Abstract: A self-adapting signal detector is adapted to be used with a plurality of guidepath sensors for controlling an automatically guided vehicle. The circuitry detects the presence of a valid guidepath signal over a large dynamic range without the need to make threshold or gain adjustments. A background noise signal is detected as well as a signal from each of the guidepath sensors. The background noise signal is substracted from each sensor signal to define a plurality of difference signals. A maximum remainder signal is defined as the maximum difference signal. Each difference signal is then compared with a predetermined percentage of the maximum remainder signal. Those sensors whose signal level exceeds the predetermined percentage of the maximum remainder signal by a predetermined amount are defined to be a valid guide path signal. The maximum remainder signal is also compared with a predetermined percentage of the background noise signal to determine the signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: An insertion machine includes an insertion station (44) whereat groups of items are stuffed into an envelope held open at an envelope opening station (49). The insertion station comprises a cam (212)-driven carriage (202) which linearly reciprocates in a direction (480) toward and away from the envelope opening station (49). The carriage (202) carries a plurality of selectively mounted, selectively rotatable pusher fingers (204). The pusher fingers (204) have a profile suitable for shoving items along a partially inclined insertion plate surface 403 and into an opened envelope. The pusher fingers (204) are selectively rotatable to an operative orientation (720) and to an inoperative orientation (722) under the supervision of a controller (205). Jam detectors (550, 552) are provided proximate reciprocating entry flanges (500, 502) which move when a jam occurs in the inserting process. Should a jam occur, the pusher fingers (204) are controlled to rotate the their inoperative orientation (722).

Abstract: An improved document feed mechanism for feeding documents in a vertical direction through at least two stations including a device for shingling the documents in at least one station by having successive ones of the documents overlap one another to thereby compress the amount of vertical space required for the feeding operation as opposed to the space that would be required if the documents were fed top edge to bottom edge, respectively.

Abstract: In a combination document feed system and document removal assembly associated with the document feed system for removing documents one at a time from a stack of documents disposed in the document feed system and feeding each document into a document transport system: comprising a document removal assembly for providing a substantially elongated contact surface between the document removal assembly and a lead document in the stack of documents, the contact surface adapted to alternately contact the lead document and advance the lead document from the document feed system to the document transport system. The document feed system includes belts for advancing the stack of documents toward a document removal assembly, including a back plate adapted to provide a compressive force to the rear of the stack of documents.

Abstract: An angled conveyor for document packages comprises a transition conveyor belt, having an angled direction of motion relative to the direction of feed of document packages to the transition conveyor belt, and an output conveyor belt in line with and having a direction of motion that is substantially the same as the motion of the transition conveyor belt. Conveyor belts are of the endless type having their upper surfaces disposed substantially in the same horizontal plane. The transition conveyor belt is disposed laterally adjacently to the downstream end of a feed conveyor. A post extends from the apparatus frame structure vertically upward through a gap between the upstream end of the output conveyor belt and the downstream end of the transition conveyor belt in a transversally adjustable position. The post protrudes above the upper horizontal belt surfaces by a distance that is at least equal to the thickness of document packages conveyed.

Abstract: An insertion machine includes an insertion station (44) whereat groups of items are stuffed into an envelope held open at an envelope opening station (49). The insertion station comprises a cam (212)-driven carriage (202) which linearly reciprocates in a direction (480) toward and away from the envelope opening station (49). The carriage (202) carries a plurality of selectively mounted, selectively rotatable pusher fingers (204). The pusher fingers (204) have a profile suitable for shoving items along a partially inclined insertion plate surface 403 and into an opened envelope. The pusher fingers (204) are selectively rotatable to an operative orientation (720) and to an inoperative orientation (722) under the supervision of a controller (205). Jam detectors (550, 552) are provided proximate reciprocating entry fingers (500, 502) which move when a jam occurs in the inserting process. Should a jam occur, the pusher fingers (204) are controlled to rotate to their inoperative orientation (722).

