Abstract: A point-of-sale system includes a plurality of terminals in which one of the terminals is selected to be a primary terminal and the remaining terminals are selected to be secondary terminals. Program means in the primary terminal will store the data messages received from the secondary terminals and transmit the received data messages to memory means in each of the secondary terminals. Each secondary terminal will determine if it has received all the data messages. If there is found to be a discrepancy in the number of data message received, the secondary terminal will notify the primary terminal of such a discrepancy and the primary terminal will supply the missing data messages.

Abstract: A data modem communication system includes a data modem transmitter adapted to transmit data on a main channel at a relatively high bit rate and to transmit data at a relatively low bit rate on a secondary channel. At the receiver, a single analog-to-digital converter (54) supplies digital signals via a notch filter (58) to the main channel receiver (60) and to the secondary channel receiver (62) wherein a single IIR low-pass digital filter (110) is utilized for processing at three different sample rates to eliminate the main channel signal with frequency conversion taking place between processing at the first and second sample rates. The invention enables the provision of a reliable secondary channel while using a minimum amount of circuitry for complex-valued digital signal processing.

Abstract: A compact optical scanning system comprises a portable enclosure structure having a cover portion which includes a glass enclosed aperture over which a UPC label attached to a purchased merchandise item is moved. Mounted within the enclosure is a laser whose output coherent light beam is reflected along a path extending in a direction parallel to the cover portion by mirrors and a bifocal lens member mounted on a shelf extending between opposite sidewalls of enclosure. One of the mirrors mounted on the shelf reflects the laser beam in a downward direction at a rotating multifaceted mirrored member mounted on and directly beneath the shelf and the bifocal lens. The rotating mirrored spinner directs the laser beam at a plurality of pattern mirrors which redirects the received laser beam towards the aperture, forming a scan pattern thereat for scanning the UPC label.

Abstract: In a data modem receiver (80) the received signal is digitized in an A/D-converter (84), the output of which is applied to notch filter means (88, 96) which eliminates secondary channel signals, and which applies an output signal to a pair of IIR filters (112, 116), responsive to the frequency components present in a training signal. The values of the IIR filter output sigals are determined and compared with a pair of threshold levels provided by a threshold setter circuit (152) responsive to the peak received signal level to detect the receipt of a training signal. In response to the detection of a training signal, DFT calculations are initiated for timing recovery and modem address identification, using samples stored in a buffer shift register (206). A gain control circuit (220) is located subsequent to a band-pass filter (212) coupled to the buffer shift register (206).

Abstract: In a phase perturbation compensation system for use in a data modem receiver, the signal from an equalizer is fed to a phase and amplitude correction circuit which is connected to a decision circuit providing a data output signal and a phase error output signal which is applied to a phase jitter compensation determination circuit. The phase jitter compensation determination circuit includes a tapped delay line the output taps of which are applied to multipliers fed with adaptive weighting coefficients to provide values which are summed to provide a phase error prediction signal. The weighting coefficients are generated in integrator circuits which include respective delays. The values generated in the delays during an initial training sequence and stored in a storage device are retrieved for use in subsequent training segments, whereby fast phase jitter adaptation is achieved and hence stort training sequences can be utilized.

Abstract: In a method of controlling the operation of a security module, wherein firmware controlling the operation of the security module (10) is stored in a program memory (40), new firmware may be loaded into the module (10). An authentication key (KA) is encrypted using a key storage key (KSK) stored in a resettable shift register (54) in the security module and the encrypted authentication key is stored in a secure memory (36). A firmware authentication value FAV is calculated, using the authentication key (KA), externally of the security module (10), for the new firmware, and the new firmware, together with FAV is loaded into a data memory (38) in the security module (10). A processor (30) in the security module (10) recalculates the firmware authentication value using the stored authentication key (KA) and compares the recalculated value with the loaded value FAV. If a correct comparison is achieved, the new firmware is transferred into the program memory (40).

Abstract: A method for cleaning transducer heads in a magnetic disk drive located within a device such as an electronic cash register comprising the steps of storing in a memory first data identifying the number of days of operation of the device required before a transducer head cleaning operation is to occur, storing in the memory second data identifying the number of days of operation since the last transducer head clean operation, storing in the memory third data identifying the number of transducer head cleaning operations that have been performed on the transducer heads, comparing the second data with the first data, displaying information suggesting that a transducer head clean operation be performed when the second data is equal to or greater than the first data, cleaning the transducer heads and printing the third data on a record member in response to the cleaning of the transducer heads.

