Abstract: A system for facilitating the mass duplication of flexible diskettes of the type used to store programs and related data for use with word processors, computer systems, etc. A microprocessor-controlled base station, including a Kopy Module and two associated manual modules, is coupled by means of a daisy-chained bidirectional data Way to a plurality of slave stations. The Kopy Module may be used to store a plurality of possible diskette formats as well as operator-introduced copy and duplicating instructions. Blank diskettes are fed into the slaves and the blank diskettes are formatted in accordance with information supplied by the master. An especially designed translator contained within the Kopy Module allows diskettes bearing all of the commonly used data encoding techniques to be replicated. In another mode of operation, diskettes with unknown formats are analyzed, deciphered and stored for later use.

Abstract: An automatic flexible diskette picker for selectively ejecting flexible diskettes, one-at-a-time, from a stack of such diskettes. The picker comprises a stationary deadplate upon which a hopper containing a plurality of stacked diskettes of a given size is disposed. A gate device is affixed to the deadplate at a forward edge thereof and the gate has an aperture pattern for allowig the exit of diskettes of differing width and height dimensions therethrough, one-at-a-time. A motor-driven picker plate is disposed on the deadplate and reciprocally movable toward and away from the gate. The picker plate has a plurality of stepped vertical pick surfaces formed therein for accommodating diskettes of differing sizes. Thus, the device may be used to unstack, at different times, hoppers filled with floppy disks of the different sizes presently commercially available.