Abstract: A method and system for use in reading magnetic characters comprised of bars and intervals dimensioned as short intervals or long intervals as is done in CMCs7 encoding. The interval between adjacent bars of a character is obtained by calculating the zero crossing point between a peak of a first polarity and a peak of a second polarity associated with a "bar" in the associated scanning signal. The zero crossing point may be compared to the midpoint of the associated "bar". The intervals are then determined by obtaining the distance or interval between the zero crossing points of adjacent "bars".

Abstract: A fluid level controller having a thermal expansion element in the form of cylinder made from polytetrafluoroethylene. The cylinder is located in a container which is connected to a supply of cryogenic fluid by a ball valve. When the cryogenic fluid in the container reaches the level of the cylinder and cools it, the cylinder shrinks and causes a lever to close the ball valve. When the cryogenic fluid falls below the level of the cylinder, the cylinder expands and the lever opens the ball valve and permits cryogenic fluid to flow through the valve and into the container. The cylinder has a heating element disposed in its interior to hasten the response of the cylinder to a change in the fluid level.

Abstract: A document transport and printing apparatus which utilizes an associated clutch for use in printing and endorsing documents like checks at a printing station in the apparatus. The apparatus utilizes a single input shaft as an input member for the clutch and as an input member for a soft drive roller located at the printing station. The clutch utilizes a moveable sector portion which is moved between inactive and active positions to rotate an associated planetary member to provide a reduction in the rotary movement of the output member of the clutch when the sector portion is moved to the active position.

Abstract: A method of operating a finite state machine to control the sequence of operations for transferring data through two or more rotating data buffers. The data transfer is either from a SCSI bus to a disk memory system, or from a disk memory system to a SCSI bus. The finite state machine is self-sequencing after initiation from an external source. An apparatus for implementing the method is also presented.

Abstract: Line broadening is eliminated in dry heat-developed films by using a development temperature which is higher than the manufacturer-recommended standard temperature, so that a much shorter development time can be used, and masking the edges of the film to prevent exposure thereof. The hot/short development cycle and the masking of the film edges substantially eliminate image smearing caused by emulsion shrinkage and migration.

Abstract: The subject invention is a power supply having an input for receiving a power signal, a DC storage device connected to the input, a primary output connected to the DC storage device and connectable to a battery, a DC to DC converter for converting the voltage at the DC storage device to an auxiliary DC voltage, the converter having a supply voltage input, and a switching circuit. The switching circuit includes first, second and third switches. The first switch is responsive to the power signal for providing the DC storage device voltage to the converter supply voltage input. The second switch is responsive to the voltage on the battery for providing the DC storage device voltage to the converter supply voltage input. The third switch is responsive to an auxiliary voltage on/off signal for overriding the second swtich.

Abstract: A cassette for an endless thermal ribbon utilized in a thermal printer with the ribbon being unwound from the inside diameter of a spool and rewound on the outside diameter of the spool. The ribbon is guided from the spool to effect an approximate 10 degree skew in its path past the thermal print head and then in contact with a ribbon drive roller prior to rewinding on the spool. A plurality of guide ribs are disposed in radial manner to guide and hold the ribbon in its winding and unwinding motion.

Abstract: An electronic terminal device is fabricated so as to be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled by use of housing parts and internal parts having snap-type fasteners. Separate fasteners such as screws are not needed. Special tools are not required for assembly and disassembly of the device. Performance of repair and maintenance functions by purchasers of the equipment is thus facilitated.

Abstract: A data bit synchronizer particularly adapted for use with a multiplexing character processor of the type that multiplexes data characters to and from a plurality of communication lines to a central processing unit. The data bit synchronizer is operable with communication lines carrying various protocols and data bit rates. A RAM memory stores the control and status information for each of the plurality of communication lines.The RAM is accessed at a rate corresponding to the rate used to multiplex the communication lines to repeatedly output the information associated with each communication line. The data bit synchronizer also incorporates a bit rate clock generator for generating timing signals corresponding to selectable output data rates. A multiplexer is used to multiplex the timing signals with the control and status information.

