Ncr Corporation

Jan Durajczyk

Brian G Hutchison

Eric G Lyons

David A Hain

The invention provides for printing apparatus comprising printing means and a host processor ( ) for delivering print data and command data via a common interface ( ) to the said printing means, and characterized in that the host processor is arranged to deliver said print data with a first characteristic and said command data with a second characteristic, and that the printing means comprises a printing device ( ) for receiving the said print data and a control device ( ) for receiving the said command data, the apparatus further including detecting means ( ) for detecting the said characteristic of the data appearing at the common interface ( ), and switch means ( ) responsive to the detecting means detecting the said first characteristic for switching data from said common interface ( ) to the said printing device ( ) so that the full potential of the printing device ( ) can be realized.

Printing apparatus and method

A secure access circuit provided on a PCB (10) by designating a via hole (26) as a security via hole, storing data relating to the address and status (intact or drilled-out) of the via hole in a connectable EPROM (26), determining the status of the security via hole, and authorizing access of the EPROM only if stored data and determined status of the hole are identical. Circuit (44) can be upgraded by use of different EPROMs; by use of different PCBs with different security via holes corresponding to each upgrade, an illegally copied EPROM providing upgraded facilities by use of a printed circuit board cannot be used on a PCB (10) intended to provide only basic facilities.

Security via hole(s) for printed circuit boards

A note checking apparatus for indicating whether normal single notes, double notes or notes having local attachments of folds are passing therethrough includes two rollers 10 and 12 between which the notes pass. The roller 10 has a fixed axis, and the roller 12 is supported by pivotably mounted arms 38 so that it is movable away from, and pivotable relative to, the roller 10 in response to notes passing between the rollers. Sensors 42 and 43 produce voltage output whose magnitude varies in dependence on the amount of movement of the ends of the roller 12 away from the roller 10. In order to enable the apparatus to distinguish between double notes and a single note having a central local attachment, there are provided biasing rolls 56 and 58 which, during the passage of single or multiple notes between the rollers 10 and 12, are arranged to apply to the roller 12 first a pivoting moment in one direction and then a pivoting moment in the opposite direction.

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Dundee, United Kingdom

Jan Durajczyk