Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved.The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station.A ticket feed path is constructed using feed modules that are mounted on pins extending from a vertical mounting plate.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved. The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved. The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station. A ticket feed path is constructed using feed modules that are mounted on pins extending from a vertical mounting plate.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism. The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station. Tickets are pre-staged from a ticket storage bin to a staging point to reduce print-cycle time. Ticket errors can be corrected and changes can be made by re-inserting the old ticket into the machine, reading the information that had been magnetically recorded on the old ticket and either printing a new ticket or over-printing the old ticket. If a new ticket is printed, the old ticket is deposited in a safe receptacle inside the machine.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved.The printer's control system includes a printer electronics board and one or more single-slot PC/AT (ISA bus) microcomputers that are plugged into respective slots of a mother board.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on a ticket. The printer also includes a printing station located after the magnetic read/write head. A plurality of separate storage bins are provided for storing different ticket blanks; each bin has its own feed device. The ticket blanks are prefed from the storage bins along separate guide paths to separate staging areas prior to these paths joining to form a common path. The magnetic read/write head and the printer are located along this common path.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a thermal printer engine with a platen and a print head. A gap is maintained between the platen and the print head except when a ticket is present for printing. A ticket is fed toward the gap and the feeding of the ticket is sensed. At a timed interval after sensing the feeding of the ticket, the print head is moved toward the platen by a stepper motor so that the ticket is engaged between the print head and the platen.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or re-position cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. The printer is controlled by a computer system which produces maximum printing speed and reliability at a low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing lottery tickets includes a large number of remote, ticket-dispensing units which are connected intermittently, e.g., once each day or week to a central computer. The units record the numbers of tickets sold and transmit the sales data to the central computer, which in turn performs all the necessary accounting functions. Sales reports and invoice data may be sent by the central computer to each unit for printing, which avoids the need to mail the reports/invoices. The tickets are stored in fan-fold form and are burst, rather than cut, apart for dispensing. The tickets are dispensed at one end of the unit which faces the customer. A control panel for the vendor is located at the opposite end. Tickets of different length may be dispensed with an imprint of the vendor's name.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or re-position cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. The printer is controlled by a computer system which produces maximum printing speed and reliability at a low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transporation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided.

Abstract: The printer utilizes a high-speed data print engine to print documents such as airline tickets. Preferably, the printer is part of a machine which is operated by a credit-card or the like so that the machine serves as a customer-operated ticket issuing terminal. The ticket blanks preferably are in fan-fold form, with perforations between them. An improved separator or "burster" is provided for separating the ticket blanks from one another. The burster has an arm which is moved rapidly across the path of travel of the ticket blanks at or near the location of the perforation, while a drive roller mechanism holds the blanks against longitudinal slippage during bursting. Preferably, the printed ticket coupons in each batch of tickets are collected in a bin inside the machine until it is determined that the batch is complete. Only then are the tickets delivered outside the machine to the purchaser.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic strips on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided.