Abstract: A paper document transport system utilizes detected information which is displayed to an operator to determine the balance between a batch of documents and a predetermined sum. Prior to encoding or further processing these documents, they are held in a mechanical buffer until a balance has been achieved and are subsequently fed out from the mechanical buffer to be further processed.

Abstract: A method for predicting drillstring sticking while drilling a borehole includes evaluating the borehole severity for the drillstring at two or more measured bit depths, evaluating the rate of change of borehole severity with bit depth, and predicting the onset of drillstring sticking based on the magnitude of the rate of change of borehole severity with bit depth.

Abstract: A machine translation system includes an automatic routing system for automatically translating input text of a source language and sending output text of a selected target language to an addressee, in response to designations of the addressee, the target language, and/or the selected sublanguage scanned from a cover page for the input text. The system can interface with a number of input sources, such as a fax machine combined with a page scanner, a fax/modem board, or a network interface coupled to a server computer system. The server computer system can control the operation of the machine translation module for multiple target languages and/or sublanguages as designated by the cover page. A page formatting module is used to compose the translated text into a desired page format, and to provide footnotes for alternate translations of ambiguous phrases of the input text. The cover page can also designate a plurality of addressees in different target languages.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for managing issuance of turnaround tickets include a ticket issuing unit for issuing turnaround tickets and test tickets, a separate reading unit for reading the issued tickets, and a control unit for controlling the issuance of turnaround and test tickets. In particular, the test ticket issuing unit issues a test ticket with predetermined test data printed thereon at a predetermined time intervals for use in testing. The turnaround ticket issuing units issues continuously issues a stream of turnaround tickets each having predetermined turnaround ticket data printed thereon until a next test ticket is issued. The test ticket is fed through the reading unit to check the quality of the printed test data. The next set of turnaround tickets are issued only if the test ticket print quality coincides with the known predetermined test data.

Abstract: Separate, but related, firmware programs for multiple microprocessor-controlled irrigation controllers that are interrelated in their control of irrigation within an irrigation system are generated off-line at a personal computer. The programs are downloaded into a transportable memory device that holds sixty-four separate programs. The memory device is transported to each irrigation controller and plugged to a digital communication channel. The device automatically identifies itself to the controller, and vice versa. The appropriate program is automatically uploaded from the device to the controller. The controller's old program and its historical irrigation record data is loaded into the device and delivered to the personal computer for validation and analysis. A wireless remote test command assembly, an extension maintenance panel, or a radio-link central module may be alternatively connected to the controller's digital communication channel.

Abstract: A system for creating discount coupons in response to the purchases of products. Improvements disclosed include the printing of a "negative" coupon in response to the failure to purchase a particular product, and the printing of a coupon in response to the purchase of multiple triggering items, either without limitation as to the identification of the items, or with the requirement that the items fall into a predefined trade group. Other features of the invention permit the use of instantly redeemable "coupons," such that an instant discount is applied to a customer bill rather than having a coupon printed, and the logging, without printing, of possible coupon printings for statistical purposes.

Abstract: An improved price updating apparatus for use in retail store pricing systems has an input for receiving update data indicative of a product for which a price change is desired and the changed price. The apparatus looks up records in a database relating to store locations, for locations where the product may be found. Where the location has an electronic price display device, preferably connected with the apparatus by a serial data link, the changed price is transmitted to the display device by the serial data link. Where the location has a printed price, the apparatus stores a print job record containing information about the price and the shape and size of printed price. A user is later able to select, one by one, the various shapes and sizes of printed prices, and to print all the records intended for printing at the selected shape and size.

Abstract: An integrated system for image processing of documents generated in shipping transactions includes a central transaction processing facility, which receives images of shipping transaction documents. The document images may be captured by scanners at a plurality of remote stations or they may be telefaxed directly to the processing facility by the individual shippers. A central shipping transaction database is maintained on a host computer, for example, along with appropriate applications for processing the transaction data and invoicing the transactions. The system includes a plurality of image processing stations, at which key operators may view the images of shipping documents according to predetermined workflow queues and, based on the images of the documents, enter transaction data into the shipping transaction database. The system allows for printing of transaction invoices from the data in the database along with a hard copy of any shipping document images which are to accompany the invoices.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for detecting and displaying arbitrary interior surfaces of a three-dimensional body from a regular array of values of at least one physical property in the interior of the body, the physical property measurements are made with systems such as computerized tomographic x-ray imaging, or magnetic resonance imaging. A recursive algorithm starts with a seed voxel in the surface of interest and continues to all adjacent voxels having a common face which is penetrated by the surface of interest. The common surface penetrations are derived from a look-up table which lists the adjacent voxels having a common penetrated face for each voxel index. The voxel index, in turn, is the string of binary digits representing the voxel vertices whose vertex values exceed the surface value of the surface of interest.

