Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon comprising a substrate and an ink layer is disclosed. The ink layer comprises a partially crystalline polymer which becomes soft at a time when the crystalline portion begins to melt, the polymer derived from an acid containing at least one carboxylic acid moiety.

Abstract: A variable mode numerical display for a record/playback device normally displays a numerical count representing the present position of the record medium used with that device and is operable to interrupt this normal display so as to display the number of a message that was last-recorded or that is in position for playback or to display the number of an instruction that was last-recorded or that has been reached. Also, a bar graph display is comprised of plural visual display elements which are selectively energized as a function of the interval that separates successive pulses that are generated in conjunction with the movement of the record medium. The variable mode and bar graph displays are controlled by a processor.

Abstract: A circuit for selecting one of a plurality of positive voltages when both can be applied to an integrated circuit. The circuit comprises a sensing apparatus for determining which of the plurality of voltages is the highest, apparatus for providing the highest voltage to the substrate and apparatus for applying the highest of the plurality of voltages to the substrate to insure protection and proper operation of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A ribbon for thermal transfer printing is disclosed. The ribbon comprises a substrate and an inking layer, the inking layer comprising low molecular weight polymer, a colorant, and an amorphous polymer.

Abstract: An impulse ink jet print head and method of fabricating same. The print head comprises a plurality of superposed, contiguous plates including a nozzle plate with at least a pair of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the plates. Another plate is a channel plate defining at least a pair of coplanar axially aligned elongated chambers, each connected to an ink supply and having an outlet communicating with an associated nozzle. A diaphragm plate overlies the channel plate and has transducers thereon for displacing ink in each of the chambers to eject discrete ink droplets from the nozzles. Other plates may include a manifold plate for directing ink to a plurality of pairs of chambers and a restrictor plate with restictor orifices positioned between the manifold plate and each of the chambers. The method of fabricating the print head includes forming the different plates, forming the transducers, and assembling all of the components in a particular relationship.

Abstract: A storage medium in which previously recorded messages are stored is scanned for instruction signals representing the occurrences of instructions in those messages. Following the aforementioned scanning, if a message in condition to be played back includes an instruction, a suitable display is provided. Another display is provided if any further messages, not yet in condition to be played back, include instructions.

Abstract: A circuit for a linear camera scanning system converts a linear output to binary bits representing the contrast levels of the picture elements scanned and compares these to be a background level to produce a more accurate representation. The scanning system eliminates the high number of adjustments required in prior systems and sequences binary information so they may be output in a preferred sequential order.

Abstract: A mode detection circuit is disclosed that provides a high or low digital output signal to an associated circuit analog dependent upon the corresponding input signal. The input signal to the mode detection circuit will determine whether the mode of the input signal and associated circuit is to be external or internal. In this embodiment, the input of the mode detection circuit receives either a first voltage in the internal or a second voltage in the external mode which is lower than the first voltage. Thus, when the input voltage to the circuit is the first voltage, there is provided at the output a digital output that is high. In this embodiment, a high digital output signal would mean that the associated circuit with the detection circuit would be in the internal mode. On the other hand, when the analog input signal is the second voltage, there would be provided at the output of the detection circuit a low digital output signal which would mean that the associated circuit would be in the external mode.

Abstract: A postage meter utilizing an offset printing roll. A die plate carried by the roll has a first region for receiving thereon fixed information such as the city and state, and a second region for receiving thereon variable information such as the date and postage amount. At the beginning of a revolution of the printing roll, the second region is depressed and an inking roll applies ink to the first region. Then the second region is moved into the plane of the first region and an ink jet printing device projects ink droplets onto the second region to form the variable information thereon. The quality of the printed form of the variable information is sensed. If acceptable, a document is printed. If unacceptable, the first and second regions are both wiped clean and the entire operation is repeated. The cleaning operation can employ an hydrophilic oil which is applied to the printing roll.

