Abstract: An unattended banking machine such as an ATM machine has a payment acceptor for accepting payment from the machine user and for determining the amount of payment from the user. A calculator determines the transactional difference between the amount of the transaction and the payment by the user. In ATM machines service fees may be charged to the ATM user for issuing a money order or for a wire transfer that are not in even multiples of the smallest denomination of the currency being dispensed by the ATM machine. The preferred cash dispenser has only bills of different denominations and no coins. To pay the transactional difference without the use of very small denomination currency and/or coins the transactional difference is divided into a cash payment portion which is dispensed in bills from the machine's cash dispenser.

Abstract: An automated document cashing system includes a reader for capturing an image of a negotiable instrument and recognizing the authorized signature as well as the amount written thereon. The system then can transfer monies in the amount of the instrument to a savings account, a checking account, a smart card, or the like. The system can cash money orders as well as write money orders. The system will also wire transfer money. The image capture apparatus also can capture an image of a utility bill or the like that is presented by a user. By supplying monies in the form of cash, credit card authorization, smart card balance, or the like, the user can pay bills such as a utility bill through the system or purchase items dispensed by the system.

Abstract: There is provided a portable seating apparatus having multiple seating tiers and an understructure system that operates to extend the seating for use and to retract the seating for storage and transport. In the storage arrangement, the lower seating and understructure is capable of being substantially retracted into a portable housing. The housing is fitted with a system of rollers that operate between an extended condition to support the housing for transport and to a retracted position to lower the housing onto stationary foot pads for use by spectators. The seating apparatus is also provided with an anti-tipping mechanism which operates to limit tipping movement of the housing during use by spectators.

Abstract: A translating facsimile machine includes a facsimile input receiver which feeds a facsimile input signal representative of a source language text to an optical character recognizer. The optical character recognizer converts the facsimile signal to a source natural language text signal which is then tested in a source language recognizer and, if recognized, is then processed by a translator which converts the source natural language signal to a target natural language signal. An output device such as a printer receives the target natural language signal and outputs it to a roll of paper or the like.

Abstract: An X-ray film marking unit for exposing a portion of the film with a label having indicia relating to patient identifying and X-ray machine identifying information. A computer or microprocessor system is fully integrated as part of a smart marking system which may retrieve data from various sources via digital interface ports. Three modes of operation, full-automatic, semi-automatic and stand-alone, are utilized for data retrieval.

Abstract: A dual action shaker table useful in permitting various modes of shaking the objects. The shaker table provides either a substantially reciprocating shaker motion or a true rotary shaker motion using two cooperating parallelogram linkage constructions in cooperation with a drive link and a driving mechanism. Switching between these two modes of operation is carried out by removably affixing a part of one link or a part of another link to the table.

Abstract: An X-ray film marking unit for exposing a portion of the film with a label having indicia relating to patient identifying and X-ray machine identifying information. A computer or microprocessor system is fully integrated as part of a smart marking system which may retrieve data from various sources via digital interface ports. Three modes of operation, full-automatic, semi-automatic and stand-alone, are utilized for data retrieval.

Abstract: A marker for forming identifying indicia on X-ray film is comprised of two overlapping layers of material which define a predetermined shape, with a first layer of material having first predetermined X-ray absorbing characteristics, and-a second layer of material having second X-ray absorbing characteristics complementary to the X-ray absorbing characteristics of the first material, such that the combination of the two layers block a sufficient portion of the X-rays imparted to the X-ray film to form an identifying indicia on the X-ray film having good contrast. The combination of the two layers of material block a substantially greater portion of the X-rays than that blocked by either of the two materials alone. A plurality of indicia-defining layers of material are encapsulated within a clear encapsulating material having magnetic engaging means, whereby a single marker having a plurality of identifying indicia may be easily picked up and engaged with the platen containing the X-ray film.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for locating and guiding a biopsy needle with respect to an X-rayed specimen having a tumor to be engaged by the needle. Intersecting laser beams are utilized to mark the location of the tumor and to guide the biopsy needle in a vertical path. The laser beam source is movable in orthogonal paths while compensating means redirect the beams to maintain them within a target area or eliminate any parallax. That is, the angular position of the laser light beam is adjusted to different angles at different coordinate positions to have the needle follow along a portion of a straight line path from the X-ray point source through the lesion and to the X-ray film. Thus, the needle tip should not be displaced to one side of a small lesion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for locating and guiding a biopsy needle with respect to an X-rayed specimen having a tumor to be engaged by the needle. Intersecting laser beams are utilized to mark the location of the tumor and to guide the biopsy needle in a vertical path. The laser beam source is movable in orthogonal paths while compensating means redirect the beams to maintain them within a target area.

Abstract: Torque wrench testing apparatus and method that includes holding a torque wrench, applying a predetermined torque load to one end of the wrench while limiting movement of the other end of the wrench, and measuring the actual torque applied, for comparison with the reading on the wrench gauge. The essential feature of the invention resides in the idea of limiting the movement of the other wrench end by a pylon that is pivotally mounted so that when it engages a pivotally mounted wrench handle, the handle will stay coaxial to the one end of the wrench to avoid a handle end from contacting the wrench beam, which would cause a change in the working length of the wrench beam and result in an incorrect calculation of torque.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for use in a hotel to vend a plurality of articles comprises a housing having vertical, substantially cylindrical access doors providing access in each of a plurality of vending units to a vended article. The vendee will actuate a handle for the vending unit to turn an access door for that unit from a closed position denying access to the article to a vending position to allow removal of the vended article. The preferred system is cashless and a control device in the form of push buttons is operated to cause the vending operation of the selected vending unit; and a signal is sent to a computer to record the transaction and/or add the price of the vended article to the guest's hotel bill. After recordation, an electrical signal is sent to the vending unit to enable the manual actuation of the vertical, substantially cylindrical access door selected.

Abstract: Molding apparatus, particularly for mounting specimens for microstructural analysis. A ramhead pressurizes a molding chamber, with the pressure, temperature and time of the cycle being set into the system from a control panel and proceeding automatically. The ramhead is advanced through a hydraulic system. A spring is provided for mounting the tubular molding chamber to permit the molding chamber to spontaneously align with the advancing ramhead. A wrench member is provided as an integral part of the apparatus to rotationally lock the handle to the molding chamber, to permit rotation of the molding chamber through the handle for removal thereof when desired.

Abstract: A wheelchair is provided with an endless track drive for travel over rough ground. The endless track drive is detachably connected to the wheelchair by a frame such that a lower run of each of the endless tracks is located adjacent a lower periphery of each wheel. The chair in the wheelchair is kept low so that the occupant is not lifted so high as to experience a substantially different elevation when travelling on the endless track as when traveling on the wheels. A suspension preferably in the form of a flexible sheet allows one forward end of an endless track to be moved vertically independently of the forward end of the other endless tracks. Preferably, the endless drive is an attachment that is easily clamped to the wheelchair and is made mostly of plastic that is lightweight and easily cleaned and provides a low cost for the attachment.

Abstract: Apparatus for polishing or grinding specimens in which the pressure between the sample and the platen against which it presses for grinding or polishing is controlled by a feedback system, which includes a strain gauge from which the sample-holding grinding shaft is suspended.