Abstract: A system and method for cutting continuous web that provides a simplified and direct feed path during loading, and thereafter a more-complex serpentine feed path at an infeed unit for reliable infeed of the web, arranged as either a free loop or a moderately tensioned configuration. Downstream, an indexing drive intermittently pauses the web for the cutter knife to operate. The indexing drive and infeed unit's drive are synchronized by a controller to produce a small horizontally disposed buffer loop therebetween. The buffer loop is maintained within a predetermined range using a sensor, operatively with the controller, that measures the location of the end of the loop, modulating the drives to maintain the buffer loop's (returning) end within a predetermined location about the sensor's sensing field. The system includes an adjustment drive motor for moving a plurality of edge guide sets toward and away from each other in synchronization.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a continuous pinless web that is free of tractor pin feed holes within a utilization device that is originally adapted to feed web having tractor pin feed hole strips along its widthwise edges is provided. The utilization device can comprise an IBM high-volume laser printer having an image transfer drum synchronized to a pair of tractor pin feed drive units. A drive roller is operatively connected to the lower pin feed unit according to a preferred embodiment. A registration controller is utilized to synchronize the movement of the web with the operation of the utilization device element using a differential and a separate registration motor. The image transfer drum and drive roller are each synchronized to a central drive motor that generates pulses via an encoder. The pulses track the movement of the image transfer drum. A mark sensor reads marks on the web to synchronize actual movement of the web with the image transfer drum using the registration motor.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a continuous pinless web that is free of tractor pin feed holes within a utilization device that is originally adapted to feed web having tractor pin feed hole strips along its widthwise edges is provided. The utilization device can comprise an IBM high-volume laser printer having an image transfer drum synchronized to a pair of tractor pin feed drive units. A drive roller is operatively connected to the lower pin feed unit according to a preferred embodiment. A registration controller is utilized to synchronize the movement of the web with the operation of the utilization device element using a differential and a separate registration motor. The image transfer drum and drive roller are each synchronized to a central drive motor that generates pulses via an encoder. The pulses track the movement of the image transfer drum. A mark sensor reads marks on the web to synchronize actual movement of the web with the image transfer drum using the registration motor.

Abstract: This invention provides disk drive access control apparatus for connection between a host computer and a plurality of disk drives to provide an asynchronously operating storage system. It also provides increases in performance over earlier versions thereof. There are a plurality of disk drive controller channels connected to respective ones of the disk drives and controlling transfers of data to and from the disk drives, each of the disk drive controller channels includes a cache/buffer memory and a micro-processor unit. An interface and driver unit interfaces with the host computer and there is a central cache memory. Cache memory control logic controls transfers of data from the cache/buffer memory of the plurality of disk drive controller channels to the cache memory and from the cache memory to the cache/buffer memory of the plurality of disk drive controller channels and from the cache memory to the host computer through the interface and driver unit.

Abstract: A web roll handling system comprises a roll loading section, a plurality of splicers and at least one robotic vehicle arranged to travel back and forth between the loading section and the plurality of splicers.

Abstract: A target is viewed by means of a coherent fiber optic bundle comprising a two dimensional array of fibers. A one dimensional linear light detector array, fixed relative to the coherent fiber optic bundle, receives an image of the target and detects light through only a slice of the image to provide dimensional information with respect to the edges of the target. A polyfurcated bundle may view different linear dimensions of the target and allow for the use of the single linear array to detect the multiple dimensions. Electronics provide for detection of target edges by means of a curve fitting technique, computation of dimensions and control of light source intensity and exposure time. Illumination is by a noncoherent light source and a collimator positioned behind the target or by a fiber optic bundle and a light guide plate positioned to illuminate the target from the front.

Abstract: A target is viewed by means of a coherent fiber optic bundle comprising a two dimensional array of fibers. A one dimensional linear light detector array, fixed relative to the coherent fiber optic bundle, receives an image of the target and detects light through only a slice of the image to provide dimensional information with respect to the edges of the target. A polyfurcated bundle may view different linear dimensions of the target and allow for the use of the single linear array to detect the multiple dimensions. Electronics provide for detection of target edges by means of a curve fitting technique, computation of dimensions and control of light source intensity and exposure time. Illumination is by a noncoherent light source and a collimator positioned behind the target or by a fiber optic bundle and a light guide plate positioned to illuminate the target from the front.