Abstract: A penetrameter is provided for use in evaluating the resolution of an x-ray inspection system as well a method for calibrating the resolution of the x-ray inspection system. The penetrameter comprises a radiolucent substrate, and at least one filament at the radiolucent substrate, the at least one filament being broken by a gap having a predetermined size. The method of determining the resolution of an x-ray inspection system comprises steps of: generating a radiographic image of the penetrameter, determining if the broken filament is visible, and if the broken filament is visible, determining if the gap is visible.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing dust, which developes in document handling machines, from accumulating in the orifices of associated ink jet printers and clogging them, includes disrupting the path of dust laden air to prevent it from flowing near the orifices where dust would be deposited. In a preferred embodiment, a counterflow of air from a fan is directed against the dust laden air to disrupt its flow and cause the dust to be carried away from the orifices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing dust and trapped air from the orifices of an ink jet printer employed in a document handling machine. A vacuum is applied periodically to clean the ink jet head of dust, entrapped air and excess ink. The period is established in accordance with predetermined requirements and is measured by a count of documents or other measurements of time relating to the passage of documents.

Abstract: A system for use in generating characters in accordance with a special character font formed by a selected arrangement of dots. The system enables the production of characters at a higher rate than is possible, using particular equipment for characters having a conventional form. The system makes use of ink jet printers which are controlled electronically to project jets of ink to produce dots arranged in accordance with the new font.

Abstract: A system is shown for driving a drop-on-demand ink jet printer in a manner enabling the printer to produce symbols, such as those in the ASCII, on a moving surface at a much faster rate than it normally can. To this end, the system is arranged to produce characters of a selected font by driving ink jet nozzles in a manner such that each nozzle is fired to produce a drop of ink no more often than every other position at which ink is to be applied to print in a moving surface.

Abstract: A cam operated document stop in an item sorter provides positive action to halt the passage of a document or other item, from a flow of documents in a mainstream pathway, when it arrives in an inspection station. The document is stopped in an open receptacle area for inspection and then released for return to the mainstream pathway. Stoppage is effected by rotation of cam members which position a stop arm to stop the flow of the document. After the document has been inspected and corrected, the stop arm is repositioned to release the document into the mainstream flow. After a suitable delay to allow the document to clear the receptacle area, the cam members rotate the stop arm into position to stop the next document.

Abstract: Demountable, replaceable, printer ribbon cartridge transport apparatus comprising an elongated, flat, rigid, support member provided with oppositely disposed parallel recessed areas co-extensive with the longer dimension thereof and having means intermediate the ends for adjusting the length of the member and thereafter retaining the adjusted length. An endless inked ribbon is disposed within the recessed areas with each opposite end of the ribbon looped around the end of the support member and back upon itself so as to be moveable lengthwise in opposite directions along the long dimension of the support member. Demountable end caps are secured to each opposite end of the support member to protect the ribbon as it reverses direction about the end of the support and to enable the support member to be cammed into and out of engagement with ribbon drive means.

Abstract: An item/document hold and view station for use with high speed item sorting apparatus wherein a diverter is provided for diverting selected items out of the mainstream item pathway and into an open ended receptacle area for visual viewing by an operator and including a pair of eccentric cam members interconnected by a flexible member is operable to move the item out of the viewing station and back into the mainstream item pathway once the item has been altered, changed, corrected or otherwise handled by the operator without blocking or obscuring the data from the operator's view.

Abstract: A document transport apparatus for serially transporting sheet material over a preselected transport path including an endless belt having a resilient compressible tubular base member and gripping members projecting therefrom. The gripping members are normally closed when the base member is uncompressed. The apparatus further includes pulleys at opposite ends of the transport path, the belt being entrained in the grooves of the pulleys. The grooves are dimensioned to compress the portion of the base member entrained therein, thereby opening the gripping members projecting from the compressed portion of the base member, permitting insertion or removal of a document. The belt grips the document and carries it along with it in the space between the pulleys.

Abstract: Disclosed is a document view station adjacent to a document guideway that will, upon being alerted to a misread document, ready itself to intercept the misread document. Once intercepted the misread document may be cammed out of the guideway to a position where it may be easily viewed, tactilibly manipulated, and optionally cammed back to its original location in the document stream for further processing. The document view station additionally has the ability to self-adjust its camming to the width of the document.

Abstract: Disclosed is a document view station adjacent to a document guideway that will, upon being alerted to a misread document, ready itself to intercept the misread document. Once intercepted the misread document may be cammed out of the guideway to a position where it may be easily viewed, tactilibly manipulated, and optionally cammed back to is original location in the document stream for further processing. The document view station additionally has the ability to self-adjust its camming to the width of the document.