Abstract: Techniques are described for decoupling fetching of an instruction stored in a main program memory from earliest execution of the instruction. An indirect execution method and program instructions to support such execution are addressed. In addition, an improved indirect deferred execution processor (DXP) VLIW architecture is described which supports a scalable array of memory centric processor elements that do not require local load and store units.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing vocoders in parallel digital signal processors are described. A preferred approach is implemented in conjunction with the BOPS® Manifold Array (ManArray™) processing architecture so that in an array of N parallel processing elements, N channels of voice communication are processed in parallel. Techniques for forcing vocoder processing of one data-frame to take the same number of cycles are described. Improved throughput and lower clock rates can be achieved.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for eliminating or compensating for noise affecting a bar code scanner. A scanner is operated in a learning mode under conditions designed to insure that a scan signal will take on predictable characteristics and noise affecting the scan signal will be easily detectable. During the learning mode, information relating to noise affecting the scan signal and the conditions under which the noise occurs is stored. During normal operation of the scanner, the stored noise information is used in controlling operation of the scanner so as to eliminate or compensate for noise under conditions in which noise has been shown to be susceptible to occur.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for using signal to noise ratio information to enhance bar code scanning accuracy. Noise information affecting bar code scanning operations is stored and a scan signal is monitored. Upon detection of a scan of a bar code, the signal strength of the scan signal is evaluated and signal to noise ratio values are computed. Signal to noise ratio information is used to favor or disfavor candidate decoding results. In addition, signal to noise ratio thresholds are set according to appropriate criteria. Decoding results are evaluated using the signal to noise ratio thresholds and accepted or rejected depending on whether the thresholds are met. In addition, thresholds for recognition of transitions based on peaks may be set based on expected noise affecting the scan signal, and allowed or excluded based on whether a rise from a negative peak, or fall from a positive peak, meets the threshold.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for scanner scale implementation and operation using a plurality of load cells mounted in a planar arrangement. A plurality of load cells is mounted to a scanner base. The load cells are secured within a mounting chassis in such a way that the load bearing elements of the load cells extend through the protective cover. The mounting chassis and load cells may be mounted to the scanner base. A scanner top plate may be secured to the load cells such that the weight of the scanner top plate and any object placed on the scanner top plate is borne by the load bearing elements of the load cells, part of the weight being borne by the load bearing element of each load cell. Upon presentation of an object for weighing, weight signals generated by the load cells are processed to produce a weight reading for the object.

Abstract: Socket arrangements for releasably mounting LEDs and light fixtures or assemblies employing such sockets are described. The socket arrangements facilitate the replacement of LEDs to replace an original LED with a brighter replacement, to change the color of the LED, to replace a single LED with a multiple chip LED, to replace a damaged or burned out LED with a new one, or the like. In further assemblies with plural LEDs, the use of ready release sockets facilitates selective replacement of an LED or LEDs and greatly enhances the flexibility of such units.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for prevention of double scans of bar codes by identifying the possibility of ambiguities in position information estimated upon detection of a bar code. A bar code scanner estimates position information for a bar code upon detection of the bar code. Timing information for each detection and the accompanying position estimate is maintained, and lapses of time between detections and accompanying position estimates are noted. When successive scans of identical bar code information occur, the lapses of time are evaluated in light of predetermined criteria to determine whether or not an ambiguity exists that prevents reliable identification the scans as a double scan of the same bar code or successive scans of separate but identical bar codes.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for detecting and decoding bar code data and transferring the data to a host system. A bar code scanner detects and decodes a bar code and passes the bar code information, including bar code format information, to host system. The bar code scanner detects indicia that may appear in a bar code and responds as indicated by the indicia. One of the available responses is to transfer bar code data to a host system in a form consistent with a format indicated by indicia appearing in the bar code, but different from the format in which the bar code actually appears.

Abstract: A biometric system for obtaining a biometric enrolment measurement is described. The system comprises a biometric capture unit for capturing biometric data from a user and a control means for producing a biometric match template there from. The control means also analyses the template to determine if the enrolment measurement may be susceptible to allowing false acceptances when in use. This is achieved by using the match template to verify against a number test templates, which have been created from earlier acquired biometric measurements, of the same class, obtained from other sources. If one or more false accepts are detected the enrolment measurement may be rejected.

Abstract: A method and system facilitate an electronic commerce transaction between an ATM and an electronic commerce merchant via a global communications network. Transaction data is received at a server and verified with a processing network. The transaction data is reformatted, such that the data can be utilized by a server located on a global communications network, and transmitted over the global communications network to the servers of an electronic commerce merchant. Data is then received from the merchant, reformatted into a format that is capable of being utilized by the ATM, and transmitted back to the ATM.

