Abstract: A ticket handling system for use in a ticket preparation system that includes a signal processor for providing print signals to indicate information to be printed on the tickets and write signals to indicate information to be encoded on the tickets; a printer for printing information on ticket stock in response to the print signals; and a transducer for encoding information on the ticket stock in response to the write signals. The ticket handling system includes a feeder module including a feed system for feeding a strip of ticket stock; a cutter module; a cutting device for cutting ticket blanks of a given length from the fed end of the strip; a printer module including the printer means for printing ticket information on the ticket blanks in response to the print signals; and a transport module including the transducer for encoding ticket information on the ticket blanks in response to the write signals.

Abstract: A ticket transport which is capable of rapidly reciprocating a ticket to permit a single transducer to read, write and/or verify information on the ticket. Upper and lower ticket guide plates define a ticket channel through which a ticket is propelled past an adjacent transducer by a plurality of rollers driven by a stepper motor. The upper ticket guide plate is hingedly mounted to permit access to the ticket channel. The stepper motor is controlled by special circuitry adapted to overcome the inductive time constant of the stepper motor to permit rapid acceleration, for example 0 to 50 inches per second in 30 milliseconds, of the ticket with minimum power dissipation. Sensors in the transport provide ticket position information. A combined magnetic head and pressure shoe assembly is provided for adjusting the thickness of the ticket channel.

Abstract: A thermal printing system in which printing speed is maximized by electronically controlling the temperature of the print elements in accordance with the varying dot pattern being printed. The system includes a thermal printer module and a printer circuit which are specially adapted to be utilized in a modularized device such as a ticket vending machine. The printer circuit includes a microprocessor which demodulates serial data commands and stores the demodulated data in an input buffer. The microprocessor decodes the information in the input buffer and sets up an output buffer containing character data to be printed on the ticket. The microprocessor causes the character data stored in the output buffer to be printed on the ticket using software timing loops to selectively control the temperature of the individual print elements.

Abstract: A ticket diverter module for placement in a ticket handling system includes a housing having a transport passage for receiving a ticket from an adjacent transport module, and a diverter blade for selectively diverting the ticket to either one of an exit passage for return to a patron or a capture passage for discarding. An alternate embodiment includes an escrow control device for retaining the ticket in a holding position within the capture passage for inspection. A further embodiment includes a thermal cancel device for cancelling a ticket.

Abstract: A stock feed and shear system which may be utilized in an automatic ticket vending machine for cutting tickets from different rolls of stock and delivering the tickets to other components such as a printer and a magnetic encoding transport. The rolls are supported on reels having releasable clamp mechanisms for allowing rapid replacement of spent reels while providing a predetermined drag between the roll cores and the reels. The reels are spring loaded so that stock can be unwound from the rolls only by positively driving the same with selectively driven pinch rollers. Guide tracks direct the stock to a rotary shear which cuts single ticket lengths from the stock without metal to metal contact, thereby achieving excellent service life. Sensors provide an indication of spent rolls, completion of a cutting operation, and presence of a ticket in the shear. In another embodiment paper or plastic tickets are pre-cut by a two-way rotary shear and are held in escrow.

Abstract: A ticket metering and barrier module for a ticket processing machine includes a housing defining a metering passage that is dimensioned to a predetermined maximum ticket thickness and includes sensing apparatus for sensing predetermined minimum ticket width and length and a barrier gate selectively movable into and out of blocked positions for blocking the insertion of tickets into the passage.

Abstract: A ticket exit drive module for a ticket handling system includes a modular housing unit that is detachably mountable on a base or support plate adjacent to for mechanical interfacing with a transport unit or module of the system for receiving a ticket and passing the ticket along a ticket passage from its inlet to an outlet wherein the ticket is grasped between frictional fingers and held in position to be received by patron. Sensing means within the unit senses the presence and passage of a ticket therein.

