Abstract: Tracks formed on an optical card loaded into a card holder are scanned so that ID information about a reference position on the card is read. This ID information may be used to correct an appraisal of where the card is loaded on the card holder. If the correction operation fails, then the optical head is moved in a direction transverse to the tracks to again perform the correction operation at another track.

Abstract: In an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing data on and/or from an optical card having a plurality of tracks, each of which includes a data portion and ID portions provided at both ends of the data portion, in said data portion the data is recorded in a plurality of sectors in a reciprocal manner by projecting from an optical head a recording or reproducing light beam onto the optical card, while the optical card is moved with respect to the light beam, a relative position of the optical card with respect to the optical head is detected to derive a sector position signal. A start point of a sector for which the data will be recorded or reproduced is determined by counting the sector position signal. The sector position signal is derived by counting pulses generated by a rotary encoder coupled with the motor for moving the optical card to derive a count value and a comparator for comparing the count value with a reference value which is generated in accordance with a predetermined track format.

Abstract: In a method or apparatus for reading information from each of a plurality of information tracks arranged in a longitudinal direction on an information recording medium by relatively moving the information recording medium the orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the tracks relative to a sensor array for reading information from the information tracks, wherein relative skew between the direction of arrangement of sensors of the sensor array and the longitudinal direction of the track is detected, and information is read from the information tracks while the recording medium and the sensor array are relatively moved in the longitudinal direction of the information tracks and, if desired, while the sensor array and the recording medium are relatively moved in such a manner as to compensate for deviation of an information reading area of an information track from a proper position caused by the skew in the course of the relative movement, based on the result of the detection.

Abstract: A card conveyance mechanism used in a card reader so as to convey a card in a card travel path. The mechanism includes an abnormal card travel detecting device for detecting whether the card has jammed, and a card discharge device for discharging the card from the travel path in response to an output from the abnormal card travel detecting device. The discharge device includes an endless belt or chain (7) having a projecting pawl (8) which may normally be kept outside the card travel path by position detection sensor (9). The card may be discharged either to the card insertion port (4) or to a recovering box (5).

Abstract: In case an optical card having a plurality of tracks parallel with each other and having discriminating numbers inherent to the tracks recorded in the track width direction is moved in the track width direction to read the discriminating numbers and seek the target discriminating number, when the target discriminating number is judged to be unable to be [sought] found within the set number of times or the set time, the optical card will be moved by a minute amount in the tracking direction to make the seeking operation again.

Abstract: A card reader has a guide channel followed by a connector and it includes a cradle pivoting about a stationary axis, a roller whose axis is parallel to the stationary axis being mounted in the cradle with freedom to move in translation along a direction .increment. perpendicular to the roller axis, said direction .increment. being at an acute angle .alpha. to the direction in which the guide channel extends, the cradle including resilient return means urging the angle .alpha. to close and drive means acting on command and of greater power than said return means to urge said angle .alpha. to open. The roller includes resilient means urging it along the direction .increment. towards the vertex of the angle .alpha.. When the reader is in the rest position, the roller obstructs said channel, when a card is fully inserted in the reader, at least a portion of the card remains outside the reader, the cradle being in abutment in a position where the angle .alpha. is less than the angle .beta.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively reading or writing data on a magnetic data stripe on a data card which is thin and flexible and for selectively returning or capturing the card. The apparatus includes a card guide arrangement comprising a cylindrical card guide path section, an entrance card path section with an entrance slit for admitting the data card, and an exit path section with an exit slit for discharging the data card for capture. A drive arrangement drives the data card through the entrance slit, throughout the cylindrical card guide path section, and through the exit slit. A transducer with a read head and write head is mounted relative to the cylindrical card guide path section. A position tracking arrangement determines the position of the data card within the cylindrical card guide and a card-in sensor senses the presence of a data card in the entrance path section. A microprocessor based control circuit is used to operate the system and control operational features.

Abstract: A method of reading positional information on photographic film in which items of positional information are read during the feeding of an elongated photographic film, the positional information items being provided in a predetermined sequence and in correspondence with a plurality of image frames recorded on the film in the longitudinal direction thereof. The number of feed pulses that corresponds to the direction and the distance which the photographic film is fed is calculated. On the basis of the calculated number of feed pulses and of the corresponding item of positional information, the number of feed pulses corresponding to a predetermined reference position is calculated. On the basis of the calculated number of feed pulses corresponding to the predetermined reference position, the position at which each of the following items of positional information have been read is checked.

