Abstract: A communications controller and method is provided for use in a checkout system including at least one POS terminal and a wrist-worn wearable device. The communications controller includes an alert server and one or more adapters. The alert server receives transaction information from a POS terminal, processes the transaction information to identify the POS terminal and an issue relating to the POS terminal to be resolved. An adapter develops alert information for the wrist-worn wearable device to enable the wrist-worn wearable device to display a notification associated with the issue relating to the POS terminal and to receive an input to resolve the issue relating to the POS terminal. The alert information is based on the transaction information and specifications of the wrist-worn wearable device.

Abstract: A point-of-sale self-checkout terminal includes a code reader device for automated entry of a product identification code present on items for purchase and a customer input device for receipt of data from a customer. A customer can initiate a purchase of a non-scannable item and, in response, a database is queried to identify items based on a prediction of purchase of the items, and the identified items are displayed for selection by the customer to purchase the item. Image processing and voice processing, can also be implemented to assist customers with the purchase of non-scannable items.

Abstract: A communications controller and method is provided for use in a checkout system including at least one POS terminal and a wrist-worn wearable device. The communications controller includes an alert server and one or more adapters. The alert server receives transaction information from a POS terminal, processes the transaction information to identify the POS terminal and an issue relating to the POS terminal to be resolved. An adapter develops alert information for the wrist-worn wearable device to enable the wrist-worn wearable device to display a notification associated with the issue relating to the POS terminal and to receive an input to resolve the issue relating to the POS terminal. The alert information is based on the transaction information and specifications of the wrist-worn wearable device.

Abstract: A point-of-sale self-checkout terminal includes a code reader device for automated entry of a product identification code present on items for purchase and a customer input device for receipt of data from a customer. A customer oars initiate a purchase of a non-scannable item and, in response, a database is queried to identify items based on a prediction of purchase of the items, and the identified items are displayed for selection by the customer to purchase the item. Image processing and voice processing, can also be implemented to assist customers with the purchase of non-scannable items.

Abstract: A point-of-sale self-checkout terminal includes a code reader device for automated entry of a product identification code present on items for purchase and a customer input device for receipt of data from a customer. A customer can initiate a purchase of a non-scannable item and, in response, a database is queried to identify items based on a prediction of purchase of the items, and the identified items are displayed for selection by the customer to purchase the item. Image processing and voice processing, can also be implemented to assist customers with the purchase of non-scannable items.

Abstract: A serial communication peripheral device operates both as a conventional modem and to transmit and receive facsimile images as scan encoded data. Text data containing ASCII characters can be received from a local device and converted into scan encoded data for transmission to facsimile machines or other computers. The text to facsimile conversion process uses an image builder to produce a partial image of a line of text. The partial image is stored in a buffer with each character at regularly spaced intervals. The desired intercharacter spacing and attributes such as bold and expanded characters are stored in an attribute array with each element of the array corresponding to one of the character images in the buffer. A Modified Huffman compressor scans the image buffer and produces the scan encoded data based upon the detected bits and the attributes stored in the attribute array.

Abstract: A method for writing and reading for a floppy disc drive using a read/write head having a high density read/write gap and a low density read/write gap and a memory buffer. The method includes reading requested data and data ahead of the requested data from the disc and then storing the read data ahead of the requested data in a look-ahead memory buffer. Data stored in the look-ahead memory buffer is then read, instead of from the disc, when the next requested data is the same as the data stored in the memory buffer. There is no movement of the disc until reading of the data stored in the memory buffer is completed or until other data is requested that is needed directly from the disc. The above method reduces power consumption and provided an improved higher rate of read/write operation for a floppy disc drive that is particularly useful in a portable computer.

Abstract: A method for servo formatting disc media for a disc drive. The method includes (a) establishing a first timing decode pattern of transitions that precedes a first alignment pattern of transitions, that has a centerline substantially colinear with a centerline of the first alignment pattern and located at the boundary of one of a plurality of data tracks; (b) establishing a second timing decode pattern of transitions that precedes the data track and that has a centerline that is substantially colinear with the centerline of the data track; and (c) establishing a third timing decode pattern of transitions that precedes the second alignment pattern of transitions, and that has a centerline substantially colinear with the centerline of the second alignment pattern of transitions. The above method provides servo formatting for precisely detecting a read timing of the first and second alignment patterns.

Abstract: A cabinet for housing electronic equipment includes an integrally formed cooling system which includes an air conduct running longitudianlly between the opposite end walls of the cabinet in an upper portion thereof. A cooling fin assembly is fitted into a lower wall of the air duct so as to have its fins extend upwardly into the air duct and downwardly into the cabinet. Heat transfer takes place as heat from within the cabinet passes to the cooling fins which are then cooled by a pair of fans disposed at opposite ends of the air duct.

Abstract: A floppy disk drive 32 with closed loop servoed high density read/write gaps 66, 86 and low density read/write gaps 64, 84 for updating of standard open loop formatted media includes a servo format having timing decode transitions Ta, Tb, Tc, and alignment transitions, A, B, and a method for field writing the servo format on blank diskettes in a disc drive.

Abstract: A magnetic read/write head for a disc drive capable of both high density and low density read/write operations as measured in tracks per inch and employing a magnetic disc capable of having defined thereon a multiplicity of tracks per inch in the disc radial direction. The disc and head have radial and tangential lines of reference relative to each other. The head includes at least one slider having a magnetic high density read/write core gap and a magnetic low density read/write core gap offset relative to each other radially and tangentially on the slider, and a non-magnetic spacer positioned between the magnetic high denisty core gap and the magnetic low density core gap of the slider. Preferably there is provided a second slider having the same structure as described above, wherein the disc is positionable between the first and second sliders for read/write operations of the disc drive.