Abstract: A reader/writer credit card modular assembly wherein a T-shaped vertically disposed rail member provides accurate positioning of a credit card relative to a read/write transducer and to a timing track transducer through a reference plane established by means of horizontally disposed pins carried by the rail member. The credit card is vertically supported on the pins which in conjunction with a built-in tool or gauge member adjustable parallel to the card enables accurate preadjustment for a plurality of electromagnetic transducer heads arranged to be moved across the front surface of the credit card effective thereby to read from or write upon the credit card in synchronism with a prerecorded timing track disposed adjacent and parallel to the credit card.

Abstract: A card reader includes a housing enclosing the operating components thereof which is provided with a card insertion slot. A baffle is movable between blocking and unblocking positions to block and unblock the card insertion slot, as desired. Located interiorly of the housing is a card carriage which reciprocates between a first limit position proximate the card insertion slot and a second limit position remote therefrom for transporting an inserted card along a path past a transducer located inside the housing proximate the second limit of travel for reading information from the card. A cam is provided on the carriage which cooperates with a cam follower associated with the baffle for camming the baffle from its card insertion slot blocking position to its card insertion slot unblocking position and vice versa, as the carriage moves toward and away from, respectively, its first limit position proximate the card insertion slot.

Abstract: Reading and recording apparatus for cards having at least one magnetic track in which the card is held stationary and a magnetic head suspended in gimbals is utilized to read or write upon the card.

Abstract: A method of representing decimal numbers in a quasi binary coded decimal (BCD) form is disclosed along with apparatus for using the same. The value assigned to a combination of binary bits is dependent on the location of the combination on the medium which is encoded. Use is made of the direction of motion of the medium to determine the position and hence the decimal value of specific combinations of binary bits. By interpreting certain combinations of bits in two different ways, an additional binary bit of information can be obtained from a given number of bits increasing the obtainable information from conventional BCD codes.

Abstract: This invention provides an inspection arrangement for a code symbol consisting of a plurality of spaced parallel bars of different widths and predetermined spacing, the inspection arrangement including a sheet having a plurality of spaced viewable areas which may be defined by the edges of windows in the sheet member. The windows have relatively wide portions which are the maximum width dimensions for the corresponding bars of the code symbol and relatively narrow portions at the minimum bar width dimensions. The inspection device is placed over the code symbol and positioned to determine if all of the bars can be made to fall entirely within their corresponding inspection windows. The device also is positioned to center the bars to ascertain if their dimensions are at least as wide as that of the relatively narrow portions of their inspection windows.

Abstract: A novel record with alternate width modulated bars and spaces is decoded by comparing the width of each bar or space with a pair of reference values based on the product and quotient of a constant and the width of another bar or space to establish bit value. When the width value is greater or less than the reference value, the bit value is established. When the width values lie between the reference values, a state of equality is established which is resolved into a bit value by reference to the results of a prior or subsequent comparison. A system embodying the method includes storage means for storing width values, reference registers for establishing successive different sets of product and quotient reference values, and comparators controlled by the stored width and reference values for establishing the greater and less than and equality status conditions.

Abstract: Bar codes imprinted or otherwise applied to an object are read and decoded by focusing light reflected from the code by means of an object lens to a light responsive transducer. Electrical signals produced by the transducer are correlated and converted from a trinary code format into a binary code format. The trinary code utilizes bars and half bars made up of segments in one or more of four quadrants to represent a decimal equivalent number. This trinary code is applied to a converter where logic converts the trinary signals into equivalent binary signals which are then translated from a serial format into a parallel format for further processing by conventional binary code processors.

Abstract: An optical bar code reader is provided employing a dual focusing system in which a source of light is focused by a first lens to a small area of the bar code, which reflects the light back through a second lens to a detector. In preferred embodiments of the invention the source and detector are solid state semiconductors mounted on the same substrate, while the focusing lenses are integrally molded as part of a single lens support. Spherical aberration is minimized by utilizing aspheric lenses.

Abstract: There is described a method of producing a document coded with machine-readable information, said document having an information carrier with a multiplicity of storage positions, wherein selected storage positions are occupied by respective machine-readable optical markings, which markings cause a predetermined modification of incident light; the geometrical position of the markings on the information carrier represents coded information. In the method disclosed, such an optical marking is introduced into each storage position, and subsequently, selected optical markings are cancelled or altered. Also described are documents coded by means of the disclosed method, as well as a device for cancelling or altering the optical markings.

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 security system in which personnel are permitted access at certain locations on the basis of data magnetically encoded on a card inserted into the system by the personnel. Access is also limited on the basis of keyboard data entered at the remote location by personnel wishing access. The keyboard data required for entry is a permutation and combination of the data on the employee's card, the particular combination and permutation required at each remote location being independently programmable by switches accessible on the inside of the remote security system.