Abstract: A method of performing high-speed positioning of a light beam onto a desired track of a recording medium, such as an optical card, which has an ID portion formed on only one end portion of each of a plurality of parallel tracks. As seen in FIG. 1B, the ID portion 14 is formed by sequentially arranging an ID mark 21 representing the start of the ID portion 14 in a forward read operation, a PLL pull-in region 22 as a data separator in a forward read operation, a sync signal 23 representing the start of track information in a forward read operation, track (address) information 24, a sync signal 25 representing the start of track information in a reverse read operation, a PLL pull-in region 26 as a data separator in a reverse read operation, and an ID mark 27 representing the start of the ID portion 14 in a reverse read operation. The data information recorded on the data portion 15 is to be read either in the forward direction or in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a light source and an objective lens for radiating first and second light beams on a recording medium having a plurality of data and trucking tracks alternately formed and parallel to each other, photodetectors for detecting the tracking error signal from a beam obtained by reflection of the second light beam by the medium, a switching circuit for selectively supplying the tracking error signal to an actuator, a circuit for supplying a moving signal to the actuator to move the first and second light beams, respectively, to a data track different from one data track and a tracking different from one tracking track, and a control unit for monitoring the tracking error signal, for switching the switching circuit to supply the tracking error signal to the actuator in a tracking mode in which a data track is traced with the first light beam, and for switching the switching circuit not to supply the tracking error signal to the actuator in a moving mode for moving the first ligh

Abstract: An information recording-reproducing head driving circuit for moving an information recording-reproducing head from the current position on a recording medium to a desired position while velocity-controlling the head includes a pulse motor for moving the information recording-reproducing head relative to the recording medium, a timer for counting down a count value set to take the driving timing of the pulse motor, and controller for calculating the count value on the basis of a predetermined time table and setting the count value in the timer, and generating a driving pulse to the pulse motor when the timer has counted down the count value. The controller substracts a desired value extracted from the time table from the count value set in the timer the last time to thereby accomplish the calculation of a new count value.

Abstract: A reading device includes an inlet port for a boarding pass, a reading section for reading data recorded on part of the boarding pass, and a feeding section for transporting a boarding pass from the inlet port to the reading section. The reading device further includes a rotating section for holding a boarding pass fed thereto and rotating together with the boarding pass, and a control circuit for checking the orientation of the boarding pass inserted into the inlet port, and instructing the feeding section to temporarily feed the boarding pass to the rotating section and instructing said rotating section to turn over the boarding pass when it is detected that the boarding pass has been inserted in a particular incorrect orientation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical card reader that detects any relative inclination of the card by measuring the relative motion of the optical tracks themselves. The optical card reader comprises a card holding portion, an optical head having the ability follow data tracks on the optical card, and a detector that measures the angle of inclination of the optical card from a tracking signal generated from a one-dimensional relative movement of the card holder and the optical card.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading a data card which comprises a thin, flexible medium having leading and trailing edges and a data stripe formed thereon at a prearranged location and extending transverse to said leading and trailing edges. The apparatus comprises a card guide arrangement defining a cylindrical card guide path and an entrance slit for accepting said card into said guide path. A drive arrangement cooperatively associated with said card guide arrangement for driving said data card through said entrance slit and around said cylindrical card guide path. A transducer arrangement positioned at a prearranged location on said cylindrical card guide path for detecting data on said data stripe of a data card being driven around said cylindrical card guide path by said drive arrangement.

Abstract: A bar code reader is provided with an LED array containing at least one LED which when energized directs light upon a bar code. A linear CCD array receives a portion of the light directed by the LED array onto the bar code and thereafter reflected from the bar code onto the CCD array. The CCD array receives such reflected light and absorbs the energy therein. This energy has a value at which the CCD array will accumulate a sufficiency of electrical charge during a first period, the CCD array delivering said charge to a shift register during an immediately following second period. A circuit energizes the LED array to emit at least one pulse of light during a small fraction of said first period. The energy contained in the pulse is sufficient to enable the CCD array to properly accumulate the charge.

Abstract: An optical card recording apparatus comprises a card holding member (17) on which an optical card is loaded at a predetermined position, a driving device (12,14,15,16, 17G,22,24,25) for moving the card holding member (17) in relation to a fixed member, and a movement control device (45, 51) operative to control the driving device (12,14,15,16, 17G,22,24,25) so as to place the card holding member (17) at a reference position in relation to the fixed member and then to move the card holding member (17) from the reference position or a position at which the card holding member (17) reaches after moving from the reference position by a selected distance in a predetermined manner, so that record tracks are formed on the optical card in a predetermined arrangement by a light beam caused to be incident upon the optical card loaded on the card holding member (17).

