Abstract: A system including a panel having a panel opening and a coupling device coupled to the panel. The coupling device includes a coupling device opening and a flange positioned adjacent to the coupling device opening. The coupling device opening at least partially overlaps with the panel opening, and the flange is elastically deflectable to allow a binding mechanism to pass the flange and into or out of the coupling device opening.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. A release mechanism is provided for opening the loop.

Abstract: A folder including a folder body having a first panel and a second panel pivotally coupled together. The folder further includes a stand pivotally coupled to the first and second panels, the stand being movable to a support position wherein the stand is configured to support the folder body in a propped position.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. A release mechanism is provided for opening the loop.

Abstract: A system for assisting a user in organizing and writing a research paper. The system includes a thesis module configured to run on a processor and to present a series of questions to the user, receive input regarding the series of questions, and to assemble a thesis statement based on the input received; a research module configured to run on the processor and to output topics related to the thesis statement, to output research notes, and to assemble source citations; an organization module configured to run on the processor and to edit the topics and research notes and to arrange the topics and the research notes within the topics in a predetermined order; and a writing module configured to run on the processor and to create an editable draft of the research paper that includes the thesis statement and the content of the research notes arranged in the predetermined order.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. A release mechanism is provided for opening the loop.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. The loop is fixedly and not slidably coupled to the backing member.

Abstract: A point of sale printer includes a housing, a cover, a first biasing member communicating with the housing and the cover, a thermal print head including a cover detent feature, the cover detent feature secures the cover to the housing, a platen and a platen drive roller which co-rotate with each other attached to the cover, a drive motor including a drive roller attached to the housing, a link member rotatably attached to the drive motor, the link member configured to rotate about a rotational axis of the drive motor and an idler roller rotatably connected to a second end of the link member, the idler roller configured to contact the platen drive roller and the drive roller, wherein a rotational direction of the drive motor corresponds to a rotational direction of the link member and also corresponds to an elevation of the idler roller which releases the cover.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. The loop is fixedly and not slidably coupled to the backing member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method that relates to paper waste reduction with a point of sale printer. The method comprising, establishing a length of paper available (PA) estimate during loading of paper into a point of sale printer and tracking a length of paper used (PU). The method further comprising, continuously updating the PA by subtracting the PU from the PA, and alerting an operator to replenish paper in the printer in response to the PA being less than a desired length of paper wasted (DPW). Additionally, the method updates the new roll paper available (NRPA) to ensure that the difference between actual paper wasted (APW) and the desired length of paper wasted (DPW) is minimal.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. The loop is fixedly and not slidably coupled to the backing member.

Abstract: A system for sensing paper on a paper roll includes an ultrasonic transducer positioned to be in contact with an outer surface of the paper roll; a transmitter circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer, the transmitter circuit providing a transmit signal to the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer generating an ultrasonic signal in response to the transmit signal; a receiver circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer, the receiver circuit providing a received signal indicative of an ultrasonic return echo from the paper roll, the ultrasonic return echo resulting from the ultrasonic signal interacting with the paper roll; and a processor circuit, in communication with the transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit, that determines an amount of paper remaining on the paper roll in response to the transmit signal and the receive signal, the processor providing an output signal when the amount of paper remaining falls below a threshold.

Abstract: A method for sensing low paper in a printer includes supporting a paper supply roll via at least one of two paper supports. Each paper support includes a fixed roller rotatable about a fixed roller axis and a movable roller pivotable about the fixed roller axis from a start position to an end position. The movable roller is moved from the start position toward the end position as a diameter of the paper supply roll decreases to less than or equal to a predetermined distance. The paper supply roll falls between the fixed roller and the movable roller when the diameter of the paper supply roll decreases to less than the predetermined distance and exerts a force on a paddle of a detection device thereby restoring a line of sight of the detection device.

Abstract: A convertible self-checkout system includes a base and a stand rotatably mounted to the base. The stand includes an input/output device facing in a first direction and a product scanner, and the stand is positionable relative to the base in at least a first angular position and a second angular position. The input/output device is an interactive video display, and the interactive video display has a first mode corresponding to the first angular position and a second mode corresponding to the second angular position. A sensor determines an angular position of the stand relative to the base and communicates the angular position to the interactive video display. The stand further includes a video display facing in a second direction substantially opposite from the first direction.

Abstract: Aspects of a self checkout method are described. The method includes utilizing an imaging scanner to image products being purchased; providing a bag rack with scales substantially adjacent the imaging scanner for holding a bag to receive imaged products; and utilizing a computer system to process data from the imaging scanner and the bag rack to ensure complete and secure product purchasing. The method also includes utilizing the computer system to process image data from the product imaging scanner to track movement of each imaged product relative to the bag rack and determine whether each imaged product is entering or exiting the bag.

Abstract: A low paper sensor mechanism including first and second support rollers rotatable about a first and second rotational axis to support a paper supply roll, the first and second support rollers and rotational axes configured to translate in a path between a first position and a second position, first and second biasing members biasing the first and second support rollers toward the second position and a detection device, including a light emitting element and a light detecting element, disposed adjacent to the first and second support rollers, wherein the first and second support rollers move from the first position to the second position when a diameter of the paper supply roll is less than or equal to the predetermined distance between the first and second support rollers and the paper supply roll disrupts a line of sight between the light emitting element and the light detecting element.

Abstract: A low paper sensor mechanism including first and second support rollers rotatable about a first and second rotational axis to support a paper supply roll, the first and second support rollers and rotational axes configured to translate in a path between a first position and a second position, first and second biasing members biasing the first and second support rollers toward the second position and a detection device, including a light emitting element and a light detecting element, disposed adjacent to the first and second support rollers, wherein the first and second support rollers move from the first position to the second position when a diameter of the paper supply roll is less than or equal to the predetermined distance between the first and second support rollers and the paper supply roll disrupts a line of sight between the light emitting element and the light detecting element.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for implementing presence detection is provided. The method includes a first mode of a tri-modal application that monitors a field-of-view via a presence detection function of a scanner. The method also includes implementing a second mode of the tri-modal application when a change to the field-of-view is detected and a specified threshold of change is met. The second mode includes activating selected system components of a terminal device, which in turn include a processor and the presence detection function. The second mode also includes fully activating the scanner and monitoring the field-of-view for determining a bar code image. The method further includes initiating a third mode of the tri-modal application when the bar code image is detected at the scanner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal receipt printer including a printer frame having a base and two blade flanges extending from the base. The thermal receipt printer further includes a stationary blade located at the two blade flanges and at least one magnet located in at least one magnet hole in each blade flange of the two blade flanges, a magnetic field of the at least one magnet retaining the stationary blade to the two blade flanges.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) device is provided and includes a magnetic ink character reader (MICR), and a magnetic shield member. The magnetic shield member includes a biasing member, a first shielding member and a second shielding member. The first shielding member applies a force on the MICR and the first and the second shielding members shield the MICR from magnetic interference.