Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for discharging a fastener. In particular embodiments, the invention comprises a fastener-dispensing device comprising a fastener striker in operational communication with a striker driving means. The fastener-dispending device also includes a device body comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion containing the striker driving means and the lower portion containing the striker, wherein the upper portion is pivotable in a sideways direction relative to the lower portion.

Abstract: The present invention includes various embodiments directed to apparatus and methods surrounding a fastener device. In particular embodiments, the fastener device is a quick charging and discharging device that includes a solenoid, a fastener striker, a flash capacitor, and a control circuit. Other novel features of the fastener device exist. In particular embodiments, the present invention also includes apparatus and methods related to deforming staples for securing conduit and the like, and staple insulation and insulated staples that may be discharged by the fastener device. The insulation may be provided in an ordinary staple strip for use in the fastener device. Each insulation form may include deformation voids to assist the adaptation of the insulation about a target object that is being secured by the insulated staple.

Abstract: An electronic display tag system. The system has an electronic display tag including a display for displaying at least one of pricing data and product identification data, the display having bistable character elements or bistable pixels. The display tag has a decoder logic unit for decoding received programming data and for updating the display based on the programming data, the programming data being received wirelessly. The display tag also has a wireless transceiver, the wireless transceiver for converting a power inducing signal transmitted wirelessly to the display tag into electrical power, the electrical power used by the decoder logic unit to update the display.

Abstract: An electronic pricing and display system using programmable electronic shelf tags. Programmable electronic shelf tags are used in connection with apparatus for programming the electronic shelf tags. Pricing and product information is stored in databases of a computer system for such purposes as inventory control and updating pricing information. A portable programming device is used to transmit programming data Methods are provided for fast and convenient modification of large numbers of electronic shelf tags located throughout a facility (e.g., a retail store).

Abstract: A shelf tag comprising a liquid crystal display having optical states which are stable without power and an interface that allows for each character element to be programmed easily by sweeping a programming device across the character element contacts with all power and signal requirements being supplied to the shelf tag by the programming device. The programming device can be integrated with a portable transaction computer equipped with a bar code reader or can be embodied in a stand-alone apparatus capable of receiving user input, displaying information and interfacing to the shelf tags. A method of using the shelf tags, the programming device and a radio frequency computer local area network are presented which automates many typical business applications such as inventory updating and simultaneously changing prices advertised on the shelf tags.

Abstract: A shelf tag comprising a liquid crystal display having optical states which are stable without power and an interface that allows for each character element to be programmed easily by sweeping a programming device across the character element contacts with all power and signal requirements being supplied to the shelf tag by the programming device. The programming device can be integrated with a portable transaction computer equipped with a bar code reader or can be embodied in a stand-alone apparatus capable of receiving user input, displaying information and interfacing to the shelf tags. A method of using the shelf tags, the programming device and a radio frequency computer local area network are presented which automates many typical business applications such as inventory updating and simultaneously changing prices advertised on the shelf tags.

Abstract: A front-lit, non-gray scale liquid crystal display device (10) including a polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystalline material has two optical states stable in the absence of an electric field. In a reflecting optical state incident illumination is directly reflected by the liquid crystal, producing a light pixel. In a scattering optical state incident illumination is absorbed by a black surface on the rear of the display, producing a dark pixel. A method employing a plurality of display control signals having the same polarity and differing phase relationships permits the fast video response of the display, notwithstanding that the average time to switch from a scattering optical state to a reflecting optical state is about 30 milliseconds, requiring about fifteen seconds to update a typical 480-row liquid crystal display using conventional array sequencing techniques. Several routines are presented for determining when to update such a display for a variety of applications.

Abstract: An encoding and decoding system for electronic data communication system, wherein each character to be transmitted is encoded as a unique multi-bit binary value. The total number of bits as well as the number of logic one bits in all unique multi-bit binary values are the same. A pulse generating means generates a wide pulse for each logic one and a narrow pulse for each logic zero. The pulses which make up a unique pulse form for each data character to be transmitted are of alternating polarity and are transmitted as analog signals.