Abstract: A ballot for use with a scanning device which reads the ballot and feeds it to a tallying or accumulating machine, the ballot being in the form of a base sheet possessing sufficient substance to facilitate the feeding of the ballot into the scanning device. The base sheet contains one or more columns of offices and the names of candidates who vie for the particular offices. Each margin of the ballot contains one or more index marks for correctly identifying the ballot orientation in the scanning device. One margin of the ballot also contains printed code marks by which the ballot style or configuration may be identified. Adjacent to each column of offices/candidates, are printed two columns of horizontally spaced timing marks, the timing marks being arranged on the lines bearing the candidate's names. A particular candidate is selected by introducing a mark between the horizontally spaced timing marks adjoining the particularly selected candidate.

Abstract: A changeable printed alphanumeric display module is disclosed for displaying one character at a time in a viewing window. Each tape of a set of tapes is printed on both front and back surfaces with character segments and is connected between a driving roller and a driven roller in a manner to display one front surface segment and one back surface segment at a time. The tape segments which carry the respective character segments are progressively longer from one end of the tape to the other and the set of tape segments which are displayed together in the window all bear different character segments of the same character so that an entire character is displayed. All tapes in the set are driven in unison to successively present the character segments of each tape in registry with respective window segments.

Abstract: A changeable alphanumeric sign with printed characters is disclosed. The sign is universally changeable in the sense that any combination of alphanumeric characters may be displayed by selectively positioning a set of display tapes in each character window. Each set of tapes forms a broken-character display in the respective character window and all character windows are independently controlled to form a broken-word display. This arrangement minimizes the length of display tapes required. An open-loop positioning system is provided whereby all sets of tapes are concurrently but independently positioned to change the characters of the sign.

Abstract: A changeable printed alphanumeric display module is disclosed for displaying one character at a time in a viewing window. Each tape of a set of tapes is printed on both front and back surfaces with character segments and is connected between a driving roller and a driven roller in a manner to display one front surface segment and one back surface segment at a time. The tape segments which carry the respective character segments are progressively longer from one end of the tape to the other and the set of tape segments which are displayed together in the window all bear different character segments of the same character so that an entire character is displayed. All tapes in the set are driven in unison to successively present the character segments of each tape in registry with respective window segments.

Abstract: A destination sign for buses is disclosed with an automatic positioning system for a plurality of sign modules. The sign is made up of plural modules, each of which is capable of displaying any one of a set of alphanumeric characters. The display of a module is changed from one character to another by displacement through successive, equal angular increments. The positioning system comprises a reversible drive motor and a common shaft with a separate positioning clutch for coupling each display module to the shaft. The positioning clutch for each module is controlled by a command signal produced by a punch card reader and a shaft position encoder. Various words to be displayed by the sign are encoded on respective punch cards and insertion of a selected punch card into the card reader causes the positioning system to execute a reset cycle and a positioning cycle to display the selected name.

Abstract: Ballot receiving, storing, and tallying system, capable of reading individual ballots and of delivering a printed record showing the subtotals of votes cast for the various candidates, propositions, and the like, and incorporating solid-state logic circuits for carrying out various functions of the system. The system includes a digital programmable read-only control memory for storing a group of instruction words representing possible vote marking positions on ballot formats interpreted by the system; a digital ballot image memory for temporarily storing representations of all marks on a ballot sensed as the ballot passes a mark sensing station; and a digital totals memory for maintaining incrementally up-dated totals accumulated for each vote marking position on the ballot. Also included is an interlocking circuit which prevents the accepting and feeding of any ballots, for example, until after a key operated switch has been properly actuated.