Abstract: Tracking device for an optical memory card includes an inclination information sampling unit for calculating changes per unit time of the low-frequency component of a tracking error signal, a detection unit for outputting a detection signal for duration of a deviation occurring during tracking that exceeds a predetermined standard range, a cumulative addition unit for cumulatively adding the output of the inclination information sampling unit of the low-frequency component of the tracking error signal that is generated when the detection signal is generated at each unit time during the generation of the detection signal, and a switch-over unit for outputting as an optical system tracking control signal the tracking error signal during the normal operation and the output of the cumulative addition unit during the outputting of the detection signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a ticket includes a circular ticket guide having a drive apparatus for driving a ticket in the circular ticket guide, an arcuate ticket guide having a ticket drive apparatus for driving a ticket in the arcuate ticket guide, a ticket transfer guide extending tangentially between the circular and arcuate ticket guides for transferring a ticket between the circular and arcuate ticket guides, at least one ticket input guide extending tangentially into the circular ticket guide for inputting a ticket into the circular ticket guide from an associated ticket input area, a ticket output guide for outputting a ticket from the arcuate ticket guide to an associated ticket output area, ticket writing and reading mechanisms for writing and reading information on a ticket and a ticket printer for printing information on a ticket.

Abstract: An optical information recording and/or reproducing apparatus is provided wherein an information recording medium and an optical head are moved relatively in a track direction in a reciprocal manner to record optical information on the information recording medium and/or reproducing optical information recorded on the information recording medium. The apparatus is arranged such that when a defect is formed on a stopping position of the relative movement of the optical information recording medium and the optical head, the optical information recording medium or the optical head is stopped at a deviated position from the predetermined stopping position; and the deviated distance of the relative movement of the optical information recording medium and the optical head is corrected when relative movement between the optical information recording medium and the optical head is resumed in an opposite direction to the previous relative movement direction.

Abstract: An optical card recording and reproducing device including an optical head for emitting a light beam spot to the optical card having a plurality of parallel data tracks to which data is recorded; a transfer system for transferring the optical card and/or the optical head; and a track number confirmation means for confirming the track number recorded in the address data area in the data track of the optical card. The optical card recording and reproducing device also includes a transfer stopping means for stopping the optical head when an incorrect track number is deleted. The system minimizes the relative transfer distance between the optical card and the optical head, and at the same time, the total relative transfer distance of the optical card and/or the optical head when confirming the track number more than twice. Thus, the total time required for track number confirmation can be greatly shortened.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling an optical card which is generally rectangular in shape and formed with a first plurality of circular, concentric recording tracks and a second plurality of arc-shaped, concentric recording tracks in each of a pair of sectors defined by a pair of hypothetical diagonal lines of the card and located outside of the first plurality of circular, concentric recording tracks. An optical pick-up is moved to a desired track first by a coarse seek operation which uses the difference between a selected count and the count from a linear sensor, and a fine seek operation which uses the sum of a track correspondence voltage and a track error signal.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing device for a magneto-optical card includes an optical head for irradiating a magneto-optical recording medium of a magneto-optical card placed into the device with a laser beam. A magnetic field generator applies a biased magnetic field to the magneto-optical recording medium, and an optical system manipulating mechanism for the optical system of the above-mentioned optical head varies the spot irradiated by the laser beam. The optical head is fixed to the main frame of the device. The magneto-optical card is also supported where it is irradiated by the laser beam emitted from the optical head. The magneto-optical card is moved in a plane parallel to the surface of the magneto-optical card for rough searching and then a part of or the whole magnetic field generator is moved to come into contact with the magneto-optical card to stop the vibration of the magneto-optical card.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical card recorder-reader, in which erroneous signal recording, caused by a low-level light beam when it is stopped at a position for a prolonged period between writing and/or reading operation, either by interruping the irradiation, or by reducing the power of irradiation, or by placing the light beam outside the recording area, when the recording or reading operation is not in progress.

