Abstract: A bank depository which provides a depositor with a validated receipt ticket evidencing that a deposit has been made, employs an envelope, in which the deposit is placed prior to insertion in the depository, having an unvalidated receipt ticket removably affixed to it. An outer surface of the depository has an opening through which the deposit is made leading to an internal chamber for storage of deposits and a slotted rotatable cylinder disposed between the opening and chamber normally positioned to prevent a deposit from being made until the receipt ticket is placed within a validator by the depositor. The cylinder then rotates to align its slot with the chamber to receive the deposit and allow it to pass through the chamber. Means are provided to sense the passage of the deposit to the chamber and to cause the receipt ticket to be validated in response thereto.

Abstract: The card reader circuit integrated with the reader head structure includes at least one card compatibility network adapted to determine, at the reader head itself, whether or not the card is compatible with the reader head based upon compatibility indicia carried by the card. The circuit also includes a digit readout network cooperable with fixed and movable contacts to read identifying indicia on the card and provide identifying signals at the readout terminal, providing the card is coded such that same is compatible with the reader head.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an optical scanning technique which is capable of reading and accepting a wide range of out-of-tolerance symbols. The technique provides that if a successful scan occurs, the signal circuits maintain a status that indicates a true signal is being processed. However, if an unsuccessful scan takes place the signal circuits introduce a distortion therein in order that the symbol may be read successfully.

Abstract: Apparatus for validating a card having positioned thereon a plurality of redundant encoded blocks of data readable by moving the card past a reader and for controlling the movement of such a card whose validity is to be determined. A card transporter moves a card along a predetermined path. A reader senses each block of data on the card as it moves forward along the path from an entry position to a dwell or escrow position and supplies an electrical signal representative of the data in each block. A card validator responsive to this signal compares data derived from at least one block thereof with a preselected set of data in making the validity determination. The validator includes circuitry for combining the data from at least one block with a prior set of data to produce a stored resultant set of data, and for comparing it with a preselected set of data and for supplying an indication of card validity if these sets of data are identical.

Abstract: Single-sheet, multi-panel carriers for receiving and retaining credit cards during credit card issue and mailing procedures. Cards may be inserted in the carriers manually or by machine. Plural carrier forms are preferably provided in a continuous fan-folded web, and individual carriers are separable therefrom at perforations between subsequent and/or adjacent carriers. The carriers have special slits or slots for retaining one to four cards singly, or double that in a piggy-back manner, in vertical or horizontal configurations. Carriers also have a plurality of panels which assist in retaining the cards by wedge trapping during manual or machine issue processing (inserting, collating, verification and stuffing) and mailing operations. Carriers also carry verification and/or identification information thereon relating to the account, e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus for programming a hand-held programmable electronic calculator of the type having depressible key inputs. The apparatus includes a program tape having a plurality of apertures therein forming a matrix defined by a plurality of rows and columns. Command pins are inserted within selected ones of the apertures for representing programming commands. A frame is included for receiving the calculator and for providing registration between the aperture matrix of the program tape and the depressible keys of the calculator. A plurality of levers are coupled to the frame for being actuated by the command pins to depress the calculator keys. A rotatable cam is included for engaging the command pin in each row of the program tape, and sequentially moving the command pins and the program tape through communication with the levers, thereby sequentially actuating the depressible keys for programming the calculator.

Abstract: A system for accurately controlling the position of documents as they are throughputted along a straight line path for purposes of MICR writing and reading thereon. Accurate control of document position along a linear path is obtained by minimizing speed variations of a throughputted document, by maintaining a throughputted document in good registration, and by holding closely proximate the throughputted document to the read or write head.

Abstract: An optical and magnetic data transducer is provided comprising a magnetic reluctance aperture which is split into two sections with an optical reading aperture disposed generally therebetween. This reduces timing errors between the optical and magnetic output signals indicative of the spacial relation of the optical and magnetic data element boundaries, such errors being due to variations in temperature and skewing.

Abstract: A dynamic storage element is characterized in that, in addition to the transistors of the storage element, at least one MI.sub.1 I.sub.2 S storage transistor is provided to receive the data stored in the storage element. The dynamic storage element comprises a transistor and a series-connected capacitor. The transistor is connected on the one hand to the capacitor and on the other hand to a bit line, and the gate terminal of the transistor is connected to a word line. In particular, a MI.sub.1 I.sub.2 S storage transistor is additionally provided which is connected on the one hand to the word line and on the other hand to a point at which the transistor and the capacitor are connected in series and the gate terminal of the MI.sub.1 I.sub.2 S storage transistor is connected to a gate line.