Abstract: An automated method for selecting personnel which includes the step of selecting a first set of employees having qualifications matching a first job criteria from a first data file where the first data file includes a first plurality of records and each record includes a first job selection criteria, such as job titles, and a corresponding employee code. A second step comprises selecting a second plurality of employees having qualifications matching a second job criteria from a second data file which includes a second plurality of records wherein each record includes a second job selection criteria, such as industrial experience, and a corresponding employee code. In the preferred embodiment, a third selection is made from yet a third data file including records having a third job selection criteria, such as special skills, with a corresponding employee code. This results in three groups of selected records.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for estimating body alcohol concentration from personal body characteristics. For example, a calculator 10 has a keyboard 12 through which the user can input information concerning his sex, body weight, degree of fat, food consumption, alcohol consumption and the timing of these last two events. Depending on the mode into which the apparatus is set, the user can be told his maximum body alcohol concentration, how much more he may drink before reaching a legal limit, or when he may achieve the legal limit if he drinks no more.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing parity checking in an environment in which devices which perform parity checking and those which do not are connected to the same synchronous bus. The bus includes a parity enable line, which carries a parity enable signal indicating that the device transmitting data on the bus is a parity device which provides the parity of the data it transmits, a parity line, which carries the parity of the data being transmitted, and a parity error line which carries a parity error signal indicating whether the receiving device detected a parity error. The data is transmitted in a first bus cycle, the parity enable signal and the parity are transmitted in the following bus cycle, and the receiving device transmits the parity error signal in the next bus cycle after that.

Abstract: A self-contained memory gauge includes either semiconductor or magnetic core memory for retaining downhole information related to sampled parameters, such as borehole temperature and pressure. A microprocessor-based computer manages the power utilization by independently and selectably energizing and de-energizing different sections of the gauge. The magnetic core memory is tested for operability, and the addressing of the magnetic core memory is adjusted in accordance with any inoperable memory locations. Samples of the monitored environmental conditions can be taken at variable rates dependent upon software monitoring of the condition, the remaining battery life and the remaining memory capacity and in response to hardware monitored pressure changes. Each sample can be taken to a selectable resolution. A watchdog circuit monitors the microprocessor to insure that it is operating within a preselected time limit.

Abstract: An electronic maintenance support work station employs a text screen and graphics screen on which text records and part graphics are displayed. The user can sequence through various levels of hierarchy of the product structure as a search is made for a needed part. An item activated on the text screen is automatically targeted on the graphics screen. Part detail information is presented to facilitate decision making when an order point in the search is reached. Direct part or stock number entries can also be entered if the user desires to bypass a search.

Abstract: A change of address system includes a group of change of address terminals or stations which are installed at a wide variety of diversified public locations, such as the postal service, shopping centers, food stores, and the like. The terminals receive and store customized change of address information by the user who is desiring to send notices to the postal service and other persons and companies, who send mail to the user. A service computer receives the change of address information from all of the terminals, and in response thereto, the postal service and others desiring the change of address information are notified, at least some of which on a bulk basis.

Abstract: A system for automatic collection of tolls includes a toll facility, an in-vehicle toll processor having memory for storing a toll-money-available quantity purchased by the user, and a toll-facility-identification site that transmits a toll-facility-identifier signal indicating the identity of the upcoming toll facility and the toll to be collected. As the vehicle approaches the identification site, the in-vehicle processor receives the identifier signal and calculates the toll to be debited. When the vehicle passes through the toll facility, the facility transmits a toll-collect signal instructing the in-vehicle toll processor to debit the calculated toll from memory. The in-vehicle processor debits the calculated amount and transmits an acknowledgement signal to the toll facility.

Abstract: An automated system for partitioning a set of Boolean logic equations onto one or more devices selected from a plurality of commercially available devices. The system utilizes a processor having a memory containing information on the different architectural types of devices, physical device information on individual devices and user generated design constraints, weighting factors and partitioning directives. Based upon this stored information, the system of the present invention selects all acceptable architectural types of devices wherein at least one of the Boolean logic equations can be placed thereon. For all physical devices associated with the acceptable architectural types only those devices which fall within the selected user constraints are selected. The system then evaluates the weighting factors to order the devices in order of cost value and then fits the equations according to the partitioning directives to the devices.

Abstract: A system for the automatic processing of payroll, corporate profit and excise taxes. A depositor, via a communication link, engages in a question and answer exchange with one of a multiple number of voice synthesizers connected to a processor. Through the exchange, the depositor enters tax deposit information which the processor stores in its memory. At the end a specified time period, the processor stores tax deposit information relating to tax deposits due the same day on a storage medium such as a magnetic tape, and on tax coupons in formats predefined by the government agency. The processor also stores tax deposit information entered during the specified time period on a second storage medium to enable a bank to automatically transfer tax deposits from each depositor's account to a bank account. The system includes remote communication terminals connected by communication links to the processor through which information on depositors and tax deposit due dates is entered.

Abstract: A computer program simulates the growth pattern of plants grown in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse. The program produces planting and harvesting schedules, a schedule of predicted yields, and a schedule of greenhouse space utilization, which permit the planning of a controlled growing environment which is capable of producing continuous predictable yields of agricultural product over predetermined time periods. This result is useful in producing commercially viable agricultural production during the times of year when field grown agricultural production is unavailable.

Abstract: An electronic accident estimating system has been produced by integrating commercially available electronic hardware with proprietary software developed expressly for the estimating system. Electronic images of accidented vehicles are taken by the bodyshop estimator. These images are then imported to a computer by using a color video digitizer. The images, once resident in the computer, provide the visual evidence substantiating the estimated accident damage. The bodyshop estimator fills in the accident estimate on the computer, highlighting areas on the various images as required. Once the estimate is completed, the estimate file is compressed in size and transmitted electronically to the insurance company. At the insurance company, an insurance estimator then decompresses the estimate file and begins to peruse the estimate. If further clarification is required, the insurance estimator can request more images to be taken and transmitted.