Abstract: A unit dose syringe comprises a fluid-containing plastic bag with an attached needle and a dimensionally-stable shell like a woman's compact. The shell contains a thumb-operated slider assembly for advancing the needle to an exposed position for fluid delivery. The syringe also includes a spring-biasing arrangement to return the needle, automatically, to the protected position, after use, and a means for rupturing the bag and retaining the needle in the protected position.

Abstract: A safely disposable unit dose syringe is achieved by sealing the fluid to be administered into a plastic or otherwise inexpensive, deformable container such as a plastic baggie and attaching to the container a needle which can be moved from a protected compartment to an exposed position for administering the fluid. The needle is withdrawn to the protected position after use for safe disposal. After use the container cannot be refilled without the use of fairly elaborate and costly equipment. The syringes can be produced in the form of a bandoleer for administration by means of a gun-like device, the contents of each syringe being delivered in response to the squeezing of a trigger-like mechanism.

Abstract: A production initializer for a plurality of document scanners each comprising a fiber optic subassembly and a discrete sensor array is provided by moving a spinning light beam along an axis and positioning the linear entrance field of each of a plurality of subassemblies along radial axis. The beam spins at a rate fast compared to the rate at which the beam is advanced along the axis. A large number of subassemblies can be initialized simultaneously in this manner.

Abstract: Coherence of an optical fiber bundle with randomly different geometries at its two ends is achieved electronically. A photosensitive random access memory is used as a sensor array to determine the addresses of fiber at which light exits when light is sequentially directed into consecutive fibers at the other end. The addresses are stored in a ROM and used to provide coherence of an otherwise unordered fiber optic bundle having one end formed in a linear array, for example, and used to scan documents. A printer also is described using electronically achieved coherence.

Abstract: A color document scanner is achieved using three optical fiber bundles. Each bundle is linear at the entrance face and merely gathered at the exit face. The linear ends are abutted against one another and aligned across a document to be scanned. The (three) exit faces are abutted against one or more associated sensor arrays with, for example, red, green, and blue filters interposed between the fiber bundles and the sensor array(s). The sensor arrays are operative not only to relate the positions of fibers in the entrance and exit faces of the respective bundles, but also to organize the associated color information with the appropriate scanned line segment.

Abstract: Coherence of an optical fiber bundle with randomly different geometries at its two ends is achieved electronically. A photosensitive array such as a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or a Random Access Memory (RAM) is used as a sensor array to determine the addresses of the fiber at which light exits when light is sequentially directed into each consecutive fiber at the other end. The addresses are stored in a ROM and are used to provide coherence of an otherwise unordered fiber optic bundle having one end formed in a linear array, for example, and used to scan documents. More than one bit map is generated for the array of fibers by utilizing the fact that each fiber overlies a number of sensors of the sensor array. By "exposing" the sensors of each bit map for a different exposure time a pseudo grey scale image is produced with a RAM array and extended grey scale is achieved with a CCD or other analogue imaging array.

Abstract: A credit card is made with a number of optical fibers sandwiched in the card. Some of the fibers intersect opposite edges of the card in a random fashion and provide a unique code characteristic of the card when light is directed into one edge and detected at the other. When cards are made in quantity, the fiber are added in a random fashion providing a unique code for each card.

Abstract: Coherence of an optical fiber bundle with randomly different geometries at its two ends is achieved electronically. A photosensitive random access memory is used as a sensor array to determine the addresses of fiber at which light exits when light is sequentially directed into consecutive fibers at the other end. The addresses are stored in a ROM and used to provide coherence of an otherwise unordered fiber optic bundle having one end formed in a linear array, for example, and used to scan documents. A printer also is described using electronically acieved coherence.

Abstract: An array of fluid filled cells bearing symbols on their faces transmit applied pressure or displacement to a remote end of the cell which have a mating array of electrical switches normally maintained in an open position. Pressure or displacement of the upper surface of the cell is transmitted to the lower surface to operate (close) the switch. Upon removal of the applied pressure, the cell returns to its initial position. A second embodiment of the invention shows an entirely modular key formed from a rubber-like material or from a self-skin foam material such as a polyurethane. The modular key has the keyface, body and switch elements formed integrally so that the keys can be added to a premated matrix. Still another embodiment of the present invention shows a totally sealed electronic terminal or device which is specially adapted to accept the modular keys.

