Abstract: A slide track of a notched slider control can include a continuous path extending between two end points. A slider can be a graphical element able to move along the slide track. The end points can correspond to upper and lower extremes of a value range. Positions between the end points can represent values within the value range. The slide track can include at least one notch that is visually represented within the slide control as a deviation from a straight line segment having the two end points. The notch corresponds to a value within the value range. The notch can causes the slider to become fixed at a point along the slide track whenever a pointing device controlling the slider is moved in a direction of the deviation.

Abstract: A toolless thermal print head mounting apparatus including; a print head mounting bracket including a front face and a rear face, a plurality of print head mounting stud holes and a plurality of cable clamp mounting slots formed in the print head mounting bracket, each of the plurality of cable clamp mounting slots including a side slot and a vertical slot, a capture latch operatively connected to the print head mounting bracket, a plurality of key-slots formed in the capture latch and aligned with the plurality of mounting stud holes, and a floating cable clamp including a plurality of shoulder pins disposed on a rear face thereof, each of the plurality of shoulder pins including a neck configured to pass through the plurality of cable clamp mounting slots and a head configured to be larger than a width of the vertical slot of the cable clamp mounting slots.

Abstract: A method of retracting a tear bar in a printer includes pivoting a printer access cover away from a printer housing to expose a paper storage portion, and retracting a tear bar into the printer housing away from the paper storage portion through operation of pivoting the printer access cover.

Abstract: A low paper sensor mechanism for a printer includes two paper supports. Each paper support includes a fixed roller rotatable about a fixed roller axis and a movable roller rotatable about a movable roller axis and pivotable about the fixed roller axis from a start position to an end position, the movable roller and fixed roller spaced a predetermined distance apart and capable of supporting a paper supply roll. A detection device includes a sensor having an emitting element and a detecting element disposed in a line of sight of the detecting element. The movable roller is translatable from the start position toward the end position as a diameter of the paper supply roll decreases to less than or equal to the predetermined distance thereby allowing the paper supply roll to fall between the fixed roller and the movable roller thereby restoring the line of sight.

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: An audio system includes an audio enabled device, a transmitter and at least one receiver. The audio enabled device has a school and office product and an amplifier integrated with the school and office product. The audio enabled device is configured such that when the amplifier receives an electronic audio signal the amplifier and the school and office product cooperate to provide an audible audio output. The transmitter is connectable to the amplifier and configured to wirelessly transmit the electronic audio signal. Each receiver is connectable to the input port of an amplifier, and each such receiver is configured to receive the electronic audio signal transmitted by the transmitter.

Abstract: A method for sensing paper on a paper roll is disclosed. The method comprises transmitting an ultrasonic signal into the paper roll and detecting an ultrasonic return echo transmit signal from the paper roll, the ultrasonic return echo transmit signal resulting from the ultrasonic signal interacting with the paper roll. Moreover, the method comprises determining an amount of paper remaining on the paper roll in response to the ultrasonic return echo transmit signal. Furthermore, the method may comprise indicating that the paper roll needs to be replaced in response to determining the amount of paper remaining on the paper roll.

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 magnetic shield member for a device with a magnetic reader, the magnetic shield member includes a biasing member including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends, the first end configured to be attached within the device with a magnetic reader, the second end configured to face the magnetic reader and a shielding member including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end and an arched portion disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end of the shielding member extends integrally from the second end of the biasing member, the arched portion includes a concave portion which faces the magnetic reader, wherein the shielding member applies a force to conform a document against the magnetic reader and shields the magnetic reader from magnetic interference.

Abstract: Aspects of a self checkout system are described. The system includes a product imaging scanner. Also included is a bag rack with scales substantially adjacent the product imaging scanner for holding a bag to receive imaged products. A computer system is coupled to the product imaging scanner and the bag rack for processing data from the product imaging scanner and the bag rack to ensure complete and secure product purchasing.