Abstract: There is provided a card reader which has a card conveying path to sandwich and convey a card between the surfaces of a pair of opposite conveying belts reeved around pulleys and which processes card data by a card processing section arranged on the card conveying path. When it is detected that a drive motor to drive the conveying belts is continuously stopped for a predetermined period of time, the drive motor is raced for a predetermined period of time to prevent that the belts are deformed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a track in a recording medium during a stopped state of recording or reproduction. The method includes accessing a recording and/or reproducing device to a desired track of a plurality of tracks on the information recording medium. The recording and/or reproducing device and the recording medium are not relatively moved in a longitudinal direction of the tracks, while the recording and/or reproducing device is moved relative to the recording medium in a direction which crosses the tracks.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing device includes a head for recording and reproducing information on and from a recording medium, a drive for reciprocally driving the recording medium relative to the recording and reproducing head at a faster speed in a reproducing mode than in a recording mode, a frequency signal producer for producing a frequency signal representing a drive speed of the recording medium, a first control for comparing an output signal of the frequency signal producer with a reference clock signal and feeding a phase error therebetween back to the drive, a second control for detecting the drive speed of the recording medium and feeding a signal representing an error between the detected drive speed and a target speed back to the drive and a switching device for activating at least the first control in the recording mode and deactivating the first control and activating the second control in the reproducing mode.

Abstract: An optical card recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a fixed optical head for scanning the surface of the card with a light beam, a shuttle for holding an optical card, and a motor for moving the shuttle with respect to the optical head. The moving position of the shuttle is detected by a rotary encoder coupled to the motor. The detection output of the encoder provides data which represents the relative positional relationship between the shuttle and the optical head and is used to control the moving speed of the shuttle in such a way that a data area on the optical card is scanned by the light beam at a constant speed. The state in which the optical card is loaded in the shuttle can also be detected, and this detection output is used to compensate for the detection result of the rotary encoder. As a result, the moving speed of the shuttle can be controlled in accordance with the relative positional relationship between the optical head and the optical card.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for reading information stored on a card. The card is introduced through a slot in the fascia and moved along an adjacent guide path by the user. A slider, coupled to the guide path, interrupts the leading edge of the card as the card is moved into the slot and along the guide path. One or more springs, coupled between the slider and a fixed position, store elastic energy as the card is moved into the apparatus and along the guide path. Upon the user releasing the card, the stored elastic energy is applied to the slider to move the card back along the guide path and expel the card through the slot. A speed controlled comprised of a passive D.C. generator/diode under configuration, coupled between the slider and the guide path, maintains the velocity of the card constant as the card moves in either or both directions along the guide path, thereby allowing a fixed position optical or magnetic transducer to read the stored information from the card.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical information record/regenerating apparatus, provided with an optical system for forming a light spot on an optical information recording medium having plural tracks and a track jump area in the tracks, and an optical head movably supporting the optical system so as that the light spot can be moved at least to an adjacent track in the track jump area. Information recording and/or regeneration is achieved by moving both the optical head relative to the recording medium, and by moving the optical system within the optical head. However, the movement of the optical head is prohibited in the track jump area to stabilize the track control operation.

Abstract: A card reader control system includes a measuring device which measures a time interval of a clock signal which is developed from a card reader when a card is manually driven to travel in the card reader. The card reader control system stores the maximum time interval and the minimum time interval of the clock signal measured by the measuring device. When either one or both of the maximum time interval and the minimum time interval is not included in a preferred range, an alarm buzzer is enabled to indicate that the card speed is not suited for the reading operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing a new code on a reusable envelope having more than one space thereon available for printing such codes. The apparatus is comprised of an encoding means for generating a print signal representative of the new code to be printed and a print means (e.g. ink jet printer) is positioned downstream from the encoding means. A transport means moves the envelope from the encoding means and past the print means. A code detection means, e.g. bar code reader (BCR) detects any old codes on the envelope and locates the next available unused space thereon and generates a delay signal which is representative of the position of the unused space. This delay signal is sent to a delay means which, in turn, delays the print signal to the print means until the located unused space lies adjacent the print means.

Abstract: Containers, e.g. bottle crates, industrial containers, of a common issue (Fxx1), e.g. a manufacturing series, are provided with a specific marking which indicates that they belong together. The mixing up of the various issues (Fxx1 . . . Fyz1 . . . Fzz2) which occurs during the circulation (Z, RZ) can again be reversed in an automatic sorting process, which makes it possible to sort out a desired sub-quantity (Fxx1) and to subject same to a further process stage (Rxx1, Axx1). The marked containers display an optically readable marking (3, 4), from which the information for the automatic sorting out of an issue can be noted.

