Abstract: A display strip includes a strip of material having a top portion with a hole, an intermediate adhesive portion attached to a first package, and a lower portion with second attachment structure (such as a tab or overlapping tabs) adapted to engage the hole on an identical second package. By this arrangement, the plurality of product can be hung in series, with each successive product hanging from an adjacent one of the product. A related method includes hanging a plurality of product in a serial vertical arrangement where each successive product hangs from an adjacent one of the product. By this arrangement, a lowest one of each successive product can be removed from the above-adjacent product. Alternatively, the product selected for removal can be spaced above a bottom one of the plurality of product, such that more than one of the product is removed from the vertical arrangement for purchase.

Abstract: A display strip for packages includes an elongated backing member and transverse adhesive strips that extend completely across the backing member for adheringly holding individual packages. A plurality of the display strips are adhered transversely to a roll of release paper in a side-by-side arrangement. This allows the adhesive strips to form a substantially continuous strip of adhesive running parallel the length of the roll, and also allows the display strips to be presented one by one as the roll is unwound a short distance equal to a width of the display strips. Due to the short distance of the roll as it is unwound, the display strips are easily removed one at a time off an end of the roll.

Abstract: A display strip for packages includes an elongated backing member and transverse adhesive strips that extend completely across the backing member for adheringly holding individual packages. A plurality of the display strips can be adhered transversely to a roll of release paper in a side-by-side arrangement. This allows the adhesive strips to form a substantially continuous strip of adhesive running parallel the length of the roll, and also allows the display strips to be presented one by one as the roll is unwound a short distance equal to a width of the display strips. Due to the short distance of the roll as it is unwound, it allows the display strips to be easily removed one at a time off an end of the roll. A method related to the above is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An illuminated tongue depressor is formed by an elongated relatively narrow body having a handle end portion containing a battery and a proximal end portion having a curvature conforming to the larynx defining a convex top surface and a concave ventral surface having a friction inducing antislip texture adjacent its proximal end. A lamp imbedded in the top surface is connected with the battery by wiring through a switch. A sanitary disposable sheath envelopes the proximal end portion of the body.

Abstract: An elongated relatively thin longitudinally arcuately bowed disposable tongue depressor having the major portion of its length characterized by a transverse wide substantially V-shape and having a flesh adhesive texture on the respective end portions of its ventral surface.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for optically communicating data between two data handling units where one of the data units supplies all of the optical power needed for the optical communications between the two data units. In a preferred embodiment a first data unit comprises a first data source, first and second optical sources of optical energy, and a first optical detector, while a second data unit comprises a second data source, a second optical detector and an optical modulator. In a first mode of operation, a first stream of digital data from the first data source pulse modulates the first optical source on and off causing the first optical source to transmit optical pulses to the second optical detector. These optical pulses are converted by the second optical detector back into a representation of the first stream of digital data for use by the second data unit.

Abstract: An electronic copy board system including an electronic copy board. The electronic copy board includes an opaque planar member which provides a support for a transparent sheet upon which image data is written. A guide member houses an elongated light to direct light through a slot in the guide member towards an array of light detectors positioned opposite the elongated light. The transparent sheet is moved between the light guide and the light detectors when the image data on the transparent sheet is to be read. In one embodiment, the transparent sheet is in the form of an endless belt, and in another embodiment, the transparent sheet is in the form of a long strip which is pulled off a supply roll and wound up on a take-up roll during the reading process. The electronic copy board is coupled to a personal computer to facilitate displaying, printing, storing, transmitting, or further processing of the visual data read from the copy board.

Abstract: A system including a portable personal terminal which may be used for handling a wide variety of financial, shopping, and other transactions. The personal terminal is credit-card sized, is intelligent, includes a plurality of transaction totals and is constructed to be user-friendly. An interface module is used to couple the terminal to other systems for on-line uses.

Abstract: A security system and method are disclosed in a network comprised of a plurality of remote terminals in communication with a central processor wherein, before a user can access data from the central processor, that user's assigned terminal must first verify that the user is the proper user of that terminal and then the central processor must verify that the terminal requesting that data is authorized to access that data. In a preferred embodiment, a first memory in the terminal that is assigned to a particular user is initialized by storing therein a file number associated with the particular user, an assigned terminal number of the terminal, an assigned algorithm, and a first number derived from the use in the assigned algorithm of the assigned terminal number and a secret PIN number entered by the particular user into the terminal.