Abstract: A digitizing tablet is realized by maintaining first and second sheets of insulating material in a spaced apart position by sealing them together and filling the resulting pocket with air or fluid under pressure. Coordinates for the position of a stylus on the face of one of the sheets are obtained with electrical conductors defined on the inner faces of the two sheets. Access for energization and output is obtained at the edges.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal includes a computer, a keyboard, and a key-controlled prompting display for eliminating a need for the attendant to memorize sales information. The keyboard has a set of first item keys each of which corresponds to a different first item. The prompting display lists a large number of second items. The keyboard includes a set of category-representing keys each of which corresponds to a different category of second items available for sale. A selected category of items is displayed when the attendant actuates a category key. The display shows prompting indicia associated with each item. The keyboard includes a set of keys having indicia associated with the indicia displayed by the prompting display.

Abstract: A point of sale system includes at least one computer, a keyboard, and money receiving, dispensing and storing mechanisms. The keyboard has item keys corresponding to an item for sale, category keys, function keys and a numerical pad.A bill tendered as payment is detected when it enters an opening and, is drawn into a money belt device and to a viewing window. The bill can be accepted or rejected by an operator visually examining the tendered bill. A signal produced by acceptance of the tendered bill is received by the computer to produce change-due data. Each money belt device detects each bill dispensed as change and causes a feedback signal to be produced to dispense another bill as change or to discontinue payment. The money handling mechanisms are placed in a disarmed mode, under control of a computer, at the completion of each sales transaction, and in an armed mode, under control of a computer operated through the keyboard.

Abstract: An automatic money handling device for receiving bills and coins and for dispensing bills and coins as change. The device has a storage reel, first and second bill belts extending from a first and supply reels around a first and second entrance rollers at an opening to the housing then to the storage reel. The two belts converge at the entrance rollers and then extend in superposed relation from the entrance rollers to the supply reel. Reversible drives can cause the belts to travel toward and away from the opening for receiving, dispensing and storing bills. A first sensor outside the opening senses the presence of a bill and can control the operation of the drive motors. A second sensor inside the housing adjacent the entrance rollers senses if and when the bill has been drawn far enough into the webs and halts operation of the forward drive, thus positioning a tendered bill at a viewing station for inspection.

Abstract: A pocket-sized microform reader is realized by employing a unique lenticular (screen) assembly and a projection lens assembly, the latter permitting a fold in the middle of an optical path allowing the size requirements of such a reader to be met. The cooperation between the lenticular screen and the projection lens assemblies permits sufficient brightness to be obtained and the lenticular screen assembly defines a non wasteful exit pupil of limited dimensions consistent with a pocket-sized reader.

Abstract: A check has first and second coatings one of which is electrically conductive and the other electrically non-conductive. The coatings are of contrasting colors and one of the coatings is electrically vaporizable for exposing the underlying coating during a "write" operation. The coatings may overlay a base material to form a three layer structure or the base material itself may function as one of the coatings of appropriate color and conductivity. The check is composed of at least two segments, a negotiable segment which may be fed back to a terminal device for a machine "read" operation. The memory segment may be formed into one or more memory parts on the negotiable segment, the stub portion and on the memory segment. One or more of these memory parts may be easily detached. The check described above combines uniquely with an input-output device which can read from it and write on it.

Abstract: A combination electrosensitive reader-printer able to perform both functions by sensing the condition of a recording medium in the read mode and by altering the condition of the recording medium in the printing mode. The change of mode is accomplished manually or automatically. The data to be read or written may be coded optically or digitally for interpretation by a processor. The recording medium is a metalized paper or similar material with an ink under or over lay. The resistivity, conductivity or capacitance change of the medium is sensed or altered by the reader-writer. Appropriate timing tracks and registration marks are normally placed to enable reading and writing by different devices. The styli for reading and writing normally are disposed in an array, straight or angled relative to the paper path. The styli have tips which are cylindrical, rectangular or oval in cross section. Control circuitry, including an analog to digital converter, control input to and output from the reader-printer.

Abstract: A business form has first and second coatings one of which is electrically conductive and the other is electrically non-conductive. The coatings are of contrasting colors and the second coating is electrically vaporizable for exposing the underlying coating when selectively removed during a "write" operation. The coatings may overlay a base material to form a three layer structure or the base material itself may function as one of the coatings of appropriate color and conductivity. A third coating overlays the second coating to form a matrix or array thereby organizing the document into sections. At the same time the third coating is put down, a light coat of a contrasting color can be overlaid the second coating. These two operations can be performed separately and in either order. The business form may be composed of first and second sections in which the second section may be a repeat of the basic information contained in the first section.

Abstract: A pocket-sized microform reader is realized by employing a unique lenticular (screen) assembly and a projection lens assembly, the latter permitting a fold in the middle of an optical path allowing the size requirements of such a reader to be met. The cooperation between the lenticular screen and the projection lens assemblies permits sufficient brightness to be obtained and the lenticular screen assembly defines a non wasteful exit pupil of limited dimensions consistent with a pocket-sized reader.