Abstract: A printing system for printing characters in various fonts and formats onto webs of sheet stock of various sizes includes apparatus for cutting the web into various lengths to accommodate various formats as well as for providing different lengths of tags which are interposed between batches of tags to permit easy separation of the batches. A stacker is also provided which selectively stacks the tags in a shingle fashion or into piles. Circuitry is provided to detect jams in the system and to assure that the proper size web corresponding to the selected format is used. Also, the system is provided with circuitry for adjusting the line print position to compensate for positioning errors caused by mechanical tolerances in the printers.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor including a coil for sensing a changing magnetic field developed by paper currency moving past the magnetic sensor. A capacitor forms a tuned circuit with the magnetic sensor coil to pass only those signals lying within a predetermined frequency range. A comparator compares the signals lying within the pass band with a predetermined threshold to determine the presence or absence of genuine currency. The tuned circuit significantly improves the signal to noise ratio of the sensing means and hence, significantly improves the ability to determine the genuineness of the currency. In a second embodiment, the presence of a magnetic field having a field strength above the predetermined threshold is utilized to pass timing pulses for clocking a counter. A decoder gate coupled to the counter indicates the presence of a genuine bill, only after a predetermined count has been reached.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with providing automatic identification of lines of time cards and the like on which time-in, time-out and related data is to be printed or recorded, by printing distinctive marks in the data field of the card on such lines, and sensing the presence of the marks to signal advancement on the next card usage to the next line.

Abstract: A card having two adjacent magnetic tracks is used as a substitute for coins in activating laundry machines and the like. The first track is a data track encoded with a security code and pulses indicating a number of future uses of the card. The second track is a timing track used for both reading and writing encoded with square wave signals having a rate greater than the data rate on the first track and having the assertive edge coinciding with the start of pulses on the first track to strobe the first track to determine whether pulses are a "1" or a "0". The system re-encodes on the first track as the card leaves the machine one less number of uses of the card than when the card entered the machine, energizes a relay to start the laundry machine, and punches the card to indicate one use. A noise suppressor prevents re-encoding noise from affecting reading second track signals. The system employs a counter which is disabled so that the re-encoding cannot occur when the card enters the machine.

Abstract: A scanner is provided with photosensors and a stationary registration mark placed on each side of the reading window. The registration mark is thus located in the reading field of the photosensors as long as no document is presented for scanning within the reading window. A document which arrives within the reading window is interposed between the registration mark and the photosensors. A comparison circuit coupled with the photosensors delivers a document-reading start signal when the reading signal no longer corresponds to a registration-mark reading signal stored in memory during a preceding reading operation, that is, when the front edge of the document begins to enter the reading window.

Abstract: A card reading apparatus having a hopper in which cards bearing digital information such as punched cards or marked cards are accommodated, a card drive unit for feeding the cards from the hopper and a reading station for reading the information recorded on the cards is disclosed. The hopper is provided with a first switch for detecting the presence or absence of the card and a second switch for detecting the presence or absence of a card weight. Different instructions are given to the card drive unit in accordance with the transition of the status of the first and second switches to feed the cards in the hopper to the reading station in different modes.

Abstract: A detector 10 used to sense the presence of control markings 20 on a moving web 12. The detector responds to abrupt changes in intensity of electromagnetic radiation rather than merely to absolute intensity values. Gradual changes in or a constant level of detected radiation or detector temperature do not change the magnitude of the abrupt changes in radiation intensity to which the detector responds. This capability allows the detector to distinguish between electromagnetic radiation emitted by wavelength-shifting control marks 20 and changes in web background and/or ambient radiation. A filter 38 is interposed between a photo diode 36 in the detector 10 and the web 12 to further enhance detector performance.

Abstract: A card having a longitudinal strip of encoded magnetic tape is inserted in a slot in a machine which feeds the card into the machine, reads the information on the strip, reverses the direction of the card and impacts the card to form an indentation to indicate a use of the card. The card is initially encoded for plural uses. Each time the card is used, the number of available uses is decreased on the information on the strip and corresponding indentations are impacted on the card.

Abstract: A time base signal for controlling the recording of binary data is developed by measuring the velocity of a magnetic record. The velocity is measured by determining an average velocity by the time interval required for a mark recorded by a write head to move a predetermined distance to a read head and correcting the average velocity as a function of the acceleration of the record. The acceleration is determined by recording a reference frequency pattern at a first station, reading the pattern at a second station, and measuring the difference between the written and read patterns.

