Abstract: A method for identifying an article provided with a coded magnetic member comprising creating a detection zone by supplying an exciter coil with exciting alternating current, passing the article with the coded magnetic member through the detection zone to produce at least one signal from the coded magnetic member and detecting the derived signal using a detector coil to determine the code of the magnetic member. The magnetic member is provided with at least one of a plurality of elements made of magnetic alloys each having a different hysteresis loop and a code value is assigned to each type of alloy. The code value of each of the elements is decoded by measuring the phase shift of the signal derived using the detector coil relative to the phase of the exciting alternating current. This phase shift is indicative of the type of alloy and of the code value assigned thereto.

Abstract: A system for keeping account of predetermined homogeneous units by means of an article such as a card, carrying information which may be the amount of a credit balance, and an external device for operating on the information. In general, the balance on the card is initially validated. Thereafter, the balance is irrevocably drawn upon as desired until a zero balance is reached. In order to avoid a single large expenditure to validate the card, and at the same time to minimize the possibility of fraud, a memory in the card has a plurality of zones which are individually validatable. A separate validating field in the memory has validating bits corresponding to individual memory zones. The validity field is accessible by the external device only, and is protected by a coded key embodied in the card. To make the system usable for recording other than whole numbers of units, one of the zones may have a plurality of sub-zones. One of the sub-zones may be allocated to multiples or sub-multiples of individual units.

Abstract: Numbers in binary form comprising apertures filled with non-magnetic material are formed in the outer periphery of drill pipe sections for identification purposes. The numbers are read by a sensor and recorded as the drill pipe sections are lowered into a well bore in order to keep track of the position of the pipe sections in the drill string and to obtain a cumulative record of the service time of each drill pipe section for the purpose of determining fatigue damage. The sensor comprises an encircling electrical coil which generates a magnetic field in the walls of the drill pipe sections as they are moved through the coil and a second electrical coil which is rotated around the drill pipe section in the vicinity of the encircling coil for detecting the magnetic field next to the filled encloding apertures of the identification numbers.

Abstract: A tracking control system used in video reproducing apparatus to keep the signal head on the parallel recorded tracks in spite of speed deviations of the recording medium has a bi-morph leaf to support the head. The bi-morph leaf includes piezo-electric material to which a control voltage can be applied to deform the piezo-electric material to the extent necessary to deflect the leaf in the proper direction and to the proper extent necessary to keep the head mounted on the leaf alignment with the correct track section. When the leaf reaches its maximum permissible deflection, the control voltage is reversed to shift the head in the opposite direction. In so doing the head either skips a track section, if the recording medium is moving too fast, or repeats playback of a section, if the medium is moving too slowly.

Abstract: In the playback of a video disc record employing an FM carrier recording format, a defect compensation system is provided which substitutes delayed video signals for current video signals when a defect is encountered. A phase locked loop including a phase detector and a voltage controlled oscillator is employed in FM detection circuits. A defect detector compares the phase between the oscillator output signal and a signal corresponding to the recovered signal. When the phase difference between these two signals exceeds a certain value, a defect signal is generated to disable the normal signal path of the recovered signal so that the delayed version of the video may be substituted for the current video for the duration of the occurrence of the defect.

Abstract: There is disclosed an article sorting apparatus and method wherein articles bearing a manually marked code in a grid or code area locatable by one or more guide elements which may be separate and distinct from the manually marked code. For postal articles, such as letters and the like, the code may be the zip code, preferably associated with a unique postage stamp, also disclosed herein, marked on a grid by dots, circles, line "X" or like optical marks. On passsing through a reading station, the articles, particularly postal articles, are turned upside down so as to minimize the amount of adjustment or orientation of the optical reader relative to the code bearing grid and also to accommodate, for example , various sized envelopes. There is also disclosed a reader for the guide elements for determining the location of the grid and orienting manually marked reading device.

Abstract: A key assembly is provided which includes a support and retainer for a coded electrical circuit which is responsive to short wave radiation for use in security systems which employ the key to open a lock or close a switch for controlling a machine or gaining access to a locked container or room. In one form, a plastic housing surrounds the head of the key and supports or contains an electrical circuit means which is operable for generating a coded short wave signal or affecting an energy field in a coded manner to enable the operation of a machine or motor vehicle. Two or more plastic components are shaped and constructed to not only hold and retain various electrical circuits but also to allow their simple and rapid assembly against and around the head of a key. Retention means for the plastic assembly in the form of ultrasonic welding, fusion bonding, solvent bonding or other means is provided for rapid and easy assembly of the key and electronic circuit.

Abstract: A VIR-signal processing circuitry for a VTR (video tape recorder) having a comb filter for obtaining a correct operation of the VIR circuit incorporated in a television receivers, comprises a comb filter stopping means for preventing the VITS (vertical interval test signal) on the 18th line from polluting the VIRS (vertical interval reference signal), a phase transfer means for transferring the phase information of the transmitted VIRS to the reference subcarrier after elimination of the crosstalks by integrating the VIRS, an amplitude transfer means for transferring the amplitude information of the transmitted VIRS to the output signal of said phase transfer means after elimination of the crosstalks by integrating the VIRS, and a VIRS replacing means for replacing the transmitted VIRS by the newly developed chrominance reference using the output signal of said amplitude transfer means.

