Abstract: A set of new printing functions are implemented as defining commands to make it possible to add graphic effects to a printout of a POS printer. These functions are based on a method of designating usually cyclically re-occurring byte strings, usually text in receipts, to act as triggers to launch the graphics function. These functions include optionally eliminating some text, adding graphic surrounds about designated lines, changing the color of designated lines, and inserting logos between or merging logos with text. Such usage need not make any changes to existing store lane checkout applications. Configuring new custom commands in POS printers permits defining byte string triggers occurring in receipt text that are used to trigger adding graphics to the receipt output.

Abstract: A transactional printer having a wheel interconnected to a knife cutting assembly for frictionally engaging a severed slip and ejecting it into a receiving bin. The wheel is moved out of engagement with an ejected slip during the cutting operation of the knife. As the knife blade is restored to its pre-cut position, the wheel is moved into engagement with the slip and rotated to eject the slip into the bin. A depression in the printer housing prevents contact between the housing and the wheel when the wheel is in frictional engagement with a slip. A stop interconnected to the wheel prevents contact between the wheel and the depression.

Abstract: A releasable device for retaining a finger against an abutment carried by a first structure element, which finger, carried by a second structure element can be moved perpendicularly to its own axis along a defined trajectory away from or towards the first structure element which includes a catch member capable in retractable manner of interfering with said trajectory above the abutment; the finger is received in an oblong slot of the second structure element that allows the finger a limited amount of movement relative to the second structure element along said trajectory.

Abstract: A USB interface having improved EMC immunity where the D+, D?, and USB ground lines each pass through a common mode choke. The USB 5V line is AC coupled to the USB ground line outside the choke and routed through a high impedance into the circuit while maintaining the integrity of the signal. In addition, bypass capacitors, such as Tantalum bypass capacitors, and a 5.6V Transorb device are added to the 5V power supply of the controller, and all unused pins are terminated to reduce unwanted ringing transients in the controller leadframe. In addition, small capacitors within the capacitive loading specification allowed by the USB-IF are positioned next to the controller on each data line.

Abstract: A device for making a printed ticket available, the device being comprising at least three rollers or lines of wheels rotatable about respective parallel axes extending substantially transversely across the path of the ticket and situated, in end view, at the vertices of a triangle and defining two ticket pinch lines, one between a first roller and a second roller, and the other between said second roller and a third roller, a first deflector surface co-operates with the first roller to define a first guide for guiding the ticket from a ticket supply source to a first pinch line, a second deflector surface co-operates with the second roller to define a second guide for guiding the ticket from the first pinch line to a second pinch line, and the third roller co-operates with a third deflector surface to define a third guide for guiding the ticket from the second pinch line to a ticket collection channel, the three guides being inscribed within the above-mentioned triangle.

Abstract: The thermal printer of the invention comprises a frame, a print head tiltably mounted in the frame, and a spring carried by the frame and forming a member for urging the print head into its printing position, with a flexible sheet of conductors terminating at the print head. According to the first characteristic of the invention, the spring is made of an electrically conductive material and includes a finger for being received in a corresponding orifice of the frame, while a portion of the sheet carries a conductive eyelet through which the finger of the spring passes when the spring is received in the orifice of the frame, the spring thus pinching the eyelet against the frame.

Abstract: A system and method for targeting marketing messages at a point-of-sale consumer by collecting current transactional receipt data, such as the time of a retail transaction, the date of the transaction, the number of items purchased the transaction, and the total dollar value of a transaction. The data collected from the receipt is then applied to one or more algorithms to determine which marketing messages are most likely to be successful. A predetermined number of marketing messages found most likely to be successful are then printed on the customer receipt in order of priority of expected effectiveness. The system is designed to be used in connection with a point-of-sale terminal without the need for additional hardware, such as a second printer, or the need to access historical customer data.

Abstract: An inrush circuit for electronic devices is particularly useful for point-of-sale printers. The circuit applies an active feedback-controlled voltage ramp to a bulk capacitor by means of a P-channel field effect transistor that is operated linearly after a controlled delay for contact bounce.

Abstract: A program method of converting a multiple color file to a two-color, or limited color file, so that an image contained therein can be printed upon a receipt, Point Of Sale, or two-color printer. Most multiple color files that contain logos and graphics cannot be successfully reduced in color by automatic or computer generated methods. The programmatic method of this invention contains a second-stage routine that requests viewer participation and input. The resulting printed or displayed image is visually acceptable by reason of this viewer input.