Abstract: Support apparatus for easily and independently adjusting tilt and swivel of a supported product, specifically a visual display device such as a computer monitor. The swivel mechanism permits the display device to be swivelled through a rotational angle greater than 360.degree., or greater than 180.degree. in each direction from a front reference position. The tilt mechanism utilizes a stack of elongate torsion springs or bars with the stack's mid-portion fixed against longitudinal rotation and with its ends rotatable, including means for providing resistance to such rotation, for counter-balancing the torque produced by the display device in its various tilt positions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for stacking a plurality of documents on one edge thereof. The apparatus comprises a motor-driven revolving hollow helix device into which fed documents are individually injected substantially transversely to the helix axis between consecutive helix turns. A single-revolution clutch device between the motor and the helix device provides indexed rotation (orientation) of the helix device for receiving and transporting injected documents. Operation of the clutch device is controlled by a photo-sensor that is located at the exit of the document feed section and that senses injection of each document into the helix device. Injected document feed motion is stopped by a stationary abutment stop. The revolving helix device transports injected documents by screw-action in direction of its axis and stacks the documents side-on-side as they are transported beyond the face of the helix device.

Abstract: A self adjusting bezel assembly for a display screen, and specifically for an infrared radiation touch input display system, including a method for assemblying the bezel apparatus to the display screen. An outer bezel is mounted in fixed relation to the display device, and an inner bezel containing a radiation emitter and detector matrix is retained by and floats with respect to the outer bezel for being urged against the display screen in precise relation thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved dot matrix-type printing system wherein the wires of the print head are arranged to impinge on the reverse side of the workpiece to cause it to be moved into contact with a cavitated ink transfer roller, whereby, the workpiece is brought into direct contact with ink droplets carried by the caves in the cavitated surface in such a fashion as to create a symbolic array on the frontside of the workpiece. Secondary embodiments utilize finely apertured belt means and a source of ink disposed inside of said belt with the workpiece being impinged into contact with the ink carrying belt means.

Abstract: A differential motion translating and document drive delivery system wherein the system includes power, a first element for delivery of documents sequentially along a first path, a device for establishing orientation relative to a planar reference, and an element related to the first delivery element for translating the direction of movement of the documents angularly relative to the first path along a second path, the paths being generally perpendicular and hence the second path is substantially parallel relative to the reference.

Abstract: A computer enhanced document forwarding system capable of feeding individual generally flat documents from a horizontally disposed edge stack of documents and include a transporter for accepting serially disposed end to end individual documents one at a time, the transporter sequentially moving each document to at least one station for observation by an operator; electronic information storage facility having an interconnected input and retrieval means positioned adjacent to the operator observation station; a supply of self-adhering labels sequentially disposed in end to end fashion; an electronically controlled printer where the labels pick up ink in a predetermined symbol array capable of being different for each label; and a continuous label applying device for serially applying corrective labels to serially disposed documents with both the labels and documents moving in the same direction, thereby carrying corrective information supplied by said storage means to individual pieces of incorrectly designate

Abstract: The invention provides an improved auger conveyor in the magazine section of a document feeder apparatus which is capable of feeding large amounts of documents to a document sorting machine in a rapid and efficient manner. The auger conveyor includes: three horizontal augers which rotate in a clockwise direction; spiral grooves formed on the horizontal augers and divided in half by the existence of two separate pitches; joggers on the surfaces of the wider pitched portions of the two inner horizontal augers which facilitate reception of documents within the grooves; a raised auger which rotates in a counterclockwise direction; and a spiral groove configured in the direction opposite to the grooves on the horizontal augers and which also is divided in half by the existence of two separate pitches; and a document feed or pickoff apparatus for individually separating the lead document from the document supply.

Abstract: A feeder for a stack of upright documents includes a horizontally disposed receptacle having a planar base and a side restrainer. A spring loaded back plate and a fanning device move the stack form one end of the base to the other end adjacent a separator. The fanning device, which includes a plurality of movable belts projecting above the planar base each having a different rate of linear speed relative to one another, cause individual documents to fan away from the stack and thereby relieves pressure.

Abstract: An improved printing apparatus for printing pre-selected indicia on an envelope or other documents to be placed on a transport raceway of an insertion machine.