Abstract: An item recognition system and method which is particularly suited for automating entry of items too small to carry readable bar code labels. The system includes a camera which digitizes the image to produce a digitized image and a gray-scale digitized image. A binary image of the gray-scale image is then produced from which the computer records an image of the item, and a computer coupled to the camera which digitizes the image to produce a digitized image and a gray-scale digitized image. A binary image of the gray-scale image is then produced from which the computer identifies the item from the binary image and obtains the price from a price-lookup file.

Abstract: A multi-stage analog bi-directional selector which has a low input impedance and cost. The multi-stage analog bi-directional selector includes a plurality of analog switches including first and second bi-polar transistors coupled together at first and second connection points, a primary channel coupled to the first connection points, a plurality of data channels coupled to the second connection points, and an address circuit which causes a single one of the analog switches to form a bi-directional analog data connection between a corresponding single one of the data channels and the primary channel.

Abstract: Sequence control apparatus provides a plurality of output signals selectively based upon either the rising or falling edge of a clock signal. The apparatus includes a plurality of groups of bistable devices such as flip flops. In each group, half of the flip flops are triggered by the rising edge of a clock pulse and the other half of the flip flops are triggered by the falling edge. The outputs of these flip flops are coupled to a series of gates, which in turn are controlled by logic input select signals to provide output signals which may be used, for example, for memory control purposes. The output signal from one group of flip flops is provided as an input signal for the next group.

Abstract: A method for polling a plurality of remote processing units includes establishing a table of active and inactive remote processing units, sequentially polling each of the active processing units, at the conclusion of polling the active processing units, polling an inactive processing unit after which all of the active processing units are again polled. This sequence is repeated until all the active and inactive processing units have been polled. If in polling a processing unit, a response to the poll message indicates a change of status of the polled processing unit has occurred, the table is accordingly updated to reflect the current status of the processing unit.

Abstract: The action of a rotatable cam assembly positions a plurality of type racks, enables printing and indexes paper prior to restoring the type racks to the home position. Teeth on the cam assembly engage teeth on the type racks for positioning thereof and an extended tooth on the cam assembly causes impact of the racks against a platen which is caused to be rotated by movement of the cam assembly to index the paper to the next print line.

Abstract: To effect an accurate transmission of data between processing equipment and a plurality of peripheral devices, first and second interfaces are employed for reconstructing and transmitting the data over a communications link such as a conductor pair. The first interface termed a master terminal which is coupled to a common control module by way of a common control bus, receives instruction, address, and data information from the processor, and transmits a serial data code containing all this information to a plurality of second interfaces, termed slave terminals. Each slave terminal is coupled to a set of peripheral devices by a common bus and when a peripheral device recognizes its address being present in the code received from the master terminal, the slave terminal responds to complete the transaction with the master terminal and the addressed peripheral device.

Abstract: A low cost flexible connector for connecting multiple electrical conductors of an electrical component such as, for example, a gas discharge panel or flat flexible printed circuit harnesses, to associated conductors in a printed circuit board is disclosed in which the connector comprises a one-piece elongated plastic clamping member having lever portions joined at a fulcrum portion. Compression of the lever portions around the fulcrum portion opens a pair of jaw portions a distance sufficient to receive a printed circuit board and its associated conductors, together with the conductors of the electrical component. The lever portions are interconnected by an integral pressure portion which normally urges the lever portions in an outward direction to provide a constant clamping pressure between the electrical conductors of the circuit board and those of the electrical component. Several different embodiments of the pressure portion are disclosed.