Abstract: A time cost recorder enables entry and exit transactions to be recorded at will both by a badge bearing digitally encoded machine readable identity information and by a card bearing both digitally encoded machine readable identity information in the same recording medium and form as a badge and visible characters referring to the entry and exit transactions. Constant instructions for operation of the machine are stored in read-only memory, and a random-access memory includes locations severally allocatable to the badges and cards for recording the data relating to the entry and exit transactions of each badge or card according to the identity thereof. Thus badges are passed in the direction of arrow 4 through a combined reader and printer and cards are inserted in the direction of arrow 6 into a combined badge reader/printer that has a motor driven card transport roller that moves the card into and then out of the reader/printer.

Abstract: A data recorder for use in processing cards and the like comprises a housing which has mounted therein electronic control system incorporating both firmware and software programs. A thermal printer and optical reading device are mounted in the housing for printing information onto the card and reading information on the card respectively. The data recorder may be used as a clocking-on device and special cards provided for changing at least one of the software programs of the electronic control system.