Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting picture element failures in a multielement array. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the illumination of a reference background by a lamp is controlled by a controlled power supply to be off in a first mode of operation and on in a second mode. During a diagnostic operation, the reference background is scanned by a N element CCD array t provide N reference pixels for each scan during each of the first and second modes of operation. During the first mode, a first error signal is developed for each of the N reference pixels in a first mode scan that is greater than a first reference signal level. During the second mode, a second error signal is developed for each of N reference pixels in a second mode scan that is less than a second reference level.

Abstract: A circuit for adjusting the sensitivity of a sensor which is used typically in document handling equipment is disclosed. A special application of the circuit relates to using a plurality of the sensors in a height-determining operation which is used in conjunction with an imaging device, which scans or images the front, for example, of a document. The height of the particular document being scanned by the imaging device is used to "scan" only as far as the height of the document so as to eliminate meaningless data from the image of the document.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus operates upon binary signals corresponding to a scanned image. The binary images are stored in a matrix as concentric windows of interconnected rows and columns. The binary signals contained in the rows and columns are summed and logically compared against the sums of binary signals in adjacent windows and if the sums and logical combinations do not exceed preselected amounts it is assumed that the binary signals within a particular window are spurious, and means are provided for cleaning these signals from the window. Incrementing the binary images that are stored in the matrix permit the total scanned image to be analyzed.

Abstract: An electro-optical imaging system is disclosed which automatically self-diagnoses the operations of its photosensor and its video processing circuitry during each of first and second modes of operation of a processor, when no object is being imaged. In a preferred embodiment, a power supply is controlled by the processor to prevent a light source from illuminating a reference background during the first mode of operation and to enable the light source to illuminate the reference background during the second mode of operation. The photosensor sequentially develops first and second signals respectively proportional to the intensity of reflected light received from the reference background during the first and second modes of operation. The video processing circuitry is responsive to the first and second signals for sequentially developing respective first and second data signals.

Abstract: A system is provided for the sensing of documents, which system includes an arrangement of reflective elements capable of directing illumination onto the object to be sensed in such a manner that the flux density of the illumination is greater adjacent to the boundaries of said object than in the middle portion thereof. This compensates for the vignetting effect found in lenses. A source of illumination is positioned on a first focal line of a cylindrical elliptical mirror, with the object to be illuminated being positioned at the second focal line. First additional mirrors forming end pieces for the elliptical mirror, and second additional mirrors located adjacent to the boundaries of the object to be sensed, cooperate to direct light from the source to the object in such a way as to achieve the desired distribution of illumination across the object. Several different embodiments of the cylindrical elliptical mirror are disclosed.

Abstract: A variable impact printing mechanism includes a supporting magnetic structure having a plurality of circumferential coils mounted thereon and having a central bore in which a magnetic hammer element is positioned for linear movement to cooperate with a type member positioned adjacent to one end of the bore in order to effect printing on a record member positioned between the hammer and the type member. A controller is provided to energize drivers for the various coils in predetermined sequences to vary the velocity achieved by the hammer element at the end of its printing movement in accordance with varying printing requirements.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bar code processing system in which a plurality of vertically aligned sensing devices are positioned adjacent a moving document on which is located a plurality of dot matrix printed coded bars. Each of the sensing devices is positioned so as to sense one of the matrix dots which form the coded bar and output an analog signal whose signal level varies directly in accordance with the ink intensity of the sensed dot. Signals are then amplified, filtered and converted to digital signals which are then examined. If a predetermined number of dots in the bar have been sensed and of the dots sense, no more than two dots are found to be separated by more than one blank space where a dot would normally be located, a signal is generated indicating that a valid bar has been sensed. These signals are then used in decoding the bars sensed.

Abstract: An apparatus having a track for guiding a sheet therealong and means for feeding a sheet along the track. The feeding means includes a rotatable member having a shaft mounted for rotation, with the rotatable member having a driving periphery extending into the track. The feeding means also includes a coupling unit and means for rotatably mounting the coupling unit at the track, with the coupling unit having an expansible periphery. Also provided is a means including an endless coiled spring for selectively moving the expansible periphery between a first position in which the expansible periphery is uncoupled from the driving periphery and a second position in which the expansible periphery is expanded to form a driving coupling with the driving periphery of the rotatable member to feed a sheet positioned therebetween along the track when the rotatable member is rotated.

Abstract: A recording apparatus having multiple recording devices, each recording device being associated with a separate document feed path, in order to provide simultaneous recording on more than one document for the purpose of increasing effective document recording speed. The recording apparatus also includes driving mechanism for driving the documents along the feed paths, selection means for selecting an appropriate document feed path for each document which is introduced to the recording apparatus, and control means for controlling the recording devices, the driving mechanism and the selection means.

Abstract: A system for improving the processing of financial transactions using direct customer entry of the transaction data and automatic verification of this data during proof operations. Each customer prepares his own transaction slip via a remote terminal, which slip is delivered to a teller for verification. During proof and encoding operations, the amount field of each document is read and composed with the data entered by the customer for correspondence; any errors may be corrected at this stage for reconciliation, saving time and labor costs.

