Abstract: In a scanning receiver set with a PLL frequency synthesizer, an optical card reader for presetting and memorizing a desired receiving channel is provided. Associated with n light sources which are provided for n channels and successively turned on or off under the control of a scanning control circuit are n reflectors each having one incident surface and m reflection surfaces. A beam of light from respective light sources incident to the incident surface is divided into m reflected light fluxes, substantially parallel with each other, by the m reflection surfaces. One of m light receiving elements receives the m-th reflected light flux of the respective reflectors. Connected to each one of m light receiving elements operable by the reflected light fluxes is a switching circuit which in turn is connected with a programmable counter.

Abstract: A punched card reader includes a base member for slidably receiving a punched data card having a plurality of columns and rows. Along one edge of the base member is a row of apertures corresponding in number and spacing to the rows on the data card. The base member further includes a centrally located strobe aperture. A strobe generator is slidably mounted on one face of the base member. The strobe generator includes a central column of slots disposed perpendicular to the row of apertures on the base member and disposed so as to pass over the strobe aperture as the inserted data card displaces the strobe generator away from the row of apertures on the base member. The slots correspond in number and in spacing to the columns on the data card. Adjacent to one face of the base member is a plurality of light sources aligned with the row of apertures and centrally located strobe aperture.

Abstract: A program reading apparatus in a knitting machine including a movable reading head adapted to scan a program carrier having thereon patterning instructions for control of the pattern to be knitted on the machine. Means are provided therein for preventing rebound of the reading head upon arrival at or return to its starting position, such means being operated by the momentum of the reading head upon reading head arrival or return to momentarily arrest the reading head at the starting position.

Abstract: A high speed tape reader has a buffer positioned between the read head output and the reader output which may be connected to the input of a data receiving station. When the data receiving station sends a signal to the tape reader that it has stopped accepting data, the tape reader slows gradually to a stop. While the tape is slowing, the characters on the tape move by the read head on the tape reader and these characters are read by the tape reader but instead of being transmitted to the data receiving stations, they are stored and accumulated in the buffer in the same sequence that the characters appear on the tape. Thereafter, when the data receiving station requests more data, the data is first taken off the buffer output in the same order it entered into the buffer to prevent the tape reader from skipping characters when it received the signal that the data receiving stations are no longer accepting data.