Abstract: A drawer slide which is capable of moving in and out of the housing of a computer or other electronic apparatus is configured to receive an interface card which is connected into the circuitry of the computer when the drawer slide is in a fully inserted position. The drawer slide rides in a drawer guide which is secured to the computer structure. An interface connector is mounted on the drawer guide and engages a connector on the interface card for connecting the interface card to the remainder of the computer circuitry. A key lock mechanism prevents unauthorized movement of the drawer slide and the associated interface card out of the computer housing.

Abstract: A digital data separator is provided for separating clock information and data from a data stream which is subject to varying amounts of undesired jitter which tend to corrupt the data. A read data window of controlled duration is generated for sampling the input data. The current best estimate of the duration of the read data window is stored in a period register as a period register value. The period register value minus one is loaded into a time register as the time register value. A count down cycle is performed by subtracting a value of one from the time register value in each clock cycle during the course of the count down cycle. The read data window is toggled to begin a new read data window when the time register value is near zero, the value remaining in the time register being designated the remaining value.

Abstract: A document handling device overturns a document having a first side, a second side lying opposite the first side, a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a relatively long lengthwise dimension between the leading and trailing edges. The device comprises a housing unit including a reference surface defining at least in part an opening through which the document is fed into a document path defined within the housing unit. A transport unit receives the document which has been fed through the opening with the first side of the document facing the reference surface of the housing unit. The transport unit overturns the received document and feeds the overturned document back through the opening with the second side of the document facing the reference surface of the housing unit. The units define an accumulating space into which the document can bulge while the document is being overturned.

Abstract: A scalable software architecture, for optimal performance on a RAID level 1, 3, 4 and 5 disk array or tape array. The software architecture consists of a software device driver and one or more driver daemon processes to control I/O requests to the arrays. Implemented in a UNIX or NetWare operating environment, this architecture provides a transparent interface to the kernels I/O subsystem, physical device drivers and system applications. The array driver and I/O daemon can be run on a uni-processor or multi-processor system platform to optimize job control, error recovery, data recreation, parity generation and asynchronous writes.

Abstract: A transfer memory backup system for a RAID level 5 disk array storage system which includes a transfer buffer, wherein write data received by the array is written into a transfer buffer, and a write complete status signal generated, prior to the write data being written to the disk drives within the array. The transfer memory backup system includes a low power, industry standard PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) device along with a small, temporary voltage source made up of a small rechargeable battery or a high capacitance gold capacitor. Upon the detection of a disk array storage system failure, low power logic provides continuous refresh for the transfer buffer as well as power to the components included in the transfer memory backup system upon a disk array storage system failure. A low power CMOS microprocessor with self contained microcode (mask programmable ROM) controls the transfer of data from the transfer buffer to removable storage medium within the PCMCIA device.

Abstract: A card reader (16) having a single entry slot (18) for cards (2), and an electronic control means (35) for controlling the operation of the reader (16). The reader (16) further includes a smart card reading section (26) incorporating a plurality of terminals (34,38,36) respectively adapted to read contact smart cards, inductive contactless smart cards and capacitive contactless smart cards. A pair of endless belts (28) are arranged to form a feed path (30) there between. A card (2) inserted through the entry slot (18) is received between the endless belts (18) and transported through the card reader (16) and positioned in the smart card reading section (26) so that smart card terminals (6,8 or 10) on the card (2) are located beneath corresponding smart card terminals (34,36 or 38) in the card reader (16). Data can then be read from the card (2) if the card (2) is a contact smart card, an inductive contactless smart card or a capacitive contactless smart card.

Abstract: A terminal mounting apparatus provides unlimited tilt positions in an operating range while also providing a stable surface for operating a terminal. The mounting apparatus includes a base member, a top member, a pivot member for connecting the base member and the top member, and a conical clutch mechanism located around the pivot member for maintaining the top member in unlimited tilt positions. The conical clutch mechanism includes a plunger with a cam, a foam spring pad, and a floating clutch plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring data between two relatively asynchronous devices and yet matching the maximum data rate of each. Both an asynchronous FIFO and a synchronous FIFO are used to match the data rate of a high speed asynchronous device, such as a SCSI/SCSI2 controller, to a high speed synchronous device, such as a DMA controller. A high speed synchronizer controls both FIFOs such that the asynchronous and the synchronous devices can each run at its maximum data transfer rate during operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing the condition of a bank note includes a vacuum pump (4), an air flow detector (8) for producing an electrical output indicative of air flow through the detector (8), and a suction device (10) connected to the vacuum pump (4) via the air flow detector (8). In operation, a bank note is fed from an entry slot into cooperative relationship with the suction device (10) such that the bank note covers, and is sucked against, the suction device (10). An electronic control device is coupled to the detector (8) and is arranged to make a determination of the condition of the bank note based on the electrical output of the detector (8), this output being representative of the porosity of that part of the bank note sucked against the suction device (10).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for equalizing the signal strengths of different scan lines which employs an attenuating mirror. The attenuating mirror attenuates a laser beam and reflected light from an article at an attenuation which is different from the attenuation of another pattern mirror so that reflected light from the one and the other pattern mirror have intensities which are substantially equal, within a predetermined range of intensities having a low end equal to a signal-to-noise threshold and a high end equal to a saturation level.