Abstract: A multipoint data modem communication system (10) includes a master modem (12) and a plurality of remote modems (14, 16 and 18). During an initial, remote-to-master transmission, a relatively long training sequence is transmitted and receiver parameter and equalizer coefficients are stored in a storage unit (156) in the master modem (12). During subsequent transmissions a relatively short training sequence which synchronizes the master modem receiver timing and also identifies the transmitting remote modem is applied. In the master modem an interpolation filter based on a ninth order Lagrange interpolation formula is located between an analog-to-digital converter (84) and a band-pass filter (92). Coefficients for the interpolation filter are calculated using a residual time shift value which is computed using a DFT calculator (96) which is coupled to a phase segment detector (142) and a phase-to-time-shift converter (146).

Abstract: For a merchandise checkout system including an electronic cash register having a keyboard and a display, and which further includes a price look-up table in which is stored a plurality of records each including a first item number identifying the purchased merchandise item and a second item number identifying the merchandise item as one which is sold as part of a multi-item package in which the records are distinguished by the number of such merchandise items being purchased there is disclosed a method for processing the purchase of a multi-item merchandise item consisting of identifying the purchased item as one which is sold as part of a multi-item package, requesting that the operator insert the number of such merchandise items being purchased into the keyboard, combining the number inserted to the first item number associated with the purchased merchandise item to generate a second item number and looking up the price of the number of such merchandise items being purchased in the look-up table by comparin

Abstract: A gasket wrapping apparatus including a pair of plate members positioned on a crank member rotatably mounted on a support member. The crank member and one of the plate members include slots located therein which are aligned to receive the end of a strip of material positioned between the plate members. Rotation of the crank member coils the strip of material around a hub portion of one of the plate members. Removing the plate member with the hub portion from the crank member enables an adhesive member to be applied to the mounted coiled material facilitating the removal and storage of the coiled material.

Abstract: A multipoint data modem communication system includes a control modem (12) and a plurality of tributary modems (14, 16, 18). During an initial training mode, receiver parameters and equalizer coefficients are determined and stored in a storage device (156) in the control modem receiver at addresses associated with the tributary modems. During subsequent relatively short training signals, the stored parameters are accessed. The remote modems transmit identification address tones in parallel with the subsequent training signals, at frequencies separated by 200 Hz intervals from the training signal spectrum frequencies. A plurality of Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) filter circuits (190) are utilized to determine the transmitted addresses by measuring the correlation of the received signal with locally-generated frequencies.

Abstract: A manually operated release mechanism includes a spring actuated latch mechanism for latching a cash drawer within an enclosure upon movement of the cash drawer to a closed position. A rod member rotatably mounted adjacent the latch mechanism extends to a position adjacent the front edge of the enclosure. A drive member located adjacent the front edge of the enclosure has two cam surfaces, one of which is positioned adjacent one end of the rod member. When the cash drawer is in the closed position, a key actuated locking assembly on the cash drawer moves the drive member to an actuated position which engages and rocks the rod member to a position releasing the latching mechanism from engagement with the cash drawer. A depending tab portion of the cash drawer engages and slides the drive member to a home position upon opening of the drawer. The locking member disables the cash drawer from being operated by a solenoid mounted within the enclosure structure when moved to a locking position.

Abstract: A security device (10) for protecting sensitive data stored in a resettable memory (110) includes a housing (11) formed of six ceramic plates (P1-P6) each having provided thereon a pair of thin film conductive path segments arranged in a meandering configuration. The thin film conductive path segments are joined together by interconnection devices (30) each including a pair of ceramic studs (e.g. K9, K10) having conductive areas (34, 38) thereon connected by an interconnect block (e.g. N5), thereby forming two complete thin film conductive paths (WMA, WMB) which meander in a closely spaced, parallel manner over the entire inner surface of the housing (11). Interrupting or short circuiting the thin film conductive paths (WMA, WMB) causes reset means (130) to reset the resettable memory (110) thereby erasing the data stored therein.