Abstract: A ticket handling system for use in a ticket processing system that includes a transducer for reading an encoded ticket entered by a patron and for providing a read signal in response thereto and apparatus for subsequently passing the ticket to an exit position where the ticket is accessible for return to the patron. The ticket handling system includes a transport module including the transducer for reading the encoded ticket and for providing a read signal in response thereto; an entry module coupled to the transport module for entering the ticket into the transport module; and a third module mechanically interfaced with the transport module and including structure defining a return passage for passing the ticket from the transport module to an exit position where the ticket is accessible for return to the patron.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for issuing airline tickets without the intervention of any ticket agent. The system includes a plurality of electro-mechanical ticket terminals in communication with a central computer. Each of the terminals has a card reader, a modem, destination select buttons, and a printer. In operation, the card reader reads data from a magnetic strip on a ticket purchasers credit card and the modem transmits signals identifying this credit card to the central computer. Subsequently, the modem receives signals from the central computer indicating good or bad credit. The push buttons are provided on the terminal to enable the purchaser to manually select his destination; and the printer prints a ticket to the selected destination conditional on the credit check signals received from the modem.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the range from a vehicle to a plurality of reference points. In one system a mobile transceiver is located on the vehicle for transmitting a ranging interrogation signal pulse modulated on an RF carrier having a given frequency in response to a timing pulse and for receiving ranging response signal pulses modulated on RF carriers having the given frequency. A plurality of reference transponders are individually located at each of the plurality of reference points for receiving the timing pulse and the ranging interrogation signal pulse on a carrier having the given frequency and for responding thereto by transmitting a ranging response signal pulse on a carrier having the given frequency during an interval that is discrete from the intervals during which ranging response signal pulses are transmitted from the other reference transponders.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in vending machines and the like using a magnetically encoded token as the value medium. The token is a flat disc with a central aperture and a magnetic track around the periphery for carrying coded data, such as the token value. The apparatus accepts a token inserted in an entry slot and temporarily holds a valid token in spaced supports, which allows undersize tokens to drop through. A valid token is advanced over a read and write head and is rotated for scanning of the magnetic track and updating of the data relative to the current transaction. The token is then released into a collection box or, if there is any remaining value, the token is returned to the customer. Only tokens of the correct size, with the proper aperture and a magnetically encoded periphery will be processed. Undersize and otherwise counterfeit tokens are passed through and oversize tokens will not fit into the entry slot.

Abstract: A system for reproducing a recorded binary signal from a recording medium that may be read at varying speeds is disclosed. The recording medium in a magnetic recording medium in which the binary signal was recorded by effecting predetermined alternating flux changes in the recording medium, and in which the distance of separation between consecutively effected predetermined flux changes does not exceed a first predetermined distance and is not less than a second predetermined distance.

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 coin box and vault includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving a lockable coin box. The coin box includes inner and outer relatively rotatable cylindrical housings having coin receiving openings in the sides thereof with a locking assembly for locking the housing in a position of non-alignment of the opening, a latching bracket and unlocking device is provided in the chamber for cooperatively engaging the locking assembly for unlocking the box for preventing relative rotation of the inner housing with respect to the outer housing and simultaneously locking the box assembly within the chamber.

Abstract: In the disclosed method, pre-recorded bit markers are read from a magnetic medium as it is moved by hand at a highly variable speed past a magnetic read head. Pulses of a fixed frequency are counted between the reading of adjacent ones of the bit markers. Magnetic flux is written in one direction on the medium upon the reading of the bit markers; and magnetic flux is written in an opposite direction after a time period equal to a fraction of the number of pulses counted between bit markers times the reciprocal of the fixed frequency. Also disclosed is apparatus for performing the steps of the disclosed method.

Abstract: A device for measuring distances to a target includes electronic circuits for generating a light which is amplitude modulated by three selectable frequencies. Also included are optics for focusing the amplitude modulated light onto the target, and for receiving reflection of the light therefrom. Additional circuits convert the received light to electrical signals representative thereof, and compute the phase angles between these signals and the amplitude modulating signals. The distance to the target is then calculated based on these phase angles and the wavelength of frequencies equal to the differences between the three selectable frequencies. Another circuit uses an accelerometer to measure vertical angle to the target, and further distance measurements are made based thereon. Still other circuits compensate for a variety of potential error causing conditions, such as signal waveform asymmetry and component tolerance.

Abstract: A magnetic ticket validator includes a housing having a ticket receiving channel for receiving a coded magnetic ticket with a heat source adjacent the channel in the form of a flashbulb, with an exposure slot exposing a magnetic strip on the ticket to the flashbulb and a coded masking tape, for imposition of a binary code on the magnetic strip upon initiation of the flashbulb. The heat from the flashbulb heats selected portions of the magnetic tape exposed by the mask.

Abstract: A mechanism for handling a ticket, as for a public transportation system or the like, in which the ticket has a known original value that is updated after each use by a printed visual readout and a magnetically recorded coded record. The mechanism receives a ticket and advances it through an initial stage in which the magnetic record is read and updated. The ticket then advances to a printer, where a single high speed stepper motor drives the ticket and the multiple character print drum, the stepped advance being in increments of character line spacing. At the appropriate line position, the advance drive is disengaged and the new value is printed while the ticket is stationary, after which the drive is engaged to eject the ticket. The action is very rapid and a ticket can be processed in considerably less than one second.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling paper money in a vending or money changing machine, in which a validator unit either accepts or rejects an inserted bill. Each accepted bill is moved a short distance by a conveyor to a handling station, where a ram pushes the bill into an escrow box in which the bill is held until the associated transaction is completed. When the transaction is complete, the ram pushes the bill through the escrow box into a stacker or storage vault. If the transaction is not completed, the escrow box swings down and the bill is ejected for return to the donor. The operation is automatic, the mechanism being simple and adaptable to a variety of vending machines.