Abstract: A toolless thermal print head mounting apparatus including; a print head mounting bracket including a front face and a rear face, a plurality of print head mounting stud holes and a plurality of cable clamp mounting slots formed in the print head mounting bracket, each of the plurality of cable clamp mounting slots including a side slot and a vertical slot, a capture latch operatively connected to the print head mounting bracket, a plurality of key-slots formed in the capture latch and aligned with the plurality of mounting stud holes, and a floating cable clamp including a plurality of shoulder pins disposed on a rear face thereof, each of the plurality of shoulder pins including a neck configured to pass through the plurality of cable clamp mounting slots and a head configured to be larger than a width of the vertical slot of the cable clamp mounting slots.

Abstract: A magnetic shield member for a device with a magnetic reader, the magnetic shield member includes a biasing member including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends, the first end configured to be attached within the device with a magnetic reader, the second end configured to face the magnetic reader and a shielding member including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end and an arched portion disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end of the shielding member extends integrally from the second end of the biasing member, the arched portion includes a concave portion which faces the magnetic reader, wherein the shielding member applies a force to conform a document against the magnetic reader and shields the magnetic reader from magnetic interference.

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 system includes an ultrasonic transducer positioned to be in contact with the outer surface of a paper roll. The system further includes a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The transmitter circuit provides a transmit signal to the ultrasonic transducer for generating an ultrasonic signal, which is transmitted into the paper roll. The receiver circuit provides 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. The system also includes a processor circuit for determining an amount (length or diameter of roll) of paper remaining on the paper roll in response to the transmit signal and the receive signal. The processor provides an output signal when the amount of paper remaining falls below a threshold. A method of sensing paper on a paper roll is also presented.

Abstract: A method for assembling a notebook including the step of storing a plurality of covers having generally the same size and shape, each cover including a front panel, a rear panel, and a flexible portion positioned between the front and rear panels. The method also includes storing a plurality of differently-sized binding mechanisms and receiving an order for a particularly-sized notebook. The method includes, in response to the order, accessing one of the covers and one of the binding mechanisms corresponding to the ordered notebook. The method further includes the step of joining the accessed cover and the accessed binding mechanism such that the flexible portion of the cover is located immediately adjacent to the binding mechanism and allows the cover to conform to the particular size of the associated binding mechanism when the notebook is in a closed position.

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: A document delivery device for delivering a document such as a receipt or transaction record to a user at a kiosk or other automated device significantly reduces “pushing” of documents, increasing reliability and robustness. The document delivery device includes input and output roller assemblies that alternately engage and disengage a shared roller. Upon contacting the shared roller, the input roller assembly creates a first nip point to draw a document into a retention location. Likewise, an output roller creates a second nip point to draw a document out of the retention location for presentation to a user. The input and output roller assemblies are coupled together such that the rotation of one produces an opposite rotation of the other. A drive gear may be operably connected to the roller assemblies to drive the rotation thereof and to provide the translational force to engage or disengage the shared roller.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for displaying three-dimensional images with a display device. A blocking grid is positioned between a display device and a viewer, and a drive system oscillates the blocking grid in accordance with the display of a plurality of images. Each image is aligned with the grid and is structured such that each eye of the viewer sees only a displayed portion of a displayed image intended for that eye, thereby creating a three-dimensional effect.

Abstract: Aspects of a self checkout system are described. The system includes a product imaging scanner. Also included is a bag rack with scales substantially adjacent the product imaging scanner for holding a bag to receive imaged products. A computer system is coupled to the product imaging scanner and the bag rack for processing data from the product imaging scanner and the bag rack to ensure complete and secure product purchasing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for displaying three-dimensional images with a display device. A blocking grid is positioned between a display device and a viewer, and a drive system oscillates the blocking grid in accordance with the display of a plurality of images. Each image is aligned with the grid and is structured such that each eye of the viewer sees only a displayed portion of a displayed image intended for that eye, thereby creating a three-dimensional effect.