Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing fratricide including an emitter that emits a signaling code at a wavelength, the signaling code representing a coded message; a receiver that captures an image of a field of view including the emitter and generates image information corresponding to the captured image; a translation system that: receives the image information, and decodes the coded message from the image information; and a output device that outputs the decoded message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing fratricide including an emitter that emits a signaling code at a wavelength, the signaling code representing a coded message; a receiver that captures an image of a field of view including the emitter and generates image information corresponding to the captured image; a translation system that: receives the image information, and decodes the coded message from the image information; and a output device that outputs the decoded message.

Abstract: A programmable infrared beacon having an electronics circuit with a microprocessor contained within a transparent housing. A number of signaling infrared light emitting diodes are provided within the housing and connected to the electronics circuit. The beacon has a number of pins for inputting programs and controls and a number of color-coded light emitting diodes within the housing indicating the inputted program. An infrared received sub-circuit is provided to receive instructions from an external source. A programmer unit is also provided to prepare and transmit programs and controls to the beacon. Synchronization and cascading among beacons is provided with synchronization and delay programs within the microprocessor. An infrared detector is also provided to allow synchronization reception among beacons. In an alternate embodiment, a radio frequency transceiver and antenna is added to each beacon.

Abstract: A system comprised of a one or more rapidly flashing thermal image beacons, a plurality of sensors, a control subsystem, input means, and a power source. Each beacon being comprised of a precision machined and polished parabolic or elliptical mirror. A resistive heating element is nominally positioned at the mirror focal point. The heating element is mounted on a carriage which can be moved backwards and forwards by a microprocessor-controlled mechanism. The resulting oscillatory action creates a rapidly changing coded flashing thermal image.

Abstract: A heat emitting beacon having a rotating parabolic mirror to concentrate the heat from a gas heat source, said mirror back being coated with a passive cold emission material comprised of a metalized plastic film creased and crumpled to form a multitude of reflective facets and preventing any reflected light. In a second embodiment, a rotating, single- or double-sided surface is coated with the passive cold emission material. In another embodiment, a signal beacon is comprised of a plurality of detachable strips of the passive cold emission material. In another embodiment, a plurality of surface elements covered with the passive cold emission material is arranged as a louver.

Abstract: An illuminating device in combination with a microphone boom attached to a helmet worn by an operator. The illumination device is actuated by either lip action or push button. The brightness of the selected illumination is changeable by means of a potentiometer thumbwheel. The illumination device provides one spot and three flood light emitting diodes which may individually or as a group switched on or off. The illumination device has a universal clamping system permitting attachment to single or double boom microphone.

Abstract: A money dispensing machine with a tiltable screen module. The tiltable screen display module has two side handles for vertically tilting the face of the screen. Each tiltable display side has a heavy duty pivot mechanism fitted with a torque limiting device to provide constant friction resistance, each said pivot mechanism adapted to engage a display module side.

Abstract: A box opening machine adapted to opening a pre-packaged box containing coin rolls and emptying the coin rolls into a coin roll cassette. The invention provides a platform with a box slicer. The box is pushed over a platform work surface whereby the box bottom is sliced opened. The sliced box is then slid over a loading hopper wherein the box contents are emptied. The coin rolls from the box are then channeled into a coin roll cassette. The empty box is discarded.

Abstract: A money dispensing machine with a tiltable screen module. The tiltable screen display module has two side handles for vertically tilting the face of the screen. Each tiltable display side has a heavy duty pivot mechanism fitted with a torque limiting device to provide constant friction resistance, each said pivot mechanism adapted to engage a display module side.

Abstract: A box opening machine adapted to opening a pre-packaged box containing coin rolls and emptying the coin rolls into a coin roll cassette. The invention provides a platform with a box slicer. The box is pushed over a platform work surface whereby the box bottom is sliced opened. The sliced box is then slid over a loading hopper wherein the box contents are emptied. The coin rolls from the box are then channeled into a coin roll cassette. The empty box is discarded.

Abstract: In a coin dispensing apparatus having a plurality of magazines arranged one above another for storing rolls of coins, each magazine having a coin roll outlet at one end and an opposite rear end, said apparatus having a lifting conveyor having a plurality of hods which interact with the outlet of the magazine to receive coin rolls therefrom, said apparatus having a plurality of shelves for supporting the magazines in position with a spacing between them the same as the spacing of the hods along the lifting conveyor, each said shelf having an underside with a bracket attached thereto, each said shelf having an end nearest to the lifting conveyor, said apparatus having a dispensing outlet adapted to receive and dispense coin rolls transported thereto by the lifting conveyor, a lever attached to each shelf, said lever being geometrically arranged to automatically interrelate with a coin roll about to be fed from a magazine into an empty hod position, a coin roll waiting to be fed from the magazine immediately abo

Abstract: A coin dispensing apparatus comprised of a plurality of magazines for storing coin rolls, a lifting conveyor having a plurality of hods which are driven by the lifting conveyor and interact with an outlet for each magazine to receive coin rolls therefrom. An optional transporting conveyor is also provided. The transport conveyor has a plurality of hods which are driven by the transport conveyor and which interact with the hods of the lifting conveyor for transfer of coin rolls from the lifting conveyor to the transport conveyor. A dispensing outlet is provided which cooperates with the hods of the lifting conveyor or the transport conveyor to receive coin rolls transported thereto.