Abstract: A universal mounting apparatus and method for bar code scanners which allows newer, smaller scanners to fit within the checkout counter apertures of larger scanners. The mounting apparatus includes a cover plate having a size large enough to cover the aperture. A scanner attaches to the cover plate and is suspended from the cover plate using additional mounting hardware.

Abstract: A multi-clock controller circuit includes first and second inputs to which two different types of clocks, such as a crystal oscillator clock and a TTL clock, can be applied. The circuit automatically senses which of the two input clock signals is active and provides that clock signal to an output of the circuit. Power up and power down conditions are achieved without generating non-standard clock pulses on the output through use of a synchronizer stage comprising a plurality of flip flops which determines the number of input clock cycles which are received by the circuit before output clock signals for power up or power down conditions commence.

Abstract: A system for capturing handwritten data includes a base station, a docking station coupled to the base station and a plurality of portable handwriting capture devices, which may be in the form of pads or trays. The pads or trays normally rest in quick release slots in the docking station, and are removed from the slots when put into use. Each pad includes a digitizer for capturing handwritten information, a controller for digitizing the information, a memory for storing the digitized information and an interface for transmitting the digitized information through the docking station to the base station, where it is decoded. A paper slip may be placed over the digitizer and retained in position, where it provides visual feedback to a person writing on the pad and also provides a written record.

Abstract: An electric circuit board including EMI shielding. The board comprises a substrate including top and bottom surfaces and at least one internal ground layer, the internal ground layer being electrically insulated from the external surfaces of the substrate. A plurality of vias are formed in the substrate near the edges of the substrate, each via providing an opening from the surface of the substrate to the internal ground layer A metal plating is applied to the vias, the edges of the substrate and the perimeter of the surface of the substrate, the metal plating along the substrate perimeter being applied over the plated-up vias to electrically connect the ground plane with the metal plating applied to the edges of the substrate.

Abstract: A device and method for processing a plurality of asynchronous interrupt signals provided to respective primary registers. The first provided of the signals is stored in a primary register. The primary registers are then closed to subsequently provided signals. Notice is provided of receipt of the first signal, and the primary registers are read to identify the first signal. Interrupt signals received after the primary registers are closed are stored in secondary registers.

Abstract: An ink-jet print head comprises an ink drive unit formed on a first substrate and an ink reservoir unit formed on a second substrate. The ink drive unit includes a thin film piezoelectric transducer formed on one side of the substrate. The reservoir unit includes an etched cavity in the substrate for forming an ink reservoir, the cavity having an aperture in the base extending through the substrate to form an ink nozzle. The ink drive and ink reservoir units are bonded together with the piezoelectric transducer within the ink reservoir. Activating the transducer expels ink from the reservoir via the ink nozzle.

Abstract: A heat operated release mechanism. The release mechanism is controllable to allow a heat exchanger to be firmly held in place over a heat producing element and effortlessly withdrawn when so desired. A spring is disposed above a heat producing element forming a variable-volume cavity between the spring and the heat producing element. The spring applies pressure to a heat exchanger inserted into the cavity. A memory metal plate is disposed between the spring and the heat exchanger. The memory metal plate has a selectable first shape at a low temperature for allowing the spring to apply pressure to the heat exchanger and a selectable second shape at elevated temperatures for displacing the spring to increase the volume of the cavity. Finally, a controllable heater is disposed between the spring and the memory metal plate for applying heat to the memory metal to select the second shape thereby increasing the volume of the cavity to facilitate insertion and withdrawal of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system and method for testing the functionality of a VGA card and associated monitor. A testing and set up tool or Program is installed in a computer having an operating system. The Program provides a list of modes and timings for a plurality of monitors including the monitor being tested as part of the computer. A user of the Program selects various modes and timings to be tried. Looking at the screen of the monitor enables the user to determine which combinations of modes and timings, for example, are successful. A list is maintained for the modes and timings that prove successful or compatible. The list for compatible combinations is passed to the driver associated with the operating system of the computer. In a DOS environment, for example, the list of compatible combinations is used by the Program to write a Command Line that is used for setting up the associated CONFIG.SYS.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering an interface opening in a computer housing includes an electromagnetic shielding cover which is positionable over the interface opening, the shielding cover having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the shielding cover is positioned within a recess located within the computer housing. The apparatus further includes a clamp maintainable in an operational mode during which the clamp is urged against the second end portion of the shielding cover so as to secure the shielding cover over the interface opening. In addition, the apparatus includes a fastener for maintaining the clamp in the operational mode. A method of covering an interface opening in a computer housing is also disclosed.