Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide apparatuses and methods for verifying dispense of a fluid from a dispense nozzle. According to one method, a path of electromagnetic radiation from a source to a receiver is obstructed with the fluid dispensed from the dispense nozzle. The intensity of the electromagnetic radiation received by the receiver is measured. The measured intensity is compared with a predetermined intensity to verify the dispense of fluid from the dispense nozzle. One apparatus for verifying dispense of a fluid comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation, and a receiver of the electromagnetic radiation from the source of the electromagnetic radiation operatively associated with the source of the electromagnetic radiation such that the electromagnetic radiation from the source is received by the receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to upgrading existing telephone central offices having 1ESS or 1AESS switching equipment to utilize the SS7 protocol. In particular, the 1ESS and 1AESS switching equipment is provided with the capability of controlling the connection, management, and disconnection of telephone circuits using Signaling System Number 7 (SS7), a national and international standard set of protocols for providing such circuit control and providing and receiving information via the SS7 protocol for enabling enhanced service in the switching equipment.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a scanning carriage drop-on-demand ink jet ejector wherein the ejector is traversed past a droplet detection light beam while droplets are ejected. By knowing the position of the ejector and relating it to the amount of light blocked by droplets, horizontal errors in drop position can be detected. Similarly, by measuring the amount of time elapsing between droplet ejection and droplet detection, the velocity of the droplets can be determined. Corrections can be made by adjusting the time of ejection and/or the drive pulse amplitude and/or width.

Abstract: For use in an electronic printing system having a serial impact printer, apparatus is provided to accurately control the velocity of the print hammer during printing and provide accurately controlled impact energy, which is proportional to the character face area. The apparatus includes a servo feedback system where the primary driver for the print hammer is a moving coil in a magnetic field, and the velocity sensing required for the servo feedback loop is the back emf in the moving coil with the back emf being proportional to the hammer velocity.

Abstract: An impact printing element in the shape of a wheel is constructed by molding a thermoplastic character slug onto the tips of metal spokes or beams extending radially outward from a center section. The thermoplastic is bulk filled to give the slugs tolerance to impacting forces produced by an impact hammer for deflecting the slug toward a record medium enabling a print surface on the slug to cooperate in a process for marking the record medium. Each character slug has a front surface with a raised character extending therefrom and a rear surface adapted to be struck by the print hammer for moving the slug in a print operation. Extending from the rear surface of each character slug is a spherical section projection that directly receives the strike from the print hammer. The projection is a spherical section positioned at the centroid of the raised character.

Abstract: A print element for an impact printer comprising a metal alloy insert member having a plurality of beams extending radially outward from a center section having an opening in the center thereof and a plurality of apertures spaced around the center opening and positioned between the center opening and the beams. Molded to the ends of the beams are character slugs having an impact surface engageable by hammer means, a print section having a print surface shaped in the form of a character and a capture section for coupling to the end of a beam whereby the energy imparted to the slug by a print hammer is substantially reflected in stresses in the print section of the slug rather than the capture section. A plastic hub is fixedly coupled to the insert member by a plurality of projections, each of which extends through a respective one of the apertures in the insert member and coacts therewith.

Abstract: A damper for a composite print wheel comprising two generally circular rings of an elastomer impregnated fabric material with a ring being adhesively coupled to each side of the beams of the print wheel and each ring being adhesively coupled to the other ring in the regions between the beams.

Abstract: Asynchronous high-speed film transport apparatus wherein supply and take-up reels have opposite ends of an elongated film wound thereupon. A pair of drive motors one for each reel is selectively operable to rotate the reels respectively to move film along a path from one reel to the other. First and second film vacuum chambers are associated respectively with the supply and take-up reels, each chamber being arranged to hold a loop of film, the chambers being positioned adjacent the film path between the reels. Means are connected to the drive motors for producing movement of the film and sensing means are provided for maintaining a predetermined loop of film in each of the chambers during film movement. Between the first vacuum chamber and a read/record station is a first clamp for the film and a storage device for controlling the film advance, the storage device including a movable member for controlling the length of a frame. A second film clamp is positioned opposite the read/record station.