Abstract: A transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit couple inductively to allow data communication between a mass transit vehicle farebox and an external computer. Data communication may be performed simultaneously with removal of coins from the farebox via a vacuum hose. Two mating connectors each carry a wire coil; one coil is connected to the transmitter circuit and the other is connected to the receiver circuit. Furthermore, the same connectors that carry the coils may be used to form the vacuum hose connection. A modulated signal representing encoded binary data is applied to the transmitter coil to cause corresponding flux changes. When placed in close proximity to one another, the magnetic flux changes across the gap induce a corresponding modulated signal in the receiver coil. The induced signal in the receiver coil is then decoded to recover the original binary data. The coils thus function as halves of a transformer.

Abstract: A transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit couple inductively to allow data communication between a mass transit vehicle farebox and an external computer. Data communication may be performed simultaneously with removal of coins from the farebox via a vacuum hose. Two mating connectors each carry a wire coil; one coil is connected to the transmitter circuit and the other is connected to the receiver circuit. Furthermore, the same connectors that carry the coils may be used to form the vacuum hose connection. A modulated signal representing encoded binary data is applied to the transmitter coil to cause corresponding flux changes. When placed in close proximity to one another, the magnetic flux changes across the gap induce a corresponding modulated signal in the receiver coil. The induced signal in the receiver coil is then decoded to recover the original binary data. The coils thus function as halves of a transformer.

Abstract: A permeable electrostatic shielding method and apparatus is disclosed that is suitable for use in shielding portable electronic devices such as calculators, smart cards and radios. Such electronic devices require protection from the electrostatic discharge occurring when a user accumulates an electrostatic charge and contacts a conducting surface of the electronic device. The resulting electrostatic discharge creates capacitively-coupled voltage transients in the digital circuits within the electronic device. The present invention prevents local charge accumulation on the surfaces of such electronic devices, which transmit and receive electromagnetic radio waves, without blocking the electromagnetic radiation essential to device function.

Abstract: A barrier system works in conjunction with an automatic fee collection system to prevent persons from gaining entry to a fee-paid area without payment of the required fee. The barrier system includes a physical barrier that controllably blocks a passageway through which the person who attempts to gain access without payment must move. A barrier actuator controllably drives the physical barrier from the open to the closed position under the direction of a controller. The controller receives sensor signals that warn of an attempt to gain admission without payment, processes those signals through a logic that prevents unauthorized admission, guards against injury to persons by operation of the physical barrier, and permits exit through the barrier system.

Abstract: An access control ticket having three fields of data, a first field (3) of fixed data, a second field (7) of variable data, and a third field (8) of variable data is read and information processed by a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines the validity of information on the ticket data fields and which of the variable fields has older data. Writing only occurs on (over) the variable field with invalid or older data. Upon subsequent use, the ticket contains current access data (just written) and last previous access data, as well as fixed field data. This added data (past use) can be used for statistical analysis or other purposes. More importantly, the added data field reduces read/write reliability problems. One improperly written variable data field does not invalidate ticket, only the last variable data entry. The microprocessor is programmed to overwrite invalid data in one of the variable data fields during the next use.

Abstract: A continuous strip of ticket stock from which individual tickets can be separated includes an elongated strip of a ticket stock material and, at each preselected ticket-separation location, a collinear transversely extending perforation, bursting slot, and slit at each end of the bursting slot. A ticket dispenser for dispensing individual tickets from such a strip of stock includes a drive mechanism that drives the strip of ticket stock in both a forward direction and a reverse direction through a bursting station. The bursting station includes a burst barb, and a guide that permits the strip of ticket stock to move past the burst barb when the strip of ticket stock is driven in the forward direction, and to engage the burst barb to the bursting slot when the strip of ticket stock is driven in the reverse direction. The burst barb propagates a separation from the bursting slot outwardly through the perforation to separate the individual ticket cleanly from the strip.

Abstract: An access control ticket having three fields of data, a first field of fixed data, a second field of variable data, and a third field of variable data is read and information processed by a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines the validity of information on the ticket data fields and which of the variable fields has older data. Writing only occurs on (over) the variable field with invalid or older data. Upon subsequent use, the ticket contains current access data (just written) and last previous access data, as well as fixed field data. This added data (past use) can be used for statistical analysis or other purposes. More importantly, the added data field reduces read/write reliability problems. One improperly written variable data field does not invalidate ticket, only the last variable data entry. The microprocessor is programmed to overwrite invalid data in one of the variable data fields during the next use.

Abstract: A turnstile is made with a stationary turnstile support shaft extending from a solid support, and a bearing on the end of the shaft. The turnstile hub is supported on the end of the shaft with a bearing. The turnstile hub is locked against rotation in a fee-paid direction by a unidirectional pawl that engages a cutout on a ratchet plate attached to the hub. The unidirectional pawl is released by energizing a solenoid latching mechanism, rather than acting directly on the unidirectional pawl. Backcocking of the turnstile is prevented by a bidirectional pawl that engages notches on the ratchet plate. The bidirectional pawl is released by energizing a second solenoid latching mechanism, rather than acting directly on the bidirectional pawl.

Abstract: A turnstile system used to meter the entry of persons into or out of an area through a passageway includes a first cabinet defining one side of the passageway with a turnstile hub rotationally mounted in the first cabinet. The turnstile hub has an axis of rotation inclined at an angle of from about 38 to about 41 degrees from the vertical, most preferably at about 39 degrees from the vertical. A tripod of three turnstile arms of equal length extends from the hub with the arms lying along the edges of an equilateral pyramid having a pyramid apex that lies along the rotational axis of the hub. A second cabinet defining the other side of the passageway is spaced apart from the first cabinet.