Abstract: An electronically controlled roll towel dispenser with a data communication system. The dispenser automatically dispenses a predetermined length of paper toweling from a supply roll after a length of toweling has been detached by a user pulling and tearing the protruding toweling against a stationary cutting blade. The dispenser is battery powered with an electric motor, an electromechanical dispensing mechanism, and an embedded microcontroller for controlling and monitoring operation of the dispenser. In addition to primary control functions, the microcontroller monitors parameters such as battery condition, towel usage, system status, system errors, and unsafe operating conditions. Pushbutton switches are also provided for programming towel length and the dispense delay. The dispenser further includes an optical transmitter for transmitting visual and infrared data to a receiving device.

Abstract: An electronic labeling machine is disclosed which includes a printing mechanism with a carriage adapted for horizontal travel across assemblies of identification devices to be imprinted. A web sensor is attached to the carriage for concurrent travel therewith. In traversing horizontally across the assembly, the web sensor provides a signal to a microprocessor which indicates the presence or absence of the assembly under the current position of the sensor. The microprocessor also receives a timing signal from the printing mechanism indicative of the position of the carriage. Based on the timing signal and the signal from the web sensor, the microprocessor measures a current width of the assembly. The assembly is especially adapted for use with the invention, and includes notched portions having a width difference than the nominal assembly width, each notched portion being in a fixed relative position with respect to one of the identification devices.

Abstract: An electronic labeling machine is disclosed which includes a printing mechanism with a carriage adapted for horizontal travel across assemblies of identification devices to be imprinted. A web sensor is attached to the carriage for concurrent travel therewith. In traversing horizontally across the assembly, the web sensor provides a signal to a microprocessor which indicates the presence or absence of the assembly under the current position of the sensor. The microprocessor also receives a timing signal from the printing mechanism indicative of the position of the carriage. Based on the timing signal and the signal from the web sensor, the microprocessor measures a current width of the assembly. The assembly is especially adapted for use with the invention, and includes notched portions having a width different than the nominal assembly width, each notched portion being in a fixed relative position with respect to one of the identification devices.

Abstract: A marker sleeve processig machine (20) for printing a legend (5) on individual marker sleeves (6) from a series (1) of marker sleeves fed through the machine (20). Various functions of the machine (20), such as transport of the web (1), printing of a sleeve (6) and removal of a printed sleeve (6) from the web (1), are correlated and controlled by programmed circuits (201,203). Data to be printed on the marker sleeves (6) can be input digitally, such as with a communication terminal (208) which may be a personal computer. The machine (20) provides a fully integrated apparatus permitting facile processing of a series (1) of blank marker sleeves to printed marker sleeves (6) bearing a legend (5) appropriate for use as identification devices and a convenient interface is provided for the user to enter the legends (5) to be printed on the marker sleeves (6).

Abstract: A sound responsive toy which seeks an emitted sound such as a child's voice, the toy includes control circuitry for activating an associated drive to turn and/or guide the toy toward the child's voice.

Abstract: A flexible lighting strip including a circuit of modular construction formed thereon, light emitting diodes connected to said circuit, and the circuit being connectable to control circuitry which provides selected energization to said circuit and the light emitting diodes for effecting a moving light display.