Abstract: A dual belt drive for use in a document transport using two belts having teeth thereon which mesh to lock a document in place. The belt is spring loaded to compensate for documents of various thickness.

Abstract: Marks on test answer sheets and the like are detected by scanning with fiber optic line-to-circle converter using a single photocell. Four to five rows of optical fibers each about 2 to about 3 mils thick make up the fiber optic line, and the fiber optic "circle" is an arc no greater than about 95% of a circle. Scanning can be compensated for flaws in the optics and for poor response when photocell begins scanning the arc. Sheets are fed in spaced sequence. Electrically operated clutch-brake with spring-carried clutch synchronizes feed with scanning, particularly when clutch is opened for not over 0.1 second and is closed by a current pulse at a voltage substantially greater than used for holding it closed. Electronic logic can disable the equipment if markings on sheets show that improper control sheets are used. Scoring can be checked by verifying count of control sheet markings each time a test sheet is scored.

Abstract: Device and method for reading indicia embossed, punched or impressed in a sheet of base material, such as credit-type cards and the like. The reader employs a head having a plurality of movable fingers disposed to sense the holes or embossing when the card is moved relative to the head. The fingers carry light guides thereon which are spaced from and disposed to transmit light from a fixed source. A light cut-off shield is disposed between the source of the light and the light guides to intercept and prevent or permit transmission of the light when the fingers pass over the embossed indicia or holes. Light detectors are disposed at the opposite terminus of the light guides to detect the presence or absence of light and produce electrical pulses corresponding thereto. These electrical pulses can be used or processed in any circuitry as information input correlating to the indicia on the base material, e.g.

Abstract: A batch reading system for automatically reading documents such as tags or tickets having data marked thereon in the form of human readable characters which are also automatically readable by suitable apparatus, the system being capable of feeding documents which are curled, wrinkled, bent, and otherwise deformed or mutilated. The documents are fed from an input hopper by first feed means, which may be a vacuum belt, from which they are fed to a second vacuum belt on whose underside the tags are held and fed past an underlying automatic reading device. The documents which are properly read are each stripped from the overlying vacuum belt by a flipper arm into a discharge chute, while other tickets are fed past the discharge chute to a reject stacker. To accurately laterally position the documents being fed, one of their longitudinal edges is pressed against a reference surface.

Abstract: A document transport for data entry and document processing for such documents as checks or credit card slips with transport means for entering the documents into a feed station, moving the documents past two read stations, wait in a hold station then return through a print station and a validator station with provision for entering data into the system and printing upon the document. The transport moves document in one direction and is reversed and moves documents in a second direction in the processing steps prior to depositing the document into a stack station.

Abstract: A device for reading the data on a card where the data are recorded in the form of marks or punched holes and the like includes means for producing a clock signal, such a clock signal being necessary for reading the data. The device is mechanical and eliminates the need for timing marks. Transit of the card through the device generates an optical signal which is converted into an electrical signal which, in turn, constitutes the clock signal.

Abstract: A magnetic ticket encoding transport for carrying tickets having a centered magnetic portion, in which tickets are sandwiched between pairs of movable belts that are pinched together for exact positioning at the point of contact with magnetic heads, including positive acting alignment plates that align the tickets while being held and moved by the belts to the magnetic heads, and which belts are so arranged in spaced pairs to provide an open centered channel for the magnetic portion of the ticket to align and co-act with the magnetic head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents having both pre-printed information adapted to be identified by an automatic recognition device and handwritten information adapted to be identified by the human eye. Each document is subjected to an operation involving the reading of the information contained thereon in two recurrent operating phases and an operation involving the recording of fresh data thereon. In the first phase, the pre-printed information is read by an automatic recognition device. During the second phase, the handwritten information is read visually and transcribed by an encoding device. Simultaneously therewith, fresh data is recorded on another document which was subjected to a reading operation in the course of the two next preceding operating phases.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for central inventory control as particularly adapted for retail vending wherein all merchandise is made to carry a coded identifier ticket characteristic of the product. Upon sale of the product the identifier ticket may be removed and at periodic times all accrued identifier tickets can be processed through a label sorter and reader to compile data for input to a central computer which then provides various forms of inventory readout to the user entity. More particularly, the invention utilizes a form of identifier ticket adapted for gummed adhesion and tear-off from the product, and the removed identifier ticket is then processed in a sorting and reading apparatus to provide recorded as well as instantaneous output for input to an associated computer or other peripheral equipment.

Abstract: A device for the reading of identification cards and the like including a feed slot which directs the longitudinal edges of the card into spaced guide grooves which serve to straighten and properly align the card and into a conveyor which carries the card past a reading or checking device.

