Veeco Integrated Automation Inc.

The Mead Corporation

Robert B McJohnson

Suresh C Paranjpe

Ganesh Rajagopal

James G Harper

Louis G Bailey

Don R Walker

Robert R Nelson

Adrian B Currin

In an infrared communications link, a transmitter is connected to a plurality of infrared light emitting diodes disposed about an arcuate surface to illuminate a generally rectangular area with pulsed optical energy. When a receiver having a plurality of photodiodes is disposed within the generally rectangular area the information contained in the pulsed optical energy is recovered. The combination of the transmitter and receiver provide a transceiver that is ideally suited for providing two way communication between a fixed station and an automatically guided vehicle in an electromagnetically hostile environment such as a highly automated factory.

Vehicle to fixed station infrared communications link

In a static optical bar code reader, a stationary bar code is disposed in operative relationship to a light sensitive charge coupled device. The photosites of the charge coupled device convert light from the contrasting segments of the bar code to an analog voltage. The analog output of the charge coupled device is applied to a circuit which converts it to a digital signal. The digital signal is transmitted to a suitably programmed microprocessor which preferably decodes the digital signal and recovers the information included in the bar code. The output of the microprocessor may be applied to a display, a host computer or some other utilization device.

Static bar code reader

An ink jet printer control circuit is disclosed in which provision is made for production of drop clock signal pulses for application to the electromechanical drop stimulation transducer of the printer. Print enable pulses are provided by a state controller means to the charge electrode driver of the printer so as to permit selective charging of drops produced by the jet drop stream. An edge detector means is responsive to the leading edge of each pulse in the drop clock signal pulse train to provide an edge detection pulse. Additionally, an encoder arrangement provides a train of synchronization pulses, each such pulse signifying an increment of movement of the print receiving medium. The state controller responds to the edge detection pulses and to the synchronization pulses and provides a print enable pulse upon receipt of an edge detection pulse next following receipt of a synchronization pulse. The state controller means includes three flip-flops which are sequentially actuated so that a print enable pulse is provided only after receipt of at least two edge detection pulses prior to each synchronization pulse.

Ink jet printer control circuit and method

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Pilot Point, TX, United States of America

Robert B McJohnson