Abstract: A digital printhead energy control system includes a first storage device for receiving hammer pulse duration data, a second storage device for receiving hammer pulse energization data and for producing a trigger signal and hammer pulse energization signals, a counter for counting to a value equal to the value stored in the first storage device, a comparator for comparing the value stored in the first storage device with the incrementing counter value, latch means for latching the output of the comparator to produce an end pulse signal, first gating means for combining the end pulse signal and a reset signal for controlling the clearing of the second storage device and terminating the hammer pulse energization signals, and second gating means for combining the trigger signal and a reset signal for controlling the clearing of the counter.

Abstract: A portable cable identifier and tester assembly for a four line token ring network type cable, including a first unit having a power supply and connector mateable to one end of the cable and a second unit mateable to ends of potentially matching cables to provide a signal indicating cable identification. Jumpers are provided in each of the units to ensure that the test signal current is routed through all four wires and connectors. Shorting bars between cable lines in unmated connectors, and spurious personal computer supply voltages, do not inhibit cable identification. User ease and self-test are inherent features.

Abstract: Multiple processing systems each inclue an administrator processor and a plurality of intelligent resources (like a printer, encoder, for example) which are coupled to the associated administrator processor via a local area network (LAN). Each administrator processor is coupled to two pluralities or sets of intelligent resources with one set being connected through a primary connection node of the associated administrative processor and with the other set being connected to an associated secondary connection node. Each administrator processor is also directly coupled to exactly two other administrator processors through its associated primary and secondary connection nodes to form a closed ring network. An intelligent resource normally assigned to one administrator processor may be assigned (if available) to an adjacent administrator processor to reallocate the workload in the ring network and adjust to certain failures in the system.

Abstract: For a merchandise checkout system including an electronic cash register having a keyboard and a display, and which further includes a price look-up table in which is stored a plurality of records each including a first item number identifying the purchased merchandise item and a second item number identifying the merchandise item as one which is sold as part of a multi-item package in which the records are distinguished by the number of such merchandise items being purchased there is disclosed a method for processing the purchase of a multi-item merchandise item consisting of identifying the purchased item as one which is sold as part of a multi-item package, requesting that the operator insert the number of such merchandise items being purchased into the keyboard, combining the number inserted to the first item number associated with the purchased merchandise item to generate a second item number and looking up the price of the number of such merchandise items being purchased in the look-up table by comparin

Abstract: A digital motor control system includes a flip-flop latch for receiving motor circuit drive data from a microprocessor, a counter for counting to a predetermined value representing the total duration of a motor drive pulse, a comparator for comparing the incrementing counter value with the motor circuit drive data stored in the latch to provide a pulse width modulated signal, delay circuitry for preventing overlapping of motor brake and motor drive signals, a drive gate controlled in part by said pulse width modulated signal for applying a drive signal for motor control, and a brake gate for applying a brake signal for motor control.

Abstract: A wire guide tip in a wire dot printer is made of ceramic and is integrally formed with the front wire guide and inserted during mold processing of the front wire guide.

Abstract: The motor mounting bracket is of one piece construction and includes an enclosure formed to contain the mounting flange of the motor and to substantially enclose the motor. The bracket has oppositely positioned spring-like lugs with tips for receiving and securing the mounting flange, and the mounting bracket has a pair of pilot studs matching apertures in the mounting flange for securing the motor flange against movement. The mounting bracket enables a motor to be secured without use of separate screws, bolts, nuts and like parts.

Abstract: A process for monitoring defects in the material of a moving web of paper or defects in operations performed on the web of paper. An air brush spray head applies ink for a predetermined duration at a location along an edge of the moving web of paper during a press operation and after a predetermined period of time to indicate that a defect has passed. A scanner senses the ink during a subsequent collating operation so that the process line can be stopped and the defect corrected. The location of the ink on the web of paper is at a point wherein the defect has passed and good material is present.