Abstract: An information display apparatus having a plurality of rotatable elements to create a changeable display of information is described. The display apparatus comprises a frame 1 in which are mounted a plurality of rotatable disc-shaped elements 4, each element having two display surfaces 5 and 6 and an array of activators 12. The frame of elements and the activators are moveable relative to one another. By selectively energising the activators 12, one or more of the elements 4 are rotated to alter the displayed information or image. The display apparatus may be arranged as a cylindrical of linear display. Sensors are positioned adjacent the activators (12) to sense the current position of the rotatable elements to decide if they need to be rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing sheets, including cash, which comprises first conveying elements for dispensing sheets along a feed path to a stacking position; first detection device for detecting unsuitable sheets; and diverting elements for diverting detected unsuitable sheets along a reject path to a dump. Stacking elements are positioned downstream of the diverting elements for stacking sheets at the stacking position. Second conveying elements are provided for selectively delivering the stacked sheets to a dispense outlet or along a reject path to the dump.

Abstract: Banknote feeding apparatus is disclosed which includes a cassette for a stack (S) of banknotes, a reciprocating suction arm (6) acting on the endmost banknote for removing banknotes singly from the end of the stack and conveying them into the nip of a pair of rollers, and which is characterized by a "gulp" arm (27) with a blade (29) which is inserted into the stack and removes from the end of the stack a batch of banknotes, conveying them into the same nip rollers. The gulp arm is coupled to the rotation of the drive shaft (21) of the suction arm (6) by means of a parallel drive shaft (23) which is driven by a drive arm (22) by means of a follower (24) only in the event of a blockage of banknotes. A blockage signal energizes a solenoid (20) which pushes the follower (24) into a position such that it will be driven by the drive arm (22), so rotating the gulp arm (27). The removal of a batch from the end of the stack should clear the blockage.

Abstract: A machine for detecting the passage of two or more superimposed banknotes comprises: first (101) and second (102) parallel rotatable shafts mounted between fixed side frame members (103, 104); two pairs of resilient plastics rollers (105 to 108) on each rotatable shaft, the rollers mating to form nips for engaging a banknote; a first plate (112) mounted by means of a bearing (115) on the first shaft (101) for conveying the movement of the shaft to the body (113) of a linear variable differential transformer; a second plate (117) similarly mounted on the second shaft (102) for conveying the movement of the second shaft to an armature (118) of the transformer; and a control circuit responsive to a signal from the transformer (114) for determining the relative deflection of the shafts at their mid points due to the passage of a banknote through one group (105, 107) of cooperating pairs of rollers. The control circuit indicates the presence or absence of single or multiple banknotes.

Abstract: Automatic banknote dispensing apparatus is disclosed which comprises a stacker wheel (5) for feeding banknotes to form a stack (4), and a dispensing module for conveying the stack to a selected one of two presentation positions (not shown). The dispensing module comprises an elongated base plate (1) at 15.degree. to the horizontal, a support plate (2) along one side of the base plate and against which the stack is formed, a movable pusher plate (9) disposed adjacent to and at right angles to the base plate and to the side support plate and mounted (at 10) to traverse in the direction of the length of the base plate, and means for driving the pusher plate between two positions intermediate the ends of the base plate. The stacker wheel delivers a stack of banknotes onto a central portion of the base plate (1) lying between the said two positions of the pusher plate. This central portion is preferably pivotable downwardly (about 20) to provide a "dump" facility.

Abstract: In automatic banknote dispensing apparatus, a banknote access module comprises an enclosure which can be fixed in the outer wall of a bank and within which is a platform mounted to pivot about a fixed axis between a first position, in which it receives banknotes from an inlet aperture in the enclosure and is accessible to a customer when a door of the enclosure is unlocked following a correct delivery of notes to the platform, and a second position in which it ejects notes from the enclosure through a reject outlet aperture, for example following an incorrect delivery of notes. A shroud formed integrally with the door blocks the banknote delivery inlet aperture when the door is open.

Abstract: Apparatus for gauging the thickness of moving laminar material comprising a gauging nip defined by a first roller of rigid material disposed on a fixed axis and a second roller biassed towards the first roller, the periphery of the second roller being rigid and adapted for movement away from the first roller, means for conveying the material through the nip and proximity detector means radially spaced from the periphery of the second roller and so positioned that the space formed therebetween is reduced upon the passage of material through the nip, the detector means being adapted to generate a material-thickness-indicative signal proportional to the displacement of the periphery of the second roller.