Abstract: Commercial establishments that add MICR indicia to commercial instruments usually do so via laser printers that produce a high gain signal. Moreover, commercially printed documents that include MICR indicia can also result in a high gain signal. MICR indicia generated by laser printers are difficult to decode, using conventional DC biasing methods, because the laser-generated MICR high gain signals become clipped. Therefore, in order to decode these distorted signals, the present system processes both low and high gain signals to decode the raw MICR data.

Abstract: The thermal printer of the invention comprises a frame, a print head tiltably mounted in the frame, and a spring carried by the frame and forming a member for urging the print head into its printing position, with a flexible sheet of conductors terminating at the print head. According to the first characteristic of the invention, the spring is made of an electrically conductive material and includes a finger for being received in a corresponding orifice of the frame, while a portion of the sheet carries a conductive eyelet through which the finger of the spring passes when the spring is received in the orifice of the frame, the spring thus pinching the eyelet against the frame.

Abstract: A method of controlling noise in an impact printer that modulates the input pulse to the power amplifier of the printer. The resulting current waveform is then applied to the print wire solenoids. The final shape of the force input to the platen reduces or spreads the spectral envelope containing problem harmonics and acoustic output noise.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dot history compensation system for varying the drive current to the points of a thermal print head in response to the printing history of the points. One or two previous print lines may be examined. In addition, the history of points adjacent to a selected point may be used to compute a head drive signal. The inventive system is implemented in an auxiliary control device within a thermal printer. In addition, an end point compensation system is provided to ensure that end points of a thermal print head receive equivalent amounts of energy to central points, even when a large number of points may be simultaneously fired. The inventive system is adapted for operation with both single color and multiple color thermal printers. The auxiliary control device also manages paper movement functions, thus freeing the main microprocessor for communications and other duties within the printer.

Abstract: The present invention features a magnetic read head having an IC component provided within or adjacent to the head case. No low-level, analog signals, which are generally highly susceptible to electrical noise, leave the head structure. Power and ground signals are provided to the hybrid head. Digitized data corresponding to encoded information upon the magnetic stripe on a credit card, ID badge, or similar article is provided at output terminals. Decoding is performed by an ASIC or similar device located at the read head. A data strobe signal and/or a magnetic medium detected signal may also be provided by the read head.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing the appearance of, and safeguarding, sales receipts. The methods provide sales receipts with watermarks, strike-throughs, and circles-about-an-item. These added functions can be accomplished in real time. Some of them can be printed in distinguishing colors.

Abstract: There is provided a method for monitoring paper or other jams of a carriage in a printer by monitoring the current waveshape in a first winding of a stepper motor at or near the time when a second winding of the stepper motor commutates. The current waveshape is received from a low-value sensing resistor, typically within an integrated circuit stepper motor driver device. Changes in the current waveshape during this time window may be interpreted and accurate deductions may be made concerning the loading of the stepper motor. In the case where the stepper motor is the drive motor for a printer carriage, the loading information may be used to detect a paper jam or similar problem in the printer carriage.

Abstract: A device for dispensing tickets from a continuous strip of paper, the device comprising a mechanism for pinching the paper, a cutter blade extending substantially across the strip and having a cutting edge against which the strip bears, the cutting edge of the blade intersecting the plane of the strip of paper coming into contact with the blade before cutting starts, and a support element for supporting the strip between the pinch mechanism and the cutter blade. In the device, the support element also comprises a flap hinged about a fixed axis, the surface of the flap being of a shape such that after about half of the cut has been achieved, the zone of contact between the flap and the strip remaining to be cut moves away from the blade as cutting progresses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printer device for printing on a paper tape and for cutting the tape into printed tickets. The device comprises a frame having a cover hinged on the frame, a printer, cutter means, and guide means for guiding the tape between the printer and the cutter means. According to the invention, the guide means are formed by two walls substantially parallel to the axis of a paper drive roller, one wall being carried by the cover and the other wall being carried by the frame, in such a manner as to impose an S-bend on the portion of the tape that extends between the printer and the cutter means.

Abstract: A device for dispensing tickets from a continuous strip of paper (1), each ticket being constituted by an end segment of the strip suitable for being grasped by a recipient of the ticket and detached by applying traction to said end, the device comprising a mechanism for pinching the paper along a line (3) extending transversely across the strip (1), and downstream from this mechanism, a cutting blade (4) extending substantially transversely across the strip, with the strip bearing against the cutting edge (5) of the blade when the above-mentioned traction is applied, wherein the cutting edge (5) of the blade is formed by a straight-line segment that intersects the plane of the strip of paper (1) in contact with the blade (4) prior to cutting and containing the pinch line (3), with the projection (7) of the blade onto said plane converging towards the pinch line (3) from the point (6) where the paper first comes into contact with the blade (4).