Abstract: A programmable microfiche duplicator and sorter apparatus is provided, including control means which operate in accordance with input data received from a teletype or other remote input peripheral, or from a code carried by the master film. The input data is stored in memory and defines the number of copies to be made, the sorter mode and the sorter start position for collation operations.

Abstract: A lithographic ink and moisture control system is provided for maintaining copy quality over a wide range of operating and environmental conditions without special operator assistance. The control system, among other things, momentarily increases the moisture feed rate each time ink is added to the system to maintain a substantially constant ink/moisture balance at the master, particularly under high coverage conditions.

Abstract: An improved photocomposition machine is provided including a keyboard and a cathode ray tube (CRT) which displays various function commands, such as font, point size, and line length and their selected values, in a function field area on the CRT screen. Changes in point size and font values made by the operator within a line appear on the screen with the type line characters in a sequence which they were entered. Upon completion of a type line, the last selected point size and font values appear in the function field area as the completed line is shifted to a predetermined location on the CRT screen, whereby the operator is provided with a visual record of the point size and font values for both current and previous lines.

Abstract: A data recorder is provided including a removable cartridge which carries both a sales form and an underlying log sheet. The fixed and variable data are imprinted by reciprocation of a platen carriage, with return of the carriage to the home position causing ejection of the credit card and loading of a stored energy mechanism. When the sales form is removed, the stored energy mechanism is released, whereby the log sheet is incrementally advanced to the next position.

Abstract: A wear compensating transducer is provided for reading optical and magnetic data from documents comprising a magnetic read head with a group of optical fibers passing through the reluctance gap and with the fiber ends disposed for wiping engagement with documents as they are read. The fiber ends define an optical reading aperture which remains substantially constant as the fiber ends wear with the contact surface of the magnetic head.

Abstract: A secure property document is provided which includes an optical data set defined by radiant energy modifying elements underlying a magnetic data member for reflecting infrared radiation therethrough. Preferably, the infrared reflectors are comprised of a plurality of thin metallic elements vapor deposited onto a magnetic tape during manufacture prior to hot stamping.

Abstract: A device is provided for reading optical and magnetic data and providing signals representative thereof, said device including means for establishing a predetermined time or spacial reference between the optical and magnetic data sets. In one embodiment the optical and magnetic read heads are mounted in parallel alignment with the path of document travel to reduce timing errors due to skewing. In a second embodiment the heads are mounted side-by-side such that timing errors due to speed variations and thermal expansions are reduced.

Abstract: An acousto optical diffraction cell, capable of passing polychromatic radiation and useful in a high speed, high intensity character generator. A monoclinic prism behaves like a parallel plate of glass when deenergized, and diffracts light under Bragg angle conditions over a useful spectral range when energized, thus ensuring a high I1/I0 ratio. The cell can be used as a very fast linear scan device, or it can be used as a multiple light beam modulator.

Abstract: A data capture terminal is disclosed which is particularly applicable for two-way data communications with a remote facility, such as a central data processor. The terminal employs a memory for storing data entered into the memory from various peripherals, such as an information reader, or a manually operated keyboard, or an input/output peripheral, such as a central data processor. Data entered into the memory from one of these peripherals may be communicated to an output peripheral, such as a visual display or a printing mechanism, or to a remote facility.

Abstract: A method and device for recording data related to usage of a copier machine, or the like, is provided. The device includes means for producing data related to the apparatus usage and means for presenting an image of the data to the exposure plane of the apparatus whereby operation of the machine produces a record of the data on copy material.

Abstract: A moisture system is provided for a lithographic duplicator comprising means for controlling the rate at which moisture is supplied to the master as a function of speed of a hydrophilic roll driven by an ink-receptive roll in contact with the master cylinder. The control means also utilize reference signals, indicative of duplicator speed, to the control moisture supply rate.

Abstract: An optical and magnetic data transducer is provided comprising a magnetic reluctance aperture which is split into two sections with an optical reading aperture disposed generally therebetween. This reduces timing errors between the optical and magnetic output signals indicative of the spacial relation of the optical and magnetic data element boundaries, such errors being due to variations in temperature and skewing.

Abstract: A transaction terminal system is provided including means which prevent the utilization of certain tapped-line data. Security data, such as personal identification numbers or card security codes, is allowed to be distorted by each terminal in a manner which varies from terminal to terminal within the system and is corrected for at the data processor or other appropriate location in a manner specified for the particular terminal sending the data.

Abstract: A data recorder is provided including a roller platen carriage adapted to be manually reciprocated and normally locked in a home position by a manually releasable interlock mechanism. A release lever is associated with the interlock mechanism, with manual release of the lever being required to free the carriage before each reciprocation. This avoids imprints of unacceptable quality due to inadvertent multiple operations of the carriage.

Abstract: A photocomposition machine is provided including a lens system which is controlled as a function of point size values selected by the operator. The control means recognizes point size changes entered by the operator and determines the direction and number of steps to move the lenses in order to provide a magnification corresponding to the new point size.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the transfer of toner particles from a developed photoconductor, or the like, to an object transfer surface by effecting charge flow between the photoconductor and the transfer surface, whereby the net electrostatic field acting upon the particles is reversed. The apparatus includes an insulating sheet provided with a conductive layer on the transfer object side. The insulating sheet is disposed between the photoconductor and transfer object and is apertured to permit the movement of toner particles to the object when the electrostatic field is reversed.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for properly aligning a rotatable indicia carrying member and for locking said rotatable indicia carrying member in place. Both the aligning and locking mechanisms are formed as integral parts of a single frame unit and are operative to perform their respective aligning and locking functions during movement of the frame unit into engagement with the rotatable member.

Abstract: A data terminal is disclosed and which is particularly applicable for use in data capture and data readout in a data communication system. The terminal includes means for providing a data output presentation of indicia representative of various information data characters. The presentation of indicia may, for example, include a printing function. The terminal employs a memory which stores information data characters representative of different indicia to be presented. The data characters may be entered into the memory from a data source, such as a keyboard or a central data processor. Circuitry is provided for controlling the presentation of indicia so that the indicia is presented in an orientation determined by the sequence in which the data characters are read from the memory.