Abstract: In a modular high speed document printing system an apparatus within each printing module for inhibiting printing on a document passing therethrough when a valid print inhibiting code is sensed on the document. The apparatus employs a document lead edge sensor for sensing the presence of a document within the printing module and a print inhibiting code sensor for scanning preselected portions of a document for a print inhibiting code. A timing means is responsively coupled to the lead edge sensor for defining a time interval corresponding to the time interval wherein a valid print inhibiting code may be found. A retriggerable counter is responsively coupled to the print inhibiting code sensor for initiating counting in a memory means upon the sensing of a possible print inhibiting code. Means are provided for determining from the outputs of the counter and the timing mechanism whether a code sensed by the print inhibiting code sensor is a valid print inhibiting code.

Abstract: A magnetic card reading apparatus for use as a teaching aid includes a card forwarding device which is operated by placing a magnetic information card in a starting position on a card path to move the card in a forward direction under a constant pressure and at a uniform speed. The card forwarding device has a lever member operated upon contact with the card when it is in its starting position, an arm member operatively associated with the lever member, and a pressure supply device operatively associated with the arm member for placing the card under pressure and moving it forward at a uniform speed.The apparatus further may include a card return device which is operated upon depression of an appropriate control button for moving the card back to the starting position or any selected position for repeated reading.

Abstract: Apparatus for capturing a card and/or reading and/or writing data bits on a record stripe of the card, including a carriage for supporting a card inserted into the apparatus via a slot, the carriage being bidirectionally selectively driven past a transducer on elongated guide means by a motorized rotatable screw threadably engaging the carriage. A card clamp assembly is associated with the carriage for clamping an inserted card thereto when the carriage is located in other than its home position, whereat positive transfer of a card between the insertion slot and carriage occurs, which home position is proximate the card insertion slot. Stationarily mounted cams cooperating with cam followers of the card clamp assembly deactivate the clamp when the carriage is in its home position to facilitate transfer of an inserted card to and from the carriage.

Abstract: A lateral register control system utilizing a reference lateral and circumferential mark pair preprinted on the web which is compared with a corresponding mark pair mounted on a drum coupled to the shaft of the print cylinder whose reference is to be controlled. The clock source being an encoder connected to the same print stand as laid down the reference marks on the web. The contents of the cylinder position counters always being slightly greater than the contents of the scanner difference counters and being counted up slightly before the scanner difference counters. Upon sensing a first reference mark on the web, the scanner difference counters are permitted to count. Upon the second reference mark being sensed the fine adjust counters are permitted to start counting. Upon the contents of the fine adjust counters equaling the value of operator setable fine adjust switches, an error pulse train is generated having an associated sign.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading a plurality of apertured cards in sequence in response to a series of command signals includes a supply hopper for storing a vertical stack of cards. The apertures of the cards are located in a matrix of columns and rows. A solenoid-actuated plunger moves the bottom card from beneath the stack and into engagement with a card drive mechanism. The card drive mechanism includes a floating transport equipped with endless tracks for riding on top of cards passed from the bottom of the stack and exerting a substantially constant downward and forward force on the cards while continuously moving each card in sequence across an array of optical detectors in register with the columns on the cards. A line source of light is carried by the transport for illuminating a card along a line parallel to the rows of apertures on the card.

Abstract: A card reader having means for receiving cards and transporting them past a read station and into an output hopper, the output hopper being modified to embrace means whereby cards can be unloaded from the output hopper while the machine remains in operation and is feeding cards through the reader and into the output hopper. The primary feature of the embodiment for unloading on the fly is a solenoid-actuated lever mounted on top of the output hopper, having a lever head at one end which when actuated presses against the side of cards in the hopper and clamps at least some of the cards in the hopper between the lever head and a cooperating indentation formed in the opposite side of the hopper, whereby the clamped cards are held in place.

Abstract: A system for repeatedly reproducing recorded information of a limited duration, suitable for use as a learning medium, using a multiplicity of recording tapes of a predetermined length, each having respective information recorded thereon, and a special playback unit. The playback unit comprises a circulating path having an inlet and an outlet for the tape. When the tape is inserted through the inlet into the circulating path, it is circulated about the path a desired number of times so as to repeatedly reproduce the information recorded thereon and when ejection means is operated, the circulating tape is inserted from the path into the outlet to be ejected outside the unit. The tapes which are not in use may be conveniently sorted or stored by means in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A program reading apparatus in a knitting machine including a movable reading head adapted to scan a program carrier having thereon patterning instructions for control of the pattern to be knitted on the machine. Means are provided therein for preventing rebound of the reading head upon arrival at or return to its starting position, such means being operated by the momentum of the reading head upon reading head arrival or return to momentarily arrest the reading head at the starting position.

Abstract: A document reader, for reading paper cards and other types of discrete documents, having means for adjusting the reader to accommodate different width documents. The transport channel of the apparatus, through which the cards are passed during the reading process, is equipped with an adjustable wall for defining either discrete channel widths or a width range which can be set for operation with documents of any width within such range. In another embodiment, the document reader contains channel width adjusting elements in both the input and reading sections, and the channel width adjustment means of the reader section is adjustable in response to the position of the input width adjusting element.