Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of photo-luminescent display systems and photo-luminescent visual elements creating eye-catching displays of visual advertising or marketing messages that are very effective at generating interest, engagement, and loyalty in the viewing public. Photo-luminescent pigment containing visual elements are illuminated by one or more remotely located emitters at a first wavelength that is outside the human visual spectrum. In response, the visual elements then radiate at one or more wavelengths within the human visual spectrum. Additional features control unwanted reflections and unwanted transmission of radiation at the first wavelength. Additional features control the uniformity of radiation of one or more wavelengths within the human visual spectrum.

Abstract: An optical code scanner is presented that includes an improved user interface and an improved external computer interface. The user interface includes illumination devices that illuminate an air gap between the edges of a weigh plate and the top surface of the optical code scanner. The illumination devices provide guidance to the operator that allows the operator to optimize scanning performance. The external computer interface exposes controls that allow an external computer to determine what information is displayed to an operator.

Abstract: A Point-Of-Sale (POS) device detects vibrations produced from equipment in its operational environment. The vibrations are identified and one or more filters produced to remove the vibrations when the POS device is used to improve the accuracy of the POS device.

Abstract: An optical code scanner is presented that includes an improved user interface and an improved external computer interface. The user interface includes illumination devices that illuminate an air gap between the edges of a weigh plate and the top surface of the optical code scanner. The illumination devices provide guidance to the operator that allows the operator to optimize scanning performance. The external computer interface exposes controls that allow an external computer to determine what information is displayed to an operator.

Abstract: A barcode scanner operator interface capable of providing enhanced information. The interface includes a visual indicator including positions capable of being individually illuminated, and control circuitry for monitoring states of the barcode scanner and for illuminating the positions of the visual indicator to produce codes indicative of the states of the barcode scanner.

Abstract: A method of reading a plurality of bar codes during a scanning motion across a bar code scanner which enhances scanner operation. The method includes the steps of obtaining data from a detector in the bar code scanner, determining position information associated with the data, distinguishing data associated with each bar code using the position information, and assembling the bar codes from the data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Software Sanity Monitor for automatically detecting and remedying software lock-up conditions without user intervention. Users often refer to these conditions as “hangs” or “forever loops”. Although the Software Sanity Monitor uses the operating software's information, it is designed to execute independent of the operating system software; thereby, eliminating reliance on a “sane” operating system. If a “hang” condition is detected, the Software Sanity Monitor will automatically restart the system after logging the failure and, optionally, notify the user or host system.

Abstract: A system for collaborative bar code error detection and correction comprises a network of individual scanning entities for scanning bar-coded labels. Each individual scanning entity includes a scanning system having a decoder for decoding scanned bar code information and a printhead defect identifier for identifying printhead defects from scanned bar code information that cannot be decoded and for constructing printhead defect models for use in correcting future bar code scans. A log is provided at each individual scanning entity for storing locally constructed printhead defect models and printhead defect models that have been constructed at other scanning entities in the network. Each individual scanning entity has an error corrector for correcting erroneous scanned bar code information using the locally stored printhead defect models.

Abstract: A system for collaborative bar code error detection and correction comprises a network of individual scanning entities for scanning bar-coded labels. Each individual scanning entity includes a scanning system having a decoder for decoding scanned bar code information and a printhead defect identifier for identifying printhead defects from scanned bar code information that cannot be decoded and for constructing printhead defect models for use in correcting future bar code scans. A log is provided at each individual scanning entity for storing locally constructed printhead defect models and printhead defect models that have been constructed at other scanning entities in the network. Each individual scanning entity has an error corrector for correcting erroneous scanned bar code information using the locally stored printhead defect models.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for correcting improperly printed or otherwise defective bar codes. The system scans a bar code and determines whether the scanned bar code data is correct. If the scanned bar code data is incorrect, the system uses the incorrect scanned bar code data to create a scan-based printhead model. The correct data is entered manually, and the manually entered data is used to construct an active printhead model. The scan-based and active printhead models are then compared in order to identify printhead defects, which are stored to correct future bar code scans.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for scanning for a defective bar code having a plurality of alternating bars and spaces of varying widths. A bar code is scanned for providing a bar code signature which is used for measuring the bar and space width as multiples of a minimum width module. By detecting fractional width of adjoining bars and spaces, error in the bar code is correspondingly detected. The measured bar code signature may be corrected by respectively increasing and decreasing the fractional width of an adjoining bar and space for obtaining substantially integer multiple modules thereof. The corrected signature may then be decoded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for simulating a bar code. The bar code simulator includes a code emitter for generating a coded light beam which varies sequentially in intensity to correspond with bar code bars and spaces, and varies sequentially in duration to correspond with varying width of the bars and spaces. The flashing light beam so produced corresponds with the flashing back scattered light which would otherwise be produced by sweeping a scan beam across a bar code label. The independently produced coded beam simulates back scattered light which is identically detected by a scanner and decoded thereby.

Abstract: To improve the throughput of bridges in a multiple ring token ring network, External Copy Hardware (ECH) is provided for each source routing bridge to determine when a frame is to be copied as a candidate for forwarding to another ring by a given bridge. Each frame may contain a Routing Information Field (RIF), which the ECH searches for Segment Numbers in the RIF that are compared with host processor developed Primary Segment Numbers (each representing a primary ring number and a bridge number) and Secondary Segment Numbers (each representing an alternate ring number and a bridge number). The ECH uses the results of the comparisons along with a look-up table and a Routing Control Word (also present in the RIF) to determine if the frame under consideration is to be copied by a Protocol Handler (which interfaces with the ECH) and forwarded by the corresponding bridge to another ring.

Abstract: A method and circuit for controlling the contrast of a liquid crystal display (LCD). The circuit includes a switching regulator circuit which generates a negative voltage at the output thereof, with the switching regulator circuit having a feedback node therein and also having a voltage regulator with a control input therein. An injected current coupled to the feedback node and the control input to the voltage regulator is used to provide a changed negative voltage at the output of the regulator circuit. Control values stored in the memory of a controller are used to select the injected current. The changed negative voltage at the output of the regulator circuit is used to control the contrast of the LCD.