Patents by Inventor Scott D. Sampson
Scott D. Sampson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6042285Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1997Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Faes, Alfred L. Fulton, Martin J. Hnetynka, Laird Campbell, David Preston, Michael Missios, Scott D. Sampson
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Patent number: 5818022Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Faes, Alfred L. Fulton, Martin J. Hnetynka, Laird Campbell, David Preston, Michael Missios, Scott D. Sampson
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Patent number: 5692845Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Faes, Alfred L. Fulton, Martin J. Hnetynka, Laird Campbell, David Preston, Michael Missios, Scott D. Sampson
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Patent number: 5684285Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Faes, Alfred L. Fulton, Martin J. Hnetynka, Laird Campbell, David Preston, Scott D. Sampson
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Patent number: 5664073Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: SCI Systems Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Faes, Alfred L. Fulton, Martin J. Hnetynka, Laird Campbell, David Preston, Michael Missios, Scott D. Sampson
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Patent number: 5599117Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1994Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Sci Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Faes, Alfred L. Fulton, Martin J. Hnetynka, Laird Campbell, David Preston, Michael Missios, Scott D. Sampson
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Patent number: 5309176Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1992Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Faes, Alfred L. Fulton, Martin J. Hnetynka, Laird Campbell, David Preston, Michael Missios, Scott D. Sampson
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Patent number: 5091738Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1989Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alfred L. Fulton, Kishor M. Lakhani, Scott D. Sampson, Kent Lowman
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Patent number: 5019841Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1989Date of Patent: May 28, 1991Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alfred L. Fulton, Kishor M. Lakhani, Scott D. Sampson, Kent Lowman
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Patent number: 5012261Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1989Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alfred L. Fulton, Kishor M. Lakhani, Scott D. Sampson, Kent Lowman
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Patent number: 4980704Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1989Date of Patent: December 25, 1990Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alfred L. Fulton, Kishor M. Lakhani, Scott D. Sampson, Kent Lowman
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Patent number: 4958171Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1989Date of Patent: September 18, 1990Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alfred L. Fulton, Kishor M. Lakhani, Scott D. Sampson, Kent Lowman
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Patent number: 4851864Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1987Date of Patent: July 25, 1989Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alfred L. Fulton, Kishor M. Lakhani, Scott D. Sampson, Kent Lowman