Abstract: A data compression system which generates several types of symbols from bands of data derived from the digital image. Each group of data bits located in the same bit position across the data band is represented by a mode symbol, which signifies the decimal value of the binary combination of the data contained in that group. The mode symbol is followed by a run symbol, which represents the number of times or incremental positions that the same mode occurs successively until a different mode is generated. Mode and run symbols are transmitted in alternation, with each mode symbol followed by its corresponding run symbol, to an encoder, which generates variable length code words that are transmitted to a receiving station and decoded to provide symbols which are used to form a facsimile image. In one embodiment of this system, the mode and run symbols are combined to form a different type of symbol, known as a ternary octade symbol, to further improve the compression performance of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally printing on plain paper high resolution fonts such as the ABA's E13B font. In one embodiment, the thermal print head is held stationary while the record medium (like a bank check) and ribbon (containing heat-transferrable ink) are moved, and in a second embodiment, the record medium and the ribbon are held stationary while the printing head is moved. The print head is comprised of printing units with each printing unit having a printing face having resistive heating elements therein. The heating elements are arranged in rows and columns in the associated face to produce a printed dot density of 6.05 N dots per millimeter, wherein N is equal to 1, 2, or 3. Loading of the next pattern of data to be printed is effected while the prior pattern is being "burned" or printed. An R-C circuit is included in the energizing circuit to minimize overheating of the heating elements during repeated energization thereof. Characters or bar codes may be printed by the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing erroneous data elements from digital images by systemically moving a window memory over the entire area of an image. Each data element in the image is examined with respect to neighboring elements by comparing the contents of the window with a set of masks to determine if a certain data element should be altered.

Abstract: A printing system for printing coded bar elements on a record member include a rotatable drum member having slidably mounted print elements disposed about its periphery. An actuator member positioned adjacent the drum member engages one of the print elements upon movement of the drum member to position a print element adjacent a record member. The actuator member is operated to slide the engaged print element to a printing position enabling the print element to print a coded bar on the record member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing digital data derived from an image using non-adaptive predictive techniques. A prediction table, which is pre-generated based on a number of sample images, generates a predicted pixel and source state for each pixel of the original image, as the original image is scanned. The predicted pixel is the expected value of the pixel when considering the values of a group of adjoining pixels, while the source state is indicative of the probability that the predicted pixel is in error. Prediction error pixels are then generated and grouped according to their respective source states to form a plurality of run length symbols with each symbol comprising a white portion and a black portion, which symbols are stored sequentially in order of formation in a memory device according to their respective source states.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting errors in a data word and for correcting up to two error bits therein through using Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) codes. A Galois field table is arranged in an anti-log and log format to facilitate the calculation of certain values such as ##EQU1## associated with the BCH codes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the gray scale resolution of a document. The apparatus includes a scanning module for scanning a document along x and y coordinates with regard thereto for generating pixels representing gray scale values for discrete areas of the document along the x and y coordinates, with each pixel having a predetermined number of bits. A high pass filter module is also included for summing the associated pixels within a window to produce a window sum as the window is moved relatively along coordinates corresponding to the x and y coordinates, and the high pass filter module also includes means for comparing a selected pixel within a window with the associated window sum and predetermined criteria and for generating first and second output values in accordance therewith. The first and second output values have a fewer number of bits than the asssociated selected pixel.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprising an array having a central axis and a predetermined number of light responsive elements positioned in the array, with each light responsive element producing an output in response to light impinging thereon and an optical system including a lens for directing light from an image of a predetermined size onto a first number of said light responsive elements which said first number is less than said predetermined number. The apparatus also includes a selection unit for selecting a said first number of said light responsive elements which are positioned with regard to said central axis, means for receiving the outputs of said selected first number of light responsive members and also for producing a stream of data therefrom; and a switch unit for adjustably selecting the particular said first number of light responsive elements upon which light from said image impinges.

Abstract: A digital image data compression system which generates a plurality of run length symbols, with each symbol comprising a white portion and a black portion. The white portion may contain up to a specified maximum number of white pixels, while the black portion may contain up to a second specified maximum number of black pixels. A symbol may be composed of a black portion followed by a white portion (a BW type run), or a white portion followed by a black portion (a WB type run). If the second portion of any run length of a particular type run exceeds the maximum number of pixels allowed for that color, that run length is terminated at the maximum number, the corresponding symbol is generated, and a special symbol, indicating a change in the type of run, is inserted. The symbol following the special symbol, which is the opposite type from the original symbol, is generated using the remaining pixels from the last run length and the following run length of the opposite color.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading data printed on a flexible document in which the document is orientated in a vertical direction during the reading operation. The document is initially positioned on a movable support member located in the path of movement of a scanning head. Movement of the document against the support member enables a clamping member to clamp the document in a sensing position, an actuator member for moving the support member out of the path of movement of the scanner head and moving the scanning head in a longitudinal direction to read the data on the document.