Abstract: An optical card reader for reading marks made on the face of a preprinted card utilizes a video camera and a memory device to capture and store an image of at least a portion of the card. Positioning indices are printed on the card, and the reader has stored therein information defining possible locations of valid marks relative to the positioning indices. The centroids of the positioning indices on the cards are determined to define the possible locations of valid marks on the cards. The densities and centroids of the marks located in the possible locations are analyzed to determine if a valid mark is present.

Abstract: A coded document is provided for use in a document reading system having a plurality of markable areas defined thereon and a first and second coded pattern disposed in predetermined relation to the markable areas. Each of the coded patterns has an identical predefined signature when viewed from any direction. A coded document reader includes a video camera that captures the image carried on the coded document. Pixel data is stored in a memory corresponding to the document area scanned by the video camera. The stored data is analyzed to identify detected signatures corresponding to the coded pattern signatures. Based on the location of the identified detected signatures and stored data defining the positions of the markable locations relative to the coded patterns, the position within the stored data of each of the markable locations on the card is determined.

Abstract: A mechanism for limiting the rebound of a rapidly moving game ball of a pin ball-type machine amusement apparatus in which the game ball during its initial traverse along a game board surface engages a movable ball rebound arm having operatively associated therewith a rebound spring adapted to be deflected by the rebound arm and temporarily store in the form of potential energy a limited portion of the initial kinetic energy of a rapidly moving game ball. When the rebound spring has stored as much of the initial kinetic energy of the ball as possible, the rebound arm is adapted to continue to move rearwardly and engage a movable weighted arm which is adapted to be moved rearwardly to dissipate the remaining excess kinetic energy of the ball when the weighted arm is moved rearwardly while the rebound arm is being moved forwardly by the potential energy stored in the rebound spring to affect a rebounding of the ball.