil fuel is enabled to run as a diesel engine vehicle using DME as fuel without exchanging a whole diesel engine and at very low cost and easily. The shape of a tip part 21 of a needle valve 2 is set by a center diameter L3 for regulating a minimum flow path area at full lift of a fuel injection nozzle 1, a seat diameter L2 of a seat part 211 coming in contact with a valve seat part 33 and blocking communication with a fuel injection hole 31, and a shaft diameter L1, and a tip end angle is about 92 degrees. The center diameter L3 is set to ?2.5 mm, the seat diameter L2 is set to ?3.0 mm, and the shaft diameter L1 is set to ?3.25 mm. The ratio of the center diameter L3 and the seat diameter L2 is L3/L2=2.5 mm/3.0 mm=about 0.833, and the ratio of the seat diameter L2 and the shaft diameter L1 is L2/L1=3.0 mm/3.25 mm=about 0.92.

Abstract: An electronic price label (ESL) system providing a delta update of an ESL's registers. In one aspect, an ESL manager receives and indication that an update to one or more of the registers of the ESL may be necessary. The ESL manager sends a data request to a data reader to provide a data reader image to the ESL manager. The data reader image contains a complete listing of the intended or planned contents of all the ESL's registers, some of which may require an update. The ESL manager reads a copy of an ESL data image from an ESL table which includes the current contents of all the ESL's registers. The ESL manager compares the data reader image with the ESL data image to determine an update data image which includes a subset of only those fields which have different content in the data reader image and the ESL data image.

Abstract: A number of architectural and implementation approaches are described for using extra path (Epath) storage that operate in conjunction with a compute register file to obtain increased instruction level parallelism that more flexibly addresses the requirements of high performance algorithms. A processor that supports a single load data to a register file operation can be doubled in load capability through the use of an extra path storage, an additional independently addressable data memory path, and instruction decode information that specifies two independently load data operations. By allowing the extra path storage to be accessible by arithmetic facilities, the increased data bandwidth can be fully utilized.

Abstract: A cart is described that has a wheeled base and an upright frame extending upwardly from the base. A side frame extends upwardly from the base and abuts the upright frame. The upper face of the base, the front face of the upright frame and the inside face of the side frame together form an open cargo bay. A horizontal work surface projects outward from the rear face of the upright frame. A storage compartment is attached to the rear face of the upright frame below the work surface.

Abstract: In the DME fuel supply device for a diesel engine, the time necessary to retrieve DME fuel remaining in the injection system after stopping the diesel engine into the fuel tank can be reduced. In a non-injection state, a three-way valve (71) is controlled to be OFF to form a communication passage in the direction indicated by the arrow B and a two-way valve (72) is controlled to be ON. DME fuel delivered from a feed pump (5) is delivered to an aspirator (7), passed from an inlet (7a) to the outlet (7b) thereof and returned to a fuel tank (4). That is, the DME fuel circulates via the aspirator. A vapor-phase pressure delivery pipe switching solenoid valve (75) is controlled to be ON and opened so that flow can pass through a vapor-phase pressure delivery pipe (73) connecting the vapor-phase (4a) in the fuel tank (4) and the inlet of the fuel gallery (11).

Abstract: Systems and techniques for stitching together partial bar code segments to construct and decode information for a complete bar code. As a scanner operates to generate a scan pattern, information is maintained that can be used to identify a scan line being generated when an event of interest occurs. When a scan signal indicates that a terminal delimiter of a bar code is included in a bar code segment that has been transected by a scan line, information is noted that can identify the scan line. Subsequent transections of the bar code by the same scan line are noted, and information for overlapping bar code segments is stored. When a segment is detected that includes a delimiter opposite the delimiter appearing in the original segment, the stored information is retrieved and used to assemble the complete bar code.

Abstract: A U-valve apparatus including a bidirectional check valve for controlling the flow of liquid from a vessel while preventing inadvertent discharge from the vessel. The check valve allows passage of a fluid such a gas into the vessel, for purposes of agitating the liquid or for other purposes, and also permits the evacuation of the liquid from the vessel. The U-valve apparatus is advantageously included in a universal fluid exchange device including upper and lower reaction vessel supports which include pressure sealed injection and evacuation ports for each supported reaction vessel. Reaction vessels matingly engage through the injection and evacuation ports with fittings which are connected through flexible tubing to respective supplying and receiving vessels. Each of one or more reaction vessels may suitably be connected by a U-valve apparatus including a check valve to a corresponding receiving vessel.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for reading a radio frequency identification transponder are described. A transmit coil produces a transmit field to power and interrogate the transponder. A reference coil and a receive coil furnish inputs to a differential amplifier, balanced so that the differential amplifier produces a predetermined signal. The receive coil senses changes produced by the transponder, while the reference coil is relatively isolated from such changes. The differential amplifier produces an amplified signal based on the difference between the inputs from the receive coil and the reference coil, so that the signal produced by the differential amplifier is based on the field effect changes produced by the transponder.

Abstract: A variety of advantageous mechanisms for improved data transfer control within a data processing system are described. A DMA controller is described which is implemented as a multiprocessing transfer engine supporting multiple transfer controllers which may work independently or in cooperation to carry out data transfers, with each transfer controller acting as an autonomous processor, fetching and dispatching DMA instructions to multiple execution units. In particular, mechanisms for initiating and controlling the sequence of data transfers are provided, as are processes for autonomously fetching DMA instructions which are decoded sequentially but executed in parallel.

Abstract: In one aspect, the ESL system automatically detects ESL communication errors which result in incorrect data in the ESL's registers, and then automatically takes corrective action to update the ESL's memory with the correct data. In one aspect, the host computer transmits a register update message to an ESL. If a negative acknowledgment message or no response is received, then the host computer resends the register update message, or takes other appropriate corrective action. If the host computer receives a positive acknowledgement message, the host computer then automatically transmits one or more messages to the ESL to verify the contents of the ESL's registers to ensure that a positive acknowledgement was actually transmitted.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing mechanisms of data distribution to and collection of data from multiple memories in a data processing system. The system may suitably be a manifold array (ManArray) processing system employing an array of processing elements. Virtual to physical processing element (PE) identifier translation is employed in conjunction with a ManArray PE interconnection topology to support a variety of communication models, such as hyper-cube and such. Also, PE addressing nodes are based upon logically nested parameterized loops. Mechanisms for updating loop parameters, as well as exemplary instruction formats are also described.