Abstract: A method of processing a mixed bunch of banknotes and checks in a recycling self-service terminal is described. The method comprises: receiving a bunch of documents; recognizing each document from the received bunch; for each banknote recognized from the received bunch, validating the authenticity of that banknote; for each check recognized from the received bunch, extracting financial information from that check; and notifying a customer of the total value of the deposited bunch. A document validator, and a self-service terminal including the document validator, are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting overload distortion in lifting and the like gear is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hook with two reference points thereon defining, in the undistorted state of the hook, a reference dimension. The hook also has a standard dimension provided on the hook and conveniently accessible for reference purposes. The standard dimension is also a pair of points and one of this pair is coincident with one of the reference points thereby forming a triangle of points on the hook.

Abstract: A rotary storage device is described. The device comprises a rotatable drum around which media items may be stored, and a tape reel rotatably mounted on a tape reel shaft and partially wound with tape extending from the tape reel to the rotatable drum. The device further comprises a motor coupled to both the rotatable drum and the tape reel shaft. The motor is operable to rotate in a deposit direction and in a dispense direction. The device comprises a friction clutch coupled to both the tape reel shaft and the tape reel to provide some resistance to rotation of the tape reel relative to the tape reel shaft so that the tape reel cannot rotate freely about the tape reel shaft. The device also comprises a one-way clutch coupled to the tape reel shaft to allow the tape reel shaft to rotate in the dispense direction and to prevent the tape reel shaft from rotating in the deposit direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting overload distortion A method and apparatus for detecting overload distortion in lifting and the like gear is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hook with two reference points thereon defining, in the undistorted state of the hook, a reference dimension. The hook also has a standard dimension provided on the hook and conveniently accessible for reference purposes. The standard dimension is also a pair of points and one of this pair is coincident with one of the reference points thereby forming a triangle of points on the hook.

Abstract: A method of processing a mixed bunch of banknotes and checks in a recycling self-service terminal is described. The method comprises: receiving a bunch of documents; recognizing each document from the received bunch; for each banknote recognized from the received bunch, validating the authenticity of that banknote; for each check recognized from the received bunch, extracting financial information from that check; and notifying a customer of the total value of the deposited bunch. A document validator, and a self-service terminal including the document validator, are also described.

Abstract: An exercise pouch, comprising: a body configured to define a central pocket; at least a part of the body being composed of a deformable material such that the central pocket substantially conforms to a shape of a removable object inserted into the central pocket; and at least one magnet attached to a side of the body; wherein placement of the magnetic side of the body in contact with a metal surface enables the exercise pouch to be removably attached to the metal surface.

Abstract: A rotary storage device is described. The device comprises a rotatable drum around which media items may be stored, and a tape reel rotatably mounted on a tape reel shaft and partially wound with tape extending from the tape reel to the rotatable drum. The device further comprises a motor coupled to both the rotatable drum and the tape reel shaft. The motor is operable to rotate in a deposit direction and in a dispense direction. The device comprises a friction clutch coupled to both the tape reel shaft and the tape reel to provide some resistance to rotation of the tape reel relative to the tape reel shaft so that the tape reel cannot rotate freely about the tape reel shaft. The device also comprises a one-way clutch coupled to the tape reel shaft to allow the tape reel shaft to rotate in the dispense direction and to prevent the tape reel shaft from rotating in the deposit direction.

Abstract: A clock and data recovery circuit and method are used in a digital data communications system. The circuit and method are effectively employed for high speed, burst-mode transmission and allow rapid recovery of the clock and data signals without the need for an extended header, and notwithstanding the presence of substantial timing jitter. The method adaptively selects from among three delay times for the extraction of data by identifying a frequently recurring incoming pattern in the incoming data. The delay time is selected in a manner that insures that the same pattern is present in the reconstructed, resynchronized output data.

Abstract: A clock and data recovery circuit and method are used in a digital data communications system. The circuit and method are effectively employed for high speed, burst-mode transmission and allow rapid recovery of the clock and data signals without the need for an extended header, and notwithstanding the presence of substantial timing jitter. The method adaptively selects from among three delay times for the extraction of data by identifying a frequently recurring incoming pattern in the incoming data. The delay time is selected in a manner that insures that the same pattern is present in the reconstructed, resynchronized output data.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus and a method of separating particles, such as cells, from a heterogeneous fluid, such as blood, where the particles have a large range of sizes.

Abstract: A shield region of metallization is formed in a first metallization layer of an integrated circuit so as to increase the metal density of the first metallization layer to at least a minimum density required for proper fabrication. The shield region is coupled via an amplifier or other suitable coupling mechanism to at least a portion of another metallization layer overlying or underlying the first metallization layer in the integrated circuit, such that the shield region acts to reduce parasitic capacitance associated with a circuit node in the other metallization layer. In an illustrative fingerprint sensor cell implementation, the shield region is in the form of a shield plate underlying a sensor plate in the sensor cell and serves to increase the metal density of a lower-level metallization layer in the cell.

Abstract: An active pixel imaging system and method to generate an differential output signal consisting of the differences in a viewed image between adjacent detected flames. A buffered electrical charge storage capacity of the active pixel sensor is utilized to provide a system with reduced complexity and hardware requirements. In the imaging system, when a particular active pixel sensor is activated it generates a voltage signal corresponding to a previous frame's detect light intensity before the pixel is reset to generate a voltage signal corresponding to a present frame's detected light intensity. A differential output circuit is used to generate a differential output signal based on these two generated voltage signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for comparing a first input voltage to a second input voltage. In one embodiment of the invention, a first input voltage is transformed into a first current flowing through a first transistor and a second transistor. A second input voltage is transformed into a second current flowing through the first transistor while the first current continues flowing through the second transistor. A difference current is developed which represents the difference between the first current and the second current. An indicator signal is generated which indicates the larger of the first and second input voltages based on the value of the difference current.

Abstract: The single-polysilicon active pixel comprises a photo site located on a substrate for generating and storing charge carriers, the charge carriers being generated from photonic energy incident upon the photo site and semiconductor substrate, a photo gate, a transfer transistor and output and reset electronics. The gate of the transfer transistor and the photo gate are defined in a single layer of polysilicon disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The source of transfer transistor is a doped region of substrate, referred to as a coupling diffusion, which provides the electrical coupling between the photo gate and the transfer transistor. The coupling diffusion allows for the transfer of a signal stored in a photo site under the photo gate to the output electronics for processing. The single-polysilicon active pixel may be operated by biasing the transfer transistor to the low operating voltage of the pixel, for example, 0 volts.

Abstract: The imaging pixel according to the present invention includes a floating gate pixel node capable of nondestructive readout and active source follower output circuitry suitable for combination with other like imaging pixels to form an imaging array.

Abstract: A clocked comparator circuit compares the primary and backup power supply voltages to a system. When the primary voltage falls a given amount below the backup, the circuit provides a signal that may be used to switch to the backup power supply. When the primary voltage is again present, the circuit can switch back to primary power. Alternatively, or additionally, a signal may be generated to initiate graceful shutdown of the system. The clock to the comparator typically operates at a higher frequency when operating on the primary voltage, and a lower frequency when operating on the backup voltage. This circuit is typically used with a portable system that uses a rechargeable battery as its primary power supply. The backup power supply may be a long-life battery that provides power to only a portion of the system. For example, in a computer, only a static memory may be powered by the backup, to allow the full system to retain its proper configuration when the primary power supply is again activated.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for inserting prewound coils into the slots of a stator or of a field carrying member of a dynamoelectric device wherein pinching the coils during the insertion stage is reduced and wherein damage to the lamellae of the apparatus is substantially reduced.