Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting an angular deviation or a skew of an optical recording medium in the reading/writing of data from or into the medium and a specific optical recording medium to which this method and apparatus are applicable. The optical recording medium comprises strip patterns formed on part of a substrate. This optical recording medium is relatively moved in a direction of the width of the strip patterns with respect to a pattern detecting device so that an optical system of the pattern detecting device detects the patterns at plural detecting points along the length of the strip patterns. A correction control device counts the number of the strip patterns passed, according to the relative movement as mentioned above and compares the count values at the respective detecting points to detect an angular deviation amount in a plane of the optical recording medium.

Abstract: Method and a device for reading out optically recorded data from an optical recording medium having data recording regions defined by reference lines in stripe and plural data tracks arranged in parallel to each other and perpendicular to said reference lines. According to the present inventions, a drastic change in the position of a reference line at a given order within the sensing field is monitored from among plural reference lines covered by the field. If there is any drastic change, the order of the reference line for reading is modified so that the data track to be read can be accurately followed even if the field of the reading sensor is deviated in the direction of the data tracks. It also enables correct data reading by checking whether the position of the reference lines included in the field of the reading sensor is within the preset tolerance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a binary encoding method for reading the data from an optical record comprising steps of photo-electrically reading the optically recorded data which are encoded into binary codes with an FM encoding method and of comparing thus obtained video signals with a threshold to encode the same into binary codes and the device therefor.This invention is featured by the structure that the mark rate of binary encoded signals are detected to obtain the deviation thereof from a preset mark rate and the reading sensitivity of a reading means is adjusted based on said deviation in a manner to make the mark rate of the binary encoded signals identical to the preset mark rate.This invention is further characterized by the structure that video signals are binary encoded by plural groups of binary encoding means on the basis of different thresholds and the binary encoded signals of the group having the optimal mark rate are selected.

Abstract: A sorting device for sorting out a multiplicity of pieces such as tickets according to their size including a cylindrical sorting drum rotatably mounted in a frame for storing therein pieces having different sizes to be sorted out, a first row of openings and associated tapered tongues for only passing therethrough pieces of a first particular size, a second row of openings and associated tapered tongues for only passing therethrough pieces of a second particular size, and a motor for rotating the sorter drum about its own axis to cause the pieces of the particular sizes to be discharged through the first and second rows of openings in the sorter drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting an angular deviation which is applicable to an optical recording medium comprising a data recording region or regions defined by a reference line or lines having and data tracks perpendicular to the reference line or lines provided in the or each of the data recording regions for correcting an angular deviation on a data recording layer of said optical recording medium when the data is read by said photodetective sensor.

Abstract: Tickets carrying information indicative of ticket fares are effective for use on different transportation routes run by different transportation entities. After the tickets have been retrieved at terminal ends or stations of the transportation routes, the information is read from the tickets, and the transportation entities are billed for ticket fares or fare differences calculated on the basis of the read information.

Abstract: A sorting device for sorting out a multiplicity of pieces such as tickets, for example, according to their size includes a frame, a drum rotatably mounted in the frame for storing therein pieces such as tickets having different sizes to be sorted out, a sorter on the drum including openings of different dimensions for passing therethrough pieces of different sizes, respectively, and a collector disposed peripherally around the drum in radial alignment with those openings of one dimension for collecting pieces of a particular size passing through the last-mentioned openings. The drum is rotated by a motor about its own axis to cause the pieces of the particular size to be discharged through the openings of the one dimension out of the drum. The sorting device also has a separator for separating superimposed sorted-out pieces from each other. Magnetic or optical information recorded on sorted-out pieces is read by a magnetic or optical reader.

Abstract: Each of sorting mechanisms on a sorter drum comprises a substantially trapezoidal slit defined in a cylindrical wall of the sorter drum and providing a substantially trapezoidal tongue displaced radially outwardly from the cylinderical wall, and a substantially trapezoidal guide body having a holder plate held against the trapezoidal tongue and a pair of slide webs bent from and extending along opposite side edges of the holder plate and fitted in the slit, the holder plate and the slide webs having edges projecting radially outwardly from the cylindrical wall and defining an opening in the cylindrical wall. A detector for detecting pieces sorted out is mounted on each collector guide extending around the sorter drum. An electric control circuit is responsive to a signal from the detector for automatically stopping a motor which rotates the sorter drum.

Abstract: A sorting device for sorting out a multiplicity of pieces such as tickets according to their size, comprises a cylindrical sorter drum rotatably mounted in a frame for storing therein pieces having different sizes to be sorted out, means on the sorter drum including openings for passing therethrough pieces of a particular size only; and a motor for rotating the sorter drum about its own axis to cause the pieces of the particular size to be discharged through the openings out of the sorter drum.