Abstract: Techniques for package loading mechanisms are disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, a base portion of a laptop includes a circuit board on which an integrated circuit component is mounted. A heat sink is mated with the integrated circuit component. A spring presses against part of the chassis of the laptop, pressing the integrated circuit component and the heat sink together, providing strong thermal coupling between them.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to present developing incidents to a user in accordance with a selected criteria. Where the incidents correspond to developing gas concentrations, gas samples can be compared to a selected threshold, and responsive to the comparison, a concentration indicating display, relative to a selected region being monitored, can be presented to a user. The displayed concentration indicating elements, in response to real-time samples, can expand on the visual presentation indicating the characteristics of a developing incident. Stored historical information can be represented for after action analysis.

Abstract: A battery charger is adapted to increase a charge current applied to at least one battery from a predetermined supply voltage. The charger includes a supply voltage generating device coupled to an AC voltage source for generating the predetermined supply voltage and a charging circuit electrically connected to the supply voltage generating device. The charging circuit includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor AC coupled to the first capacitor. The charging circuit is adapted to apply the charge current from the supply voltage generating device to the at least one battery through the first capacitor during a first half of a charging cycle, and store the charge current from the supply voltage generating device in the second capacitor during a second half of the charging cycle.

Abstract: A security module is operatively disposed at the hardware/software interface within a printing apparatus. The module is disposed along a connection which acts as a medium for command signals to operate the printer hardware, and for status signals to indicate physical conditions within the hardware. The security module facilitates security procedures which control aspects of printer operation, particularly the creation of MICR characters.

Abstract: A write head magnetizes magnetic-ink characters for a MICR system. A magnetic assembly defines a first pole in a first location and an opposite pole in a second location. A first pole piece and a second pole piece, spaced by a gap therebetween, are provided, the first pole piece disposed adjacent the first location and adapted to conduct a magnetic field from the first pole to the gap. A selectably positionable member is disposed between the second location and the second pole piece, the positionable member being adapted to affect a magnetic field from the second location through the second pole piece to the gap, thereby facilitating selectable alteration of a magnetic field profile across the gap.

Abstract: A customer-replaceable supply accessory for a page printer, such as a toner cartridge or liquid-ink supply, includes a conductor which interacts with connectors within the printer to ensure proper installation of a given type of accessory. The conductor is exposed only within cavities on the accessory which receive springably-mounted extendible members. The extendible members serve to secure the accessory in position within the printer. The conductor is generally not apparent from the outside of the accessory.

Abstract: In a Digital Data System (DDS) a method and apparatus for providing multipoint multiport service. Differences in time delays through the network are compensated by an alignment training wherein the delays from each remote station are measured at a Central station. The Central station determines how much delay to insert at each remote station and then instructs the remote stations to insert the delays. This allows all inbound data to be aligned in time so that when the data are combined within the network by the Multipoint Junction Units (MJU) data errors are not produced. Aligned frames are combined in the MJU operating in data mode in a logical AND operation so that marks transmitted by inactive ports are combined with data from active ports to produce a composite signal which is passed to the Central DSU.

Abstract: A write head magnetizes magnetic-ink characters for a MICR system. A magnetic assembly defines a first pole in a first location and an opposite pole in a second location. A first pole piece and a second pole piece, spaced by a gap therebetween, are provided, the first pole piece disposed adjacent the first location and adapted to conduct a magnetic field from the first pole to the gap. A selectably positionable member is disposed between the second location and the second pole piece, the positionable member being adapted to affect a magnetic field from the second location through the second pole piece to the gap, thereby facilitating selectable alteration of a magnetic field profile across the gap.

Abstract: In a Digital Data System (DDS) a method and apparatus for providing multipoint multiport service. Differences in time delays through the network are compensated by an alignment training wherein the delays from each remote station are measured at a Central station. The Central station determines how much delay to insert at each remote station and then instructs the remote stations to insert the delays. This allows all inbound data to be aligned in time so that when the data are combined within the network by the Multipoint Junction Units (MJU) data errors are not produced. Aligned frames are combined in the MJU operating in data mode in a logical AND operation so that marks transmitted by inactive ports are combined with data from active ports to produce a composite signal which is passed to the Central DSU.

Abstract: In a Digital Data System (DDS) a method and apparatus for providing multipoint multiport service. Differences in time delays through the network are compensated by an alignment training wherein the delays from each remote station are measured at a Central station. The Central station determines how much delay to insert at each remote station and then instructs the remote stations to insert the delays. This allows all inbound data to be aligned in time so that when the data are combined within the network by the Multipoint Junction Units (MJU) data errors are not produced. Aligned frames are combined in the MJU operating in data mode in a logical AND operation so that marks transmitted by inactive ports are combined with data from active ports to produce a composite signal which is passed to the Central DSU.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for transmitting data over either a DDS-I (74) or DDS-II (DDS-SC) network (34), a primary and secondary channel are accommodated preferably for providing both primary data capability and diagnostics for the network. Primary and secondary channel data are multiplexed with control information in a standard DDS-SC frame. The system timing circuitry is locked to the DDS data rate and means for providing encoding and decoding of bipolar violations is provided so that the digital service unit (DSU) is compatible with both types of digital data service. At power-up, a microcomputer (102) reads the DSU clock frequency and the voltage offset of operational amplifiers and provides adjustment through digital to analog converters (210,294).