Abstract: A simulated rail car identification system including a plurality of coded labels mounted at spaced apart locations on an endless conveyor. The conveyor produces horizontal movement of the labels sequentially through a zone viewed by an optical scanner. A control system monitors and controls operation of the endless conveyor and generates block signals responsive to the relative position thereof and wheel signals responsive to the entry of individual labels into the viewing zone. Processing and decoding of the information retained by the moving labels is accomplished by a data processor that receives the output of the scanner and the block and wheel signals from the control system. The effectiveness of the scanner and processor are determined by comparing their output to the data programmed into the control system and encoded on the moving labels.

Abstract: A toll road terminal machine having dual functions as a transit ticket issuing machine at an entrance gate and as a transit ticket verifying machine at an exit gate includes: a main conveyor section provided with a magnetic read/write head assembly for writing on and reading from a magnetic recording zone of a transit ticket and a printer for printing on a printing zone of the same transit ticket; the machine also includes a joining conveyor section for conveying either a transit ticket fed from a transit ticket hopper or a transit ticket inserted into an insertion port to the main conveyor section, and a separating conveyor section for conveying a transit ticket fed from said main conveyor section either to a stacker or to an ejection port.

Abstract: A transition code processing system which includes a record member on which is located a plurality of bar code symbols, each of which comprises a data channel and a clocking channel. The record member is inserted into a data terminal device and intermittently driven through a printing station in which a sensing member senses the data channel out of phase with the sensing of the clocking channel and generates signals in response thereto. A circuit coupled to the sensing member will process the generated signals and transmit the processed signals to a utilization device. Upon processing the signals representing the last bar code symbol on the record member, the circuit will generate a control signal for stopping the movement of the record member through the printing station, thereby conditioning the record member for a subsequent printing operation.

Abstract: Microfiche cards bear digital information. The digital information includes information to be read and/or information for controlling a microfiche card transport and/or scanner in order to accurately position the microfiche card for information retrieval. Static alignment techniques are also disclosed for aligning the information content of a microfiche card with respect to the transport.

Abstract: Cost saving and improved reliability are achieved in document handling apparatus controlled by code markings on the documents. By using only as many reading heads as there are channels containing code markings one after another in a predetermined feeding direction of the document through the machine, to generate pulses corresponding to the markings, simplified digital control circuitry, including shift registers, can be used to control the operation of document handling stations synchronously with the arrival times of the document at the stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents having both pre-printed information adapted to be identified by an automatic recognition device and handwritten information adapted to be identified by the human eye. Each document is subjected to an operation involving the reading of the information contained thereon in two recurrent operating phases and an operation involving the recording of fresh data thereon. In the first phase, the pre-printed information is read by an automatic recognition device. During the second phase, the handwritten information is read visually and transcribed by an encoding device. Simultaneously therewith, fresh data is recorded on another document which was subjected to a reading operation in the course of the two next preceding operating phases.

Abstract: In a high speed document printing system a hole mask circuit is provided to compensate for erroneous indications of the entry of additional documents into the system due to the sensing of a discontinuity or aperture within the body of a valid document. The hole mask circuit receives a document present signal from an associated sensor and employs a retriggerable timing means to inhibit the recognition of an additional document unless the sensor has previously signaled the continuous absence of a document for a preselected time interval. The circuit is capable of discriminating between a valid document having apertures of a preselected maximum size, documents having invalidly sized apertures and spacings between successive documents.

Abstract: Signatures of a book are identified with a binary coded indicia on the backbone. A signature verifier having a row of indicia sensors associated with the stack of signatures in the stream feeder of a gathering machine senses the coded indicia. In the event of an error, the verifier gives an alarm or stops the stream feeder. A book of plural signatures has a plurality of indicia on the backbone. A verifier has corresponding plural rows of sensors which detect the indicia and are sampled sequentially.

Abstract: This specification discloses a card processing apparatus which is constructed such that a card having information recorded thereon and a paper leaf are superposedly placed on card tray movably disposed in an opening formed within the housing of the apparatus and the following card processing is carried out by pushing the card tray into the interior of the housing: first, the card and the paper leaf are separated from each other and the card alone is transported so that first information recorded on the card is read by reader means, whereafter the card is transported back to the card tray to restore its initial position; next, information extraneously entered is compared with the first information read from the card and only when the two types of information are identical, urge means is operated to urge the superposed card and paper leaf, whereby second information recorded on the card is recorded onto the paper leaf.