Abstract: A system including a portable personal terminal which may be used for handling a wide variety of financial, shopping, and other transactions. The personal terminal is credit-card sized, is intelligent, includes a plurality of transaction totals and is constructed to be user friendly. An interface module is used to couple the terminal to other systems for on line uses.

Abstract: A currency dispenser having a housing having a discharge opening therein; a flexible, transparent carrier having bills of currency detachably mounted on carrier; a drive unit for moving the carrier within the housing so as to position successive ones of the bills near the opening and pick-off structure to separate the bills from the carrier and move them out of the discharge opening. Embodiments of the carrier include the use of adhesive members, tongue-like structures and a fan-folded configuration for providing single, spaced bills of currency on the carrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for digitizing an analog waveform and compressing the digitized information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting (ultrasonically or eletromagnetically) events of the presence and movement of a user within a defined user area, and a user operating zone within the user area, associated with a user device, such as an automatic teller bank machine, and for providing output signals indicative of those events. Transducer transceiver means is utilized with ranging circuit means and distance measuring circuit means. A computer means coupled to the distance measuring circuit means is also utilized to provide the output signals which may be used to control the operation of the user device and effect any corrective measures deemed desirable during its operation.

Abstract: A customer queue control system for an establishment having a plurality of customer service stations utilizes a main queue and a plurality of local queues, and includes a detector to detect the presence of a customer at the head of the main queue, keys at each service station to signify the status of that station, a voice message device to direct a customer at the head of the main queue to a local queue selected to provide the probable minimum waiting time, and a data processing system for controlling the voice message device in accordance with the presence of a customer in the main queue, the number of customers in each local queue, the status of each local queue, and the probable service delay time per customer in each local queue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for issuing negotiable instruments such as checks from a terminal comprising: first means (identification card reader) for identifying an account number against which a monetary amount of a check to be issued by the terminal is to be charged; second means (handwriting transducer) for inputting into the terminal identification data which will be used in determining whether to accept or reject a user of the terminal as authorized to issue a check against the account number; third means (bank data system) for supplying authorized identification data to the terminal and also for supplying evaluation criteria, such as a current monetary balance, for the account number; entry means (keyboard) for entering check data including the monetary amount; means for comparing (processor) the identification data with the authorized identification data and for generating an accept signal or a reject signal as a result of the comparing; the comparing means also comparing the monetary amount with the evalu

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for verifying the identity of a person by establishing and storing a standard vector for said person based upon predetermined characteristics derived from a number of handwriting samples, and then comparing said standard with a vector derived from a corresponding sample of handwriting provided by said person at the time the identity of said person is to be verified. Derivation of the vector is accomplished by digitizing an analog waveform representing forces generated by writing, compressing the digitized information, extracting Haar coefficients and directly observable features from the compressed digital information, and deriving a vector from said Haar coefficients and said directly observable features.

Abstract: A record member feeding device is disclosed for feeding record members from a stack, located in a hopper having spaced-apart surfaces positioned at one end thereof defining an opening through which the record members may be fed. A vacuum-operated, solenoid-control picking member grasps one of the record members and shifts it through the opening to a position in which it is contacted by projections on a rotatable feeding element and is moved thereby into engagement with counter-rotating take away rollers which further transport it to its desired destination.

Abstract: A multi-track magnetic recording head is used to record data in human readable form on a magnetic track on a record medium. A viewer, having a viewing window containing microencapsulated ferromagnetic particles, is used to read the data. When the viewing window is placed in operative proximity with the magnetic track, an image corresponding to the data on the track is formed on the viewing window to enable a user of the record medium to read the data thereon. The image on the viewing window is erased after reading by providing relative movement between the viewing window and a magnetic field.

Abstract: An electrical voice print is converted into sampled digital values which are converted into corresponding moment invariants (MI). A comparison of the moment invariant values of a standard phrase uttered by the same person and stored in the storage means against the most recently converted moment invariants determines the degree of correlation. A high degree of correlation is indicative of a voice match.