Abstract: A two door electronic safe is described wherein a bill acceptor, as well as other electronic control circuitry, and a banknote canister are partitioned in first and second compartments with access by first and second access doors, respectively, so that a service call can be made to service the bill acceptor or other electronics without having to allow access to the banknote canister thereby facilitating service calls and allowing the separation of the service call function from the cash collection function.

Abstract: Techniques for use of wireless labels to provide information relating to documents in a document processing operation are described. A plurality of document processing trays each have affixed a label for receiving and displaying messages which are received wirelessly from a central communication interface The messages provide information relating to documents to be placed within or contained within the trays. When a group of documents undergoes initial processing, the group of documents is sorted into a plurality of sorting locations. Each of the sorting locations has an associated tray and label and the documents within the sorting location are placed within the tray. Messages relating to the documents within each tray are transmitted and displayed on the label affixed to the tray. The messages provide information such as the large group, such as an entry, and sorting location to which the documents belong and the endpoint of the documents.

Abstract: Techniques for adding more complex instructions and their attendant multi-cycle execution units with a single instruction multiple data stream (SIMD) very long instruction word (VLIW) processing framework are described. In one aspect, an initiation mechanism also acts as a resynchronization mechanism to read the results of multi-cycle execution. This multi-purpose mechanism operates with a short instruction word (SIW) issue of the multi-cycle instruction, in a sequence processor (SP) alone, with a VLIW, and across all processing elements (PEs) individually or as an array of PEs. A number of advantageous floating point instructions are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing electrostatic discharge protection for a disc drive read head. A pair of depletion mode MOSFETS, and a fuse associated with each are disposed between the read head output terminals. The MOSFETS are controlled to an “off” state for testing the preamplifier prior to assembly of the read head. After assembly of the head, a second pair of MOSFETS is gated to an “on” state to open the fuses and thus permit normal operation of the read head.

Abstract: A method for producing a cathode material for a lithium battery, characterized in that it comprises admixing a compound liberating a phosphate ion in a solution and metallic iron, and dissolving the metallic iron, followed by firing, thereby synthesizing ferric phosphate. The above method further comprising reacting a raw material mixture while grinding it down or refluxing can produce ferric phosphate cathode material having a fine particle diameter and exhibiting high activity, through a precursor before firing having a fine particle diameter.

Abstract: A method for producing a cathode material for a secondary battery, characterized in that it comprises admixing a compound liberating a phosphate ion in a solution (phosphoric acid H3PO4, phosphorus pentoxide PO5, ammonium dihydrogenphosphate NH4H2PO4 and the like), water and metallic iron, adding lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide or a hydrate thereof to the resultant mixture, and firing the resultant reaction product, to thereby synthesize LiFePO4.

Abstract: Techniques are described for loading decoded instructions and super-set instructions in a memory for later access. For loading a decoded instruction, the decoded instruction is a transformed form of an original instruction that was stored in the program memory. The transformation is from an encoded assembly level format to a binary machine level format. In one technique, the transformation mechanism is invoked by a transform and load instruction that causes an instruction retrieved from program memory to be transformed into a new language format and then loaded into a transformed instruction memory. The format of the transformed instruction may be optimized to the implementation requirements, such as improving critical path timing. The transformation of instructions may extend to other needs beyond timing path improvement, for example, requiring super-set instructions for increased functionality and improvements to instruction level parallelism.

Abstract: Triggers are developed for indicating the presence of non-recoverable and/or recoverable loss of communication situations between a device and device driver software using universal serial bus (USB) protocol. We modify the firmware at the device in order to monitor for the triggers and control the device in specified ways once a trigger is indicated. In a particularly preferred embodiment the device is a motorized card reader in a self-service terminal and the device is arranged to return a smart card when a trigger is detected. In one embodiment the trigger is associated with the presence of a single ended zero condition on the USB. In another embodiment the trigger is associated with attempts to re-enumerate the device over the USB.

Abstract: A particular problem for self-service devices incorporating USB devices (12) and a USB host (14) is that, when communication is lost between the USB host and one or more of the devices it is difficult (in particular situations) to reset those USB devices without manual intervention. We address that problem by using self-powered USB devices and/or bus powered devices connected to USB hubs, and by creating a power control interface (18) which is itself a USB device. That power control interface takes instructions from the USB host and is able to interrupt a power supply (20) to the USB devices to provoke automatic reset of those devices. Additionally, a watchdog application within the power control interface causes reset of that interface should it malfunction. Also, a master watchdog application at the USB host communicates with a slave watchdog application at the power control interface via a USB link.

Abstract: A system for use in assisting a self-service transaction at a service facility includes one or more self-service terminals, each configured to gather transaction information associated with a customer who is engaged in a business transaction with the service facility through the self-service terminal. A data-management system is configured to store the transaction information gathered from each customer according to a database schema created for the service facility. The system also includes a teller terminal configured to receive at least some of the transaction information from the database system and display it for viewing by a human representative of the service facility while the customer is still engaged in the business transaction.