Abstract: In a machine which includes apparatus for feeding tape and for driving the tape feeding apparatus, there is provided an improvement for controlling the tape feeding apparatus. The improvement comprises the driving apparatus is provided with a d.c. motor having an output shaft for driving the tape feeding apparatus, and apparatus is provided for sensing angular displacement of the motor output shaft.

Abstract: Changer apparatus of the type having an input hopper for storing fresh record cartridges, an ouput hopper for storing used record cartridges, a recording deck for recording and for playing back messages on the record cartridges and a mechanism for transporting fresh record cartridges, one at a time, from the input hopper along a transport path to the recording deck and for transporting a used record cartridge from the recording deck to the output hopper. The apparatus further comprises a deck support device for supporting the recording deck in an operating position below the transport path and includes an element for supporting one end of the recording deck and a releasable device for supporting the opposite end of the recording deck. The device is releasable to enable the recording deck to pivot to a nonoperating position and thereby permit access thereto by an operator.

Abstract: In impulse ink jet printing, the method of, and apparatus for, controlling the projection of ink fluid droplets towards a printing surface by controlling the viscosity of the printing fluid at an orifice. An entire array of orifices can thereby be driven by a single pump mechanism. In one embodiment, the printing fluid used may have a liquid crystal polymer in suspension. Electrical fields can be selectively induced, in one instance, to so orient the crystals as to allow droplets to be projected through the orifice and, in another instance, to so orient the crystals as to prevent droplets from being projected. In another embodiment, heaters are provided at the orifice to heat the fluid sufficiently to allow droplets to be projected and a heat sink adequate to cool the fluid when the heater is turned off to prevent the projection of droplets.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The positions of the print wheels are controlled by the positions of gears. The mechanism for selecting a postage value is controlled by the same drive system that operates the print drum for printing the postage on a mailpiece.

Abstract: An optical scanning system including an amplifier which automatically adjusts the background reference level. A photodetector, which is preferably a photocell, detects light reflected from or transmitted through objects such as code markings on forms and produces an output signal representative of the intensity of the detected light. This signal is coupled to the differential input of an amplifier through two circuits. One circuit rapidly couples the signal to one of the inputs and the second circuit couples an integral of the signal to the second input to automatically establish a background reference level. The amplifier may include means for adjusting the amplifier sensitivity and a small amount of positive feedback to increase the amplifier hysteresis so that once an object is detected, the amplifier output is unafffected by small changes in the input signal. This embodiment is useful in applications such as proximity detection.

Abstract: A system for the metering of encrypted postage and similar indicia includes a device for printing such indicia and a device for reading such indicia. The printing is accomplished with a bar-code printer driven by signals obtained from a keyboard and from an encryption circuit. The reading is accomplished with a bar-code reader to retreive the characters, and permit the comparison of the separated coded data with a reference code to determine the accuracy of the printed material. Thereby, forgery and alteration is inhibited. Both the data and the code are imprinted by a bar-code indicia, a portion of the code being set aside for the data and a portion of the bar-code being set aside for encryption purposes. Thereby, the two portions can readily be separated to allow for automatic reading of the bar code for extraction of the message, while also allowing for automatic verification by use of the encrypted material.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a fluorescent ink layer for a fluorescent thermal transfer sheet is disclosed. The method comprises first forming a solution of a mixture comprising at least one acidic monomer, at least one basic monomer and at least one fluorescent dye. Thereafter, an emulsion of the solution is formed and the emulsion is polymerized.

Abstract: An improvement in a spur gear mechanism having a pair of engageable spur gears, a device for rotating the gears in one direction only, and a device for engaging and disengaging the gears. The improvement includes a chamfer on the top, circumferential surface of each tooth each of the gears. The chamfer starts at the working surface of the gear tooth and extends inwardly toward the juncture of the pitch line of the gear and the non-working surface of the gear tooth, whereby the opposing teeth of the engaging gears do not prevent the re-engagement of the gears when the gears are brought together for engagement.

Abstract: A hand held labeler having an optical reader attached thereto whereby an encoded article may be scanned to provide information to the labeler. The information may be used to set the print head of the labeler.