Abstract: A rotatable record carrier upon which reproducible information is recorded in the form of spaced apart pits in substantially concentric circular tracks on a surface of the carrier. A method of producing this record carrier is disclosed wherein, although the linear velocity of each track is dependent upon the radius of the track, the length of the pits in the respective tracks does not vary as a function of the change in the radius from one track to the next. A light beam is modulated with a rectangular pulse information signal, the duration of each pulse being controlled as a function of the radius of the track which is being scanned by the modulated light beam. For tracks having a smaller radius, the pulse duration is made larger than for tracks having a larger radius.

Abstract: A system for reading binary digital data, represented by two possible spacings between abrupt flux reversals appearing on a magnetic track of a credit card, as the credit card is transported by hand by and in engagement with a magnetic head of the system. A read head having an unusually large read aperture is used to translate the two possible encoded lengths into two possible waveform amplitudes which are independent of transport speed. Then, by means of amplitude discrimination, the "0" bits are detected; and by zero slope detection, the "1" bits are detected. Mechanically, the read head is located centrally in an obtusely angled long side of a housing and is opposed by a contoured Teflon pillow that substitutes for one-half of the usual card slot. This unidirectional pillow is shaped and spaced from the head so as to cause the credit card to be slightly bent around the head's face in passing.

Abstract: Signatures of a book are identified with a binary coded indicia on the backbone. A signature verifier having a row of indicia sensors associated with the stack of signatures in the stream feeder of a gathering machine senses the coded indicia. In the event of an error, the verifier gives an alarm or stops the stream feeder. A book of plural signatures has a plurality of indicia on the backbone. A verifier has corresponding plural rows of sensors which detect the indicia and are sampled sequentially.

Abstract: A card having randomly-oriented optical ports and a system having a card reader for reading the card and having a keyboard for entering secret user-identification data are disclosed for securing the user-identification data entered into the system. The system includes a logic unit for controlling the keyboard, and for applying data to the card via the card reader. The system may also include a physical data collector or transducer for collecting fingerprint or voice-print data, or the like, from a user and for applying such data in digital form to the card via the logic unit and the card reader. The card operates in conjunction with the logic unit of the system to transform the applied data and to improve the security of said data. A method of fabricating the card and a method of securing entered data using the card are also disclosed.

Abstract: A card having randomly-oriented optical fibers, and a system having a card reader for reading the card and having a keyboard for entering secret user-identification data, are disclosed for securing the user-identification data entered into the system. The system includes a logic unit for controlling the keyboard, and for applying data to the card via the card reader. The card operates in conjunction with the logic unit of the system to transform the applied data and to improve the security of said data. A method of fabricating said card and a method of securing entered data using said card are also disclosed.

Abstract: A card having randomly-oriented optical fibers, and a system having a card reader for reading the card and having a keyboard for entering secret user-identification data, are disclosed for securing the user-identification data entered into the system. The system includes a logic unit for controlling the keyboard, and for applying data to the card via the card reader. The system also includes a physical data collector or transducer for collecting fingerprint or voice print data, or the like, from a user and applying said data, in digital form, to the card via the logic unit and the card reader. The card operates in conjunction with the logic unit of the system to transform the applied data and to improve the security of said data. A method of fabricating said card and a method of securing entered data using said card are also disclosed.

Abstract: This specification discloses a card processing apparatus which is constructed such that a card having information recorded thereon and a paper leaf are superposedly placed on card tray movably disposed in an opening formed within the housing of the apparatus and the following card processing is carried out by pushing the card tray into the interior of the housing: first, the card and the paper leaf are separated from each other and the card alone is transported so that first information recorded on the card is read by reader means, whereafter the card is transported back to the card tray to restore its initial position; next, information extraneously entered is compared with the first information read from the card and only when the two types of information are identical, urge means is operated to urge the superposed card and paper leaf, whereby second information recorded on the card is recorded onto the paper leaf.

Abstract: The directory includes a reader for a code punched card comprising a first portion including a first plurality of compartments having a given orientation. A single light emitting device is disposed in each of the first plurality of compartments and reflective material lines all the walls of each of the first plurality of compartments to diffuse light emitted by the light emitting device throughout the first plurality of compartments. A second portion of the automatic calling directory includes a second plurality of compartments having an orientation orthogonal to the said given orientation. A single light detecting device is diposed in each of the second plurality of compartments and reflective material lines all the walls of each of the second plurality of compartments to reflect the diffused light that pass through the punched holes in the card to the single light detecting device.

Abstract: A system for recognizing bar code information having a plurality of bar codes. One of bar codes is constituted as an index code in a different manner from the other bar codes constituted as numerical codes. These bar codes are scanned sequentially and converted into corresponding parallel digital signals. Code scanning directions are discriminated with reference to the parallel digital signal corresponding to the index code. A plurality of registers adapted to memorize each parallel digital signal are triggered in forward and reverse sequences, when the scanning directions are discriminated to be forward and reverse, respectively.