Abstract: A bar code reader employs a microprocessor for decoding data contained in a bar code record and a logarithmic converter ahead of the microprocessor for providing to the microprocessor signals indicative of the logarithms of the widths of the scanned bars and spaces. The base of the logarithms used by the logarithmic converter is selected in a predetermined manner to maximize the resolution of the system for the particular microprocessor used, and to reduce the complexity of the system.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media including permanent structures of aligned acicular particles have been proposed as a means of identifying and authenticating a medium. A structure which has an improved remanence difference signal is described. A method of making and examining such a structure is described. Arrangements of such media and record/read-out apparatus by which information can be recorded and read-out without interference from the structural remanence differences are described. The use of the media for security documents such as credit cards is described.

Abstract: A remote control dictation system is disclosed. The control of the system is implemented via a single transmission line tapped at various points to interface with recorders and dictate stations. A plurality of channels are defined in the system, each channel having two transmit-receive frequencies associated therewith. An embodiment of the invention includes a controller with decision making capability. Control signals from the dictate stations and the controller as well as audio signals are multiplexed onto the transmission line. Means for selectively or automatically changing channels for the recorders or the dictate stations are disclosed so that any dictate station may be operatively connected with any recorder in the system.

Abstract: Fringing magnetic fields established by magnetic bars having parallel longitudinal axes are read from documents, such as checks, to determine a code on the document. The fringing fields extend in opposite directions to indicate the code. An array of magnetoresistive elements responsive to a DC energizing current is included so that at least one of the elements is provided for each of the fields. An alternating magnetic field of predetermined frequency and phase is coupled to each of the elements by a conductor that is effectively a single turn coil. The alternating magnetic field is superimposed on the fringing field so that the two fields are combined in each element to modulate the DC energizing current. The predetermined phase is compared with the phase of the modulated current to provide an indication of the fringing field direction and of the code.

Abstract: A document transport for data entry and document processing for such documents as checks or credit card slips with transport means for entering the documents into a feed station, moving the documents past two read stations, wait in a hold station then return through a print station and a validator station with provision for entering data into the system and printing upon the document. The transport moves document in one direction and is reversed and moves documents in a second direction in the processing steps prior to depositing the document into a stack station.

Abstract: Signal processing circuitry for a bar-coded data input terminal having a bar-code reading device, such as light pen, for reading bar-coded identity data, from bar-coded identity labels, attached to items to be identified for instance takes an output signal from the reading device and derives a processed signal in which changes of signal level are cleaner than corresponding level changes in the output signal. The signal processing circuitry employs a high gain operational amplifier to an input of which the output signal is passed through a capacitor. The amplifier has a capacitor and two diodes, with their conduction directions opposite, connected in parallel between the input and the output of the amplifier, from which an amplified signal opposite to the reading device output signal is delivered. A threshold detector receives the amplified signal and provides a processed signal in which signal level changes in dependence upon the amplified signal passing through threshold levels.

Abstract: In the identification of an article provided with at least one identifying magnetic member, each identifying member is selected from one or more production batches each of which has a characteristic hysteresis loop which is virtually non-reproducible. The member is subjected to analysis of its magnetic characteristics which are compared with those of a reference magnetic means comprising the same number of magnetic members from the same batches as the identifying magnetic members. Identical characteristics provide a correct identification. The detection apparatus may comprise two exciter coils for providing two alternating magnetic fields and two detector coils for each field connected in opposition. When an identifying magnetic member inserted in one field is identical to the reference magnetic member inserted in the other field, detection signals from the two detector coils cancel each other out.

Abstract: In an automatic phase control circuit having a predetermined lock-in range wherein the oscillating signal produced by the adjustable oscillator of the automatic phase control circuit is used in combination with an input signal to derive a signal whose phase is compared to a reference signal, the phase difference between the derived signal and the reference signal being used as a phase control signal for the oscillator so as to minimize this phase difference and thus lock the phase of the derived signal to that of the reference signal, a method of adjusting the oscillator in the event that the phase relation between the oscillating signal and the input signal is outside the lock-in range. During recurrent intervals, which vary with time base errors in the input signal, the number of cycles of the oscillating signal is counted.

Abstract: A larry car, a quenching car, a pusher and other such accessory machines travel along the length of a coke-oven battery. Each coke oven is provided with coded structure absolutely indicative of the oven-number of the oven within the battery. The travelling accessory machines are provided with code readers which sense the coded structures and transmit oven-number feedback signals to a central control station. The travelling machines also transmit operation-completed signals upon completion of the individual operations of charging, pushing and the like. A programmed control system at the control station transmits travel-command and operation-command signals in preprogrammed sequences, but the transmission of these command signals is dependent upon the reception of predetermined feedback signals, which establish interlocks serving as conditions precedent to the travel of accessory machines and to their performance of individual operations.

Abstract: A localized-field static magnetizing device consists of a non-magnetic substrate having a magnetic layer thereon that contains a succession of adjoining zones of alternately differing lengths and having magnetic inductions of alternately opposing directions. One of the lengths is much greater than the other and the magnetic layer has a high coercive field.

Abstract: A coded, magnetic module has a plurality of Wiegand effect exhibiting wires deployed parallel to one another and extending substantially across the module. These wires are supported in a laminated arrangement between two thin plastic support plies. Coding is impressed on the module by punching out an intermediate portion of each wire including the adjacent zone of the support plies. This produces a relatively physically stable coded module for subsequent use as part of a coded magnetic pulse generator.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for reading a data encoded badge or document, wherein the operator manually inserts the badge into the reader. In the preferred embodiment, there is provided a movable slide element having clock holes thereon and means for ensuring that such slide moves in synchronism with the badge as it is inserted into and withdrawn from the reader by the operator. Suitable sensors and accompanying electronics are provided to synchronize the reading of data from the card with the detection of the passage of slide clock holes past a predetermined point in the reader. Special reader electronics is provided to ensure reliable clock detection, and to inhibit false generation of clock signals which could result from sensor ringing.