Abstract: A control system is described for activating a machine using magnetic signals encoded on a magnetic card, tape or equivalent member. The magnetic signals are pulse-width-modulated and, in one embodiment, also sawtooth-modulated. A means is provided which is responsive to the magnetic signals for generating a first and a second number. The first number corresponds to the number of times the magnetic card is usable for activating a machine. The second number is provided for identification and validation purposes. Means are also provided for reducing the number of times the card can be used each time it is used to activate a machine and for visually displaying that number on a visual display device. The use of skewed recording and reproduction heads is also described for improving signal discrimination and security against the usability of fraudulently produced magnetic cards.

Abstract: A low cost credit card verifier for use in conjunction with a time-shared central processing unit (CPU) or computer in a credit card verification system in which there are a plurality of manually controlled signal generators for transmitting signals representing an account to be verified to a central processor and provision for receiving from the central processor a signal representative of the status of the account and for indicating the status of the account.

Abstract: A machine for translating magnetically recorded intelligence on cards into sound. A support means includes card path structure for moving a card past a transducer head by means of a motor driven, switch actuated, drive capstan. A reversing capstan, to return the card to the starting position, can be actuated by a linkage system which also moves the drive capstan away from the transducer head.

Abstract: Magnetic record media including permanent structures of aligned acicular particles have been proposed as a means of identifying and authenticating a medium. A method of recording and reading out information on such media without interference from the permanent structure remanence variation is described. Suitable forms of magnetic record media and their manufacture are described. The use of the media and method for security documents such as credit cards is also described.

Abstract: In an on-line banking system including a central computer and at least one remote terminal, a method of an apparatus for verifying that a holder of an identification card is authorized to complete a transaction at the terminal is disclosed. Account number data are machine read from the card, scrambled, and then compared to secret alphanumeric data, keyboard entered by the card holder at the terminal. The secret alphanumeric data are converted to a digital signal, and the signal is converted into first and second signal portions. The first signal portion is compared to the scrambled account number data. If the comparison is positive, the second signal portion, along with keyboard-entered transaction data and account number data, is transmitted to the central computer.

Abstract: Semiconductor integrated circuits, including, e.g., field effect transistors and memory cells employing field effect transistors, are formed by providing at a surface of semiconductor substrate a pair of isolation mediums and a plurality of spaced apart conductive lines extending between the isolation mediums. The conductive lines, such as polycrystalline silicon or polysilicon lines, are preferably thermally, chemically or anodically self insulatable in an unmasked batch process step and are made of a material suitable for defining a barrier to a dopant for the semiconductor substrate. Signal or bias voltages are applied to selected or predetermined conductive lines to provide control electrodes or field shields for the transistors. When the substrate has deposited on its surface an insulating medium made of a dual dielectric, such as silicon dioxide-silicon nitride, the dopant may be ion implanted through the insulating medium to form, e.g.

Abstract: A new and improved memory cell is provided which comprises a word line, a pair of bit lines, a pair of current sources each having a first side coupled to a corresponding one of the bit lines; and a bistable circuit means operatively coupled to the word line and to another side of each of the current sources, whereby the bistable circuit means assumes one stable state upon the application of a voltage on one bit line, and assumes another stable state upon the application of a voltage on the other bit line.In addition, several embodiments of semiconductor structures are provided for the new and improved memory cell.

Abstract: A miniature cassette tape recorder is provided for use with a micro-cassette of a size which is comparable to a small packet of matches, and is constructed and sized so as to be received in a pocket of a suit or shirt.

Abstract: A reader for optically encoded information such as a credit card having an embossed data track includes an array of radiant energy transmitting elements and a single detector element formed on a planar chip. The chip is seated in a recessed area formed in a unitary lens assembly which includes a first integral lens array for focusing energy from each of the transmitting elements at particular points on the credit card, and a second integral lens array for focusing energy reflected from each of the points on the card onto the detector. Circuitry is provided to sequentially energize the transmitting elements, so that the focusing points, which preferably form a line transverse to the data track, are scanned. Signals from the detector element are processed by establishing a continuously variable threshold level derived as a function of the peak amount of reflected energy and by comparing the detector element output with the thresold value at several time intervals within the scanning period.

Abstract: A manipulatable read-only memory, particularly a punched card read device, having conductor paths comprising row and column conductors, disposed in a matrix formation in the manner of a cross-bar distributor, adapted to be operatively connected at their respective intersections by a corresponding photo-resistor and a rectifier containing a blocking contact, which are connected in series with the blocking contact being formed directly on one of the two conductors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to data carriers intended for optical read out. The data carrier in accordance with the invention comprises: a first transparent material at the surface of which the information is recorded in the form of an embossed pattern; a partially transparent metal layer covers said embossed pattern and a second, thick transparent material is deposited upon the metal layer for protection purposes.