Abstract: A ticket-issuing system comprising an alphabetical keyboard which permits, through a suitable circuit arrangement, introduction into the data processing section of the system the name of a station of destination by omitting from the station name one or more letters. Instead, each group of omitted letters is represented by depressing a key which indicates such omission. After such keying operation, there will appear on the video display of the system either the name of the desired destination, or a list of names of destinations which satisfy the introduced request. The destinations appearing on the video display are accompanied by a code number which permits the operator to definitively key the destination into the machine for the issuance of the ticket. The ticket-issuing machine further comprises an immediate selection keyboard, presenting a plurality of keys for the immediate selection of a number of destinations which are the most frequently requested from the station at which the system is located.

Abstract: The device for the testing through optical inspection of the cigarette ends comprises two probes made of optical fibres, which probes are arranged orthogonally with respect to each other. A first probe inspects the end surface of the cigarette being tested by directing against the said end surface a beam of light, and picking up the light reflected, the intensity of which depends from the end surface itself and from the distance of said end surface with respect to the said first probe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting the ends of cigarettes by use of a spaced pair of optical fiber probes illuminating the ends of a cigarette and receiving light therefrom, and electronic circuit means converting the reflected light into representative signals which when processed and compared to a threshold signal provides a reject signal when at least one end of a cigarette is unacceptable.