Abstract: A device (10) for protecting stored sensitive data includes a housing (12) formed by six plates P1-P6 inclusive each carrying a conductive path segment formed by thick film deposition techniques and each having a winding configuration covering substantially the entire inner surface of the plate. The four side plates P2-P5 inclusive are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB 14) which is mounted on the base plate (P6). The conductive path segments on the side and base plates (P2-P6 inclusive) are interconnected to form a wire mesh by conductive epoxy material connecting the path segments on the side and base plates (P2-P6 inclusive) with conductive tracks on the PCB (14). The conductive path segment on the top plate (P1) is connected by conductive wires (58, 60), which extend through plated through holes (B9, B10) in the PCB (14).

Abstract: A business machine assembly such as a cash register includes a plurality of hook members secured to the lower surface of the cash register positioned within corresponding slots in a support member. A cash drawer is slidably mounted within the support member between a open and closed position. The cash register further includes a pair of depending stop members secured to the lower surface of the cash register and positioned adjacent the rear edge of the cash drawer when the cash drawer is in a closed position blocking movement of the cash register on the support member thereby preventing the hook members from being disengaged from the slots when the cash drawer is in a closed position.

Abstract: A compact optical scanning system comprises a portable enclosure structure having a cover portion which includes a glass enclosed aperture over which a UPC label attached to a purchased merchandise item is moved. Mounted within the enclosure below the cover portion is a laser whose output coherent light beam is reflected along a path extending in a direction parallel to the cover portion by mirrors mounted on a shelf extending between opposite side walls of enclosure. The laser beam is directed through an aperture in a collection mirror to a bifocal lens which includes a second lens for focusing the received laser beam at the aperture by directing the laser beam at a mirror mounted so as to reflect the laser beam at a six-sided multi-faceted rotating mirrored spinner mounted on the floor of the enclosure directly beneath the shelf and the bifocal lens.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly is disclosed comprising a waterproof portion which includes a sheet of printed key tips mounted on a cover support member overlying an indicia sheet identifying the key tips, first and second switch-matrix electrical conductors separated by an insulator sheet mounted on printed circuit board, a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted in the printed circuit board for selectively lighting one of the key tips when operated, a plurality of I.C. circuit elements secured to the lower surface of the printed circuit board and connected to the electrical conductors forming an electrical circuit associated with the operation of the keyboard and a key operated switching mechanism extending through the keyboard to sense light emitted from elements mounted in the lower surface of the printed circuit board for controlling the operating mode of the keyboard.

Abstract: A holographic scanning system for scanning a bar coded label is disclosed in which the light beams of a laser are directed at a set of holograms located on a rotating disk in which each hologram will generate an individual scan beam having a slightly different focal length and direction angle from that of the other holograms. Each of the scanning beams is directed at a plurality of mirrors which reflect the beams in the form of a scanning pattern on a scanning area through which a coded label on an article will pass. Each of the scanning beams is projected in an overlapping relationship on the scanning area, thereby providing an enhanced depth of focus enabling a more effective reading operation. The light reflected from the bar coded label is collected by the holograms for collimating the reflected light beams. The collimated light beams are directed at a lens member which focuses the received light beams on a photodetector for use in reading the bar coded label.

Abstract: A quick release tilt and swivel apparatus supports a structure such as an alphanumeric plasma display associated with a electronic cash register. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced-apart lug members mounted on a pair of fingers extending outwardly from a base member which are inserted within a socket portion of the display for enabling the display to be tilted and swiveled about the cash register. The display includes a flexible wall portion for enabling the display to be quickly mounted and released from the base member. The display and the lug members are molded of a plastic material and are dimensioned to allow the lug member to deform the socket portion of the display for holding the display in any number of settable positions.

Abstract: An optical reader control system includes a source of radiant energy mounted above a checkout counter and detecting means mounted adjacent an aperture in the supporting surface of the counter receives the radiant energy to control the operation of the optical reader mounted within the counter for projecting scanning beams through the aperture. One embodiment of the detecting means includes a pair of photodetectors mounted in the supporting surface of the counter on both sides of the aperture for turning the optical reader on and off. A second embodiment includes a single photodetector mounted in the supporting surface upstream of the aperture for turning on the optical reader and a timer operable upon the positioning of a merchandise item over the photodetector for turning off the optical reader after the expiration of a predetermined time period.